Neighborhood Store — Beacon’s Closet

When I moved into my senior dorm at NYU, I was pleasantly surprised to see a clothing boutique on my block. Now I have walked past a lot of  boutiques in New York, but I got super excited about this one because it was affordable. Beacon’s Closet is a consignment store with a focus on designer labels and unique vintage items. Yes their mascot is a hipster baby (or a hipster old man), yes there are a lot of quirky things in there, but they truly have something for everyone. The small, high-ceilinged room was absolutely packed with inventory, with sections for long dresses, clothing by color, shoes, jewelry, hats, glasses, scarves, belts, and handbags.  Because there are so many things to choose from, if you put in the time you can find plenty of pieces that complement your personal style. For me, that means feminine and sophisticated. I spent five hours there on my last trip, and this is what I found:

 1. Maje top                                                              2. Tibi skirt

                           

    

   

                                                                 Forever 21 earrings

    

Vintage velvet purse; bracelet from Croatia, from my father

3. Ella Moss dress                                                       4. Lazarus hat

   

         

Vera Bradley purse;  poster from my mother; Forever 21 stackable rings

   

Style & Co. shoes

5. Elizabeth and James dress                                 6. L.K. Bennett penny loafers

             

         

Vintage lariat necklace

   

H&M earrings; Forever 21 bracelet; Forever 21 ring

Chanel handbag

7. Cynthia Rowley blouse                                          8. Kors Michael Kors shoes

            

     

Forever 21 skirt; custom poster by Sir Shadow, from the 2015 Harlem Fine Arts Show

    

Vintage clip-on earrings

Xhilaration bracelets; Harajuku Lovers ring; vintage purse

9. Yumi Kim top

    

Bebe reversible skirt; Jennifer Moore purse

   

Anna Belen headband; Xhilaration espadrilles; poster from the NYU Bookstore

  

Bracelet I have had since I was little, of unknown origin; Lady Gaga concert ring; Hello Kitty ring, found on the floor at Forever 21

10. Halston Heritage dress

       

Van Eli shoes; Charter Club handbag   

Narmi watch

11. Sportmax dress

  

    Vintage purse with abalone shells and wooden handle

     

This dress is comfortable and convenient — it zips in the front and has spacious pockets!

Earrings from Iran, from a friend

   

Bracelets from my mother; Forever 21 ring; Sbicca espadrilles

12. Nonoo dress                                                     13. Marc Jacobs flats

   

Purse from my great-aunt; clock from Indonesia, from a friend

My wardrobe has always been a mix of fast fashion, vintage, and gifts from family and friends, so I am very happy to have found Beacon’s Closet. They have four stores in NYC, and a website for everyone else! Happy shopping.