I have been known to scour for the impossible find, the perfect vintage piece. What some deem old and used, I see as simply pre-worn. If you happen to feel the same way, but think there is nowhere to shop for one of a kind clothes, never fear, I am here to help.
First off, I do realize that Johnson City is not the most fashion forward city, but here in town we do have a few options to explore. The first and most convenient to campus is Bettye Jane’s located on West Walnut Street. Luckily for the vintage lover, Bettye Jane’s is undergoing an overhaul and selling all of their current trade-ins in order to focus exclusively on vintage pieces. Here you will find an array of men’s and women’s apparel which will fit perfectly into the increasing interest of the throw-back style.
Whether you fancy Aubrey Hepburn’s chic, simple ’50s style or if you are just looking for a worn-in band shirt, Bettye Jane’s provides the most variety in vintage selection here in Johnson City.
Moreover, not to slight all Goodwill or Salvation Army stores out there, but they are usually a hit or miss concerning quality outfits.
Regardless, I have personally had luck with the Salvation Army, also located on West Walnut Street, and with the Goodwill on West Market Street. Another option is Opportunities Unlimited or Frontier Health; the latter is the actual name on the building. This store is located in the complex next to China King Buffet on the Bristol Highway. While not as dependable as Bettye Jane’s, Frontier Health is the next best thing. It has been my experience that the men’s section is usually better stocked than the women’s.
There you will find a good selection of ties and three-piece suits. I have also known people to find the occasional vintage over-sized sunglasses and even suitcases ready to transport your every need.
Also, shopping at thrift stores and vintage retailers can be time consuming and requires a good deal of patience. There are some days you will come back with nothing especially since we have so few resources here in town but do not fret, you never know when stores restock.
However, just in case you would like to go the extra-mile in the pursuit of quality vintage, you should really check out estate sales. The clothes you might find here are usually in better condition than the ones you find in stores since they’ve been tucked away in someone’s closet. Although, they might need to be aired out and possibly even dry cleaned. Furthermore, going to estate sales can be like hitting the jackpot because you have access to someone’s entire wardrobe from yesteryear.
The best way to know when there is an estate sale near you is to check out the paper. The need to advertise is prudent in that these people are trying to get rid of everything in the house, so the more people that know, they better the sale will go.
Another option to is to utilize eBay. Obviously there is a plethora of choices you can sift through here. My advice to you is to try to stick with sellers located in the southeastern part of the United States so that your shipping costs aren’t too high. If the shipping costs get too high, plus the cost of the actual item, you will find that it negates the appeal of cheap, vintage clothing. In addition, for all you MySpace addicts out there, more and more online vintage stores have set up shop on this networking site. Some of my personal favorites are Bleubird Vintage and Clogzilla.
While frustrating at times, vintage shopping can be fun and a big money saver. The biggest reason I buy vintage and run the gamut of thrift stores is because I love owning something that has a story and is unique. If you share the same sentiment, I hope my advice will be a catalyst in your future vintage shopping endeavors.

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