I needed a Victorian ""party costume"" for an incredible upper class steampunk gallery showing with models and artists and all sorts of fashionable folks (I really needed to come up with something good).
Distractions seemed like the local steampunk winner.
The refined and elegant interior of the shop (or dare I write shoppe) is a surprising change from the typically charged (ahem, read character-colorful) Haight neighborhood. It's like stepping into another world from another time.
The staff were all very helpful in explaining my options, accessories, and about futuristic fashion, styles and clothing related to the west coast steampunk movement. It's about a time when Victorian meets industrial revolution; Goggles and Burning Man playa gear are part of the story.
In the end, Tora, Josh, Dan and Jimmy all took great care of me, and I was very happy with not only my anachronistic party clothes, but my newly discovered enjoyment of steampunk as a fashion movement.
I wished there were more vintage Victorian clothing (like vintage tailcoats, frock coats, vests and top hats - and vintage corsets and women's dresses too), but I understand the store is continuing to grow, and the vintage selection will continue to expand toward the upper end as victorian estate inventories become available.
Strongly recommended with Halloween, New Year's, and holiday parties coming up soon. I'll have Distractions outfit all my party clothes for the foreseeable future!
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