Yesterday (Monday) I left my icy computer cave and took a quickie shopping trip to Northampton. I went to Eileen Fisher and Faces and for lunch at the India Palace… but could not bear to leave without a visit to my favorite retro vintage clothing (and more) store: Retro Genie. .
Really, I almost didn’t go, because I NEED NOTHING and didn’t want to TORTURE myself. And in fact, I was good, I didn’t buy anything (sorry, Jeannie). This time. Even so, it was great fun to look and take photos for the blog. Jeannie has been in business for a while, so she has great contacts throughout the region who call her in when they have high quality, vintage clothing. For example, that’s Jeannie, above, with a wonderful orange leather jacket, fur trimmed, from a 1970s fashionista. I tried it on, and it looked pretty darn great. But, I actually don’t like to dress that flashy.
Drats. I really would have broken my no-buying vow if this embroidered, leather hippie vest had fit me better. It was a wee bit small around the arms. I am a broad-shouldered, corn fed farm girl. Who pines (romantically) for Haight Ashbury circa 1969, that is.
Woah — this pair of supersized 1970s lamps was also hard to resist. They were in impeccable shape. $170 for the pair – a great price, I think. To my view, Jeannie has terrific prices given the level of quality.
If I owned this vintage Koi sake set, I would drink sake more often. Jeanie says these don’t stay in the store long.
I thought this was a minnow bucket, but Jeannie said it was a portable barbeque. In plaid, our theme of Q4 2010. This one was NOS – in perfect, pristine condition. Peoples: Use your stuff. Don’t save it. Use it! All the NOS MIB stuff I see at estate sales — saddens me.
Pretty poodle lamp with fiberglass shade. Jeannie has the bug bad as the rest of us.
Kartell or Kartell-style serving dish. Put ice or hot water in that bottom smoked glass part to keep the potato salad cold or the swedish meatballs hot. This 70s-style serving ware– I think it’s a next, huge trend.
Jeannie had several vintage Valentine cards — very fancy ones complete with boxes. I really should have bought one for DH, but like the rest of America most likely, I am having a hard time envisioning getting past Dec. 25 in one piece at this point.
Lots of hats, of course. Do you think there are, like, 6 million vintage hats across America? What will we do with them all?
Retro Genie: On Facebook. Location: 15 Market Street, Northampton, MA 01060-3229 (413) 584-4364
Rose C says
how much does the vintage koi sake set cost?
pam kueber says
Rose, you need to contact Retro Genie’s directly….
jeanne says
thank you all for the great comments about my store…i used to have issues about wearing real fur too but i now feel like it’s recycling and if we don’t wear it the animal died in vain and may end up in a landfill…i feel it’s my duty to find a new home for them….if anyone gets to northampton please stop by….jeanne (retro genie)
Tania says
Oh my God, Pam, has anyone told you you look like a white version of Oprah’s friend Gale? For real!!!