I try not to go too often, but I’ve found that stores have been so adaptive with the restrictions, and it usually feels pretty safe. What’s great is that I’ve found that the majority of the time, everyone in stores —employees and customers— are really following guidelines and trying to keep the shopping experience as fun as they can during this time.
The vintage scene is still flourishing in Bushwick. Before the pandemic, you could count on long fitting room lines at just about every L-Train Vintage and Beacon’s Closet in Bushwick. But while the lines may be socially-distanced and the capacity may be reduced, shoppers haven’t been deterred by the ‘new normal.’
For a new series on street style in Bushwick, we talked to some of them.
Name: Kyle Foster
Age: I’m 19.
Occupation: Currently a college student.
I like your chain, where is it from? Thanks, I got it from this online jewelry store called By Lolita!
So, are V-Neck Sweaters back? V-Neck Sweaters are 100% back, it’s a shame they went anywhere in the first place.
Did you buy anything today? Yeah, I bought these dope, beat-up sunglasses and then this pink zip-up hoodie, repping Long Beach, WA. Never been but I thought it was cool. My friends weren’t on board with the pink hoodie, but I promise they just didn’t see the vision!
Beacon’s Closet or L-Train? L-Train superiority.
How often do you come here? With the cold weather I haven’t been getting out much in general, but when the weather’s warm(er) I usually try to make it out here as often as possible.
Is thrifting your preferred way to shop? I think thrifting is definitely the way to go. Especially when rolling on a budget, you can find so many hidden gems at thrift stores.
Are you from New York? I’m actually from D.C.
Thoughts on Bushwick? I’m currently living in Manhattan and I gotta say that Bushwick is on a whole other level. It feels smaller but in the best way possible. Manhattan can get too busy for me, and I don’t know if this is gonna make sense, but it doesn’t feel real at times? But Bushwick is the place to be.
Name: Bonnie Smith
Age: 21
Occupation: Apparel Designer. Currently working as an intern.
Did you buy anything today? Yes! I’m a total shopping addict, especially when it comes to thrifting. Today I got a 90s-style slip skirt that I’m going to alter from L-Train, and at Beacon’s Closet, I found a vintage Fernando Alonso shirt for my friend — she’s a huge fan of FormulaOne.
How’s shopping for you, with all the COVID restrictions? I try not to go too often, but I’ve found that stores have been so adaptive with the restrictions, and it usually feels pretty safe. What’s great is that I’ve found that the majority of the time, everyone in stores —employees and customers— are really following guidelines and trying to keep the shopping experience as fun as they can during this time.
Is Bushwick where you like to shop? I actually just moved from Alabama in January, so right now it’s one of the only places I shop! I haven’t branched out much in Brooklyn, but I do really enjoy the Bushwick shopping scene. I love how many options there are for thrift and vintage shopping, there’s a lot of sustainable options, and I really appreciate the shops that feature local designers and artists.
I dig your outfit, is it thrift or a mix? This outfit is a bit of a mix. The T-Shirt I actually got recently at Friends NYC, it was on clearance and it’s one of my new favorites. I made the skirt— it was actually a school project that I just added into my wardrobe. Everything else are pieces I’ve had for a while, so I don’t even remember where they came from.
Where’s your bag from? I got this bag at a thrift store back home in Alabama. It’s one of my all-time favorite finds — a steal at $2.00!
What’s your favorite thing about thrifting? Gosh, everything! I love the sustainability aspect of thrifting — making sure clothing has a kind of second life. Coming from a small town, if you bought things at chain stores or even local boutiques, you always ended up matching with everyone else. Thrifting was always fun because you can find something that feels like it’s really one-of-a-kind. If you go into a store, they have the trendiest, most popular items put on display, so you tend to gravitate towards that. When you thrift, you’re just searching through racks of random things until you find something that you like just because you like it.
Name: Elizabeth
Age: 27
Occupation: Artist.
Was it laundry day or did you sell some stuff today? It was laundry day, way overdue.
I love your outfit, is it all thrifted? It is. The top is from my hometown in Texas and the pants I got last year in Los Angeles.
How’s shopping for you, with all the COVID restrictions? It’s not ideal to wait in a line outside in the middle of winter to go shopping. Aside from that, being out of work due to COVID means I don’t have disposable income for things like shopping.
Is Bushwick your preferred shopping destination? It’s hard shopping in Bushwick honestly. Beacons is cool, but usually a little crowded, picked-through, and over priced. I prefer places where you can find something unique for relatively cheap. L-Train vintage is sometimes good for that.
What’s your favorite thing about thrifting? Finding things that are unexpected, weird, useful, and affordable that will become a staple in my closet for years ahead. Usually, until it falls apart.
All photos by Corey Jermaine for Bushwick Daily.
For more news, sign up for Bushwick Daily’s newsletter.
Join the fight to save local journalism by becoming a paid subscriber.
