Semi-formal wear
Period costume
Festive attire
Local sources for vintage and contemporary clothing
Many dancers wear contemporary dress clothing: long gowns, suits or tuxedos. A vest, dress shirt, and dark trousers make a comfortable outfit as well.
Those wishing to recreate the costumes favored by past generations of dancers can choose from the 400-year history of English country dance (not counting an unfortunate interruption in the 19th century), from Elizabethan to Victorian, and even 20th century Cecil Sharp era revival. Several period costume web sites provide ideas, including
- The History of Fashion and Dress: an online course from U. Alaska Fairbanks, with extensive text and illustrations describing European dress through the ages.
- Le Poulet Gauche: text and illustrations of men's and women's clothing of 16th century France.
- Greater Bay Area Costumers Guild: local organization promoting costuming and textile arts. Includes historical information and practical guides to local sources of materials and vintage clothing.
- Authentic Wardrobe: online clothing store for reproductions of European clothes from several periods.
Consider the outfits worn by performing groups of celtic dancers. Scottish country dancers come in kilts; English display dancers wear a variety of costumes. A simple outfit of white pants and a dress shirt can be livened up with colorful ribbons. Or create a costume that reflects the theme of Mad Robin or other demented birds ("Orioles Baffled" was our programmers' contribution).
(suggested by committee members and the Greater Bay Area Costumers Guild)
Bella due Volte - 1050 4th St. Santa Rosa, 707-569-1439
Hot Couture - 101 Third Street, Santa Rosa, 707.528.7247
Vintage men's and women's clothing from 1900.Shadows - 429 San Anselmo Ave., San Anselmo. 415.459.0574.
Both vintage and reproduction garments.Vintage Bank Antiques - 101 Petaluma Blvd. North (at Western Avenue), Petaluma, 707.769.3097
Open Daily 10-5:30. The vintage clothes are located on the second floor. A
good selection of Victorian women's clothing as well as 40's and 50's. In the
basement, there is a nice assortment of linens, including hankies.The Vintage Flamingo - 528 San Anselmo Ave., San Anselmo. 415.721.7275.
She Wore Blue Velvet - 207 N. Main St., Sebastopol
Pinegrove General Store - 149 N. Main St., Sebastopol
Home Hospice - 748 Gravenstein Highway North, Sebastopol
Next to Albertson’s in the Longs shopping centerHome Hospice - 421 E. Street, Santa Rosa (there are 2 stores close to each other)
Salvation Army - 1020 3rd St., Santa Rosa
Aardvark's Odd Ark - 1501 Haight Street (at Haight and Ashbury), San Francisco, 415.621.3141
American Rag Co. - 1305 Van Ness Ave., San Francisco, 415.474.5214
Clothes Contact - 473 Valencia Street at 16th, San Francisco, 415.621.3212
Vintage clothing & fabrics sold by the pound.Departures from the Past - 2028 Fillmore Street, San Francisco, 415.885.3377
Vintage styles for men and women, costumes, and formal attire.Guys and Dolls - 3789 24th Street, San Francisco, 415.285.7174
Vintage clothing 1920s through 1950s.Held Over - 1543 Haight Street, San Francisco, 415.864.0818
La Rosa - 1543 Haight Street, San Francisco, 415.668.3744
For the ladies, 1930s and 40s daywear, cocktail dresses and formals. For the gentlemen, vintage tuxedos, double-breasted suits, and accessories. Open every day.Martini Mercantile - 1773 Haight Street at Schrader, San Francisco, 415.668.3746
Classic clothing for men & women. Vintage accessories.Mission Thrift - 2330 Mission Street at 19th, San Francisco, 415.821.9560
Mostly contemporary used clothing.Retro City Resale - 1825 Polk Street at Washington, San Francisco, 415.673.1144
Mostly contemporary. Consignment.The Street Shop - 2045 Divisadero Street, San Francisco, 415.931.4382
Third Hand Store - 1839 Divisadero St., San Francisco, 415.567.7332
Open noon-6, Mon-Sat.The Wasteland - 1660 Haight Street, San Francisco, 415.863.3150
June Kadish Antiques - 1878 Solano Ave., Berkeley, 510.528.2785
Small selection.The Lundberg Haberdashery - 396 Colusa Ave., Kensington, 510.524.3003
Vintage attire for gentlemen: suits, ties, hats, shoes. Open noon - 5, Wed-Sat.Madame Butterfly - 5374 College Avenue, Oakland, 510.653.1525
Cozy shop filled with wonderful finds.Mars Mercantile - 2398 Telegraph Avenue, Berkeley, 510.843.6711
Rockridge Rags - 5711 College Ave., Oakland (in the Rockridge neighborhood), 510.655.2289
Sharks - 2505 Telegraph Ave., Berkeley, 510.841.8736
Vintage clothing.Stop the Clock - 2110 Addison (between Shattuck and Oxford), Berkeley, 510.841.2142
Twister - 2400 San Pablo Ave., Berkeley, 510.548.9478
Vintage clothing, mostly mid-20th century.
Last modified 5/2/02 by MRB webmaster