Vintage clothes shopping across America – Don’t go without these tips

by Annie Scott on

Some people think the best shopping in America is in New York City. It’s true, we have all the Diors and Guccis you could want, but our vintage shopping can be just as expensive as designer shopping, which, if you ask me, just ain’t right. Sure, we have used-clothing shops like Beacon’s Closet in Brooklyn, and Cheap Jack’s (which has truly fabulous vintage clothing, but is not all that cheap), but what most savvy New Yorkers know is that vintage clothes can be bought much more inexpensively in other states, or at least upstate. In New York City, the demand for vintage clothes is high, and sellers know when they have a great item — and they price it accordingly.

In my travels across America I’ve always found the very best vintage clothing, shoes and even jewelry in small towns, where the cost of living (and demand) is low. A size 2 vintage dress priced at $150 might sell in a day in New York City, but in the middle of say, southwest Michigan, it might never leave the mannequin in the window. Jewelry enthusiasts might have an eye for a setting that a used-clothing store owner in the middle of Kentucky might not notice; and in some rare cases, designer labels are all but ignored, and you’ll find Prada on the same rack as Express. There is no Antiques Roadshow for clothing, but if there were, contestants would flock to tiny shops two hours from nowhere.

Salvation Army and Goodwill are also not to be ignored once you’re out in small towns, as in some cases, these are the only places for miles around where people can bring their used stuff.

With that info covered, here are five tips for great vintage shopping — specifically for those out-of-the-way towns you pass on your way to Grandma’s for Thanksgiving.
1. Talk to the owner. No need to go bragging that you’re from some big city; if the town is small enough, the owner will know you’re not from there. He or she will also probably appreciate your interest in their wares, and you’ll often hear a great story about whose Aunt Mildred wore what to which wedding, find out which the newest items are (not picked over by other shoppers) and sometimes even get a discount.

2. Turn it inside-out. Try things on, of course — especially as, over the years, we’ve all grown a bit taller and carry our fat in different ways — but when you’re looking at yourself in the mirror, you often don’t see the garment for what it is. Turn it inside out and check the seams, check the lining for stains, definitely check the underarms (no matter how pretty it is, those stains will never come out) and look for holes. If you find something small, ask for a discount — but only if you know you can fix it or live with it.

3. Look for the rocks. If you’re jewelry shopping, keep an eye out for real stones. Often, there will be a honking gem on display in a hideous setting — so buy it at a great discount and spend a little money having it reset once you get home. Your local jeweler will love you; everyone loves a project.

4. Load up on un-used cheapies. I know, when you’re at some vintage store in the middle of nowhere, it doesn’t seem that exciting to pony up for Donna Karan tights, but if they’re selling them in-the-box for $5? Load up, or you’ll be kicking yourself when you get home. Unused items like tights, underwear, socks, gloves and more often somehow make their way into used-clothing stores. Sometimes, they’re even vintage items themselves.

5. Check labels, then ignore them. Obviously, you want to know if you’re getting a Chanel for the price of a coffee, but if you don’t like it, don’t buy it. Trying to resell your brilliant but non-wearable finds is a full time job. Get the coffee instead, or something someone made by hand that looks fantastic on you.

So, on your next road trip, when you see a tiny store on the side of the road boasting “vintage,” “antiques” or “used clothing,” pull over. You could snag a million dollar look for the price of a New York City lunch.

Detroit’s Boblo Boat is back!

by Katie Hammel on

As a child growing up in Detroit, one of my favorite summer activities was riding the “Boblo Boat” down the Detroit River to Boblo Island. An amusement park created in 1898, it closed for good in 1993. The island is now a residential community and any hope of resurrecting the old-time amusement park is gone, but thanks to a local doctor, nostalgia-seekers may soon be able to take a ride on one of the official Boblo Boats, the Ste. Claire.

After over 80 years in use along the route and a decade spent docked south of the city, the boat was in serious disrepair. For three years, crews have been working on restoring the boat to its former glory. They started by hauling out over “40 dumpsters worth of trash and debris,” according to the Detroit Free Press. Work continues today as they remove paint and rust and take out rotted walls and decking. Crews plan to continue work throughout the winter and hope to have the boat ready for dock-side tours as early as next summer. A few years later, having installed new plumbing and electricity, they hope to offer cruises and special-event sailings on the Detroit River.

Ste. Claire and her running mate, the Colombia, are the “last two remaining classic excursion steamers” in the country. The Colombia is the oldest passenger steamer in the US (not including ferries) and together, the boats are believed to hold the record for the longest amount of time (81 years) spent on a single route. A New York investor plans to restore the Colombia as well, but so far work has not begun.

New Hampshire museum dedicated to vintage camping

by Kraig Becker on

There once was a time when family vacations meant loading up the car and hitting the road for a camping trip that involved setting up a big canvas tent or parking a silver Airstream camper in a vaguely wooded area, and enjoying some time in the great outdoors. It was a simpler time, when mom packed sandwiches in a wicker picnic basket, or dad helped cook dinner by sliding a hot dog on to a stick that would be hovered over the fire for an indeterminate time.

Fortunately, that era isn’t completely lost to us thanks to the Museum of Family Camping located in Bear Brook State Park in Allenstown, New Hampshire. The museum was the brainchild of one Roy Heise, who first proposed such a site back in 1990. Heise spent years collecting all manner of camping gear starting with his years with the Boy Scouts and extending to his later life, when in 1955 he opened the first public campgrounds in New Hampshire. Heise’s collection became the launching point of the museum when it finally opened its doors back in 1993, and since that time, the number of items on display has risen to more than 1500.

This slice of camping Americana begins with the building itself. The museum is housed in a wooden bunkhouse that dates back to the 1930’s, with several 50’s era campers flanking it on either side. Moving inside, you’ll find all manner of vintage gear, including old lanterns, coolers, tents and sleeping bags. There is even a full campsite set up in a manner of the time period, that gives us an indication of just what “roughing it” meant in bygone years.

As if all that old gear wasn’t enough of a draw, the museum is also home to the Family Camping Hall of Fame, which includes such luminaries as Teddy Roosevelt, L.L. Bean, and Roy Heise himself. One wall inside the old log cabin is filled with plaques dedicated to memorializing those that made camping fun and adventurous for families everywhere.

The museum is a perfect walk down memory lane for those who have fond memories of camping with the entire family, but modern campers will get a kick out of it too, as they realize how much their gear has evolved and changed over the years. If you’re ever in Allenstown, stop by to see how camping in the U.S. has changed over the years and be glad that our tents now weigh a third of what they once did and our campfire dinners have improved immeasurably.

The Alaskan roadhouse experience

by Catherine Bodry on

Last month, Up Here Magazine ran a feature on the end of the roadhouse. Even if you’ve never stopped at a roadhouse while driving long distances, you’re likely familiar with the sight of them: generally a larger main building with a few gas pumps and a small restaurant, and several cabins fanning out on either side. These days, many of them are sagging in the weeds and boarded up.

Up Here cites highway improvements and a drop in tourists for the shuttering of so many roadhouses along the Alaska Highway (or “Alcan”).

Though I usually camp off the side of the road when I dive the Alcan (I’ve made the 2500 mile drive from Seattle to Anchorage five times), I’m familiar with many of the grilled cheese sandwiches available along the way. I even had a toothless, bearded old sourdough recently offer to buy me and my friends shots at a roadhouse along the Richardson Highway. Authentic roadhouse experiences are clearly still available.

Though there are more derelict than functioning roadhouses these days, there is still a few you can visit in Alaska:Eureka Lodge: Billing itself as a lodge, which surely appeals to Anchorage residents wanting to take a long weekend in the mountains, Eureka nonetheless offers the standard roadhouse atmo. Cabins, a restaurant and lounge, a grocery and liquor store and gas pumps make this place a great stopover as you’re rolling into southcentral Alaska.

Steese Roadhouse: Way up on the Steese Highway outside of Fairbanks, this joint doesn’t even have a website. It has all the roadhouse standards, and is pictured above.

Silver Fox Roadhouse: Free coffee, cabins, and local gossip. The roadhouse also appeals to hunters and fishermen.

There are plenty more out there that simply aren’t on the web – maybe it’s time to plan a road trip and discover this dwindling part of American travel.

Photo of the Day (10.25.09)

by Jeremy Kressmann on

A famous landmark need not be the subject of your travel photos. As Flickr user justin fain demonstrates in today’s choice, sometimes an alternate perspective is all that’s needed to make your photo shine. The wonderful texture of the binoculars, coupled with the blurry silhouette of the lighthouse in the back, lend this image a great sense of depth and visual interest. You almost feel like you’re right there on the seaside, ready to take a look for yourself.

Want your pics considered for Gadling’s Photo of the Day? Submit your best ones here.