Vintage shops specialize in a form of nostalgia that’s catching on in Houston. (Photos by Doug Flores)

The Rise of Vintage in Houston

The recent trend amongst the younger generation has been the vintage look. From the baggy shirts to the wonky patterns, everywhere you turn people are attempting to stand out in any way possible. With more and more people leaving retail behind and shopping small, vintage shops are expanding across the nation as the trend is towards unique looks.

What Is Vintage?

Generally speaking, vintage clothing is clothing from the prior generation. The different clothes you will find in a vintage shop are the older cartoon characters, rap and band shirts, animal tees, sports merchandise, and all the classic, funky prints of the 80s and 90s.

“It’s the clothing you couldn’t have or the clothing you had and for some reason or another, moms threw it away. So, it’s just getting back to that,” says Chris Cisneros, the owner of Labels Vintage Streetwear.

Many of the clothes from the past are thought to have more design and soul than the clothes of today. In vintage shops you will walk into a variety of clothes, and some items that you will not find inside any other store. Every store has different pieces and a niche that separates them from the rest.

Growth in the Community

There are plenty of factors that play a role in the reason for the exponential rise in popularity in vintage. Clothing markets held almost every weekend give small vendors an opportunity to showcase their findings and gain customers. Social media and being able to grow a base through selling online also helps. Nostalgia plays a large part and the more originality a shop can have, the better the overall profit margins.

Labels Vintage Streetwear is a popular Houston vintage shop (left). Popping in a cassette tape was what set a mood in the 90s and today it helps build a welcoming atmosphere in some vintage shops everywhere (center). The many different prints and styles offered at vintage shops to grab the eyes no matter what (right).

The Oiler baby blue has never left the veins of Houstonians who grew up watching Warren Moon toss the pigskin across the yard (left). The light shines bright on the distinct colors on the vintage jackets. (center). The dressing room gives customers an opportunity to visualize how that original Nike shirt will rest on their torso (right).

The shelf just below the grails currently in the shop has little items of the past that set a customer straight back in time (left). The man behind the register typing in the price on an item and gathering the total (Right).

Nostalgia

Most of the clothes in vintage shops immediately can take you back to specific moment in time that was happiness for so many shoppers. In the Houston area for example, whenever someone sees any Rockets gear from the championships in 1994 and 1995, the rush from those wins and being able to have that gear was a historic moment in many peoples’ lives.

Every piece has a story that triggers different memories.

Originality

The bland style that resides in many of the dying retail stores have also driven vintage to the heights they are at today. The pieces in vintage shops are curated with intent on finding unique clothing that will catch the attention of the customers. Most vintage resell shops that have these original pieces sell them and they could possibly be exclusive; 1 of 1 in the entire city. The stories and meaning of expression that vintage shops offer make it an art form of sorts.

“You get a variety of clothing from different time periods. The atmosphere that comes with vintage shops is something you don’t get a regular clothing store, said Luis Bernal, a vintage shop regular.

People are able to express themselves through the clothes. Vintage shops are usually small and interactive in a way that regular clothing stores are not. The ability to get to know the owners of these shops and be able to trade various stories on a personal level adds to the overall experience.

“Whether it be little Easter eggs around the store, there are different little items that help connect you with different time periods. They just remind you. It’s just an experience that’s nice to have,” added Bernal.

Profit Margin

At the end of the day, it’s a business. A business that fortunately offers much opportunity with profit for the keenest of eyes.

“They see if you buy something for a quarter, you can sell it for fifty bucks. It’s like a drug,” said Jesse Rodriguez, owner of vintage shop Resale Folds. “Like today, I paid $2 for this Buzz Lightyear Stanley Desantis shirt. There’s one on eBay just like this for $950.The thrill of finding something like that. Its, wow.”

The thrill of “going into the wild” and sourcing a shirt with high value is what drives more and more people to get involved in the clothing they grew up loving. Then turn around and sell that clothing to the masses.