Fast fashion has come under the microscope in recent years for its environmental practices — the water consumption, carbon emissions from transportation and production and landfill waste when much of it goes unbought. And yet, clothes are required in these parts, and your style can be a way to tap into your adult playfulness.
Thrift and consignment shops across the East End offer a way to lower your closet’s carbon footprint by giving a quality, second-hand item a new life. And you’ll find a multitude of wearable gems — including luxury wear — at a significantly lower price than you would if you bought it brand-new (with better quality to boot — and in boots!). Consider it the rare good kind of sticker shock. Plus, some Hamptons second-hand shops donate portions of their proceeds to local causes. These South Fork thrift and consignment shops truly have gifts that keep on giving.
The Retreat Boutique Thrift Store, 2102 Montauk Highway, Bridgehampton, 631-537-3845
You’ll find racks on racks of gently used men’s and women’s clothes, shoes, accessories and bags from an array of brands at The Retreat Boutique Thrift Store. Every so often, you’ll snag vintage Chanel, Dior or Louis Vuitton, though the best-sellers are the softest of cashmere sweaters. While thrifting can feel like an overwhelming scavenger hunt, the shop has an organized and curated appeal, with mannequins displaying put-together outfits (and staffers more than happy to help you find something that’s oh-so-you). All of the proceeds go toward efforts that support Retreat’s mission to break the cycle of domestic violence. You can donate your Marie Kondo-ed items year-round during store hours (Tuesdays through Thursdays, 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. It’s closed Monday.)
The Shops at LVIS, 95 Main Street, East Hampton, 631-324-1220
This shop is run by the Ladies’ Village Improvement Society of East Hampton, which supports preservation and maintenance efforts for the area’s historic landmarks and ponds, parks, greens and trees. Shopping at the Shops at LVIS is one way to support these efforts financially and by reducing your own carbon footprint. Instead, make a footprint with a new, gently-used pair of shoes — there’s enough to make Carrie Bradshaw swoon. Items change with the seasons as in a retail shop. Heavy coats are available as the temperatures drop, and LVIS breaks out the summer hats when the mercury trends upward. Fancy and laidback dresses, slick blazers and casually cool sports jackets and vintage finds are also possibilities.
Ava’s & Around Again, 1 Long Wharf Street, Sag Harbor, 631-725-4067
Old meets now at Ava’s and Around Again. Situated along the bustling Wharf Street in Sag Harbor, the shop has a consignment arm with an eclectic mix of clothing and accessories. The inventory varies, but tops, skirt, dresses and sweaters are some of the categories you might find. Recently, Eagle eyes spotted a rare and red Mark Cross backpack that usually retails for $1,200 for under $500. Vintage Chanel jewels were other recent hidden gems.
The Exchange Thrift Shop, 2350 Montauk Highway, Bridgehampton, 631-537-0156
Found on the grounds of the Queen of the Most Holy Rosary Catholic Church, The Exchange Thrift Shop tries to keep something for everyone on hand — like new designer dressy and casual wear and accessories like ties, belts, jewelry and shoes at friendly prices. While space is limited, the thrift shop does accept select, quality donations, with proceeds from the sales going to the church.
Catwalk Couture, 87 Main St, Westhampton Beach, 917-365-8903
Opening the door to Catwalk Couture is like unlocking a buried treasure chest. Browse the shop and you may uncover quilted Chanel slides and ballet flats, a seemingly never-owned Christion Dior tote large, many-things Louis Vuitton and shearling coats that keep you warm and stylish throughout shoulder seasons.
Easport Retro, 510 Montauk Highway, Eastport, 631-801-2880
Since they opened in May 2024, aunt and niece duo Nancy and Mollie Alamia, residents of East Moriches and Southampton, respectively, have been keeping Eastport upcycled, with their fun curated selection of vintage clothing including denim jackets, sports team and college apparel, dresses, crotched blankets, as well as decent selection of vinyl records, pins (great for one of those denim jackets), patches and furniture.
Collette’s Consignment, 1 Hampton Road, Southampton, 631-287-5100
Tisha Collette is not fooling around when it comes to sourcing the gems of others. Head up to the second floor of her Southampton outpost, and feast your eyes on the designer showcase showdown of couture clothing, shoes and bags.
The Perfect Purse, 27 Hampton Road, Southampton, 631-283-3360
Serious collectible purse hounds, take note: The Perfect Purse lives up to its name. This tiny but packed-to-the-gills bag haunt (plus some shoes, too) is clutch (ha! purse puns!) when it comes to covetable, designer bags, from Chanel to Birkin, to a Tod’s ’90s-era Lady Di bag and a Chloe camera bag, to Versace, Bottega Veneta… if you can dream it, they’ve got it.
Pre-Loved Montauk, 805 Montauk Highway, Montauk, @prelovedmtk
Preloved MTK, which opened its doors in July 2021, is a vintage store that started when Sunny Melet felt uninspired by the four walls of her bedroom during lockdown. With 90% of the shop’s wares in the vintage realm, and few carefully curated new (and often, locally and sustainably made and female-owned) items, Melet hand-picks all of it herself. “I need to see and touch every piece, and sometimes try them on too,” she says. “It’s a small space and I like to curate everything in there. There’s nothing I have that I wouldn’t wear myself.”
