New York

Since the thrift-as-couture movement has long-since matured from the penny stock depths of the ‘90s zeitgeist into a ‘00s blue-chip cultural juggernaut, the term ‘vintage’ (however mutually exclusive) is often successfully co-opted to hock overpriced sentiments not befitting of the term (been to Cheap Jack’s in this decade?). While it’s doubtful that there’s an expensive crap-for-crap’s-sake movement coming (possible, though I wouldn’t buy stock in it), it’s great to see a shop with a well-groomed collection of well-priced, truly vintage items: excellent milk glass for under $20, decent rock and soul vinyl, handsome period (and in some cases, collector) picture frames, not to mention a small but smart selection of jackets/shirts. Great for a quick birthday gift or an empty shelf-filler. Moreover, Stray Vintage doubles as a consignment shop for photographer postcards, aroma-therapy oils, or whatever the owners (Dan & Tara) find interesting, be it from designers, or other collectors, at a very reasonable mark-up. Really, you’d usually have to go to the East Village to lose your shirt on a mint-condition 8mm projector. Here, you’re saved the trip and the bare-chested embarrassment.

Photo:  Jayson Walker