The Best of Sacramento Vintage
When it comes to fashion, I prefer vintage. As I've gotten older, I've gravitated toward vintage clothing because I like having pieces that no one else has in their closet. They are pieces that are guaranteed to start a conversation no matter someone’s interest or knowledge of fashion. In a world dominated by fast fashion empires, there's something special about finding a vintage piece that aligns with your style but is still one of a kind and unlike anything you would see at those big name retailers.
Like antique shopping and consignment shopping, there is an art to vintage shopping and it often requires a trained but patient eye. While I would recommend taking your time sifting through the racks at a vintage store, I would also recommend trying on before purchasing. If you're familiar with vintage clothing then you likely know that things fit differently ”back then” (which can pretty much apply to any decade you’re shopping from). Trust me when I say I've seen many a vintage piece that looked incredible on the hanger but not so much on my body. That being said, don't be afraid to try it on before investing in a worthwhile vintage piece. These are the pieces you'll have in your closet FOREVER and will likely even pass down to your future fashion-forward generations.
Truthfully I feel like I’ve barely scratched the surface of the vintage market during my time in Sacramento but nevertheless here's The Best of Sacramento Vintage (in my humble, vintage clothing loving opinion).
Best of Vintage:
Location: 1822 24th St, Sacramento, CA 95816
Specialty: One of a kind pieces - Perfect destination to shop for an upcoming costume party. Racks is a recent discovery for me and I don't think this little vintage lover's heart will ever be the same. The store is incredibly well-merchandised with a beautiful selection of vintage clothing for men and women. Some items are on the pricier side but honestly worth it. However, I will say the quality of the apparel doesn’t always match the price tag. As always with vintage shopping, be sure to thoroughly check your piece for any imperfections before buying.
Location: Sleep Train Arena, 1 Sports Pkwy, Sacramento CA 95834 (second Sunday of every month)
Specialty: Unique finds for the experienced treasure hunter. This is the largest Antique Faire I've ever been to and because of that I would definitely recommend referencing my blog post for treasure hunting tips and tricks. You could easily spend half a day roaming up and down the aisles of this antique faire. You have everything from HypeBeast Teens trying to sell Disney t-shirts for $80 to older people who look like they just dumped out the contents of their junk drawer onto a folding table they found in their garage. It’s worth the time spent digging because you are just about always guaranteed to walk away with some gems. I know I have over the years!
Location: 2523 J St, Sacramento, CA 95816
Specialty: Unique boutique finds AND a curated vintage assortment. This is also a newer addition to my Sacramento shopping portfolio and I couldn't be happier! ShopCuffs offers on-trend, boutique style clothing at an affordable pricepoint in addition to one-of-a-kind vintage finds. My mom and I visited this store together for the first time last year and both of us found lots of things to add to our closets.
Location: 5379 H St, Sacramento, CA 95819
Specialty: Vintage Chanel (and other designer brands) galore! Unfortunately most of the items in Panache are FAR outside my present price range but they have by far the best selection of Chanel (vintage and new) accessories I've ever seen. This is the kind of store you pinch your pennies for. Alas, for now, this fan girl will continue looking and admiring on the other side of the glass case.
Please note that a lot of destinations that I frequent for vintage items have already been listed in either my “Best of Consignment/Resale Boutiques” blog or my “Best of Antiquing” blog. In each of the blog posts in this particular series I tried to focus on that particular destination‘s specialty or what I frequent that location for most often.
If you're a Sacramento resident, or familiar with the area, please don't hesitate to reach out with any additional suggestions for the Best of Vintage List. You can always reach me either by sending me a message via my Instagram (@almostfabme) or via email at caseyk@almostfabulousme.com.