Archive for the ‘Vintage/thrift’ Category
Finding vintage-style swim
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1.) Twist Knot Bandeau Top & Bottom, $58/$56
2.) Pins and Needles Shirred Ones Piece, $14.99
3.) Wild Watermelon Two-Piece, $59.95 each
4.) Vintage Bathing Cap, $59.99
5.) Gil Howdy Vintage Swimsuit, $70
Where to find vintage or vintage-style swimwear locally:
- Blueberry Deluxe Vintage
702 Montecito Ave.
Phoenix, AZ 85013 - Retro Ranch
4303 N 7th Ave.
Phoenix, AZ 85013
Where to find vintage swim online:
Guide to Phoenix Vintage
I love vintage shopping. I just do.
I like the shape and styles of 1950s and ’60s dresses. I like to imagine the dinner parties that have taken place at mid-century modern tables using funky-shaped wooden ice buckets and guilded high ball glasses.
Strangely enough, Phoenix is a pretty good destination for vintage shopping. I recently created an indie shopping post and realized — wow, there are actually quite a few stores choose from! And it’s not all thrift/vintage — you know the old stuff salvaged from some old lady’s closet in Glendale. We now have 2 high-end vintage stores, loads of mid-priced spots with a well-edited collection.
You want to go for a vintage excursion — but where to go?
(Click for an interactive version of map)
Vintage (blue)
Some good destinations for vintage/old clothing and accessories.
- Blueberry Deluxe Boutique
- Butter Toast
- Antique Sugar (formerly Hollywood Regency)
- MacAlpline’s Vintage
- Mercantile
- Mint Vintage
- Retro Ranch
- Vintage by Misty
Fancy vintage (pink)
For true vintage lovers! The spots you go to find well-made, high-quality or designer vintage clothing and accessories in pristine condition. Stop here for party dresses and one-of-a-kind accessories. Expect dresses to run from around $100 to several hundred.
Vintage furniture (yellow)
These all feature mid-century modern style furniture — my favorite.
- Phoenix Metro Retro
- Modern Manor
- Red Modern Furniture
Did I miss your favorite store? Let me know, I’ll add it to the map.
Phoenix thrift: Toby’s Future
I travel down 7th Street regularly, so I took notice when a small brick building just south of Bethany Home began transitioning from a vacant building to what appeared to be a retail spot. I stopped by the other day to check it out.
Toby House, a non-profit helping mentally ill adults, has opened a thrift store, appropriately named Toby’s Future, which will give job training to Toby House residents.
The store is jam-packed with men’s and women’s clothing — all of which appear to be $5 and under: Banana Republic sandals, $5.
A Levi’s button down shirt, $2. A cute summer-y tie-back dress, $3. I bought a small men’s plaid shirt for $3.
The store only takes cash, so come prepared. It doesn’t take much to get something good.
Note: They are currently taking donations for home items.
Toby’s Future
5714 N 7th St.
Phoenix, AZ 85014
Open Monday-Friday from 9:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Scottsdale vintage: Fashion by Robert Black
A friend sent me a Tweet today alerting me to the existence of Fashion by Robert Black. I’d heard of it but don’t often to get to Scottsdale, so I’d never been.
As luck would have it, I was at my parents’ house very near Scottsdale when aforementioned Tweet arrived, so I stopped in on my way home.
The large space is filled with rack after rack of carefully preserved vintage pieces ranging from the 1920s to the 1980s.
There are no sizes here. Due to the sizing discrepancies (I’m a modern 4/vintage 14), not to mention the sturdy foundation garments worn back in the day, sizing is difficult, so they don’t even bother. If you want to know if an item fits, you’ll have to try it on.
You’ll want to try stuff on.
Sundresses, cocktail dresses, ball gowns, jackets…they’ve got it all. I even saw a little white shift with a detachable tulle/bow skirt that made me want to renew my vows.
There’s also shoes, gloves, hats and jewelry…which is both vintage, or recreated from vintage pieces.
Each of the 2 dressing rooms is situated next to a 3-way mirror and equipped with a 1940s bathrobe (which I hear are difficult to find) so you can meander the store between try-ons.
Don’t expect thrift store prices. Dresses I saw today ranged from a $75 cotton dress to a $450 1920s gown, but the prices seem reasonable for such pristine pieces.
Fashion by Robert Black
7144 E. 1st Ave.
Scottsdale, AZ 85281
(480) 664-7770
Butter Toast has moved!
Ever since I discovered Butter Toast, it’s been one of my favorite destinations for affordable vintage. Their store was tiny, but always filled with a great selection of reasonably-priced tops, dresses, accessories and menswear.
The other day a friend showed off her new bag, “Look what I got at the new Butter Toast!”
New Butter Toast?!!!
Butter Toast has moved from Paisley Town to a larger space closer to Central Phoenix, on 6th Street south of Roosevelt; Prime First Friday real-estate. They’re sharing the new digs with Merry May Handmade, combining affordable vintage with crafting gear — embroidery thread, patterns, etc. There’s even a sewing maching smack-dab in the middle of the store.
Check out the new shop on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. and Thursdays – Saturdays from 11 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Butter Toast & Merry May Handmade
908 N. 6th Street (South of Roosevelt)
Phoenix, AZ 85004
Phoenix vintage: Blueberry Deluxe Boutique
Hollywood Regency might have moved to an antique mall farther down 7th Avenue, but the old vintage flavor is still in the ‘hood.
In the same Montecito strip mall a few doors down, Blueberry Deluxe Boutique, a funky new vintage shop, is selling women’s clothing & accessories and the occasional product by a new artist.
Blueberry Deluxe features a small, but well-edited collection of mid-priced finds (the dresses I liked ran around $40). Check it out — Blueberries are good for you.
Blueberry Deluxe Boutique
702 Montecito Ave.
Phoenix, AZ 85013
Good Egg Award: Best Fancy vintage
Best Fancy vintage: Vintage Fashion, Inc.
“This store is going to be dangerous for you,” my husband said after I dragged him into Vintage Fashion, Inc.
Truer words have never been spoken.
We had visited the store a few months back when it was filled with $1200 dresses and visitors weren’t allowed to touch. Someone must have forgotten to tell the owner he opened a store in Phoenix.
I guess he got the memo, because the new and improved store has done away with the couture (it’s in the back for those of you who can afford it ). The store is now filled with designer vintage from the 1950s – 1990s at the upper-end-of-reasonable price points. A 1950s black dress from Bullock’s is tagged at $145. A vintage DVF wrap dress is in the $200s.
The staff is friendly and helpful. While trying on aforementioned black dress, the sales woman came by with a drop-waisted lace number from the ’60s she thought I might like.
I did. It’s now in my closet.
As I said, dangerous.
Vintage Fashion, Inc.
4700 N Central Ave #121
Phoenix, AZ 85012
(480) 280-6838
A day in Phoenix: Indie Shopper
10 a.m. Get up and throw something on. Wear something easy to get in and out of (a dress and flip-flops?) , you’re going to be trying on clothes.
11 a.m. Head to Central and Camelback to Frances Vintage for a great accessories and gift selections. Some things you’ll find: Cool, arty dresses and tops, vintage picks, handmade accessories, and eclectic home items.
Next door, stop into Stinkweeds, one of the best local music stores in town. Listen to the newest indie albums or peruse their flyers for upcoming shows and events.
One door down: Red Hot Robot. Get inspired by their collection of vinyl toys, books and other Japanese-inspired accessories.
Next up, get a mid-morning pick-me-up at Smeeks, the cute candy shop at the end of the row.
12:30 p.m. Head a mile or so down Central to Pane Bianco, of Bianco’s Pizzaria fame, for a delicious sandwich and a Bubble Up.
If you’re a sweetie person (like me), stop next door at Lux for a baked treat. My suggestion: Anything with chocolate and/or peanut butter.
1:30 p.m. A block or so down the road, check out Vintage Fashion, Inc. for an amazing mix of designer vintage ranging from barely-affordable to not-so-much. Walk a few steps to Central Consignment next door for a brand names at discount prices.
2:00 p.m. More vintage. Head a few miles west to Hollywood Regency and peruse their selection of retro classic clothing for men and women.
Across the street: Retro Ranch for a funky collection of well-priced vintage fashions, furniture and home decor.
3:30 p.m. Stop off at Grand Ave. – home of vintage shop, Butter Toast.
Grab an iced tea next door at Paisley Violin and sit on the patio (October-May) or inside (June-Sept) and think about your purchases.
4:30 p.m. Downtown is a little sparse, but you can still check out some locally made items at
Bunky Boutique and Made.
Happy hour – You’ve been living la vida retro all day, stay in that mood with a martini from Durant’s. All it takes is one.
6:30 p.m. Take the 20-minute trip to Scottsdale. Work up an appetite trolling Scottsdale Fashion Square, home of some great high and low-end shopping.
For big spenders: Barney’s, Neiman Marcus, and Kate Spade.
For the spend-thrifts: Forever21, Charolette Russe and coming soon — H&M.
8 p.m. Depending on the damage you’ve incurred throughout your day, you might choose a less expensive dining option, like the home-style fare at Orange Table, or splurge a little at new (and much talked about) FnB for some gourmet fare.
