Revolver Vintage in CDMX
My vintage obsession runs deep for good reason: It’s better for the planet at the same time it’s often (but not always) healthier for your wallet. It lets you cherry-pick the best of bygone eras—whether you lived through them or not. (The '70s own my heart for both fashion and furniture.) Vintage also empowers you to build a style that's authentically you instead of defaulting to ubiquitous trends—I’m looking at you, barrel-leg jeans!
But the main reason I gravitate to vintage shopping is because it’s the ultimate urban travel companion. It has a unique way of weaving you through hidden neighborhoods and forgotten streets. You might start with a destination pinned on Google Maps, but you'll inevitably stumble onto the unexpected discoveries that make travel magical.
I’ve scoured flea markets and vintage shops from Paris to Bangkok to Buenos Aires, but I was particularly excited to explore Mexico City because it’s become a mecca for a global creative community attracted to the city’s incredible energy and cultural vibrancy—amazing food, art, architecture and…vintage.
Here are the stores I hit and what I scored on a recent weekend trip.
Goodbye Folk
Address: Córdoba 55, Roma Nte., Cuauhtémoc, 06700 Ciudad de México, CDMX, Mexico
My hubs in a very glam baseball-style jacket
My first stop was Goodbye Folk in the trendy Roma Norte neighborhood, which is dotted with streetwear boutiques, restaurants, and craft coffee shops. This second-hand store occupies a neatly merchandised multi-floor space that’s filled with everything from bright sports jerseys to leather jackets and cowboys boots to 19th century French blue chore jackets (or bleu de travail, as they were originally known). They also have a sister location nearby and offer a discount if you shop at both on the same day. Smart.
The prices were a little steeper than I expected, but what they lack in bargains they make up for in curation and customer service—the staff is friendly and helpful. In fact, I found that to be the case at nearly every store and restaurant I visited. One more note: While you can find authentic Mexican textiles and apparel, CDMX has imported many vintage trends from the US. I saw a lot of military, sportswear, workwear, and other American garb.
At Goodbye Folk, I was drawn to an oversized off-white pair of Sherwin Williams painter’s pants with an unintentional splatter effect that would’ve made Jackson Pollock proud. My husband scored a shiny police department baseball-style jacket in a steely blue hue with “San Diego” emblazoned on the back in yellow. Sounds garish, but he managed to make it look bueno. We also walked out with a lightweight kimono-style black-and-white striped shirt-jacket thing with a tiger motif—a late-90s-era uniform from a pro Japanese baseball team called the Hanshin Tigers. We agreed to share it, which always helps justify the spend!
The shop at Tetetlan
Address: Av. de Las Fuentes 180, Jardines del Pedregal, 01900 Ciudad de México, CDMX, Mexico
These hand-crafted huarache sandals have a tire-tread sole and will last a lifetime, literally / Outside of Tetetlan wearing my new/old painter’s pants
Tetetlán is a unique restaurant and cultural complex located in the Jardines del Pedregal neighborhood, 30 minutes south of Condesa. Among other things, the space is a showcase for local designers and houses an extensive book and record collection. And, a super tiny, super special boutique. It’s not vintage per se, but they have gorgeous upcycled vintage indigo textiles reimagined into kimono-esque shirts. I bought the coolest pair of huaraches, a traditional Mexican leather sandal, but a “high-top” version made in Oaxaca.
Erre Vintage
Address: C. Colima 100, Roma Nte., Cuauhtémoc, 06700 Ciudad de México, CDMX, Mexico
The priciest item I bought in CDMX, but isn’t she a beauty? / Adidas is always a good idea
The inventory at Erre Vintage is eclectic and feels lovingly hand-picked. (Bonus: They sell bundles of incense made from copal, an aromatic tree resin native to Mexico.) I left with two wildly disparate pieces: an 1980s Adidas track jacket in a berry tone and a pristine 1970s grey linen Chinese tank top delicately embroidered with a dragon. (That find set me back about $225.) As I write this I realize that there’s an Asian apparel theme happening, but I can’t explain if that’s because there was an abundance of it in CDMX or just what I was attracted to at that particular moment in time. Erre has another even smaller location in Condesa, which I also visited and also loved.
Tianguis La Lagunilla
Address: C. Comonfort 32, Peralvillo, Morelos, Cuauhtémoc, 06200 Ciudad de México, CDMX, México
One of the hundreds of eclectic stalls at Tianguis La Lagunilla / Perusing original artwork
No vintage shopping expedition in Mexico City would be complete without experiencing the legendary Tianguis La Lagunilla. Located in the historic Centro area, La Lagunilla is a sprawling outdoor bazaar that takes place every Sunday. It’s wise to arrive by 8 a.m.—to score the best finds and to avoid the midday heat. Start at the Boxeador Monument Park on Paseo de la Reforma (look for the statue of a boxer).
The energy at the market is chaotic, but in a fun way! Techno music pumps out of speakers in the food and cerveza section at the center of the market, and the rows of vendors are crowded and narrow. This is where the real treasure hunting happens, but you need stamina, patience, and plenty of hydration. The prices at La Lagunilla seemed more accessible—as always, the key is knowing how to negotiate respectfully—in Spanish, even if you have to use an AI-interpreter.
In a total rookie move, I showed up to the market later than I had planned, underfed and underhydrated. So while my heart wanted to search until I fainted, my head (and my more sensible husband) prevailed in getting me to leave before actually buying anything. This will go down in my personal history as a flea market first.
What I enjoyed seeing before I bailed included vintage ponchos and dresses, pre-loved mariachi jackets, quirky artwork, Mexican folk pieces, and a plethora of antique religious statues and paintings. There is also a dedicated antiques section for collectors of old coins and jewelry.
While booking an Uber in Mexico City is easy and convenient, especially for longer distances or at night, the city is best experienced on foot in safe, touristed neighborhoods such as the Centro Histórico, Coyoacán, Polanco, Roma, and Condesa. I wasn’t tracking steps, but by the end of the weekend, my legs felt like I’d walked a million glorious miles. And there was still so much more to see—including more vintage stores.
Bonus vintage shops in CDMX
A few that I read about or saw but didn’t get to fully shop:
Back to Life Vintage: One of the larger boutiques, it offers an extensive selection of quality, well-preserved pieces and statement jewelry.
Vintage Hoe: A small shop in Roma Norte that carries kitschy, upcycled, and affordable vintage.
La Nación de Todos: This hip vintage collective has everything from designer sunglasses to band t-shirts to sports jerseys. We popped in but didn’t have time to do a thorough scan.
I’m already dreaming of a return trip and the vintage gems still waiting to be unearthed. Because in a world increasingly dominated by fast, throwaway fashion, vintage offers something truly valuable: clothes with soul—a living history that you can add another adventurous chapter to. If that adventure includes travel, all the better.
Fora's favorite hotels in Mexico City
Here's where to stay in CDMX to complement your vintage-shopping adventures.
La Valise Mexico City: Roma's best-kept secret, where eight chic rooms are a design-lover's dream. It feels like staying in an artist's perfectly curated home.
Fora Perks include welcome amenities, complimentary minibar beverages, and an upgrade whenever possible.
Casa Polanco: Contemporary mansion where 19 sophisticated rooms open onto courtyards and terraces—think less hotel, more stylish friend's house.
Fora Perks include $100 food / beverage credit, breakfast daily, an upgrade, and extended check-in/out whenever possible.
Brick Hotel: Dramatic and magnetic, a 19-room gem with moody lighting, rich textures, and an atmosphere thick with Mexico City's after-dark energy.
Fora Perks include $25 food / beverage credit, a welcome amenity, an upgrade, and late check-out whenever possible.
Condesa DF: Where CDMX's golden age architecture gets a modern makeover. Behind historic façade, 20 contemporary rooms await.
Fora Perks include welcome amenities, breakfast daily, an upgrade, and extended check-in/out whenever possible.
Colima 71: An art-obsessed boutique escape in Roma where every room doubles as a gallery.
Fora Perks include a complimentary one-way airport transfer, a welcome amenity, an upgrade whenever possible, and guaranteed late check-out.
When you're ready to jet off, book with Fora to bring your dream trip to life.
