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vintage thrifting in nyc's east village.

lucid ladybug's guide to vintage and thrifting in NYC's East Village neighborhood. | Meghan Kennedy 3/23/25

Woman in sunglasses and a blue coat stands against a green wall, wearing a colorful scarf. She's looking to the side, exuding a relaxed mood.

If you're looking for vintage in NYC you have to visit Brooklyn or the East Village. I lived uptown but the journey down or to the East was always worth the haul. If you're visiting NYC and looking to hit a lot of vintage spots at once - I recommend visiting the East Village. I'm sharing the perfect guide to thrifting without leaving the island.


I’ve always been into fashion and photography - covering my childhood bedroom walls with magazine clippings and photographs while sourcing my outfits from thrift stores before thrifting was ever considered cool (Treasure Chest fill a bag at @sandycoveministries may be where it all started).


Child in red coat and sunglasses holding a flashlight, smiling in a plant-filled room with a window and a birdhouse. Casual and playful mood.


Red storefront with colorful "Buffalo" sign. East Side NYC Buffalo Exchange. Open door reveals clothing racks inside. "We're hiring" poster on window. Urban setting.

I love the endless opportunities thrift shops offer for fashion. The inspiration is so different from a standard department store experience. I've always loved the experimentation and self-exploration of fashion through the world of styling.


I grew up a Barbie gal with a Mom who sewed - and taught us how to sew at a young age. My whole life we've been playing with fabrics, cuts, and hems - evening dyeing! I remember hand-dyeing my Halloween costumes growing up and sewing my ballet slippers.


Woman with long hair holding a wine glass, sitting at a restaurant table with dishes and a wine bottle. Dim, cozy ambiance.


Storefront displaying various cheeses with a sign reading "Homemade Mozzarella & Pasta Since 1908" in red and white. Vintage vibe.

I take the NJ Transit train from Hamilton, NJ into Penn Station 34th Street ($37.50/roundtrip adult). I've been taking this train for over 14 years - it's safe, clean, efficient, and gets you into midtown without having to drive, pay to park, deal with traffic, etc. You can hop in a cab or on the subway (NQR to 14th St Union Sq) to get to the East Village from Penn Station.


Here is the perfect list for an afternoon of thrifting and vintage in NYC with your bestie.


Where to Shop

Clothing rack outside a store with colorful garments. Black facade, large window reflection. Sidewalk has pink graffiti. Urban setting.



L Train Vintage - 1st Ave + E. 12th St. - A great selection of vintage, reasonably priced and sectioned off by style.

East Village Thrift Shop - 2nd Ave + E. 12th St. - Pop over the avenue to the thrift shop to sift through their endless racks of clothing downstairs. More thrift than vintage!

Buffalo Exchange - 1st Ave + E. 11th St. - Zig zag back over to 1st Ave to spend time in Buffalo Exchange. This reminds me of going to Plato's Closet growing up. Vintage is not the focus here but they have such a great selection - especially because those NYU students are coming in and out daily to consign their clothes. SO many going out tops!

Vintage Reserve LLC. - Next door to Buffalo Exchange - beautifully curated boutique-style vintage shop.

9th St. Vintage - 1st Ave + E. 9th St. - Another beautifully curated vintage boutique with a great selection of denim.

Tokio 7 - 1st Ave + E. 7th St. - Next door to Abraço. Reminds me of living in Tokyo on tour and visiting Shimokitazawa for vintage! Tokio 7 is an elevated vintage shop carrying designer vintage.

AuH20 - Across the street from Tokio 7. Cute boutique with vintage, thrift, and jewelry!


Where to Eat

Warmly lit cafe interior with neon "abraço" sign. Vintage coffee machines, flowers, and a cozy ambiance with red hues dominate the scene.

Coffee/Breakfast


  • Abraço - 1st Ave + E. 7th St. - Coffee by day, cocktails by night. We respect the no laptop policy and the fact that they only carry organic whole milk for your lattes. Cozy up in a corner with a croissant or we recommend the mushroom quiche! It felt like stepping back in time a bit - so many artists, students, professors, and travelers popping in and out for a shot at the bar.




Two plates with a pastry and cake, forks, two lattes, and sunglasses on a wooden table, creating a calm, monochrome cafe scene.

Lunch/Dinner

  • Balade Lebanese Cuisine - 1st Ave + E. 12th St. - Michelin-star restaurant with a lovely selection of wine to pair perfectly with Lebanese small plates like Fattoush, Grilled Halloume Cheese, Hummus, and Falafel. We toasted with Sauvy B of course - pictures are from our recent trip with Sherrill Flaum from Sauvy B and Wine Enthusiast!





Tips for thrifting


Woman in a thrift store in NYC looking through the clothing rack of women vintage tops


  • Thrift with purpose. I am always shopping for an upcoming event, season, or reason. Shopping with intention keeps you from overconsuming or buying 'just because'. I also keep a price point in my head of what I am comfortable spending that day.

  • I keep a "Treasure Hunt" list on my phone - with concepts and ideas for myself and my clients. Everything from seasonal pieces, staples that need a refresh in my closet, artwork, or homeware we need to update. I also keep a list of all my clients' wedding decor - if I can find their decor secondhand - I'm doing it!

  • I find lots of inspiration from Pinterest, Instagram, and honestly just from putting myself in new situations and spaces and allowing myself to be present to observe. We love to travel and visit antique shops, thrift shops, coffee shops, local boutiques on main streets, wineries, parks, and restaurants. I am always taking in the decor and staging as well as what folks are wearing and how they're styling it!

  • You must keep an open mind. This is a balance of thrifting with purpose and also being open. You never know when or where the perfect piece is waiting for you - be patient and be willing to think outside of the box. You are on a treasure hunt!

  • I look for colors and fabrics that jump out at me. I always start with my size! I will occasionally jump up a size but really try to avoid this because it can easily lead to overconsumption if you're poking around every single rack. When looking for jeans I scan the hemlines first!

  • If it's not a heck yes, it's a no. We are only buying pieces for our bodies and our homes that spark joy and make us feel good! Life is too short to be dressed boring - or in something that you don't feel absolutely fabulous in.


Woman in sunglasses and scarf stands against a textured wall, looking down. She is wearing a dark coat and jeans, creating a relaxed mood.


Cheers to sustainable style. It's exciting to see thrift and vintage at the forefront of fashion.


To see the change, we must be the change. That starts with our words and our actions. You vote every time you swipe your card or hand over your cash. Stopping to pause and think about where and how we're spending - allows us a present moment to focus on what truly matters and what we actually need to purchase. Shopping vintage and secondhand keeps clothes out of landfills and our beautiful oceans. You can also find quality fabrics and pieces at affordable rates which is also so important to me. Style is not exclusive to the elite! Get out there and get treasure hunting. Interested in a Custom Styling Session with lucid ladybug? Email lucidladybugvintage@gmail.com to spark the conversation.




Cheers,

Meghan Kennedy

lucid ladybug llc. photographer + author | all rights reserved.





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