Amber Topaz

I enjoy looking at clothes from different countries and Japan is no exception. I enjoy looking at the Gothic and Lolita doll-​like clothing that is starting to gain interest overseas in Europe and the US. When I hear news that two girls who were lovers of the style were planning to open a secondhand Lolita clothing boutique in Old Town Orange, I was curious to check it out.
It’s located in the Orange Antique Mall which is across the street from Paris in a Tea Cup. The interior of the mall itself can be a bit intimidating as it cram-​packed with items in different booths, some which have iffy lighting, and an odd layout of items. Amber Topaz is located in the right wing of the mall when you first enter. (Turn right once entering the door, go straight, then look for a booth with a mannequin on the left in a pink jumper skirt dress and white Minnie Mouse hat.)
For now, clothing selections are few but they all appear to be in fair shape. Lots of skirts and jumper skirt dresses for now from Metamorphose, Baby the Stars Shine Bright, Angelic Pretty, Emily Temple Cute, Algonquins, and Bodyline. I was interested in a dark red Angelic Pretty skirt and arthérapie skull bag so I had to go to the desk to ask a clerk to pull both items off the wall with a hanger grabber. There was no booth number on the booth so remember to mention booth #83 when you go if you need to see something hanging on the walls!
There is no dressing room anywhere in the antique mall to try things on. I happened to be lucky to meet an older woman who thought that the skirt would look darling on me and offered to stand guard while I changed in the booth. It was a little tight in the waist and ended up sitting some inches away from my bust. (meaning I’d have to use the waist-​ties or something else to lengthen the band with) I ended up not purchasing the skirt but fell in love with the arthérapie bag and purchased it for $ 40. (I knew nothing about the brand beforehand but researched it later and saw that it was a Japanese line done by Jean Paul Gaultier! Normally those bags retail for around US $ 100-​$ 500!)
I would come back again but only if the store continued to post updates and items they have stocked. I wish they could have added a dressing room like either a small tent (like Harajuku Hearts/​Angelic Pretty did at AM2 Con) because I hate buying items without trying them on.