Elena Kosharny's NYC Thrift Guide
Elena Kosharny's NYC Thrift Guide
Born in Lithuania, Elena Kosharny moved to the US after high school. For the past 14 years she’s lived between NYC, Miami and Bali. It was after returning to NY from Indonesia that Elena decided to pursue photography full time. Since then she's opened her own studio and fashion archive in Brooklyn, building an impressive body of work with women and the female form being her subjects of choice.
After becoming increasingly aware of the impact our spending habits have on the natural world, Elena has been buying only second-hand items or reusable/sustainable products in efforts to reduce her impact on the environment. "You can find almost anything thrifting in NYC, there really is no need to buy new. New Yorkers are constantly trading and donating, buying and selling when it comes to fashion, art and decor."
Scroll down for Elena’s guide to the best steals on the thrift circuit across NYC.
In this Guide
Housing Works
“They have several locations all across NYC, but my favourites are in Grammercy, Upper Westside, Park Slope. This place curates each store differently and they have a high standard with what they sell - they're also flexible on price points. Plus, all proceeds from shopping go to The Aids Foundation. Expect home, high end fashion, unique designs and vintage jewellery”
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Crossroads
“People in NYC tend to rotate their wardrobes regularly, this spot focuses on what's in style now so they buy their second hand stock accordingly. You can find cool stuff from just a few seasons ago”
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Buffalo Exchange
“The two locations in Williamsburg and at Flat Iron are my favourite. Similar to Crossroads, they do tend to overprice their stuff sometimes and they don't buy as easily as Crossroads, but you can get some good stuff. Particularly menswear, shoes and accessories and denim”
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Salvation Army
“SA is super cheap. There's a ton of vintage here for amazing prices. They don't pay attention to brands when they price it so if you're down to rummage you can find some really cool shit. Be warned you will need time to browse as there's little to no organization and there's a lot of crap in there. Fun NY fact, most of my celebrity sightings have happened in Salvation Army”
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City Opera Thrift
“They have a great selection of pure vintage stuff that is just beautiful. Dresses and suits from the 70s and 80s, real high fashion plus a great selection of vintage jewellery. Higher price but reasonable when you consider what you're buying”
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L Train Vintage
“Massive store with a lot of everything. Leather jackets, outerwear, shoes - this is for your pure Brooklyn vintage experience”
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Mother of Junk
“Antique and vintage furniture, art, anything from old photographs to door knobs. You can negotiate on price”
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