Don’t get suckered into cardigans at Belk! Go vintage at Stash Pad
Back in my corporate paralegal days, I bought a new set of work clothes each weekend.
One time I spent an entire afternoon doing the circuit from Belk, Macy’s and Dillards at SouthPark Mall to Jones New York in the Arboretum shopping center just to find the right cardigan. That afternoon, I spent $300 on cardigans. Yes, just on cardigans.
I was obsessed with getting the Susie Office look down, complete with beige Nine West pumps and a floral dress that made one of my Southern gentlelady co-workers gasp with joy.
Last year, I left the law firm world and embraced my natural free spirit by doing more vintage shopping. Stash Pad in Plaza-Midwood is my new favorite spot.
This self-proclaimed “funky vintage shop” opened in late January. You’ll find an extensive collection of vintage clothes, wigs and accessories that range from the ’50s through even the — cough, cough – vintage ’90s, all lovingly packed into a cozy space. The store also provides cosmetics and make-up services via the King of Plaza-Midwood, Scott Weaver.
Owners Corrie Throckmorton, Heather Lamparter and Kelly Call know their stuff – in fact, Throckmorton and Lamparter both previously worked at the boutique Boris & Natasha, which is next door to Stash Pad.
During my last visit, Lamparter gave me a little history lesson on my vintage ’80s fruit-patterned sweater. She told me it was one of her favorite pieces in the store at the moment, and I could tell she meant it. There was no glad-handing like when I bought all those new cardigans.
The sweater was priced at $27.89, so I could afford to get some nachos at Zada Jane’s for an early dinner – and perhaps buy one of Stash Pad’s many $3 ALF keychains at the register.
As I was leaving the store, a ’50s pale pink gown with a diaphanous skirt made me swoon. It also had silver jewels encrusted on the neckline and bodice. Unfortunately, I had no need for it at the time. Not buying it still haunts me.
Sorting through local vintage comes with an intense buyer’s remorse as you’ve never felt before. Unlike the multiple $60 cardigans at Belk in cream color, you have to make a game-time decision or risk losing something unique for your wardrobe forever. There is likely no finding it again.
A photo posted by ShayNanigans Vintage (@shaynanigans_vintage) on Jan 29, 2015 at 10:46pm PST
//><!--At Stash Pad’s affordable prices, you can spurge on that gown. If your friend asks, “But where are you going to wear it?” You confidently reply, “Everywhere, Bernice. I’m going to wear it everywhere.”//--><!
If you’re still a corporate office person and can’t get away with wearing one of their sassily-cut purple wigs, Stash Pad has vintage accessories to go with those staid work pants. Get a necklace or a colorful blouse for a lunch time romp in The Green Uptown. And guess what? Dancing in your Stash Pad swag is always permissible.
I LOVE my vintage 80s fruit sweater from @stashpad! Giving it its first of many spins.
A video posted by @lookitsjoanne on Mar 14, 2015 at 10:34am PDT
Details: Stash Pad, 1216 Thomas Avenue, 980-224-7321
Photos: Scott S. Clinton, T. Ortega Gaines/Charlotte Observer, Observer files, Miami Herald files
This story was originally published April 15, 2015 at 1:34 PM with the headline "Don’t get suckered into cardigans at Belk! Go vintage at Stash Pad."