Big Bertha’s Paradise

This vintage shop is the best!!! Henry the owner is so fun and helpful! Best finds! A must stop for vintage couture!

This is the most expensive vintage store in Austin. In my opinion it’s a bit overpriced by *local* standards, and some items from the 80s onward are overpriced, period. I never got a snooty vibe from them, but I understand why the average local shopper would feel uncomfortable here. Austin is a town where 60s poly blend dresses, 70s pearlsnaps, and 80s cutoff denim shorts (often scored for under $ 30) drive the local vintage industry… Big Bertha’s simply isn’t that kind of place.
Instead this shop is comparable to the more expensive vintage stores of Southern California such as Gollyester; it’s very LA in terms of selection and pricing. Consequently, you can expect a curation of scarcer, fine quality things — often with designer labels. If money is no object you won’t regret going in. The owner has fabulous taste! And he’s been in business for years, so he’s obviously filling a niche.

Pucci-​Pucci-​Ya-​Ya-​Ga-​Ga!!! I will definitely be returning every chance i get. Henry was a delightful help and his exquisite taste is reflected in the array of quality, vintage apparel. This is not for your average thrifter! Prices range from $ 40-​$ 1400, but bargains abound; especially if your wardrobe is comprised of timeless, designer clothing that makes a personal style statement. I left longing for the leopard fur beret and Celine pumps!!!

I love this place. Very boutique-​y. I stop by often and the selection of vintage is always interesting with new pieces added regularly. The owner has impeccable taste; his collection of vintage clothing, shoes, and accessories includes couture, some hard to find items, trending vintage, all from 1920’s to 90’s. The store is small, but it’s packed full, so prepare to spend some time. Best vintage shop on North Loop.

The best of 80’s-90’s high-​end fashion, with the same prices as when they were brand new.
If you have the money and the inclination to dress like a golden-​era supermodel, this is an excellent shop to visit. The only problem is that the prices are exorbitant, and doesn’t account for wear on the item. Perhaps a pristine pair of Miu Miu pumps might be worth $ 495, but not ones that have been through the wringer since 1994. The prices are baffling, but the selection is fantastic.
They do not seem to stock clothing above a 6 – 8, though the rare Large or XL might slip in sometimes.
The shopkeepers always seem so snooty, like they’re running a museum and don’t actually want to sell you the clothing. At least the older woman who ran the shop next door when they were still at Lamar had beautiful vintage at a decent price, and would be pleasant and helpful while you were shopping.

This place is like a museum– for vintage. Every week, they have different stuff out to look at.
There are some INSANE clothing/​shoe/​jewelry items (like pearl covered shoes) and some really affordable/​wearable vintage.
The guy that owns the place also makes his own high fashion designs out of wrecked vintage parts. It was cool to chat with him.
Traffic almost don’t exist on North Loop, so it’s a nice spot.

I love gorgeous vintage pieces and this place did not disappoint. People complain about the prices, but these are high level designer brands and aren’t cheap. If you want cheap, go down the street to the kit by vintage places where you have to dig for good quality pieces.

Beautiful, absolutely gorgeous selection of clothing. Extremely expensive for the average dame. Snobby atmosphere created by employees also leaves the average dame feeling uncomfortable and wanting to leave.

Ahhhmazing vintage clothing and accessories with ahhhmazing prices. Like, amazing as in I am flabbergasted by the prices. I knew I was in for some funny moments when the clearance rack outside had a used H&M dress for $ 40. Went inside and was excited to see great designer brands but almost everything I touched was over $ 200.
So, if expensive vintage is your thing, Big Bertha’s will be your bestie.

I’m not a vintage expert… I don’t have the patience to thoroughly browse the racks. Plus being a larger than average girl vintage stores don’t usually have anything to offer me anyways. But the stores on this street are pretty rad. It’s a great place to come to find some vintage accessories even if you don’t fit in the clothes like myself.

Oh Lordy. In a city that has such stellar vintage there is a printed pamphlet and map directing you to these locations… make sure to hit the whole street. Don’t be disappointed this is not in a basement but you will experience fair pricing (no it’s not cheap– there are cheaper places) on nearly new design finds. Spotted prada and Dior never worn shoes. I snagged an one of a kind necklace and a brand new swisher bag. The shop owner is a hilarious delight. Enjoy this store. Try on and smile. If you are in the market for high end items that you won’t find elsewhere… Make sure to stop here while shopping in Austin!

Big Berthas has a cool collection but my experience with the staff has been awkward to very disappointing. One employee refused to sell me an item because a favorite customer who hadn’t put it on hold *might* have been interested in buying it (he didn’t bother asking the other customer if she was serious about buying). He tried to get me to buy several other things that didn’t come close to what I was interested in and I ultimately left empty handed.
In my experience, this isn’t a good way to run a business, and I won’t be chancing my afternoon shopping mood there again.

Boots, Baubles, Boas, and Bliss! I chanced upon this little bit of heaven while on a Sunday stroll with my best friend. We popped our heads into this sweet shop and were swept into a magical wonderland of fashion and fun. The proprietor Henry greeted us with enthusiasm as he whirled around the store grabbing only the finest fashions for adornment. We put on our own funky fashion show laughing and playing for what seamed like hours. On every trip out of the plush little dressing room I was greeted by and donned in perfectly styled accessories. Walking into Big Bertha’s is like walking into your own personal dream closet where everything fits and everything is fabulous!

Had a great experience at Bertha’s. Henry was extremely helpful in finding a dress for my daughter to wear to her Mad Men– themed prom. He expertly selected a variety of great options in her size and gave her lots of space to consider the choices, with just the right amount of advice to help her make the decision. Thanks, Henry! Your help was greatly appreciated.

If a dream is a wish your heart makes, then a nightmare is what happens when you’re dressed poorly. Make one of your dreams come true and visit HENRY at Big Bertha’s; he will show you the value of what a skilled Stylist can do. Maybe some things cost more, but you will gain an education on what TRULY is vintage, and what is just crap, as well as the art of just being FINE!
Whether you’re finding an outfit, or accessory, to out-​do anything seen across the way at the Highball/​Alamo-​tastic events, or if you’re looking for a fabulous FashionIsta frock that will literally turn heads… walk into Bertha’s and your bound to walk out lookin’ good. Like the dreamboat you always knew you could be.

Big — Nope
Bertha — Never saw her.
Bargain– Yes if you are a does not matter what you spend person.
Basement –shopping strip mall place across High Ball
Great for vintage clothes if you like cool looking 100% Cotton or 100% Poly
really cool looking clothes, jewelery just wished I could afford it lots of small sizes
if you wanna look like I did back in the 70;s this is he place PEACE NOT WAR!

Oh Big Bertha’s Bargain Basement… You’re neither big nor a bargain NOR a basement. Truth in advertising? I think not. However you do have an incredible selection of everything that I clearly need in my costume closet.
Like showgirl headdresses
Like vintage Boots
Like big obnoxious cheap jewelry
Like fur coats
Like pretty cocktail dresses
Like big hats
Only you’re too expensive and so I just leave unfulfilled and irritated that I dont make more money and without that showgirl headdress that I could have worn unrepentantly at SO many cocktail parties.

I love this place! Henry is amazing and leaves you feeling like a star! My friend and I came in the other day with my infant daughter and immediately started convulsing over all the amazing vintage and designer confections! I tried on a frothy chiffon gown and fell in love while twirling to the peanut galleries’ oohs and ahhs!
If only my bank account could handle my want list’s demands!

Ummm… yeah, the name’s a misnomer. The cheapest thing I saw were parasols. The front window looked pretty cool, but ~1k+ for a tulip table? For a place called the bargain basement it really made me think who would actually consider these bargains. I didn’t see many things below $ 40.
When I walked in, I thought this place was bigger than it actually was until I saw it was a mirror. The clothes seem to be the regular vintage fare, some of it may just be funky eclectic. One thing that really stuck out were the cocktail hats; really elaborate, still perdy expensive though. It’s really small here, but the people are friendly.
This place is worth a glance, and if it doesn’t suit your fancy — Bitch’in Threads is right next door.

Sometimes I have to face facts, and occasionally my threads are, well… too new. Every once and again it’s time to scratch that thrifting itch, and as I was over in the general vicinity of Big Bertha’s and hadn’t yet given them a whirl, I wandered in.
A couple of quick notes: contrary to the description on the door, Big Bertha’s is not in a basement. That might be creepy. In fact, this store resides at ground level. Additionally, I saw no one named Bertha there during my stay, and no one of exceptionally large girth, and in fact, I’d wager that I didn’t see any clothes that fit the «big and tall» mode here. I did, however, come across some nifty little 70s numbers, some customized western and some acclaimed Wooderson-​esque stitches that would have been right at home paired with a nice glass of Schlitz.
Big Bertha’s is a trip. It sounds like they’ve been here for ages (if I recall correctly the owner told me they opened in the mid nineties), and there is a definite style or character to the things he brings in here. And for my part? I walked with a polyester short sleeve number that I wore out on the town that very night. Nine bucks. And though I can’t promise that every piece of clothing is that kind of bargain here, it was enough for me. Enough to consider some regular time travel.

So, I might not be so hard on this place with the name weren’t such as misnomer. I’m guessing it’s ironic and meant to be amusing. But, I didn’t spot any bargains. I’ve mostly grown out of my vintage clothing phase, so I’m no longer quite as enamored by polyester house dresses, and a $ 48 price tag does nothing to help matters. (There were some designer formal dresses in the $ 200+ range.)
That said, this petite shop crammed with interesting, entertaining clothes that all looked to be in good condition. And the service was friendly. So if you are into vintage and don’t mind the prices, this could be a treasure chest.