Screaming Mimi's
Iconic New York City vintage shop beloved by stylists, actors, and costume designers
Overview
Screaming Mimi's is a legendary vintage clothing store in New York City that has been a go-to resource for stylists, actors, and costume designers for decades. Their carefully curated collection spans the 1950s through the 1990s, organized by era and color.
Shopping at Screaming Mimi's is an experience in itself, with racks of well-preserved garments, accessories, and shoes that capture each decade's aesthetic. The staff is knowledgeable and can help you find pieces suited to specific character looks or audition needs.
How It Works
The store has supplied wardrobe pieces for numerous film, television, and theatre productions, as well as editorial fashion shoots. Its reputation for quality vintage makes it a trusted name among New York's creative community.
Prices range from affordable everyday vintage to higher-end collector pieces. Most actors can find solid audition-ready garments in the mid-price range without breaking the bank.
Who Uses It
If you need an authentic vintage look for a role or audition, Screaming Mimi's delivers where fast-fashion imitations fall short. Visit with your character breakdown in mind and let the staff guide you to the right era. The store's reputation among New York's film and television costume departments means their pieces have appeared in countless productions, lending an authenticity that reproduction garments cannot match. Their accessories collection, including hats, scarves, belts, and jewelry, is equally impressive and can complete a period look at a fraction of the cost of the garments themselves.
Pricing & Plans
Screaming Mimi's pricing reflects the quality and curation of their vintage inventory, with most garments ranging from $30 to $200 depending on the era, condition, and rarity of the piece. Everyday vintage basics like t-shirts, simple dresses, and casual wear tend to fall in the $30 to $75 range, making them accessible for actors building an audition wardrobe on a moderate budget. Premium pieces, particularly well-preserved designer vintage from the 1950s and 1960s, can command $200 to $500 or more for exceptional items. Accessories generally range from $10 to $80, offering an affordable way to add period-authentic touches to a modern outfit. The store does not offer rentals, so all purchases are final, though the investment in quality vintage often holds its value better than fast-fashion equivalents. Compared to online vintage marketplaces where condition and fit are uncertain, Screaming Mimi's lets you inspect and try on every piece before buying, reducing the risk of costly mistakes.
Pros & Cons
What's Great
The curation at Screaming Mimi's is exceptional, with every piece hand-selected for quality, condition, and aesthetic appeal, which saves you the hours of sorting through mediocre inventory that thrift shopping typically requires. The organization by era and color makes it remarkably efficient to find what you need for a specific character or period look. Staff expertise is a genuine asset, as employees can identify eras, designers, and fabrics on sight and often suggest pieces you might not have considered. The store's long-standing relationships with the New York film and theatre community mean they understand what actors need and can tailor recommendations accordingly. The physical quality of their inventory is consistently high, with pieces that are clean, well-maintained, and ready to wear without requiring significant restoration. Their location in Manhattan makes them convenient for NYC-based actors who can visit between auditions or during lunch breaks without a lengthy commute.
What Could Be Better
The store's curated approach means the selection, while high-quality, is not as vast as a warehouse-style vintage shop or online marketplace, so you may not always find exactly what you need in your size. Pricing is higher than thrift stores and online secondhand platforms like Depop or ThredUp, which can be a barrier for actors operating on very tight budgets. The no-rental policy means you must purchase pieces outright, which is less practical for one-time use costumes that you may not wear again after a production wraps. Store hours and inventory can be unpredictable, and popular pieces sell quickly, so the item you spotted last week may be gone by the time you return. The focus on 1950s through 1990s fashion means coverage of earlier periods and twenty-first century vintage is limited. The store is not designed for high-volume production pulls, so costume designers sourcing for large casts may find the process too slow for their timelines.
Our Recommendation
We recommend Screaming Mimi's for NYC-based actors and costume designers who need authentic, high-quality vintage pieces for auditions, character development, or small-scale productions. It is the ideal destination when you need a specific decade's aesthetic and want to avoid the hit-or-miss quality of thrift stores and online vintage sellers. Actors on very tight budgets may want to check Depop, ThredUp, or local thrift stores first for lower-priced alternatives, then visit Screaming Mimi's for special pieces that justify the premium. If you need large volumes of costumes for a production, dedicated costume rental houses like Western Costume or Palace Costume will be more practical and cost-effective. For modern or contemporary audition wardrobe, retail stores like Zara and H&M are faster and cheaper options. Screaming Mimi's is best used strategically for the standout vintage pieces that elevate your look beyond what mass-market stores can offer.
Pro Tips
Follow Screaming Mimi's on social media to get early notice of new inventory arrivals, seasonal sales, and special events that can yield the best finds at reduced prices. Visit early in the week when new stock has just been put on the floor and before weekend crowds pick through the best pieces. Bring reference images of your character or the era you are shopping for so staff can quickly point you to the most relevant sections and pieces. Try on everything before purchasing, as vintage sizing is inconsistent and label sizes from past decades rarely correspond to modern size charts. Ask about any damage or wear before buying, as experienced staff will be honest about condition issues and may offer a discount on pieces with minor flaws. Consider building a capsule collection of era-specific accessories like scarves, brooches, and belts, which are more affordable than full garments and can transform a modern outfit into a convincing period look for auditions.