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
Annie B. says
What a marvelous looking store. I’d love to plunder through all that vintage costume jewelry.
The orange leather coat is a dream! Just wish it were adorned with *fake* fur instead of real. At the risk of sounding like a goof, I have to say that I can’t bring myself to wear real fur. It seems that most of the swing coats of the ’50’s and ’60’s (my present Holy Grail) were fur-trimmed, sadly, even though it’s a really great look.
Maria Stahl says
Yeah, but real leather with fake fur… Wouldn’t that be the ultimate in double standards? Heh.
denised says
I figure if you’re not buying ‘new’ fur items, it makes me feel a better about it. Better to recycle I say than throw away.
Maria, good point! I just received a vintage? vintage looking? suede long coat with fake fur trim on the collar and lining! that stuff gets matted, I’d have preferred real fur, it’s warmer, too.
The reality is that leather once had fur on it.
dcgrl says
Thank you for reminding me of my college days! Love India Palace! and Faces! I wish that shop had been there when I was…
Maria Stahl says
Oh my goodness, I WANT that Skotch portable picnic grill.
Jennifer says
Thanks, Pam. I’ll be stopping by the store on my next visit to the Happy Valley.
Janice says
Pam, you do know don’t you that you are torturing all of us who aren’t anywhere near your part of the country when you post all these wonderful things from “your” re-store and this vintage shop. It makes me want to jump in my car and head your direction….until I think of how cold it is up there and then I settle down. I hope everyone has a very Merry Christmas!
Gavin Hastings says
She is the sweetest businesswoman you will ever meet.
I am a frequent shopper of Retro Genie: sometimes to shop/sometimes to blab….
I too, can vouche for her great stash of goodies. Her store is well worth a trip. I love her NOS sheets, ties, and housewares.
I hit all the Holidays Parties in my “new” RetroGenie wool green & red plaid trousers.
(with sporran and Prince Charlie jacket.) Thank you, thank you Jeannie!!!
(I missed Pam yesterday by 3 minutes…..Drats!)
Andrea says
Wow, I am adding Jeannie’s shop to my “to do” list for next April, when I’ll be spending several days in the West Springfield area. Osgood’s Fabrics and “your” Re-Store are already on the list…probably adding India Palace too, as I search out Indian food everywhere I go—I had no idea there was SO much to see and do “up there”! Love that sake set.
denised says
What a great sake set…and of course, I have a penchant for anything DOG…and orange, but the cut is not good for me so that’s a “whew,” otherwise I might run up and get it and add it to my collection of vintage coats that I love, but don’t wear often enough.
Jeff says
I actually have a rooster decanter in the same orange glazed ceramic as the koi set!
They happen to be hand painted, and very good quality on close inspection.
kate mckinnon says
The orange coat and poodle lamp would TOTALLY come home with me if I were anywhere near that beautiful shop!
Laney says
Ooooooh, I have that coat in lime green! LOVE IT. I call it the “pimp coat!”