Rosebud Vintage at The Peacock Room

This place closed February 2015

This is a true vintage shop! I am late to write a review and came across some of the pieces I purchased over two years ago and decided to write something short and sweet. Not only is Melise knowledgeable and kind, she offers helpful tips on product care and styling tips. Her selection is diverse and I always see something that almost anyone can wear. Her shops carries items that date far back into the late 1800’s, where else can you view such history but a museum?
I no longer work nearby and cannot wait to make a trip over to this side of town just for Rosebud one day soon. Small shop, don’t touch everything, Melise works very hard to maintain a mini-​museum that smells great too.

BEST VINTAGE STORE IN BROOKLYN. COOLEST STORE. AWESOME DRESSING ROOM. Every dress is gorgeous and wildly original. There is handmade jewelry and awesome bags and vintage lingerie. Great range of sizes, totally reasonable prices. I got the most beautiful dress that I own there. It was a ballgown and the woman who runs the place came up with the whole idea of what I could wear with it to dress it down to work for the outdoor wedding I was attending. I got so many compliments. She even helped me figure out wheat my boyfriend should where and cool/​reasonable places I could go shopping for him. She and her totally nice boyfriend, who also runs the place, went above and beyond and are smart and awesome and I will go there for everything. Every dress has a story, homegirl who runs it is nothing short of a historian. I tell people they should just go and enjoy it as a gallery even if they dont need to buy anything. LOVE LOVE.

Way out of my price range, but let’s face all true vintage things are for me! I had a great time with Travis (or was it Trevor, I’m sorry!), he pulled half a dozen dresses for me to try on. One was the most beautiful black lace dress from the 30’s priced at $ 430. Too much for me, but I had a great time and I’ll be back!

I’m writing this review because, much as I’d like to keep Rosebud Vintage all to myself, both the shop and the owner deserve to be hugely successful. Melise is simply wonderful. She has amazing taste and an almost encyclopedic knowledge of women’s fashion. She is, in the best sense of the phrase, a total geek for fashion, and is enthusiastic and honest and professional.
The inventory ranges from late 19^th century to 1970s, and the pieces range from casual to business to fanciful. She always has a small but wonderful selection of accessories and shoes as well as clothes. I would highly recommend Rosebud Vintage to anyone looking for something special.

I’ve lived within a few blocks of Rosebud Vintage for over a year, and I can’t believe it took searching for stationery for me to finally step inside. They did not have the stationery I was looking for, but I found something even better and more unique.
The first thing I noticed was a pair of felt Victorian boots more suited for the Smithsonian than a shop. I love that unlike other vintage shops, it does not skew heavily toward the 1980’s. That’s pretty incredible, given the current fashion revival trend. I pawed through just about every sublime item, all of which had beautiful fabric and tailoring. It was kind of like being in a museum where you can touch everything. I gazed lovingly at a 1930’s wool sport coat with marmot trim and once I actually tried it on, well, I fell madly in love and bought it.
As other reviews have mentioned, the shop is adorable, it smells great in there, and the proprietor knows more than just a little bit about her wares. I ended up spending about an hour with Melise talking about not only clothing, but also music, hair treatments, and environmental conservation. I want to bring everyone in there to show them just how incredible a vintage store can be, and honestly, to play dress-​up with my petite pals.

Melise is kind, honest and astoundingly knowledgeable. She knew the origin of almost every piece I brought in from my Grandma’s closet instantly, as well as the story behind how it was made and for whom. I look forward to shopping there just to chat with her!

Amazing selection! Pieces range from the 1800s to the 1970s. Everything is so beautiful and in amazing condition! I wish the prices were a little more reasonable for me to afford them.

So, I have never really felt compelled to write a negative Unilocal review before and I especially don’t want to write negatively about local businesses… But alas, here it comes. I read all of these great reviews for Rosebud and the owner Melise and thought I should check out the store as it’s in my ‘hood and I’m looking for a 20s style dress. Melise wasn’t there but some guy was, maybe a friend or her boyfriend – don’t know, don’t care. The guy was polite enough at first and asked what I was looking for, so I told him: flapper dress or another 20s style dress. He said that that kind of dress wouldn’t fit me. Now, I don’t consider myself to be a very huge woman at all (I’m 5 ‘7’’, size 6 – 8 depending on the brand, which, according to Vogue, is «curvy», but, according to the rest of the universe, is average), and he probably didn’t mean to insult me.
But then he went on to explain how you have to be super skinny to wear a flapper dress and that my hips are too wide, etc., etc., I wish I could remember everything he said but I started to tune him out and instead wonder what planet he’s from that he thinks it’s okay to tell me I’m too fat to wear a flapper dress. He suggested instead a perfectly nice brown-​and-​white dress from the 20s – perfectly nice except for the $ 188 price tag and the hole at the front and the rip in one of the seams. When I pointed out these holes, he proceeded to tell me, «Oh, well you know, this is like 100 years old, and anyone can sew up a rip on a seam.» Oh, thank you so much for that clarification. I realize that a rip in the seam is easily fixable, but the hole in the front is not; more important, the point of buying vintage, at least for me, is to pay less than $ 188 for a dress that may have some wear and tear.
Anyway, THEN (it gets better), he said, «I just have to put this cape on you… you’re going to love it.» I’m like… uuuhhhhh, ok. I put it on, nonplussed. Didn’t really come in here for a heavy, fur-​collared, gigantic cape, but thanks anyway. Also, my mind went here: «She’s fat! Cover her up with this enormous cape, quick!», though I definitely do not think that that was his intention; I really think he just thought the cape was cool and wanted to show me something else since I wasn’t too thrilled with the dress.
But, as someone who, like most women, has struggled with body image issues, and who still struggles with these issues (to a much lesser extent, thankfully, than when I was, say, 16) this whole episode was a little too much for me. Maybe I caught him/​the store on an off day, but I probably won’t be coming back. I took a few minutes to browse through the rest of the dresses and looked at some of the shoes and jewelry, and everything looks very nice, if overpriced. Word to the wise, Rosebud: if you have dresses that you want people to pay $ 188 for, take a few seconds to sew any fixable holes/​tears before displaying them. Oh, and don’t imply that your customers are fat.

I love this place… as someone who wears mostly vintage because modern clothing makes me sad, this is a little utopia of goodness! When I visit NY there are few places I go every time, no matter what! And this is one of them.
I wish the prices were a little lower, but that’s mainly because I want to buy it all! =)
Whoever has been working when I go is super sweet and helpful.
Fantastic real vintage! Unlike a lot of other places that claim to be vintage and are just full of bad 80s clothing. This place is the real deal! Lovely 20’s 30’s 40’s and 50’s dresses, in pristine shape!
If you’re a lover of vintage and your in NY… you owe it to your fanciful self to go here and indulge in at least one purchase. the quality is TOP and you’re bound to find at least one thing you MUST have!
Great vintage accessories too! 5 stars
Oh and for those of you who can’t make it in the shop. they have an etsy shop! bonus!

Reasonable priced authentic Vintage. I found my first vintage pieces here; 50’s dress and 40’s shoes, they are exquisite and I am in love. I didn’t want to leave the store. Malise is awesome and really knows her stuff. I am definitely going back next week.

From a vintage men’s tux to jeweled broaches and silk floral buttoneers i can honestly say that there isn’t a time that I haven’t entered and not found something I didn’t covet… and eventually got.

Every time I go into Rosebud, Melise makes one or two absolutely brilliant, inspired suggestions that I inevitably have to buy. The store is small, but it’s carefully curated by a genius. I recommend this place so hard.

Yes, as good as it gets! This is one of the best, well priced vintage store I’ve ever been to. Malise is a doll and I have gotten an armload of great things for me and my older very vintage daughter. Someone else listed things she got there, so I will too.
A beautiful needle point purse with an amazing handle
many hankies
a beautiful beaded 40’s black silk dress
a fantastic polka dot 30’s dress
a slip, old but never used!
and a gorgeous 50’s sundress

A true vintage store! The owner was incredibly nice, knowledgable and helpful. She offered to pull specific things for me according to my size and I didn’t even give her my size! She made a really nice selection. She even was patient with my friend and I having our baby girls with us, even though the strollers took up a quarter of the store.
I especially liked her selection of clothing and accessories. It’s a really small store but she has a little bit of everything and assured me that she gets new things in every time so it is the type of store I would be happy to come back and check out regularly.
I came away with a 1940s silk ribbon skirt and my friend got a really beautiful pale pink sleeveless dress. I thought her prices were reasonable and even though she couldn’t come down on the price of my skirt as much as I would’ve liked, she took a few bucks off for me which I thought was a nice sentiment. Unlike other vintage stores I’ve been to recently, it was obvious that Rosebud’s inventory really IS vintage and the owner seems really honest in her pricing and love for what she offers.
Definitely highly recommended!

melise is probably the most sincere and knowledgeable vintage chick in the area. she explained in detail her consigning beliefs, buying patterns, fashion tips, and secret spots.
i know little about fashion let alone vintage, but knew for months i wanted a fur neck piece to wrap as a shawl on cooler days. she had a 1920’s muskrat original in perfect condition for just over $ 100 that i had to have. she worked with me by staying open late, answering any questions that came up, picking out other dresses and skirts to try on, and then giving me the rundown on how to care for this piece. she then suggested other great vintage places in the area to shop, which is pretty cool considering she owns her own boutique.
Rosebud’s probably going to make me go broke. but it’s worth it.

Rosebud Vintage IS THE BOMB. First of all, it SMELLS GOOD. I walked in, whiffed, and knew that it was about to be on! It’s everything I look for in a first class shopping experience. That is:
— a beautiful and thoughtful collection of well kept, one-​of-​a-​kind vintage pieces;
— a wide selection of types of goods, ranging anywhere from hats to lipstick/​cardholders to vintage lingerie and woolen outerwear.
— the biggest, most glamorous scalloped mirror in front of which you can go ahead and put on a fashion show. WHAT!
— vintage pieces from around the world. In just one stop, we talked about dance shoes from Brazil; a fierce lapis lazuli ring from Turkey; gorgeous vintage Persian rugs. the list goes on.
— hand written tags with piece description, origin, era;
— !! and one real passionate and talented woman who owns and minds the shop with EXTENSIVE knowledge about every single one of her pieces for sale. No lie.
What I walked out with:
I really wish I could post the photo right here, so you can see. A pair of purple suede and patent leather oxford style lace up heels. 1960s. As Melise says, «Screams Prince!» So now, that’s who I’m walking around town pretending to be. Kinda convincingly ;)
Other notes:
Melise will, as was the case when my friend and I stopped in the other day, stitch and reinforce any piece you are about to purchase while you talk leisurely with her about that crazy crocodile box bag on the wall. Prices are reasonable, especially when in comparison to other vintage spots that up-​sell shoddy pieces that haven’t been cared for in a long time. Above all, Rosebud Vintage is the kind of store that tells a story. And tells it superbly and elegantly. Best come listen!

I meant to give Rosebud a review as soon as I stepped out. I prefer my vintage stores on the glamorous side, and Rosebud fit the bill without being astoundingly expensive. In fact, prices were roughly half what I was expecting to pay, and I walked out of here wanting to buy, well, absolutely everything. I had to be content with a pale pink, ruffle sleeved Jean Harlow evening gown from the 1930s that will be part of my Halloween costume this year. On top of that, the girl working here was super friendly and very knowledgeable about the clothes! I will be back as often as I can get to the neighborhood– I wish the vintage stores near me were this awesome.

Now, I’m not going to lie– I didn’t like vintage clothing for a long time. I used to think vintage clothing stores were places to make you pay tons of money for clothes that would make you look like your grandmother.
Let me step back a moment to also mention that for more than a year now I have been unsuccessfully searching for clothes that not only fit me properly, but also look nice. And so, it was in desperation that one day I hesitantly stepped into Rosebud Vintage. The owner, Melise is incredibly knowledgable on all things vintage and her passion for it is contagious– I quickly realized my «grandmother» idea was all wrong. While I didn’t buy anything the first time I went there, when she explained how most vintage pieces fit better because women typically would have them tailored to fit their body so they were adjusted to better fit the female form I was sold.
The second time I went to Rosebud (this time eagerly), I ended up buying three pieces– each of which I love! Unlike a lot of clothing I see being sold today, these pieces fit my curves perfectly.
The shop has a lot of variety in sizes and styles as well as jewelry, hats, purses and more– it’s definitely worth it to come and check it out!

As a devoted vintage collector who happens to be 8 months pregnant, I despaired over what to wear to a fancy party last Tuesday. Then I walked into Rosebud, described my bind to the lovely proprietor Melise, and 20 minutes later had an amazing ‘20s frock that garnered a hundred compliments but, most importantly, made me feel like a million bucks. I am super proud to have been their first customer and can say without hesitation that adorable, well-​appointed Rosebud ranks among the very best of the city’s vintage!