Aging can be hell on a man whose wardrobe skews edgy.
Leather jackets, tattered jeans, tattoos … What was singularly cool at 25 can go “zany uncle” almost overnight.
The perfect vintage T-shirt, though, never goes out of style — especially in this town.
It’s appropriate for almost any occasion. It goes with everything (shorts, swim trunks, slacks, and let’s not even get started on denim). And like the man wearing it, it wears its age with pride.
Which begs the question: Where can you find a decent one? (As in, the kind that doesn’t come with its previous owner’s aroma.)
We’ve got you covered, with a list of five L.A. purveyors hawking the dogs without the fleas.
MadeWorn Rock N’ Roll Collection
Fairfax-Melrose
MadeWorn isn’t technically vintage — the shirts are made today. But designer Blaine Halvorson and his crew use incredible methods to achieve a tried-and-true vintage look. You’ll need to make an appointment, but doing so will be one of the most exceptional retail experiences you’ll have in L.A. Trust.
Filth Market
Fairfax-Melrose
Filth Market is an NYC transplant. They make a lot of their shirts and distress them, but they also have a well-edited selection of vintage rock tees.
Raggedy Threads
Downtown
If you’re looking for T-shirts with old hotel logos, college monograms and the like, visit Raggedy Threads in Downtown L.A. The tiny store also sells some great denim and jackets.
Kelly Cole
Hancock Park
Like Filt Market, Kelly Cole specializes in rock ‘n’ roll vintage. His vintage stuff — found in the cubbies directly to your right when you enter the store — are epic finds and show great consistency. They all seem to have the perfect feel. His in-house line of T-shirts has a comfy, vintage sheen as well.
Mister Freedom
Hancock Park
Mister Freedom is the moniker of French designer Christophe Loiron, who, in addition to housing a collection of well-restored vintage dating back as far as the 1850s, uses vintage fabrics to make new shirts that look vintage. His selection of leather and denim deserves your attention, too.
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