The “Keep Austin Weird” bumper sticker begins to greet travelers along the I-35 as they mosey on into Austin, Texas. Visit downtown and stroll along South Congress Ave. and you’ll find a unique fashion sensibility only found in this particular part of Texas that falls on the cool side of ‘weird.’
Austinites are always on the look out for a vintage style reminiscent of the days before sold-out shows and multi hour-long lines at Franklin’s BBQ. The vintage clothing stores that line 6th street yield unique finds that could reward you with a band shirt, the likes of which, may have been worn by the band itself.
Both the women and men of Austin love their hats, and not just of the Stetson style. But of companies like, Hatbox: A Modern Haberdashery, which, is a local-favorite for stylish head wear both contemporary and classic. According to Hatbox’s website, “Hatbox represents old world hatters such as Borsalina of Italy, Christy’s of London, Stetson Dress, Biltmore, Resistol, Beaver Brand, and others such as Dobbs, Bailey, Kangol, Scala, Dorman, Pacific, Broner, Barmah and Shady Brady. The inclusion of designers such as Cha Cha’s of Brookly and Milli Starr from Austin promote the highest of current fashion and re-vintaged style while the store’s cocktail hats division for women exhibits the ultimate “spring affair” and “after five” collection.”
Regardless of whether you are in town for Stubb’s BBQ or the multitude of indie gigs (which brings SXSW to town every single year), be on the look out for Austin goods to take home for that dash of the “hip to be weird” trend that emanates through the streets.
