Vegas Shopping (Such As It Is) - Las Vegas - page 278

Raisin figurines, Pez dispensers, and packs Garbage Pail Kids cards (I hate to think
that those who can remember such things are actually considered antiques). It's
easy to get lost here, but the friendly staff is sure to help you find your way out.
This place sets you on a mazelike treasure hunt through rooms and rooms of clas-
sic, vintage, and just plain old stuff.
The intimate Modify 5 (8 E. Charleston Blvd., No. 8; % 702/384-6555;
www.modifylv.com; Wed-Sun 1-7pm, Mon-Tues by appointment; cash and trav-
eler's checks only) sells used furniture, pillows, rugs, pottery, lamps, and more in
Danish Modern and “Space Age” style. Prices are generally reasonable, bordering
on surprisingly affordable. Come here prepared to see all of those '60s and '70s
colors many of us grew up with, including a surprising array of browns and
oranges. In a city that came of age in this era, you'd think such resale boutiques
would abound. But until Modify came along, it was difficult to find the sleek,
curvy, sense-of-humor-filled style under one roof.
If you're looking for some fancy party wear and want a guarantee that no one
else will be dressed quite like you, House of Style Then and Now (220 E.
Charleston Blvd.; % 702/382-5688; www.houseofstylethenandnow.com; Mon-Sat
noon-7pm) is the place. The high-end vintage boutique sells smashing name-brand
getups from the 1930s to '70s for men and women, ranging from gowns to suits
and more. It's expensive, but the clothing is all in remarkable shape and the purses
and accessories are to die for. You'll find a 10% discount coupon on their website.
For less expensive (but certainly not cheap) vintage (and “vintage”) items with
a more casual style, stop by The Attic (1018 S. Main St.; % 702/388-4088; www.
atticvintage.com; Mon-Thurs 10am-5pm, Fri-Sat 10am-6pm), which bills itself
the “Largest Vintage Clothing Store in the World.” That says to us most vintage
clothing stores must be pretty small. Not that The Attic lacks in space. It's just
that its size is less impressive than its funky selection, with two floors overflowing
with groovy threads, some of which are from the '60s and '70s, and others, like
The Attic's own brand of custom clothing, created to reflect such styles, which
makes its self-proclaimed status even more questionable.
The clothes are surrounded by an array of furniture, shoes, accessories, and a
little bit of everything else (including a “wiping rags” division that claims to ship
rags to every country on the planet). It's neither dusty nor musty, managing to
avoid the disheveled thrift-shop overtones that often cling to vintage (and vintage-
inspired) duds. The fact that you have to pay $1 to enter is frustrating, especially
considering that, if you're driving, you also have to put money in the parking
meter (this area is one of the only spots in Vegas where you actually have to pay
for parking). But that $1 is deducted from any purchases, and seems to serve as a
way to keep the area's more sketchy characters from entering.
Consignment and thrift stores in Las Vegas occasionally hold some hidden sur-
prises, but finding them seems to take far more effort here than in other cities.
The best spot for stylish used clothes is Buffalo Exchange (4110 S. Maryland Pkwy.,
Suite 1; % 702/791-3960; www.buffaloexchange.com; Mon-Sat 10am-8pm, Sun
11am-7pm; MC, V), which is one in a chain of consignment stores found primarily
in the western and southwestern states. There are definite hipster overtones to the
clothing that Buffalo Exchange sells, so you won't have to hunt as you would in a
thrift store, but you'll also be paying quite a bit more for the convenience.