>> Yesterday I took a teensy trip to Philadelphia (for numerous reasons… ) and snapped this intriguing store front of what is known as the 'Shirt Corner Plus'. Had I not been about to get in a taxi, I would have ballsed it up to go inside to investigate. I say 'ballsed' just because a) ostensibly I look like someone who's just being a voyeuristic snoop and b) it is a menswear store only. Still, I was struck by the styling in the windows, the guy in the very well-cut coral jumpsuit with a tape measure who looked like it might be able to measure me out an equally well-cut shirt/jacket and then another guy came out in a well-tailored bomber jacket and matching parachute trousers as well as a sheer white shirt with embroidered polka dots. I didn't manage to snap him but he pretty much affirmed Shirt Corner Plus as a potential store to add to my list of "Unlikely Fashion Sources" along with John Lewis' school uniform department, fabric stores on Kingsland Road…
…as well as the legendary Blustons in Kentish Town in London, a women's clothing store that has been around since the 1930s and I think stocks things that are from the 1930s. Actually I've been working up the balls to go in and ask if I can do an investigative blog post on Blustons but I'm thinking I might lose the staff in there once I start banging on about "blog". Still, seeing as those bust-heavy mannequins have been given the nod by Miuccia and Marc, when I get back, having missed out on my zoot suit opportunity in Philly, I'll atone by walking into Blustons and working on my "So…I have this blog…" spiel…
This post should have been titled “The Man in the Coral Jumpsuit”. Epic.
it looks amazing and massive LOL at that guy!
gem x
I have been there twice as a kid. My family is from Philly although I live in the south now. If I am up there I will try and take a few snaps of the outside.
That store is hilarious! I know exactly what you’re saying about losing people w/ the blog spiel too…Le sigh.
Olive
http://www.VisforOlive.blogspot.com
I just made some Philly friends . . . I’ll make them take me there.
I hope noone came out and wrangled the camera out of your hands for taking pictures of their window display. Ah Seven Sisters flashback…painful.
This is intriguing, I feel the need to visit Philly just for this bahah.
Woah! Everyone would stop and stare as they walked past, sooo eye catching!
Suz
x
Talk about style!
Lord, what a flashback is that Blustons. I can remember going with my mother into suburban “ladieswear” shops just like that one in the sixties. The check floor tiles and the exposed fluoro tubes snaking all over the ceiling are totally authentic – as are the handwritten price tags on each garment. And how amazing to think that there are still people out there who know how to do those crammed-by-our-standards window displays with the fishing line and the pins! Can’t wait to hear from you about the owners’ perspective on things. What would Mary Portas say…?
love his orange outfit!!! haha
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LOL!
http://www.nolitavintage.com
kompliment, dein blog ist ein bisschen von allen, aber vorallem wunderbarst.
und täglich grüßt das scheue reh.
I love the look of them shops, and that man in the coral suit did make me laugh just a little bit!
xxxx
we have those classic ladies shops at home in the villages around where i live…i always wonder who actually shops in them…
margief
x
http://www.margieheartsclothes.blogspot.com
Always found comfort in these types of shops (they’re everywhere in various forms) even though I don’t go in. Your photos capture their strange attractiveness. In that they’re so…tidy?
I go to school in Camden so I walk past Blustons almost every day and I’ve also always wanted to go in, it’s a brilliant shop but I’m not brave enough 🙂
http://agnes-themuse.blogspot.com/
I am from Philadelphia and the mens stores on that particular corner are amazing! These men have so much experience with tailoring that they can size you up as you walk in the door. My boyfriend purchased a black and red striped suit from a suit store on the opposite corner of that one and I couldn’t believe the experience. He ended up getting a perfectly tailored bad ass suit! Many people laugh at these stores because you really have to be brave to pull off some of of the looks they display but not many people know of the knowledge and talent of those inside!
http://www.lolodahling.com
i pass by this place to go to work. men sit on the side of the building and cat call in front of the newsstand all day. i want to punch them in their peens.
That store is hilarious!but I’m not brave enough 🙂
Best coral suit ever 😀