Looking for that special something? That je ne sais quoi certain women seem to be born with? If mad fashion skills aren’t in your genes, never fear. You can easily cultivate your own personal style.

You know her. That woman that always seems to look good. Whether going to a show or coming from the gym, she is always put together.

What does she have that you don’t? One thing. She’s mastered her personal style.

And you can too. Following are five things you need to know when developing your own style.

5 Things You Need to Know to Develop Your Own Personal Style

1 Know what works for you // This sounds broad, but is much simpler than you’d think. Keep this one thing in mind and you are practically golden. Ready? Here it is: Do what works for YOU. Not your sister, not your best friend, not the actress on your favorite TV show. YOU! You know how you don’t necessarily look great in your bestie’s lip shade or love your colleague’s signature scent as much on yourself? Same goes for fashion. It’s ok to copy, just be sure the articles speak your name, not someone else’s. Not everyone can rock fuscia or turquoise. Certain styles look better on one figure over another. Learn what works with your body shape and skin tone.

2 Know your mission // Yes, even fashion speaks of your ideals. Do you want to stick with organic fabrics? Maybe ethically produced garments are important to you. Or perhaps you love vintage and thrift shopping. Figure out what and whom you want to support, learn about it, and buy those who meet your beliefs.

3 Know what works with your lifestyle // Those who work at home likely won’t buy the same items as someone who works in a corporate environment. Some women may feel more comfortable in pants than skirts or dresses. Certain lifestyles don’t lend themselves to heels or chunky jewelry. Give some thought to what you do during your day and dress appropriately. For example, I happen to love jeans but ripped denim doesn’t segue very well into a meeting or appointment. Try white or black denim and dress up your tee with a colorful sweater or pretty scarf.

4 Know how to show something off // I like to think of this in terms of makeup – if you are going with a bold eye, you play down the rest of the face, and bright lips pair well with a neutral eye. Choose one item and go big. A jewel toned blouse, colored jeans, funky arm candy. Going bold in one area while keeping the rest of your look neutral equals tasteful style with a signature look.

5 Know how to Be Authentic // The most important thing in showing off your personal style is confidence. It may be cliché, but feeling good and being comfortable with yourself is key to a great appearance. As fashion great, Diane Von Furstenberg, quotes in her book “The Woman I Wanted to Be”…”The way you look is important, but who you are and how you project it is eventually who you will become and how you will appear.”

Flip through fashion mags, check out blogs, and peruse Pinterest for inspo. Then prepare to get your personal style on.

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Image of woman with style via Shutterstock

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Be a better vintage shopper. Luxury resale industry veteran Amanda Jungman shares tips and tricks that will turn you into a savvy vintage shopping pro in no time.

Shopping vintage is a great way to be consciously stylish without breaking the bank. However, anyone who has ever ventured into a vintage store knows that finding pre-loved treasures is not always easy.

We asked luxury resale industry veteran Amanda Jungman, owner of Socialite Auctions, to share some tips and tricks that will turn you into a vintage shopping pro in no time.

First of all, where does one start? “Large cities tend to have the best selection of high end designer lines,” says Jungman, “but you can often find good vintage pieces in smaller cities as well.”

When buying investment pieces, it’s important to know details that ensure the item’s authenticity.

What about the Internet? “There are more sites than ever selling pre-owned goods online. eBay is the largest marketplace and a great site for scoring deals. Etsy is a good resource for vintage, but do your research before purchasing brands like Chanel and Hermes [as there are lots of fakes out there].”

To avoid being sold counterfeit items, Jung recommends learning the basics about the pre-owned luxury items you are shopping for, such as how certain designers stamp their pieces. Chanel, for example, uses hologram stickers in all of their handbags (with exception for some vintage bags). “Since you may not be able to touch the items,” she says, “carefully review all the photos and ask questions. It helps if you know what to look for so refer to help guides online for brands like Chanel and Hermes. The PurseForum is a great source for help with authenticating items, and I offer a guide for deciphering Hermes date stamps on my blog.” Buy from a trusted source — look at store reviews and customer feedback and always read the store’s policies to make sure they guarantee their items are 100 percent authentic and offer a hassle-free money back guarantee.

Always check labels for signs of authenticity

If you are buying high-end vintage online, it’s important to know your size before investing in a pricey piece. Before shopping for shoes, Jungman suggests that you spend a day at a high-end department store trying on Manolo Blahniks and Christian Louboutins for size. With clothing, it’s all about your measurements. Some items may have been altered and the only way to be sure that something will fit is to compare it to your own measurements. Another important thing to note is that a size 8 from the 1950s will not fit a size 8 today, as sizing has been adjusted for a, shall we say, growing population.

Shopping vintage is a great way to get more bang for your buck. “You can find many items marked up to 90 percent off retail,” Jungman says. “For rare items such as vintage Chanel handbags, you can expect to pay close to today’s retail cost if the item is in pristine condition.”

Shopping for vintage Manolos online? Visit a department store to make sure you know your size.

So what about haggling, is that ever OK? Sometimes, Jungman says, but do your research and be armed with information such as the retail and sale price of the item before offering a lower price than the seller is asking. “A tactful way to ask for a discount,” she says, “is to simply ask ‘What is your best price?’ Sites such as eBay have sellers that list items with ‘best offer.’ This is a great way to find good deals.”

Resale is also a good way to make some money. Timeless investment pieces will always have a good resale value if properly cared for. If you’re looking to sell something, make sure to bring it into the consignment store looking as fabulous as possible (wash or dry clean and iron garments and wipe the insoles and lining of shoes with antibacterial wipes), this will always bring you a better price. When selling online, take flattering, well-lit photos of the garment from all angles. Make sure to include any labels and distinct details as close-ups, but also any flaws — it’s important to honestly represent the item.

In the market for a vintage Chanel suit? Make sure to check the measurements as the item may have been altered.

To be sure to find the best stuff, visit your favorite resale stores often since new pieces are added daily and good ones tend to sell quickly. You’ll also have to be both spontaneous and calculated at the same time. It’s good to make a wish list of items you want but “since there is usually only one of each item,” Jungman says, adding “You’ll need to be prepared to purchase something on the spot because you may not find it again.”

Sign up for your favorite vintage and consignment stores’ mailing list to be sure that you’re always up to date on what’s currently in store.

Happy vintage shopping.

Images courtesy of Socialite Auctions

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Easy-to-find vintage trends are everywhere, you just have to know what to look for when thrift shopping.

Style is a balancing act. We want clothes that are feminine and sleek, tailored but relaxed, to look like we cared but at the same time appear as if it was effortless. And while the overwhelming fashion trend of the last decade has been for individualism, more than ever we are all dressing alike. Take a look around you. Mothers, daughters – and even grandmothers – are all wearing the same uniform of skinny jeans, boots and flowy tops. No wonder second-hand and gently-used clothing is what the cool kids are buying these days; it’s exceedingly unlikely anyone else – especially your mother – will be wearing what you are.

The key to the new way of dressing is to keep an eye on current trends to see what past fashions are being reconstituted now. Some seasons seem to be so revolutionary that we’re breathless at what to make of all the newness, while others like spring and the recent fall fashion shows reinterpret the trends we’ve already seen way-back-when and increasingly, in the oh-so-recent past. Luckily for lovers of secondhand style, the enduring feeling for ’50s-meets-’70s-meets-grunge styles made modern means its simple to create a unique look that’s all your own.

Here are five items that can be found in plentiful supply in vintage and thrift stores and – luckily for you and the planet – are making a comeback in this season’s and fall’s 2013 styles.

Image: nymag.com

1. The Wide Brimmed Fedora – As soon as Heidi Slimane’s Saint Laurent woman strutted down the runway peeking out from under her big brimmed fedora every fast fashion chain added this style to their must-manufacture list. Mysterious and androgynously  alluring, it’s sure to be a hot trend this fall. Yes, you could buy one of the hundreds of thousands of cheap knockoffs about to be widely available, but it’s worth trying to find a vintage one with some provenance and patina – the jackpot benefit of secondhand shopping. I found a similar style at my local resale shop recently. It was an original piece of safari-themed Banana Republic from the late ’70s (before The Gap bought them out). Still in perfect condition, the quality of materials used then is impossible to beat – they just don’t make ‘em like they used to.

Image: UK Marie Claire

2. Pretty Pastels – Anything you can find in baby pink, soft apricot and pale seafoam, just grab it. For fairer skins and complexions not yet tanned by spring sunshine, pastels tones are incredibly flattering to wear this season. The black-on-black trend is huge for fall but many designers were also making a compelling case for winter pastels next season too. It’s the one sweet treat you don’t have to avoid, so go ahead and indulge.

Image: Mark Gregory & Co.

3. The Oversized Watch – The trend for menswear-inspired vintage watches is here to stay. I know it’s a crazy idea, but how about everyone stops buying those vintage-looking time pieces and buy an actual vintage time piece? The joys of wearing upon your wrist an object that has a former owner and its own curious history is a true delight and is naturally, way more interesting looking. Go down to your local jewelry repair shop and take a look at all those lovely looking faces – oh the times they have to tell.

Image: themoderncool.com

4. Full skirts  –  Like the pastel trend, this one comes straight from the ’50s. As the natural continuation of the peplum, this timeless trend also creates a flattering silhouette. Bell-shaped skirts and dresses with pretty ruffled details are huge this spring, but be sure to tone down the romance by pairing with a tucked-in tank top or a cropped jacket – another notable trend this season.

Image: Gotham Magazine

5. Slip dress – Encapsulating the mid-nineties waify wardrobe, the slip dress has re-emerged as the season’s cocktail silhouette. Search in the lingerie section of your vintage store and find the least lacy and most opaque version you can find. Just as it was in the Reality Bites era, the delicate style is best balanced with tough-looking boots and biker jackets.

Top image: Fab sugar

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Thrift shopping for vintage treasures is easy when you know where to find them. Here are seven of our favorite thrift shops in Chicago.

The third largest city in the U.S., after New York and Los Angeles, Chicago could brag about many things – its many art museums, the world’s first skyscraper, a beautiful lakeside location. When it comes to vintage shopping, the windy city has plenty to offer as well.

Vintage shopping is part skill, part luck and part perseverance, but you can stack the odds in your favor by hitting up stores known to always stock good stuff. From the Ukrainian Village to Wicker Park to Pilsen and beyond, here are seven of our favorite thrift stores in Chicago. For those of you located elsewhere, many of these also have online shops.

Kokorokoko
This shop, located in the Ukranian Village, specializes in clothing from the 80s and 90s. Lovers of that particular aestethic will feel like they’ve died and gone to heaven as the racks are teeming with day-glo colors, graffiti-inspired patterns, snapback hats, Members Only jackets, 80s T-shirts and other flashy staples of that bygone era. You can even find neon fanny packs, padded sneakers and even Hypercolor tees. Kokorokoko is a mecca for those of you cultivating that ironic hipster look. The prices are mid-range, but you won’t be disappointed.

Kokorokoko, 1112 N. Ashland Avenue, Ukrainian Village

Unique Thrift Stores
With about a dozen locations in and around Chicago, Unique is a veritable thrift shop emporium. You’ll find gently used clothing at very affordable prices. Some of the stores are extremely well-organized – by size and color – some are not, but you can be sure to always walk out with something great. Items are clean and inspected for defects before they are put out on the racks. A large portion of merchandise is purchased from non-profit organizations, which use the proceeds to fund their operations.

Unique Thrift Store, 13 locations in the Chicago area

Vintage Underground
If you are looking for quality vintage jewelry this is the place to go. Vintage Underground is 3,500 square feet of vintage costume jewelry, hats, belts, handbags, clothing, and other unique finds. The owners not only have a great eye for detail and high level of taste, they are also very nice, helpful and knowledgeable. This shop is a great resource for brides-to-be looking for special occasion jewelry for that one very special occasion.

Vintage Underground, 1834 W. North Avenue, Wicker Park and online

Knee Deep Vintage
Located in the middle of the Pilsen neighborhood, Knee Deep has been bringing the finest men’s and women’s vintage clothing to the south side of Chicago since 2008. This is a true vintage shop where you will find quality garments from different eras. There is a great selection of dresses from the 20s to the 50s — all labeled with the approximate size, saving you a lot of guesswork before hitting the fitting room. There’s also a good selection of bags, shoes and jewelry, as well as some housewares and furniture. Prices are a bit on the high side, but you get what you pay for.

Knee Deep Vintage, 1425 W 18th Street, Pilsen

Silver Moon Vintage
Specializing in fine and designer vintage fashions from the 1890s to 1980s, Silver Moon is filled to the brim with amazing gowns, jewelry and accessories. Owner Liz Meyer, who is a fashion stylist for Aerosmith, has curated a spectacular collection of everything from formal wear from the Edwardian and Victorian era to contemporary high fashion from Vivienne Westwood. Silver Moon has one of the largest collections of vintage wedding gowns in the country and also sells new vintage-inspired bridalwear. There is a section for men as well, offering formal attire from the same eras. The shop also offers alterations, custom design and garment restoration.

Silver Moon, 1721 W. North Avenue, Wicker Park

Village Discount Outlets
With ten stores in Chicago, Village Discount outlet is a bargain shopper’s paradise. There are some serious finds to be had here – especially in the locations that are not in popular neighborhoods – but you’ll have to work for it. The racks are generally well-organized, but in a true thrift shop like this, you will want to spend some time sifting through them. There are no fitting rooms so get ready to try your stuff on in the aisle; but, with everything priced under $10, it’s totally worth it.

Village Discount Outlets, 10 locations in Chicago

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Thrift shopping for vintage treasures is easy when you know where to find them. Here are seven of our favorite thrift shops in Philadelphia.

It’s not always sunny in Philadelphia, but when the weather is less than great, what better time to explore the vintage shopping there. We were more than elated when these Philly vintage store tips were submitted by EcoSalon reader Joanne Stillman.

Vintage shopping is part skill, part luck and part perseverance, but you can stack the odds in your favor by hitting up stores known to always stock good stuff. Here are seven of our favorite thrift stores in Philadelphia. For those of you located elsewhere, many of these also have online shops.

Astro Vintage
Stocked with unique finds ranging from vintage clothing and jewelry to kitchenware, Astro has a little bit of everything. The shop is housed in a cute little space and the owner, Karin, is very helpful and curates the collection with lots of care. Her particular fondness for 50s owls means you should keep an eye out for Betty Draper-style dresses, pencil skirts, cat-eye glasses and lots of, well, owl jewelry and trinkets.

Astro Vintage, 720 S 5th Street, Queen Village

Retrospect
Retrospect has been around since 2001 and sells vintage clothing and accessories for guys and gals. The color coordinated displays feature everything from jeans and dresses to furs and coats to belts, hats, and sunglasses. The prices are decent enough – for a thrift shop located in a major city, that is – to enable you to find some true bargains.

Retrospect Vintage, 534 South Street, South Street District/Society Hill

Philly AIDS Thrift
This is your classic kind of thrift store, where you probably have to spend at least an hour searching through the racks, but can score amazing finds at great prizes. A non-profit, Philly AIDS Thrift donates a good portion of the profits from the used clothing and housewares they sell to local organizations involved in the fight against HIV/AIDS. In June, they surpassed $413,450 in total cash contributions to Philly area AIDS organizations. If that doesn’t make you feel good about shopping here, I don’t know what will.

Philly AIDS Thrift, 710 S. 5th Street, Queen Village

Wilbur Vintage
Featuring a well-curated selection of vintage goods, Wilbur Vintage is known for its style and charm. The main focus here is on women and you can find great dresses, shoes and bags. The proprietor is very friendly and will gladly help you find anything you are looking for. Prices are not dirt cheap, but you can expect everything to be in great condition.

Wilbur Vintage, 716 South 4th Street, Queen Village

Sazz Vintage Clothing
Sazz offers a curated collection of women’s and men’s vintage pieces ranging from the 30s to the 80s. There are lots of 50s and 60s dresses and a great collection of 70s and 80s band and concert T-shirts. You can also shop on the website and, if you let the store know a few days in advance, they can even arrange for you to try those web shop items on in the store. Sazz is also known for their vintage warehouse in Fish Town – a vintage paradise for men, where you can find disco clothes, western shirts, vintage t-shirts, bellbottoms, Hawaiian shirts and even ugly Christmas sweaters. Best of all, everything in the warehouse costs under $25.

Sazz Vintage Clothing, 38 North 3rd Street, Olde City

Malena’s Vintage Boutique
Located in West Chester, Malena’s features personally handpicked vintage and vintage inspired apparel. The items range from big-name designers like Gucci and Hermes to homemade tailored items. The store has been featured in many publications including Lucky Magazine, Latina Magazine, Spark Weekly, Budget Living Magazine, Philadelphia Magazine and Philadelphia City Paper. Owner Malena Martinez started collecting vintage when she was twelve years old and has honed her craft every since. A graduate of Pratt’s fashion program, she uses her technical knowledge and good taste to find unusual and well constructed vintage pieces.

Malena’s Vintage Boutique, 101 West Gay Street, West Chester

Greene Street Consignment
Currently in seven locations, Greene Street Consignment is run by a pair of sisters – Donna and Lynn – who use their fashion industry experience and business know-how to create a vintage shopping experience with a true boutique feel.The first Greene Street outpost opened at 700 South Street in Philly in 1997 and is, 15 years later, still going strong. Even though the shopping environment is polished, the prices are still great.

Greene Street Consignment, 119 W. Market Street, West Chester & 700 South Street, Washington Square West

Want us to feature your town or city? Send all information to tips@ecosalon.com

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Thrift shopping for vintage treasures is easy when you know where to find them. Here are seven of our favorite thrift shops in Austin, Texas.

The hippest city in the Lone Star State offers some of the best vintage shopping in Texas. The thrifting scene in Austin could be described as “New York quality with Texas prices.” You can be sure to score a good pair of cowboy boots here and, thanks to Isabel Marant, line dancing shirts are now all the rage and can surely be found at one of these shops.

Vintage shopping is part skill, part luck and part perseverance, but you can stack the odds in your favor by hitting up stores known to always stock good stuff. Here are seven of our favorite thrift stores in Austin, Texas. For those of you located elsewhere, many of these also have online shops.

Flashback Vintage
Opened in a small house on South Lamar in 1982, Flashback has grown to be one of Austin’s best vintage shops. It’s homey and sweet and stocks a good selection of period pieces from the 40s to the 80s as well as contemporary finds. There’s clothing for both women and men. The front room, where you enter, is the boutique area and is where you find the more expensive stuff. Staff members have a passion for all things vintage, and are knowledge about eras, labels, fabrics, and construction. The men’s area is on the right as you enter and has shirts, including pearl snaps, suits, hats, ties and buckles. Flashback has dressed “musicians, theater groups, hippies, flower children, hipsters, punks, soccer moms, celebrities and everyone in between.” Surely you will find something here that strikes your fancy.

Flashback Vintage, 1805 S 1st Street, 78704/So-Fi

Feathers Boutique
Feathers Boutique offers a well-edited selection of vintage items that reflect current trends. Upon entering, you are greeted by a display of non-vintage Jeffrey Campbell shoes, but turn left or right and you’ll find a variety of dresses, belts, tops, coats, and vintage shoes. Everything is thoroughly labeled with price as well as the time period from which it came  – most things are from the 70s – 90s. On the website there is a fun feature where vintage fans elsewhere can shop the outfit blog.

Feathers Boutique, 1700 S Congress Avenue, 78704/SoCo

Splendor
Featuring a great selection of handpicked vintage pieces inspired by the latest trends, Splendor is one of Austin’s finest vintage shops. Each piece is laundered before it hits the racks, so you will not find that musky smell otherwise so typical of vintage stores. Prices are still reasonably fair compared to other vintage shop and, in addition to clothing, Splendor also offers styling services, helping you put together that perfect vintage outfit. They also run an eBay store, where anyone can shop from the comfort of the couch.

Splendor, 100 W. North Loop, Suite H, North Loop

Cream Vintage
One of the most well-known vintage shops in Austin, Cream has a nice selection of clothing and accessories for both men and women and has better prices than many other shops. There’s an interesting selection of upcycled jewelry, but what this place is really known for is cowboy boots, which line the walls and are organized by color and gender. Cream has a friendly, knowledgeable staff happy to help answer questions or find something you’re looking for. There is also an in-house tailor that can alter your finds to fit you perfectly.

Cream Vintage, 2532 Guadalupe Street, The Drag

Roadhouse Rags
Roadhouse Rags is owned by Kelli Archer and Clay Connell and specializes in men’s western shirts, cowboy boots, vintage purses and jewelry, vintage sleepwear, and women’s eveningwear. Many come here for the cowboy boots, which are plentiful, in all thinkable colors, styles and sizes. Located a bit off the beaten path, Roadhouse Rags goes concert venue on the weekends and is a great place to come hear local Austin bands. Check out the website, which is a MySpace page, for upcoming shows. There is a backyard and it’s always BYOB, so bring your beer and save your money to buy clothes for instead.

Roadhouse Rags, 1600 Fortview Road, South Austin

Blue Velvet
For more than 18 years, the mother-and-daughter team behind Blue Velvet has outfitted fashionable Austinites in great vintage duds. A six-time winner of Austin Chronicle’s Reader’s Poll for Best Vintage Store, the shop has a wide selection of men’s and women’s vintage clothing and accessories, including petticoats, sunglasses, jewelry, and shoes, as well as tons of unique handmade items from local artists. This is where you may find both that obscure Halloween costume and that gorgeous vintage bridesmaid dress. The website features teaser-photos of what’s in store.

Blue Velvet, 217 W. North Loop Blvd., North Loop

Savers
It looks like a Marshalls or TJ Maxx, but this store is actually filled with second-hand clothing instead of overstock. There are two locations in Austin, both organized and clean. It’s fairly easy to find bargains, as every aisle is filled with current looks and authentic vintage finds. Savers was founded in 1954 on principles such as giving back and providing opportunities – core values the company still embraces today. Unsold clothing is recycled or donated to developing countries.

Savers, 4001 S Lamar Blvd. & 5222 Burnet Road, Suite 600

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Thrift shopping for vintage treasures is easy when you know where to find them. Here are seven of our favorite thrift shops in Los Angeles.

With all the celebrities, stylists, red carpets and generally stylish people that crowd Los Angeles, it’s no surprise the city offers some of the best vintage shopping there is to be had. There are loads of thrifty options where you can really score great bargains, but where this west coast city really shines is in the high-end vintage department – with gowns, sequins and old-school Hollywood glamour galore.

Vintage shopping is part skill, part luck and part perseverance, but you can stack the odds in your favor by hitting up stores known to always stock good stuff. Here are seven of our favorite thrift stores in the city of angels. For those of you located elsewhere, many of these also have online shops.

Rose Bowl Flea Market
Not a store, but a classic LA weekend destination, the flea market at the Rose Bowl is held every second Sunday of the month, rain or shine. Frequented by celebrities and Hollywood stylists, the 2,500 or so stalls here feature a great selection of everything vintage. Admission is on a sliding scale ($8-20) depending on how early you get there. This is definitely a place where the early bird gets the best bargains, so aim to be there early. Bring a cart, lots of cash and don’t be afraid to haggle.
Rose Bowl Flea Market, 1001 Rose Bowl Drive, Pasadena

Council Thrift Shops
There’s nothing fancy about this chain of thrift shops, it’s classic rifle-through-the-racks-for-hours thrifting. With a bit of patience and luck you’ll be guaranteed to come out of here with something incredible. The National Council of Jewish Women has locations peppered about the city, but two favorites are the one on Ventura Boulevard in Studio City and the one on Pico Boulevard in Mid-City.
National Council of Jewish Women Thrift Shops, nine locations throughout LA

Jet Rag
This Hollywood store is fueled by rock and roll music and bargain-hunting hipsters. It’s fairly affordable and organized and you can surely score good finds in the store, but much of the appeal of Jet Rag is their Dollar Sundays. Be prepared to sharpen your elbows and really fight for the good stuff at this parking lot clothing sale bonanza. Once the bags are opened it’s a free-for-all – grab the good stuff and hold on to it because it gets crowded and crazy. Everything is a dollar, so good bargains are sure to be made. Bring lots of dollar bills and arrive early to find parking.
Jet Rag, 825 North La Brea Avenue, Hollywood

Shareen Vintage
No boys are allowed in this store, due to the fact that there are no dressing rooms. Here, clothing is tried on right in the store, so remember to wear nice underwear. There are also no price tags, you walk up to the register with the items you want and they are appraised on the spot. This may seem counter-intuitive to bargain shoppers, but most of the items are in the $35-$80 range. Black velvet hangers and red dot tickets are used to indicate that an item is over $90. Owner Shareen is a vintage expert and will gladly offer advice. Look out for the occasional $3 sales, that’s where the real bargains are.
Shareen Vintage, 1721 N Spring Street, Los Angeles

Flounce Vintage
This cozy little shop in Echo Park is filled to the brim with well-preserved, reasonably priced vintage finds. Some of Flounce’s specialties are beaded evening bags, 50s cardigans, floaty 30s chiffon dresses, 40s rayon swing dresses, atomic print skirts, and accessories like gloves, bags, hats, jewelry and shoes. Owner Lisa is highly knowledgeable about all things vintage and is more than happy to answer questions and, if you can’t find what you are looking for, find it in the back for you. Look out for sale racks on the sidewalk from time to time for really good sale scores.
Flounce Vintage, 1555 Echo Park Ave, Echo Park

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Thrift shopping for vintage treasures is easy when you know where to find them. Here are seven of our favorite thrift shops in New York City.

Thrift stores are no longer on the fringe of it all, they are very much part of the urban fabric and people from all walks of life frequent them. It used to be that all the good ones were in Brooklyn, but with Beacon’s Closet recently opening an outpost in the West Village that is no longer the case.

Vintage shopping is part skill, part luck and part perseverance, but you can stack the odds in your favor by hitting up stores known to always stock good stuff. Here are seven of our favorite thrift stores in New York City. For those of you located elsewhere, many of these also have online shops.

Yours truly outside Beacon’s Closet in Williamsburg

Beacon’s Closet
If you only have time to hit up one thrift shop while in NYC, this should be it. Look for the bald baby with thick-rimmed glasses — that’s the shop’s logo. Beacon’s now has three locations in NYC — Williamsburg, Park Slope and a recently opened outpost in the West Village. The Williamsburg shop is by far the largest, but (thanks to notoriously stingy buyers) they are all well-stocked with good stuff. Racks are organized by garment type but also color, making it easy to find something specific. In addition to clothing there’s also a great selection of shoes, bags and accessories. My secret is to look for great boots in the men’s department.
Williamsburg: 88 North 11th Street, Park Slope: 92 5th Avenue, Manhattan: 10 W 13th Street or Shop Online

Guvnor’s Vintage Thrift
I love vintage stores that have a personality, where you walk in and just feel like you get what it’s all about. At Guvnor’s in Park Slope, the attitude is very rock and roll with a 50s rockabilly pinup vibe. There’s a great selection of denim, suede and leather as well as cutesy dresses (that deserve to be paired with a good biker jacket). Guvnor’s also throws parties every now and then. You’ll know because there will be dozens of motorcycles parked outside.
178 Fifth Avenue, Park Slope, Brooklyn

Amarcord Vintage Fashion
With two locations – one in SoHo and one in Williamsburg – Amarcord Vintage Fashion specializes in upscale European vintage clothing and accessories, primarily from the 1940s to the 1980s. Luxury brands share the racks and shelves with unknowns, but the entire selection is carefully curated. Large parts of the inventory is obtained on seasonal buying trips throughout Europe – Italy in particular – which is owners Patti Bordoni and Marco Liotta’s homeland. Amarcord also has a rental-only showroom in Brooklyn, stocked with more than 50,000 unique pieces from across the globe. Needless to say, stylists and celebs alike flock here to find that special piece that no one else will wear to the party.
Williamsburg: 223 Bedford Avenue (btwn N. 4th and N. 5th), SoHo: 252 Lafayette Street (btwn Prince & Spring)

Cobblestones
Walking into this little gem of a thrift store in the East Village is like traveling back in time, or shopping inside your (very stylish) grandmother’s closet. Delanee Koppersmith is a native of the East Village and has owned this shop since 1981. She specializes in the 1930s and 40s and, in addition to lovely clothing, you can also find quirky NYC memorabilia, books and other accessories.
314 E. 9th Street, Manhattan

Housing Works
All twelve NYC locations of Housing Works are great destinations for bargain shopping. Spend some time rifling through the racks and you never know what you may come across. Head out to Housing Work’s warehouse in Long Island City on certain dates, however, and you can fill up a whole bag with whatever you want for just $25. It’s called Buy The Bag, and tickets usually sell out in advance, so plan ahead. You can also shop a limited selection online.
12 locations throughout NYC or Shop Online

INA
If you’re looking for big brands and high fashion, INA is the place to go. With six locations throughout the city as well as an online shop, you are never far from a good score like a pair of Isabel Marant boots (for half off). The selection is highly curated and you can be sure that you won’t come across any designer knockoffs here. Prices are, as may be expected, not on the bargain side of things, but if you are looking for high-quality investment pieces, this is a good place to go.
NoHo: 15 Bleecker Street, Soho: 101 Thompson Street, Nolita/women: 21 Prince Street, Nolita/men: 19 Prince Street, Chelsea: 207 West 18th Street, Uptown: 208 East 73rd Street or Shop Online

What Goes Around Comes Around
Co-founders Gerard Maione and Seth Weisser have been collecting and selling vintage for over 17 years. The pair has amassed thousands of vintage pieces that are housed primarily in the company’s 10,000 square foot archive in New Jersey – a fashion industry gem – with pieces constantly rotating between the New York City and Los Angeles stores. Although there is a bit more focus on the 60s, the collection spans every decade, sometimes as far back as the 19th Century. WGACA has one of the largest collections of vintage denim in the United States, making the store a favorite destination for stylists and fashion people. In 2010, they also introduced the Custom Vintage collection, created from authentic vintage, recycled and uniquely handcrafted materials.
351 West Broadway (between Broome & Grand St), SoHo or Shop Online

SEE ALSO: 7 Awesome Thrift Stores in San Francisco

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What you should look out for at the thrift shop right now.

To be a successful thrift shopper you need to be able to quickly weed through rows and rows of racks to find those special pieces that will make your friends green with envy. While thrifting requires an open mind, it helps to have a general idea of what you are looking to find. Here’s our tips on things that you should keep an eye out for at the thrift shop right now.

Color

Color is still a major trend we’ll continue to see through spring and summer. Color blocking, brights and pastels are all equally on trend and fairly easy to find in any well-stocked thrift store. The ones that sort their merchandise by color are especially good for scoring colorful finds. Look for solids like burgundy (wear it head-to-toe or match with pale pink), pastels and especially tangerine.

Anoraks & Bomber Jackets
Army/surplus jackets were seen on many runways this season, Jason Wu and Isabel Marant included, and are a great way to toughen up any ensemble. Score extra brownie points if you manage to find one with a Camo print.

Prints & Patterns
The biggest trend this season, without question, is prints. Whether you are mixing patterns to create a head-to-toe print look or using one patterned piece to add contrast to a simple monochrome look – prints will do the trick.

Lace
Valentino’s lace dress from the F/W 2012 collection really brought lace back into the realms of high fashion, and has everyone looking to recreate this hit look. There are currently six magazine covers, among them W and ELLE, featuring this dress. Look for lace tops at the thrift shop to create your own dreamy lace look, in black, white or neutral.

Peplums
When it comes to details, peplums are all the rage right now. If you find one – you’ve hit thrift paydirt! Dig thru the 80s section to find a peplum dress, skirt or jacket (just make sure you remove those inevitable shoulder pads).

Denim

Denim never goes out of style, which is why it’s such a great thing to thrift. When it comes to pants, look for a straight leg boyfriend fit. Denim jackets and vests are also great right now, and make sure you stock up on denim shorts for summer. If you can’t find shorts, just look for jeans that fit well and cut the legs off.

The post What To Thrift Right Now: Color, Anoraks, Prints, Lace, Peplums & Denim appeared first on EcoSalon.