Every once and a while I’ll say to the lady, “I think I would look really good in a straw boater,” or “I think bolo ties are the next step in my ‘look.’” Until now, she’s been able to rest easy knowing that I would likely never find those in any store and I’d be too lazy to purchase them online. Rest no more; I have found a store that caters to my every stupid whim, and it is called “Bobby from Boston.”
I’ve lived in this city for four years and I had never even heard of if until it was mentioned on Put This On, which is run by guys in LA. Its tucked away into a shopping/gallery strip on Thayer St. in the south end, so it’s easy to miss if you don’t get out that way very often.
The store is laid out like a cabinet of curiosities that specializes in vintage men’s clothes – more items are in display cases, or even in cabinets, than on sale racks. There is a whole case filled with straw boaters, a small chest filled with ascots and cravats, a display of 1900s grooming tools – pomade, shaving brushes, safety razors, even a few racks of celluloid collars. All this would be overwhelming without the rather large staff (during my visit, they outnumbered the customers 2 to 1) to help you navigate the collection.
If I have any concerns, it is that even though most of their product is a very good value, none of it is “cheap.” You could theoretically find many of their items at goodwill for a lower price; I suspect that much of their merchandise comes in from professional thrifters. That said, 99% of everything at goodwill is crap, and 99% of the merchandise here is wonderful – it works out in their favor if you value your time. While I likely won’t be buying my everyday clothes here, this is now my first stop for esoteric accessories and splurges.
Bobby from Boston
19 Thayer St
(between Harrison Ave & Albany St)
Boston, MA 02118
(617) 423-9299