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7 stores for the best vintage-inspired duds.

When you think Vintage Fashion, what comes to mind? Soft v-neck tees, your favorite jeans, flashy mini-skirts, and something that sparkles, all with a retro feel?

The thought makes you drool, doesn’t it?

Everyone loves vintage fashion. Those unique items are like the one-of-a-kind antiques of fashion, and with trends circulating as they do, it makes sense to covet the old and fabulous. But short of raiding grandma’s closet or spending hundreds at some small over-priced vintage boutique, where can you load up on the retro?

Allow me to recommend a few good places. Their goods may not be on-of-a-kind, but they are certainly a retro and cool kind all their own.

Urban Outfitters
Since 1970, Urban Outfitters has been the leader in “vintage” apparel. Selling everything from hats to wall hangings, UO is what some consider to be one of the most successful retail chains in the world. And let’s not forget that Richard Hayne, President of Urban Outfitters (and Free People, for those of you that shop there as well), made Forbes 400 list in 2008. So, yeah, it’s safe to say the UO is profitable, not to mention personable and attentive to their customers.

What can you expect to find in UO Stores? Well, in their over 140 locations, you’ll find unique clothes in a very similar setting. Urban Outfitters aims to keep its stores very simplistic and edgy. They’re made to feel earthy, like warehouses, with not too much frilly, goo-goo crap. They leave the focus where the focus should be: on the goods.

Here are the numbers.
Dresses: $ 38.00 – $398.00
Camisoles: $24.00 – $32.00
Jeans: $54.00 – $68.00
Cardigans/Sweaters: $42.00 – $98.00
Shirts: $48.00 – $58.00
Graphic Tees: $15.00 – $48.00
Accessories: $12.00 – $48.00

Then there’s Heritage 1981.
While there’s not much history of the individual store, what we do know is that the company is a product of the Forever 21 giant, which owns and operates over 50 stores across the country. And with a HUGE consumer base, they can expect to keep expanding.

With the introduction of Heritage 1981 (no, it was not created in 1981, contrary to the misleading name), the Forever 21 corporation was able to attract a whole new market.  Featuring cute tops, tight dresses and sexy shoes, Heritage definitely has the goods. So while not as popular as Urban Outfitters, nor as wealthy, Heritage brings strong competition with vintage, retro, colorful and, well, you tell me what you think of the prices.

Here are their numbers.
Dresses: $22.90-$29.90
Camisoles: $5.90 – $16.90
Jeans: $19.90 – $26.90
Cardigans/Sweaters: $24.90 – $39.90
Shirts: $18.90 – $24.90
Graphic Tees: $10.90 – $18.90
Accessories: $3.80 – $22.80

If you’ve been shopping exclusively at Urban and haven’t yet checked out Heritage, I recommend you do. You might just find the same super soft cotton tees and fun fedoras at a more wallet-friendly price. And if there isn’t a Heritage 1981 or an Urban Outfitters nearby, they both have online stores chock full of their cuteness (and they also happen to look almost identical… weird.)

So tell me, ladies: which store do you prefer and why?

The new fashionistas to watch are the girls of the hit series Mad Men.

The buxom Joan Holloway, the poised Betty Draper, and the spunky Peggy Olsen don’t just entertain us but allow us to feast our eyes on the fabulous designs of yesteryear, coordinated by the show’s talented costume designer, Janie Bryant. Pair the dresses walking down the halls of Sterling Cooper with period pumps and handbags and you’ll look a bit dated, but it’s easy to glam them up 2009-style with tights, belted cardigans or ankle boots.

Check out the StyleHive slide show for some vintage delights for Mad Men fans. Now you’re one step closer to becoming Joan Holloway.

I love shopping. Period. I love the exhilarating feeling of finding something that looks great and feels great at the same time, and makes people turn their heads in the street and let their eyes linger over my fabulous outfit for a second longer. I love picking up new things and pairing them with the stuff I’ve already got to make a beautiful outfit even better. And sales? Don’t even get me started on the high of sale shopping.

Let’s just put it this way: if shopping were a sport, I would be a Michael-Phelps-style Olympic gold medalist. Thus in my vast experience of “competing,” whether it be at D&G or at Target, I’ve definitely run into some vintage stores every now and then and I’m not sure how I feel.

I’m Torn.

Love it
I used to hate dressing for gym class because everyone had to wear the same old, boring gray shirt and blue shorts. And you know it’s a major fashion crisis when you walk in somewhere and there is another girl wearing the  same exact top (BRB – must run home and change pronto). But that doesn’t happen with vintage clothes. It’s pretty much guaranteed that when you find something in there, no one else is going to have it. And it’s gonna be cool and unique and different and awesome.

Vintage stores are also great for their versatility. Not only can you find something in every kind of style (from 80′s prom dresses to flowery blouses), but you can go there for every occasion. Sometimes I go to vintage stores to buy outrageous stuff for highlighter parties or tailgating, or just any time I want to have a little more fun with my outfit. (Vintage stores are gold mines for accessories!) On lazy summer afternoons I love sifting through the shelves and racks of clothes you can’t find anywhere else and, with the right store, cheaper than anywhere else.

Loathe it
There’s a reason why some people deem vintage stores as “thrifty,” “flea and tick,” or just plain “junk.” Lots (and, many times, most) of the stuff in vintage stores is actually junk; I mean, it’s there for a reason, right? There’s only so many cool, raggedy old Beatles t-shirts out there. And what’s with the smell? It’s like faded leather mixed with cat litter plus a hint of deteriorating…something. (Cat?) It might be the clothes, but it might also be the store owner who is always kind of strange and seems like someone who wouldn’t bathe all that often.

And it’s not like you can hold your breath while you run in. It usually takes awhile to find that special garment you’re looking for, what with all the heaps and bundles of clothing you have to go through. And don’t even get me started on the over-stuffed racks that are so full you can’t even move the hangers apart to browse. You pretty much have to know what you want and come prepared: with patience, with coffee and with a SARs mask. That is, of course, if you can find a store, because many of them are hidden along the twists and turns of the city that even Google Maps hasn’t discovered yet.

Oh, and being that “vintage” is so in right now, lots of these smelly little shops are charging serious cashola for their goods. $65 for a shirt someone’s smelly grandma wore? For real?

What do you think?