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About The daily Nebraskan. ([Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 21, 1997)
) Matt Haney/DN Ketro stores clothe patrons in the past * By Bret Schulte Senior Reporter Stop tight-rolling those Wranglers and padlock your grandparents’ closet: Retro clothing this fall is hotter than Jane Mansfield in a wool sweater. In a sterile fashion world, where for the greater part of this decade designers have scrambled for increasingly exotic earth tones and inflatable footwear, many young people went from herds of faithful mall rats to hard-core thrift store scavengers. Propelled by simple economics and enticed by creative possibilities, thrift store shoppers have started a new market place for retro and vintage clothing - a market that is booming in Lincoln and redefining student fashion. Phillip Glyn, manager of Retro Recycle. 1717 0 St., said the fashion wave that hit the coasts years before the Midwest ever felt a drop has now rejuve nated fashion among both retailers and consumers. Recycled clothing offers possibilities of mixing and matching to create unique looks and personal styles not possible with other clothes, said Jennifer Johnson, owner of Ruby Begonia’s, 1321 P St. “People just aren’t as willing to pay mall prices to find something that suits their style,” Johnson said. “There is a cer tain conformity that goes along with mall shopping. You go to 10 stores and see the 10 same styles over and over again.” “I think it has a lot to do with people loosening up about wearing something used,” she said. “The stigma is no longer there. (Retro clothing) also mixes well with stuff you buy off the rack. That’s been a big barrier for people buying it.” Although thrift stores still present many opportunities for rare fashion finds at nothing more than pocket change, an increasing amount of young people are going straight to stores dealing exclusive ly in used and/or vintage clothing to satis fy their wardrobe wants. “Lincoln has always been a thrifty community and that has only gained velocity.” Johnson said. “Anymore, people just don’t have much success in thrift stores. They are so picked over and you have to look through tons and tons of clothing. They would rather have a partic ular selection to look through.” In answer to the tremendous popularity of thrift store clothing, several vintage and retro clothing stores have appeared in Lincoln over the last few years. Retro Recycle is among the most recent, having opened last fall. Glyn, the manager, said business is booming, making it difficult to keep certain items in stock. “Levi’s button-fly I’ll always buy, no matter what condition they are in,” he said. “The older the better.” In addition to button-flys, Glyn said carpenter pants and overalls are hot sell ers, and sales will probably increase as the weather cools down. Although streetwear style clothing sells as fast as people walk in the door, vintage ’70s clothing and modern remakes still smoke the monthly « Anymore, people just don 7 have much success in thrift stores. They are so picked over and you have to look through tons and tons of clothing...” Jennifer Johnson Owner, Ruby Begonia’s sales and are by far the hottest fabrics on the racks. Glyn said. His employees confirmed this and offered the following opinions on what’s hot in current and fall fashions: ■ Nana’s brand platform shoes with lasagna-noodle tread ■ Polyester shirts with butterfly col lars ■ Overalls and carpenter-style jeans, the baggier the better ■ Patchouli oil ■ Hemp jewelry, generally beaded and worn as necklaces or anklets ■ Ringed-sleeve T-shirts ■ Textured fabrics ■ Sheer fabrics ■ Band T-shirts ■ Bell bottoms with sewn-on patches ■ Sparkly face glitter ■ Gas station shirts ■ Nearly anything polyester ■ Nearly anything our parents finally threw away about five years ago Gayle Hohl, owner of Boog’s Rock ’N Roll Boutique, 122 S. 52nd St., modestly describes her shop as a little to the left, a reference to the fact that nearly every arti cle of clothing in her store could double as either a mirror or window. Hohl believes that trends of today are reflective of what is happening culturally. “People are using fashion as a lifestyle indicator,” Hohl said. “It was the same five years ago with grunge rock and flan nels, but today you see things like the vampire and Gothic looks, which have always been around in New York City but are just starting to catch on here.” Hohl said that while the ’70s have been a popular decade for the past few years, many people are already returning to the checkers and new-wave styles of the ’80s, which have only enjoyed a brief rest from the racks of many retailers. “Fashion is still leaning towards the ’70s but is pushing back towards the ’80s,” she said. “I have plaid, vinyl, pointy shoes ... and halter tops and tube tops are com ing back as well.” We’re on tlie web! http://www.dougtheatres.cotf! Movie Info Line: 441-0222 Coil for Showtlmes! PRESS: 1 CINEMA TWIN 2 DOUGLAS 3 EAST PARK 3 4 EDGEWOOD 3 5 THE LINCOLN 6 PLAZA 4 7 STARSHIP 8 STUART 9 COMING SOON I ■i f 5
