Decades Vintage Clothing

It Has Been DECADES Since I've Been Treated So Poorly. Setting the scene: two attractive, professional women excited about spending an afternoon shopping for a grown-up Prom (you know, a group of thirty-somethings throwing a grand gala because it is a last shot at having the Prom that never happened because at 16 you were too shy, too flat-chested, had the wrong date, were stuck in a hideous decade, or were too broke to buy your dream dress...).

Decades seemed a perfect place to find special, one-of-a-kind gowns and a vintage blue tux for my hubby (he had purchased a black tux with tails and a powder blue tux at Decades a few years ago that was subsequently stolen by an acquaintance who couldn't resist the fabulousness).

We found a few items to try on and needed help getting a couple gowns down from a high bar (there was a sign instructing you to ask for assistance). My friend approached the owner who did not offer to help--or even say hello--but instead asked her, with a boat-load of bitchy attitude, "Did you read the signs?" (??? This should have been my cue to hurl the dresses over my arm onto the floor and leave.) She assured him she did and asked him for his assistance at his convenience.

Once he deigned to approach us he did not make a move to help us with the gowns but instead stood with his arms crossed and began to lecture us on the following (remember, we are mid-thirties, pretty, dressed nicely, enjoying an afternoon of girl time and shopping):

- you cannot try on antique clothing (YES, FOR HEAVEN'S SAKE, WE READ THE SIGNS!)

- you can only take THREE items into the dressing room (I had five on my arm and, contrary to what he obviously thought, was not moronic enough to be confused by what to do with extra items at a fitting room)

- about the fact that he has only TWO dressing rooms (by this point I had affixed him with a blank stare, like, really?)

- and that we will need to take turns with other customers (Since the store was packed to the brim with an enormous crowd of four customers--including the two of us--pushing, jostling, clammering, making a mad rush at the dressing rooms)

When my friend politely observed his strange behavior he did not apologize or back off, but insisted he was trying to "help direct" us to what we "really wanted" because we "will try on too many things and then get overwhelmed and not buy anything." Then he walked away!

There are a few issues here:

- First, we need to try on an expensive evening gown before we decide to buy it, and if you do not want people trying on clothing, DONT HAVE FITTING ROOMS.

- Second, how does he know what we will and won't buy? If there is anything that was made clear by this ill-fated shopping trip it is that he does not know much of anything and lives a very sad, small life behind his big counter in his smelly old store.

-Third, HOW was he "helping" us, not just to find a dress, but in ANY way?

Actually, he did help us. He helped us cross Decades off our list of local stores we support. He helped us spend money with retailers who are kind and decent people. We put down everything we had picked out and we left (another customer lurking near the back of the shop looked horrified and apologized quietly to us for his behavior).

This man is mistaken if he believes that his CLOTHING is so special that it warrants treating HUMANS in this way. I advise everyone to stay away and not support anyone who makes the world any harder, meaner, or weirder than it already is.…

the cat in the window sold me on going inside. I was extreamly nervous to go to decades because i heard of the horrible mean old owner and how he hates teenagers (compleatly understandable. my generation sucks). for my 17th bday my mom and i went. i am a little vintage addict and was wearing some slightly vintage clothes so i think thats why he didnt want to destroy me with his mind. but he was giving my mom dirty looks! it might be because she didnt see the sign that said leave your bag with him and i had to point it out. she left it with him and we where both extreamly behaved and polite. (exept when we saw some really off the wall clothes... laughed but didnt make a scene.)

i dont understand. he is rumored to hate teens but he was polite to me. and mean to my mother... ? the cat was adorible tho. deffinantly trying it again in a few days for my 18th bday.

but honestly the clothes are worth it for grumpy up front. AMAZING selection. never seen one bigger.…

Great selection. I LOVE this store! I found Decades while I was in SLC on business. I wanted to get out of my hotel and see the city, but there is not much to do on a Sunday here. Decades is one of the few places open, and I am so glad I happened across it. I'm not all that interested in vintage clothing, but I love vintage jewelry. Decades has an amazing selection of both. I purchased two signed Eisenberg broaches for a steal. I easily would have spent twice as much money for these gems at the same kind of store on either coast.

As far as the attitude of the sales staff toward customers, my experience was nothing like what some other reviewers described. The clerks were very nice to me. I offered to let them take my bag when I walked in the store, and the clerk behind the counter thanked me and said it wasn't necessary. The owner walked through the store once while I was there, but I didn't feel like he was watching me. When I asked the clerk to open a case for me, he was very pleasant and helpful. I didn't feel that I was imposing on the staff. When I was checking out, the owner and clerk warmed up a little more and chatted a bit about the pieces I had selected and made some suggestions about what else I could do during my visit to SLC. They even directed me to a really neat antique shop a few blocks from their shop.

If I ever come back to SLC, I am definitely going back to Decades.…