Penny pinching has taken on a whole new meaning thanks to the economic downfall. In a sudden floundering of our well earned dollars, shopping for those winter must-haves has suddenly become that much harder. And yet, as we recently pointed out, consignment and vintage resale shops are a slightly worn but equally covetable option for financially wary fashionistas.

For a city that lives and breathes fashion, New York comes with no shortage of vintage and consignment finds, but only the true gems offer the latest and greatest at a hand me down price. The Upper East Side’s A Second Chance and Michael’s Consignment Shop will satisfy your craving for high-end designer goods. Both consignment stores boast assortments of Gucci, Prada and Fendi to keep you entertained as you riffle through the well stocked racks. Michael’s impressive two-story shop even includes a bridal boutique with prices ranging from 33-50% off retail.

For a great bargain, head downtown to Fish For the Hip (153 W. 18th St.), but don’t let the unassuming locale fool you. The shop has impressively low prices on names like Vanessa Bruno, Hermès, A.P.C. and Peter Som. A large supply of Vintage Chanel jackets, Birkin bags and Louis Vuitton luggage can also be found here as Upper East Side socialites favor this spot as their fashion dumping ground. Nearby Housing Works‘s selection of clothing, home furnishings and DVD and book collections has a thrifty feel that will also feed your benevolent side—all proceeds are used to help the homeless.

In a sea of extremely stylized consignment stores that look more like boutiques than treasure troves, the East Village’s Tokio7 delivers a familiar secondhand aesthetic. Packed round racks of clothing and lines of jackets, tops, accessories and shoes cover their downstairs location, while kitschy key chains and old records round out the store’s vibe. With a well-rounded mix of Y-3, Chloé and Vince, customers come for the deals and dig deep into the crammed displays to find them. Down the street at Amarcord Vintage Fashion you can expect to find more one-of-a-kind vintage and consignment finds.

Of course, a New York City list wouldn’t be complete without INA, which holds up to its title as the best secondhand retailer in the City with five superb locations. While choice finds such as a to-die-for Chloé knit sweater or a swoon-worthy Stella McCartney rain jacket may satisfy the craving for beautiful selections, INA’s prices might not fit all budgets. We suggest balancing out the glam of INA with a nearby NoLita boutique, Sweet Tater, which is replete with hipster-loving vintage finds such as Sears plaid tops and K-Mart high-waisted, faded jeans, which are perfect for the ’70s revival look.

Down on the Lower East Side vintage rules the streets. Staples such as Daha Vintage (formerly Edith and Daha) and the bright and funky Marmalade have outfitted the neighborhood’s creative types for years. The shops carry a constant sea of must have shoes, clothing and handbags that will prove to be more detrimental to the wallet than one expects.

Plan a walking tour through the easy to find secondhand spots by starting off with the spacious Daha. The mod white interior is a great contrast to the sea of racks upon racks of vintage dresses, skirts, tops and accessories to match. If a more sophisticated twist on decade dressing is your thing, JC Report fave Frock carries stunning vintage from the ’60s through the ’80s at a well-priced point. Step inside Ellen and you will find a discerning selection of spot-on pieces for this coming winter. Dresses are the biggest seller here with a rack holding beautiful vintage Sonia Rykiel, Valentino, Giorgio Armani and Diane von Furstenberg, then accessorize with one of the many loafer or prairie-style shoe choices that line the opposite wall. If shoes are what you’re after, look no further than Girls Love Shoes, a vintage shoe archive that’s in constant flux as it keeps up with a demand for their diverse and affordable shoe selection.

Rounding out this budget shopping Manhattan tour, head to Brooklyn where Beacon’s Closet reigns as the consignment shop du jour and A.P.C. Surplus will keep you looking minimal and cool without having to pay the original retail price tag. And, if New York isn’t your hometown shopping grounds, check out e-commerce sites such as Nina & Lola or Neo Vintage to score those winter bargains.

—Kyle Landman