Vintage shopping in Chicago?

[Baron Kurtz]

Alright so hopefully this is my last year in the midwest. I still haven't been on a trip to chicago where my only goal was vintage shopping.

Where do i go? Not only for clothes, for accessories too. For that matter, what about Indianapolis? I haven't done a trip like this down there yet, either, and i plan to before i leave.

Bear in mind that i object to paying much more than $100 for a three piece 30s suit. And at $100 it has to fit me pretty much like a (well-fitted) glove. I'm used to being disappointed, as you can imagine. So, i'm looking for thrift and reasonably priced vintage store recommendations. well, tell me about the expensive places too - i like to lust after things, and they always have bargain bins!:cheers1: This also applies to women's stuff since the Baroness would be there hunting for vintage thrift too.

Thanks in advance,
bk

 

[FredDairy]

http://www.nightanddayvintage.com/

http://www.vintagedeluxe.com/

 

[PrettyBigGuy]

Thanks for the links Fred!
I just marked my calendar for the Vintage show in Elgin next month!
PBG

 

[Baron Kurtz]

I just marked my calendar for the Vintage show in Elgin next month!
PBG

D*mn you!!!! I was supposed to be going to the vintage expo. I got roped into a graduate student recruitment weekend which ties me up for the whole of the expo. :cry:

bk

p.s. Anyone from chicago with some advice on thrifting, please don't hesitate to post here ...

 

[FredDairy]

Prettybigguy,

My girlfriend and I are going to go the first night. I haven't gone to this before so I can't say, but it looks like it may be good.

 

[PrettyBigGuy]

Fred,
I'm still not sure which day we are going, but Friday after work may be just the ticket. I can walk to the Hemmens from my office!

 

[Baron Kurtz]

I will be checking out Night and Day vintage on saturday. I'll let people know what to expect if they wish to visit this store in chicago . . .

Does anyone want me to be on the lookout for something special? I will have my tape measure wit me.

bk

 

[Harry Pierpont]

Help!

http://www.nightanddayvintage.com/

http://www.vintagedeluxe.com/

I can't get the vintage deluxe link to work, is that for the vintage show in Elgin?[huh]

 

[kools]

It's been years since I've looked for clothes in Chicago. I used to shop quite a bit in the Wrigleyville part of town. I am, however, spending a weekend in Chicago in February & hope to get a chance to get in some clothes hunting.

 

[Baron Kurtz]

I'll let you know if night and day is worth a look. It looks like it might be a haven of fine clothing.

bk

 

[FredDairy]

Vintage Deluxe is closing it's doors at the end of this month and they are having sale right now.

Night and Day is always always a tough one. I'd call ahead and make sure they are open as to the times posted on the door are not always safe to go by.

 

[beaucaillou]

Where do i go? Not only for clothes, for accessories too. For that matter, what about Indianapolis? I haven't done a trip like this down there yet, either, and i plan to before i leave.

Thanks in advance,
bk

I never had luck in Chicago. It's *way, way* too expensive. When I lived there I did most of my shopping on ebay or when I was traveling.

Wisconsin is actually pretty good. Milwaukee and Madison. Milwaukee had a lot of old beer money, so you can find some good stuff at a bout 1/3rd + cheaper than you'd pay in Chicago. Also, out in Elgin. (As I think someone mentioned?) Originally when Mid-Western cities were competing to be the trade hub of the middle-country, Elgin, Chicago, St. Louis and Galena were all in competition. That said, I've seen some *deals* in St. Louis before.

I've never checked out Indy, but I don't see why the bigger cities there wouldn't be showing well.

Good luck & happy hunting!

 

[Baron Kurtz]

I'm not going to be able to get to Indy before i leave, unfortunately .This grad school thing really is a time-consumer. I'll go when i come back to finish up some loose ends. Given how productive Lafayette/West Lafayette has been, i have high hopes for Indianapolis . . .

bk

 

[Baron Kurtz]

Vintage Deluxe is closing it's doors at the end of this month and they are having sale right now.

Night and Day is always always a tough one. I'd call ahead and make sure they are open as to the times posted on the door are not always safe to go by.

Do you have an address for Vintage Deluxe? Ah, never mind i found it. You say they're closing their doors at the end of the month. Do you know if they'll still be open this saturday?

bk

 

[FredDairy]

Vintage Deluxe is good at being open when they say they are. They are good at being open at the time posted on their door. Which is not always the case for Night and Day, but regardless, call both of them before you drive here.

 

[Baron Kurtz]

I can highly recommend Night and Day Vintage. Mostly good cheap menswear, with a smattering of stuff from the golden era. All in good condition: no moths here! An excellent collection of deadstock and lightly worn men's 30s/40s shoes and hats, though the hats are all pretty small (7-7 1/8). Although i didn't buy much (30s shirt for $22 and a mint 30s DB overcoat for $45) there was a lot i left behind. The constraints of a student budget. Just so you guys know: There is a dated 1946 SB brown chalkstripe in approx size 38 for $80 or so. There was also a 40s SBPL jacket in size approx 42-44 which was too expensive for me at that exact moment.

Vintage Deluxe not so good, but they're closing and have probably been picked to death already.

Both places had absurdly expensive ties. Frankly, a mediocre 40s tie is not worth $16. And 30s ties are not worth more than $5 each (the stores generally wanted $10 or more.

bk

 

[Baron Kurtz]

btw, gents. One of the standout things about Night and Day was their small, but excellent colleciton of vintage (30s, 40s) leather jackets at insanely reasonable prices. All too big for me, and some in the larger sizes . . . Also a couple of fur lined 20s/30s overcoats that caught my eye, but these were over $100, as would be expected.

bk

 

[kools]

I'm taking Mrs. Kools to Chicago for the weekend. I'm hoping to get to Night & Day with some money in my pocket. I will report back.

 

[Baron Kurtz]

Make sure ye check out the shoes. Some cool ones at excellent prices . . .

bk

 

[Tomasso]

I never had luck in Chicago. It's *way, way* too expensive.

Did you ever shop the Brown Elephant, Village, Salvation Army or any of the church or hospital thrift shops? That's where stores like Night & Day source their inventory. Of course, it's very hit or miss.