Jennifer Kitzmann
Staff Writer
More people are discovering thrift store shopping as a way to stretch tight budgets and a practical way to expand their wardrobes.
“The ‘80s are back,” said Francis Bezkorowajny, sales representative for Odd Ark vintage store in Pasadena. “Previous trends such as Madonna skirts, leather, corduroy and even Miami vice shirts have come back with a new edge.”
Previous trends that have become an inexpensive alternative fashion in vintage stores are golfer hats, vintage dresses, vests, knitted ties, minis, peasant tops and army pants. Oversized aviator sun glasses are also definitely flying high this season.
Manuel Camacho manages La Bomba, one of the oldest landmarks of vintage clothing, located in downtown Pomona.
“It is really exciting to see customers mixing and matching clothes from the ‘30s to the ‘80s and ‘90s,” Camacho said. “We have something for everyone. Everything is authentic at La Bomba. Once it leaves the store it never comes back.”
“In men’s vintage fashion, they have been sporting T-shirts with logos and combining them with corduroys, which is very retro,” Bezkorowajny said. “Women are buying vintage dresses and wearing them over a pair of washed-out denim and rolling them up.”
Vintage shopping is a great way to take initiative in creating a look of your own while finding pieces that cost much less, than department store items.
“I like going to vintage stores because it is always great to be able to create a look that is uniquely your own and I am not wearing the same thing as everyone else,” said Nancy Gonzalez, student at University of La Verne.
Most second hand stores have a wide selection of fashions from the 30’s to today and are a great solution for those who don’t want to be tied to one fashion era.
“I love finding the coolest jewelry at vintage stores because they’re usually good pieces and very unique,” said Jeannie Gonzalez, student at ULV.
The Goodwill and the Salvation Army may not have as many unique items as most vintage stores such as Aardvarks or Odd Ark, but if you look hard enough it is usually easy to find a good deal, if not a steal.
“The local thrift store is definitely a little less expensive than some vintage stores but definitely less expensive than your regular shopping outlets,” ULV student, Amber Polzion said.
Wasteland, one of the notoriously fashionable stores on Melrose, is unapologetic about providing good quality clothes and if you have a collection of anything that has any worth, they will give you a good price for it.
“The smaller boutiques on Melrose are really great and Haight Ashbury street in San Francisco is where you can find really unique vintage items that nobody has,” art student Adriana Ortega said.
And if you’re really addicted to vintage, you can bargain super cheap at the Pasadena Rose Bowl flea market which is held every second Sunday of the month, rain or shine.
At the market you will find independent retailers who have overstock or items they have no space for and will practically give away for a small price.
The market is full of items that have never been seen before from costumes, jewelry, furniture, antiques and a large variety of vintage clothing from all eras.
Rumor has it that you should wear comfortable shoes and bring lots of cash, because once you start bargaining, you won’t be able stop.
Jennifer Kitzmann can be reached at jlynnjen88@msn.com.
