As Chatham University’s spring formal approaches on April 6, you might be faced with the dilemma of choosing the perfect outfit. While the thrill of shopping for such events is undeniable, it’s crucial to keep sustainability in mind while making your selections. Not only do practices such as opting for vintage shops and thrift shops promote a more sustainable lifestyle, they also allow one to achieve an individualistic style that will surely not be replicated.
Fortunately, Chatham’s Shadyside campus is located near an array of thrift and vintage shops in the surrounding area. These are some of our favorite local stores that can help you find a unique look for spring formal or truly any occasion.
Hey Betty
5890 Ellsworth Ave., Shadyside
Just a 15-minute walk from the Shadyside campus, Hey Betty is a vintage boutique that provides formal attire, casual garments and anything in between. Intermixed, you can find a variety of distinctive jewelry and other accessories. The store is open from noon to 5 p.m. Wednesdays through Saturdays.
Eons Fashion Antique
5850 Ellsworth Ave., Shadyside
Down the street from Hey Betty, Eons is a mainstay of Shadyside, which exhibits an artsy, funky atmosphere while offering attire and accessories from the late 19th century to the 1980s. This spot is not only ideal for shopping but also a visual spectacle filled with pop culture memorabilia. Eons is open from noon until 5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays and from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays.
Avalon Exchange
5834 Forbes Ave., Squirrel Hill
Located in the heart of Squirrel Hill’s retail scene, Avalon Exchange has a large assortment of contemporary, vintage and designer clothing items, shoes and accessories. Avalon Exchange’s hours of operation are from 11 a.m. until 7 p.m. every day.
Steal City Vintage
1918 Murray Ave., Squirrel Hill
Steal City Vintage caters to a wide range of decades and styles with its vintage pieces. Its Instagram (@steal_city_vintage) is often updated with new apparel available in the store. It is open from 3 p.m. until 7 p.m. on Mondays, from noon until 7 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and from noon to 6 p.m. on Sundays.
Fifty One Ten Vintage
5110 Penn Ave., Bloomfield
Fifty One Ten Vintage is restocked daily with a curated arrangement of anything from vintage dresses to graphic tees to CDs. It also has an online storefront (fiftyonetenvintage.com), and stock updates are regularly posted on its Instagram account (@fiftyoneten). It is open from noon until 7 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays and from noon until 8 p.m. Fridays to Sundays.
Highway Robbery Vintage
2012 East Carson St., South Side Highway
Robbery Vintage offers fashion pieces selected from the ‘50s until the ‘90s. Located in Pittsburgh’s South Side, its goal is to provide uncommon clothing items that mesh well with the modern environment at an affordable cost. Its Instagram is regularly updated with upcoming drops (@highwayrobberyvintage). It operates from noon until 8 p.m. Tuesdays to Saturdays and from noon to 5 p.m. on Sundays.
