Oscar Wilde once said, “Fashion is a form of ugliness so intolerable that we have to alter it every six months.” It’s an amusing thought, but it overlooks another truth of fashion: What goes around inevitably comes around. Here, Calgary’s finest spots for vintage clothing. Oscar would approve.
At Divine, you’ll find racks of authentic ’70s track suits and windbreakers, perfect for making the transition from summer to fall in b-boy style. New stock includes Cheap Monday jeans and Western Canada’s largest selection of Converse All Stars. 720 17 Avenue S.W., 403-228-2540.
The sheer magnitude of clothing at Cat’s Eye may be daunting, but its comprehensive selection – from Hawaiian shirts to Zoot Suits to Mountie Boots – means they’ve got just about anything you could be looking for; the challenge is finding it. 105 58th Ave. S.E., 403-640-4090.
What’s In Store – a bungalow on Edmonton Trail painted like a friesian cow – covers the 1950s, ’60s, ’70s and ’80s with a selection of sport coats, retro tees, and – not that we approve – novelty ties. For the next weeks, the upstairs is devoted to Halloween costumes for both rental and purchase. 1600 Edmonton Trail N.E., 403-276-3066.
Junkstar Vintage eschews a yard-sale aesthetic, presenting a neat, honed selection of handpicked items and consignment vintage, spanning from classic to reworked Ark Industries leather jackets. 12-718 17 Ave. S.W., 403-245-0222.
The only multinational on the list is California Select, a floor above American Apparel, where the company’s soft-porn ’70s vibe is reflected by short-sleeved plaid button-downs, cords and more. 1429 17 Ave. S.W., 403-410-7450.
Image courtesy of Whisky Gone Bad on Flickr.
November, 2011. Pretty Little Things Consignment just moved to 1317 – 9th Ave SE in Inglewood. Beautifully curated vintage clothes, hats, purses, gloves, lingerie and much more. All in a beautiful new space with high ceilings and fun atmosphere.
Where can I find Vintage/trendy fabrics??