business

Recycle! Shop DC Vintage

By Alexandra Varipapa

July 2008

Vintage shopping is a fun way to go green—for both your wallet and the environment! So put down that $200 tank top you’re looking at and head over to one of D.C.’s stylish vintage shops for a new (old) look that’s as much of an individual as you are—not to mention a fraction of the price. Just think of it as recycling!

Annie Creamcheese,
3279 M Street, (202) 298.5555
No, Annie Creamcheese isn’t a bagel shop… if it was, it would be definitely be a gourmet one. Actually, it is a vintage boutique in Georgetown, and a very good one at that. Individual style separates Annie Creamcheese from the more mainstream options in Georgetown.

Annie Lee and her fiancé Garrett Bauman, the owners, named the boutique after a couture store in Las Vegas, called Suzy Creamcheese, where Bauman’s mother shopped religiously in the 70s. Bauman has fond memories of playing on the floor of the store while his mother shopped and wanted to re-create the energy and style of the boutique.

Lee is looking to bring a West Coast flavor to D.C. with Annie Creamcheese, and is inspired by the lavish dresses Bauman’s mother had made at Suzy’s in Vegas, she said. The well-organized vintage boutique is split between designer fashions on the left, including Missioni and YSL, and used contemporary clothes on the right. This isn’t a vintage store that makes you dig through heaps of unorganized clothing—most items even have the decade they came from on the tag! Also, at Annie Creamcheese you can be sure there won’t be rips or stains and the super-friendly staff is always willing to help you out. And, if a garment doesn’t fit properly, there is an in-store seamstress. Don’t miss Annie’s fun (and sometimes funny) sunglasses and jewelry.

Inga’s Once is Not Enough, 4830 Macarthur Blvd, NW (202) 337.3072
Inga herself, or one of her fashionable associates, is there to welcome you warmly at the upscale consignment shop. For sale is clothing and accessories by big designers like Chanel, Hermes and Manolo Blahnik, at a small price. Inga has an eye for fit and is an expert at finding a look that will suit your style. Also, she will tell you honestly whether what you try on looks good on you. The classic clothing sold at Inga’s proves that you don’t need to spend a fortune to look like a million bucks.

Meeps Vintage Fashionette, 2104 18th Street NW, (202) 265.6546
Adams Morgan has multiple vintage options for you to choose from, one of the best is Meeps. The boutique stocks tons of brightly colored vintage dresses, men’s wear, retro swimsuits, clothing from local designers and much more! The prices are reasonable ($14 for a nautical inspired top!) and the sales people are courteous. Meeps is definitely worth a look.

While you’re in Adams Morgan, walk up the street to Smash! Records, 2314 18th St, (202) 387.6274. Along with alternative and indie records, Smash has a well edited selection of vintage clothing including a funky neon orange striped skirt and some great leather jackets.

Nana, 1528 U St, NW, (202) 667.6955
The vintage clothing is located in the back of Nana, a feminine boutique that also carries new items from independent designers from the U.S. and Canada such as a white silk dress ($220) and pretty pleated tops in a variety of colors ($54). The clothing at Nana is classic with a quirky twist, like something you’d expect a woman from Paris to wear. Mix vintage clothing with the new for a look that is all your own. Tres chic!

Down the street from Nana is Junction Vintage, 1510 U St, NW, 202.483.0260, a tiny shop that you’d probably walk right by if you didn’t know it was there. Like Nana, Junction also sells a mix of vintage and new clothing from local designers.

Secondi, 1702 Connecticut Ave NW, (202) 667.1122
Secondi, located in Dupont Circle, sells lightly used designer clothing that is all relatively new. In fact, you might have some déjà vu moments while perusing the wares when you spot a top you saw in Neimans a few seasons ago, only this time it’s at a fraction of the price! The store’s large space is filled with women’s clothing and accessories from well-known brands such as DVF, Theory and J.Crew, along with Fendi, Prada and other top rung designers. Secondi has a great markdown system: after one month the item is 20% off and after two months its 40% off!

The Remix, 645 Pennsylvania Ave, SE, (202) 547.0211
You’ll love The Remix for both its friendly and hip staff and its funky collection of vintage goods that focus on the 50s to 70s. The merchandise is well organized and you can be sure that you won’t have to sift through a bunch of junk here. Finds include brilliantly colored brocade dresses and an orange shoulder bag from the 70s available for $25. The Remix also carries a few pieces in larger sizes, something that is rare in the vintage world.

Polly Sue’s Vintage Shop, 6915 Laurel Ave, Takoma Park, MD, (301) 270.5511
If you really love vintage you should take a trip out to Takoma Park, a funky Maryland suburb that has a bunch of great vintage shops. Polly Sue’s is the most vintage of them all, down to the retro music playing and the grandma décor. The two floors of clothing are organized by type (men’s is in the lower floor), most impressive was the shop’s selection of dresses.

Down the street from Polly Sue’s is Rerun, 7001 Carroll Ave, (301) 270.0360, where the selection of vintage duds pales in comparison to their awesome assortment of vinyl records and hippie-ish South American accessories for your home. Rerun also has a great selection of brightly colored scarves.