We are huge advocates for second-hand shops and have recently added a new favourite to our list. At the end of September, a charming vintage store, ReClaim, opened on the always-busy Király utca, brightening the row of shop fronts. Avid collectors turned shopkeepers Dorottya Bognár and Bao Loi Nguyen welcome fellow vintage enthusiasts with an enticing interior and an even more enticing range of clothes.
Dorottya Bognár and Bao Loi Nguyen have turned a hobby into a dream come true, opening ReClaim Vintage near focal Deák Ferenc tér (39 Király utca). We were curious to see what was going on behind the display windows, so we visited the brand-new shop, which further expanded Budapest’s vintage store map.
Loi and Dorka fell in love with this world while visiting second-hand shops abroad and in Hungary and decided to take the lead by opening their own Budapest-based shop. This year they started looking for exciting clothes and as their stock grew, they found the ideal premises.
Then the decorating process began, which the owners obviously put a lot of effort into. Most of the decor came from flea markets and thrift stores, and the result is a welcoming, plant-filled space that you can enjoy even if you’re not planning to shop.
The range of clothes is carefully selected, one by one, from abroad, picking out exciting, high-quality items. Classic Levi’s, Wrangler, and Lee jeans, sewn-on and leather jackets are the first things that spring to mind, but they also feature plenty of sweaters, shirts, skirts, and shoes for boys and girls, from Lacoste to Adidas.
If you’re lucky and have some experience with second-hand fashion, you might also spot some high-end pieces from Valentino, Yves Saint Laurent, or Burberry. In terms of accessories, they currently stock vintage scarves, hats, bags, and belts, but will soon be launching special jewellery.
When running the business, the young owners consider the same aspects as when creating their own style:
Uniqueness and sustainability can go hand in hand if we put a little care and creativity into our clothing choices.
Uniqueness and sustainability can go hand in hand if we put a little care and creativity into our clothing choices.