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About The daily Nebraskan. ([Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-current | View Entire Issue (March 19, 1991)
Dr. Marten’s famous shoes Store down deep in ‘cool clothes’ By Jennifer Johnson Staff Reporter Willi the goal of making Dr. Marten shoes available in Lincoln, Jeff James packed up a U-Haul in Tempe, Ariz., and came back to his hometown to open a store he named “6 Feet Under.” Dr. Marten’s shoes, originally from England, have been a staple for years in the wardrobes of those who wear alternative fashions, but they haven’t been widely available in Nebraska, James said. “Docs,” as they often are called, are leather shoes famous for their “bouncy soles with lasting style for all walks of life,” he said. The shoes are basic, but are available in many different styles and colors. Currently, James is carrying Dr. Marten “monkey boots,” eight- and 10 eye work bools and the standard “Gibson,” as well as many other styles. “That’s my pride and joy of the store — to have the shoes in here,” he said. James said he has taken special orders for the shoes “since day one.” With more than 500 styles available, he said only in his“wild est dreams” could he gel them all into the store. James owned two stores in Tcmpc; one called “Gargoyles,” a Dr. Marten shoe store that he still co-owns, and another called “Hob Nob,” which carried alternative, secondhand clothing. Both stores were successful, James said, so he decided to bring the two concepts together in Lin coln. Racks of jeans, blazers, pants, shirts, dresses and just about eve rything else fill the store. His store is different from a “regular” store, James said, because his clothes are relics from the past. “Not vintage clothes necessar ily,” James said, “but clothes that arc still cool.” James said he buys clothing that will appeal to the “crowd” whether it happens to be vintage or not. What’s “cool” right now, he said, arc ’60s and ’70s fashions. James said items such as platform shoes and bell-bottom jeans are popular right now in Los Angeles and New York. But people in those cities usu ally dress up at night when they go out to dance clubs, he said, some thing that doesn ’ t ex ist on die same scale in Lincoln. James said he still believes there is a market here for the Pucci and Peter Max-type print shirts, double knit polyester jumpers like theones wom by the “Brady Bunch” sisters and other items reminiscent of bad ’70s television shows. The store’s name is not one with dismal undertones, he said, but a phrase he came across while flip ping through the newspaper. ‘“Six feet under’ was in a head line in the newspaper. I didn’t read the article or anything, but it seemed like a cool name for a place that would sell Doc Marten’s,” he said. James said that his shoe suppli ers have reacted positively to the name he chose. James said he plans to slowly expand his merchandise. Already he has ordered new leather jackets, sterling silver jewelry, crushed velvet women’s clothing and Gua temalan backpacks. He hopes to start a “wish list” for customers, something he has done in the past at his other stores. The store currently handles tie dyed T-shirts made by a local art ist, and James said he would sell more artists’ items if they are marketable in Lincoln. James buys the store’s clothing from customers, and also receives shipments from his buyer in Ari zona. Ideally, he said, he would like to acquire clothing from cus tomers only. James doesn’t canvass the local thrift stores to buy stock for the store, but occasionally if he passes one he will pick through the racks of jeans, he said. The store is located at 1637 P St., in Pickles Plaza. Business hours vary, so check the door, but chances arc that someone will be there because James said he has kept the store op^n as late as 11 p.m. to give customers a chance to stop in. BEFORE YOU UN FOLLOW YOUR DREAMS, YOU'VE SO110 FOLLOW THE RULES. Men who don't register with Selective Service aren't eligible for federal student aid, job training, and most federal employment. So register at the post office within a month of your 18th birthday. It only takes five minutes to fill out a simple card. Register With Selective Service. It's Quick. H's Easy. And H's The Law. A publ« **»*«•«< pjbWol'O" Outlets of alternative stores provide fashions for budget-minded students By Julie Naughton Senior Editor__ Most of us aren’t living off our trust funds and buying our spring wardrobes with Mummy’s Gold Card. Most students work with limited budgets, picking up a pair of shorts on sale here, a dress on clearance there. Fortunately for fashion-and-budget conscious students, Lincoln has sev eral shopping alternatives. The top of the line in this area is T J.Maxx, an off-price chain with stores across the nation. Lincoln’s branch is located at 400 N. 48th St., in the Centro Plaza. T,J.Maxx is like the world’s largest garage sale: There is a lot of junk around, but there arc also incredible bargains to be had. The store has a heavy emphasis on women’s clothing, although it also carries clothing for men and children. It’s possible to update an entire ward robe with T, J. Maxx specials; with everything from work clothes to sports wear to swimwear, every base is covered. Designer labels arc featured, in cluding such names as Liz Claiborne, Ralph Lauren, Anne Klein, Andrea Jovine, Evan Piconc, Calvin Klein, JH Collectables and the Gap. The store has great sales, including sea sonal clearances. The store also has jewelry (occa sionally, good stuff by Liz Claiborne), lingerie, perfume (recent sightings include Passion by Elizabeth Taylor and Anne Klein II scents) and belts. Labels in the men’s department include Polo by Ralph Lauren and Claiborne, Liz’s men’s line. Another budget wardrobe possi bility is consignment shopping. Jan Gauger’s One More Time, 850 N. 27th St., is a quality stores that also features many “name” clothes — Jones New York, Liz Claiborne, Ellen Tracy, Pendleton and J.Crcw. The store also consigns formals and wedding dresses. Prices start around $5. Jewelry to accessorize your new finds starts at $1 here, and reaches into the S30 and $40 range for top-of Ihc-linc costume jewelry. If you’re looking for capital to buy other people’s clothes, keep in mind that Gauger’s One More Time lakes clothing on commission. Thrift stores also offer opportuni ties to add to a wardrobe at low prices; however, the selection here is the most erratic of the alternatives men tioned. The best of these: The Junior League Thrift Shop, 2201 O St. and the Salvation Army, 8th and P streets. ] These stores are best for things ! like jeans to make into cutoffs or funky things like hats and costume jewelry. Jeans can be found for a quarter, sweaters for a dollar or two. Nicer pieces can also be found from time to time. Designer labels arc one indication of a garment’s quality, and one thing that savvy shoppers should pay atten tion to. Off-price and bargain shopping offers unlimited opportunities to add to a wardrobe at bargain prices — so leave the Gold Card at home, and enjoy. Suits Continued from Page 6 suit, she said customers can get the look without actually buying the suit. Dean Dietz, store manager of Landon’s, 1201 OSl.,said mostofhis customers arc looking for something a little out of the ordinary in the suit line. “Blues and greys have been around for so long, we gel a lot of customers looking for what’s different,’’ he said. New shades, like taupe and olive, arc getting a good response, Dietz said. Darker browns arc doing just “so-so,” he said. And, although the traditional single breasted suit has continued todo well, Dietz said he has seen a resurgence in the popularity of both the double breasted suits and the suit with an Italian influence. “Shoulders arc wider, lapels arc wider,” he said. “It’s a little more relaxed.” Although Ehlcrs cautioned the use of “flashy tics” for job interview at tire, Dietz, said he predicted that flo rals, geometries and bright colors would continue in popularity. “Guys arc having fun buying ties again,” he said. NIKE Days at Kep's Just Show your Student I.D. At Kep's and Save 20% on All Nike Clothing 15% on Any Nike Shoe LINCOLN'S ONLY TEAM SPORTING GOODS STORE ■ 1332 P Street _i ep Harding's Sport Shops 3 Days \ Lincoln CcntetI Gilnwiy | GiandlsUnd f~\ — I.. 4JS JC76 J 487 ?30S j 38? 8183 Wl ily 19m2Zi