New York City is the fashion capital of the world, so shopping in the city can be a fruitful experience. But you have to know what you’re looking for, especially when it comes to streetwear. Here’s where to go for new gear, vintage, and more.
LessFounded by former Supreme creative director Brendon Babenzien and Estelle Bailey-Babenzien, Noah stands out because of its transparency around things like manufacturing practices and pay for factory workers. At the cozy store, you’ll find staples like beanies, logo tees, and sweatshirts, all designed with a touch of ease and timelessness.
What began as an independent skate shop has grown into a streetwear phenomenon. The hype around Supreme owes to its limited releases and brand exclusivity—you can only purchase its product at retail at Supreme stores, on its site and app, and at Dover Street Market. While best known for its box logo, Supreme connects art, pop culture, film, and fashion through its clothes. It’s also known for smart collaborations that have included Jordan Brand, The North Face, and Timberland.
Kith is one of the most ubiquitous names in streetwear. Founded by Queens native Ronnie Fieg, it has its own clothing range, but Kith is renowned for its collaborations with brands like Nike, New Balance, Asics, Versace, Calvin Klein, Bape, Coca-Cola, Tommy Hilfiger, Levi’s, and many more.
Founded in 2019, Tenant is dedicated to supporting New York City skaters. The tactfully curated space features the store’s in-house label, along with a sharp selection of local and larger brands, available to shop in-store or online. Located in Brooklyn, at the border of Bushwick and Bed-Stuy, the shop is a hub for the skate scene.
Extra Butter (which also has a location in Long Island City, Queens) is more than a sneaker shop—it’s an experience. The retail space mimics a movie theatre, complete with velvet curtains, theater seats, and a marquee. The ambience, paired with the exceptional customer service, provides a comfortable atmosphere for shopping the latest sneaker drops, alongside an array of apparel.
Heralded as “NYC’s most influential vintage shop,” Procell was established by Brian Procell and his partner Jessica Gonsalves in 2012. Walking into Procell, you’ll see product from decades past that the founder from whom it takes its name travels the world to source. These are rare relics like Jean Paul Gaultier from the ’90s, Destiny’s Child friends-and-family tour merch, and Chanel sunglasses.
Nepenthes is a Japanese luxury boutique that produces Engineered Garments, Needles, South2 West8, and Workaday clothing. The store, located on a side street in NYC’s Garment District, is far off from the busy shopping neighborhoods, and that seems intentional. Creative director Daiki Suzuki seems to want to offer shoppers a slowed-down experience so they can take their time with the meticulously made clothes, which reference workwear and classic men’s silhouettes.
Daily Paper was founded in 2010 by Hussein Suleiman, Jefferson Osei, and Abderrahmane Trabsin. The brand fuses the founders’ African heritage with a modern, instantly recognizable streetwear aesthetic. You can shop an extensive range of graphic tees, sportswear, tailored jackets, trousers, and suits.
If you’re on the hunt for a highly coveted sneaker, there’s no doubt you’ll hit Stadium Goods. A force to be reckoned with in the sneaker resale market, the consignment shop features an immense floor-to-ceiling wall of kicks, including many styles coveted by sneakerheads around the world, and a glass case of super-rare models. Visiting Stadium Goods is an opportunity to shop, but it’s also a destination—many of Complex’s ‘Sneaker Shopping’ episodes were filmed here.
The Good Company is a go-to when shopping for streetwear in the Lower East Side, be it the brand’s latest products or a graphic T-shirt or hoodie from one of the many labels it stocks, including Carrots and Central Bookings International. If you're lucky, you might catch a performance from a New York rapper like MIKE or Wiki, too. Don’t forget to pick something up from Empanada Mama while you're there.