Tuesday, July 6, 2010

Cheap Thrills: Just the Way I Like 'Em

Cheap Thrills

Lucky for those who enjoy a good romp through some resale retail, Tulsa is home to scads of thrift and vintage shops and flea markets.

But while we have everything from Goodwill and Salvation Army outlets to kids' consignment to second-hand hotel furniture super shops, there's nothing in Tulsa quite like this.

Cheap Thrills, at 3018 E. 15th Street, is Tulsa's home for hand-selected vintage clothing and goods, as well as pop culture collectibles, all under one quaint, funky, Cherry Street roof.

Cheap Thrills

What follows are just a few of my finds.

Cheap Thrills

Cheap Thrills

Cheap Thrills

Cutest. Flirtiest. Undies. EVAR.

Cheap Thrills

If I had abs more than three inches long and less than 24 inches around, I'd totally wear this halter top. 

Cheap Thrills

And this bathing suit, which is, I'm pretty sure, a replica of one I wore back when I was three years old. 

In the summer of 1986. Or, as I know it, the summer of animal crackers and the QT Squirt.

Cheap Thrills

Know what movie this hat brought to mind?


Duh.

Oh, great. Now I want a pair of delicate little white gloves, too. To wear to the swanky polo matches I attend on the weekends. Right after I watch late-night episodes of I Love Lucy and enjoy champagne and strawberries and dental floss in the penthouse of the Beverly Wilshire Hotel.

Such a great movie.

Cheap Thrills

Vintage graphic tees stretch on as far as they eye could see, in just about any color and style that you could imagine.

And how about these little boys' vintage Lacoste shirts?

Cheap Thrills

Cheap Thrills

Cheap Thrills

I remember my cousins wearing these when we were kids. And I had to use every ounce of my restraint not to buy every single one in stock at Cheap Thrills when I visited last weekend.

Part of what I love so much about shopping at Cheap Thrills is that all the merchandise is super-organized. Typically, shopping resale, consignment and vintage is a frustrating experience for me. I'm not the kind of person who is happy sifting through rack after rack of thousands of random articles of clothing, none of which seem to be grouped in any order or according to any category, looking for that one piece that makes my heart sing. I prefer to be able to quickly see what my options are, assess whether or not I want to make a purchase and then move on with my life.

If you're jonesing for "the hunt," though, you can still get that at Cheap Thrills. It's just much easier and much more enjoyable to peruse and browse there than it is at some other resale stores I've tried.

Clothes are organized by decade. Then, they're subcategorized by style. For instance, women's wear was hung on multiple racks behind tags labeled 1940s, 1950s and so on. Within those eras, the clothing was sorted into, as in the case of the 1980s rack, peasant tops and dresses, dynasty evening gowns and so on. Plus, the prices are good enough to make you swoon.

It's heaven for the no-nonsense, Type A shopper.

It's heaven for anyone looking for a reprieve from the one-size-fits-all, overpriced clothing at the shopping malls, too. 

Cheap Thrills

Cheap Thrills

Know who I think of when I see these hair ties?


Duh. Beeeee good.

Now, if you're a child of the 80s, prepare to completely freak out.

Cheap Thrills

OMG!

Cheap Thrills

OMG!!!!111!!!1

Cheap Thrills

Creepy Crawlers, too?? Oh, Jesus...

Cheap Thrills

Oh, Jesus! It's really you! I'm so sorry, Lord - I didn't see you kneeling there.

Look, you guys - 3D Jesus, the sign says. $15, it says.

I think you know what I have to do.

Camera one:

Cheap Thrills

Camera two:

Cheap Thrills

Camera one:

Cheap Thrills

Camera two:

Cheap Thrills

Fun!

Cheap Thrills

Think you'd like to stop in at Cheap Thrills soon and have your own self a look-see? Well, you (and your pocketbook) are in luck. They're having a 1/2-off sale from now until July 18. That's 50 percent off of everything in the store for two whole weeks.

Just do me a favor, okay? If you snag something incredible at Cheap Thrills (and, odds are, you will), post a link to a photo of the newest addition to your life in the comments section of this post. I have a feeling you all will find some really, really interesting things, and I can't bear the thought of not taking a peek.

Help me help you help me shop vicariously through you. Get it? Got it? Good. Can't wait to see your finds!

Cheap Thrills Vintage
Where: 3018 E. 15th Street
When: Monday-Friday, 12-7pm; Saturday, 11am-6pm; Sunday, 12-4pm
Call: (918) 295-5868
Web: Cheap Thrills Vintage On Facebook

5 comments:

lollywood said...

3d jesus is hilarious! Thanks for the morning laugh! :) And cheap thrills looks like a fun place to shop! I hate the search at thrift shops, as well! As much as I love great finds, I don't have the patience in a big, dusty thrift shop with 2 industrials fans at the front and no other ventilation.. oh and babies running around at your feet, far from their parents.. Although, I can't dog thrift shops too much... I found a skirt there for $2 that I've been wearing for the past 4 years.. that's a pretty amazing find.

Tasha said...

3D Jesus IS funny! I didn't get the $15 wall-hanging-sized edition, but I didn't walk away with a postcard-sized 3D Jesus. It's watching me from the mantle above my fireplace now. Hallelujah!

And yeah, can't argue with a $2 skirt that's lasted you that long. Talk about a good investment of time/money! Holy moly.

Shelley Parker Chandler said...

LOVE this post and definitely have to check out Cheap Thrills as soon as possible! :)

Unknown said...

I totally agree about that sifting thru rack after rack business. I like stuff organized! Will definitely check out this place.

Erin Conrad said...

The Care Bears plate and cup almost gave me a heart attack. Must have. Now!

Post a Comment

Related Posts with Thumbnails