Vintage dress shopping in Philadelphia recommendations

March 5, 2009 7:52 AM

I’ve been tasked with taking a friend shopping for a dress for an upcoming formal event. We live in Philly and would like to buy locally - details inside.

We live in Philadelphia, she is looking for actual vintage, not vintage-inspired. She’s looking for something tea-length, not strapless, a-line/full (but not crazy petticoat bell full skirt), and not black. Think 50’s or 60’s, bonus points for any kind of dots in the pattern/fabric. Higher end vintage store recommendations would be appreciated, I know of all the local lower end consignment places like Green Street, Retrospect, Curiosity Shoppe and Buffalo Exchange but I have never gone more high-faloutin’ than that.

Thank you!

posted by 8dot3 to clothing, beauty, & fashion (9 comments total)

Have you checked out Sazz, Wilbur Vintage, Decades Vintage, and Vintage Connection?
posted by amro at 8:10 AM on March 5

Well, there's a lot of small shops with a little bit of vintage in Old City. Lost + Found, Sugarcube, Topstitch, Vagabond, there's a few others...I ran through 'em on my lunch hour yesterday.

What's that higher-end place on 13th Street near Chestnut?
posted by desuetude at 8:46 AM on March 5

Back up plan:

I also needed a formal dress for a friend's wedding. Having tried to find something vintage (went to the Second Mile out on 44th and Walnut - near Saad's which has great halal sandwiches - and that consignment place on South St) and failed, I went to the mall. I spent hours looking at really awful dresses and finally went to Lord and Taylor where they had a good selection.

So, if you don't find what you're looking for in terms of actual vintage, I'll recommend Lord and Taylor.

Good luck.
posted by sciencegeek at 9:44 AM on March 5

There is a new shop on Pine Street between 11th and 12th (or 10th and 11th) that has gorgeous vintage fashions in the window. There is no sign and it's only been there for a month or two so I can't give any more advice than that. It looks like the showroom of a vintage dealer.

I've also heard great things about Mill Crest Antiques, which is located in Lambertville, NJ - just across the river from New Hope. You could probably call them and describe what you're looking for and they could tell you if they have anything in stock.
posted by jrichards at 10:25 AM on March 5

Spohy Curson on 19th at Sansom if she's looking to spend a lot of money and look like an 80 year old Rittenhouse Square woman.
posted by greekphilosophy at 12:02 PM on March 5

Past & Present, on Germantown, in Mt Airy, might be worth a look.
posted by [@I][:+:][@I] at 1:30 PM on March 5

Buffalo Exchange, 17th and Walnut, has always treated me nicely.
posted by nursegracer at 5:55 AM on March 6

Sorry, didn't read closely enough!
posted by nursegracer at 5:55 AM on March 6

I would definitely recommend Vintage Connection at 9th and Bainbridge. It's a classy place.
posted by ethorson at 6:21 AM on March 6