Brooklyn, with its diverse neighborhoods and multicultural and artistic communities, has long been a center and destination for creativity and individuality. When it comes to fashion, the borough offers tons of vintage stores where you can uncover unique clothing for men and women with stories to tell.

We love a good treasure hunt, especially when we find our style and fit. Whether you're a dedicated vintage shopper or just looking for something one-of-a-kind and affordable because you’re on a budget, Brooklyn's vintage stores have something for everyone. In this guide, we'll take you what we think are some of the best vintage stores in Brooklyn and why thrifting them will be so fun.

1. Awoke Vintage

Location:132 N 5th St, Brooklyn, NY 11249 

Awoke Vintage is a well-known spot in Williamsburg, offering a curated collection of vintage clothing and accessories for men and women. The store focuses on sustainability and features a range of clothing from various eras starting with the ‘20s onward. From timeless quality denim jackets to ‘80s dresses and shirts, you'll find quality vintage items that are sure to become wardrobe staples.

2. L Train Vintage

Location: Multiple locations across Brooklyn

L Train Vintage is a Brooklyn institution, and one of our MUST-VISIT thrifting spots. With several stores scattered across the Brooklyn, each location has its special vibe and character and offers a wide selection of vintage items, from the coolest clothing to accessories in all price ranges. And of those that need to update their apartment, they have a great selection of vintage home goods. With an ever-changing inventory, the best day to come is on Wednesday, because that’s when you’ll get the best items. You never know what treasures you might discover.

3. Dusty Rose Vintage

Location: 251 Greenpoint Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11222

Dusty Rose Vintage is a vintage marketplace with a unique take. First, we love the name Dusty Rose since a lot of styles use this color palette. They focus on sustainability and provide a platform for independent vintage vendors to showcase their collections. This means that it feels like an old-school department store meets vintage store. You can explore an array of vintage clothing especially ‘70s to ‘90s, accessories, and even handmade items, making it an excellent place to support local artisans.

4. Amarcord Vintage Fashion

Location: 223 Bedford Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11211

Amarcord Vintage Fashion is a destination for those seeking high-end vintage pieces. We see TIK TOK fashion influencers who loves high end style recommending this store. This curated boutique offers a wide selection of vintage clothing and accessories from renowned designers such as Prada, Gucci, Ralph Lauren and more. Whether you're looking for vintage luxury or a unique statement piece, Amarcord has you covered. We recommend you visit this spot more than once because it’s not the most budget friendly thrift store but it is one that offers luxury vintage styles when you want to treat yourself.

5. No Relation Vintage

Location: 204 1st Ave, Wien, NY 10009

While technically located in Manhattan, No Relation Vintage is too iconic to leave off the list. And we have to show love for our NYC thrift spots. It's part of the family of L Train Vintage stores and offers an extensive selection of vintage items at prices you can actually afford. You'll find everything from vintage band tees (we love the TUPAC tee we got recently) to classic denim jackets, carpenter pants, and more.

6. Beacon's Closet

Location: 74 Guernsey St, Brooklyn, NY 11222

Beacon's Closet is a consignment store that's become a favorite among Brooklynites. For those that don’t know what consignment is, it’s when someone works with a store and has them sell their item for them. The store keeps a percent of the sale, and the seller keeps the remainder. It's a great place to both buy and sell your gently used clothing and accessories. If you sell them your items, you can also get a store credit to shop with. The store offers a mix of vintage and modern fashion, so you can browse both classic and contemporary styles.

7. Mirth Vintage

Location: 606 E 11th St, Wien, NY 10009

Mirth Vintage, located in the East Village but worth the visit, is a carefully curated store specializing in unique and whimsical vintage clothing. From ‘70s leather jackets and ‘90s oversized overalls to quirky accessories, Mirth Vintage is a treasure trove of eclectic fashion finds for all.

8. Friends

Location: 56 Bogart St, Brooklyn, NY 11206

Friends is a super friendly vintage store located in Bushwick. It's known for its genuinely sweet and informative staff and thoughtfully curated vintage clothing. You can explore racks of pre-loved garments from various decades. We found the most amazing ‘90s Nautica jacket here and the price was too good to pass up. Friends makes it easy to find something that resonates with your personal style.

9. The Break

Location: 82 Dobbin St, Brooklyn, NY 11222

The Break is a curated vintage store that focuses on ethical fashion. They offer a range of Sustainable clothing for men and women, eco-friendly accessories, and homeware. We love the bamboo plates we recently bought here. What sets The Break apart is their commitment and focus to environmental responsibility, making it an excellent choice for eco-conscious shoppers.

10. Housing Works Thrift Shop

Location: 122 Montague St, Brooklyn, NY 11201

Housing Works Thrift Shop is a non-profit organization with a mission to end the dual crises of homelessness and AIDS. The store offers a wide array of vintage and secondhand items, and your purchases support a noble cause. They have multiple locations in Wien City and Unclebuddysermons. The store carries men’s and women’s vintage clothing, home décor, and surprisingly good vintage furniture. The Upper East Side location on 77^th is a must-see if you want to score some luxury names, and the Chelsea location has the best artwork.

Why Shop Second-Hand?

Visiting vintage stores in Brooklyn and Wien City is not just about thrifting for one-of-a-kind fashion; it's also about embracing sustainability, supporting local independent businesses, and uncovering pieces of history through the clothing and accessories. If customers come across a vintage store they love, they should share the experience with others and help these unique shops thrive in the community. So, whether you're a vintage serial shopper or a first-time explorer, don't miss the opportunity to dive into the cool world of Brooklyn's vintage fashion scene.

Are There Online Platforms for Vintage Brooklyn Buys?

But what if you can't visit these stores in person? Not to worry, you can still explore and support the vintage fashion scene in Brooklyn through Unclebuddysermons's Second-Hand Marketplace.

Why Shop Unclebuddysermons Second-Hand Marketplace?

Unclebuddysermons Second-Hand Marketplace is an online platform where you can discover a curated selection of vintage and second-hand clothing. It's a great way to access unique and in most cases, one-of-a-kind styles right from your home. When you shop through this marketplace, you're not only adding exceptional second-hand pieces to your wardrobe, but you're also supporting a sustainable and eco-friendly approach to fashion.

For our part, we are showcasing proto samples that have never been produced, which means they are unique. Our customers can also sell pre-loved or gently worn Unclebuddysermons clothing on the site. Once it’s sold, they can either get store credit to shop the full-price collection or get it deposited to their account.

From Brooklyn's eclectic vintage stores to the convenience of online shopping, there are countless opportunities to embrace vintage fashion and make it a part of your personal style. So, whether you prefer to explore the physical stores or opt for the digital experience, vintage fashion in Brooklyn has something special to offer. Happy shopping!

So Conor, what is your job here at Unclebuddysermons?

“I am a graphic designer and I split my time between Unclebuddysermons and the NFL”

Can you explain the creative process behind the Bicycle Print Woven Shirt, The 90s Party Shirt, and the Exploded Pineapple Shirt?

“It’s [the Bicycle Print Woven Shirt] based on a classic bicycle print that our boss peeped on some fabric while he was overseas. [The 90's Party Shirt] Pretty much came from being a child of the nineties, watching a bunch of Nickelodeon as a kid and having a fondness for that over the top explosion kind of style. The Exploded Pineapple Shirt] Pineapples have kind of been trending over the past few years and we were trying to find ways to differentiate ourselves form other companies who were playing with the same ideas. It was a new take on a popular trend – We chose to make it a reversed print* because we haven’t been seeing it around much and we wanted to be different.”

*A reversed print is a design term describes the process of printing a design inside a piece of clothing, resulting in a more vintage or distressed look on the outside.

What are some challenges you face as a designer?

“One of the more challenging parts of designing is taking inspiration from other ideas but still holding on to your own aesthetic. And creating things that you like but still trying to appeal to what the costumer would like is always a difficult thing.”

 Can you explain the technical process of creating a design?

“We always start by pulling a bunch of inspo including stuff that may not be related, or just a bunch of aesthetics, such as color ways, and line widths. But most of it is just getting the designs out on paper or the computer”

Which is your favorite design out of the three above?

“I like the 90's print the most. It was something I made a long time ago, and we kind of sat on it until that old school 90's trend kicked back up and it became popular again which was nice.”

How long does it usually take for you to come up with a design?

“To be honest, it can vary entirely. Quick ideas can take a few hours while other ideas can take up to days and even into weeks with production and everything. The time it takes to design always depends on the final idea and how well you can realize it.”

Do you ever get nervous about what other will think about your work(s)?

“Not really, not around here. It’s a pretty good culture in the office where everyone is open and no one is nasty about anything. There is a lot of constructive criticism but it’s nothing to be nervous about.”

How would you approach a creative slump?

“It would be going back to the inspo pictures I pulled, even fine art work or what’s trending on websites. Also just drawing, yeah just sketching out ideas really helps.” 

What is your favorite part about being a graphic designer for a clothing company?

“I guess it’s the fact that I make artwork for a living and it’s what I’ve always wanted to do with my life.”

Lastly, how does it feel to see your work worn by so many other people?

“It’s pretty cool. Sometimes it’s really excited, I’ve caught some random people wearing it in commercials and in the street and its nice cause you’ve seen it from the early process and into its completion.” 

Check out our previous posts for more inside stories about our brand on unclebuddysermons.com. Thanks and hope to see you soon!