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Seattle’s Best Vintage Clothing Shops

Boutiques from West Seattle to the University District prove fashion gets better with age.

By Zoe Sayler August 12, 2022

The vendors at Fremont Vintage Mall are a breed apart.

The Barn Owl Vintage Goods

Georgetown

Don't mourn the Barn Owl's speakeasy-esque digs in the back room of Ballard furniture shop Sparklebarn—the recent move south provides curator and local vintage ace Josh Dand with over double the square footage for the well-loved work jackets, faded bar tees, and nostalgic florals Barn Owl stocks in spades. The extensive selection is united by a specialness that makes you sure each piece was its original owner's favorite.

Bon Voyage Vintage 

Pioneer Square

A multi-vendor setup precludes Bon Voyage from sticking to a single style—pretty floral dresses mingle among faded band tees. But from the heavily stickered dressing room to the rack of handmade items by local designers like Janelle Abbott and Anti-Couture, the grungier aspects of Seattle fashion feel alive and well in Pioneer Square.

Bon Voyage mingles vintage and handmade pieces.

Image: Amy Vaughn

Keep it clean with some pinup-inspired soap.

Image: Amy Vaughn

Doll Parts Collective 

West Seattle

Doll Parts duo Alyssa Kaliszewski and Becky Bacsik take pride in carrying a fun selection of clothing that caters to a variety of gender expressions and sizes frequently lacking on vintage racks (or, let’s be honest, racks in general). Bacsik also reworks vintage pieces and materials into designer-inspired creations for looks that are quirky, cute, and truly one-of-a-kind.

Encore Vintage 

Madison Valley

With its airy interior and careful displays, this new Madison Valley gem could easily be mistaken for a contemporary clothing boutique. Closer inspection reveals distinctive finds that range from beloved labels of yore to eclectic pieces saved from obscurity.

Fremont Vintage Mall 

Fremont

You could spend hours in this downtown Fremont basement without being ever the wiser. Dozens of merchants vaguely organized into their own mini shops bring something for everyone, like retro Seahawks T-shirts, midcentury barware, even cheeky earrings made by locals.  

Indian Summer 

Capitol Hill

Indian Summer sits on a corner in residential Capitol Hill, a jewelry box of slinky ’60s dresses and shimmery ’90s crop tops nestled next to a convenience store with a bright red Coca-Cola sign. Look to Indian Summer for a size-inclusive lineup of the mind-bogglingly glam finds that drew you to vintage in the first place. 

Lucky Dry Goods

Ballard

Avoid the emotional trauma of finding your high school crewneck at a vintage shop. The Ballard sibling of the U District’s Lucky Vintage primarily stocks dressier vintage items: ’80s blazers, ’50s house dresses, and pieces that are seriously ready for prom. 

Lucky Vintage

University District

In addition to its little outpost on the Ave, Lucky Dry Goods' sister store posts fashionable clothing for all genders online. Prices here are on the higher end for a vintage shop, but they’re born out of a wealth of pristine designer threads, like a pair of ’90s Versace jeans or an ’80s Yves Saint Laurent wool coat. 

Pretty Parlor 

Capitol Hill 

Craft an entire retro aesthetic with this Summit Avenue shop’s vintage and vintage-inspired party dresses, fur capes, and kitten heels, all made for wearing while sipping champagne and pretending to be a Golden Age Hollywood starlet. Speaking of champagne: Pretty Parlor is your best bet in the city for a classic wedding gown. 

Red Light Vintage 

University District

Red Light advertises itself as Seattle’s biggest vintage clothing shop, and we haven’t seen anyone mount a convincing argument to the contrary. Its racks of clothing from every decade in the past century seem to go as far as the eye can see (and, behind that, there’s a back room full of even better deals). Plus, this University Way mainstay serves double duty as a costume store: Dive into a treasure trove of ’90s dresses, or find something flashy to wear to a house party.

Throwbacks NW 

Capitol Hill 

For die-hard Seattle fans and those who simply appreciate quality vintage, Throwbacks NW is the city’s go-to stop for old-school jerseys, pristine snapbacks, and comfy crewnecks in the fonts, colorways, and teams (we miss you, Sonics) of an era that’s bygone, but not forgotten.

Seattle sports gear for the athletic supporter.

Image: Amy Vaugn

Shelves of sweet nostalgia.

Image: Amy Vaughn

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