La France, hidden on Ybor's 7th Avenue near bars and subpar clothing boutiques, draws passersby in with its striking window displays and sign which advertises air conditioning. Once inside, step quickly to the left or right to maneuver your way around racks and racks of vintage and new period women's and men's clothing.
Owner Jill Wax is passionate about collecting generations of great vintage wear. La France's offerings are much more upscale than a thrift store, and on par with those in cities like New York (where I've vintage-shopped). She organizes clothing by style (dresses, shirts, suits, sweaters, skirts, new period clothing) and color, which makes browsing easier. Men's clothing is smaller in number, but just as varied and high-quality.
La France also offers tons of vintage and retro-inspired jewelry, shoes, handbags, vintage fabrics, hats, and a few home accessories. It's hard to move around, but you can almost always find something great to take home. Sales are AMAZING.
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