Indie Beantown

Fashion Indie’s Boston buddy, Noxema Jackson a.k.a. Francisco Collazo, recently gave us an inside view into the bustling indie scene in the revolutionary city. If you’re ever in the neighborhood [internet neighborhood or otherwise], be sure to check these indie enclaves out.

Indie Beantown
When it comes to this town, the shopping possibilities are endless. But what do you do when you’re a starving student and you still want to have your own sense of fashion? I have learned that the Boston art kids are doing just fine. There are many alternatives to style in Boston and I’m here to tell you about three shops that top the list of indie goodness.

Better The Second Time Around
Let’s first talk about Second Time Around. Located smack dab on Newbury Street, this boutique shares the street with neighbors like Marc Jacobs and Nanette Lepore and still manages to bringing in the crowds. As I walked in to check out the shop I was very taken aback by the boutique-like feel. Inside I found things like a Chanel cardigan for $100 and Prada calf high boots for $110. What makes this shop so magical? Emerald Gravel, the store manager, was more than happy to answer that question. “We try to stay current and only accept pieces that go back a few seasons. Nothing past two years.” said Gravel as groups of fashion hunters made their way around us to attack the isles for their couture fix.

What I liked about this shop is that nothing was crowded. Everything had a hanger to call home allowing for a quicker browsing and no need to fight to get around. Definitely recommended for those who can’t live without couture. With 35 years of business under their belt and connections with local consignors and boutiques you know this shop will be around for a long time. If you ever find yourself in the Boston area make sure this is a stop on your trip.

A place for everything and everything in it’s place.

Second Time Around
176 Newbury Street
Boston, MA 02116
(617) 247-3504
www.secondtimearound.net
Oona’s Brings Vintage Back
Our next shop…Oona’s. Located right next to Harvard University, it’s amazing to me that this shop still remains a mystery to unhip Bostonians. To those who find it, they are in for quite the treasure. Home to everything from fox fur jackets to flapper dresses, the privacy of this shop almost makes it feel like you have a secret place that just belongs to you where you forget you’re shopping.

Experienced clothing? Hopefully not as “experienced” as one of my ex’s.

They have been “in business for 35 years!”, voiced the girl working the counter dressed like she just stepped of the set of Titanic. I loved that she was wearing period clothing but what made her outfit just amazing was that she paired it with a pair of huge “bug eye” sunglasses. It totally worked.

She informed me that the shop was named after the owner’s daughter. The secret to their shop would have to be the “estate sales and costume companies that get [them their] pieces’, said the cheery shop girl behind her dark-tinted shades as she stood in front of a wall covered in old relics just waiting to see outside the shops door again. I asked her what one could expect to find here and she simply said, “we carry pieces that date all the way from the 1900s to the 1980s”. I simple formula you know they are sticking to. I asked for the store’s website and all I got was a quiet laugh. “Are you kidding me? She doesn’t even know how to use a computer!” said the girl about the store’s owner. I guess Oona’s will continue to be a secret, but honestly I don’t think they mind.

The shop girl behind the amazing accessories wall at Oona’s.

Oona’s
1210 Mass Ave.
Cambridge, MA 02138
(617) 491-2654
The Garment District
Last place I decided to visit was The Garment District and I did this for a reason. The Garment District is more an experience than anything else. If you don’t have hours to spend here don’t bother coming at all. Why? This shop, if I can even call it that, is about the size of a Wal-Mart. Trust me though, they need the room as they boast one of the largest collections of vintage clothing I’ve ever seen. Their fashionable staff just challenges you to top their finds, as most of the pieces they wear to work comes from the shop.

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Kitty seems really happy to be shopping here!Â

As I entered the building from the quiet, cold street all I could hear were the sounds of the dozens of kids inside. You see … this is where the kiddies come first. “Dollar a Pound”, a Garment District trademark, means ANYONE can afford something here. I have been coming to this place myself since my early high school years. I have found amazing things here, like my first ever pair of PUMA Speed Cats for two dollars!!! And a pink Burberry dress shirt for seven dollars.As I made my way up to the second floor I was reminded why you need so much time here. You can easily get lost in the selection. My favorite section is the blazer room, which carries over 200 jackets. This store carries clothes from the 1880’s and has a new partnership with Boston Costume, which is why there are so many original pieces available. A stylist dream, this Boston find even has a section where you can have stencils put on the clothing you buy. A customizers dream come true!

As I entered the building from the quiet, cold street all I could hear were the sounds of the dozens of kids inside. You see … this is where the kiddies come first. “Dollar a Pound”, a Garment District trademark, means ANYONE can afford something here. I have been coming to this place myself since my early high school years. I have found amazing things here, like my first ever pair of Speed Cats for two dollars!!! And a pink dress shirt for seven dollars.As I made my way up to the second floor I was reminded why you need so much time here. You can easily get lost in the selection. My favorite section is the blazer room, which carries over 200 jackets. This store carries clothes from the 1880’s and has a new partnership with Boston Costume, which is why there are so many original pieces available. A stylist dream, this Boston find even has a section where you can have stencils put on the clothing you buy. A customizers dream come true!Â

Dig in and uncover some uncommon fashion finds.Garment District
200 Broadway Street
Cambridge, MA 02139
(617) 876-9795
www.garmentdistrict.comÂ

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