La Rosa Vintage
Category: Used, Vintage & Consignment [Edit]
Neighborhood: Haight-Ashbury1711 Haight Street
(between Cole St & Shrader St)
San Francisco, CA 94117 (415) 668-3744
- Hours:
Mon-Sun 11:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m. - Price Range: $$$
- Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
- Parking: Street
- Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
20 reviews
Neighborhood: SOMA
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49 Reviews for La Rosa Vintage
Very hit or miss.
A lot of the stuff in this store is extremely over-priced. Especially since a lot of it looks like it came from Goodwill and is selling for $100.
I will say that the sales girls are super nice and I did manage to find a really awesome bubble gum pink vintage swim suit recently for a very affordable price.
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After a lot of friends recommended this place to me, I was really excited to visit it. What a huge disappointment. Sure, everything is "handpicked" and in excellent condition. But if you take into account the modern day wear-ability, most of this stuff is just way too costume-y for me to deal with. I own many, many vintage pieces and I wouldn't even bother with half of the women's wear here. I did see a dress here that I got at an antique store for $10. But at La Rosa, the very same dress, in the same condition costs $150. Basically what im trying to say, is that you can find anything they have here somewhere else for far less.
Another negative for me was the pretentious snooty sales girl. Which judging by other reviews was just my experience.
One thing I did like about this place was the huge men's selection. If you are a gentleman that likes to shell it out for vintage, this is your jam.
If you're an experienced vintage buyer, you will laugh like I did.
Fantastic store. Clean, unique, wonderful vintage items. A bit pricey, though, but worth it... I guess.
I bought a kick-ass fedora here for sixty-two dollars. That's right, I said sixty-two dollars.
Currently I am also:
1. Working on a deal to buy a nice, but slightly used, bridge.
2. In the process of giving my personal and financial information to a kindly man named Tayo Samsudin, retired chief accountant for the Kenya National Bank. Tayo contacted me via email to strike up an international partnership to transfer millions in funds that belonged to a deceased Bosnian oil magnate with no next of kin. Tayo insists the process will have "no risk and no illegality involved!" How could I say no? Shoooooooooooot, momma didn't raise no fool! Plus, how can I not help out such a nice man after such a nicely written email?
3. Adopting a little Ethiopian boy Sally Struthers and that man with the big Santa Claus beard from the television introduced me to via a U.S. postal packet. Umbooktu writes me letters every week and tells me of daily adventures with his goat Mambub. What a silly goat... lemme tell ya! I would tell you about the time he ate Umbooktu's very last pair of pants, but that would take up too much time. I sent Umbooktu a replacement pair of pants from Target, a SF Giants baseball cap, a Playstation 3 and $3000 dollar money order. He hasn't said if he's received them alright. I sure hope he has.
4. Subscribing to HELLA magazines. Publishers Clearing House sweepstakes millions HERE I FUCKING COME!
5. Considering voting for the Nader/Gonzales ticket.
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I had what is probably the best shopping experience of my life here the other day. Very fashionable friends of mine are getting married in Helsinki this week and I had nothing to wear. I'm kind of grungy, I work from home, I own one pair of heels that I bought for Halloween two years ago. A mess! But I know what I like, I actually follow the fashion industry, I just don't have time for pretty things right now.
Anyway! A costume designer friend of mine directed me to La Rosa Vintage. After I picked up a couple dresses, one of the two salesgirls came up and helped me pick out a few more. She ended up taking a hot pink chiffon dress and a silk cape off a mannequin that the other salesgirl had put together. I am not that into pink but I looked fucking awesome. I also tried on some wonderful hats that I couldn't bring myself to buy, and some shoes, which I did buy.
I had spent so long in the shop and allowed myself to be dressed by the girls, so they gave me a deal on the dress and took 10 percent off the entire deal. It was about $350, which is what you could pay for one dress sewn by 8 year-old Malaysians. I know these clothes have lasted for 50 years in great condition - unlike clothes of the same price that I buy season after season.
The girls really made it fun to shop. Go in there with a good attitude and you'll be happy. :)
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This store is fantastic! And if I keep walking in there I'll probably go broke. Seriously, I have to physically limit my visits because if I walk in, I walk out with some totally awesome item... and a big VISA bill to go with it.
I love their stuff, thugh. I've bought everything from a 60's dinner jacket, to some 40's ties, and I even bought myself a 1920's boater that is in perfect condition there. The staff is always friendly and helpful too.
Now if I could only hit the lottery so I could shop here all the time...
I know I will be shot down by all the hipster, vintage lovers who frequent this store, but this is honestly my opinion.
Yes, vintage fashion is cool...and some pieces are truly original - and not remakable.
But c'mon....are you really wanting to pay 20 times the cost of what a jacket originally was, not even in mint condition?! I think it's ludicrous. My friend and I meandered in here this weekend - and he tried on several sports coats. The majority ranged from $250-$350. (Edit: Per the owner, he stated that the majority range from $58-150 - I guess we just happened to pick up the extreme of the bunch). I'm sorry - I just don't think that's worth the cost...especially for something that you could find in a regular department store today, or at least recreate it in some way or another.
Don't get me wrong, the people who worked there were very nice - but I'd personally rather buy something new or if I want a 'vintage' piece I'm more than happy to shop at some thrift shop that doesn't charge ridiculous prices just because it's on Haight Street.
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I have a 20s party coming up which sent me into a vintage shopping tizzy this past weekend. After looking at way too many vintage shops, I realized that La Rosa has got something that the other shops seem to be missing.
The shop is small and as soon as you step foot in the door you truly feel like you are going back in time. The two employees working there were decked out in cute vintage garb and were very helpful. I can't do the feel of the shop justice. You have to check it out to see just how great it really is. The 20s dress I was looking at was more than my broke ass wanted to spend, even though they are totally worth every cent. And even though the chap working there could tell I was not going to buy anything he let me look through an old Sears Roebuck catalog so I could get some ideas for a DIY 20s look. Sweet stuff.
My boyfriend strolled out with a sweet 20s vest, a bow tie, and spats. Too cool. I am looking forward to stealing the vest after the party and making it my own.
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This place has very beautiful clothes..the kind of clothes you wear to an event when you don't want to look like everyone else, which hopefully is all the time.
This is not a Piedmont or an Aardvark's....if you're looking for costumes or stuff that you're going to throw up on, traipse around the Mission in Santa suit, or rock the playa, go somewhere else.
Selection is excellent. Prices are steep but often worth every penny.
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Hot hot shit! It is a bit more costly than other vintage and used clothing stores on Haight, but come on: I found a pair of unworn strappy heels, totally unique, from the 60's in an 81/2. If you are a vintage shopper, you know what I am talking about. Seriously, ridiculously special finds here. But yeah, it ain't cheap. That is what quality is all about. I love other places on Haight, like Wasteland, but none compare to the quality of what you'll find here. I wish I could give this shop six or seven stars, because its really special. Really.
La Rosa = where most of my paycheck likes to go.
Bills = where most of my paycheck should go.
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Top quality Brooks Brothers seersucker blazer: $75.
Yes, Yes, Yes.
I've never spent more than $10 on a blazer before, but the ambiance of this place swept over me & I couldn't help it.
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Found perfect Halloween accessories here. The woman working there was extremely helpful, even with a full store calling to her attention. It is a bit more pricey, but obviously the pieces in this store were hand-picked versus a thrift store, and the garments are beautiful! It makes you remember the quality of garments before forever 21 exsisted.
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this store specializes in beautifully crafted vintage clothes from a slew of past eras, but their prices are steep! i go in there seldom because of that fact. but if you can afford it and are looking for one of a kind clothing, this is your place. i could wander around this store for hours just looking at all the intricacies and details on some of the things they have. they also carry shoes, purses and a nice selection of bakelite and rhinestone jewelry. if your on haight street, and are looking for something fancy to wear for a special occasion, this is your place.
If you are ever looking for that "one of a kind", "stand out in a crowd", "drop dead gorgeous" vintage outfit, La Rosa is the place to find it! Oran, the store manager, can help you pick out the perfect ensemble!
Tell Oran that Maya sent you!
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Very very cool vintage store, with an equally good assortment of Men's and Women's clothing, shoes and bags.
The quality of their stuff is great. I saw some shoes from the 1920's that looked in better shape than some in my closet. They have managed to find sizes that fit today's larger feet, too - a real bonus.
Nice place to browse after beers & nibbles at the Alembic. If you sway a little, you can play it off like you are just swooning over an alligator bag.
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This was the first consignment store I visited when I moved to San Francisco in December. I wandered into the store with a sense of confusion. I had no idea where I was but a cool consignment store had signaled my way.
The employees did not bother me and I prefer it that way. If I was blowing major money...I want help shopping. However, I prefer to shop alone at consignment stores with little interaction.
I found a vintage batman t shirt from the late seventies and it has become my favorite t-shirt. I love it! The cotton is very nice and worn in. Its the perfect summer comort t shirt. Although...you can kind of see my nips through it but I still rock it.
Back to the store. They have lots of selections and offer more for women but the mens area is great too. Stop by and shop.
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If someone asked me to dress up as Daisy from The Great Gatsby I would go here. The items here are absolutely gorgeous and I would dress this way every day of my life if I had the money and were it appropriate for my corporate office job. I only took off one star because I'm bitter that I can't afford most of the stuff (though it's worth it) and that I was born in the wrong era.
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Lovely selection of 30's, 40's and some 50-60's. For example, the sales woman showed us (cause we were homo's and were drooling over it) a 1930's Zigfield Follies costume....I mean, HELLO DOLLY!
But that is not why I went. I went because my current tuxedo jacket is so ugly that the event I was going to would probably bar me from entry. I stated my case to the sales woman, and she walked right to the back and said "this one". She hands me a tuxedo jacket with red silk lining and looks like it has never been worn. It is from 1968. It is EXACTLY what I need and it fits as if it were made for me, and not "Ted Dean", the previous owner's name which is hand-stitched in the inside of the coat. It is expensive, but not overpriced.
I buy, and hope Ted Dean doesn't show up to my event.
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My wife and I are on first name bases with the staff. We've dropped over $500 here in the past year. I'm wearing a shirt from La Rosa right now. So yeah, we like this place.
They have a wonderful collection of clothing for women AND men, the latter being a rarity in the vintage world. Everything is organized well (and by size, another rarity) and in wonderful condition. My only small complaint are the prices which are a bit high, but for vintage of this quality, it's not unreasonable.
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Best SF vintage store hands down. Amazing selection of beautiful vintage for men and women! The staff is VERY KNOWLEDGABLE about period clothing 20's- 60's. Oran is the best!!!
it was my 24 year old boyfriend who had an archaic sense of style who needed a suit... ( i was 29)
he brought me there, and for that, he earned 8 necessary points. ( i didn't fire him until well in to june of that year)
he found his suit.
I fell in love with a $280 japanese cape/coat
and walked out with a silver cigarette case and a leather aviator cap.
I have never looked as stupid as i do in that aviator cap.
but i put it on, got in to my 1971 240 Z ( white, datsun, 70's sports car... goes VROOOOOOOM cause she has a carburetor, not fuel injection) and drove around happy as dirty toes in muddy sand.
And everyone laughed at me
and i laughed with them.
La rosa took my money, and took it well enough that i still love them for selling me the hat that makes me look like the biggest dork on earth.
And i'm a fashion designer by trade.
Too good for me. But I give it a good run through because it always gets a shout-out in publications and if I ever find anything there that I can afford and fits me (let's just say, my body is not built for vintage, as evidenced by the Great Unwielding 50's Dress Fittings of 2006), I want to be like "Yeah I got this at this great little vintage place. It was in Jane one time" to my sister.
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My husband bought the most amazing 1940's blue pinstripe wool double-breasted suit (that fit him perfectly?! No Alterations?! Inconceivable!), costing only an arm but well worth the price, for our wedding.
Mmmmmmm, their ties......
I think I might be kind of a creep. Have you ever worked retail? Or any sort of behind-the-counter job where you basically provide a service, and people can easily come and go, while you're there with a smile? Ever have one of those people that always comes in, wanders around with a half-smile indicative of some sort of inside joke, mumbles to themselves incoherently/in an exasperated manner, picks up various bits of merchandies, talks to the cashiers, then leaves empty handed? Lather. Rinse. Repeat?
I'm that person in La Rosa. I got no dollars to spend, I'm sorry. I wish I did! But I just can.not.stop. going into this store. My heart bleeds every time I see those peplums and hear the swish of chiffon and silk, or let my eyes land on that one perfect brown cloche with a bird in it.
I used to hate people like the creeps that go into a store all the time, hang out but don't buy anything. Well, now I've seen the dark side. And I understand it. Sometimes, some places just draw you in and you've got no power to resist.
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They have amazing vintage clothing and a friendly staff. It's a bit pricey compared to internet vintage finds, but definitely worth the money.
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I love this place. I wandered in looking for a dress for a New Year's party and was becoming distressed because I couldn't find anything in my size and I wanted a vintage dress dammit! The lovely salesgirl picked up on my distress and immediately went over to a rack, pulling out the most exquisite, most beautiful 1950's vintage Audrey Heburn-ish jewel trimmed sky blue chiffon dress/ballgown. Evidently lots of people had wanted to try on, but the bodice was small framed and they had yet to find someone who could fit into it. With a quick glance at my frame, she told me that it would probably fit me. Skeptical, I tried it on and I felt like a princess. Where was my tiara? ;-) Instant sale, and instant customer for life.
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Love La Rosa. Got some Christmas gifts here...a great wool cap ($28) a scarf ($18) and some gloves ($38) - all vintage. Great place to go with your husband/guy as he will enjoy checking out the male goods - lots of cool vintage coats, jackets, vests, shirts, hats.
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My go to place for old styles. As I age with dignity and grace, I continually find myself trying to act the part. I'm not trying to wear zip up sweaters with pockets on the front but I do appreciate a classic tuxedo or a old authentic pea coat. Great at Halloween and even better prior to your next Las Vegas trip. I bought a shnazzy sport coat here for a Vegas trip once and I still pimp it with complimented success. I can pretend to be fancy in it while I put up the facade of respectability and cool.
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Terrific selection of vintage men's blazers. The sign at the front stating "No photographs, food, drinks or dirty hippies" says it all and certainly earns them an extra star.
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I can't afford anything in this store, which makes it even more appealing to me. I went in here last weekend and stared at the glittery felt roses and was filled with remorse (and a bit of rage) when I saw that they were like, $40. Are you kidding?! I CAN MAKE THOSE MYSELF. So after leaving, I went to Michael's Arts and Crafts with the intention of making my own glittery felt roses. However, I became overwhelmed by other glittery things and completely forgot to look for what I came there to buy.
If someone buys me a glittery felt rose, I would just die with delight.
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The Capn lubs to dress proper, and La Rosa has supplied some of his superior suits. I make it a bi-weekly or so stop off as I trawl the racks for new three-pieces. It is very expensive, but that's what you expect for the pinnacle in a vast pyramid empire of vintage clothing; all the way from Clothes by the Pound on Valencia, through Held Over (also worth a look for suits) to La Rosa, the jewel in the crown. The good stuff ends up here. The staff are also lovely.
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Great collection of vintage clothes, hats, shoulder wraps, shoes, jewelery and nifty items. My friend bought a pair of diamante tennis bracelets from here and for a decent price too. Great finds and very friendly staff.
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Part of the vintage experience is the thrill of the hunt, right? Lord knows I've spent hours trolling eBay for the perfect Lilli Ann dress/coat ensemble, and I once found a black boucle swing coat with a fur collar for $10 at a flea market. But sometimes you want the perfect piece to find you instead. Then you go to La Rosa. The pickings are exquisite, the staff super-helpful and fun, and I always find a treasure. The jewelry, shoes and hats are amazing!
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Today was the first day I actually was able to shop here - I often just window shop on Haight and have spent more than I've intended to by the time I've stopped in here. I came in today with a mission, and two of their staff helped me find a dress for something I have coming up. Both were really helpful and friendly, and Warren (I believe that was his name) found me the perfect dress and assisted me in sorting through the racks.
The clothes are priced like higher-end vintage -- it's obvious that this stuff is handpicked and in great condition. The price definitely beats sorting through really fugly '70s dresses to find one gem. I love the ambiance of this place, too - the displays and music are great. Definitely stop in if you're shopping around here.
Very good selection. Sales people are good, but not enough of them on the weekends.
About the prices: they sell some very nice stuff at top dollar, but they also sell some not-very-nice stuff at top dollar, too. This is a shop where it pays to know how to judge the quality of clothing.
(The new place across the street, Decades, is starting to give them some real competition, especially for women's clothing. If you're making the trip to La Rosa, check out them, too.)
Gorgeous things, real vintage, not thrift. Very friendly and helpful staff - they encourage you to try things on and want to take things off the wall - no deep sighs or eye rolling. One clerk was so enthusiastic that my meter ran out because he kept bringing me things to try on.
Not cheap but just ask yourself: "if this were new, would I balk at the price?" Just because it's been around a while doesn't mean it should be $10.
I might be inspired to whittle my ass down a little bit so I can fit in more of their lovely things. Maybe I'll just go for the shoes.
The cat's whiskers. Nice staff. A tad expensive, but you are paying them for the filtering process. They only have the good stuff here.
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Probably one of the best vintage clothing stores in S.F.! A great place if you have an event to attend and you don't want to see your dress several times throughout the night. Vintage is the new couture.
i walked in, thinking this was a regular consignment store. it's not, it's a vintage store. i'd never been in a real vintage store before, i dont think. well, garmet district in cambridge (MA) had some stuff... but it wasnt like this. this place is very organized, and it looks like an old person's closet. i walked around thinking, who would wear this stuff and where would you wear it to? costume parties? i made a mental note to maybe think about this place at halloween time. looking up, i saw a shopper wearing one of the weirdly printed vintage dresses and i realized people wear these things everyday! i guess i just never go places that people who wear that go to. but its fun of them to wear them. i cant/wont. but if you want to, do go here.
Great selection, one of the better vintage shops in the area.
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