Secondhand Shopping: For that retro smell

Claire Bergeal

Now that you’re in college, you’re probably in the mood for a fresh start and ready to inch a way from that high school awkwardness. Why not redefine your look? While pretty much every town has a Salvation Army (812 Pacific Avenue) and a Goodwill (204 Union Street or 350 Encinal Street), Santa Cruz is home to a very unique shopping experience. This is a beginner’s guide to vintage or simply used clothing and other sorts of accessories you might need to design your new lifestyle.

Moon Zoom Endangered Clothing, 813 Pacific Avenue

Moon Zoom is about as vintage as vintage gets. Guys, if you’re looking for cowboy boots and ruffled tuxedo shirts, this is the place for you. Gals, if you’re in the mood for an ’80s prom dress or an old kids T-shirt, stop here. The jewelry collection could be better, but there’s a wide selection of shoes if you’ve got size seven feet (which I, unfortunately, don’t).

Favorite Finds: A bejeweled gold IMagnin party dress for $15.00 and a gold clutch for $6.00.

Buyers Beware: Ladies, good luck finding shoes over a size eight.

Cognito Clothing, 821 Pacific Avenue

If you’re in dire need of a Halloween costume and void of inspiration, take a peek at Cognito. Their used clothing consists of mostly Hawaiian T-shirts and Japanese-inspired bathrobes, but this is the perfect place to get inspired or polish off the costume that needs a little extra something. Wigs, gloves, and hats are just a few things that are part of the essential collection.

Favorite Find: A pointed green hat with a brown feather completed my Peter Pan costume last year $12.00.

Buyers Beware: Most of their clothing and costume items are new; so if you’re into that worn-in look, best to look somewhere else.

Crossroads Trading Company, 811 Pacific Avenue

So, you’re a bit more label-conscious than the ordinary second-hand scavenger. No problem. At Crossroads you can pick from the freshest crop of second-hand stash. If you don’t mind spending a little more than average thrift store prices, these guys have a designer rack and all of their tops are separated by color. If you’re designer-jean obsessed, it usually has a pretty impressive collection for less than half the retail price. Crossroads will buy your old threads and give you cash (35 percent) or trade (50 percent), as long as they’re up to snuff with their standards and current trends.

Favorite Finds: J.Crew corduroy jacket for $12.00 and a wide red waist belt for $4.00.

Buyers Beware: If you’re looking to sell some clothing, get there when they open because the line can get long.

Front Street Thrift, 428 Front Street

So you’ve finally moved off campus and you’re ready to cook all on your own…but wait, what to cook with? Front Street Thrift is a fantastic place to go if you’re looking to stock your kitchen with the necessary utensils. Their perpetual fifty percent off sale makes this spot pretty popular attraction among UCSC students. They have an extensive selection of clothing downstairs and some large pieces of furniture. Upstairs, you’ll find a variety of appliances and plenty of bedding items.

Favorite Finds: a set of four Carlsberg beer glasses for $2.50 and a red scarf for 50 cents.

Buyers Beware: I suggest staying away from trying on clothing without a protective layer—the dressing room in essentially a wooden stall with a loose curtain in the middle of the floor.

Skyview Flea Market, 2260 Soquel Drive, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday mornings

The Skyview Flea Market had pretty much anything and everything, as long as you didn’t know you needed it. The quality can be somewhat inconsistent, so you might leave disappointed if you’re looking for something specific. There’s a mix of new and old, so prepare to do some digging and haggling. This place is great for vintage pins to put on your Dickie’s messenger bag and fresh produce if you’re in the mood for a piece of fruit as you amble around. There’s also karaoke on Saturdays and Sundays to set the mood as you search for your dancing shoes.

Favorite Finds: A green wrap dress for $4.00 to cut up for my Peter Pan costume, $3.00 Seychelles wedges (size 10!), and an old printer’s tray for $1.00 as a unique shelf for my tiny treasures.

Buyers Beware: There is a $2.00 entry fee and parking is a constant battle—arrive early!

Santa Cruz Antiques Faire, Lincoln Street between Pacific & Cedar, Every second Sunday of the month

This is a must-see for anyone who has the soul of a 70-year-old, like myself. Though the fair is usually devoid of plastic-coated furniture, it’s a great place to find old jewelry, vintage bags and even the odd doily. If you’re searching for a chair with the antique-chic look of an anthropologie catalog for your dorm room, look no further.

Favorite Finds: An olive and orange velvet painting of a Viking ship for $10.00 and a slouchy leather messenger bag for $7.00.

Buyers Beware: Throwing the word “antique” into the mix will automatically bring higher prices—prepare to haggle.

Bargain Barn, 392 Pioneer Street

I have a love-hate relationship with the Bargain Barn. You can’t beat furniture for $10.00, but I have never felt so paranoid of contracting hepatitis before in any facet of my life. Inside, you’ll find a lot of stuffed animals and a variety of bric-a-brac. The bins are filled with piles and piles of clothing, which they charge by the pound. Yes, that’s right, clothing by the pound. Just like produce. At a dollar a pound, it’s actually cheaper than some produce. ‘Why is it so cheap?’ you might ask—it’s everything the Goodwill didn’t think was worth selling in their stores. I didn’t know Goodwill Industries was so picky, either.

Favorite Find: An old blue dresser for $10.00—eh, only half the knobs are missing.

Buyers Beware: This place looks like a shoddy, squatted-in warehouse from an episode of SVU—bring gloves to dig through the bins of clothing. No one will judge you for sacrificing your dignity.

Love Me 2 Times, 1331 Mission Street

If you see an avalanche of vintage clothing spilling out onto Mission, chances are Love Me 2 Times has opened its doors for business. Despite the name, you probably won’t hear any of The Doors trickling from the portable radio speakers in this quiet little shop. It’s mostly women’s clothing, and they have an impressive number of decades covered. It’s an eclectic collection of sailor’s jackets, polyester ’70s button downs, and floor-length summer of love dresses. Think grandma’s attic.

Favorite Finds: A plaid newsboy style cap for $10.00 and an argyle sweater vest for $14.00. Yeah, I’m into argyle.

Buyers Beware: The location isn’t the greatest, so if you’re driving, it’s probably best to park on a side street. On the other hand, it’s right on the bus line.

Retro Paradise, 1010 Pacific Avenue

Retro’s rack of various decades’ interpretations of the little black dress brings a smile to my face. If you don’t mind sacrificing your three feet of personal space and can squeeze past other shoppers in the narrow aisles, Retro has a lot to offer. The variety of vintage clothing is on par with Moon Zoom, except Retro is about half the size. The racks are stuffed and they even have clothing covering the walls. The men’s section is much more substantial than most places like this and has an alarming number of plaid pants.

Favorite Finds: A red silk boat neck pullover for $17.00 and a pair of gray leather eyelet pumps for $13.00.

Buyers Beware: Because it is vintage focused, and vintage is the thing to be these days, the prices can be a little higher than some are willing to pay. But, there’s always the $4.99 rack.