NYC’s 10 Most Expensive Vintage Clothing Stores
The 1% does not “go thrifting.” They “collect archival fashion.” In New York City, the “most expensive” vintage is not about “used clothes”; it’s about “wearable assets.”
This is a world where a 1990s Tom Ford for Gucci suit is considered a “blue-chip” investment. Where a 1994 Supreme t-shirt is a $5,000 “grail.” And where stylists for A-list celebrities “pull” (rent) $50,000 museum-quality gowns from the 1950s. These are not “stores”; they are “galleries” and “archives.”
We’re opening the archival vault. This article is part of our exclusive series, The AZ New York 100, where we decode the secrets of the super-rich.
The 5 Most Expensive Sneaker Shops in SoHo
NYC’s 10 Most Expensive Vintage Clothing Stores
This list is ranked by “rarity,” “cultural cachet,” and the “investment-grade” quality of their inventory.
- What Goes Around Comes Around (WGACA): The “flagship” of luxury vintage. Located in SoHo, this is a “museum” where you can buy. They are the “gold standard” for “investment-grade” Chanel bags, 1990s Gucci, and rare rock tees.
- New York Vintage (By Appointment): The *true* “secret” of the 1%. This is a “by-appointment-only” atelier in Chelsea, legendary for supplying A-list stylists for the Met Gala and red carpets. It’s less a “store” and more a 10,000 sq. ft. archive of fashion history.
- The RealReal (SoHo Store): The “Stock Market” of consignment. While the website is massive, the SoHo flagship has a “Vault” with the most expensive, authenticated items (rare Birkins, high jewelry, and archival Chanel).
- James Veloria (Chinatown): The “cult” shop. This is where “in-the-know” fashion insiders go for “archival” 1990s and 2000s “hype” designers (e.g., Jean Paul Gaultier, 1990s Prada, Tom Ford’s Gucci).
- Procell:** A tiny, museum-like store on the Lower East Side. It’s the “holy grail” for “hype” streetwear. This is where you find the $5,000+ *vintage* 1990s Supreme or a $2,000+ tour tee from a legendary hip-hop artist.
- Mr. Throwback (East Village): The “king” of vintage sportswear. This isn’t just “jerseys”; it’s the *rarest* 1990s Champion, Starter, and original Nike gear. A rare 1992 “Dream Team” jacket can command thousands.
- Resurrection:** An “OG” of archival fashion. This boutique (now in NoHo) is famous for its “avant-garde” and “punk” collections—think rare Vivienne Westwood, Helmut Lang, and Raf Simons.
- Amacord (SoHo):** A favorite of stylists, Amacord is known for its high-end *European* designer vintage (e.g., 1980s Versace, 1990s Jil Sander).
- Sotheby’s & Christie’s (Upper East Side): The “Auction House” is the final frontier. This is where “archival” fashion is sold as “art.” Sotheby’s now runs dedicated auctions for archival fashion, sneakers, and handbags.
- The “Private Archivists”: The *real* 1% (like A-list stylists) often bypasses stores and buys directly from “private archivists” (dealers) who operate via Instagram DMs and private showrooms.
Comparative Table: The “Tiers” of Vintage Shopping
You are paying for “Authentication,” “Rarity,” or “Access.”
| Vintage Tier | The Venue | The “Product” | The Client |
|---|---|---|---|
| “Luxury Consignment” | The RealReal | “Authenticated” Chanel, Gucci, Birkins. | The “Public” Luxury Shopper |
| “Archival Boutique” | What Goes Around Comes Around | “Mint Condition” 1990s Runway Pieces. | The “Collector” / “Investor” |
| “Hype Grail” Shop | Procell / Mr. Throwback | $3,000 1990s Band Tee / Supreme. | The “Hypebeast” / Musician |
| “By-Appointment” Atelier | New York Vintage | “Museum-Grade” $50k+ Gowns (for rent). | The “A-List” Stylist |
3 Case Studies: The “Vintage” Client
- The “Red Carpet” Stylist (at New York Vintage): This is (famously) Zendaya’s stylist, Law Roach. He goes to “by-appointment” archives to “pull” (rent) a “museum-grade” gown (like a 1998 Versace). The “luxury” is that the look is 100% unique—no one else will be wearing it. This is “archival” as a press strategy.
- The “Collector” (at WGACA): This is the 35-year-old fashion “investor.” She is buying a 1990s Tom Ford-era Gucci “Jackie” bag or a “mint” 1980s Chanel “Diana” bag. She is paying *more* ($15,000) than a *new* Chanel bag ($10,000) because the “archival” piece is rarer and is seen as an asset that will appreciate.
- The “Hype” Client (at Procell): This is the 25-year-old “New Money” musician or athlete. They are buying a $5,000 vintage 1993 “Snoop Dogg” tour t-shirt. The “luxury” is the *authenticity* and “flex” of owning the *original* piece of “hype,” not a modern re-print.
💡 Pro Tips: How to “Shop” Archival
- “Archive” vs. “Used”: “Used” is a $50 coat. “Archive” is a $5,000 coat from a *designer’s most iconic collection* (e.g., a Raf Simons “Riot” bomber). You are buying the *art* and the “moment,” not the cloth.
- “Condition” is Everything: An “investment-grade” piece must be “Mint,” “Near-Mint,” or (for sneakers/bags) “Box Fresh.” The slightest wear or “pilling” can drop the value by 80%.
- “Authentication” is the Product: The “price” at WGACA or The RealReal is for the *guarantee* of authenticity. The “super-fake” (1:1 replica) market is so good that “authentication” is the *real* luxury product you are buying.
✨ NYC Luxe Curiosities
- The “Stylist” Economy: Many “by-appointment” archives (like New York Vintage) make most of their money from *rentals* to movie sets, editorial shoots (like *Vogue*), and red-carpet stylists, not sales.
- The “Sotheby’s” Effect: Handbags and archival fashion are now a “main” category at Sotheby’s, alongside art and watches. This shift proves they are now considered a “hard asset” class for investors.
- The “$10,000 T-Shirt”: The “Holy Grail” for “hype” collectors is often a “vintage” band/rap tee. A $10,000+ price tag for a 1990s promo t-shirt (like a Nirvana “In Utero” or a “Liquid Swords” promo) is common.
🧐 FAQ: NYC’s Most Expensive Vintage
1. Why is a 20-year-old dress $50,000?
For three reasons: 1) **Rarity:** It might be one of only 3 ever made. 2) **Craftsmanship:** It’s “Haute Couture,” with 1,000+ hours of hand-beading. 3) **Provenance:** It was from a designer’s *most iconic* collection (e.g., John Galliano for Dior, 2000) or was *worn* by a celebrity (e.g., in *Sex and the City*).
2. What’s the difference between “Consignment” and “Archival”?
**Consignment** (like The RealReal) is a “marketplace.” They sell items *for* clients and take a cut. **Archival** (like What Goes Around Comes Around) *owns* its inventory. They are “collectors” who have spent decades *buying* and “archiving” rare pieces, which they now sell at a premium.
3. Where do Met Gala stylists *really* get vintage gowns?
They have three sources: 1) **Private Archives** (like New York Vintage). 2) The *brand’s own “heritage” archive* (e.g., Chanel flying in a 1992 dress from Paris). 3) **Private Collectors** (the stylists personally call a “whale” collector and ask to borrow a piece).
The AZ New York 100: The Full Series
Explore all 100 articles from our definitive guide to the city’s most exclusive secrets.
🏛️ Part 1: The Skyline (The $100M+ Real Estate)
- The 10 Most Expensive Buildings in NYC Right Now
- Inside NYC’s $250 Million “Billionaire’s Row” Penthouse
- …and 18 more in this series.
🍽️ Part 2: The $1,000 Meal (Dining & Nightlife)
🛍️ Part 3: The Price Tag (Shopping & Fashion)
- Inside NYC’s 7 “By-Appointment-Only” Luxury Boutiques
- NYC’s Most Expensive Watch Dealers: Where the 1% Shops
- The “Secret” Floor at Saks Only VIPs Can Access
- Where to Buy “Off-Market” Birkin Bags in NYC
- The $100,000 Dress: Inside NYC’s Top Haute Couture Ateliers
- The 5 Most Exclusive Perfume Shops in NYC
- The 5 Most Expensive Sneaker Shops in SoHo
- NYC’s 10 Most Expensive Vintage Clothing Stores (You are here)
- NYC’s Most Expensive Toy Store
- …and 11 more in this series.
✨ Part 4: The Cost of Luxury (Experiences & Services)
- The 10 Most Expensive Hotel Suites in NYC
- The 5 Most Exclusive Private Members’ Clubs in NYC
- …and 18 more in this series.
💼 Part 5: The 1% (Power, Art & Exclusivity)
- The 5 “Secret Societies” That Run New York
- The 10 Families That Own the Most NYC Real Estate
- …and 18 more in this series.
Keywords for your next internet searches
NYC Most Expensive Vintage Clothing, Archival Fashion NYC, What Goes Around Comes Around, New York Vintage, The RealReal SoHo, Where to buy vintage Chanel, Archival Gucci, Tom Ford for Gucci, Vintage Supreme, Mr. Throwback,
James Veloria, Procell, AZ New York 100, Ultra-Luxe Shopping, Secrets of the Super-Rich, Where the 1% Shops, How to shop for vintage, Vintage clothing as investment, Sotheby’s fashion, Met Gala vintage, Zendaya vintage, Bella Hadid stylist, Archival Raf Simons, Archival Gaultier, Vintage band tees
Next in the AZ New York 100: NYC’s Most Expensive Toy Store…
NYC’s New Social Order: Zero Bond vs. Casa Cipriani – The Battle of the Private Clubs
