A couple weeks ago I took a jaunt to Los Angeles (mostly to get this old childhood itch called “Disneyland” scratched, but I may post on that later), and on our last day we took a walk down La Brea Ave for some vintage shopping. Attracted by the over-the-top display in the window, we decided to investigate.
Bowled over.
Immediately to my left as I walk in the door is an astonishing pair of the most pristine vintage pumps I have ever laid hungry eyes on. They look like they came right off Ginger Rogers after one light-footed traipse across the stage and directly into a life-preserving oxygen chamber just for the delight of my unsuspecting eyeballs.
Agape, I realize they are not alone. Every single pair. Immaculate.
True, most people I know won’t have $400 built into their clothing budget for a pair of museum quality vintage shoes, but walking into this place is like walking into a glittering, well-preserved cathedral for anyone remotely titillated by historical fashion. Its a museum you don’t have to pay for – unless you have a difficult time keeping your credit card in its holster. Perhaps in spite of my starry-eyed idea of “in focus,” you can get some vague notion of the opulence from these quick snapshots.
scarab necklace
amazing unworn maillots
They also have a few interesting historical torture devices, like this belt someone named Charlie lovingly welded for his new, and likely short-lived, girlfriend.
Thanks to Golyester for letting me drool all over everything for 45 minutes!
Vintage Clothing and Textiles
Specializing in 1900-1960′s
136 S. La Brea Ave.
Los Angeles, CA
323.931.1339
I am moving to a new place which doesn’t yet have internet, so posting may be slightly sparse the next few days. Hope your Day of Gracious Gluttony was dually gratifying.
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holy crap gorgeous stuff!!!
i`m drooling over it in photos, but i imagine i`ll try to find that place next time i`m in LA so i can drool over it all in real life. (hopefully drool is easy to clean off of vintage items :b)
& that belt is AWESOME. i want one made with my boyfriend`s name on it.
What is that ‘Charlie’ belt made of? Is it leather?
hey good luck with the move! i hope you get internet soon, and i hope the new spot has loads of closet space!!!
julie
http://www.hipsterama.com
Oo, great find! I would definitely drive a few hours to check that out, except for those problems with my slippery credit card holster…
I’m pretty sure I was drooling just looking at these pictures!!!
Charlie’s Chastity belt is made from Metal.
Something tells me Charlie might have died lonely.
“It puts the lotion in the basket.”
That’s a stunning collection of goodies, and worth a side trip next time I’m south. Thanks so much for the tip! As for the shoes, I’m both happy and sad that my feet are so big.
Holy cow, this puts to shame every vintage shop I’ve been to.
Wowww. A road trip to L.A. is now in my future. It’s all so well displayed.
(BTW I’d love to see that Disneyland post).
Holey moley! I think you’ve found the Ark of the Fashion Covenant! Wowsers….
this store is amazing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
oooh, not even the tiniest bauble was affordable for mere mortal girls?:-(
Looks like a portion of my personal Heaven!
oh my gosh! I NEED to visit this place!
waououou this place sounds amazing,
i must come to LA and visit this place!)
Do you guys have a website? I need to buy some suits for men from 1940´s
Are pictures from Golyester or from Painfully Hip? Are they both the same store? This isn’t clear from website.