LA/NY (BI-COASTAL): THE BEST LESSER KNOWN PLACE TO SHOP VINTAGE

By Nora Zelevansky / February 18th, 2010

Not to sound oh so bourgeois, but sometimes I get skeeved by vintage clothing.  I know I'm supposed to talk about how my wardrobe is this very artful, eclectic mix of vintage and contemporary la la la, but let's be honest: "vintage garments" is just a fancy way of saying "used clothing."

My mother and grandmother's clothing is, of course, another story.  I'll wear that amazing stuff all day long.  Know what I'm saying?

Anyway, I make an exception for shopping at Shareen's, which started out as a lesser known vintage destination at the Fairfax flea market.  Eventually, she got a warehouse space in a remote part of Mt. Washington (ISH).

I make an exception for her shop because going there is just a girl's shopping dream.  Even amazing finds are affordable.  A lot of her stock is leftover from costume closets from movies and TV shows, so it seems less creepy and worn.  She offers up water and snacks (because, let's face it, a girl gets hungry wrestling with clothing for a few hours).  She even stocks potential wedding gowns.

Best of all, there's a sign posted by the entrance that reads, "No Boys Allowed!"

Me likey.

The first time I went to Shareen's, I found the above gold sequin dress for like $40, which I love and have actually worn plenty.  Then, a year or so later, I wandered into Satine and saw the EXACT same dress for over $1,000.  Um.  Score much?  Olympic gold anyone?

Shareen admits that she under values the clothing sometimes, but she says she's not in the business of getting precious about her offerings.  And that strategy has really worked for her.

Though she closed her newish Venice annex, she just opened her first ever location in NYC proper.  Remember to check the website for hours because she doesn't tend to be open everyday.

Hey, you gals in NYC!  How about you show Shareen a warm welcome?  Lucky, lucky you.

xo – N.

P.S. Rumor has it the Mad Men costume folks come here for their wardrobe, so you can get all gussied up 1960's style too.