Toni's Vintage Trips

Sunday, March 23, 2014

All Things Vintage (Oakland, CA)

When I visited Vintage a la Mode in San Francisco a few weeks ago, I found out about a fabulous vintage store in Oakland called All Things Vintage. I was told that it was the ultimate vintage store. I had to check it out for myself. According to their website, the store is a hobby and a labor of love for 2 long-time friends, Lucy, a middle school teacher and Claudia who owns a design business. They started out shopping at garage sales and flea markets and then, a few years ago, became sellers at the Alameda Antique Fair. At some point, they had so much inventory of clothes, shoes, purses and jewelry, they took it one step further and opened a store at their current location in Oakland. The store is only open every other weekend and is very popular with the locals as well as vintage clothes shoppers in the Bay Area. It is a small house/store crammed full of the most exquisite dresses, hats, shoes ,jewelry, purses and the list goes on an on.

Everything in the store is exclusively vintage and even though they do consignment, you will find very few contemporary clothes there. They get a lot of clothes from estate sales, such as sweet sixteen dresses from the 1950's, lacy gowns, fur coats and even a gown worn by film legend Bette Davis. The store is a clothing museum, but happily, everything is for sale. Prices are very reasonable and they regularly have sales. There is a large clearance area in front of the store. If you want to visit All Things Vintage, go to their website to checkout the weekends they are open. I know, I will be going back to shop!

All Things Vintage

3506 Woodruff Avenue

Oakland, CA

allthingsvintage@comcast.net

www.allthingsvintageoakland.com

Claudia - 510-507-1901

Lucinda (Lucy) - 415-297-7459

The clearance area outside of All Things Vintage

Claudia & Lucy, the owners of All Things Vintage

Lucy assisting a shopper - she's a wealth of information

Baby blue bed jacket

The perfect outfit for Spring

A view of the store

Flapper dresses that are too delicate to try on

Sweet sixteen dress

Vintage dress from Bloomingdale's

Collectible sweater

Lovely jewelry

Shopper modeling her new hat

More lovely jewels

1980's party shoes with jewels

Red flapper hat

Lovely black leather double breasted jacket

To die for boots

Mens Department on upper level of the store

Check out the heels of these shoes

Chanel suit

Dress worn by Bette Davis

Adorable clip on earrings only $18

Dreamy apricot prom dress

Lovely pastel knit suit

1940's jacket for the office

Sexy black lacy evening wear

1920's walking shoes - so narrow!

Maribu dream jacket

Silk nightgown for Jean Harlow

Lacy panties

Party shoes from the 1920's

Magical slippers with red tassels

Red velvet jacket

Black velvet dream dress

Stylish hat from the 1970's

Lacy pink evening gown

Strapless cocktail dress with flowers

Claudia & Lucy

Lovely blouses

Lacy bell bottoms from the 1960's

Go wild in these pants

Collectible lace Moschino pants

Lucy & styling umbrella

Saturday, March 8, 2014

Vintage a la Mode in Laurel Village (SF, CA)

When I visited Pacific Heights before Christmas, I wanted to photograph Vintage a la Mode. But it was closed, so I had to go back to the Laurel Village neighborhood and visit them again. Today, the weather here in San Francisco was beautiful, so I wore my vintage, floral Lilly Pulitzer dress for the occasion. I took the long bus ride up there from the bart station and had the chance to catch the city sites, such as China Town and Nob Hill. I found Vintage a la Mode in the heart of Laurel Village, which is a small neighborhood near Pacific Heights. My first meeting was with their dog, Lilly, who works at the store and is their greeter. Even though it was a busy shopping day today, Springer , the store's owner, was nice enough to take the time to talk to me and show me around the store, which is gorgeous. In the dressing room area (with the bear rug), Deborah was busy fitting a dress to a customer. She wanted me to share with you that when you buy a vintage dress from them, they will make alterations and they also do redesign.

If you live in the Bay Area, I suggest you check out this store. They are only open on Saturdays. And there are cafes nearby on California Street if you need a break from shopping. If you do not live here and want to come to San Francisco on vacation, this store should be on your itinerary. Vintage a la Mode has the most beautiful vintage clothes in San Francisco. Springer and Deborah are knowledgeable and a wealth of information regarding fashion design and high-end vintage clothing. They help their customers find that perfect outfit for what ever occasion. Please enjoy the photos!