Ellen Vintage on Ludlow

On the lower east side there are so many vintage stores that seem to employ the seem general merchandising technique- a kind of "this is my walk-in closet, please come in" idea. Pieces are hung on mismatched hangers, sometimes rugs cover the hardwood floors, ferragamo flats or block heels aplenty and of course the overabundance of almost-perfect flat boots. It never hurts to throw a strategically placed lace chemise (generally in or nearby the dressing room) in a faded pale pink or cream to really make you feel like you are immersed in your dream closet. Ellen puts a similar aesthetic in place, but what separates this store from it's much larger and perhaps more eclectic competitors is it's point perfect editing and the tailoring that the owner, Ellen, applies to each piece she acquires. So you actually enter the dressing room and find yourself wearing something vintage that already fits (a true rarity). She has a knack for finding pieces that are worn just enough to give them that "snatched from my mother's closet" feeling but aren't necessarily in need of any further repair- most likely because she takes care of all issues with the merchandise before it hits the floor. There is an honesty in what she stocks that I find particularly appealing. Her finds go well beyond the "trend du jour." Truly for the woman who understands her own fashion sense, not one that likes to be told what to wear. For me, it does not get better.