Zachary’s Smile

Cute vintage boutique wedged into the awkward space between the end of Mulberry St and Lafayette; vintage is overpriced for the quality and selection runs more towards boho hippie than boho chic; the non-​vintage items are nevertheless vintage inspired yet are more price conscious; their yearly sales in the basement space provide a wide selection of items reduced significantly in price

I visited this location during its closing sale, and really enjoyed the «$ 25 for a bag full of any clothes you can stuff into it» event (sorry…there’s no better name for it…)
I got there about half an hour to 45 minutes after the sale started, and already there was a line of 6 or 7 women with their bags filled. The selection that I faced wasn’t very good, though the racks were still at least 65% full. But I chalk this up to the people who were able to make it right at the beginning of the sale. Still, I ended up with some decent pieces that I will alter or give to friends, which is always nice for $ 25. I was finished in the store in less than 10 minutes.
The Zachary’s Smile «White line» clothing wasn’t particularly special either… cut-​out shoulders on otherwise ordinary vintage-​reproduction dresses in a stiff, uncomfortable material. I couldn’t believe the prices they had priced the clothing at originally. I would definitely not have purchased from there when the location was operating during its normal, non-​sale days. I’ve spent the same amount of money elsewhere for better vintage pieces, and I’m willing to spend much more than that if the piece is worth it. New York vintage/​mid-​range thrift shops need to get their sh! t together… in the age of ebay and online consignment and vintage shops, it’s hard to do good business with inflated prices for something I could find for much less online.

I know they are going out of business, so it may be unfair to write this review just based on what they have left. However, I felt I saw enough to share my opinion. I was expecting one of a kind vintage pieces, but I found boring looking pieces made of cheap quality fabric. I’d rather shop at the Salvation Army.
Also, I was surprised that there were several copies of each piece, making it seem more like The Gap than a cool vintage store. There are so many great vintage stores in the area that I don’t know why I even bothered to check this one out, but I thought I might get some good deals during the sale (since the reviews mainly complained about the expensive prices). Most things seemed to be really cheap at this point, so that’s not a problem, but I only spent about 3 minutes looking through the clothes, shoes, jewelry, and accessories before heading out. There may be a reason they are going out of business.

I’d generally given up on vintage shopping because the activity so often proved to be an exercise in frustration, leaving me stuck between a rock and an overpriced excuse for clothing that seemed peeled off the stale corpse of a fashion/​overdose victim oft the sixties, when the same waxen, synthetic fabric that covered couches and car seats and windows was also covered humans in non-​breathing (and, by the way, hideous) dresses, swimwear, and lingerie.
So I am not sure what prompted me to walk into Zachary’s Smile during a long walk up Lafayette in a journey from SoHo to Union Square. I think some distracting combination of color paired with large SALE signs and a flickering of holiday spirit did the trick. Otherwise, the façade of the small store might have appeared just as suspect as any other momentarily distracting yet ultimately useless vintage clothing store that besieges NYU and radius.
A hipster couple with a self-​importantly sized stroller containing a whimpering infant took up most of the space near the entrance of the small shop. However, the clever layout and selective collection of clothing left opportunity for smooth sailing around several racks of threads. Most of the shoes, boots, jewelry, dresses, jackets, skirts, and pants were clearly one-​of-​a-​kind judging by their details and shaping. Somewhat in the philosophy of the much larger Crossroads Trading Company chain, however, the store also carried some multiples crafted by small-​time designers.
As I flipped past a cropped tweed jacket, a full-​length neon-​pink kilt, and a fringed leather vest that only Jimi Hendrix could have pulled off, I realized that this was a place where one will often not find a match. Even so, an ensemble of black dresses had already accumulated over my left arm by the time i found the extreme sales rack on the opposite end of the store.
The sale was color coded. The dot on the price tag signified that the item was anywhere from $ 5 to I think $ 50, depending on the color of the sticker. The reason I do not remember the high end of the sale price with any clarity is that I was distracted by the FIVE DOLLAR PRICE. Can you even get a Gatorade from a vending stand for that cheap?
As could be predicted, some of the sale selections, such as a hideous swimsuit with rotted out elastic and tattered lining, were bunky. But surprisingly, there were a few things worth actually trying on, if only out of curiosity to see how they would fit.
The Salvation Army style dressing closets with no real hooks on the walls were pretty annoying, especially with my whole winter coat riding shotgun on the one tiny chair provided. The lack of mirrors inside necessitated the humiliating experience of having to step outside in front of simultaneously indifferent and judgmental fellow shoppers, but
it was worth sucking it up and taking a look because I eliminated all possibilities except one dress that fit like a glove and happened to be in the five dollar category.
Allowing a close-​lipped smile in response to my exclamations over the hidden treasure I’d found, the cashier warned me that all items were final sale. Good thing returning my cheap and good dress is no more likely than me puking up a Venti Chai Latte at Starbucks and asking for my money back.
True to the ideal vintage shopping experience, sometimes there is nothing for anyone but sometimes there is something for no one else but you… and what gives this place a definitive edge is that there is just less shit to dig through to determine which one of the times you’ve found yourself in.
P. S. Okay, I didn’t even realize there was a basement. I’m goin’!

Go to the annex and you’ll find cheap, quality finds there! I found 2 gorgeous 80s dresses there for $ 20 a pop. Plus a cute pair of cowboy boots for $ 10. I’ll be back!

I always skip the Zachary’s Smile store and go straight to the basement sale. Zachary’s Smile store has a LOT of cute stuff but is too pricey for me and you can usually find at least one thing you like at the basement sale. I’ve bought 2 pairs of $ 5 heels at the basement sale. They weren’t in great condition but they were cute and $ 5! What can I say, it was an impulse buy. I would come back here to scrounge around for some cute belts. I bought this amazing pink, white and red patterned belt that was only $ 5 and I find myself being able to match it with more and more outfits.

It’s conveniently located near the 6 so you can make a pit-​stop here on the way to Soho or Nolita. The store has unique, vintage clothes that are more appropriately priced than somewhere like Ina. Cute jewlelry and accessories are stuffed into this small store. The sales associates aren’t overbearing, but helpful when you need it. I’ve bought a dress here that always elicits a compliment. Even if you aren’t in the mood to try on or buy, it’s fun to check out the vintage items that might remind you of your fashionable grandma or aunt.

Really cute new and vintage finds. It wasn’t too expensive, but more than I’m used to paying. What can I say? I have Diesel tastes but a Forever 21 budget.
If you want a unique, casual frock for galavanting about the city, you ought to come here.
Great staff! Super friendly, laid back and NICE!

I always see something cute, original, and exciting at Zachary’s Smile. The prices can range from cheap to way too expensive, but you can find some good one of a kind and vintage items. Go to Zachary’s Smile if you want to have something that sets you apart from the rest. The store smells like vintage moth balls and estate sales, but otherwise its great!

i will only shop in the sale section of the Zachary’s Smile clothes they make. I went to Anthropologie and saw they carry the Zachary’s Smile brand and a dress my mother bought from ZS was at Antro for almost twice as much! i bought a cute necklace that was on sale for 30%. Needless to say i would walk straight to the sale

Musty clothes are sort of worth browsing when they’re priced like musty clothes. Vintage is sort of worth browsing when the pieces are one-​of-​a-​kind. Repurposed vintage in tacky designs and cheap fabric, available in every size and every color? No thanks, and definitely not for 3-​digit prices. You have to be a very lazy vintage shopper to pay out at this place, in which case you’re better off browsing eBay on your couch in your underwear.

They have cute stuff, if you are in a rush and need something for a casual party you will find something around the range of 100−200dollars.
Alot of items excited me and I just wished I wasn’t on such a tight budget.
Its a nice store to get some ideas on what you want, its not too over-​priced like ones in SOHO, but still it is pretty pricy.

The prices are a bit steep, but when there’s a sale there’s a SALE.
Has a great vibe, unique and creative styles, and really friendly staff.
They’re doing an on-​going basement sale of older styles right around the corner on Mulberry street. I snagged 3 dresses for $ 65. Brilliant!

Vintage — yeah I get it, but reconstructed vintage is just using itchy fabric to make Forever 21 style dresses and then pricing it at $ 200. Using quality fabric and vintage patterns — now that’s something I can get into!

I just wandered into this place and ended really liking the clothes. The store does have an assortment of things: brand new clothes, clothes made from vintage fabrics, and vintage clothing. I ended up getting a $ 20 top on the clearance rack, but this seemed to be the cheapest thing in the place. Expect to pay quite a bit more ($ 100+) for each piece of clothes here.

Love this place. Had a wonderful vibe to it. The vintage clothing all seemed hand-​picked to cater someone with that special style.
The people were nice and helpful, and unlike other vintage places I’ve been to, this place smelled okay.
I’m knocking off one star for the pricing. Come on…$ 275 for a dress made out of vintage fabric??? I guess it depends how «unique» you want to be.

It’s tough to categorize this place as vintage. While it has a selection of «vintage» dresses, shirts and skirts as well as shoes and handbags, this place also has its own collection of vintage inspired lines. And this is truly where I think Zachary’s excels. Simple silk cap sleeved A-​line dresses that will make you look fashionable and feel fresh even on those 100 degree days. Sheath dresses in vintage inspired prints in classic Jackie Kennedy cuts. Even if the dresses don’t captivate you, the accessories selection will have you ooing and aaing. I even saw a pucci-​esque swim suit with the top piece hitting just at the hip, very pinup-​esque.
The selection of vintage clothing is rather limited and vintage is mostly 70s-​80s pieces. Unlike what most people think of as a «vintage» store, Zachary’s vibe is soho chic, with nice changing rooms, wood floors that you’re not afraid to take off your shoes on and with a selection that has already been parred down to make the process of shopping much easier.

This place is a dream. Collaboration of vintage & the new.
It isn’t über-​expensive and consistently has very good sales. An added plus, the staff is super friendly & helpful.
I went in for a birthday outfit, by myself, and they helped me as if they were a dear friend.
A lot of the clothes are easy to gain or lose weight and still wear also.
Not everything, but I have ²⁄₃ items from there that do.
Right next to the subway & restaurant supply stores! Get your tupperware & your wear in one stop.
The only pricey part are the way vintage & the shoes.

If you are looking for a one of a kind garment, ZS is the place to go. I have about three dresses from there, 2 reconstructed and 1 vintage and whenever I wear one of them I receive a ton of compliments. And, mind you, all those compliments are directly aimed at my clothes. ZS knows style, and it’s not just trendy, it’s inspired by classic shapes, colors and draping so that not only are the dresses stunning in design but are also cut for the modern woman, for her to look chic and put together.
They also have vintage boots, in large sizes and small sizes, for the freak-​footed of us out there (myself, a 9.5, included). If you’ve been to Cherry and cringed at the prices, go to ZS and reclaim your ownership on affordable yet impeccable vintage clothing.

One of my goals on my recent trip to New York was to find a unique, locally-​designed piece of clothing that was not available in SF. I had a budget of about $ 100, mind you, so vintage stores were my friend. Of the three full days I spent traversing Manhattan, I only spent a tiny fraction of it clothes shopping (how can you not when the MOMA and the Met and all the other great attractions are vying for your attention?), so I was absolutely DELIGHTED to stumble across Zachary’s Smile on Lafayette st. en route to an Afro-​Cuban dance concert at La Mama Experimental Theater Club (I love NY!)
When I walked in the door, I was greeted by rack upon rack of gorgeous «reconstructed» dresses made from vintage elements: most of their designs are stretchy, colorful cotton dresses and shirts accented by vintage fabrics in the cutest and most wearable ways. The best thing? Almost all the dresses were on sale for like sixty bucks. Try finding a handmade dress anywhere in SF for that price. The other best thing? The endless combination of colors and designs makes for a wonderfully agonizing decision-​making process. Because they are made from vintage «found fabrics,» if you will, no two pieces are exactly the same, but they are all DAMNED CUTE! I bought a shirt right on the spot, and made a point of visiting their Greenwich Ave location (bigger selection and nice nice folks working there) before I left to score a sale dress. Take that, stinky Haight Street vintage stores!