oakland shopping guide

calivintage oakland shopping guide pretty pennyimage via the pretty penny blog

even though this blog is called calivintage, i definitely recognize that it firmly resides in the world wide web, so whenever i write a post, it usually includes links to online retailers where anyone can shop, no matter your location. but i recently wrote-up a local shopping guide for a contest on chictopia and thought i might share some of my picks for those of you living in the bay area. for this particular post, i focused only on oakland, which is where i live. but if this is a feature you guys like, i might expand and write more guides with even more shops!


pretty penny vintage: located on college ave, pretty penny offers a wide selection of vintage clothing at seriously affordable prices! not only do they have tons of women’s clothing, shoes, and accessories, but they also have a really great selection of vintage men’s clothing, too. definitely one of my favorite vintage shops in the bay area.

image via mercy vintage

mercy vintage: this shop is on piedmont ave., which happens to be walking distance from my house! it’s the perfect place to shop when you feel like investing in a serious vintage statement piece. they have a carefully selected collection of beautiful vintage dating all the way back to the 20’s and 30’s and up through the 90’s. and it’s where i bought this lovely vintage coat.

image via down at lulu’s myspace page

down at lulu’s: an adorable little vintage boutique with a rad selection and killer window displays. they also have a 2 chair hair salon in the back of the shop (though i could never cheat on my hair stylist, shannon, at revamp salon in sf!).

image via issues

issues: on those days when your wallet wont allow a mega vintage shopping spree, you can get your magazine fix at this cute little magazine shop in the piedmont neighborhood of oakland and pick up some of your favorite high fashion and indie magazines. they even have a case full of pretty jewelry made by cool independent and local designers!

image via rps

rock paper scissors collective: speaking of independent and local designers. stop by the rps shop for cool hand-made clothing, jewelry, books, and zines. in addition the the shop, this space is also an art gallery and they offer a range of cool classes like silkscreening and sewing! it’s a volunteer run organization, and a crucial part of the art community in oakland, so definitely offer your support if you’re ever in the neighborhood.

13 comments

  1. i live in Oakland too!!
    I love Pretty Penny. They need to have an online store.
    I still need to go to Down At LuLu's. I may need to see them for some hair dying soon, thinking of going NavyBlue. Maybe I can also score a sweet dress.
    I think Nasty Gal vintage which does have an online store is also in Oakland.
    Also if you go to Art Murmur and in particualr 23rd st art walk on Friday stop by and say hello to me. I will be the lady selling sparkly headbands.

  2. Also I volunteer at RPS!! Thanks for the plugging it's a great space – really supportive of teh community.
    You must be mind reading me. I just started following your blog yesterday!

  3. I've been to Pretty Penny a handful of times, but have been on the look-out for other vintage/second-hand stores to buy clothes from. Thanks so much for sharing this list! It is just what I need. :)

  4. Great post! I love when people feature different shops that may not be "mainstream"! Soooo cool!

    I wish I was near Oakland, now!

  5. Dude- I live up the hill behind the Piedmont theater! Those happen to be my favorite Okland shops.

    Though – I would have tossed in Maribel (on Lakeshore) as well.

  6. thanks for these! love down at lulu's they have the best selection and it's not overpriced…i didn't know of mercy vintage till now so thanks again!

  7. This is so awesome! I'm attending a college in Norcal and my school is a little secluded (understatement of the year) with few places to shop affordably. I will definitely be hitting up all the places you've listed here in the near future! Thanks so much, I really enjoyed this :)

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