The Five Best Thrift Stores Around the New School

After fashion week, college students across the city can breathe a sigh of relief, knowing that they can now scroll through their Instagram and Facebook feeds without being bombarded with pictures of runway looks that they would sacrifice their entire year’s earnings for. These looks are just a credit card swipe away for the super-rich, but college students drowning in debt and earning $7.25 an hour can’t quite live that dream. So rather than sacrificing a month’s worth of grocery money for those Doc Martens you’ve been yearning for, hit up a thrift store.

We all know thrift shopping is not an easy task; one must be committed and dedicated to the goal of finding a diamond in the rough. You may have to search for ages, pin-balling your way through the racks of 90s dresses that will never be in style, or the nightmarish “mom jeans” section. But, oh baby, when you find that jean jacket with the perfect amount of wear and tear for $12, it’s all worth it.

This ranking of thrift stores is based on a number of factors – the first being the quality and quantity of the goods you can find. Nobody likes a thrift store that feels like everything being sold was donated by your dad. The second factor is price. Let’s be real; nobody wants to buy a pair of used Levi’s for $75. The third factor contributing to the ranking is hipster level. What I discovered was the more hipster-ish the store, the better the finds. Thus, the stores were judged on a hipsterness scale of George Bush to the L-Train – Prez. Bush representing a negative one on the scale, and the L-Train being obnoxiously hipster.

#5 Buffalo Exchange

Where: 332 E 11th St. – New York, NY 10003

Why: BE is a staple in any ranking of thrift stores. They’re located all over the country and aren’t too picky with the stuff they buy, which is great if you want to sell an item and even better if you just want to get lost in all the stuff. Their selection is large and prices are low, but the place can sometimes be a hit or miss on quality. Definitely less hipster than other places you may find, but again, low prices.

Sell: Yes! But because it’s the awkward in-between season time, they will be more selective on the spring clothes they buy and won’t be buying winter clothes (unless it’s a must-have). You can usually walk away from this place with a decent amount of cash or credit if you bring in a good load.

#4 Stella Dallas

Where: 218 Thompson St. – New York, NY 10012

Why: This place is a gem! They carry some of the coolest, trendiest vintage pieces and while the average price range is between $50 and $80, you can really find some awesome stuff. It’s small, so not too much to dig through, but everything there is worth the time to find. Since it is pretty pricey, it’s most likely a one-and-done kind of place but it’s definitely worth it. It’s also just on the other side of Washington Square Park – an easy walk from campus for an in-between class excursion.

Sell: No. Stella can be a bit of a snob and chooses not to buy from us regular folks.

#3 Monk Thrift Shop

Where: 175 MacDougal St., New York, NY 10011

Why: You’ve entered hipster heaven. Monk Thrift Shop is a dark, musky abyss of rock n’ roll tees and acid jean cutoffs. The store goes on forever and is packed from floor to ceiling with stuff. The amount of clothes is a little intimidating but once you get in the groove, it’s worth it. Plus, it’s all pretty cheap and just a couple blocks away from campus.

Sell: No. Again, picky buyers.

 

#2 Beacon’s Closet

Where: 10 W 13th St., New York, NY 10011

Why: Beacon really knows what’s up. From the color-coordinated racks to the wall-to-ceiling shelf of shoes, Beacon’s Closet is a thrift store for the ages. It carries a whole variety of styles from 90s schoolgirl to 70s dancing queen. Price wise, you can find stuff for anywhere between $10 to $40, depending on the style and quality of the piece.

Sell: YES. Similar to Buffalo Exchange, Beacon’s is only buying spring stuff at the moment and is being very selective. Within the next few weeks, they say they will be less selective on the spring garb that they buy.

 

#1 No Relation Vintage

Where: 204 First Av., New York, NY 10009

Why: This place is hands down the coolest spot in the area for cheap, vintage garb. The style is definitely more of a jean jacket, tight pants, vintage shirt kind of place as opposed to the flower child looks you’d find at Stella Dallas. The first things you see when you walk in are perfectly shredded, high waist jean shorts for the beautiful price of $15. And, oh, the sweaters! Racks on racks!

Sell: No, but they are forgiven because of how ridiculously cool their stuff is.