Joyride Vintage in Old Towne Orange is a time capsule of American male haberdashery, and owners Kristine and Robert Houston are the curators. They met in the ’90s at Long Beach’s Art Theater, where Kristine, now 44, was a “Rocky Horror Show” performer and 6-foot-5 Robert worked security. They married in 2004, and in 2010 opened Joyride next to Elsewhere Vintage, Kristine’s women’s store, just as the menswear side of the business was gaining momentum.
Joyride is a magnet for vintage aficionados, from San Diego to Japan, but vintage virgins are welcome, too. The place is packed with clothing from the ’40s, ’50s, and ’60s, including Levi’s, tropical shirts, and bold ties—the short, wide ones that seem to cry out for a double-breasted pinstripe jacket. The crew has an encyclopedic knowledge of each era, helping newbies who usually start out with one of the popular Pendleton shirts ($35 to $65) or mix in a vintage tie
with a modern suit, says Robert, 39. Hats are big sellers, from classic fedoras to jaunty newsboy caps, so they offer hat blocking and cleaning as well.
The store also carries military gear, biker rings (think menacing skulls), medical oddities (more menacing skulls), and other unusual items. Prices range from $5 up to thousands. “Almost everything is for sale,” Kristine says.
JOYRIDE VINTAGE
109 W. Chapman Ave.
Orange
714-771-2118
joyridevintage.com
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