A possible dark horse has arisen in Tuscaloosa’s shopping scene.
Vintage Vibe boutique, which opened Thursday in Downtown Plaza on Queen City Avenue and University Boulevard, offers vintage and retro-inspired clothing and jewelry for women that you might not be able to find anywhere else in the city.
“I wanted to be a positive influence on the community,” said owner Liz Whipple. “I shop a lot, and there was nothing in this town for vintage-inspired clothing.”
And with designers from Marc Jacobs to Madonna showing off 1920s to 1960s style in their recent collections, vintage is definitely in.
“It’s exhausting to keep up with the trends,” Whipple said. “These are things that you’ll be able to wear for years to come.”
Vintage Vibe has dresses, tops, tunics and more that should appeal to fans of other retro style outlets such as Anthropologie or ModCloth.com. There are also custom game-day dresses and jeans exclusive to the store, as well as jewelry and T-shirts from local artists and tees from the sassy Atlanta company Dang Chicks.
With the inventory constantly changing, Whipple said, there will be something different to check out every time you walk in.
Whipple is also planning a grand opening event, projected to take place in the third week of September, with giveaways and special offers. These will not be limited to that week, however. Currently, for every customer who spends $100 or more, Whipple throws in a free bracelet or scarf.
“There will be a lot of customer appreciation going on here,” she said.
Vintage Vibe’s prices are affordable, coming in under those of similar boutiques and online stores such as ModCloth. Because of its selection, the shop could garner a place in the list of game-day outfit contenders.
“The boutique is perfect for any girl who loves vintage style, but maybe gets overwhelmed by digging through thrift stores,” said Leah Tucker, a senior majoring in fashion retailing. “It’s seriously modern vintage done well.”
Whipple, who also performs in a band called Farmer’s Daughter and in acoustic shows around Tuscaloosa with her husband Brian, said music was a big inspiration for bringing Vintage Vibe to life.
“When I go out and perform I get that kind of cool, vintage vibe,” she said. “And there was nowhere in town to get that kind of fashion.”
Walk into Vintage Vibe, and you will see what Whipple is talking about. The sounds of gritty pop and classic rock greet customers at the door. It’s a lifestyle Whipple said she has passed on to her children.
“My little girl, I love to dress her like a little hippy,” she said. Her little boy, in leather jackets and classic rock tees, goes for more of a James Dean look.
And Whipple will soon be launching her own Vintage Vibe clothing line, which she hopes will make its debut in January, she said.
With fall fashion and football season both just around the corner, Vintage Vibe is a new place Tuscaloosa shoppers can check out.
