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Shift to thrift

Explore the world of downtown vintage.

By Justin Whaley

Published March 19, 2010

Deep within the jungle of retail store clearance racks, vicious shoppers prey on the latest trends and cheapest prices. Those high-waisted hipster shorts at 50 percent off can easily be snatched up with a quick move of the claws and maybe a scrappy rumble in the jungle. Although steals might appear in the ferocious Amazon that is the retail clothing industry, the real deal in discount clothing and zany styles are in the thrift. Explore a new turf. Stores like Maude Vintage and Leo's Old Clothes can become your new stomping ground for retro success.

Blackberry Exchange
16 S. Ninth St.

If modern fashion is right up your alley and you yearn for expensive designer goods, Blackberry Exchange is calling your name. Great for party dresses, a wide selection of denim and killer Nike Dunks for men, it can be hard to come out of this store empty-handed. Concerned and representative of fashion, Blackberry will buy quality clothes from the past few seasons for 40 percent of the retail price or 60 percent store credit. But don't let the modern vibe stop you from checking this shop out — Blackberry's vintage rack is phenomenal. Try a Lacoste shirt-dress or a velvet pantsuit on for size. If secondhand isn't quite your bag, remember that Blackberry has their own line of original dresses in summery patterns, even in hemp. Embrace the Africano hip-hop playing over the speakers while you shop in this sweet boutique.

Maude Vintage
810 E. Broadway

Looking for a time machine to take you back to the '60s mod era of fashion? Maude V's is your place. Polka dot-clad, wig-wearing mannequins stare as shoppers browse the store that, by its merchandise, is a time warp in and of itself. Block-patterned dresses and long, skinny purses line the racks on the women's side; on the men's side, pants from leisure suits and fur-collared trench coats. Step up to the counter and find a plethora of bug-eyed sunglasses in nearly every color. Ladies and gentlemen alike can embrace Maude V's selection, whether dressing like Twiggy or throwing a twist of Lennon in the mix. Maude V's is a triple threat in the sense that customers can sell and buy clothes, as well as rent costumes (though some would consider their clothes to be costumes). A stretch back in time, Maude Vintage serves customers from mod to hipster, and "dominatrix" to "Thomas Jefferson."

Leo's Old Clothes
9 N. Ninth St.

A quaint hideaway right next to The Blue Note, Leo's Old Clothes gives not the feel of a store, but a closet. Racks and racks of fashionable artifacts line the store, providing a musty but welcoming experience to the thrifter. Here, you can expect the unexpected, like Egyptian gold jewelry, Geisha dolls and a friendly kitty guarding the store. Salvaging old clothes from an army surplus warehouse, the racks at Leo's contain a multitude of thick, black pea coats, cabbie hats and boots reminiscent of WWII-era fashion. Looking for a classy scarf? Plunge into the depths of the chest of scarves, filled with silk and blinding to the eye with color. This charming shop is only a glitter and graffiti-ridden staircase away from thrifty success, hipster paradise included.

New Beginning Consignment
7 S. Tenth St.

Considering itself the "most varied" of thrift stores in The District, New Beginning Consignment made its mark in Columbia in 1986, carrying a wide stock in name brand clothes and retro favorites. What makes it unique? New Beginning buys secondhand from sellers with clothes from across the globe, adding a worldly vibe to its selection. Although it doesn't buy clothes from walk-in customers, it stick to its name — it buys clothes on consignment and sells them in the store. Ladies, expect anything from here, like polka-dotted blouses for spring, solid, form-fitting halter dresses and clunky heels (for a more couture look). If name brands are more your style, guys, check out New Beginning's modern and gently used selection of denim for that straight-off-the-rack feel.