Unique, Chic, or Cheap

Secondhand stores deliver

By Mallory Passuite

Whether your wardrobe calls for something unique, chic, or cheap, Syracuse offers second-hand clothing shops for everyone.

Eclectic: Cluttered Closet (315) 422-6294; 742 S Beech St, Syracuse

With enough clutter to fill several closets, and “Puff the Magic Dragon” playing in the background, Cluttered Closet delivers pure nostalgia. The store offers vintage and used clothing, shoes, and accessories that range from day-wear to costume, a gently used pair of 7 For All Mankind jeans, plaid button-downs, and a yellow, floral bridesmaids’ gown from the ‘60s made from a material thick enough to cover a couch. In addition to men and women’s apparel, Cluttered Closet also carries random thrifted items like vintage Life and Seventeen magazines from the 70s, which sell for $6. Clothes start at about $10.

Hip: Modern Pop Culture (315) 472 4672; 215 Walton street 3rd floor, Syracuse

Modern Pop Culture stocks a selection of old clothes for the young and hip. While the store also carries new items, it focuses on high-quality, vintage fashion items that range from classic to over-the-top, says Nathan Schafer, the store’s owner. Find silly graphic tees (like “I love my Collie”), leather motorcycle jackets, and bold ‘80s sweaters. “It’s about vintage fashion, as opposed to just being old,” Schafer says. A vintage buyer travels weekly, carefully selecting clothes for guys and girls, shoes, and accessories. Prices generally fall between $10 and $30.

Cheap: The Salvation Army (315) 445-0520; 2433 Erie Blvd. East Syracuse

When you feel up for the hunt, the Salvation Army stockpiles clothes for everyone, every occasion, and for cheap. The trick is tenacity. Mosey through the color-coded racks to find unique vintage pieces and nearly new clothes from brands like the Gap and Banana Republic, all mixed in with a few old outfits that, at the very least, provide entertainment (like the silky, purple one-piece straight out of Saturday Night Fever). Most T-shirts cost $.99, and blouses, $2.99.

Chic: Echo Off The Lake (315)685 9465 1 Studio Place, Skaneateles

If you lust after luxury brands but cringe at the prices, Echo Off the Lake is a must-stop shop. The store collects both vintage, new, and gently used pieces from brands like Gucci, Prada, Louis Vuitton, and Bottega Veneta. Expect discounts up to 80 percent off the original retail prices, according to Echo Off the Lake’s Facebook page. The store carries women and men’s apparel, accessories, and shoes.

Multimedia produced by Mallory Passuite and Jamie Miles

Mallory Passuite is a regular contributor to Jerk Wear.