It makes some people wrinkle their noses to think of wearing outdated clothes that have belonged to another person. Why would they want to buy something that’s been owned and worn by someone else when they could get something brand new? Several local businesses in Campus Corner and downtown Norman have an answer.

Deco Dence, an antique and vintage clothing shop owned by Beth Talvitie, has been doing business for more than 22 years in the Campus Corner area. It’s a heavily inventoried shop that Talvitie runs by herself.

“The one thing with vintage is that it’s very cyclical,” Talvitie said. “What I’ve noticed is that if one designer comes out with something that has a vintage look to it, then people will pick up on it. But a lot of times, people aren’t comfortable enough with their own style to be willing to be the only one doing something weird.”

It’s not just fashion trends that spur interest in vintage clothing.

For both the shop owners and their customers, it’s all about economy, and as the business climate has become much tighter, especially at the local level, Norman has seen a flux of these stores springing up in the past several years.

“It’s a green business,” said Lauren Lackey, co-owner of Elusive. “It’s a very easy business to get started with and get a lot of inventory very quickly and very cheaply. A lot of people open stores with other intentions but put up a vintage front at first just to get it going, because it sells.”

Even as the person behind the register, Lackey said she isn’t trying to get the highest price possible for unique pieces.

“You get cooler stuff for cheaper, and you’re keeping stuff out of the landfill,” she said.

Lackey’s consciousness of the environment is one that many of the other local vintage shop owners share.

“I would think people are buying actual vintage for the green aspect, recycling and reusing,” said Marcy Cordell, owner of the local art, antique and vintage clothing store Roxy’s Funk Art Boutique. “I wear it for the green aspect. If you have a perfectly good quality article of clothing that just happens to have been owned by someone else, you have no excuse really.”

Reese Truesdell, owner of Wild Hare Beadery, started stocking vintage clothing last May and plans now to expand her selection.

For Truesdell and the other vintage store owners, keeping inventory requires weekly trips to estate sales, junk stores, flea markets and the Salvation Army.

“A lot of people say, ‘Well, I could just find that at a thrift store for two dollars,’ and I say, ‘Well, sure you could,’” Truesdell said. “It takes a lot of work to find these things. If you just want to look cool without any effort, you can go to a vintage clothing store. The benefit is it’s just easier. We take a lot of pride in our selection, and it’s fun for us.”

Whether the customers come into their stores to find wild date party costumes or to supplement their wardrobe with inexpensive recycled clothing, they’re sure to come out with a unique find, Lackey said.

“With thrift and vintage, you get to look through 70 years of fashion,” Lackey said.

Vintage shops

» Deco Dence, 307 White St.
Sells: vintage clothing, antique decorative items

» The Wild Hare Beadery, 319 White St.
Sells: vintage clothing, beads, jewelry and accessories

» Elusive, 209 W. Main St.
Sells: vintage clothing, antique decorative items and furniture

» Roxy’s Funky Art Boutique, 128 W. Gray St.
Sells: vintage clothing, locally made art and crafts, antique decorative items