http://ragstock.com/ - online site, and info on various locations.
For those of you who don't know, Ragstock is a alternative/vintage/cultural clothing store. They offer a wide selection of clothing at very reasonable prices. I recently was able to visit their chicago area location, and go shopping first hand through their kimono selection. The location was a little tricky to find, and the entrance to the store I visited was in an alleyway.
Per the staff, once a month each location gets a shipment of new kimono/obi. The kimono sales are fast paced, and have a high turn over. From my first hand experaince I did not encounter any obi worth purchasing, but found MANY great kimono.
The kimono, and haori are wrinkled. Some are wrinkled beyond recovery, others just need a steaming / ironning. I spent $100 there and walked out with the following: 2 nagajuban, 1 wool kimono, 1 paper kimono (cant confirm), 3 NEW MINT modern style kimono (still had original lables), 2 mens kimono, 3 mens haori, 1 dance kimono, 2 yakauta, and 2 womens haori. Below are a few photos of these items, I did not get photos of everything, due to time..and well...some are just very simple boring pieces that I intend on letting children play with when I do Girl Scout and School demonstrations.
I did have to steam and iron the kimono to remove wrinkles. However, I thought it was worth it - I paid on average $5 per kimono..and for some personal time and effort was well rewarded! Yes, I did iron kimono (silk, and wool - the wool took to ironning VERY well), and there was no damage - I set the iron to low and used the steam feature while keeping my movement of the iron fast as to not linger on any area too long)
Prices - are posted presale / discounts.
Haori - $5 - $20
Kimono - On average $5 ..upwards of $100 (very rare)
Obi - $4 - $12 (mostly junk, didnt buy any)
Here are a few photos of the selection in the store. You can see things are wrinkled and not everything is worth wearing. The selection is great if you are looking for kimono to buy and cut up. There were around 4 racks of kimono to choose from, and 2 seperate stands packed full of very nice haori (many with cords!).
I recommend this place to ANYONE! Keep in mind, the kimono are hit and miss, so if at first you dont get a good selection, wait a month and come back. $5 and some steaming, and you have an awesome new kimono, juban, or haori!
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Here are my photos of the purchases frm the Ragstock collection. These are NOT all of the items, I did not get pictures of everything. At the time of purchasing these items, there was an additional sale going on, so I got a slight discount over the ticket prices.
These kimono were wrinkled, and required a steaming and an ironning to relax. I feel that for my crummy $100 spent at the store, I was VERY well rewarded! In particular, the two juban I purchased were real steals! You'll see below what I mean
Here are SOME of the items that I laid out after buying them. You can see they are wrinkled. Again, this is not everything I purchased. I'll lable the photos to better explain.
2 mens haori, just purchased. The one featured has a picture of a palace. Only $5 each.
2 womens haori - these will be shown later in detail and are treasures! They cost me $10 each.
Kimono pile! The red one cost me $10, the rest were $5 purchases.
The next post, is of the 'dewrinkled' kimono and more details on the items. Again, I didnt bother to get photos of everything, I figure you guys get the picture without needing to see -everything- I bought.
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Here are photos of the purchases aftre 1 steaming / iron session. The lovely model is my stepdaughter, who too has a passion of all things kimono. She looks so bored in the photos, but I promise she was happy to get to pose for everyone here - she says 'hello'.
The wool kimono - I LOVE the feel of a wool kimono! This is my first ever wool kimono, and I never thought one would feel so nice! Silver threads are a part of the weave, adding a subtle sparkle in the light. This kimono was $5, it ironned out VERY well.
Details of the wool kimono. The kimono is a dusty blue, with pink and silver details.
This kimono was brand new, mint - with its original sales tags on it. This kimono is easily my all time favorite now, and features a dusty blue lining. The design is woven, not a print. This kimono was $5.
Detail shot.
This green haori came with its cords. It has a subtle grassy field weave that includes flowers. This item cost me $10.
Detail shot.
Here is my REAL treasure! Check out this juban, complete with a decorative collar! The theme / weave on this particular item is water, with water flowers. This cost me...$5!!!
Detail shot of the weave on the juban.
Pink haori, which was new / mint with its original tags.
Details.
And now, for my freak-o mystery kimono that actually might be paper. It is really strange, if anyone knows more about paper kimono please contact me or post? This kimono is so strange, the pattern appears prints, and not woven. The kimono itself is silk lined, and makes a CRINKLE sound when handled, it is strange!
Detail shot. It is NOT a woven pattern.
In the end, I took a gamble buying kimono that were not in perfect condition. I figure "What's $5?". IMO, I have been well rewarded for my gamble, and love the new additions! Ragstock, is worth a trip!
There you have it
- later I might post more photos.
Oh, and a picture of me trying out the red kimono.
