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Category: Used, Vintage & Consignment [Edit]
Neighborhood: Nob Hill
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I wandered in here today and after about 20 minutes of browsing, I walked out with a pair of Steven by Steve Madden heels for $8, a Michael Stars shirt for $3.25, and a Christian Dior dress jacket for $9. All were in practically new condition. If my lunch break was longer and I had more time to dig, I'm sure I could've walked out with much more. The employees here were super friendly, and one worker told me to check back every day because about 100-200 new women's items are added each morning. This was my first thrift experience in SF and I think it's the start of a very bad addiction...
I'd give this place more stars but it was a little hard to sort through because it wasn't organized by size. Also, I hate walking down Polk Street. Aside from that, great place with wonderful finds!!!
"I'm coming out
Want the world to know
Got to let it show"
http://www.youtube.com...
As soon as I sat down to write this review, Diana Ross' classic anthem started bumping through my head. Not 100% sure why either but this thrift store has a decidedly snappy feel to it. Blame it on Polk Street. There's usually at least one sketchy customer/ off hour tranny combing through the racks with everyone else. The mannequins in the windows are usually decked out in some fanciful attire and truthfully have more personality in their blank stares than most of the staff. I understand retail is harsh but seriously, 5000 year old mummies have more facial expression than these folks.
As a thrift store Out Of The Closet is hit or miss. While the prices are good to fair, the selections can be limited so coming in here with something specific in mind might not be your best bet. Last time I was in here I couldn't find anything must have for myself but I did tip off one of my skinny bitch friends about a full Juicy Couture velor outfit that was still brand new and being sold for under $20. The interior is well laid out and tidier than more than a handful of thrift stores I've been to. I also enjoy knowing that at least a part of what I spent is going to support to AIDS non profits throughout the community. They also do oral HIV testing on certain days which is a nice gesture to the surrounding community. Not a destination but definitely worth a peek.
This particular ootc is about a block from my house, so I end up bringing things from my own closet, as well as stopping in now and again to shop. Its real thrifty, and sometimes they have markdown sales and it gets even cheaper. This one is fun b/c of the tranny hooker to regular joe ratio, and the loud top 40s. While sometimes I don't find much, I have been known to make out like a bandit once in a while. It also amused the heck out of me to find a shirt I used to own on a rack once!
I came into Out of the Closet with hope and I left it with a pair of amazing vintage Salvatore Ferragamo pumps and a brand-new looking pair of Seven for all Mankind jeans, my total was $15! Ofcourse, don't forget: you gotta do some digging to reach the gold. It's pretty much my neighbor so I will be coming in there quite often.
Don't donate your stuff here unless you want to be ridiculed and harassed by the people who take donations. They are ungrateful, rude, condescending, and unprofessional. I have donated a number of things here but the last two times I dropped of donations many perfectly acceptable (including brand new) items were refused.
It is completely unacceptable and unprofessional for a business that relies on donations to be rude and vitriolic to those who donate items. Needless to say I will not be coming back.
Save the hassle and mistreatment and take your donations to Goodwill.
$7 for almost the exact same pair of Asics I thought I had lost and they were hardly used! I just saved $50 on a whim and it was totally worth it.
Now if they only dressed it up funkier...
Out of the Closet on Polk is one of my favorite, cheaper thrift stores in San Francisco. I have found such awesome steals as a J.Crew sweater, Nine West shoes, Nike shorts, several books, a lucky wooden tiki, and more. The selection of items is fairly random and my trips here are somewhat hit-or-miss but you cannot beat the prices! The funds also go to a good non-profit cause so you can feel even better about your shopping!
While you're looking for deals in the area, the discount store two doors down is also great and the bagel sandwiches across the street are cheap and yummy. Out of the Closet also often puts free condoms out for the taking... good work!
I think of Out of the Closet and its next door neighbor as sisters. Fashion Exchange is the clubby little sister and Out of the Closet is the more mature, frumpy Diane Keaton sister.
I come here mostly for the shoe selection. Between the Goodwill on Van Ness and Mission and this store, I might never run out of high quality, brand name shoes for $5-$12 bucks. I'm less lucky with books and home goods. I admit I came here twice to buy cereal bowls after I broke mine. :( I live dangerously I guess.
Furthermore Out of the Closet totally trumps any secondhand stores within a ten block radius including Mascara Vintage and Town School Clothes Closet.
I really thought I'd like this place better. My friends love coming here. It's small, really not a lot to choose from, the best stuff is in the windows but not for sale. And the guy who rang honey lady up REALLY needs to show SOME kind of emotion. Like a smile, hell even a.......Oh hell, straight people.... scowl be nice. No one wants a mannequin to ring them up.
OK - here's why I love this place. It's two-tiered....
Tier 1: It's actually really well organized and it seems like they kind of care about the stuff they put in the store. Their clothes are better than most thrift stores, but they aren't trying to be all "consignment" or whatever (translation - it's still used, but we're going to act like it's fashion and charge you like crazy). And don't even get me started on how I loves me some brick-a-brack - I don't ever buy any though because I don't want my apartment to look like some crazy old woman/gay. But I enjoy my voyages through the brick-a-brack section....it's kinda like being at a museum.
Tier 2: How much do we love how all the Polk Street Gay methheads shop here. Every time I go there there is some sketchy bitch talking about something that can only be considered relevant to a crackhead. I'm not judging - I just think it's fun.
I have fallen in and out of love with this place, but hey...like any 'thrift store,' it is hit or miss. You have to go in a lot to find that one gem. The prices are great. I have had better luck with vases and kitchenware than clothing, but I keep going back just to check.
Tip: Free condoms and HIV testing info at the counter.
I know my San Francisco thrift stores - I go to them all. I would rank this one pretty much as bottom of the barrel. Having said that, I still go there every couple of months, and I usually find things to buy. But overall, it's not a good payoff for the time you might spend here.
So, I have almost no positives, but tons of negatives:
- prices are way too high
- their merchandise is almost 100% clothes, accessories and shoes, and overall the quality is crappy. Anything with a good label, even if in bad condition, will be overpriced.
- they don't have their shoes all in one place, instead they have circular racks with clothes hanging off them, and glass tops, and they arrange the shoes on the glass tops. So if you want to look at their shoe selection, you have to walk around every rack in the store. I guarantee you will be dizzy by the time you finish!
- they blast KBLX on their speaker system. When I walked in today I was greeted by a wall of sound, very loud commercials. Out of curiosity I timed it - eight full minutes later, it was still blasting commercials. I asked the clerk if they could subscribe to some commercial-free satellite music station, and she said no, then she said "it's not too loud." For that reason alone, I probably wouldn't go in there again, it was really annoying.
- their inventory is not that well organized.
This is by far my favorite place to go in the entire city.
Since age 14, I've been in love with Thrift shops. When I go to a new city, the first place I look for is the local thrift shop.
"Out of the Closet" is by far the best thrift shop I've ever been to.
It's not huge but it *does* a great selection of good clothes.A surprising amount of Gap, Abercrombie & fitch, Old Navy, NY & Co, Calvin Klein..etc .Along with some great vintage finds. there are books, houseware, bags, cups, plates..
There are different colored tags with different prices. 30% off, 50% off and $1.00.
You're not just going to walk inside, find something great in one minute and stroll out. You have to LOOK for the deals. It takes time, but that's the fun part for me. Music is playing, the staff is always really friendly, cool and helpful. I like shifting through the shirts, jeans, books and finding good deals.
Example from the last time I dropped in...
1 new paperback novel - 50 cents
Long sleeved black shirt - on sale 1.00
Pair of CK faded jeans - on sale 50% - 3.50
Total $5.00
I'd rather spend the afternoon with some friends shopping in "Out of the Closet" than any retail store on Union Street. It's right around the corner from my apartment so I drop by at least twice a week to see what's new or just to pick up a paperback novel to read.
And the best part is: the proceeds from your purchases goes towards helping in the fight against HIV and AIDS. So whatever I spend there, I always feel good about it afterwards.
I had a few things to do in the greater downtown area today, which I knew would keep me out from around 3 to around 10. It was warm and sunny at 3, but I knew that it would chilly down at around 6:30, so I encountered a minor coat dilemma. Would I prefer three-and-a-half hours of too warm, or three-and-a-half hours of too cold?
Luckily, my schedule permitted me to hit the corner of Polk and California just after six. So I dressed myself up in an outfit that I did not have a good coat for, and made plans to hit Out of the Closet mid-day. I'd had similar success last winter when I found myself needing a coat I could fit under another coat, knowing it would get real cold by the time I got out of my evening show at the Lumiere.
I got to try on a few things. As others have reported, the selection is not great, so I don't know that I could go here hoping to find more than one or two articles of clothing. But today I was able to walk out of there with a black leather jacket (well, leatheresque jacket) that fit perfectly. It was made for women, just like me.
So not only was I able to solve today's coat dilemma, but I've also added the leather-and-corduroy look to my repertoire. That strikes me as fifteen bucks well spent.
mapping out a day planned on polk and surrounding streets well armoured for descent on to the local thrift/vintage stores i arrived at out of the closet.
on first impressions i was rather overwhelmed by how much there was..that i didnt know where to start! after about 5 minutes of having no luck i was beginning to lose hope and venture onto my next victim. but sure enough i gained some momentum after finding cute cami after cami- there is literally so much to go through that it can be hard to keep the focus here..but if you do you are sure to find some hiddens gems.
this place is FULL of high street brands as well as designer..which is right down my ally. i was looking for waist belts in particular and i certainly came to the right place, i found 5 and they were EXACTLY what i was looking for.
there is only one change room but as it wasnt busy i took my time and rummaged through outfit after outfit.. when i went to pay at the county the shop assitant was so easy going and absolutely lovely..i felt so welcome in this store!
to top things off..almost everything is discounted at the moment. so i ended up with 8 tops, 5 belts, and one clutch all for under $30!!!! one of my best shopping days ever and all in one store!
i literally spent an 1 1/2 hours in here, so as exhausted as i was after this adventure i coulnt finish my intended raid on the other vintage stores in the area!
highly recommend to the avid shopper- but be warrned come armed with goodnightsleep/water/and the right attitude to come away with some steals!
Good cause and all, but poorly organized and the selection didn't seem so great.
You can buy 4 or 5 decent (not great, not incredibly cute, but decent) shirts for under $20. I don't even try things on, I just go in and grab things. If they don't fit, I've donated $3 to charity.
This is what thrift store shopping should be.
I like this Out of the Closet more than the one I went to in South Pasadena. It's not a huge shop, but they carry a good amount of clothing, and a lot of it looks wearable, plus prices are decent. It's also organized in there, and that really makes a big difference in my book. The sales person behind the counter was very helpful because I was looking for giant stud earrings for re-crafting purposes, and she was relatively friendly. The ones I purchases were cheaper than the ones found at Goodwill.
I really used to like coming here. But they seem to change management so much and with that comes new policy. There is a guy there who is just rude, RUde, RUDE. It seems like someone went up his crawl space and died.
He's been there for a while now. The first time I had an "experience" with him, he was rude. We parked in their parking lot and were walking up the hill to get to their store. The first thing out of his mouth was are you going to "out of the closet?" because if you're not, you can't park there. Bitch, I've been coming here longer then you've been managing here. Then on another day, we are getting ready to pay and he has to go do something else. Totally ok, we'll wait. But he is like totally mean to this little filipina girlie that has been there longer than him. He tells her to watch the register but not to touch ANYTHING else. Like she's gonna steal something. So we wait til he comes back to ring us up. That's all fine and good, but then he tells her, go watch the floor and look out for shoplifters.
You run a thrift store whose proceeds go to a very charitable cause. Lighten up a little.
On the informative side. They have different colored tags. Every week three colors are on sale. One will be 25% off, one is 50% off and the other tag will be one dollar. So, if you have the time and the patience, you can find something groovy here. But the flip side is , some of their things are really overpriced. They price according to brand name designer. So in other words, an Armani cotton shirt will go for higher than say a GAP cotton shirt.
I used to live in the neighborhood so I'd zip in every night on my way home from work... I just couldn't resist. I can't tell you how many amazing finds I've acquired at this store. Those who say this store sucks are either unlucky or just lack the patience and digging skills required when seeking thrift store treasures.
These are just some of the things I found:
- Miss Sixty jeans
- Diesel pants (but someone grabbed them before I got a chance to)
- Banana Republic slacks for work
- The *perfect black, worn-out leather belt*
- A complete black, Japanese, porcelain tea service
- Joseph LaRose shoes!!! http://cherryboutique....
- The perfect pair of brown ankle boots
I'd say the best find were the Joseph LaRose shoes. They are probably worth $300 but are so beautiful and comfortable I won't ever give them up. They are navy blue T-straps with a pointy 3 inch heel. Gorgeous!
I love you Out of the Closet. Even if you are hated by weirdo, gay-bashing, homophobic morons. I have to tell this story because it is so hard to believe. I was in there one day in the dressing room, and because I couldn't see what was going on, I could hear someone come in to the store and ask the person behind the counter about dropping off a donation. As the clerk explained that drop-offs were located behind the store, the guy went on to ask about tax-deductible receipts and such. As soon as the guy left, the clerk noticed that someone had tracked dog shit into the store. It was all over the entrance and everywhere in the store; in coat pockets and smeared on the counters, and all the way to the back of the store.
What happened was, the guy who was asking all the questions was distracting the clerk so that whoever was with him could do what he felt he needed to do to spread his message of hate. Who would do something like this? I heard the clerk mention that things like that happened all the time at that store. That is just too sad. I hope they catch those haters and lock them up.
All in all, it is a great store and you are bound to find a treasure there if you have the patience and determination. It helps if you walk by the store and pay attention to your instincts.... sometimes you'll just get that "feeling" and that's when you know there is a treasure waiting inside for you.
Update: 10/04/07
I just found two new pairs of shoes. One black, brand new pair of Fornarina pumps for $7 (starting at $120 new) and a cute pair of red patent leather, open toe flats for the same. I also found some cool pants, gold plated necklaces with funky pendants ("Let us Pray" with hands clasped in prayer), and a new cute black, cotton shirt dress, $8. Not to mention the coolest, 80s teal, angora cardigan, $5.
I have been coming here for years and I almost always find something. Granted, it is a thrift store, so there are no guarantees that you will find what you are looking for. I have found jackets, skirts, shirts and dresses here. What makes it stand out is its men's selection. Often thrift stores have a poor guy's department. I have taken my dad here (he hates shopping) and we've left with bags and bags of clothes (his entire work wardrobe). I went here with my fiance to shop for a tux jacket last summer and we found an Yves Saint Laurant that fit him perfectly, for $45 bucks. The other shoppers are cool, too. I can always get a friendly second opinion from someone.
I found a great cardigan once.
That's it. No random ashtray. No unfortunate framed pictures. Just one lousy cardigan.
I've rummaged here almost 20 times because it is one block away from my apartment, and I've only found one sweater. Obviously not my favorite thrift store.
3 stars for the other shoppers - talk about great people-watching!
I'm not much of a shopper, but I had a new appreciation for it today.
This week I've had a really hard time making big decisions so today I decided to make small ones.
Get out. Walk to the bay. Choose the perfect Odwalla for a nice day. Buy a pair of jeans.
After a couple of unsuccessful stops I end up at Out of the Closet. The collection isn't the greatest in the world, but it's decent. And the guy who runs the store is delightful. And the $ goes to HIV/AIDS. Definitely worth a stop.
With new jeans in hand, I walk home and feel good about small moments of decisiveness and random acts of shopping.
I got my rollerskates here for $10!!!
I have never left this place without buying something. The people working there are friendly. Some very interesting characters go in and out and shop around but overall they get some pretty good thrift and their prices are still really reasonable for what you buy.
I have never actually shopped here, but I love that there is a place only two blocks from my home where I can donate almost anything and the proceeds go to a worthy cause (HIV/AIDS relief) AND I can write it off.
Because I donate my own clothing and household goods, I KNOW there is quality stuff to be found and purchased.
Such variety! Used clothes cheap. Books. Knick knacks galore.
Great place for finding a halloween costume. Proceeds go to a good cause.
And, it's not often you can pick up a vintage Wizard of Oz lunchbox with only one dent for $2. My lunch tastes so much better now that I carry it to work in style!
This place lets me indulge in retail therapy during my thirty hour lunch breaks without feeling guilty afterwards. Hooray.
I live very close here so I frequently peek inside to see what's new. I personally don't like buying used clothes so I go for the furniture and the small things for my house.
One time, not knowing it was donation only, I went inside with a garbage bag full of unwanted clothes, thinking I could make some money. When I handed the garbage over to the store clerk, he just said "Thank you" and put the garbage bag aside. I went back inside, told him I'm going to go next door to see if I can sell any of it and whatever I can't sell I'll come back to donate. oops!! Remember, it's DONATION ONLY. They don't give you money for your stuff.
Today, I went inside looking for a tray that I could use in my bathroom. I found a silver tray for $4.99, but when I went to the register I saw mirrored one for $7.99. Exactly what I was looking for, very decorative and Rococo. And for such a GOOD CAUSE. I feel better about myself after shopping here.
Artists' abandoned projects, diversly selected winter wear, rarely worn work wear, and the happiest guy in retail make up this thrift store. It's a different experience every time - the way a thrift store should be.
* edited *
this one is pretty hit and miss. it's near my house so i tend to wander in on wondering weekends. Sometimes they have nothing, one time I went in and they had a bunch of last season's anthropologie girls stuff and the next time they had a million of last season's thomas pink's shirts. so it's really hit or miss, but i like it cuz i hit it there sometimes.
This place is gross. We went into it the other weekend and it looks worse than your usual salvation army. It's like a yard sale that's been picked over ten times.
I have found everything from a great poker table to a new outfit for work at this store. It is a great alternative to the Salvation Army. I always go the first Saturday of every month here because they have a parking lot sale where everything in the parking lot is $1. I spent $5 this weekend and I came home wiht 2 new shirts, a great party dresss, a zip up sweater, and a purple cashmere sweater from Banana Republic. I don't even have to feel bad if I never wear any of them because it only cost me $5. Even someone as cheap as I am can cough up $5 for some new clothes.
I never find anything worth buying here, it's always a waste of time whenever I peek inside hoping to actually find anything that suits me.
I've never purchased anything here; however, I have donated a lot of old clothes and household goods. Very convenient as it's in my neighborhood, and I can just walk over when I have a bag of stuff to get rid of. It always smells "funny" in there, and I get a bit of a "yicky" feel. I know they sell "old" stuff, but why does it have to smell? Can't they wash the clothes, spray the old stuff w/ febreze and/or burn a scented candle? Or, is this supposedly the charm you experience when shopping vintage? I always go in there to find some unique gem, but I just get sorta skeeved out. So, I just go to donate and leave... I guess I'm missing something?
Aside from waving Hello to the 8am boozers at Kimo's on my walk to work, passing the windows of Out of the Closet is the highlight of my average day. Whether their mannequins are dressed in drag---a somewhat difficult concept to depict using only the plastic likeness of a genderless human form---or as gay couples headed to the altar, Out of the Closet's playful displays give that morning kick in the pants I need to start my day.
Moreover, the mannequins inside are a playful bunch themselves: those working at the store seem gleeful and jolly, and the shoppers are just plain crazy.
The manager of this store is an utter jerk and has no business in customer service. I have donated to this store many times in the past including valuable items like a laptop in perfect condition. Today I tried to bring in a monitor (mint condition, very expensive professional monitor when I bought it, in original box with cables and packaging) and was simply told. "No, I'm not gonna take it" When I asked why, puzzled by the fact that I saw an obviously cheap TV/VCR combo on sale, I was simply told "Look, I'm not going to argue with you. I'm not going to take it." No, Mr. Manager, don't offer this customer an explanation as to what you'll take and what you won't. Don't be polite and tell the customer that you're sorry, but you can't take it. No, be an a** and insult this DONATING customer with the manners of a thug. I'm never donating to this store again. Forget the cause -- Goodwill is 4-5 blocks down on Geary. Good riddance out of the closet!
This is my retail therapy provider. Oh no I have a cavity and need a filling-- comfort self with a fuzzy sweater. Oh yay I got a job- reward self with a cute jacket. I LOVE this place, a bit cheaper than goodwill plus 30%,50%, and $1 tags all the time- if you bring your thrift store mentality (willingness to dig, be open to possibilities, optimism) you should be able to put together an outfit for under $15. I get a lot of work clothes here- nicer department store brands slacks and tops/sweaters (plus seven jeans for $7). The unique or high end stuff is somewhat limited and more hit-or-miss.
I hate this store...it has old 70's clothes and doesn't have anything cute at all! Salvation Army is way better!
Not my favorite thrift shop... I don't often find stuff I like here, and I hate their fitting room (a small section in the middle of the store that is just a curtain). The prices are cheap, which is good, but I'm much more likely to find clothes I like at Buffalo Exchange.
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