Bitchin’ Threads/Kimono

With a name like Bitchin’ Threads, you know I had to pop in and see what it was all about. They’re located in an older, but relatively busy, shopping plaza in South Austin. It’s an upscale thrift store with designer, vintage items. These threads were bitchin’ indeed. I found some pretty classic pieces here: a pastel tweed blazer and a cute floral sundress. But the star of the show is the owner. She is a spunky, funky seasoned little lady who is hospitable and hilarious at the same time. Brightly-​dyed red hair, thick Australian accent, and loads of personality. She encourages you to try things on and will give you an honest opinion on how it looks. I liked her style and classic taste and our conversation added an overall memorable, fun experience. Thanks, Ms. Grace!

I agree with James L.– it is very amusing to consider that this woman named her store «Bitchin’ Threads.» She certainly is a character, and my guess is that the store would seem much less interesting without her persistent conversation. I found her to be a charmer – once we started talking, I couldn’t imagine leaving without a purchase. It would have felt awkward! I found a pretty cute dress there for $ 24.
My advice would be to check this place out around 5ish pm, or on the weekend when it will be a bit busier… less personal service is probably a good thing in this store (at least for your pocketbook, in case you don’t really fall in love with anything). It can be very dead in the mid-​afternoon.
That being said, she wrote me a coupon for a discount next time I come in, just to be nice! And she wraps everything so prettily, it looks just like a present.

Love that lady at the counter. She informs you how everything in the store is clean and well kept (no stains). During my most recent visit there I spotted a really awesome felt orange sun hat. It had the shape of a sun hat, but it was made of felt and it would probably only look good on someone 5’6“or taller. It was $ 50, and if I knew I could pull it off, I would’ve bought it. Good thing I had bought two hats earlier or else I would’ve splurged.
$ 50…I know with my other reviews I commented on price. And I know that given the atmosphere, we might have a hardwired pricing system that knocks into action. $ 50 may seem moderately high, but when I’m here I know that I wont find a well hidden stain, or a hole. The stuff here is in very good condition. Most of the other places I’ve reviewed are comparable in terms of the conditions of the clothing (and the smell) regardless if they’re a vintage boutique or vintage thrift. This place is just Bitch’in (vintage, retro, just plain funky). Some of the high prices are worth it, if you’re looking for something special. The prices range from $ 20 to hundreds. There are designer duds here and the clothing can sometimes have a high end feel (oh GAWD that hat!).
Come here when you get a chance, great atmosphere, and also there’s good conversation offered by the lady at the counter. She’s not fond of the cold and usually considers closing shop and moving every winter. Visit the store before she goes through with it.

This is one of those stores you’d visit before 7:00 if you’re waiting to watch a movie at the Alamo Drafthouse. What this store doesn’t tell you, until you enter, is that it only carries clothing for women. They do have kimonos, but those are probably pretty expensive.
The owner is an old Australian lady with red-​dyed hair. It seemed bizarre to me that this lil’ ol’ lady named her store Bitchin’ Threads, but I guess eh wanted to appeal to the students, which she says are her main customers. She seems to know «Henry» from Big Bertha’s (a few stores down) and discussed about how she has her bags made from New York.
Most of her clothing seems to date from the 80’s. One thing I did notice is that she overprices her stuff so that she can lower the price to make it seem like she understands our need for a good deal. Her selection is hip and some of her stuff is pretty darn cool, but nothing for boys!

Indeed, the name seems strange. This is not thrift, it is «upscale» resale (or consignment), although I did not see any couture (besides the kimonos) or true top designer inventory. Lots of 80’s glam suits and dresses for 40s-​60s aged women. Good place for evening wear and prom dresses. Lots of silk pieces, hence the plastic covers. The kimonos are absolutely astounding! Best kimono selection I have seen outside of Japan or specialty textile shows.

Grace at bitchin’ threads has the one stop shop for kimonos. She has an assortment from the cottons to the wedding silks embroidered with gold thread and knows all about them too. I bought a short silk kimono jacket for my mother who swears it’s the best present she ever received. In the racks in between the kimonos you can find some cool retro party and prom dresses.

If you’re in the market for a kimono and you have a hundred or couple hundred dollars to spare, then you are golden. Otherwise, I am not sure I understand what’s so vintage about the shop’s exclusively women’s clothing collection.
Most of the fashion looks like something Molly Ringwald might have worn in the 1980s, or something your mother might wear now. I am sure the owner might be a nice woman if you get to know her, but neither I — nor any of my friends who have gone through the door — have ever gotten a friendly vibe from her. Let’s just say that when we went in there the other day, she suggested it would be «helpful» if we wiped our feet on the rug. All the clothes have a protective plastic over the shoulders — touching does not seem encouraged.
Bitchin? You decide.