Allure on Fifth

One of fav. Second hand store.
The owner of this place is a beautiful old lady. I love to call her my grandmother. I always find something to buy. Great designer store for a cheap price when compared to retail price.
What can I say?
Go there.

Didn’t get anything, but the sales lady was so delightful! She took me through everything and kept saying, this is not right size, this isn’t for you, and finally said, come back next week, we maybe have something for you. Even showed me a picture of her grandson. Small store, so entire exchange took less than 5 mins. Will definitely be back next week.

Seems like there is a little club of people who’ve lived around here for years, never been inside, been captured by something in the window, walked in, have been thoroughly impressed by the inventory, and now make a habit of dropping by reguarly. I’m in that club.
I’ve sold stuff through the store as well. Alexandra has the memory of an elephant… she remembers every little detail of every item, and although you may not hear from her for a while, she is honest and 100% trustworthy. I’ve made $$ through her for things that otherwise would have sat in my cupboard for years.

I’m writing this from a guy’s perspective. It’s a small store, and even smaller selection when it comes to mens clothing… but the owner has an eye for quality stuff — mostly mens suits, blazers, coats and ties — particularly vintage-​like. Again, small selection and I’ve gone in several times (I live near) and not found anything that fit.
However I popped in today and found a mint-​condition Zegna blazer for $ 75 (normally $ 1,000 retail new), plus a couple of Versace and Valentino vintage ties for a steal. If you live near, it’s worth stopping in from time to time and see what she’s got.

Alexandra is a PS gem! Sometimes I just pop in to say hello, since she’s such a sweetheart. She has an eye for great designer goods as well as what styles will suit your occasion, skin tone body type, etc. She will honestly tell you if something doesn’t look good on you.
Prices range, but sometimes you can negotiate a little too. However for the brands you’re buying it is still a great deal. She also only carries things in practically new condition. This place can be hit-​or-​miss if you’re looking for something specific, but you can always let her know what you’re looking for and she’ll keep her eye out for it and let you know. I’ve gotten nice things from Allure, and I will certainly continue to come back!
P. S. The owner does smoke, but she goes outside to do so. I have a sensitivity to cigarette odor too, but I’ve never noticed it in the store or on her merchandise.

I too have lived in this neighborhood for years and never stopped in this store. I needed a cocktail dress fast or a pair of evening black pants so I was walking Fifth. Ok, I saw a Botega Venetta handbag in the window that did lure me in. Nice stuff in there. Hanging up high with some other evening dresses was a perfect black, sheer layers with lining — IN MY SIZE — Jones NY dress. she brought in a pair of gorgeous Ralph Lauren black pumps so I could see the dress on with heels (if they were half a size smaller, they’d be mine too). omg — the dress was only $ 75. And the next day, I had to go back and grab that bag — $ 200 (and we all know what BV bags go for). Damn, I am checking this store regularly!

I have lived on 5^th avenue for a decade and had never been in this store before today. I had walked by thousands of times even stopping to stare at some of the stuff in the window. Our story begins in the Fall of 2008 when there was a super cute bottle green marc by marc jacobs purse just a smallish one with a handle. I ket passing it and thinking I would really like that but I did not act fast enough (or even fast) it was gone. The loss of that bag has stuck in my head ever since; and was on my mind the last two weeks when I saw a Marc Jacobs bag in the window. Mint green with some sort of black pattern on the front with the silver zippers and buckle hardware we all know and love. I could not place the season but today as I approached I figured why not ask how much it is.
I wander in and ask about the bag-​Alexandra Trzcinski who immediately becomes my discount luxury fairy godmother says $ 200. I think hmmmm I mean do I REALLY need this I mean I am carrying a perfectly good two year old mouse grey totally terry turnlock bag that retailed for just under $ 600 but it is spring and such a nice day out and this lady seems nice. She told me she estimated that the full retail price was over $ 800 which although I could not place the season I would say was accurate.
I tell her about the loss of the small green hand bag a year and a half ago-​she says she remembers. I look at her wistfully. I think if the bag is still here in a few weeks, if the bag is still here by the time my damn tax return comes.
She looks and says-​if you pay cash $ 150 flat-​her words still hung in the air as I shrieked «I’m going to the ATM don’t sell that bag!!!» and charged down the street.
I did not notice the smoke smell that the first to review but I was only in the store for a few minutes.
Definitely look in here and if you see something you want try to work something out with the lady she seems reasonable.
I LOVE my new bag!!!

Lovely selection of designer goods, so I love stopping by frequently. A prior review mentioned the smell of cigarettes but I have to say that, as someone seriously allergic, I’ve never noticed that anyone smoked in the shop. A couple items did smell of cig smoke but that was probably the original owner. Sometimes it takes more than 1 cleaning to get out the smell.

Very small store packed with tons of used designer goodies. Most of the items are in pretty good shape, the woman who owns the store is very helpful, however, I believe she smokes in the store and some of the stuff is a little cig-​smelly. She’s got a huge selection of clothing, some shoes (which are in visibly worn conditions but feature designers like Chanel, Gucci, Prada), and a fair collection of handbags with a handful of them from luxury designers like Chanel. Though she does price some of the items slightly high, there is room for haggling and she won’t charge tax if you pay by cash.
p. s. There has been an article in the NY Times which mentions this store but it was written back in 2003. I’m hoping that by posting this here that more people could share their opinions about it.