Vintage Etc
Category: Shoe Stores [Edit]
Neighborhood: Porter Square1798 Massachusetts Ave
Cambridge, MA 02140 (617) 497-1516
- Nearest Transit:
Porter (Red)
- Price Range: $$$
- Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
16 Reviews for Vintage Etc
When I was a server, I bought my shoes here exclusively. The staff knows their clogs. I've never really had an issue with customer service, like a lot of other Yelpers here, but maybe I was lucky. This store got me addicted to clogs. They hooked me up with my first pair (wooden) and then helped me find some kickass Danskos.
If you work in "the industry" (ie: you're a server), you can show the staff a pay stub and get a 10% discount. This might hold true to medical professionals too, but don't quote me. When I can afford another pair of clogs, I'll go here.
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Vintage does a better job with socks than shoes. They carry the best lines, such as Falke and Kunert, plus some others that don't fit me unfortunately. They are German-based companies who size in a range of 3 european sizes. I buy 36-39, which means roughly 5.5 to 7 mens or perhaps 7.5 to 9 womens. I have not seen these lines anywhere else, except european websites. The Falke brand in particular is extraordinary, each is labeled with size and Left and Right! They are 20 bucks a pair, but worth it.
As far as service, the owner has been there for 20 years or so, dealing with cheapskate Cantabridgians, so I forgive her if she has an off day. She's generally nice and helpful, she really knows her wares.
Vintage Etc. should be pronounced "The Clog Store on Mass Ave" but if pressed, I would go with a rhyming of Jonah Hill's pronounciation of the female organ in the movie SuperBad. "Vin-TAJ!! Et-cet-TA-RA".
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I'm not a clog-person, which rules out 90% of Vintage, Etc.'s footwear, but I discovered these great little jelly ballet flats (made by Brazil-based Grendha) in this place yesterday. At only $24, they seemed like a good deal, and, indeed, I can only find them online for $29. Success! Upon seeing these, I immediately thought of running through rain puddles with no ill effects. So, basically, I had to get them.
This place has an awesome variety of socks and tights, including lots of the Hue brand, in some really fun patterns and colors. Also, they carry a bunch of fun-colored peds.
A friendly guy helped my friend and I as we browsed. Reading these other reviews, I'm glad that we didn't need to deal with the evil Pippi Longstocking lady.
Vintage Etc. has a rad selection of socks and tights, from basics to bright colorful stripes, different knits and fabrics, and interesting cable patterns and designs. I love them! They are pricey (ranging $15-50 per pair, depending on brand) but it's hard not to get suckered into buying at least 1...
The shoes aren't my style, but they focus on Dansko shoes, clogs, you know... if you're into that, the selection is decent here.
Not a big fan of the store credit only policy. I was pissed when I bought a pair of $25 tights here, and the second I pulled them on they ripped up the leg. No no no. So I brought them back and was told I could only have a store credit-- dude, the thing I bought fell apart. I wanted my money back. The poor quality of that particular pair of tights was not their fault, but I still didn't appreciate how it was handled.
To summarize, I'd recommend checking this place out for the fun and unique selection of leggings... just be sure to keep your receipt!
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There are some stores that specialize in obscure merchandise that, simply by existing, make the world a bit better. I'm thinking about such niche stores as the ones that peddle kitsch from the United Arab Emirates all day, every day, because you never know when you might need a shisha, or just might like to look at one.
I used to feel this way about this particular clog shop, this cloggeria, if you will. But then I had chance to need some clogs for my retail job. And I was so glad that Vintages not only existed, but provided the kind of service and sales that makes a retail girl feel happy right down to her clog-covered toes.
Dansko clogs don't come cheap here on the stateside, but I found Vintages prices quite competitive, considering they're a wee little shop. The sales attendants know their clogs, and are more than happy to order your size and keep you apprised of their arrival. I bought a recent pair of clogs from The Walking Company and had to pester the sales force to let me know when the clogs had arrived. Wished I had made the trip to Vintages. They're funky, friendly and forthcoming about their clogs.
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Amazing tights!!!
I already bought clogs this season so I didn't need any, but I bought a great pair of tights...The store is cramped. like really really cramped so just plan to run in and run out.
Service is pretty good, although I got a commision vibe which I HATE more than anything else while shopping, seriously.
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they have some cute shoes (trippens, wolkys and cydwoqs) and a couple of the staff are really nice and helpful but on multiple occasions I have found the owner and some of the other staff to be really crass/rude. On one occasion the owner acted very sugary sweet when we came in and then once she found out we were just looking she became very cold, one of her staff members stood there staring at us the entire time we were in the store yet did not say anything.. it was uncomfortable to say the least. I had a credit there, I used it as quickly as possible so that I never have to go to either of the owner's stores again. I can not stand bad customer service and I find her and some of her staff incredibly rude.
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Truth be told, I don't have much occasion to be out shopping for clogs these days. Actually, I don't think I've EVER been much in the market for clogs. But that's neither here nor there, and really, my review really has nothing to do with footwear at all.
I'm giving Vintage Etc. 5 stars, and it has only and everything to do with the fact that, for a brief time, Arcade Fire ringleader Win Butler used to work here. Don't believe me - check the photographic evidence provided.
Two things, then: 1) I'm happy to see that he's always dressed like an Amish farmer, and it's not just some precious affectation. 2) "Funeral" really had nothing to do with death, lost innocence, growing up, etc. - it was all about wooden soled shoes. Now it all makes sense...
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Good selection of expensive, high quality socks and tights. Good clogs, too.
However, take note,the lady who looks like pippi longstocking s is rude and really gives me the creeps. Too hard to handle in a store with closet-sized condittions.
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i am going to assume that the blonde-pippy-long-stocking-6-foot-tall-not-so-happ y-woman is the owner? boy could she use a lesson on how to treat costumers. i have bought from there before but that was for a gift and i knew exactly what i wanted so there was no customer service needed...
so i have a fat flat foot and really like those ugly comfortable shoes that they have there and a few other places in cambridge....
i take my $250, walk in to try on a some shoes and get nothing but attitude. it was really a very unfriendly experience. the store is tiny as it is, never mind if you have a cranky owner pissed at you because you ask her how the shoes she carries should fit on your feet...
never setting foot in there again, i would be accosted by the high pressure sales dudes at the tannery...
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This store has great shoes, but is definitely not for everybody. It is the only place in the area where you can find Trippens, amazingly stylish and practical boots. Dansko & Wolky can be found around town, thankfully... because the owner of this place has such horrific customer service skills that I refuse to shop there anymore. Two of her sales staff are AMAZING!!! Leah is knowledgeable, easy-going and will really take care of you. Eve is a shoe addict and is more stylish than Mr. & Ms. J on ANTM. Elizabeth, though... well, she had a cameo in the Wizard of Oz --- the house fell on her! Go to Berk's instead!!! Ken is a sweetheart!
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Good place if you like European comfy & quirky shoes. Very Cambridge sort of store. Excellent place for socks and hosiery. You'll find all sorts of socks there - cashmere & angora - colorful striped hose - nice casual socks in cool prints.
But the shoes are expensive - most start around $70 and go up to $300.
At the end of every year, they have a clearance sale where you can find shoes and socks there for 20-40% off - cash only. I got a great pair of Think! shoes for $120 when it normally retailed for $240 then.
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Replace the word "vintage" with the word "clogs" and you're all set. Another neat shop between Porter and Harvard.
If I could give this place 4.5 starts, I would.
The most important thing is this: if you are looking for clogs or super-funky (and expensive!) orthopedically correct shoes, DO NOT GO ANYWHERE ELSE. I've been to other area shoe shops (Berks, the Tannery, some clog shop in Weymouth) that carry high-end, quality shoes and no one knows their shit better than Vintage Etc. employees-- they are super-knowledgable about the fit and background of all the shoes they carry.
This place is also great for high-end, funky hoisery. Their end-of-the-year sale, which starts a day or two after Christmas, is a fabulous way to get good deals on their expensive merch.
I deducted a star because the 'tudes of some of the employees have been abysmal-- there have been days I've walked in and felt like I'm intruding on some hipster party. In particular, there's a woman who works there and is in a local band- - major snob alert.
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This place rules.
If you go to any of the local restaurants, you will notice that every server is wearing a pair of Dansko clogs because they're cute and more comfortable than many pairs of slippers I've owned in my lifetime...and they all get them from this place. This is yet another of the really cool little independent shops between Porter and Harvard, and it gets two gigantic thumbs up from me. For such a small, independent shop, they do a fantastic job staying stocked and having an incredible range of clogs all the time.
Also great for fun socks, which make great, cheap presents for people you don't know very well. Or people you do know very well who might just love socks. Or maybe someone who doesn't love socks, but who might convert after one really great pair.
the name is a little off, but this is a great place to go if you're looking for comfortable shoes. in particular clogs. they carry a HUGE selection of dansko's. it should be named clogs etc.
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