A Fine Vintage in Brooklyn

Vintage clothing and Brooklyn go hand in hand. Brooklyn has long been the refuge of choice for creative New Yorkers fleeing the high rents and small spaces of Manhattan. Artists venture to Brooklyn in search of distinctive lifestyles. So it’s no surprise that the discerning folks who love Brooklyn also love to shop at Brooklyn’s vintage clothing stores.

Whether you’re a local or visiting New York from abroad, cross the East River and check out these hot Brooklyn vintage clothing shops.

Olive’s
434 Court Street
Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn
718.243.9094
Owner Jen McCulloch carries everything from Victorian clothing to 1980’s disco gear. Currently her main focus is on 1960’s and 1970’s dresses. When filling her racks, McCulloch tries to follow runway trends. Her eye for fashion has caught the attention of top designers like Zac Posen, Bhnaz Sarafpour and members of Marc Jacob’s team. Olive’s customers range in age from their early teens to women in their mid 50’s. You may even spot a celebrity or two while hunting for the perfect dress; Michelle Williams and Heath Leger are frequently checking out the shop.

With five years of business experience under her belt, McCulloch knows where to find the very best pieces. She scours the East Coast for clothing that fits her strict requirements: unusual items marked by quality of fabric and construction. Her advice for vintage shoppers is to be persistent. “We get new shipments every week, so it pays to keep an eye out for new things,” says McCulloch.

The Loopy Mango
68 Jay Street
DUMBO, Brooklyn
718.222.0595
www.loopymango.com
Tucked into a side street in a trendy neighborhood, Loopy Mango offers a quirky collection of treasures. To start there’s a fine selection of vintage clothing, furnishings, accessories and a small selection of children’s items. In addition to these prime pieces, designer and store owner, Waejong Kim, crafts one-of-a-king crochet clothing and adds it to the mix. Each visit will expose you to new things on display.

Blue Beri
143 Front St.
DUMBO, Brooklyn
718.422.7724
It’s all about the eclectic mix of old and new at this hip Brooklyn store. Allie, the Store Manager, describes the clothing vibe as “smart-chic.” The sparsely furnished store houses a mix of vintage show pieces alongside collections from current designers. Their customers tend to be savvy New Yorkers-be they transplants or long-term residents. This is a great spot to find a vintage accessory such as a handbag to wear with your 1940’s or 1950’s summer dress. For the final touch, add a bit of bling from Sweet William’s jewelry collection.

Beacon’s Closet
Two locations
88 N. 11th Street
Williamsburg, Brooklyn
718.486.0816
220 5th Ave.
Park Slope, Brooklyn
718.230.1630
www.beaconscloset.com
If you’ve got the time and patience to dig through racks, you just may strike fashion gold at one of the two Beacon’s Closet locations. Not strictly vintage, these stores accept all types of clothing from the public-as long as it’s cool and in saleable shape. Beacon’s Closet welcomes walk-ins who want to buy, sell or trade clothes. Whether you’re a young musician just starting out or a stylish mom looking for a one-of-a-kind outfit, this store always packs plenty of surprises.