Sunday, March 25, 2012

Down At Lulu's & Out of the Closet in Berkeley, CA


This weekend, I investigated 2 shops in my neighborhood that I've wanted to check out for a long time.  The first is Down At Lulu's Vintage Boutique & Hair Salon (6603 Telegraph Ave., Oakland, CA).  It is pink and colorful and lures vintage clothing shoppers in with its rack of interesting clothes out front and its rainbow in the window.  Inside, there are many beautiful things to see, including shoes, purses, dresses from all eras and displays on the wall.  In the back, is a hair salon with heart-shaped mirrors.  Prices are right at this vintage store with most items under $50.  Check them out on Facebook.

Also in this photo journey, is a trip to Out Of the Closet (1600 University Ave., Berkeley, CA), a thrift shop that donates its proceeds to AIDS and HIV research.  It has very inexpensive clothes for both men and women as well as furniture, books, etc.  I even saw clothes for as low as $.50.  Check it out and remember, buying something at Out Of the Closet goes to a good cause.

Sidewalk sign at Lulu's

Rainbow & colorful clothes at Lulu's

Shoe salon at Lulu's next to vintage golden lamp

Lulu's Hair Salon

I love the heart-shaped mirrors at Lulu's salon

Boots & jackets & vintage albums at Lulu's

Gold purse collection & admirers at Lulu's

1930's & 1940's dresses & boots at Lulu's

Wall of purses at Lulu's

Friendly sales staff at Lulu's

Vintage 1970's platform heels at Lulu's

Christian Dior blazer at Lulu's

Vintage 1960's dinner jacket at Lulu's

Out of the Closet Thrift Shop on University Ave. in Berkeley

Out of the Closet entrance

Trench coat welcoming shoppers to Out of the Closet

Clothes, furniture, etc. at Out of the Closet

$1 rack at Out of the Closet


vintage Gap jacket 

Vintage Christian Dior dressing gown for $.50 at Out of the Closet

Just for lounging around

Sunday, March 18, 2012

Recycled Clothes on College Avenue in Berkeley & Oakland, CA

Here are some interesting places to visit on College Avenue in The Elmwood district of Berkeley and in the Rockridge district of Oakland.  If you find a parking place in the general area, you can visit all in a few hours.  Prices vary, but each store offers affordable, fun clothes for everyone's tastes and budgets.

 Labels at 2629A Ashby Ave. at College Ave. in Berkeley

Wall of purses at Labels

Shoes, purses & 18th Century Ball gown at Labels

Friendly sales staff at Labels

Upstairs shoe salon at Labels - a shoe lover's paradise

Prada shoes & friends

Sales bins of shoes at Labels for only $20

More fantasy shoes at Labels all under $200

Chanel low heels and flats at Labels

More lovely designer shoes at Labels waiting for owners

Rockridge Rags on College Ave in the Rockridge district

Rockridge Rags sales rack

1/3 of the shoe area at Rockridge Rags

Purses at Rockridge Rags

Rockridge Rags

Alta Bates Thrift Shop at 5615 College Ave in Rockridge

Furniture, clothes, etc at Alta Bates Thrift Shop

Pretty Penny Vintage Shop at 5488 College Ave.

Pretty Penny downstairs shopping area

Pretty Penny boot salon

Pretty Penny shoe salon on the upper floor of Pretty Penny

Pretty Penny from upper floor

Beautiful vintage coat at Pretty Penny

Sunday, March 11, 2012

Telegraph Avenue Thrift Shops

Telegraph Ave. between Parker & Blake
Men's Dept. at Buffalo Exchange 

Accessories dept. at Buffalo Exchange

Women's dept. bottom floor at Buffalo Exchange

James Rowland  Shop on Dwight Way near Telegraph Ave.

Versace vintage pants on sidewalk rack at James Rowland

Wall of backpack purses at James Rowland

Sales counter at James Rowland

Shoe dept. at James Rowland

Vintage boots at James Rowland

Mars on Telegraph between Channing & Telegraph

Men's dept. at Mars

Hats & Accessories

Women's dept. upstairs at Mars

Wall of shoes at Mars

Store layout

Telegraph Ave. near Mars