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Brookline Hills (Green)
Mon-Wed. 2:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Thu-Sat. 12:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Sun. 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
"That place made my heart happy." - me
I spoke those words on my walk back from amazing Cafe Society. Good old Billy Shakespeare had it right when he said "Though she be small, she be fierce!" I was referred over to this gem before by my boss' wife and THEN read about it in the globe. I live close, I needed to check it out. My heart started beating a little faster before I even entered the store, and it almost flat out stopped as soon as I walked through the door.
There are so many dresses to choose from here, but a good tip would be to first go ask the store owner Betsy to measure your waist before picking out dresses to try on. Most seemed to depend on the waist and although I have an average sized waist there were a few darling dresses that I knew I had to measure before I spent anymore time lusting over them. Also ask her opinion whether a dress might give, as she's so familiar with the pieces that I almost didn't try on the 40's mauve Mad Men-style dress that ended up fitting like a damn glove!
As far as pricing in relation to the goods in the store - AMAZING. For $150, I walked out of there with two adorable dresses (from the 40's and 70's), two blouses and a faux pearl necklace that I've been getting rave reviews on, they look so real. I had to remind myself 50 times that I would come back and ransack the clutches/bags another day, otherwise I'd have blown ALL my funds here.
The only negative for me and my waist? All the adorable skirts, they seemed to be really small waisted, made for the waifish 50's housewife.
I have yet to actually buy anything from Cafe Society, but I stop in almost every afternoon on my way to work....they do get new stuff in pretty regularly (which many vintage places claim, but few deliver the goods). I think the pricing is reasonable and though it's a smallish shop, there are lots of treasures if you have time to dig around. I'm especially fond of their funky old suitcases and trying to come up with a good reason to buy one.
They have mostly clothes/accessories from the 1930s-60s, unlike Garment District which has mostly 70s, 80s, and 90s stuff. I keep trying on dresses, hoping I'll find the right fit...one of these days, it'll happen!
Considering how small the shop is, they have quite the selection. I walked in thinking I was going to make it a quick trip - and 30 minutes later - I still hadn't made it through the place. I had ARMFULS of clothing to try on. And, although I didn't buy anything at the time, there wasn't a piece of clothing in there that I didn't want. I can't wait until I'm in the area again so I can go back!
Hands down the best selection of vintage clothing around Boston. Staff is very hice and helpful. Clothes are clean and all defects are pointed out. Prices are reasonable.
Oooooooooo! *Squeals with glee!* I have found a new vintage store! I should have found this a long time ago, but I hardly ever get out to this part of town. As it is, I stopped in because we drove by and it reminded me that I had intentions of going here for a long time. The window displays always draw you in with fun, colorful, and very fashionable clothes.
This store is delightful. One thing that I love is that they have a fair amount of men's clothes. The selection is still small, but so many vintage places just carry women's clothes.
The racks are organized really well, which I greatly appreciate. I hate the vintage stores where you are digging through unorganized racks of stuff. So they score a point for organization.
The selection is pretty diverse as well. For sure they have some ugly clothes, some period pieces that make you giggle, and a whole bunch of quality pieces that you wished you fit into. Vintage clothes can be frustrating for me because I don't fit into a lot of it. Those small waists get me every time! I still found about 5 things to try on. I did not find success with any of them, but I am determined to come back here and try again.
The employee that was working and filling in for the owner, Mary, was wonderful. As I was browsing I heard her talking with other customers and on the phone and she was cheerful, and very helpful. Once the place had cleared a little and she saw me trying on clothes she made suggestions and gave feedback on the things I tried on. She had already acquainted herself with Paul and he had struck out, so she moved onto me. I didn't look at her as trying to sell me something so much as she was helpful.
I have added Cafe Society into my list of great vintage places and I will be back. The only downside is that it is not near my hood and I rarely come out in its direction. Maybe I'll have to make an exception.
Now, I don't really get off on shopping and whatnot, especially for clothes, which is probably why I like this place. They have a very... what's the word I'm looking for..... focused? organized? approach to vintage clothes, it's not to overwhelming like a lot of these places can be.
I can go in there and look at a few things and get out quick. I like that.
Great, friendly staff, funky stuff, and some cool practical vintage stuff as well, not super cheap, but not unreasonable, and all really good quality. no crap here from what i can tell, but what do I know anyway.
Vintage purple waitress dress, anyone? How about an original Girl Scouts jacket/ dress? Bell bottom madras? Black whimsey hat?? Yup, you're in the right place.
Some say this place is hit or miss, and I can believe that, since vintage can be unpredictable. But for me it's a huge hit. I literally tried on every hat in the store yesterday, a pile of dresses, and lusted after beaded necklaces, leather purses, polka dot blazers, and bright yellow plastic sunglasses. And that aforementioned vintage waitress dress? I'm wearing it right now.
This is a great place to find costumes, accessories, or just that special dress or shirt to make you stand out in a crowd. Whoever does the buying knows their stuff, and allows only top quality, unique finds onto these racks. It's not tiny, so the selection is good, but it's also not so huge that you have to dig down deep. I like that.
Cafe Society makes Brookline Hills almost cool.
I've been meaning to stop by for years... so glad I finally did! Make sure you check their hours before you go, as they are not typical.
There are some really great gems in this store- everything from sweaters to jewelry to '50s style housecoats. Looking through the racks is so much fun. Made me feel like a little kid in grandma's closet (a really cool, stylish grandma, that is).
The woman working there was super friendly and nice, and in a good way, not an annoying way. I will definitely be back.
On an interminable quest for obtaining unique articles from every era (ignoring that each favored a certain body type though deep down I know I'll never be able to wear 50s dresses well) we bounded to Brookline Hills.
I stepped in the door and like a barracuda to silver made a beeline to the most manageable eye level thing, the purses. Many types and colors, from in good condition from various decades and all but one under $45. I think I yipped audibly!
Surveying the landscape of vintage, they boast a lovely 40s-50s hat collection, several racks of footwear, a veritable selection of men's button downs from bold and bright polyester to embroidered traditional Filipino shirts and an ample amount of women's clothing. When we speak of costume, don't think the garish sequined or faux flapper dresses, these are the genuine articles.
If you seek something from a particular era the owner has a super discerning eye and will gladly assist, but otherwise she'll probably sit bemused and listening to WERS. I think she's smiling because seeing us she remembers that indeed the most fun way to shop is with a buddy so you can pick out ridiculous frilly, silly or ostentatious things and make each other try them on resulting in fits of giggles. But hey, I managed to get an awesome late 60s early 70s dress out of it that I never would have tried on otherwise.
So I encourage you all, rummage away!
I've been housesitting for a friend that lives nearby, so I decided to stop in one day on my way home from work. So glad I did, too, since I've been on an epic quest for the perfect handbag (even searching online).
I found it here. Exactly what I wanted, in fantastic condition, so much cheaper than I expected. I also found about a million dresses that I adore and tried on a few (none of which fit, which is OK by me, I don't really need new dresses.)
I'd heard about this place before, but usually in the "it's good-but pricey" tone, but it's really not that expensive. It's not Goodwill, it's not Urban Renewal, and it's not Boomerang's. It's a vintage store, not a thrift store, so you will be paying more, but the quality and selection (I'd die to have the job of buying the merch for this place, but I doubt any of it would make it to the rack!)
The clothes are a dream, the handbags are perfect, the jewelry selection is to die for, and the owner is unbelievably friendly and helpful. I'm coming back often, housesitting or not.
As I scour the city trying to find costumes that look 1920s to use in my short film, I stumbled through the doors of Cafe Society 5 minutes before closing time. The worker said it was not a problem and stayed for nearly half an hour past closing time to help me find the clothes i needed.
I didnt really explore the store too much since she zipped around the shop pulling things off the rack saying "this might work" and "try this." They have an impressive collection of good quality vintage stuff from the middle of last century, and the prices are fairly reasonable.
Well worth the trip out to Brookline Village, but I agree with Lindsey B, they do open and close at random times.
Went in just expecting to browse, but walked away with a polka dot dress from the 1930s. Great items, I found three dresses I was thinking about, but unfortunately can only afford one (dresses cost anywhere from $14-100 and up). The owner said she has people she knows whom she goes to to get the items. Cute shirts, shoes, dresses, and purses. Basically everything is wonderful. I'm going to recommend this store to many friends! Worth the trek out to the Hills!
As an update: Just went here again, and had the nicest employee working at the store, she gave us tons of info about vintage glasses and clothes, and even the Mac Nuts she had with her she shared... AMAZING.
Plus don't miss the 3 dollar bin in the front corner. I found a funky bowtie there I'll be using for dress up.
This store rocks my world.
After seeing my neighbor in a gorgeous, powder-blue polyester waitress uniform from Cafe Society, I decided to trek out on the D line in search of some vintage fashion. I'm an avid eBayer, and let me tell you, folks, Cafe Society is CHEAP compared to some of the bids I've made on very similar garments.
Lots of beautiful dresses, sweaters, and accessories. The owner was a lovely, older woman who pleasantly assisted me without being pushy at all. She knows her merchandise well. You could walk in and ask if she has any 1970's dresses with a 29-inch waist, and she'd lead you right to them.
For sixty bucks, I walked out with a shirt for my picky boyfriend, an awesome dress with scissors and flowers printed on it, a silky full slip, and a nice length of fun 1960's fabric to cover my stand mixer and sewing machine.
I will totally be back.
Expensive? Seriously are you kidding?
Have you been to a place called New York City?
Unless you are comparing this store to the Salvation Army than this place is a bargain. It is different from a thrift store in that the clothes are carefully selected and displayed. It isn't a free for all, where you have to sort through the clothes for hours in order to find something half way decent. Here, all the grunge work has been done for you, hence the "expensive prices". But come on we are talking 20-40$ for a cashmere sweater from the 40's that barely looks worn and is much more original and well made than anything you will find at J Crew or H and M. If you are ready to take some daring fashion leaps go to the Cafe Society, otherwise please stay on Newbury St where you belong.
Thrift (excuse me, VINTAGE) stores are transitory in nature; nothing really stays the same, and the stock is constantly replenished. When one goes thrift-store shopping, one has to expect nothing. It's not like going to a typical store. Expect to be disappointed.
Now that I've stated the blatantly obvious, let us move on. Cafe Society is literally right around the corner from my apartment, yet today was the first time I'd set foot in there since moving into the 'hood almost 7 months ago. This is mostly due to the wonky hours CS keeps. What can I say, I'm used to the near-ridiculously convenient hours of chain stores.
I was on the lookout for some work-suitable skirts I could pair with an adorable pair of boots that I scored at Payless (shut up) a few weeks back. I didn't find any skirts that caught my eye, but I found plenty of entertaining, sometimes amusing, sometimes envy-inspiring articles of clothing. The tacky side of me wanted to try on the ridonkulously awesome aqua dress with a tight ruched satin bodice and a puffy tulle skirt, but common sense won out. On the rack it stayed. I found an adorable tweed trench coat, but alas, it was way too small. An all-too-common lament of the curvy girl in a thrift store. Looks like it's time to try out Urban Renewals and some of the other stores for better luck.
I was more impressed by the men's section, where I found plenty of funky shirts, cardigans, and blazers that I'd gladly wear. You know, if I were a man. Or a drag king. The selection of T-shirts is limited, except for the $12 maroon beaut I found in there. Score #1!
The jewelry was adorable, although (predictably) the $4 box was a huge jumble. I did manage to find a cute, simple pair of black beaded earrings in there. Score #2! There are some great patent-leather handbags that look more like boxes than bags, too.
The housewares are spread throughout the store and sort of blend in if you don't look carefully. I was totally enamored with the housewares, even though I promised myself that I wouldn't buy any more kitchen crap. A plastic cream pitcher featuring a cow on the front, sort of like the honey bear? Yay! A set of green and white plastic plates that looked brand-new? Hell yes! A set of green old-school plastic canisters for sugar, flour, and salt? Want! If you happen to be looking for a silhouette-style (framed) picture of the Pied Piper leading the kiddies to their legendary certain doom, Cafe Society will hook you up. Also, there was an awesome old-school huge glass martini shaker with drink recipes printed on it in yellow and green. If I were more of a mixed-drink-at-home kinda gal, you betcha I woulda snapped it up.
I think it's safe to say that I'll be back to plunder Cafe Society and add to my already embarrassing state of consumerism. At least they'll be recycled goods, so maybe that'll assuage some of my guilt.
i love it! A friend and I drove in one friday after reading some reviews. lots of fun jewelry and shoes. helpful, friendly staff.
i bought a vest here for $20 that was very similar to a $50 one that i was eyeing from J.Crew. i love vintage clothes because they have so much more character than generic, mall-bought "trendy" clothes.
glad i came, and will come back again!
This is a wonderful place to find vintage clothing and home accessories. They have great prices and wonderful quality for all their merchandise.
The owner is friendly and the other employees are all very nice. Located just off Rt 9 it's mostly known by locals and hard core vintage fanatics.
TWO THUMBS UP!
after these rave reviews, i expected to love this place, but i thought it was just okay.
like any vintage/consignment shop, what's sold depends on what people consign and what the owner finds, and as a result i found a lot of the stuff to be extremely old ladyish. old ladyish in a bad way (like sweaters with sprinkle-looking things sewn on them), not in a good way like i had hoped to find. in fact there were some old ladies even picking up their consignment checks when i came in!
i will definitely return to check this place out in the future, though. especially since they have a men's section too.
Great vintage clothing! Small store, with a great variety - more women's then men's clothing along with some hidden housewares.
None of the clothing quite fit my boyfriend and I right, but I still got a great pebbled leather purse.
The prices are very reasonable for the items! There were some silk lined suit sets for $45 that were incredible, but too big for me :(
Will definitely be going back to see any new items!
I went to this place based on Lindsay's review (and a well-placed post on a vintage-related Yelp talk thread). I am now $110 poorer, but tomorrow's outfit will be 110% cooler than everyone else's in the office. Cafe Society, right around the corner from the Brookline Hills T-stop, is definitely a must-see for any serious vintage shopper. Lindsay's right in that the clothes ain't cheap, but they certainly are beautiful and in great condition, and the whole store has a high hip-enough-to-be-square quotient that makes it all worthwhile. Buyer/owner Betsey D. didn't go to art school for nothing--she's got an amazing eye for enduring style, which drew me in.
What kept me in the store for TWO HOURS were two great people I met there. One was Penny, a counter clerk with a knack for storytelling (especially about her childhood in the 60s) that could land her on SNL. She was listening to WERS, and I just finished up a DJ stint there, so I commented on it. Out from behind a rack of clothes came Lindsay Ellison, a legendary disc jockey from the 70s and 80s, who proceeded to chat me up for the entire time, telling me stories about bands and music. She even started picking out clothes for me, handing me an amazing gold-mustard cashmere sweater from the 50s (which I ended up buying) as I gave her pointers on how to wear a turquoise and purple shift dress (she ended up buying long black leather gloves and a pajama jumpsuit for herself). It was one of the most fun afternoons I've spent in a while--and one of the main reasons why I LOVE shopping in these kinds of eccentric boutiques. Can you picture this happening in f-ing Ann Taylor Loft? I don't think so.
Anyway, I'm obviously giving this place 5 stars, and probably a whole lot more of my money over the next few years, I'm guessing. Maybe next time I'll see you there!
I read so many great reviews about this place that I braved the Allston traffic just to come here. Was not disappointed! I didn't leave with anything, but I'm a picky girl, and I was very impressed with the selection, quality, and prices. They had some amazing, inexpensive men's shirts with crazy designs on them, like greek ruins and japanese animals, and I tried to call up my boyfriend and see if he wanted any but he wasn't answering his phone, as usual the jerk.
There was a very good selection of dresses and skirts here, *real* vintage, well-selected, stuff that you'd actually want to wear. I was also left alone the entire time I was in the store, which I appreciated--there's nothing I hate more than when I'm in a small store and the sales clerk is breathing down my neck.
If you dig vintage, Cafe Society is a great place to check out. The merchandise is just as spiffy as their window displays, which grab be in every time. Staff know quite a bit of information about their merchandise and are honest when recollecting their era and noting a reproduction. The clothes are in great condition however, not cheap. I'm a fan of the vintage suite cases, men's wide collared button downs and women's retro prom dresses. Also, a fantastic selection of jewelry/accessories. Aside from the prices, be aware of the store's odd hours. They open and close at random times each day..
Good God, this place is genius.
I found some great 1940's shoes here last month, granted they were a lot of money, sometimes you have to pay for things that are over 60 years old!
I live in Somerville, so I am not often in Brookline, but anytime I am even close, I make this a priority stop!
Out of my way, but well worth the stop. Talk about authentic vintage wear. What you'd imagine in an old Vogue magazine. Classic pieces bringing about the nostalgic return to the 1940s and 50s fashion. I, too spent hours browsing every piece in that small boutique, imagining its history and the story it would tell. Unlike anything I've seen in Garment District, Urban Renewals, Poor Little Rich Girl and the like. This place has honest and true character, celebrating old fashioned beauty with impeccable taste and modesty. Look towards the prom dresses, sundresses and A-line skirts, and you'll find yourself yearning for days gone by.
Another favorite place of mine to snoop around. It is totally out of the way (for me) and since there is NOTHING else really in that area to shop or eat etc..it is perhaps not quite worth the T ride (one block from the Brookline Hills stop on the D line) But if you do go, you won't be disappointed. Lots of vintage clothes, antiques, cool knic-knacs (sp?) old magazines etc...Fun fun!
Went to Cafe Society and it is FABULOUS. The lady behind the counter was wonderful. The clothes were great. Awesome place. Can't wait to go back!
as others have said...a little pricey but everything is in perfect condition and the shopowner fixes/sows anything that needs it before it is on the floor. great jewelry...lots of crystal and bead necklaces...can't wait to go back!
I am one of those gals that doesn't buy another pair of shoes until I can finally feel the cold, hard steel of the subway grates on the soles of my feet. But I do enjoy browsing and trying things on and boy, shop owners must just LOVE me. BUT, I do have a slight weakness for vintage dresses and A-line skirts. My problem: I never seem to fit into the vintage things I like (super small waist and chest and big ol' hips) and I often leave in frustration. Cafe Society had me spending almost 2 hours and $100 and was just a wonderful experience overall. The owner was very nice and I must have tried on everything that looked like it MIGHT fit me (carefully placing everything back, of course. I'm cheap - not crass). I found two dresses that have become my quick favorites and have received many compliments on them. They have old designer labels and also a great selection of handbags. The prices were very reasonable and will come back again and again.
nice selection, great prices, nice staff. go to brookline and check this out!such a gem of a place!
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