Park Slope Stores Shame LES Vintage

My extensive bitching last week re: astronomically overpriced vintage prompted the following anonymous comment:

You want THE BEST vintage in the city, I’ve got the place/s for you. Run, do not walk to Park Slope to visit a few places:

1. Odd Twin on the corner of Lincoln Place and 5th Avenue AND
2. Yona Lee Vintage store on 5th Avenue between Lincoln and Berkeley Place.
3. If you’re feelin’ it, a stop into the smaller than Williamsburg, but also great Beacon’s Closet in Park Slope at 5th Avenue and Warren Street. All are within a 5 minute walk of each other.

Prices are 1/3 what they are in Manhattan and the selection at both Odd Twin and Yona Lee are fantastic!!

I used to live two blocks away from Beacon’s Closet’s Park Slope location (which has it all over their Williamsburg store, BTdubs – a pared-down selection means it’s not nearly as overwhelming as its warehouse-esque hipster-riddled counterpart). I figured if she shopped Beacon’s, she knew what she was talking about, so I took anonymous’s advice and checked out her recs. They were SPOT ON.

First round of kvelling goes to Yona Lee Vintage: This shop seriously blew my mind. Yona Lee’s got a thing for 60s and 70s-era stock and MAN, does she know her stuff. The store has a boutique-y feel, fab retro decor, an abundance of flower-child fabulosity, and it boasts some of the most amazing clothes I’ve ever seen.

One of my beefs with vintage is its costume-y component; I appreciate authenticity but not at the expense of versatility. Yona Lee’s stock manages to achieve both – it’s vintage with a sprinkling of modernity. Or something. The best part? The bulk of the goods are under $100. Check it:

Canvas Flight Bag – $45.00; Leather Carryall – $85.00.

Patchwork Skirt, $65.00 (effing amazing, I didn’t buy it and I’m kicking myself – I hope it’s there when I go back); Peacock Print Maxidress, $120.00; Graphic Print Floaty Dress, $85ish; Plaid Trousers, $65ish (brain fart on the prices of those last two – apologies).

Corduroy Blazer, $45.00; Suede Purse, $90.00 (and TO DIE! You should see this thing up close – the detail is SICK); Vintage Yves Saint Laurent Sheer Print Blouse, $120.00 (so stunning, it almost justifies the price…almost, muhaha).

I realize most of the merch pictured is only under $100 in the technical sense. I snapped based on WOW-factor, but the average cost of what’s pictured is significantly higher than the store’s norm. Rest assured there’s a ton of blouses @ $28, blazers @ $45 and bags @ $40.

If you’re in the area, Yona Lee is a must must MUST. Fab stuff, genuinely nice staff and a cozy seating area complete with dude-friendly reading material (drag your boyfriend along, and he can ogle the fifties-era PLAYBOYS while you browse to your heart’s content).

Thank you anonymous!