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Decades Vintage
Rating Details »
Category: Used, Vintage & Consignment [Edit]
Neighborhood: Bella Vista615 Bainbridge St
Philadelphia, PA 19147
(215) 923-3135
7 reviews for Decades Vintage
Rachel Zoe would love this place.
This was one of my first vintage shopping experiences but wow, oh so much fun. This place did seem a smidge on the pricey side but nowhere near NY prices (where I'm from). I had a ball in here trying on tons of jewelry and fur and felt like I was playing dress up. I like how everything is laid out in the store and the owner is really friendly and chatty.
I loved the jewelry and bought several pieces. Lots of 80's looking chunky gold pieces that I adore (3 necklaces and a bracelet), a genuine fur stole, and two pairs of leather gloves. I made it out of here for $200 and I thought I did pretty well. I can't wait to come back to Philly and to Decades in their new location--not sure what street but it's not on Bainbridge anymore. It's near Southwark restaurant now.
Happy 50th review to me, Happy 50th review to me, Happy 50th review to Ben. B, Happy 50th review to me!
Okay, enough of my song of narcissism. Decades is pretty meh. They do have a very friendly store cat which is cool. Everything here is really expensive. I picked up a stetson hat, 24 dollars. A no name blazer, 30 bucks. A pair of pretty well used nike sneakers, 40 bucks. I mean, the things here are nice, but much too expensive for their own good. Go to Philly Aids Thrift down the street, where you will find some fairly similar items for 1/2 the price. I wouldn't go back.
I really don't think this store is very expensive- I bought a really cute vintage dress there for $40, and a 40's blouse for $26. The majority of the items are true vintage (as opposed to a bunch of stuff from the 80's you truly CAN find in real thrift stores) and while I might not pay that much for just anything there, they often get unusual stuff I don't mind shelling out a bit more for (though far less than you know, something new at The Gap.)
As for people getting so uptight about people reselling stuff from thrift stores, hey, that's what used goods collectors do! They get up early to go through estate sales and paw through tons of junk to find good stuff. It's a lot of work. Record store owners and book store owners and antiques dealers all do it. I don't see how it's a raquet of any kind-I love going to real thrift stores but I can't pretend the vintage selection will be like the one at Decades- as much as I'd love it if every Goodwill was brimming over with 50's dresses!
Entirely too expensive for its own good. Yes, Decades Vintage has a good assortment of vintage clothing but I don't like this place for a couple of reasons:
* the clothing looks like it is all for Baby Boomers... if 50 year olds wanted to buy vintage wear, why not just wear their old clothes? I thought the whole "vintage resurrection" was aimed towards the younger generation?
* why would I spend more money on used clothing than I would on brand new clothes? That doesn't sound right to me. If I am going to spend $60 on a shirt, it damn well not have been sweated in by anyone else except for myself!
Sheesh, you would probably have better luck finding affordable vintage clothing down the street at AIDS Thrift.
Damn, this place is expensive. I'd be cool with everything being outrageously overpriced if the items were unique, special, in perfect condition, etc., but in all honesty, they're not. Most of the stuff I saw was pretty bland (think pleated front khakis, sundresses with weird prints, old Dr. Scholl's slip-ons). I they're more about selling designer stuff rather than actual vintage (stupid misleading sign). Even the non-designer stuff isn't cheap. Like Susan, I noticed that their clothes weren't in great condition but they were charging top dollar for everything. The only redeeming section was the party dresses, but I haven't been here in awhile so I'm not sure how the selection is now.
She has some really nice clothes in her store but they are too expensive.
I have seen her in a "particular" thrift store on several occasions and watched her fill up carts with clothes and accessories that she is spending $0.50-$4.00 for. She does exactly what we do. She buys it and washes it..... and puts it on a hanger.... except she puts a price tag on it. Everybody has to make a buck but DAMN.... you don't have to try to get rich in a week.
As I was strolling down Bainbridge today I encountered this beautiful little black kitty. She had the sweetest face and she was so friendly, when I walked up she was massaging her face on a stoop, so of course I had to stop and say hello. While showing her some attention I began to fear that this beautiful girl was a stray, that was of course until the guy who works at Decades Vintage came out to inform me that she was in fact the store cat. Any store that has a kitty for a mascot is alright with me! So I ventured in and here's what I found...
I have to agree that this place really over prices their goods!
I found a gorgeous shirt...circa 1970's....nothing to crazy...white beautiful stitching, small stain and they wanted $45? No way. Sorry charlie not going to pay it.
Also a lot of the clothing here is, without a doubt, much older than I'd be willing to dress. They carry a large assortment of dress suits, mostly slacks and a jacket, and a bit more polyester than I can get into.
They did however have a pretty awesome sale rack. One for three dollars, or three for ten dollars. Not all of it was junk either!
They have some...well not so vintage shoes, and some interesting as well as cheap jewelry for sale.
I also found that some of the items they sell aren't even close to vintage, for instance there was an Ann Taylor dress in here that was out recently, a ruffly shirt labeled only "Mexican shirt" and other misleading items.
I'm sure if you really took time to look you could find some great finds here. Also I think they must have a great collection of fall and winter clothes. I'll stop back in to see.
