Founded in 1974 in Tucson, Arizona, Desert Vintage only recently made its way to Orchard Street in New York City. After opening on the east coast in 2021, the shop quickly became a must-stop on any Lower East Sider’s shopping tour. The offering is an extremely curated and luxurious collection of western-inspired and antique pieces—some dating back to the turn of the century. From no-name, exquisite coats to ’70s Gucci, Desert Vintage has the crème de la crème.
Run by co-owners Collin James and Brandon Veloria, James Veloria is a New York-native go-to shop for fashion gurus, and now it also has a Los Angeles hub. Priding themselves on having fun with fashion, the assortment reflects the business’s values. “We sell fun and irreverent vintage designer clothing from the ’90s and ’00s at an accessible price point,” Veloria says. “You’ll find racks filled with a rotating selection from subversive, avant garde designers like Jean Paul Gaultier, Comme des Garçons, Vivienne Westwood, and Martin Margiela.”
A deep cut but still fan favorite among vintage lovers (the Instagram account has been reposted by Chloë Sevigny herself), Either Store is “here for the nostalgic, the exciting, and the classic,” says owner Juno De La Cruz. “Timeless doesn’t have to be boring. I most admire creative geniuses like Westwood, Miguel Adrover, Kawakubo, and Watanabe, to name a few.” Shop on Either Store’s Instagram page using Direct Messaging, and Juno, who is based in Santa Maria, California, California, will ensure you find the piece you’re looking for.
Speaking of this account, it is certainly another to mark as a vintage encyclopedia and place to shop. Owned by Leon Teke, who is based in Berlin, the account is entirely shoppable (just DM to make a purchase). Leon sources pieces like Jean Paul Gaultier from the ’80s and Prada from the ’90s—essentially, everything any true vintage fan would be hunting for, and it all goes fast.
A UK-based podcast dedicated to vintage collectors from all over the world, Cant Not is both a shoppable Instagram account and media company. Episodes of the podcast feature vintage gurus such as “thrift queen” Macy Eleni, The Archivist, and Leon Teke of Cop. “We curate the best online vintage so that you don’t have to,” says Stina, the owner. “The podcast dives into the world of your favorite collectors, looks at how we can create a more conscious fashion system, and highlights the most coveted designers in vintage right now.”
Described as a department store of vintage sellers, Club Vintage is based in New York City’s Seaport. Just by looking at their Instagram’s following list, one can tell this is an It girl’s hotspot for sourcing fashion and home finds. “We have 103 internationally-based resellers in our store and online,” says owner and vintage expert Anna Gray. “Probably your favorite ones.”
Last, but most certainly not least, is a mainstay in the Brooklyn vintage scene. Chickee’s Vintage was launched in 2019 by owner Kathleen Sorbara who worked as a model before opening her boutique in Williamsburg. Inspired by a love for thrifting, she sources vintage pieces from around the world as well as curates finds from small, sustainable designers. Follow the account to stay up to date on what’s in store, or even better, make a visit next time you’re in the neighborhood—it’s always an uplifting stop.
