Best vintage shops around the world
Places where you can buy items with a history
When you buy vintage, you acquire not just an item but a piece of history. Finding interesting old pieces of good quality is not easy—you need to know where to look. ELLE presents fashionable locations from New York to Tokyo where you can buy genuine treasures of vintage fashion and inspiring finds from past eras.
What comes around, goes around – New York, USA
The flagship store of one of the most prestigious retailers, What Comes Around Goes Around, opened in 1993 in Soho, New York. Here, you can find the largest selection of clothing, bags, and accessories created from 1880 to the present day. You can purchase items from archival collections of Jean Paul Gaultier, Dior, Yves Saint Laurent, Gucci, Fendi, Azzedine Alaïa, and many others.
In the vintage boutique, you can find rare accessories and bags from brands like Chanel, Hermes, and Louis Vuitton. Fashion connoisseurs come to this store for investment purchases, such as rare Birkin or Kelly bags, LV Pochette 2001 bags, Chanel Medium Classic Flap, and more. All items come with authentication documents and cards.
Rellik Vintage – London, UK
The vintage couture store Rellik Vintage opened in 1999 near the famous Portobello Market in London. The boutique offers a wide range of vintage items from the 1930s, 1960s, 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s. You can also find contemporary pieces from archival collections or iconic collaborations between brands/designers.
At this fashionable location, you can purchase rare and unique items from various eras: leather jackets by Azzedine Alaïa, gold satin coats by Alexander McQueen, classic Burberry trench coats, punk-style accessories by Westwood, a lobster brooch by Nicki Boden, a sequined evening jacket from Schiaparelli 1936, and much more.
Valois Vintage – Paris, France
In 1998, Valois Vintage opened in one of the most fashionable spots in Paris, the “Triangle D’or,” where world-famous landmarks and luxury brand boutiques are located. The boutique features over 10,000 vintage pieces. It offers items from over two hundred brands, including archival pieces from Hermès, Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Yves Saint Laurent, Prada, Christian Dior, Christian Lacroix, and more.
A highlight of the store is the collection of “old” vintage, which includes Chanel jewelry from the 1980s and 1990s, rare Gucci bags, collections from Gianni Versace’s lifetime, and other notable couturiers.
Vintage Delirium – Milan, Italy
A modest residential building in a quiet area of Milan leads directly to the vintage fashion sanctuary, Vintage Delirium. Created by Franco Jacassi, the location resembles a museum with the best examples where fashion lovers and designers come for inspiration. The shelves are filled with various vintage clothing and accessories: furs, shoes, bags, dresses, shirts, belts, and jewelry.
Here, you can find the rarest, most unique, and authentic pieces. For instance, a striped suit by Armani, a small hat by Schiaparelli, pieces from Yves Saint Laurent from the 1960s and 1970s, items from Emilio Pucci, and more. At Vintage Delirium, you can also purchase archival fashion magazines, fabrics, buttons, and lace.
Time’s Up – Copenhagen, Denmark
The vintage clothing store Time’s Up is located in the center of Copenhagen near the “Round Tower.” The boutique’s owners call this place a kind of laboratory where you can always experiment with styles and fashions of different times.
This location offers the best vintage finds from designers like Chanel and Yves Saint Laurent to lesser-known brands. The diverse selection of vintage shoes is particularly noteworthy. Among the accessories are vintage jewelry, scarves, and ties.
QOO Vintage – Tokyo, Japan
QOO Vintage is one of the leading designer vintage clothing stores in Tokyo. The two-story boutique features over 2,000 items, from bags and accessories to clothing and shoes.
The first floor is filled with archival collections from Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Prada, Celine, and Saint Laurent. On the second floor, you can find stylish watches from Rolex, Gucci, and Chanel, as well as a collection of rare bags from Chanel and Hermès. All items are offered in excellent and pristine condition.
