We are hosting a pop up Saturday August 31st at our Berkeley Location. Activewear And Vintage? YES Long gone are the days when you could only like one style or be pushed into a niche.
We can like it ALL!!!
We love the idea of taking care of our bodies and having activewear that makes us feel our best and is size inclusive.
Incl.usiveinc is a small brand that prides itself on accessibility and diversity. "The beauty of everyone is what drives our activewear brand. We make products that honor the ordinary and the unique in all of us".
It's August 2024 and I think we can all agree that inflation is effecting us all. Regardless of where you live you are seeing the cost of groceries, gas, clothing, haircuts and just about everything go up. Inflation went from 0.8% in 2014 to 6.5% in 2024 according to "usinflationcalculator.com" What does this mean for spending? Small Businesses and Affordability? They are all linked and work like a circular system. Lets first talk about spending. Our spending habits are directly linked to access and affordability. As prices have increased spending is down at small business, specialty businesses and for services deemed "not necessary" or to expensive. But spending and revenue increase is up with billion dollar corporations such as amazon, shein and Temu.
When it comes to establishing prices its important to understand how are they determined? There is a huge difference between small businesses and large corporations and setting prices. We are talking about huge sums of money and power vs small and local mostly family|independently owned businesses. This is why you see small businesses opening and closing more frequently especially since the pandemic and post pandemic. There is not a big pool of money or bail out for smaller independtly owned businesses. Large corporations can get costs of good much cheaper by purchasing | creating items for pennies on the dollar. If you are a small maker, artists or service worker your cost of goods are much higher. Small businesses can't compete. And the loss is small and local. I'm not sure if small businesses can or will recover, especially with more people shopping online and with more convenience. The pandemic trained everyone how to shop online and I'm sorry to say I don't think shoppin in stores is coming back to where it once was. Ask any small/local business owner. We can't offer rock bottom prices to compete, we can't do same day delivery, we are already stretched so thin with social media, marketing and all the other jobs that small business owners must do daily to just keep the doors open.
Spending: This brings into play companies like Shein and Temu, who have horrible worker practices, products and environmental impacts, yet are making TEMU - 6 billion dollars yearly SHEIN $32.5 billion in 2023. How are we reconciling affordability for environmental, societal, personal beliefs when spending with companies that directly oppose our personal beliefs. Whats the ultimate cost of affordability?
On the flip side of this I am noticing trends with buying expensive designer, big ticket items and vintage moving into a territory of unafforability. Vintage stores were once "vintage" now they must carry designer, new brands, candles and diversify stock to catch more customers who might not be a vintage shopper. This goes for Pretty Penny too. We started incorporating our "curated collection" 10 years ago because we wanted to expand our customer base. In 2024 the landscape has changed even more to a place I don't quite understand in what the general public are looking for ? price points? quality ? sustainability ? design ? small designer? affordable ? accessible ? Or just to be entertained ?
Affordability. Accessibility. Budget.
Nick and I have been thinking long and hard on how we can keep the doors open to our businesses and make enough to just survive, because at this point the financial future of living in the Bay Area, being small business owners and just living is the hardest its ever been. We look at cheaper places all over the country weekly fantasizing about living somewhere more affordable. This means pulling our kid out of school, dismantling the businesses AGAIN and moving, all which is disruptive mentally and physically. We've also tried the grass is greener when we moved out of the Bay Area once before and it didn't work out and we came back. The Bay Area is our home I just wish it was a more affordable place to live and have a small business. So what do we do ? How do we want to show up for our community and our businesses.
Moving forward we will continue to provide you with high quality service and products in a comfortable environment for accessible price points.
We will use our space to house community members and small business giving others opportunities with pop ups and collaborations.
Nick has thoughtfully put together his budget cut and I have thoughtfully priced items in the shop both in store and online, we want everyone to be able to have access to quality items and services.
I hope to see you in store and online and if you aren't able please share with your family and friends, we would love to keep serving you as long as we can.
What are we doing these days?
We are preparing for the wind down from summer to fall. We have stopped buying summer items and are sprinkling in fall both in store and online. Cardigans, Pants, Heavier Blended Skirts, Tops And Jackets. Boots, Lace Up Shoes.
Pretty Penny welcomed a unique collection of apparel a few weeks ago. In March, Sarah visited a local private seller’s home, where she purchased dozens of vintage pieces made throughout the 20th century. The ensemble features a variety of vintage styles: delicate, muted, and feminine pieces with trained skirts, ruffles, intricate detailing, and lace.
Two dresses in particular caught our eye. The first dates from the late 1960s: a deep onyx-black frock with horizontal accordion pleats and fine, floral lace. What we love most about this dress is its striking leg-of-mutton sleeves, which complement its otherwise gossamer composition. The puff-sleeve made a comeback in 2018, drawing inspiration from the Victorian and Edwardian eras. It has remained popular since, taking root as an enduring style. Similar creations were featured in the decorated 2023 movie Poor Things. Set in 19th century London, the film won numerous awards for best costume design (from BAFTA, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, and the Costume Designers Guild), reviving our love for Victorian fashion. This dress reminds us why we’ll always buy vintage: these styles are timeless, and recall the charm, glamor, and romance of the past, all while offering a sustainable way to indulge in fashion.
The second is a black dress with bright, arresting polka-dot roses. The whimsical print is perfectly balanced by the piece’s elegant silhouette. And again, we are obsessed with its puff-sleeves! But, what makes this dress so special is its story. The collector had a knack for fashion, and loved to alter and personalize her own clothes. When she bought this charming dress in the early 1970s, she added velvet trim and a panel of black fabric to its bottom. The style is reminiscent of color-blocking, a trend that grew popular during the late 1960s. Her personal touch adds a layer of contrast to the piece that enhances its look. Wearing something that was carefully reworked and customized by another will always feel special. We love learning and sharing the stories behind our clothing; it’s part of what makes shopping vintage so brilliant. You can check out these two new pieces, in addition to the entire new collection, in-store and online. Come visit!
I am back!!!! I have been gone from the store for 2 months due to a medical emergency that ended with surgery and recovery. I have one more final doctors appointment Monday February 12th that will give me the final O.K to be back to full capability status. I am grateful for all the support me and my family have received over the past few months. I love our community. I am excited to see everyone in the store again and get back to normal routines and activities. I am on the other side of this thing !!!!!!!!!!!! I am especially excited to start this new year off in better health and am looking forward to putting all my energy into maintaining and growing our business. Lots of love and peace in 2024 from our family to you. Sarah + Nick + Vienna
Pretty Penny
2981 College Avenue
Berkeley, CA. 94609
Hours Wednesday - Saturday 12-6 Sunday 12-5
ONLINE: www.prettypennyclothing.com
UPSTAIRS
Hey Pretty Hair Studio w/Nick St. Mary
Book At: www.heyprettyhairstudio.com
