5th Avenue alternatives for the skinny wallet
So, all the glamorous, well-dressed people at Fashion’s Night Out made you realize your wardrobe might need some freshening up.
But the 5th Avenue stores (even after the Fashion’s Night Out mark-downs) don’t exactly fit your budget. Don’t despair. The Eye’s got you covered with some suggestions that’ll make your closet (and your wallet) jump for joy.
If you’re feeling adventurous and ready to make the trek, Brooklyn takes the cake hands down when it comes to vintage and thrift.
Beacon’s Closet, Guvnor’s Vintage Thrift, and Monk’s Vintage Thrift are just a few of the gems awaiting you on Brooklyn’s hipper-than-thou streets. Keep it simple and walk down 5th Avenue in Park Slope–you’ll come across these and many other cheap goodies.
A word of advice: Thrifting requires more patience than designer shopping. Keep an open mind and bring along some friends to help comb the racks and you’ll snag a jackpot accessory or jacket in no time.
If Brooklyn isn’t your place but you still find yourself feeling a bit thrifty, Housingworks is a trendy alternative. It boasts seven Manhattan locations, including one at 96th and Broadway. The jeans and accessories are great, but Housingworks is definitely your spot if you’re looking for some fall basics. Designer sweaters and knits abound.
Too mainstream for thrifting? Among the Upper West Side’s (affordable) boutiques, Steps (2736 Broadway, on 104th St.) is my personal favorite. The store specializes in party attire, with an impressive and variable collection of little black dresses, short skirts, and dressy tops for low enough prices (most dresses come at less than $30) that you wouldn’t need to worry about beer spills. But be warned: a cheap price tag means cheap clothing. Don’t expect any of this stuff to last you more than a year.
And if none of these options appeal to you, there’s always Urban Outfitters’ sale rack. There’s really no need to buy their stuff full price considering the items go on sale within, like, a week of appearing on the main shelves.