BEST SEATTLE GOTH & THRIFT STORES: RED LIGHT VINTAGE, METRO CLOTHING CO. FASHIOLISTA: SHARE & SAVE FASHION FINDS.
A reader asked: “What’s the best neighborhood for alternative shopping in Seattle, Washington?” My answer: Capitol Hill. Go to Broadway East, north of East Olive Way, for a cluster of Goth and secondhand shops.
Creatures of the night congregate at Metro Clothing Company (231 Broadway Ave E, open til 9pm). There’s a large selection of Gothic, Industrial, rockabilly, fetish, and military fashion for men and women.
Right at the entrance… Iron Fist zombie shoes! (They’re available online here and here)
Metro carries brands such as New Rock, Lip Service, Demonia, Shrine, Metropolis and more.
Wouldn’t it be great to keep your favorite fashion finds in one place? I’ve started using Fashiolista, a site that lets you search for and save style inspiration.
Come add my Fashiolista profile to see my wishlists and outfits. The site’s expanding fast, and just added a Japanese site translation — so look for more Tokyo style on there soon.
I met up with nomadic Naomi, my Pirate first mate (we run a Tokyo TV hosting, production arranging and consulting company, remember?). Her epic Lolita coat is by Algonquins, from Closet Child Tokyo.
The drizzle gave me an excuse to wear my Mark Jacobs rainboots, which I got years ago. They’re similar to these MJ boots with a cute bird print. Surprisingly affordable.
We stopped by Red Light Vintage. As Seattle Weekly put it, “It’s like raiding your parents’ closet, if your parents were Twiggy and MC Hammer.”
The thrift clothing paradise has two locations, including 312 Broadway.
The selection ranges from the dubious to the divine. With two floors, the shop’s ripe for plundering.
Don’t miss out on the basement. It’s Halloween heaven!
Friendship wall rug, anyone?
Or a rainbow dolphins fairy dress?
Any store with a Pirate section deserves an “Arr.”
With racks for Steampunk, Goth Rocker and 80s prom, Red Light Vintage is a Seattle must-visit.
PS: The Fashion Brewery blog proclaims it’s “La Carmina Week!” Thanks so much to Telena for interviewing me.
PPS: You can now bid on my Luisaviaroma Worth Couture pug dog, in a charity auction to benefit UNICEF. More photos of me and the toy here.
Do you like to vintage shop? What’s the craziest thing you’ve ever found in a secondhand store? Don’t forget to follow me on Fashiolista for more inspiration.
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LA CARMINA
35 Comments
capitol hill, indeed! I’ve been to those stores and they’re great xD
love!!!!!!
beautiful *O*
zombies!
No Buffalo Exchange? Or did you not get a chance to make it there? Lovely article nevertheless! I love seeing my city get a little love and attention now and again.
Love Seattle!
Thank you, looks great!
Those are precisely the shops I recommend to anyone going to Seattle. The people who work at Metro were really, really nice when I went there. Really close to there on Capitol Hill is a coffee shop that has drag shows and excellent waffles. Thrift-shopping-wise, I noticed that your chances of finding something good at just about any ordinary thrift store are way, way better in Seattle than they are in L.A. In Kirkland, I found one of the best thrift finds ever–a tank top with all the seams on the outside and a diagonal zipper across the front that actually could be unzipped all the way. I won the deathrock thrift contest!
Craziest thing I ever found? Maybe the Sonia Rykiel trompe l’oeil merino sailor sweater for $38. It looks like a sailor jacket, with the flap in the back and everything, but it’s really just woven in, like that famous 1927 Schiaparelli trompe l’oeil bow sweater.
You look lovely as always! :D
I love the Zombie shoes by Iron fist!
You were in my dream last night actually, you had your own brand of Purikura machines XD haha, that would be cool!
That’s so funny!! What a genius idea!
this is adorable!!!
At times like these I would to like be a model even know I don’t have the six pack for it but the body for it since I don’t get fat.
mother of god! those peacock shoes! *__*
owo
Wah!
L
OVE THESE SHOES!
AWESOME, zombie shoes *0*
omggg………………….so cute…………….kawaiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii
I love the way you write!
Too cute!
Vintage shopping paradise :)
SHOES! O, Glorious Shoes ♪♫♪→
amo estos zapatos!! >.<
They are cute, but you’re gonna have to teach me another word for cute other than “kawaii” I feel it’s been kawaii’ed into the ground… ha : )
So freakin awesome! :D
Some of those styles are very awesome. :)
I love Iron Fist!!! ♥ I have tons!!
Meeee tooo
wonderful *_*
aweeeeeesssooommmmmeeeee :3
You
You should also check out bedlambedlam on Pike next time you visit Seattle.
I’d love to! Thanks for inviting me! :)
I want to move to seattle because they have gothic stores and Nebraska does not have any at all and I am gothic.
Seattle is awesome. Thanks for reading.
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