Shopping

Of the dozens of thrift stores in NYC, these are the best places to shop for secondhand gems

Instead of searching "clothing thrift stores near me in New York" you should actually be you know, perusing said stores. Rounded up are the city's best.

alt
Photo: <a href="http://www.stocksy.com" target="_blank">Stocksy</a>/Jesse Morrow
Published Feb 26, 2019

Written by 

Tamim Alnuweiri

Despite its reputation for being pricey, New York has a deceptive abundance of thrift stores dotted throughout its five boroughs, making it an ideal spot to secondhand shop.

Some of these places are the type where you need to (or should) dedicate at least a couple of hours to sift through the thousands of garments in search of sartorial gold. Others, aware of their space limitations, are a little bit pricier but more curated and easier to sort through—I like to think of them as thrifting lite.

Regardless of where you choose to go, you should really save your time and energy for finding gems rather than finding thrift stores. Luckily the city’s best are rounded up below. And before you get shopping a little trade secret: All of the best slip dresses are in fact found in thrift stores.

1. L Train Vintage

Finding an L Train Vintage store can be a little bit confusing. Technically it’s a chain of stores but certain locations go by different names—like the one in the East Village, which is called No Relation. But regardless, this is perhaps the most tried and true thrift store experience in New York City. It specializes in basics like shirts and plain dresses, priced at $7. (Things get incrementally for expensive depending on what exactly you’re looking for, though still definitely affordable.) In true thrift store fashion, you should expect to dedicate at least an hour to sifting through the heaps to find your buried treasure.

No Relation, 204 1st Ave., New York, New York, 10009; (212) 228-5201

L Train Vintage, 1377 Dekalb Ave., Brooklyn, New York,11221; (718) 443-6940

L Train Vintage, 629 Grand St., Brooklyn, New York,11211; (929) 337-8074

L Train Vintage, 654 Sackett St., Brooklyn, New York, 11217; (718) 858-4906

L Train Vintage, 106 Knickerbocker Ave., Brooklyn, New York, 11237; (718) 366-2200

2. Cure Thrift Shop

New York City is filled with charitable thrift stores and Cure Thrift Shop is a great one in the East Village with proceeds that go to type 1 diabetes research and advocacy. The curatorial philosophy seems to be everything and anything which makes it an ideal place for people with a skill for plucking needles in haystacks.

advertisement

Cure Thrift Shop, 111 E. 12th St., New York, New York, 10003; (212) 505-7467

3. Auh20

AuH2O is a great store for people easing their way into thrifting or who get overwhelmed by the mayhem usually synonymous with secondhand stores. This spot is small and pretty curated. There are only ever about 50 pieces of clothing out at once and at super affordable price points.

AuH2O, 84 E. 7th St., New York, New York, 10003; (212) 466-0844

4. city opera thrift shop

The City Opera Thrift Shop in Chelsea is as classy and sophisticated feeling as the name suggests. The store is packed with a vast selection of homewares and fashion with the proceeds from the store helping the New York City Opera stay up and running.

City Opera Thrift Shop, 222 E. 23rd St., New York, New York, 10010; (212) 684-5344

5. Housing Works

Housing Works is one of my favorite institutions in New York City. The nonprofit was started in 1990 to try and address the AIDS and homelessness epidemics in the city. Since then, Housing Works thrift stores, book stores, and cafés have come to dot the city. Items here are affordable and you can feel good about your purchase since it means keeping something out of a landfill and putting your money toward a good cause. There are over 10 locations in the city so regardless of where you are there’s likely one a stone’s throw away but the main two are located in SoHo and Chelsea.

advertisement

Housing Works Thrift Shop, 143 W 17th St, New York, New York, 10011; (718) 838-5050

Housing Works Thrift Shop, 130 Crosby St, New York, New York, 10012; (646) 786-1200

6. Beacon’s Closet

Beacon’s Closet has four locations sprawled across the city, which means it’s almost always a convenient pit stop. The store is great for the high-low shopper; you can find anything from high-quality (and high price tag) designer pieces to cheap, well-constructed vintage gems and newer secondhand pieces.

Beacon’s Closet, 10 W. 13th St., New York, New York, 10011; (917) 261-4863

Beacon’s Closet, 74 Guernsey St., Brooklyn, New York, 11222; (718) 486-0816

Beacon’s Closet, 23 Bogart St., Brooklyn, New York, 11237; (718) 417-5683

Beacon’s Closet, 92 5th Ave., Brooklyn, New York, 11217; (718) 230-1630

advertisement

7. Rags-a-go-go

Rags-A-Go-Go never left the ’80s, which makes it one of the best thrift stores to peruse in our aesthetically nostalgic times. The store is packed with retro windbreakers, vintage denim, and old records, all at affordable prices.

Rags-A-Go-Go, 218 W. 14th St. Ste. A, New York, New York, (212) 254-6115

Finish off your NYC travel guide by hitting up one of the city’s pole dancing studios and Kundalini yoga classes. 

Sign Up for Our Daily Newsletter

Get all the latest in wellness, trends, food, fitness, beauty, and more delivered right to your inbox.

ShoppingBeauty

Tons of Elizabeth Arden Skincare Finds Are on Major Sale at Walmart Right Now—Here’s What a Dermatologist Is Eyeing

Beautiful woman looking in mirror, applying Elizabeth Arden skincare lotion to face
Photo: Stocksy/jamie grill atlas
Published Feb 25, 2025

Written by 

Maeve McCormick

Our editors independently select these products. Making a purchase through our links may earn Well+Good a commission

Growing up, I’d sit cross-legged on my mom’s bathroom floor, totally mesmerized as she pulled out her stash of Elizabeth Arden skincare. There were the tiny serum capsules she’d crack open with precision, rich creams she smoothed on with ritualistic care, and the occasional spritz of her signature Red Door perfume (I can still smell it). To me, those sleek jars and gold-trimmed bottles felt like the height of sophistication—beauty secrets reserved for someone who really knew what they were doing.

advertisement

Those luxe moments are seared in my memory—but it turns out they're not just a thing of the past. Fast forward to today, and Elizabeth Arden is still going strong with the kind of staying power most beauty brands can only dream of. Board-certified dermatologist Rachel Nazarian, MD, FAAD credits it all to its nourishing skincare ingredients like ceramides, vitamin C, and hyaluronic acid.

From Dr. Nazarian's perspective, taking care of your skin with high-quality, veteran products is always worth the investment. But right now, tons of Elizabeth Arden skincare favorites are on *major* sale at Walmart—which means you don't have to swallow a luxury price tag to reap the benefits of these classics.

Peep Dr. Nazarian's Elizabeth Arden recommendations and add them to your cart while they're up to 75 percent off. When you do, you'll usher in your most nourished complexion—and a skincare routine that stands the test of time.

Elizabeth Arden Ceramide Lift and Firm Eye Cream

Ceramide Lift and Firm Eye Cream — $34

One more time for the people in the back: An eye cream doesn’t need to cost $150 an ounce to deliver real results. Take this one, for example, which combines ceramides and vitamin E to deeply hydrate the under-eye area and help smooth fine lines, Dr. Nazarian says. It also contains peptides, which she says can help combat premature aging.

Elizabeth Arden New Prevage City Smart SPF 50

New Prevage City Smart SPF 50 Lotion — $30

On the hunt for the holy grail of everyday sunscreens? This one—which is nearly $40 off—may be your new match. "Never met a sunscreen I didn't like, but this one does a great job for those of us living in polluted cities, which research has shown can cause premature aging," Dr. Nazarian says.

"This sunscreen has barrier technology that protects against pollutants and improves skin's defenses against free-radical damage. It utilizes sheer zinc and titanium as its UV blockers, and blends with most skin types." Think of it as your skin’s daily armor, sans heavy-duty price tag.

Superstart Skin Renewal Booster by Elizabeth Arden

Superstart Skin Renewal Booster — $35

Turns out, Elizabeth Arden was ahead of the skin-microbiome curve. This serum uses probiotics to help balance your skin, keeping it strong and better protected from environmental stressors, Dr. Nazarian says. Think of it like a built-in bodyguard for your face. By reinforcing the skin barrier, it also helps lock in moisture for a healthier, more resilient complexion.

advertisement
Elizabeth Arden Ceramide Vitamin C Capsules

Ceramide Vitamin C Capsules — $25

Nourished skin, no matter where you go? Yes, please. "[This product is a] great way to travel with your vitamin C because it keeps this notoriously unstable vitamin in its purest state until you pop it open and use it," Dr. Nazarian says. "Vitamin C is quite sensitive to light and air, and these single-use capsules keep it effective until needed, and combine it with ceramides to hydrate and improve tolerability."

Psst: These radiance-boosting serum pods are normally priced at $95—so snag them while they're 75 percent off and toss them in your carry-on.

Ceramide Premiere Activation SPF 30 by Elizabeth Arden

Ceramide Premiere Activation SPF 30 — $54

If you’re aiming to simplify your skincare routine without sacrificing results, Dr. Nazarian recommends this all-in-one cream. After cleansing in the morning, swipe it on to hydrate, protect against UV rays, and boost your skin’s health in one simple step. With ceramides to fortify the skin barrier, SPF 30 for daily protection, and a collagen-boosting form of vitamin A, this formula works as hard as you do.

alt

Hydra-Plumping Serum Ceramide Capsules — $50

Found: Your skin's moisture dream team—at a price that feels too good to be true. "The great thing about this product is that it combines two different methods of improving moisture in the skin—a humectant, which draws in water (hyaluronic acid), but also an emollient to seal it in (ceramide)," Dr. Nazarian says. "This prevents loss of moisture to the environment. Both ingredients are naturally found in our own skin, and work well for all skin types."

I'm adding these to my cart while they're over $65 off—and calling my mom to let her in on every one of these steals at Walmart.

Sign Up for Our Daily Newsletter

Get all the latest in wellness, trends, food, fitness, beauty, and more delivered right to your inbox.

All Stories

Health

6 Ways to Deal With Narcissistic Parents as an Adult

You don't have to just grin and bear it.

by Kathleen Ferraro
on Mar 10
person wearing a tan button down shirt on top of black and white striped shirt and red pants sitting on their coach in their living room talking on the phone and learning how to deal with a narcissistic parent
Fitness

7 *Actually* Fun Exercise Routines to Try if You Hate Working Out

Because exercising doesn't have to be boring.

by Sami Roberts
on Mar 10
Two young friends sitting in a roller rink where skates
Fitness
Fitness Tips

The Surprising Way to Strengthen Your Hip Joint, According to Experts

Hint: Giving that ball and socket some love doesn't always mean more stretching.

by Jennifer Heimlich
on Mar 10
Side view of strong African American female in sportswear squatting during fitness workout under blue light
Shopping

Take It From a Cleaning Fanatic: These 14 Spring Cleaning Tools Will Get the Job Done

With spring just around the corner, it's time for a big spring clean (or a BSC, if you will).

by Jamey Powell
on Mar 10
woman vacuuming with baby
Shopping

The Products Our Editors Bought in February That Made Them *So* Happy

Shop the products that invited more delight into the Well+Good editors' lives.

by Khuyen Dinh
on Mar 10
Joy of the month