Briar Vintage

  Today, as I was having my coffee, I saw a post from Will over at A Suitable Wardrobe that contained this picture. As I am in the vintage menswear field, the picture made me very happy. The lapel width on JFK’s suit jacket made me grin. With Mad Men and other shows that have come out about the 1960’s that all have men in the skinniest of lapels, it was refreshing to see a shot from that time period that wasn’t some modern designer’s interpretation of the look. While Kennedy’s tie is on the slimmer side, his lapels fit his chest. So the next time you want to do a “Don Draper” look take into consideration that the 60’s weren’t all skinny lapels, scotch, and curvy, vivacious redheads.

 It has been quite a while since we have posted but we are back. We have had an amazing first 6 months here at Briar Vintage. The people of Philadelphia are responding very positively to what we are doing. Also, I am very happy to have met some customers who have heard about us and have traveled to visit. From New York to D.C., we are slowly building our name on quality vintage menswear at fair prices.

 We have been fortunate to find some great clothing, accessories, and curiosities while out sourcing. We just got in two Victorian “mourning jewelry” pieces, a watch chain and fob as well as a brooch. We look forward to finishing our first winter strong with such items as sack suits, odd jackets, overcoats, Pendletons and other wool shirts.

 The plan is to break out the linen, poplin, seersucker and other suiting materials of spring and summer in the next month or two. We have found some great vintage bathing suits for this upcoming season. No matter where you are lounging, from the beach to the mountains, be sure check in on us from time to time to find that special piece.

 I’m sure I can speak not only for myself, David P. Lochner (manager), but the rest of the Briar Vintage family when we say THANK YOU to all of you who have supported us. We look forward to making some new friends and building upon already existing relationships as we finish out our first year.

 Now that the holiday season is upon us, we here at Briar Vintage would just like to remind you that we have the perfect gift for the dapper gent in your life. From bow ties to full suits, and everything in between, we have that special something for that special someone. We also have all the swag to make your man look his best and add those particular details to his ensemble. With cuff links, hats, pins, buttons, tie bars, collar bars, tie and collar pins, and silk scarves we have what he needs to stand out from the crowd.

 And just for the season we have a few lovely women’s items such as antique clutches and faux fur stoles. So if you are looking for that one of a kind gift stop in and see our selection. Our address is 62 N. 3rd St. Philadelphia, PA 19106. Business hours are Tuesday-Saturday 11am-7pm and Sunday 12pm-6pm.

Here are a few links from different sites where the shop was featured. Hope you enjoy them!

Here’s the latest one from Cobblestone and Stilettos.

Another from Philadelphia’s City Paper.

Phrequency.com also did a piece on us that was written by our friend Swabreen Bakr.

Our manager David did the styling for HyLo Boutiques Fall Staff Picks.

If you’re in the Old City section of Philadelphia and you see this sign, stop in! Feel free to check us out. Our staff is happy to help in any way they can. Even if that way is just providing another great looking spot in Philly!

Help us celebrate our manager, David P. Lochner’s birthday!!! IT’s Friday, September 30, 2011 at 9pm. Local is Ruba Club at 414 Green St. Phila. PA..

We here at Briar Vintage stay on top of fashion trends from the runways to what’s hot in the streets. What we have found is that what our fathers told us when we were young still rings true, “…everything has been done before.” We see the same looks that are popular today in our store from bygone eras.

Take for instance the classic three button suit, soft shoulder suit. Originally pioneered by Brooks Bros. in the 1950s as the “Ivy League” look.  This classic icon with the natural shoulder line, undarted fronts, center vents, and plain-front trousers has become an icon in the menswear world. Today, as with the early 1960s, we see the smaller lapels and a more fitted look. Accented with skinnier tie and pocket square this suit is a mainstay of many a man’s closet. I have one in my closet as did my father.

(Cary Grant sporting the classic sack suit)

Also we have been taking note of other fashions on the runway and in the street especially. Lately there has been a rise in the wearing of double breasted odd jackets complete with ticket pocket. These mainstays of the sophisticated dresser are more fitted and are now being paired nicely with flat front slacks with no break. The look is now completed with a spread collar shirt, neck tie (matching the width of the lapels) and tassel loafer. It is an elegant new way to dress in an old standard. 

(Photo from http://heartsideup.com/?p=624)

(Wale Oyejide. Photo from lessgentlemen.com)

But I am going on about all these “new” looks to emphasize one thing, you can find them at Briar Vintage! Not only will you find vintage items, but a fashion forward staff who can make you look up to date. That is not to say that we haven’t forgotten our roots. We are, after all, a vintage clothing store. We still love our 1940s drop loop gabardine “pistol” pants, our 1903 frock coats, our cutaway coats, and alike. So whether you’re looking for a full 1920s tuxedo or just a vintage piece to add to your wardrobe be sure to stop by and check us out.

(Written by David P. Lochner)