New Orleans

Vintage Shopping in New Orleans: Where to Find Old-School Treasures

The Revival Outpost (Photo: Joshua Brasted)

Everything old is new again in New Orleans, a city with a sense of style unfettered by current trends and the contemporary zeitgeist. In a town where twentysomethings take swing dance lessons during the week or sound off in a bar spelling bee, anything goes when it comes to pulling together an outfit that makes a personal statement. Retro, vintage, upcycled, reinvented – it’s all good when it comes to fashion and accessories for the bod or the abode. Try one, or all, of these cool spots to feed your own fashion M.O.

Buffalo Exchange

Buffalo Exchange (Photo: Joshua Brasted)
Buffalo Exchange (Photo: Joshua Brasted)

Buffalo Exchange is a treasure trove of gently used duds uptown on Magazine Street, a stellar outpost of the original store that opened in Tucson in 1974. Still a family-owned privately held company, Buffalo Exchange set the bar as the very first store that bought, sold, traded, and took clothing items and accessories on consignment. One of some 45 stores in 17 states, the New Orleans location stands out — take, for instance, its costume section. That’s huge in a place where locals dress up to walk to the dry cleaners. Prices are generally low, whether you’re looking for an $18 pair of branded skinny jeans or a $12 ugly Christmas sweater.

The Revival Outpost

The Revival Outpost (Photo: Joshua Brasted)
The Revival Outpost (Photo: Joshua Brasted)

In the French Quarter, The Revival Outpost on Chartres spotlights higher end designers, along with lines like Mink Pink and Burger+Friends as well as the Oupost’s own line of vintage-inspired little numbers. This is the spot for that Miu Miu slip dress for $140 or a pair of Dolce & Gabbana bejeweled mules for $64. The space is beautifully merchandised, with clothing separated by era and a long case of retro jewelry you didn’t know you needed, but you do.

Magpie Estate and Vintage Jewelry

Magpie Estate and Vintage Jewelry (Photo: Joshua Brasted)
Magpie Estate and Vintage Jewelry (Photo: Joshua Brasted)

The locally owned Magpie Estate and Vintage Jewelry on Magazine benefits from the owner’s informed sense of what’s gorgeous then and now. From Edwardian baubles, engraved wedding bands and art deco diamond dinner rings, the store shimmers with timeless style.

Loisel Vintage Modern

Loisel Vintage Modern (Photo: Joshua Brasted)
Loisel Vintage Modern (Photo: Joshua Brasted)

If Mid-Century Modern makes your heart go pitter-pat, head to Loisel Vintage Modern on Magazine. The stuff here is a bit expensive, but worth the coin for the likes of two Borge Mogensen side chairs ($1095), a pair of 50’s Murano wall sconces ($1,495) or a king-size headboard from genius designer Harvey Probber ($995) that looks like it came from Camelot.