Beijing's temperatures have made many of us barely recognizable, wrapped head to toe in our go-to winter gear, but here's one extreme way to stand out in a crowd: '80s ski wear. It's coming back in a big, florescent, eye-searing way, and Dragon House Vintage is where you want to go to pick it up. Last month, they just opened a new shop up at 82 Gulou Dong Dajie to compliment their 76 Fangjia Hutong store, and it's packed to the brim with jackets that looked ripped from a Goa Trance garage sale.
TOP GUN on the slopes! Aspen Extreme. Kind of looks like the wardrobe department of a campy '80s/'90s ski film just dumped their stuff off at the steps of Dragon House and made a quick getaway. I've yet to see anyone in Beijing donning these shiny, neon-splattered, cinched-waist, marshmallow coats (Maybe because we're nowhere near any real snow-covered slopes? And time machines haven't been invented… yet?), but if the dedicated band of vintage sellers in the city are anything to go by, we're on the cusp of a new trend here, people. A new and terrible (awesome) trend -- every vintage fair in town has these florescent nightmares clogging the racks, sellers seemingly oblivious to the fact that surely many want to forget these jackets ever existed.
Prices are varied but, generally, you can nab one for under 600rmb -- yes, art is contextual, dear reader -- vintage is value -- but there isn't much variety in terms of length or size. If you have issues with Chinese sizes usually, you'll likely encounter them here as well. Standouts on offer are the vintage Descente from Japan, noted by their Thriller-esque angular shoulder caps. Balance those out with some high-wasted skinny jeans, neon shades and voila you are late-'80s cheese.
Like this! These ladies know what’s up.
For this and other reasons Dragon House is a great shop to visit: lots of unique items and what you won't find are China's signature synthetic puffy coats or fake Jack Wolfskin outerwear, just racks saturated with wooly weapons for winter weather.
If too-short ironic-wear doesn't suit you, then opt for any one of their longer twill, fur or wool coats in both neutral and colorful tones, most in excellent condition for around 700rmb. But the fun doesn't stop there: care for multi-colored sequins? They've have. Want to don a quilted snowy golf scene on your back? They've have. Cozy, crimson velvet coats, heavy Houndstooth coats, coats with bears, holiday-toned plaid, '70s preppy, your grandma's upholstery, and American southwest blanket style. They. Have.
Like most vintage stores in town, Dragon House also boasts a small selection of retro leather and denim jackets, and their collection isn't without a few surprises. Last time I was there they had a bleached denim cropped jacket embroidered with tiny white mushrooms for 430rmb. Not heavy enough to fend off this season's chill, but pair it under a thick tweed number, and you're layering in style.
Owner Wang Liang opened the 76 Fangjia Hutong, Dongcheng District location early last summer, when the icy air was far from anyone’s minds, but his second shop at 82 Gulou Dong Dajie is barely more than a month old. It’s small, but jam-packed with goodness, and worth a look.
You can also follow Dragon House on Weibo here.
