Shag Studio: Serving Up Vintage Style

“I can’t say that my initial intentions were to have a one-stop shop,” Chelsea Goodale says of her vintage emporium, Shag Studio. “More so, clothing and hair are two passions of mine that made sense together. And for some people, it is a one-stop shop.”

Shag offers not only clothing and accessories, but also houses a hair salon outfitted with retro equipment. Goodale says, “Most of my hair clients do end up leaving with a new piece to add to their wardrobe. And many others just come for the clothing and boutique side of Shag.”

Goodale guesses that Shag is probably one of the only blended salon/boutique locations in the Twin Cities, offering a head-to-toe experience for customers. And the reasons customers come to Shag vary. “Vintage has become timeless,” Goodale says. “We have anything from classic pieces that never go out of style, to theatrical pieces that could be used for the stage or a themed party.”

The blended boutique/salon business is certainly more than meets the eye, as Shag is also home to a Wig Master. “My staff and I are very knowledgeable of wigs,” Goodale adds. “We often do custom cutting, coloring, and shampoo/styling on wigs. Most often we have a consultation with the wig owner, and they leave their wig with us for a few days to complete their wig service.” In addition to styling already owned pieces, Goodale mentions that Shag is also a good outsource for having custom pieces made.

For clients styling hair of their own, Goodale has noticed two trends for spring and summer. With two different extremes, either a short pixie cut or hair extensions to add length and fullness, Goodale and her staff consult with clients to find the best extension installation for their hair type and lifestyle.

As for clothing trends, it seems the skinny jean is here to stay. “The skinny jean isn’t realistic for everyone,” Goodale declares. “I encourage people who don’t feel comfortable in the skinny jean to try a more fitted jean. Wearing clothing that is more tailored to their bodies can make a huge difference. I always encourage people to stay true to themselves and their personal style.”

With vintage trends on the rise and shops popping up on every street corner, customers have to be sure they are actually getting the good deal they believe they are. With Shag, customers can be assured the quality of the vintage clothing is top notch as the staff will be sure items are in peak condition before placing them on the sales floor.

But Goodale recognizes that not every vintage shop will offer this quality and suggests some tips for shopping vintage items. When buying vintage shoes, it’s always a good idea to give the sole of the shoe a gentle bend. The point is to be sure the sole doesn’t have cracks, and that the sole of the shoe is intact.

With clothing, give the material a gentle tug: make sure the material is sturdy and isn’t dry rotting. Dry rot is a breakdown of the fabric or material; it is a result of poor temperature and moisture control during storage. When buying vintage coats, always check the lining to be sure it’s intact. Check the under arms and pockets for holes and tears.

“When buying vintage at Shag, you don’t need to worry about checking for flaws,” Goodale says. “We wash, steam, and mend all articles of clothing before they are ready to go onto the floor.”

There’s certainly something refreshing about visiting a place where the quality is high and the prices competitive. It is this attention to detail and quality that has grown Shag’s clientele. “There is such a wide variety of people who shop at Shag,” Goodale says. “They won’t have to worry about running into someone on the street with the same outfit. There really isn’t a defined type of person who is comfortable shopping at Shag. It really comes down to the type of person who is looking for a one of a kind piece.”

For more information visit Shag Studio at www.shagstudio.com.
799 Raymond Ave., St. Paul
(651) 379-9890