Do used right

Quasimodo's organized approach to vintage shows through in its window display (photo by Katherine McBride).

By Katherine McBride

After people watching on the streets of two international cities, New York and Prague, something has become increasingly obvious to me, wearing clothes someone has already worn is trendy. So where can you pick up some cool vintage duds in the tourist heart of the Czech capital?

Walking from the Namesti Trida tram stop to Male Namesti, a shop beckons. The outside is especially appealing. Two giant shutters open out from the glass that fronts the store and are painted with giant multi-colored girls in cute vintage outfits. A peak in the open door reveals a small shop packed with vibrant clothes on racks of varying heights. A women sits at a desk at the front when you walk in, and I pick up a business card that reads “Retro and Vintage clothes.”

One rack is full of designer clothes, such as a black Anna Sui dress. Another rack has ties, another for scarves, one for leather jackets and military jackets. Party dresses hang on the rose-painted walls (costing around 2000 crowns or $100). A lot is crammed into this small space. A shelf holds a small collection of leather bags. Some of the clothes are contemporary second hand, but the older pieces seem to mostly be second half of the 20^th century articles. All of the clothes are dry cleaned, and in good condition. Funky American ’50s music plays as I discover a rack of awesome hats that hides in the back near the dressing room. A pink crocheted scarf with multi-colored flowers looks promising. Unfortunately, like most things in this small store, it’s a bit highly priced for a meager student budget.

Across the street, I am lured by Art Deco Galerie. A store that I’ve passed many times but dismissed as a gallery, Art Deco has a beautiful interior. Exquisite vintage hats and an extensive pile of silk gloves in all shades of white, greet you on the way in. The floorboards squeak as I search out a rack of brightly colored, patterned, and lace dresses in the back. A purple silk shirt dress with blue and yellow geometric pattern (3,000 crowns or $150) gains my affection.

Accessories are hung around the store, displayed among the many vintage commodities such as house wares that fill the space. A large beaded amber necklace and costume jewel diamond necklace dangle around the neck of a black ceramic dog. Windowsills are full of hairpins, brooches, and bangles in a wide spectrum of colors and textures. Vintage mannequins with huge smiles don beautiful garments surrounded by fabulous old luggage, old purses, and furs.

Art Deco is definitely a little on the pricier side, still not outrageous when you consider the high quality of what’s on offer.

Walking from Art Deco Galerie down the Platyz alleyway, and in the courtyard that Kava Kava Kava occupies (free wifi!), a neighboring vintage store has an excellent window display. One side of the display has mini-mounted antlers with 1970s looking fashion periodicals as wallpaper. The other has three mannequins adorned in chic outfits. Today the middle mannequin dons skinny jeans, a red flannel shirt, a black cardigan, a black-and-white striped scarf, and a small bag slung over one shoulder.

Quasimodo Vintage Fashion, Vladislavova 17, is a small store that doesn’t have the jam-packed vintage feel of the others. The collection is more of the affordable second-hand variety. Used clothes from modern brands such as H&M are typical of the selection. Yet within the racks, organized by shirts, skirts, jackets, some gems hide, and they are very well priced. Everything ranges from 200 crowns to 300 crowns ($10-$20). I leave with a mustard yellow dress covered in tiny white polka dots, the top half like a ruffled shirt, and a skirt that flows out to the knee from the waist (350 crowns, $20).

The last stop of my Prague 1 vintage tour is a tiny gem full of amazing finds, Bric a Brac.

On the other side of Old Town Square, slipping through the alleyway between the House with the Stone Bell and the Church of Our Lady Tyn I find Bric a Brac Tynska 7. The tiny store is covered floor to ceiling, every square inch, with antiques of every variety, giving it a warm feel. Bric a Brac has the perfect accessories needed to top an outfit. Among the old cameras, typewriters, and cigarette cases hang beautiful necklaces, bangles, and small clutches. Old military caps that could jaunt cheekily on the head of a stylish ‘vintager’ hang haphazardly around the store.

Be careful not to knock anything over in Bric a Brac while finding the perfect necklace to spice up your black dress. Meanwhile, you can probably find the perfect old pill box to store your newfound collection of jewels.

Retro and Vintage Clothes
Michalska 18, Prague 1
774-273-238
Mon- Fri: 10-8
Sat : 11-6
Sun: 12-5

Art Deco Galerie
Michaska 21, Prague 1
Mon – Fri 2-7

Quasimodo Vintage Fashion
Vladislavova 17, Prague 1

Bric a Brac
Týnská 7, Prague 1
Open daily 10-6

Katherine McBride is a third-year student at New York University studying art and revolution. She is from Boston, Massachusetts.