A well-kept secret is that Austin is one of the nation's meccas for vintage enthusiasts. From clothing and accessories to home good and furniture, Austin is home to at least 30 vintage shops catered for lovers of the past. Looking for a little nostalgia? These areas of Austin are home to many of our most beloved shops.
South Austin
While the vintage shops in South Austin are a bit spread out, it is worth the exploration and walk or short drive between them. South Congress has long been the stop for vintage, with Feathers Boutique and Prototype Vintage dominating the scene. But want to find more local flavor? Head off the tourist drag and discover some hidden gems. Top of the list is Uncommon Objects, which captures Old South Austin with a new address n Fortview Road. This shop will excite the treasure hunter in you with 25 curators of antiques, curiosities, and raw materials. Plan on spending an hour here (at least) to explore every nook and cranny as you find everything from taxidermy to jewelry to oddities your mind can’t even imagine.
Vintage clothing boutiques dominate South Austin. Devils Details, on the trendy South First Street, is one of the most highly curated vintage accessory boutiques in the city with vintage jewels and accessories, handbags, gloves, scarves, belts, and tiny containers. What sets them apart is their level of service, expertise in older eras, and the fact that the owner and curator, Rebekah, is a certified diamontologist and gemologist. Also located on South First are Flashback Vintage which carries men’s and women’s clothing, and Avenger's Vintage, which likely has items from any decade you're interested in.
North Loop
North Loop is a pickers dream. With five vintage shops concentrated across the street from each other, there is something for every vintage lover in this district. Room Service Vintage anchors the street with 3500 sq. ft packed with a massive selection of '50s-'70s furniture, lighting, clothing, jewelry, toys/novelties, records, art, books, magazines, kitchenware and probably some crazy item from your childhood that you didn’t even know you needed back in your life. Pro tip: Don’t forget to ask for the key to the bunny bathroom before you leave.
Not to be overshadowed by the anchor, this district is packed with vintage fashion at Big Berthas Paradise, Blue Velvet Vintage, Revival Vintage, and Ermine Vintage, whom we love because they group their clothing by modern day size. Top Drawer Thrift is an Austin staple, showing at pop-up markets around town for years. They recently opened a brick and mortar shop with an even split of vintage and thrift furniture and clothing.
East Side
The vintage shops on the east side are a bit more spread out, but worth the journey. All focused around vintage clothing, Charm School, Blackfeather Vintage Works, Options Vintage and Treasure City Thrift all offer the hottest recycled trends from the 1960s-today. Tucked away in the Govalle neighborhood, Blackfeather Vintage is must see with a curated collection of bohemian and rockabilly goods. And we love the parties and events that Charm School Vintage hosts on a regular basis. After shopping vintage fashion and curated design books at Options, stop in at Monks Jazz Club for some post-shopping live music vibing.
University Area
You know there's going to be cool and affordable vintage shops near the University so student can take part in having unique individual style that fits their price point. Monkies Vintage has rows and rows of clothes, all color-coded. They often have sales and host markets with other vendors in their parking lot. Black Light Vintage is technically part of Monkies (same owners), but has just a slightly more curated collection of vintage pieces.
Pavement, Lo-Fi and Leopard's Lounge are all right next to each other. For modern indie stylings, Lo-Fi is your place with graphic tees and workwear jackets. For a more Punk Rock aesthetic, Leopard's Lounge will leave you feeling like an '80s Rockstar. And if you're not sure what you're looking for, don't worry because Pavement has a bit of everything, Pavement also has trade-in program, so if happen to pack some pieces you no longer connect to, feel free to bring them and get credit towards your next outfit.
Courtesy of Polo Perez, Visit Austin Sales Coordinator.