 365 Days 365 Ways
A year's worth of sexy all in one shop, owned and operated by Janina Valdez, aka AM-radio talk-show host Dr. Natasha.2110 S. Lamar, 512/454-1958 Aaron's Rock & Roll
Fight your way through the late-night boozy browsers for retro music T's, horror novelties, vintage action figures, movie trading cards, and Fifties cheesecake memorabilia.423 E. Sixth, 512/478-7923 Amelia's Retro-Vogue & Relics
Vintage from the days before Audrey went to breakfast at Tiffany's. Fantastic hats, eyewear, and positively no polyester! And if there is, it is extremely tasteful or aware of its irony.2213 South 1st, 512/442-4446 Antique Marketplace
A traditional, multidealer antique mecca with some campy sensiblities thrown in for good measure.5806 Burnet Rd., 512/452-1000 Arabic Bazaar
Austin’s Turkish twist: traditional Arabic hookahs and tobacco, scented oils, rugs, brassware, and belly-dancing costumes for the bold.5013 Duval St., 512/533-9227 Assistance League of Austin
One of the largest thrift selections of traditional holiday doo-dads. It's worth going first thing on Wednesdays, their first business day of the week, when the doors open to a melee.4901 Burnet Rd., 512/458-3716 Atomic City
Whoa, Bettie! Page, that is. Yeah, they've got just about anything BP ya could ever covet, from cuff links and lunch boxes to lighters. Plus, they boast one of the best selections of kicks in town. Thousands of gems, from embroidered cowboy shirts to hula girls and all things Gojira. As one employee confided, some consider this the perfect last gift stop, the place guaranteed to have something to make anyone happy. Why save the best for last this time around?1700 San Antonio, 512/477-0293 Austin Country Flea Mart
More than 500 booths loaded with anything of value's knock-off version, like incense, military surplus, kitschy home decor, colorful Mexican blankets, knives and tools, insane club and party wear, extensive selections of rap and Tejano CDs, and the occasional collectible.9500 Hwy. 290 E., 512/928-2795 Austin Modern Vintage
Quality Plycrafts and Wassilys and decoration from the Fifties to the Seventies. When they say "Modern," they mean it with a capital M! Look out for the proto-Pan Am logo on the window!306 E. 53rd, 512/419-0488 Banana Bay
Massive array of militariana and scads of surplus for the collector as well as the practically minded survivalist. Pretty much everything you need to get your war on, except the attitude. They're actually pretty nice.5102 Clarkson (51st & Airport), 512/479-8608 The Bazaar
For-sale or -rent costumes, disguises, and all you need to try on a new you.1605 E. Riverside, 512/448-1079 Bethesda Resale
A sweet, little, friendly church-lady thrift store that always seems to have some great-deal sale going on.5353 Burnet Rd., 512/451-2652 Big Bertha's Bargain Basement
Like the name implies, shopping at BBBB can sometimes feel like a trip into a drag queen's closet. And that, friends, is a very, very good thing.1050 S. Lamar, 512/444-5908 Bitchin' Threads/Kimono
Flamboyant, costumey vintage, some with an Asian flair.1030 S. Lamar Ste. D, 512/441-9955 Blackmail
Imagine a world stripped down to its most bare and essential aesthetics. If you revel in noir and old Hollywood, you'll get the black-and-white world of one of SoCo's cornerstones. Don't overlook their selection of high-quality men's wear and vintage cowboy boots for the rugged individualist on your list.1202 S. Congress, 512/804-5881 Blue Velvet
The key words at BV are "inexpensive" and "reasonably priced." For more than a decade, this mom-and-daughter team has outfitted Austin's creative types in the smartest vintage duds at prices even lowly Chronicle editors could afford.217 W. North Loop, 512/452-2583 BookPeople
Costume hat with that Kafka? Freud action figure with your Faulkner? Lunch pails with a side of Louisa May Alcott? It's not all just highbrow at Austin's largest indie bookseller.603 N. Lamar, 512/472-5050 BookWoman
Welcome to feminist central. Aside from one of the best local selections of progressive writing, BookWoman carries all matter of funky T's and political buttons to make your activist go, "Woot!"5501 N. Lamar #105, 512/472-2785 Cantu's Mexican Imports
The curandero, or faith healer and counselor. Lee and Mary Cantu's shop shimmers and beckons with icons and cures for the spirit amid some lovely statues and gift items from south of the border. It's also South Austin's piñata ground zero.1500 S. First, 512/448-2677 Claire's
Whoa. Pink and purple will never go out of style if mall-girl/accessory queen Claire has anything to say about it. We love to go watch the hapless boyfriends of the cute little women who drag them in here.Highland Mall, 6001 Airport, 512/454-8407 Barton Creek Square Mall, 2901 Capital of TX Hwy. S., 512/327-3141 5601 Brodie #650, 512/358-0021 Collectible Treasures
The name pretty much says it all.2401 Bluebonnet, 512/326-9516 Congress Avenue Card & Gift Shop
Fridge magnets! T-shirts! Everything made of cedar! Cowboy novelties! You get the picture (postcard, that is).615 Congress, 512/478-1663 Cream Vintage
Cool Eighties and Nineties gear for men and women, plus boots, belts, and buckles.2532 Guadalupe, 512/474-8787 Dakota's Vintage
A bit startling in its authenticity - we forget that before the green movement women didn't hesitate to carry their wallets inside small alligators or wear a whole fox draped around their shoulders.1126 1/2 W. Sixth, 512/477-2022 Dreamers
As they say in the UK, "Video nasties"! Adult video and naughty novelties with one of the most helpful and informed crews in the biz.3401 N. I-35, 512/469-0539 Emeralds CLOSED
Fashion predictors extraordinaire and a great place for small sweet nothings like candles, pads, magnets, and more. This is the place to go when you want to know what's really in.624 N. Lamar, 512/476-4496 Family Thrift Store
If department stores went thrifty, this place would be the paragon. Everything from underwear to exercise equipment is crammed under one roof. Variety packs of stuffed animals and children's books additionally skimp prices.208 E. Oltorf, 512/443-3338 Famous Christmas Store
From Victorian holiday traditions to spangly baubles recalling more modern-retro eras, it's the most kitschy-ful store in Austin during the most kitschy-ful time of the year!5339 N. I-35, 512/452-1935 Feathers Boutique
Party gowns? You want party dresses? This time of year? You've come to the right place. Primo late-model vintage (lotsa Seventies/Eighties) women’s clothing for every mood.1700 S. Congress, 512/912-9779 Flashback Vintage
Whoa! Déjà vu! For 16 years, Flashback has been outfitting Austin's clotheshorses and fashion slaves with the best in vintage apparel and dancing duds. Particularly good shoe section and long but discreet list of celebrity customers.1805 S. First, 512/445-6906 Flipnotics Clothespad
A great place to buy a fabulous shirt for your guy love (while distracting him as you throw away all that crap he normally wears) but also a great place to obtain that crazy set of Austin's loveable homeless transvestite Leslie fridge magnets and the trés-scenic Keep Austin Beautiful calendar as well as the even-more-scenic Austin Naked calendar.1603 Barton Springs Rd., 512/322-9011 Forbidden Fruit
Nothing says "Ho ho ho" like a smartly wrapped tube of Anal Eze.512 Neches, 512/478-8358 Gas Pipe
Supplies and equipment for your stoner weekend - competitive frisbees and darts, hydroponic gardening systems, and the other necessary accoutrements. Beaded jewelry and music T's, too.701 E. Fifth, 512/472-4774 Get Back Vintage Furniture
Hey, Jojo! How you like your vintage? A little more on the tasteful and high-end? Or campy and down low? You can find it all at Get Back! Jojo!4807 Burnet Rd. Ste. A, 512/448-1999 Glassy Knoll
Pipes and more! Not your everyday head shop.1713 S. First, 512/447-8199 Goodwill
It's huge! More clothing and housewares and schtuff than you can shake a stick at - even if you've got a black belt in advanced stick-shaking.836 Airport, 512/389-3277 2800 S. Lamar, 512/442-8802 Goodwill's Blue Hangar
It's huge! More clothing and housewares and schtuff than you can shake a stick at - even if you've got a black belt in advanced stick-shaking.916 Springdale, 512/928-8832 Happiness
Who wouldn't notice the blinding array of colors from a decidedly saturated Sixties-inspired palette offered at this cozy home-and-garden shop on South First?2213-B S. First, 512/440-8600 Hog Wild
Best known for their near-museum collection of toys and kitsch from the Fifties forward, Hog Wild will also have you fit to be tied with their affordable stock of midcentury furnishings and snazzy vintage wear. Stunning stock of Western shirts.100 E. North Loop Ste. A, 512/467-9453 Hot Topic
The king of the mall, y'all. The most contemporary, happening right now, blink-and-you'll-miss-it style and pop-cult trends in the glorious U.S. of A. What's wrong with planning a little planned obsolescence for under your tree?Highland Mall, 6001 Airport Blvd. #2260, 512/453-2633 Barton Creek Square Mall, 2901 Capital of TX Hwy. S., 512/328-1106 Lakeline Mall, 11200 Lakeline Mall Dr., 512/249-8705 Hovercraft
Converse, Penguin (Munsingwear), Asics, sketchpads, wallets, eyewear, sneaks, and more.1115 S. Congress, 512/707-1355 IKEA
Surely the act of following the arrows on the ground and pondering the perfectly arranged clean-line wonder that is IKEA is therapy in and of itself. In case you have been living under a big, Scandinavian rock, the Round Rock store is open for biz.1 IKEA Way, 512/828-4532 Lamar Plaza Drug Store
A hold-out in the chain surge of megadrug warehouses, the noble Lamar Plaza Drug specializes in personal service and carries many first-aid and over-the-counter remedies. Their card and last-minute gift selection is particularly nice if you're hunting for a quick sweet something to send Nana.1132 S. Lamar, 512/442-6777 Let's Dish
So Forties! So Fifties! So camp. Such a delirious trip down memory lane. No tacky reproductions here. Only the tacky (and mostly terribly tasteful) originals here. Let us indeed dish!1102 S. Lamar, 512/444-9801 Lobo
Under new management and feelin' foxy! While they still carry all the blue-boy vids your boy could want before he turns blue, they've also expanded their style section to include a line of dyke-targeted fashion and "educational models."3204 Guadalupe Ste. A, 512/454-5406 Love
They carry Kyaira jewelry and the velvetly named Femme Metale lines here, as well as men's and women's clothing and bath-and-body products.1000 S. First, 512/442-5683 Lowbrow Emporium
When Heather and Patrick Roach opened this brand-new klatch of kitsch on South Lamar, their intention was not only to carry skate-culture items but to offer a little something for everyone. Come revel in Baseman art, My Little Pony, gnomes, Nemo by eeBoo, Schylling tin toys (cap bombs and the like), and great sk8 stuff from the Cliver Family (the folks behind Jackass).2708 S. Lamar Ste. 1-C, 512/462-3739 Lucky Lizard Curio & Gifts
Local and Mexican folk art from the classy end of kitsch, like handbags hand made from loteria cards, mermaid mirrors, and Mike Quinn's twisted fish to freak up your wall.412 E. Sixth, 512/476-5493 Lucky Lou Shoes
Original designs based on Forties classics, carved wood shows from the South Seas!512/619-0636 Lucky Soles
Part of the Legs Diamond company of families, this 2nd Street District puts a nice local touch to the surroundings and gives new meaning to the term "well-heeled."202 Colorado, 512/477-1559 Lucy in Disguise
Electric Ladyland is like a dream, a psychedelic blur. First there's a wall of costume jewelery, arranged by color, and racks and racks of vintage clothing. Then look up at rows and rows of costumes - pink elephants, a roll of Lifesavers, that kind of thing - next to stacks and stacks of shoes. Buy or rent, rent or buy - next year, do yourself a favor and do it before the Santa suits sell out.1506 S. Congress, 512/444-2002 Momoko
Hellllloooooooooo? Kitty? Get with it. It's all about the Babie (that cute little deer!), Gamago, and the Tenshi Neko. No better place to bone up than Momoko!705-A W. 24th, 512/469-0232 Mondo Tees
Lets face it, your main squeeze is a fox. Like you'd settle for anything less. After a long drunken night in the Warehouse District, you might grow a little weary of fending off their many admirers. We suggest a trip to Mondo Tees, nestled in the lobby of Alamo Drafthouse Downtown, where you can emblazon "Private Property" across your lover's chest for a cool $20. Less expensive than a tattoo; more diplomatic than a can of Mace. Show those groupies who's whose.1120 S. Lamar, 512/476-1739 Monkey See, Monkey Do
It's not just about monkeys anymore… This time, it's personal! RayCoop devil ladies, kooky clocks, wind-up robots, Felix, Babie, Gumby, and Japanese deformos.1712 S. Congress, 512/443-4999 Moxie and the Compound
Owned and operated by local designers and artists. Tons o' fab stuff and a kid-friendly atmosphere, as always.909 W. Mary, 512/441-6699 Nau's Enfield Drug
A traditional, old-fashioned, mom & pop drug store, with soda fountain/diner, office supplies, and a decent selection of cards and gifts, especially great for last-minute Suzies. Not many of these places left.1115 W. Lynn, 512/476-1221 New Bohemia Retro Resale
One of Austin's consistently best mash-ups of vintage dealers and deals right there on South Congress and right when you need them the most: Open late nights for nocturnal shopping urges.1606 S. Congress, 512/326-1238 Next to New
Transcending the normal thrift experience, N2N marks tags with dates and price breaks so you can play that game with yourself: "If it's still here next Monday, it's meant to be mine." And sometimes the price will have dropped considerably!5435 Burnet, 512/459-1288 Oat Willie's
Quirky, colorful bedding and housewares, crunchy-style: eco-friendly, tie-dyed, and au naturel. No razors here. But they do showcase some interesting paraphernalia for your, uhh, nicotine.617 W. 29th, 512/482-0630 Off the Wall
Dali-esque clocks! Vintage furniture! Animal figurines! A charter member of the South Congress funkadelic shop society.1704 S. Congress, 512/445-4701 The Opera House
Mostly vintage and locally crafted fashion with a few corners of collectibles and tchotchkes.2209-K S. First, 512/440-1401 Out of the Past
A veritable mouse maze of amazing finds, wall to wall to wall!5341 Burnet Rd., 512/371-3550 Planet K
The "adult" tag on this shop should more appropriately read "second adolescence." Plenty of giggle opportunity here with voluptuous, strap-on, triple-breasted chests, as well as rubber undies, specialty pipes, and gay and straight naughty cards. Also a good number of aliens, dinosaurs, gags, unconventional jewelry, candles, and blacklight posters. Huh, huh – we said "gag."1516 S. Lamar, 512/443-2292 Prototype Vintage Design
Add some pop art to your interior design, with household furniture and furnishings avec Sixties flair.1700 1/2 S. Congress, 512/447-7686 The Quonset Hut
Good military surplus stores are always a litttle creepy. This place is a great military surplus store. All the standard hip accessories like flight boots, camouflage T's, and those Air Force bags are here, but there's also no shortage of disturbing wartime relics. Check out their grenades, German helmets, and 50-caliber machine gun.2815-B Fruth, 512/494-1162 Re-
With a proprietor named Farah and a child named Skywalker, this tiny little resale, reuse, recycle hub stocks gently used toys, über-hip home furnishings, and vintage styles at thrifty prices. No Jedi mind tricks, for REals.102 Krebs, 512/462-3813 Roadhouse Relics
Todd Sanders' studio and amazing collection of classic roadside signage and neon.1720 S. First, 512/442-6366 Room Service Vintage
Four-time "Best of Austin" winner for Home Furnishings. Austin's all-in-one time machine stores. Vintage clothes, lighting, furnishings, figurines, glassware, vinyl, toys, and boardgames from the Forties to right about now.117 E. North Loop, 512/451-1057 1701 S. Lamar, 512/383-9898 Saint Michael's Academy Thrift Shop
A stalwart of the Burnet Road strip benefitting a sweet little private school.5907 Burnet, 512/323-2001 St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store
Nonprofit Catholic thrift shop with everything but the kitchen sink. Plus, some of the sweetest ladies in Austin on staff. One room chock full of apparel and one loaded with home furnishings and housewares. All brimming with bargains.1327 S. Congress, 512/442-5652 Salvation Army
They steam clean their furniture and still boast some of the best thrift prices in town.5329 N. I-35, 512/447-4044 1001 Cumberland, 512/442-3212 1142 S. Lamar, 512/443-7565 6510 S. Congress Sinsations
Getcher naughty on! Or off as the case may be. All sorts of great edjuhmuhkashunal models to ride or rub up against and a plethora of pleather and pleatherlike clingies to be worn on your warm form.2008 S. First, 512/440-7602 Sparks Cards & Gifts
Austin's end-all, be-all kitschy card shoppe. Fantastic T's and gift wrap, too.1014 W. Sixth, 512/477-2757 Spencer Gifts
America's cornerstone of corny, crass, pop culture kitsch. Hot Topic's Great Aunt. Admit it: You love it. Especially the lava lamps and the DayGlo everything.2901 Capital of TX Hwy., 512/327-6097 11200 Lakeline Mall Road, 512/250-8660 The Stash
Behind the ironworks motorcycle cop, hidden in a rustic shed, proprietress extraordinaire Yvonne Beltran shuns notions of what it means to run a successful boutique, boasting a wide selection of Austin’s finest handmade gifts, jewelry, and soapy suds. Check their great handmade ceramic garden 'shrooms to go with your great ceramic garden gnomes.2209 S. First Ste. J, 512/448-7707 Storyville
Vintage with a sylvan air. Why go downtown for your retro? Sixties and Seventies fashion, with modern curios and well-selected gifts in the heart of Hyde Park.5015 Duval St., 512/220-9330 Tapelenders Video
Described as the Spencer Gifts of video TL is vying for the area's largest collection of anime and offers a standard collection of drama, comedy, and adult videos, posters, and gag gifts. Also a locus of pride and rainbow schtuff o' plenty. Ooonce oonoce...1114 W. Fifth #201, 512/472-0844 Tesoros Trading Co.
Latin folk arts. Frida and Diego everything. Virgin de Guadalupe. Calaveras, tin wall hangings, beaded curtains, and so very much more.1500 S. Congress, 512/447-7500 Texas Thrift
Huuuuuuuuuuuuuge used clothing and goods store befitting its name and right across the parking lot from a Salvation Army for a thrifty one-two punch,5319 N. I-35, 512/380-0025 Thrift Land
Giant resale treasure trove.512 W. Stassney, 512/326-1510 Thrift Town
Giant resale mega-mart.5726 Menchaca #240, 512/442-7200 Top Drawer Thrift
Since TDTS benefits AIDS service group Project Transitions, it stands to reason that both client and contributor alike enjoy an aesthetic comfortable with camp and soaking in good/bad taste. One of Burnet Road's most enjoyable thrift shores.5312 Airport Blvd, 512/454-5161 Toy Joy
Behind its cheerful mural-covered walls, Toy Joy eschews movie merchandising in favor of real toys – gooey eyeballs, clockwork animals, and fuzzy puppets. Where classic toys and stocking stuffers meet tiki gods and red velvet Chairman Maos. Welcome to Austin's pulse of what's the gankest in kitsch this year … and probably next.403 W. Second, 512/320-0090 The Turquoise Door
If you're looking for more turquoise and silver than what this Austin institution carries, you might as well book a jet to Santa Fe. In addition to fine jewelry, check out their dandy Hispanic folk art.237 W. Second, 512/551-2855 Uncommon Objects
The granddaddy of the South Congress antique emporiums, this cavernous repository offers absolutely everything. The shelves, floor, and ceiling are so crowded with vintage and antique items that you’ll miss something wonderful if you don’t keep going back. Where else can you find a photo tree, a hat-rack just for fezzes, or a bucket of chenille spiders? Less a store, more a foster home for amazing artifacts.1602 Fortview, 512/442-4000 Urban Outfitters
Trendy imported wares to soften the corners of that empty apartment or dorm. Brightly colored rugs and kitchen accessories, kooky bathroom reading, and offbeat clothing. Pay your rent first – not a bargain store.2406 Guadalupe, 512/472-1621 Vintage Glamour
Thrift and vintage for discerning hermanas.1632 S. First, 512/707-7350 Vivid
Hue-happy and color-coordinated clothes and gifts. Think explosive chroma, circa Sixies/Seventies in the shape of slinky tops, silky robes, and candy-colored candles and housewares. Do not miss the powerful babe the Blue Ox bust, the generous line of Schylling retro tin toys, and the super cute, fuzzy garden gnome banks in red and green.1200 S. Congress, 512/326-3095 Walgreens
You can't go last-minute wrong with this national chain's special section of products "as seen on TV"!!!1144 Airport, 512/929-0691 3005 S. Lamar, 512/443-5663 4501 Guadalupe, 512/323-6098 Waterloo Records
Life isn't just rock & roll. That's why Waterloo has grow-your-own nuns, magic eight-balls, and presidential toilet rolls, for those ... special moments.600-A N. Lamar, 512/474-2500 Wild About Music
Insane variety of musical-themed (and lotsa Elvis) holiday kitsch.209 E. Sixth, 512/708-1700 Your Living Room
A haven for the well-heeled as well as the artsy color-craving crowd, complete with funky patterns and shiny fabrics, mid- to high-end mid-century inspired furniture and decor, interior design, and one-of-a-kind artist originals.220 S. Congress, 512/320-9909 Zinger Hardware & General Merchant
Who says hardware has to be hard-headed? Find rubber chickens, Gumby grill lighters, cereal art bowls, and garden gnomes stuffed away among the sensible household equipment.2438 W. Anderson, 512/533-9001 |
