Vintage Goldmines in Boston

40 South St, Jamaica Plain, MA 02130 (map)

Owners Otto Johnson and Hilken Mancini curate a madly hipster-legit gallery of styles for both sexes. From distressed boots to poofy frocks, the wares are immensely browseable in the store's low-key, we're-all-friends-here vibe. The ghost of vintage clothier Gumshoe (the former incarnation of this store) would approve.

255 Elm St, Somerville, MA 02144 (map)

It's nigh impossible to leave empty-handed from Meredith Byam's consignment boutique, housing an impressive designer label base. Gucci heels, vintage Dior coats and Betsey Johnson dresses co-exist with flowing flower-child frocks and biker-chick leathers. Multiple jewelry arrangements throughout the store provide lovely, tempting diversions.

22a College Ave, Somerville, MA 02144 (map)

Sashay through and past the pyramids of kitsch-objects to seek treasures lying in the back half of this brilliant Davis Square emporium, helmed by artist Amy Berkowitz. Go nose to nose with embellished cardigans, avant '80s dresses and rows of delectable bags, shoes and ladies-on-Sunday hats. A rummage through the vintage baubles? Mandatory.

424 Hanover St, Boston, MA 02113 (map)

Past the cannoli warriors and the pasta pharaohs on North End's Hanover Street lies the Velvet Fly, one of the unfrumpiest vintage purveyors in town. Co-owners Beth Ann Hoyos and Lorrinda Cerrutti carefully buy pieces--wool sheaths, lacy blouses, leather pocketbooks--they know will look one-of-a-kind vintage, yet uncannily modern. Also mixed in are contemporary boutique brands, so old becomes new, all beautifully contextualized.

252 Brighton Ave, Boston, MA 02134 (map)

One-stop shopping for the well-clad, the vintageistas and the light of wallet. Rescue, an updated bartering boutique (on-the-spot buying for cash or store credit, versus consignment) purveys cult-hip brands for both sexes "and the vintage pieces that inspired them." Which means, dear reader, everything from Marc Jacobs to United Bamboo for wicked cheap, plus curated pre-1980 pieces that'll polish the carving on your fashion plate.

175 Newbury St, Boston, MA 02116 (map)

Kevin Kish's diminutive, garden-level consignment boutique runs a tight ship (don't even dare try sneaking a coffee inside), but the rewards come to those who seek them. And oh, what rewards for ladies and gents: Hermes ties, Prada wedges, Dries van Noten silks and the so-gorgeous-I-don't-even-care-who-made-these calfskin boots. As expected, not beans-and-rice cheap, but respectably grass-fed-hamburger-with-Pinot priced.