One of my favorite pastimes has always been browsing the racks of local thrift stores for bargain buys. Since arriving for school in the capital, however, I have not happened upon one Goodwill or Salvation Army. There is no Salvation Army in the District or surrounding areas; thrift-seeking Hoyas are limited to one single Goodwill in Northeast D.C. and shopping staples such as Gap and J. Crew in Georgetown. However, for those local Washingtonians with a desire to brighten a wardrobe with some flashy color and vintage flair, the newly opened Annie Creamcheese may be the answer.
Subtitled “a fabulous vintage to modern boutique for celebrities,” this new addition to M St. has taken the place of the old poster store between 33 St. and 32 St. Walking down the stairs into the pink-splashed den of couture, a zebra print bench and handwritten signs in curly lettering slyly suggest something fresh and almost overpowering. One side of the store is dedicated to racks of casual jackets, sweaters, skirts and dresses that glimmer and glow with color. The other wing of the boutique is dedicated to the designer vintage pieces that give this store its name.
“I’m focused on the fabulous stuff in here,” company President and co-founder Garrett Bauman explained. In the pricier couture wing, racks grouped by era are filled with standout pieces that were hand-picked by Bauman and co-founder Annie Lee. Almost every item in this section is impeccably crafted, hailing from a bygone time when apparel was made to last generations. A pair of never before worn Emilio Pucci pumps from the ‘60s, a beaded handbag from the ‘20s and a heavy, ornate Bob Mackey dress are among the gems in this section.
Annie Creamcheese has become a fountain of fashion for professional women in the District who may dress in Chico’s suits by day but wish to stand out in unique evening wear by night. The cupcake-ruffled ‘80s dresses suit some fashion-forward local high-school girls who want to shine at prom. Lee describes this wave of vintage fashion, now rampant on U.S. coastal city streets, as inspired by celebrities who turn to old and updated styles. It is now acceptable in fashion-conscious circles to wear vintage and be an individual in one’s dress.
Though I marveled at the abundance of visceral stimulants in the store-the fabrics, details, careful crafting-I was nevertheless left with a feeling of disappointment. I would undoubtedly be able to find a knockout dress for that special formal event, but Annie Creamcheese will not fulfill my thrift store-scavenging desires. Those aiming for that vintage look without burning large sums of cash will still need to commute to the Northeast quadrant of D.C. or save their shopping for other cities.
Annie Creamcheese is located at 3279 M St. NW, Washington D.C. 20007, (202) 298-5555, www.anniecreamcheese.com.
Goodwill is located at 2200 South Dakota Ave. NE, Washington D.C. 20018, (202) 715-2658
