I will be the first to admit it, when vintage fashion first came back in style I groaned and rolled my eyes like a five-year-old child who was denied a toy at the grocery store. I did not understand why people want to wear pre-owned clothes. I thought it was pretentious and lazy. Then something incredible happened… I remembered I was an adult in my 20’s and that I should give things a chance before I get called a boomer. Or worse, a fashion tragic.
Storeroom Vintage was the first vintage store I had ever stepped foot in. The year was 2017 and I walked in not knowing what to expect. I searched and I searched and found nothing. Until I came across a vintage Supreme hat. A streetwear brand I had only dreamed of wearing since my early teenage years. This moment was pivotal for me as it began my vintage journey.
The year is now 2021 and I can confidently say that Storeroom Vintage is responsible for 70% of my wardrobe. So what makes this store so unique? I put on my comfiest combat boots, took my camera and went on down to Storeroom Vintage in Sydney’s Surry Hills to find out.
Upon my arrival I saw countless shirts on display behind the counter and in the shop window. I was truly caught off guard. Every visit to Storeroom Vintage feels like you’ve walked into a completely new store, because the stock available is always changing. From the pants to the jumpers and tees, everything that is on offer is most of the time one of one. Meaning that if you like something, you better not take the chance of coming back next week. There is a highly likely chance it will be gone by the next day.
My visit began by being approached by quite possibly the nicest and most bubbly retail worker I have ever encountered. This worker went by the name Yibby. Yibby is a 22-year-old rapper who has been working at Storeroom Vintage for just under two years.
Yibby has been a fan of vintage clothing his whole life: “I love the history; I love the culture behind it. I also like wearing something that not every man and his dog is wearing,” he said.
That is what the vintage movement offers, individuality. So what does Storeroom Vintage specifically offer that other vintage stores may not offer?
“We got the best stuff, we offer the best pieces and we obviously have the best staff,” said Yibby.
Whether or not Yibby was joking, the reasons he gave for what Storeroom Vintage offers could not be truer. This store has become a movement within the Sydney fashion scene and offers some of the most exclusive pieces, at the most reasonable prices. Storeroom Vintage is that sweet spot of high quality, designer clothing at affordable prices.
Walking through the store you see the mix of people who buy clothes from Storeroom Vintage. Unlike fast fashion stores which make it clear who their target market is, Storeroom Vintage has no agenda. If you like vintage clothes or even if you don’t. Their doors are wide open, and their staff are ready to have a nice chat, even if you don’t buy anything.
So we’ve heard what the vintage movement and Storeroom Vintage mean to Yibby as an employee, but what do customers think?
I spoke with 23-year-old Lin who works within the fashion industry who offered her unique insight: “the vintage movement has always been around, but it has definitely grown, with people being more conscious about sustainability in fashion,” said Lin.
Sustainability is something offered by the vintage movement and is highly important to Storeroom Vintage who understands that unwanted clothes should not just be thrown out. Instead, the price can be reduced, which is something you see frequently at the store. Every item has a home at the end of the day and does not end up being thrown away or destroyed. Looking at you, high-end luxury brand that rhymes with gluey futon.
This message of sustainability was shared by 19-year old hospitality worker Melanie: “the rate at which we burn through clothes compared to 20 years ago is fucked. I myself am moving towards sustainability, and this is what Storeroom Vintage offers,” said Melanie.
Coincidently this was also Melanie’s first time at Storeroom, and she was taken aback by the pieces on offer: “unlike other stores the pieces are a lot more selected compared to other vintage places. That along with the general vibe just lets you enjoy yourself,” said Melanie.
The pieces at Storeroom do offer some consistency that other stores do not. It is not just about selling random clothes, there is a method to it all. If you like concert tees, wrestling tees, designer glasses, Disney themed clothes etc. These will always be on offer in some form. This is different to other stores which don’t necessarily create a collection of fandom specific clothes.
Regardless of these created collections, each item is without a doubt always unique. You can be sure that when you purchase from Storeroom Vintage you will not find your outfit twin anytime soon.
This idea of uniqueness was also touched on by 19-year old Mika who was extremely passionate about the individuality offered by the vintage movement: “just being able to hold and own stuff that is unique to you, it’s your collectible in a way is what makes it all so cool,” said Mika.
Mika also believed that “Storeroom Vintage as a place is the most communal store. The staff for example are very much about supporting the customer and bring in what people want to buy. They actually source things for people, which doesn’t happen anywhere else,” said Mika.
The thing about vintage clothing that took me a while to understand is that each item of clothing has a story. The hat you purchased or the shirt you took home might not be what is being walked down the runways in Paris and New York, however, the pieces on offer by Storeroom Vintage give you the peace of mind that your look is not up for grabs. If you want to indulge in fast fashion, that’s your prerogative. But don’t look down on the vintage movement because it scares you.
Head on down to either the Surry Hills store at: 316-318 Crown St, Surry Hills, Sydney, 2010. Or give the Newtown store a visit at 47 Enmore Road, Newtown, Sydney, 2042.
