Bella Vita

Bella Vita is an adorable kids clothing boutique that also sells some women’s clothing. I bought a tee there and was disappointed to find a whole in it upon first wear. When I brought it in to exchange, the woman working wasn’t very sympathetic and sent me away without even the faintest of smiles. However, they did call me to let me know that they’d offer me store credit. I think I’ll get something for my son, as their kids stuff seems to be of great quality. Hopefully someone was just having a bad day.

I love so many of the items in this store. Everything is cute and stylish but not overwhelmingly so. And the staff is always super friendly and just the right amount of chatty. Great spot!

Really appreciate the service and attention I received yesterday from the staff (owner included) at the store. It was obvious when I walked in, as a man by himself, that I could use a little direction and guidance about what to buy a niece. They were able to offer suggestions and advice without being intrusive. They had a great variety of products — clothing, dolls, toys — that I could choose from. Really appreciate their Christmas wrapping as well as it was obvious they were happy to take the time to make sure I had the perfect gift, rather than rushing me off despite having several people in the store. Great customer service is worth the price here, as well as having an authentic experience of small business shopping.

I have been in this store twice, and both times I have been given horrible customer service. The items in the store are cute, but each time I entered the store either the sales associate was just watching me or ignoring me. This store is in Oakland, so you would think the sales associate would be use to seeing folks of color. I hatend it when I have money to spend and no one to help. I won’t be going to this store again.

Belle Vita’s new store is delightful! A visit to the old store was always an adventure because it felt like exploring a fun closet that was jam packed with goodies, but now that Belle Vita is where Rockridge Kids used to be, you can really look around without fear of knocking over something really expensive. It’s a lovely space filled with cute clothes and toys. The clothes do seem more geared towards females (both adults and children), but there are some clothes for boys (like the dinosaur and fox jackets that I would gladly wear if they came in my size and didn’t cost $$$ -
). The toys are also unisex.
The owner, Jennifer, has fantastic taste and her young helper, Olivia, was very friendly and cheerful as well.
The things here aren’t cheap, but they are sure to bring a smile to your face.

Always great products, a good mix of old & new… The kids items are a little pricey, but unique and good quality. Great customer service and overall a great little shop!

Everything in this little shop is so adorable!
Jennifer, the owner is as sweet as can be — if you’re looking for something cute for yourself or if you need to pick up a little hostess gift go to Bella Vita!

Beautiful jewelry and beautiful vintage dresses. Adorable children’s clothing and accessories that make me wish I could return to my childhood. Friendly owner. I was only disappointed to find the store much unchanged when I returned a couple months after my first visit. Still managed to find some cute coral clips that always bring me compliments though.

LOVE. This place is so eclectic. Cool vintage dresses and and jewelry, adorable/​unique children’s clothing, stationary, etc. The clothing is made by local designers so you are free from mass produced merchandise. If you want to give a unique and thoughtful gift that surely won’t be found at Macy’s or the Gap, this is the place. Everyone is always friendly. This is why I love Oakland and Rockridge.

The cutest baby/​toddler clothes EVER! I would so wear most of the little kid clothes if they were big enough for me. The jewelry they have is very nice as well, but quite pricey.
The baby cowboy boots they have are darling!

Is it possible to add a business on Unilocal to more than one category? Everything my sis and I ogled and picked were brand new and made by local artists and designers. Love the darling baby clothes!

Such a lovely store! The other reviewers are right, Jennifer has impeccable customer service and taste, her merchandise is carefully selected and she supports local artists and designers. You can purchase one piece and it can make your outfit. I have some laser-​cut earrings that I wear every week and people stop me on the street to ask about them. Love this store, it’s a gem.

This place is adorable and has the best-​edited, if small, selection of vintage dresses. But be prepared to pay dearly for them.

i just love bella vita! jen the owner is the nicest person and her personality just explodes throughout the store from all the goodies she’s hand-​picked to the unique way she merchandizes them! this is my go to place whenever i need a gift whether it’s something shiny and vintage (for me!) or something very cute and little (for a new baby) or something that will make one of my girlfriends very very happy

I was in desperate need of a dress (for my cousin’s wedding in Orange County in September) and so wanting the prerequisite dress not to be an obvious «wedding guest dress».
I scored a vintage cocktail dress that had been made by hand for some big-​haired Texan socialite in the 60’s — which is a good thing. The chocolate silk chiffon shift was in MINT condition and the tiered ruffles at the knee were fluffy, frothy and turned by hand. All this for $ 85 bucks out the door, with only a few minor nip/​tuck alterations needed at the tailor… plus pearl studs/​YSL leopard print pony wedges, a cream colored ostrich hand bag, matching kid gloves and a vintage cameo pinned at the waist, plus a dainty little hat I scored at Pimlico Place — it was perfect!
But enough about me.
The vintage frocks are extremely well edited and supremely wearable. Be sure to peruse the jewelery and assorted baubles in the case — it’s a mix of vintage and contemporary costume pieces that range from flirty to elegant.
Stationery, hand bags, candles and playful household items adorn the walls and displays of this boutique… not to mention a children’s section upstairs that will make you want to procreate/​rescue a dog/​be a kick-​ass aunt or god-​parent.
If you’re not going the breeding route… Here are some helpful suggestions:
and my niece is named Katie.

Service from Jennifer is impeccable! She helped me try on a dress-​a cute vintage one. Umm… I tried on one dress. It said it was a size 9 or 10. So I trounced down the stairs asking for help to zip up. Well, Jennifer tried and I busted the dress because what back fat I do have got in the way. hee hee… But she was really cool about it.
I fixed the zipper!
I needed some gifts for my Aunt and my friend’s soon to be new arrival. I found some cute stuff that was reasonably priced for a nice gift. She wrapped the gifts the best EVAR. Good ribbon choices that went well with the gift wrap. I was able to get a birthday present and a baby shower present.
She has vintage handbags– including a vintage Gucci, circa 1950, vintage dresses, vintage/​deco jewelry of all colors, umbrellas, accesories, curios, and the cutest baby stuff. I found an organic cotton hat for my friend’s soon to be newborn with two pom poms that look like ears for 16 bucks. Beautifully handmade. Also a cute brown sweatshirt with an elephant appliqué. For my aunt, a Cookie and the Dude custom headband that not only is beautiful, using kimono fabric prints, but anti-​headache inducing. Nice. My aunt loved her present BTW.
It really is a beautiful store and you are sure to find a perfect gifty gift for either a gal pal or a baby boo. Yay!

Even though I live a stone’s throw from College, its not often I just peruse the local stores. But on Saturday I had some extra time so stopped in Bella Vista to have a look around. I really think this store is mislabeled as an «antique» store. While their vintage dresses are darling, they also carry a wonderful selection of gifts and handmade children’s clothing. This is definitely a «go to» spot if you’re in need of an emergency gift.

For vintage anything, in a well organized and designed shopping experience, Bella Vita is a sweet little place to find that «one of a kind» anything. Their new items have a vintage flair and well chosen.

I bought the most fabulous 1950’s cocktail dress here to wear to the Academy of Friends Gala. And it only cost me about $ 100!
The owner of this store is a gem! She had me try on a bunch of dresses and model them– what fun we had! She also helped me pick out a very pretty vintage clutch purse to go with the dress.