Leo’s Old Clothes

It’s one of Columbia’s secrets, but a great store. You need to have time when you go up there, as there is some organization, but there is SO MUCH! Most of it is for sale, but some items are for rent. They have a little bit of everything. Military clothes, band uniforms, Asian clothing, shoes, evening gowns, wedding dresses, good costume jewelry, vintage items. You’ll find something. I take my nieces up there a few times a year and it’s always fun. The prices are completely reasonable, too, which is a rarity in a town that seems to thrive on overpriced vintage clothing.

This is definitely a unique second-​hand shop. It is almost like stepping into another world. It’s basically a vast jungle of old clothes, random memorabilia, and accessories. I saw nothing that I would remotely consider wearing for real clothing, except maybe a couple hats, but there were plenty of options for bizarre costumes and if you looked hard enough, you could probably find something rather historical. I thought they were kind of overpriced. There were some white clothe sailor hats for $ 12 each… you can get them online for like $ 5. The woman at the front desk greeted us on our way in and out, but certainly did not display a pleasant affect. Due to the prices and the atmosphere, I would only go back to this place if I were on a desperate search for a costume or eccentric piece and had no other options.

There are places to buy clothes. And then there are p-​l-​a-​c-​e-​s t-​o b-​u-​y c-​l-​o-​t-​h-​e-​s. I don’t think Leos is so much of a clothing store as some sort of place you go to find a concept. It’s better not to explain too much. Just go up 9^th st. a little north of broadway, find the tiny door leading up to some loft-​space, and climb the rickity stairways, glance at the graffiti and art on the walls, and when you get to the top of the stairs, take a deep breath before you actually walk into this world of Leos.
I asked the lady behind the ‘counter’ the story of this place. It turns out, it’s been around for something like 30 or 40 years? Same place, and it looks that way. The many rooms look very lived-​in. As I was walking around, soaking it all up, I saw these strange glass-​block walls facing 9^th st, with tiny windows. And then it hit me. This was the place, where during the outdoors Flaming Lips concert on 9^th st., someone had aped out of one of these tiny windows, with little more than a wig and a smile, flashing the crowd and dancing along with all the crazy hippy music. And once I was inside, it all made sense.
But overall, it seems like a kind of thrift store gone antique store gone wild. The prices are not unreasonable; if you look for a gas mask you will probably pay $ 30 or $ 40 for a good one. I can’t tell you if all the gaskets are still air-​tight, but when shopping for some sort of particular clothes or props, this is the place to find whatever concept you have in mind.