By Cristina Manos
Tired of hitting the malls only to find the same, boring things you’ve already seen? Don’t worry! Downtown has a wide variety of locally owned, unique stores to meet all of your fashion needs.
Desert Bloom Boutique:
Desert Bloom Boutique features European high fashion choices for the sassy woman who looks as comfortable in her clothes as she does in her skin.
Desert Bloom Boutique at 27 N. Stone is both quaint and sassy. Do not mistake this elegant little shop as a thrift store, because at first glance the colorful clothing may have you thinking about used bell-bottoms and a velvet corset. Desert Bloom features the style of European high fashion with prints and colors that pop and clothes that wear comfortably while looking sleek. The boutique also features something that most don’t – texting gloves. Yes, gloves designed with a forefinger and thumb material that allows you to text on your smart phone while wearing the glove.
Desert Bloom is one of Downtown’s attractions for women from places like Japan, Italy and New York. Owner Claudia Myers has clients who stop in once to twice a year while visiting Tucson, just to grab her newest trends. “If you want basics, it’s here. If you want sexy, it’s here,” says Myers. And those that stop into shop get the royal treatment. Myers will spends as much time as is necessary to find the items that are “simply you” and will have you feeling sophisticated and sassy in any situation.
Hydra Tucson specializes in cutting edge fashion.
Hydra Tucson:
Hydra is one of the most popular clothing shops Downtown, if not the most popular. Hydra is known for its edgy style and niche items that no one else in town has. There’s a wall covered in Steam Punk Fashion bearing items to wear for costume or just for style. Owner Margo Susco has been at 145 E. Congress for 20 years. She has seen everything, and has changed with the times. Susco tell us that her shop has more vintage clothing now than ever before and she has phased out leather, which is why Hydra Leather became Hydra Tucson. There’s also a Hydra Bisbee, as Margo and co-owner Joe Susco started a Hydra in Bisbee a little over a year ago.
Even without the leather, Hydra is still cutting edge. However, the shop offers some of the best surprises, such as their Western wear, which sports the real deal of pearl snap-button shirts that cowgirls (and cowboys) may not find anyplace else.
Flash in the Past will help you transform from modern day woman into vintage pin up girl in no time flat.
Flash in the Past Studio & Shop:
Flash in the Past at 43 S. 6th Ave is a pin-up studio that buys, sells and trades vintage clothing. Ramsey Borrego has been helping every-day women transform into pin-up models since 2008. Borrego is a “retro vintage specialist,” and even offers retro-beauty classes at her studio and shop. Stop in for vintage clothing or to properly transform into your best pin-up self. This is the place to shop when you want to channel your inner Betty Grable.
Professional dancer, Fayzah Fire, rocks Feds by Threads while visiting from Brooklyn.
Fed by Threads:
Fed by Threads is a Downtown clothing store that features all American-made clothing created from sustainable fabrics and materials. Owner Alok Appadurai just opened his shop in May 2014 and has a smile on his face as big as can be when talking about how much he enjoys being Downtown and running a business that actually helps and gives back to the community. For every piece of clothing sold Appadurai is able to fund 12 emergency food boxes for food-banks such as the Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona and Feeding America.
At Fed by Threads the clothing is comfy, clean and simple. It’s a style meant for those who care more about how they feel then sporting brand name logos on their clothing that shout “status quo.” It’s clothing you can feel good in and feel good about wearing.
Re-Threads is part of a nonprofit organization specializing in mental health. This thrift store operates through volunteers for a good cause.
Re-Threads Thrift Store:
Re-Threads is part of a nonprofit association called Our Place Clubhouse which runs a rehabilitation center for adults recovering from mental illness. Re-Threads is the Downtown thrift store. All the clothes are donated and the prices will fit the usual thrift-store expectations. The shop has been in Downtown for 11 years and it’s the place to go when you truly want the thrifty items that still wear well for whatever the occasion. Re-Threads has a tremendous amount of repeat business and doesn’t have to advertise. The prices and the nice selection have patrons coming back for more.
Mast offers handmade simply beautiful clothing, accessories, jewelry, paintings and various other items.
Mast:
Mast has a selection of unique items ranging from simple clothing to hand-made jewelry. The three owners Mellow Lund, Sofie Gelb, and Tasha Bundy are responsible for creating most of the merchandise, and work together with other locals to feature a shop that speaks the collaborative, artistic voice of Downtown. Located at the Mercado Plaza at 100 S. Avenido del Convento, Mast fits right in with the eclectic style of the shops located in the plaza. The women’s clothing featured at Mast is simple and casual. The accessories and jewelry that can accompany simple clothing choices can be the accent that attracts that eyes and has you feeling one-of-a-kind unique.
Whether you’re hosting in or going out, A Perfect Pantry has an outfit for any casual occasion. Photograph by Cristina Manos
A Perfect Pantry:
A Perfect Pantry at 41 S. 6th Ave. has everything “from kitchen to closet,” says owner Amy Pike. Her women’s apparel is varied from simple tee shirts to outfits for a casual dinner date. The clothes shout “from the office to the party!” as items are eloquently simple and wear well whether you’re hosting out or in. A Perfect Pantry offers several one-size-fits-all options, which allows comfort for any one of the various body-phases a women goes through.
Downtown offers much in the way of women’s apparel. An afternoon shopping adventure Downtown will not leave you empty handed, and in most cases it won’t leave your wallet empty either. There’s something for every budget and every style. Please check out our website for a full list of women’s clothing boutiques.