Clever Vintage Clothing

Specialties

Please note that we are ONLY open by appointment.

We specialize in hand-​picked, one-​of-​a-​kind, vintage clothing and accessories. Known especially for our dresses, and specifically for the best from the 40’s and 50’s. While we frequently stock as early as Victorian, and as late as the 80’s– it really all about unique classic styles in «wear me now» condition. We literally shop the world over to bring you outstanding quality, interesting prints and fabrications, at a value within every budget.

We also offer studio and search services and our showroom is

open by appointment only Monday thru Saturday 8 – 5. We are also available online ²⁴⁄₇ at www​.etsy​.com/​s​h​o​p​/​c​l​e​v​e​r​v​i​ntage

History

Established in 1979.

Clever Vintage Clothing is a business more than 30 years in the making:

After years of watching buyers comb the showrooms during market week in the fashion district the idea hit me: Why couldn’t vintage buyers shop the same way? The next week my mind was made up and I set up a showroom where buyers could make appointments to see the collection, coupled with doing a few of the vintage shows and I could create that resource for all those for whom vintage and vintage style apparel was a way of life.

And nearly everyone I told about my plans said the same thing…

…Well aren’t you CLEVER!

I’m still not always sure whether I am or not, but I know that the hundreds of designers, stylists, buyers, store owners, and vintage clothing collectors and enthusiasts who have enjoyed shopping with me since the showroom opened certainly are. I wish to thank them, and all the people who help make Clever Vintage Clothing a reality.

I sincerely hope you will be one of them.

Meet the Business Owner

Dave T.

Business Owner

My first piece of vintage clothing was a silver-​grey sharkskin 3 button 1950’s suit in pristine condition. It cost $ 3.00 from the Goodwill. If only I had that suit now– if only it fit me! While studying at FIDM, I costumed shows in regional theatres throughout Los Angeles– hunting down fabulous vintage creations up and down the coast. Eventually the «business side» of the business became more appealing to me and I paired up with a friend to open the famed Get Lost vintage boutique with locations in Fullerton and Long Beach. This meant a steady gig, being home at night, great customers who became great friends, and wild window displays that never failed to stop a passerby. Soon New York beckoned and off I flew into a business venture that involved fashion, but not the vintage variety. For 13 years I built a business that eventually became publicly traded and only «dabbled» in the collectable realm. Over time I kept selling bit by bit until the day it dawned on me to open a showroom.