“Fashion is ephemeral. Art is eternal. Indeed what is a fashion really? A fashion is merely a form of ugliness so absolutely unbearable that we have to alter it every six months!”
– Oscar Wilde
ilde’s advice to fashion. Our appetite for fashion is a cycle. One moment being tasteful until we decide to throw it away in disdain only for it to reappear years later relabelled as being “vintage.” However, there is something to the game of “thrifting” any seasoned thrifter will tell you and that is thrift store shopping is a sport.
A great second-hand find is like a diamond in the rough.
Oh yes, we all love unique fashion and vintage designer clothes for a steal but the woes of finding “something” in “everything” is the real challenge.
Once you head dive through the unruly piles of discarded clothes, you’ll convince yourself over and over again it’s definitely “granny-chic” not “granny-made” 20 times more before you even make your way to the register.
So how can we simplify the plethora of choices to avoid the deal-breakers and head towards the deal-makers?
Well, let’s start small.
We have done some awesome vintage-inspired fashion monthly looks (FML) over the years so if you like our style here at The Hidden Thimble, or want a simple style hunters guide to the thrift store maze of Shimokitazawa, here are my top 5 places to start you on your shopping journey.
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North Exit Shop Guide
Toyo Hyakatten Shimokita Garage Department Store
A well organised bazaar space with many small stores. The style of each shop ranges from steam punk watches, ethnic accessories, nail and henna tattoo services to a collab rental space for various independent makers to sell their handmade accessories, jewellery as well as small artworks. There are also shops that open only for fashion workshops and courses. Even if you walk out empty handed, you’ll have a
lot of fun walking around looking at everything this place has to offer.
Toyo Hyakatten Shimokita Garage Department Store
Price Range: 500 yen~ | Opens: 11:00AM – 20:00PM | Tokyo, Setagaya, Kitazawa, 2 Chome−25−8, 東洋百貨店
LANP by VALON
A second hand vintage shop catering for both men and women, this store sources its clothing and antiques from mainly America all which are dated somewhere during the early 20th century. It’s a lovely curated collection with a more chic modern adult vibe. You can also find some designer brands that have been carefully selected as well as antique decorations.
Price Range: 6,000 yen~ | Opens: 12:00PM – 20:30PM | Tokyo, Setagaya, Kitazawa, 2 Chome−25−8, 東洋百貨店 No.７
Nicoro Polo (Marco Polo)
Next to LANP BY VALON and part of the bigger MARCO POLO thrift chain store, NICORO POLO stocks a very nice (but smaller) collection of female second hand clothes that are preppy, romantic and sweet in style. You might also get lucky and find a designer brand here and there in the same style to complete your cute coordination. Their Instagram is a great way to see how they pair their clothes to
show the style and type of vintage clothing they stock.
Nicoro Polo (Marco Polo)
Price Range: 3,000 yen~ | Opens: 12:00PM – 20:00PM | Tokyo, Setagaya, Kitazawa, 2 Chome−25−8, 東洋百貨店 No. 6
South Exit Shop Guide
Grown Up Tabatha
Strictly not “vintage” but worth a visit, one of the most iconic stores in the area Tabatha is a handmade hat and bag store and interestingly, also sells Supreme-like “Shimokita” merchandise which is great for a souvenir gag or just because you love the area so much! They make all styles of modern to traditional hats from everyday caps to more specific styles like tam hats.
Grown Up Tabatha
Price Range: 1,500 yen~ | Opens: 11:00AM – 22:00PM | Tokyo, Setagaya, Kitazawa, 2 Chome−13−13
MOCHA
Though not second hand vintage, Mocha is a fashion shop selling new clothes that combine modern trends with vintage elements. From dainty Peter Pan collar blouses to 90’s inspired plaid pleated skirts, Mocha caters to fashion seekers who are familiar with Harajuku’s youth style mixed with Shimokita’s uniqueness in prints and embellishments. They also have many cute jewellery and I love their unique printed dress shirts.
Price Range: 1,500 yen~ | Opens: 10:00AM – 20:00PM | Tokyo, Setagaya, Kitazawa, 2 Chome−1−7
- Get affordable unlimited 4G WiFi for Japan for less than AUD$11
- Unlimited travel to anywhere in Japan affordably using the JR Pass! Pre-purchase a 7 day, 14 day or 21 day here before leaving Japan.
- Tokyo – Sumo Wrestling Demonstration and Sumo Chanko Lunch: Learn about the world of sumo wrestling and try your hand at sumo wrestling with a professional as well! Tour also includes a traditional chanko hot pot lunch, the food of sumo wrestlers.
- Tokyo – Dynamic Tour of Tokyo Tower, River Cruise & Asakusa: Experience Tokyo’s exciting scenery and famous landmarks on this city tour. This tour also includes a tea ceremony demonstration and a scenic boat ride on the Sumida River.
- Tokyo – Tsukiji Fish Market: 3-Hour Food and Drink Walking Tour: Explore the maze of delicious food vendors at this world-famous food market. Learn the history of Tsukiji while sampling Japanese food culture first hand.
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- Be blown away by one of the most scenic landscapes Chino has to offer at Mount Kurumayama
- Drink tea in the most dangerous tea house in the world; Takasugi-an
- Discover Sendai’s Zao Fox Village in Japan’s Miyagi Prefecture
These are hidden gems, wish I can visit Japan soon!
http://www.busyandfab.com
Thanks for commenting Mercy!
Japan is such an exciting place I hope you do too :)
Xx
Siree
Looks like such a wonderful place to go shopping.
Gemma x
http://www.jacquardflower.uk
Thanks for stopping by Gemma!
Shimokitazawa has been my favourite shopping/hang out spot as of late haha
Xx
Siree
I’m not used to go to Vintage shops but tyey all look great!
http://violettedaily.com
Ahh vintage and thrift shopping is my absolute favorite. I just made a video about it too! These look like great places to find some hidden gems :)
Enclothed Cognition
Sadly…it’s “The Bins” in Sellwood – http://firedirectioncenter.blogspot.com/2009/10/uptown-saturday-night.html
Vintage shopping can be great fun – if you know where to look. Where it may have once been a great way of saving money, it’s now become so much more than that in terms of fashion and the environment.
[…] Check out some rad vintage stores in Tokyo’s hippest neighbourhood, Shimokitazawa […]