by Alexandra Katz
It happens every year on the same day. And every year you end up doing the same thing…waiting until the last minute. Don’t play games – you know what we’re talking about. Your Halloween agenda is full of parties and YOU HAVE NOTHING TO WEAR. Another year with a pre-made Target costume? Come on, you are better than that. (You do read l’étoile after all.) Well never fear, we have a solution that will have you being named “best costume.” Vintage shops and second hand stores will be your salvation along with some idea of what you are looking for. Get creative, Halloween is the night when you can be whoever or whatever you want.
Up Six Vintage
157 Snelling Avenue N, St. Paul, 651-917-0470, www.upsixvintage.com
With extended hours for Halloween from October 22 to the 31st you have no excuse for not rocking a great costume. The ideas and stock they have is virtually endless, from bell bottoms in the ’60s to polyester in the ’70s and acid wash jeans from the ’80s. The costumes aren’t just limited to genres, just about anything you can think up they can put together.
Blacklist Vintage
25 E 26th Street, Minneapolis, 612-872-8552, www.blacklistvintage.com
Get classic looks from the 1940s and 50s that are very affordable and stylish. Perhaps find things you can wear more than once a year. Chic hats, jewelry and purses make the perfect additions to any look, costume or not.
Rewind Vintage
2829 Johnson Street NE, Minneapolis, 612- 788-9870, www.rewindminneapolis.com
Wanting a more glam look this Halloween? Rewind has statement necklaces to round out that dressy costume. Not to mention the right earrings for a princess look or even something more mod like a go-go sixties girl. They also have a nice selection of 1950s-wear for men and women.
Via’s Vintage
2408 Hennepin Avenue S, Minneapolis, 612-374-3649, www.viasvintage.com
Mens, womens, shoes and accessories Via’s vintage has 2000 feet of goodies ready to give you the best and cheapest costume you can come up with. Their women’s selection goes all the way back to the 1800′s. For men they have got something from every decade. Everything you need to put together a great costume is all in one place.
Ragstock
830 N. 7th Street, Minneapolis, 612-333-8520, www.ragstock.com
Got a costume idea already? Looking for an idea? Ragstock has a wide variety of costumes for next to nothing prices. If you need something cheap and are tired of racking your brain for something to dress up as one trip to this store and you will be set. For being such a large store everything is nicely organized like cowboys, nurses and whatever is in between.
Unique Thrift Store
Various locations including 2201 37th Avenue NE, Columbia Heights, 763-788-5250; visit www.imunique.com for more locations
Head straight to the “vintage” section in Unique Thrift to find some insane looks. Stuff you would be hard pressed to find anywhere else. So maybe you will never wear it again, but at least you will look stellar for one night.
Savers
Various locations including 2124 East Lake Street, Minneapolis, 612-729-9271; visit www.savers.com for more locations
Snookie, Katy Perry and Gaga, Savers has all the stars. Even the most indecisive person could find something here. If you are really going to push your luck and wait until the last minute Savers might just save you.
More thrift stores:
Arc’s Value Village: 6330 Brooklyn Boulevard, Brooklyn Center, 763-503-3534; visit www.arcsvaluevillage.org for more.
Salvation Army: Various locations including 900 N 4th Street, Minneapolis, 612-332-5855; visit www.salvationarmyusa.org for more.
Steeple People: 2004 Lyndale Avenue S, Minneapolis, 612-871-8305
St. Vincent de Paul: 461 W 7th Street, St. Paul, 651-227-1332 & 2939 12th Avenue So, Minneapolis, 612-722-7882
Value Village: Various locations including 8401 Tamarack Road, St. Paul, 651-294-0880; visit www.valuevillage.com for more.
More vintage stores:
B. Resale: 5456 Nicollet Avenue, Minneapolis, 612-824-1292, bresale.com
B-Squad Vintage: 3500 Nicollet Avenue, Minneapolis, 612-825-4847, b-squad.com
Go Vintage: 1560 Selby Avenue, St. Paul, 651-646-4455, www.govintageshop.com
Lula Vintage Wear: 1587 Selby Avenue, St. Paul, 651-644-4110, lulavintagemn.com
Tatters: 2928 Lyndale Avenue S, Minneapolis, 612-823-5285, www.tattersvintageclothing.com
