Out with the New, In with the Old: Vintage Shopping in Santa Barbara

In the past decade, demand for old and used goods has skyrocketed; some want to lessen their carbon footprint and move away from fast-fashion consumer culture, and others want to support small businesses and shop locally, most probably just want to look cool and have interesting things. And it is cool — wearing something vintage feels like donning a little piece of art, one that you’ll never see anywhere else. Filling your house with niche antique wares that you found yourself is gratifying in the age of new, new, and new again. Plus, let’s face it, things were better made “back in the day,” so they last a lot longer. 

Even if you’re not buying, taking time to meander through a vintage store is a treat in itself. Sometimes chaotic, always different, and ever-changing, these shops are a place to slow down and follow your fascinations. Luckily, Santa Barbara has no shortage of amazing vintage shopping, and some of the best are listed below.

Lazy Eye

Right next to Old Town Coffee in Goleta lives the bright and airy Lazy Eye women’s and men’s vintage clothing shop. This recent addition is delightfully small and minimalistic, but there’s no loss of charm: Bright color-coded racks, bamboo furniture, and pothos plants make the store more bubbly boho than chic. There’s no need to spend hours sifting through racks of disorganized clothing at Lazy Eye; the inventory is small, but clearly picked with care, and you’ll be surprised by how many great pieces you find with ease. Even more surprising — they won’t break the bank (often the case with highly curated vintage stores), as most of the pieces are well under $100. There’s less of a focus on name brands than there is on age and uniqueness. The styles skew toward hippie — think ‘70s and ‘80s — so don’t be surprised if you walk away wearing clogs and a floral headscarf. (5879 Hollister Ave., Goleta; lazyeyeshop.com)