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Categories: Used, Vintage & Consignment, Costumes [Edit]
Neighborhood: Haight-AshburyMon-Thu. 11:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Fri-Sat. 11:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Sun. 11:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
"This is a little gem hidden away in the city! I walked by the shop once when it was closed and stood, mesmerized by the cute window…" read more »
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A little expensive for a thrift store, but you can find some great styles in here.
I got really attached to a $15 sweater I saw in the window display one day... two days later I had to come back and buy it.
I am very happy with my purchase.
And their plastic bags are very unique.
I wish I could give more than 3 stars, but I feel like I can never find anything good when I'm in here. Well, that's not true. I find good stuff but it always turns out to be like $45. Or not in my size. Or something else. This is surely not the store's fault, just my own bad luck, but still!
So, they were closed down for a while, but they are now back in business. Word on the street was someone working there got busted selling coke so they had to shut the store down for a period of time (couple months?). I have no idea if this is true. Can someone confirm? It would certainly explain the $45 't-shirts'. ZING!
*Edit* So, apparently they were closed because the owner had passed away. That gives me a sad. They are now under new ownership/management, and they have pledged lower prices. Cool, I will be checking back in there sometime in the future.
Well, since a change in management, my favorite guy Steve has moved on and is no longer there. I was hugely disappointed and my shopping experience wasn't the same. I so miss Steve! But blessings to him wherever he is!
I always have come away with a great, enjoyable bargain from this store. I used to shop at the one… Read more »
i've had so many missed chances here.
first visit: decided NOT to purchase a sequin crop top that was perfect because i wasn't willing to pay what it was tagged (lame excuse). BUT i bought a beautiful pink lacoste sweater!
second visit: arrived after it was closed while on a search for the perfect fur coat. i saw TWO, yes two perfect fur coats prominently hanging. knocked on the door. tried to sweet talk the young man into letting me in to pay cash. i could tell he wanted to, but was strong willed. i wasn't giving enough cute-girlness for him. so sad. so so sad.
the place is small but definitely worth the effort to dig through.
Aardvark's is my go to place for the following:
1. pretty scarves.
2. dreamy nightgowns and slips
great selection and really great prices. I haven't really bought much else here, but I think they have a larger men's selection than womens. The staff is friendly, and even those this place is fairly small, they carry an array of items.
Open again at long last. They told me that the owner died. It looks a little different under the new management, but it's the same kooky and inexpensive mix of vintage and costumes.
All the hippies who tweaked a bit much in their hey-day shop here.
On a sunny Saturday afternoon I was with a friend looking for a dress to rock at the Great Gatsby party. At the very back corner there is a collection of sequined and 20s style frocks. As I got to the end of the rack I needed I bumped into a hippy also shopping just past the 50s section.
Lauren: This is the extent of our choices because it's getting further and further down the ages as we progress.
Hippy Lady: Oh but I like these ones. They're like Pollyanna.
(wide-eyed look of wonder)
I went to the dressing room to make a decision and suddenly I see my friend's hand on the wall in the mirror.
Friend: Sorry, I'm not trying to get a peek. There's just not a lot of room.
I zipped my frock and opened the door and the hippy is on the phone and practically on top of my friend. She interrupts her conversation to look at me and comment.
Hippy Lady: Oh that's really cute.
(wide-eyed look)
I took the dress off immediately and left it in the store. Ended up with a dress that was decent and only 10 bucks. With a little doctoring, I'd be the talk of the party.
Aaardvark's is great but can only be truly enjoyed in the company of friends.
The next time I'm attending a ball in the 80s, I'll make a stop here first. For that matter, if I decide to get married in the 80s, I'll go pick up that fabulous 80s wedding dress that I saw at Aaardvark's. It would have working terrificly for the Yelp White Party in DC... aside from the fact that that party was on the other side of the country.
If you feel like digging for hours to find something that will probably be dirty cheap, go for it. I couldn't handle the dusk and the musk, but the cute boy at the register drew my attention away from my constant sneezing.
Want a members only jacket??... come here! They have several in stock. My friend and I have been looking for a while to get a trendy used members only jacket. You know, because all the cool kids are doing it. We stopped by here as we were making out way down Haight. The employees were really helpful and showed us exactly where the jackets were. They also had some pretty cool wigs in here... among other items. If you are in the area i would stop by and check it out.
If you come often enough and stay long enough, you'll find something perfect for a costume...
Most of their items are second-hand...and some are new. Some of the stuff is ridiculously way-out-there, and other is just cool for wearing.
Prices = some of it is dirt-cheap. Others, more expensive than you'd expect. Buyer beware.
Otherwise, please browse here, be careful with the merchandise and enjoy yourselves!
They gave me four dollars off my Anza high school cheerleader sweater because I didn't need the skirt that came with it (I already have one at home - a fetish from a previous life? Perhaps.)
I was just getting ready to swipe the full twenty bucks on my card when the manager dude dove in and gave me a discount at the last second, Indiana Jones style.
That's right, this shop makes me spew 80's pop references left and right.
He did it like this:
"Naw, it's okay to give her the sweater for sixteen, if she doesn't want the skirt."
Material. That's my new word for "Aw, yeah".
As a confirmed member of Broke Fi Broke, I can't actually buy fun vintage clothes. But if I could, I would get them here.
The Haight feels so commerical and anti-hippie to me; hippies do not shop at most of these places because, to reiterate, hippies be po'. But Aardvark's is still keeping it real, petticoats-and-latex-overalls style.
I discovered this place when I was a freshman in high school at Urban around the block. Halfway through the day my friends and I decided it was absolutely imperative that we wear sequins to our afternoon classes. Aaardvarks hooked it up during our lunch break! Some of the awesomest stuff they have: ridiculous colorful 70s lingerie, really inexpensive vintage fur collars, heart-shaped sunglasses, 49ers shirts from when they were still good, an incredible selection of silk scarves ... and, best of all, an incredibly sexy manager. You can usually find him behind the front counter. Ask him to do his bag trick. It will blow your mind.
ALOHA MR. HAND! {if you don't know what movie that's from, i feel for ya}
where do i start with this one? well folks, the people who work seem like their on drugs...but other than that the place is pretty cool. the prices are reasonable, exepct some of their earlier vintage stuff can be a bit pricey. but i've always found cool unique vintage skirts & dresses, but nothing more than that. deff make the stop if it's your first time on haight street.
I was in this store five minutes and found a beautiful 1980s pink and black dress/nightgown which actually fit me. I'm a somewhat bigger girl (size 12-14, and 5'9"), so a lot of vintage clothes aren't always suited to my body shape. And for only $12! Love it. I wish I would have had more time to shop there, but I was just looking for something special to wear to a concert, so I paid the nice man and skedaddled. It looks like there's something there for everyone.
I was building an ostrich-inspired costume, and was unable to find a decent petticoat or any ruffled pantaloons, but Aaardvark's had everything I needed.
They are a vintage/used clothes store, so naturally what you find there wasn't tailored to fit you, but that's why you try stuff on :)
Awesome store, and the lady behind the counter was very sweet.
I slipped inside here during the 2006 H-A Street Fair as a respite from the throngs of people....as well as to see if I could find some clothes.
I was pleasantly surprised with their relatively large selection of men's jeans, items that are usually hard to find in my small size in thrift stores. They also had a good selection of vintage shirts from generations past that were fun to try on, and some guy trying on disco pants was entertaining.
About that time, the brownie that I bought at a vendor at the Fair started to kick in. Yeah.... that and shopping don't mix for me, so I didn't leave with anything. But I was impressed with what they had while I was paying attention!
I have to admit, I've been to this well more than once the day before Halloween when looking for my pimp-daddy outfit or trying one more time to relive my Starsky & Hutch fetish.
And when I'm feeling a bit, how you say in America... a beet sexy...I like to wear my zebra--stripe denim and pastel polyester izod. Ahh, memories.
Great prices, though, and a selection that is, well, either it is, or it's very not.
Funny cashier guy, smelly cheap vintage stuff, western shirts, 70s 80s suits, old tuxedos in the back, vintage poly. old man pants, vintage levi's, old army surplus jackets!
some cheap and some expensive vintage tees..
I haven't actually found much here that doesn't look awkward or ridiculous on me, although it's a good place to find lacy/frilly blouses if you're into that sort of thing. I also found a really awesome dress here once, but usually I walk out empty handed.
Aardvark's is always fun to take a spin through, but I've never found much that has seemed particularly wearable. Except for these really great boy scout shirts they have a good selection of. They are super cute on girls!
Anyway the staff here is really nice. Worth checking out for sure.
I've been shopping here since used 501s were all the rage in high school. Nowadays I usually stop in for Halloween or Burning Man.
Regardless of my history, this place is cheap, and they have tons of cool stuff. You won't be wading through a bunch of cheap 5 years out of style crap. I send all my budget constrained friends here for playa shopping.
me: (totally done with shopping on height) yeah, i guess...we can go in..... whatever.... :[
my cousin: (completely NOT done with shopping on height) oh cool! yeay! lets go!!! :D
me: (poking around trying not to let the thrift shop-y smell get to me) shop fast girl! hmmm...soft fuzzy cardigans. angora, lambs wool, cashmere. lets see if they fit. (going into miniscule dim dressing room) these fit. perfectly. i wasn't even going to buy anything! :\
my cousin: those look great on you. you have to buy them :]
me: i know! wheres the register? ;}
update...you will probably need this:
http://www.thriftyfun....
Totally Tubular 80's prom dresses for sale. This is where I got my Prom dress for the Yelp Prom......jeah, definitely thought fewer people would take it sooo sriusly, but that's cool cuz I think I had more fun than anyone else thurr! So anyway, back to Aaardvark's....lot's of bitchin stuff, but a little more costumey than most vintage shops. When looking for rad 80's Prom dresses, it seems to help to be a size 2, which I attribute to the srius coke habit that engulfed the population during the 80's. Sadly, I do not have a coke habit, and I eat, so I am not a size 2...
VERY vintage, very different. There were some cool stuff in here though. I got a pair of sunglasses for $5! And when I went to pay for it, the guy charged me more because it wasn't supposed to be in the $5 bin, but I told him, and he gave them to me for $5. Friendly people in here :)
I went here for part of my halloween shopping because I didn't feel like paying a lot of money for a shirt I was planning on getting fake blood on. I not only found the shirt, but, also took a spin around the store and saw some things I literally had to restrain myself from buying. I want to go back and buy the cute boy scout shirts I saw and also a wicked pink coat! It's a nice mix between the wearable, the only-appropriate-for-costume, used and newer trends.
Very, very short review here...just like many other second-hand shops in the Haight, you'll more than likely find what you're looking for.
not your average vintage store...a place where everyone knows your name!
Just ask for Cully if you have any questions about the wigs...
Very reasonably priced vintage clothing store. They have better men's clothing, though. Great selection of slips & really tackly bling bling up in the front display case. Less pretentious than Wasteland.
I wish I knew about this store in college.
Yes I was a sorority girl and yes I had about 3,083,409,580 "theme" parties to go to. And everytime, I would wind up half-assing my costumes because I just couldn't find the perfect signature piece...an 80s cheerleader outfit, a pair of leather pants, a fur coat, a purple wig (?).
This is the place to find ALL that stuff!
There is so much fun stuff here...I know it's not technically a "costume-shop," but for a yuppie like me it is!!
Minus one star for making me leave my tiny paper bag from Ambiance bag at the front.
Reasonably priced, quality, funky second-hand/vintage clothing. More of a selection of men's clothing than women's, but worth a look anyways. I've found some of my favorite articles of clothes from this place. Aaardvark's is a chain, so if you are in Los Angeles, check it out on Melrose Avenue. It's larger with a wider selection.
Sort of a sad collection when you consider that Held Over is just a few doors down, along with La Rosa and Decades of fashion with the real vintage stuff. Maybe it can compete because it's cheaper, but it's not like incredible bargains. Plus, it's a chain, and the redheaded stepchild of the family; the stores in Venice and on Melrose I have visited have a larger, bigger and better selection.
Such fun stuff, especially for guys. I keep on sending my brothers some of their shirts and once they actually get the courage to wear them, they get mad compliments for their 70's pimp chic style. The quality of the stuff easily justifies the prices, and the folks working there are uber nice.
aaardvark's has a pretty good selection of vintage stuff. they have lots of coats, including velvet and denim. i always see cute vintage dresses and skirts here. i've been going here since high school and it's almost always possible to find something cute and reasonably priced.
This is the campiest of the used clothing stores an Haight. They have no shame about what they sell, whereas the other used stores are catering to those more serious about their second hand goods. Therefore the clothes are cheaper, possible less nice, and often just plain weirder. That's why Aardvarks is great for finding costumes, especially ridiculous items, as well as some cool pieces. Take for example, the fact that the just ordered a shipment of holiday sweaters. The staff at the other stores on Haight looked at me extremely condescendingly when I asked about holiday sweaters. At Aaardvarks they said, call tomorrow to find out when the shipment comes in.
My favorite vintage store on Haight. Great scores, reasonable prices. All I have to say is I own the sweetest baby blue liesure suit thanks to this fine establishment.
Their stuff is too out there, too worn, and way too expensive. The only saving grace is the very expansive and reasonable fur collections, if you're so inclined.
a great place on haight to visit for vintage threads, though not necessarily for everyday wear. personally, i would head here to pick up an outfit for a costume party or for halloween. their prices are reasonable and the people who work there are always friendly. i did see some really cool vintage rock concert tshirts, but they were all going for a pretty penny.
i had been in here once around halloween and didnt find anything. i was in here again today and same thing. its more like a bad costume shop. not even real vintage clothes looking, but not consignment store looking either. i know someone who told me she loves here. i cant think of how i could wear anything that was here. it didnt seem to be that great of quality like the vintage place down the street.
wow... intersting store. can't beat the prices, but the inventory is a little too hippy-ish for me. i can't imagine anyone wearing that stuff on a normal day to day basis, but it's a great store to browse through!
Neighborhood: Haight-Ashbury
Category: Costumes
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Category: Used, Vintage & Consignment
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Category: Lingerie
Neighborhood: Haight-Ashbury
Category: Used, Vintage & Consignment
Neighborhood: Lower Haight
Category: Costumes
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