Decades Vintage Clothing

Recommends

Donna W.

Joined 3 months ago

I visited here on Saturday with my girlfriend and we had a great time exploring and admiring the jewelry, clothes, handbags, and shoes. We had a fantastic experience. The staff was friendly and helpful, the cat was entertaining and the collection of stock was nothing short of amazing. I will definitely be back.

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Elizabeth M.

Joined 9 months ago

Everyone needs to CALM DOWN about the owner. I'm 16 years old and my friend (who's 17) and I have gone into Decades thousands of times and NEVER have we been treated with suspicion or condescension nor have I EVER seen him treat any other customers that way (I understand there are two men that work there, so there may be some confusion as to which one's the owner, but I say the same about both of them). I've come in with other friends too that are around my age, and I've never felt like he looked down on them. He even let me try on one of the antique dresses, and I ended up buying it for my prom. He takes great pride in his collection and rightfully so. As long as you're treating all of the delicate items with respect and you read the signs, you should have a pleasant shopping experience. I recommend Decades to everyone. Beautiful clothes, a lot of fun stuff, and the store cat is so adorable :)

Katie M.

Joined 9 months ago

EVERY time I go in this store the owner (I presume) looks at me like I am about to do something wrong. He follows me throughout the store, eyes me, and even looks at me when I leave. I haven't even ended up buying anything there because I feel so uncomfortable that I cannot even look through the clothes.

I'm not and I do not look like some hoodlum criminal, I am half black, and I think he is a racist. Like he thinks I am going to steal something. It's so rude. He made me so upset that I had to leave the store and almost cried because I felt so oppressed. I would report him, but I don't know how.

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Jessica M.

Joined 9 months ago

OK...Everyone who says they were treated poorly really need to consider what kind of an establishment you are entering. This is a thrift shop with clothes that can be over 70 years old with sequence and irreplaceable embellishment. You have people coming in touching delicate clothing that can tear from even the slightest touch if you aren't careful. How would you feel if you owned/worked in a store like that? I'm sure you would be less then nice to people who are coming in touching your merchandise with no intention on buying it. The ones saying bad reviews are probably the ones who are man-handling everything. I have gone in there many times and I was treated with respect and was helped whenever I asked for it. I offered to leave my purse each time, and only asked to try on what I really felt would fit me. It's called being respectful people!

I am a pinup girl in training and stores like this is what keeps us girls going! This store is ABSOLUTELY AMAZING! I can easily spend hours in this store looking at everything from dresses to hats, to jewelry to shoes. They got stuff for guys and dolls, which is a plus for the girls that drag their significant others along lol. The prices are so awesome, I have gotten numerous gorgeous vintage dresses for under $30!!! That's as much or even less then what dresses cost today! I've also bought purses and hats for only $15!!! These prices are PHENOMENAL!!!!

One word of warning for those going into this store. Vintage clothing are a different size then today's sizes. If a dress says size 5, then it is a 1950's size 5, which will be smaller then today's size. Just learn what vintage size fits you and go with that when looking for clothing, and the same goes for shoes.

All I can say is that if you are a true vintage fan, and are really planning on going in to find something and can be respectful as you do so, then you will have an awesome few hours! But if you go in there talking crap about what you see, touching everything, and insisting on trying on things labeled delicate when you THINK you will fit it in it, then don't even bother coming. But I HIGHLY recommend this establishment and I enjoy every time I go. It is literally impossible to leave this store empty handed and I guarantee you will find something you will absolutely love!

Doesn't Recommend

Utsw123

Joined 5 years ago

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.

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Sierra M.

Joined 1 year ago

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.

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trh123

Joined 5 years ago

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.

Doesn't Recommend

T Burd

Joined 2 years ago

Owner is horrid. My friends went in looking for a wedding dress. Owner was horrid to the bride-to-be. Rude!!! I will NEVER shop there again!

Doesn't Recommend

yeya

Joined 2 years ago

horrible service. I have gone three times to this store and HORRIBLE experience. Worst customer service in all of Salt Lake.

First time, I went in with my two children. They were in a stroller. Owner saw me struggling to get the stroller in and he just stared. This place is not stroller/wheelchair friendly. The owner is so rude! My children were in the stroller not even running around. He just looked at us like we were all in soiled diapers. I was looking for an 80s dress for a 80s party I was hosting. I told all of my guests not to dare go in that store. I sent other businesses info. on my invites for my guests to go find their 80s attire...but I told them not to go to Decades. The owner never asked if I needed assistance or anything. I was pre-shopping for over 50 guests. So not only did he lose my business, but business of about 50 potential customers.

Time passed and I figured, well, maybe if I go alone. Mistake! Still a grouch! I needed some gloves for and evening gala...left feeling like I was not welcomed. The owner has this attitude. I guess if you do not go in looking like you came out of a vintage closet, then you do not "deserve" to shop there.

Third is a charm right? It is obvious that SLC is not the fashion capital of the world and I needed a unique evening gown for a formal gala of over 2000 guests. I gathered some courage to walk in again to find a one of a kind gown. Never going back! Horrible, horrible, horrible service! I ended up buying a dress totaling $600+ somewhere else, so yes Decade's business owner, you might want to pay attention because have you been nicer, I could have spent that and more in your store for one of a kind items. I was searching for a dress and jewelry and hair accessories at that time and I walked out because of the owner. And of course, I told all my friends attending the gala to go somewhere else.

If you do not care to be treated like an intruder, then welcome to Decades...otherwise, save your money and expectations of a good experience because you will not find it at Decades.

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SophieEdwina

Joined 2 years ago

Very impressed!. On a trip to SLC last week, I stumbled across this vintage store, and after seeing the selection in the window - I knew I had to go in...

Before I made my visit to Decades, I looked up some reviews and information online. Almost all of the reviews stated that the owner was rude and grouchy, and I was a little apprehensive about going in.....

I walked into the store, and was greeted by the lovely store cat - such a sweet little thing! I said hello to the owner who was behind the counter, and saw the sign asking to leave purses with him, which I understand... So I gave him my purse, and he seemed to lighten up a bit after that.

Honestly, this guy obviously prides himself on his amazing collection of antique and vintage wear. There were some obnoxious teens in there, pulling at clothes and yelling - he is probably just a paranoid wreck about his things getting damaged. I was in there for almost 2 hours browsing and I wasn't treated suspiciously at all.

The selection is AMAZING, it's the best vintage store i've ever been to, I felt like I had died and gone to heaven. The prices are wonderful, as well.

I walked out with a lucite ring, a fur collar, and a mesh pillbox hat, I could not have been more pleased.

The owner treated me respectfully and we joked as I paid for my merchandise. I think he is just very misunderstood, and if you walk in there with a good attitude and reassure him about yourself there will be no problems!