Austin city guideAustin holidaysWhether you're looking for an Eames chair, a flapper dress, a cheap pair of Jimmy Choos or a bit of music on vinyl, check out the city's wide array of vintage and second-hand storesAs featured in our Austin city guide
Uncommon Objects
Nestled among the boutique shops and trendy restaurants of South Congress, antique and curios emporium Uncommon Objects has been an Austin must-see since 1991. This treasure wonderland doesn't host your typical hodge-podge of random antiques; it's a carefully curated collection of Pinterest-worthy finds. Looking for taxidermied baby chickens to adorn your fireplace mantle? How about two-feet tall signage letters to splay across your living room wall? Letterpress printing blocks, crystal chandeliers, commissioned family portraits of random people or your Great Aunt Stella's collection of eye wear, Uncommon Objects has the sort of antique selection to get your creative mojo flowing. By the time you leave this store, you'll be itching to sign up for the newest interior design reality show.
1512 S Congress Ave, +1 512 442 4000, uncommonobjects.com. Open daily 11am-7pm (until 8pm Fri-Sat)
Room Service Vintage
When it comes to plum vintage pickings for a steal, North Loop's Room Service Vintage can't be beaten. Filled from floor to ceiling with furniture, apparel, jewellery and knick-knacks with an emphasis on mid-century design, Room Service takes customers on a nostalgic trip through the 20th century via Nagel replicas, 1930s soda dispensers, beaded curtains and Pucci-inspired couches. Unlike similar vintage stores, Room Service strives to keep its prices low and, if that weren't enough, every month it features a different themed discount, such as 20% off all floral print clothing/furniture or barware.
107 E North Loop Blvd, +1 512 451 1057, roomservicevintage.com. Open daily 11am-7pm
Feathers Boutique
Feathers Boutique's atmosphere shouts New York City, but the prices declare Texas. With its diverse selection of women's clothing from the 1920s through to the 1990s, and altered for the modern-day gal's needs, Feathers has earned its spot as one of Austin's premiere vintage boutiques, since it first opened its SoCo doors back in 2005. Not only does the boutique feature an apparel selection that could make even Zooey Deschanel smile, it also sells clothing and jewelry from local designers as well. The expert buyers at Feathers purchase new clothing daily, so don't be surprised if a gem you spotted yesterday is gone tomorrow.
1700b S Congress Ave, +1 512 912 9779, feathersboutiquevintage.blogspot.co.uk. Open daily 11am-7pm
New Bohemia
South Congress's New Bohemia is known for its hipster-centric selection of women's vintage wear, but what makes this store unique is its selection of the great anomaly known as vintage men's clothing. Yes, New Bohemia wants to ensure that the gents get their fair share on the Austin fashion scene. Boasting one of the city's best selection of 70s and 80s concert T-shirts, pearl snap button-downs and cowboy boots, this is where the fashion-conscious men (and women) go for a little bit of country and a little bit of rock'n'roll without the hefty price tag. And if this store isn't testosterone-rich enough for you, check out its brother store New BROhemia at 2209 South 1st Street.
1606 S Congress Ave, +1 512 326 1238, facebook.com/NewBohemiaATX. Open daily noon-10pm
Cheapo Records
No, Cheapo isn't the lost frugal Marx Brother. This second-hand music store, located in the former building of the world's very first Whole Foods store, offers thousands of recycled CDs, records and tapes to appease not only the casual listener, but the avid music geek as well. And boy, are there plenty of them in Austin. This florescent-lit, 10,000 sq ft open space doesn't pretend to be pretty – Cheapo gets down to business with endless aisles of music featuring everything from pop/rock, soundtrack, reggae, Cajun, lounge, classical and club. And if music isn't your thing, the store also offers an impressive selection of used movies. Who needs the internet when you have Cheapo?
914 North Lamar Blvd, +1 512 477 4499, cheapotx.com. Open daily 10am-11pm
Lovely Austin Boutique
If champagne tastes on a beer budget is your MO, check out the "couture consignment" shop Lovely Austin, located in a 100-year-old house in Austin's bustling South 1st District. At Lovely, one can find pristine Jimmy Choo shoes for under $100, Calvin Klein couture for $25 and an assortment of other high-end designer names for a fraction of the price. The lovely ladies at Lovely offer a one-to-one service that will make you long for the days when customer service was a priority. Not only does the boutique offer the crème de la crème of upcycled high-end fashion, but it also proudly sells clothing and jewellery from local designers. And if you're not in the mood to buy, bring your designer clothing, jewellery or accessories in to put on consignment.
1506 S 1st St, +1 512 291 7132, lovelyaustin.com. Open Tue-Sat 11am-6pm
Thrift Town
Though a small western chain, with its funky vibe and hard-to-beat prices, recycle-maven Thrift Town feels uniquely Austin. Walk into this giant thrift paradise, located in a South Austin strip mall, and find everything from clothing, shoes, records, bed frames, dressers, books, jewellery and electronics. At Thrift Town, vintage shoppers with a keen eye can walk away with primo finds for under $10; not every item is a prize but, with a little bit of patience, sifting through the large inventory can really pay off. What makes Thrift Town special is its daily rotating "color tag" sales and its monthly 50% off coupons for customers on its mailing list. Make sure you get there early on those days – it's no secret that Thrift Town is the place to go for dirt-cheap finds.
5726 Manchaca Rd, +1 512 442 7200, thrifttown.com. Open Mon-Fri 9am-8pm, Sat 10am-7pm, Sun 10am-6pm
Hog Wild Vintage
If you're feeling nostalgic about childhood days at your grandparents' pad, check out Hog Wild Vintage on North Loop to send you skipping down memory lane. Hog Wild specialises in mid-century furniture, housewares and lighting with nostalgic treasures such as stereo cabinets, starburst clocks, rotary telephones, ceramic ashtrays and velvet sofas available for purchase and for staring at with longing. Items here are carefully selected, so don't expect to find a stockpile of thrift-store junk: prices are marked with Antiques Roadshow precision. If browsing Hog Wild's retro collection doesn't make you feel Betty Draper enough, try on one of their chiffon and taffeta dresses while you shop.
100 E North Loop Blvd, +1 512 467 9453, hogwildtx.com. Open daily 11am-7pm
Uptown Modern
Located in the growing North Burnet shopping district, Uptown Modern features rare and designer mid-20th century furniture for the most fervent of modernist collectors. If you're in the market for an egg chair to complete your 007-themed den, or a metal military credenza to outfit your downtown loft, look no further than this ultra-hip spot. Uptown Modern offers everything from Danish Modern to Hollywood Regency to Industrial Designs and boasts an impressive collection from the modernists gods such as Herman Miller, Milo Baughman, Knoll and Eames. This store is a great place to shop when you wistfully dream of buying that Case Study house you've always fancied.
5111 Burnet Rd, +1 512 452 1200, uptownmodernaustin.com. Open Mon-Sat 11am-6pm, Sun noon-5pm
Goodwill Blue Hangar
The Austin area has more than 25 Goodwill locations, but none of them compare with the legendary Blue Hangar. Located in a south-east Austin warehouse, this is where excess clothing from the surrounding Goodwill locations comes to its final resting place before being swept away into your arms. The set-up is this: mountains of clothing, accessories, home goods and random stuff are stacked in bins for patrons to sift through. This is not your typical thrift-going experience, so you must be swift in your selection process; no time to try on, no time to dilly-dally. This place is for the most hardened of treasure hunters or newbie thrill seekers. If you walk away feeling as though you made a bad purchase, don't fret, when you're paying only $1.39 PER POUND you really can't lose. Blue Hangar tip: be sure to follow Blue Hangar protocol and be polite; the atmosphere can get a little hectic.
6505 Burleson Rd, +1 512 681 3301, austingoodwill.org. Open daily 8am-10pm
Lauren Modery is a writer and screenwriter. Read Lauren's blog at hipstercrite.com
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