Today I popped into one of my favorite vintage boutiques in Austin, Feathers Boutique. Every corner you turn, you find a new treasure to behold. Rooms filled with cowboy boots, clothes and accessories, color coordinated and displayed for convenience.Tags dated from the era of the garment,thoughtfully recorded to familiarize the shopper. I found a 1940's red printed bathing suit that I am currently obsessed with and determined to come back for. I have shopped in vintage stores from Austin to Paris and its very rare for me to find honest and desirable fashions in them, but Feathers is different. The customer can clearly tell that the buyer consciously chose the piece to be sold because it is actually valuable. Everything from the faint Fleetwood Mac playing softly in the background to that gorgeous swimsuit speaks to me. You have to shop here! In addition to my window shopping, the Co- owner was gracious enough to let me ask her a few questions about her amazing store and vintage fashion. Here's the interview below:
(Emily Hoover, Co- Owner)
(1970's Turquoise and Silver Squash Blossom)
First off, how did you get started? What made you want to open this boutique? "I was living in New York working at a vintage shop as a vintage buyer for years and I wanted to bring this kind of store to Texas. I was inspired to have a New York feeling store with Texas prices."
What excites you about vintage clothing and accessories? "The quality and character in each piece.The attention to details and thoughtfulness that I feel is lacking in modern clothing. The majority of clothing used to be custom made and it showed, it was more special."
What's you favorite era in fashion? "The 1970's"
What makes feathers so special? "We try to curate an experience for our shoppers. We choose well-made, one of kind items and try to create an enjoyable experience for our customers."
What item in your store is a must have? "1970's Navajo, turquoise and silver squash blossom necklace. Also the most expensive item in our store. $1195"
What item in your wardrobe is your absolute favorite? "My well-worn grateful dead T-shirt."
