Chicago's Best Vintage/Thrift Shop 2008

Clothes Optional has a hip selection of consignment goods from apparel, shoes and accessories.

Reviews:

• “Great for the vintage lover with a high credit limit”
• “Best Bet”

Clothes Optional

If you weren’t meant to dress in the 21st century, find your personal fashion era here.

Reviews:

• “LOVE, LOVE, LOVE!!!”

Tips: Check out the men’s ties, bow ties, Sam Spade-like fedoras, watches and some fantastic art-deco cufflinks—they make great original gifts.

Silver Moon

Hip cats purr for this shop’s vintage-clothing collection.

Reviews:

• “A Great Vintage Find!”
• “Ew.”

Tips: Although predominantly from the ’50s and earlier, a lot of ’70s apparel comes in, and goes out fast, during Halloween costume-buying season.

Wacky Cats

A hipster hub featuring affordable vintage classic cuts that outlast fads.

Reviews:

• “Loved Una Mae’s!!”

Una Mae’s Freak Boutique

Fashionable consignment threads for women, from retro to modern.

Reviews:

• “A fantastic store for those who share it’s aesthetic”
• “Not so Great – Buyer Beware”
• “A+ + one Shop u have to stop in”
• “Consign = Fine”

Tips: Consigners need at least five clothing items to open an account. If something sells, there’s a 50/50 profit split between customer and shop. If the clothes don’t sell within 60 days, Lenny & Me donates the goods to a women’s charity.

Lenny & Me

Lakeview resale shop recycles casual clothing for men and women.

Reviews:

• “Good casual clothes; not as good business wear”
• “Work clothes and club clothes”
• “Great Deals!”
• “honest employees”
• “bcbg and sevens jeans!”

Tips: People are always bringing things in to sell, so there is no best time to shop. However, weekends are very crowded and they seem to get lots of groups in then.

Disgraceland

Blast back to the past with vintage clothing and accessories from the ’70s and ’80s.

Reviews:

• “The original customized tee joint”
• “Vintage – Quirky and Cool.”
• “Modern & Vintage Panache”

Tips: Express your personal wedding style by renting a ’70s-style tuxedo and accessories for $65 plus deposit.

Strange Cargo

Reviews:

• “cheap deals”
• “Some good finds if you have the time”

Unique Thrift Store

Wild, colorful collection of retro wear is straight out of the ’70s.

Tips: Some costumes can be rented, but keep in mind that “Halloween is like Christmas around here,” according to one employee, so shop early.

Beatnix

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