Garnet Report

The Run Down

I decided to switch things up a bit this week and talk about the newest trendiest activity in the fashion world.  Yep, you guessed it:  Thrifting.

According to Wikipedia, thrifting refers to the act of shopping at a thrift store, flea market, garage sale, or a shop of a charitable organization usually with the intent of finding interesting items at a cheap price.  Thrifting has become a widespread phenomenon among college students especially.

Where to “Thrift”

Stores like Goodwill and the Salvation Army are the perfect place to find steals and deals on vintage clothing pieces, not to mention the various boutique-like thrift stores in the area.  As a matter of fact, we’ve covered some of them in past Who Wear What segments.

“You’d be surprised what you can find at Goodwill,” said Kenya Wilson, a sophomore here at USC.  ”People throw away things that are practically new.”

If you haven’t realized by now, Saluda Street is a breeding ground for amazing

boutiques and even better deals.  This week, I checked out Revente, located at 737 Saluda, for our Who Wear What segment.

The Run Down

Revente has been spicing up Columbia for over 20 years.  It’s a consignment shop so you can take your gently used clothing items in to make a few extra bucks.  Your unsold consignment items can either be returned to you or donated to Revente’s Last call, which benefits The Women’s Shelter.

Revente’s collection of popular denim from premium designers like Seven for all Mankind, Hudson and J Brand is typically about 50% less than the suggested retail value.

Excuse My French

Walking into Revente is almost like walking into any upper echelon boutique in the Paris fashion district.

They have clothing, handbags and accessories from big name designers like Seven for all Mankind, Tori Burch, Dolce & Gabbana, Prada, Gucci and tons more!

The only thing better than shopping in upper echelon boutiques is shopping in upper echelon boutiques and paying lower echelon prices…and you can do just that at Revente.

Bohemian has everything you need from candles to denim to handmade jewelry.

The Buzz About Bohemian

Bohemian is a trendy little boutique tucked away on Saluda Street

If you’re anything like me, the cold weather we’ve been experiencing lately has your wardrobe all out of wack.  Check out Bohemian, Who Wear What’s boutique of the week, to get the staple pieces you’ll need to survive the cold.

“It’s definitely a one-stop shop,” a Bohemian employee said.  “We have everything – clothing, denim, underwear, candles for your dorm.  You’re not gonna find this stuff at the mall.”

The merchandise in Bohemian is a tad on the pricy side, but they carry timeless staple pieces that won’t go out of style so it’s definitely worth the investment.

Bohemian features well-known brands like Seven for all Mankind, OBEY, and Paige Denim.  It’s nice to have a store right in the heart of downtown that carries high end denim and garments.  Who wants to trek across town to get big name brands in a department store all the time? Not me.

Bohemian sells handmade jewelry and trinkets as well.

My Take

Personally, I loved the atmosphere in Bohemian.  There’s a place for everything, and everything is in its place.  I love that Bohemian feature brands that aren’t usually sold together.  It definitely gives shoppers free reign and makes for a more versatile wardrobe.  Happy Shopping!

I loved how everything is neatly organized and put away. It shows that the employees really take pride in their jobs.

Bohemian even carries handmade jewelry!

We’re back on Saluda Street for this week’s Who Wear What. This week’s boutique is 2G’s, an eclectic little shop that carries women’s clothing.  All the store’s merchandise is new, but they do have a large collection of vintage boots and purses. Their cowboy boots are their number one seller among college girls! Definitely check out their collection if you need a new pair of boots for the homecoming game!

Cowboy boots are 2G’s number one

Don’t forget that Oops also carries clothes for men and children!

This week’s edition of Who Wear What spotlights the Oops Co, located at 601 Harden. The bulk of their merchandise comes from catalog overruns so they have a wide selection of well-known brands to choose from.

All About Oops

According to the store’s manager, Amy, there is always something for everyone.  They carry preppy, conservative clothes AND trendier, hipster styles as well.  Looking to stock up on some signature fall and winter pieces? Shop at Oops Co this season! They constantly get new shipments so they’re always a dependable choice for those one-stop shopping needs.

They also sell jewelry, handbags, knick-knacks, and tailgate essentials.

Oops is all ready for winter with their amazing selection of trendy scarves!

The typical price range is anywhere from $9.99-$40.00, with a little fluctuation on either side of the price spectrum. On Wednesdays, The Oops Co offers a discount of 10% off with a student ID.

No matter your age or style, Julia Neal Fashions has the perfect ensemble for you to look great in.

Variety is the Spice of Life

Julia Neal Fashions, located at 721 Saluda, is this week’s choice boutique.  It has been opened for almost a year, and seeks to provide chic clothing to women of all ages.

“We like to call ourselves the ‘mother-daughter’ store,” said a Julia Neal Fashions employee.  ”A girl and her mother can both come in and find something to wear here.”

Like many of the other stores we spotlight, Julia Neal Fashions has a great selection of game day attire

Julia Neal Fashions features a wide variety of designers that cater to college students: Andree, Glam, Ark and Company, and Pixie and Ivy are just a few.

It’s All About Accessories

At Julia Neal Fashions, you can find the perfect accessories to take your ‘fit from drab to fab.

Julia Neal Fashions also carries a HUGE assortment of jewelry, belts, scarves, hats, and anything else that will take your outfit to the next level.  They even have a section of the store dedicated to home decor so you can glam out your dorm/apartment.

If you want to know more about Julia Neal Fashions, go visit! You’ll be able to identify them because they always have a sale rack outside.  Also, check them out on Facebook at Julia Neal Fashions in Five Points.

Miss Cocky even carries decorative napkins, coozies, and other things to jazz up your tailgate!

Cocky For A Reason

Miss Cocky is a super cute boutique located at 621A Gadsden Street.  It isn’t too far from campus so accessibility is no problem.  Their merchandise is priced anywhere from $2 to $350, so there is something available for everyone regardless of their price range.

Game Day Goodies

As most of you know, ESPN’s College Game Day will be broadcasting live from Columbia this weekend.  What a great excuse to go splurge on some new game day attire. Regardless if you like to go to games in black dresses and cowboy boots or in T-shirts and jeans, Miss Cocky has the perfect outfit for you.

The owner said Miss Cocky is big on making Carolina fans fashionable.  “You don’t just have to wear T-shirts to games,” she said.

Even if you already have the perfect outfit, you can check out Miss Cocky’s selection of garnet and black jewelry to make your outfit pop.  They even sell cute napkins, and coozies to spice up your tailgate!

Hours Of Operation

Miss Cocky is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.  On Fridays before games, they stay open until 8 and on game days, their hours vary based on the time the game starts.

As you can see, Miss Cocky has whatever you need to show your Gamecock pride!

Today’s Who Wear What covers Sid & Nancy, another trendy tienda tucked away on Saluda Street.  The store has the quirky, bohemian aura of Urban Outfitters, but gives customers the option to sell their own garments like Plato’s Closet.

Sid & Nancy is the perfect place to pick up uniquely vintage pieces, jewelry, or whatever else you may need.

Atmosphere Is Everything

It’s almost time to roll back those clocks, and pull out the boots. Why not save some money and start your fall shopping at Sid & Nancy?  Depending on the condition, merchandise is about one-third of the original retail price. So there’s no need to spend a fortune at the mall when you could find great one-of-a-kind pieces at Sid & Nancy!

Aside from being a great place to pick up unique and affordable pieces, Sid & Nancy has a welcoming atmosphere and an extremely friendly staff.

Sid & Nancy is basically a showcase for Columbia talent. These screens were designed and printed right here in Columbia.

Columbia’s Number One Fans

Since its opening five-and-a-half years ago, Sid & Nancy has made it a priority to be a staple in the Columbia community. They like to think of themselves as “Columbia’s Shop.” Sid & Nancy not only spotlights the work of local artists, but also features/sells clothing designed by Columbia bred designers.