La France

The retro-friendly Ybor district is the ideal location for a boutique like La France. The merchandise caters more to the classy, glamorous vintage collector than it does to the funky, outlandish clothing thrill-seeker. Everything is tidy and clean, near mint condition. The displays are tasteful and inviting, especially those that feature accessories, like hats, handbags, and costume jewelry. more

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. more

This store is incredible! It has a very exquisite collection of vintage, very elegant and one of a kind clothing! They also have a wide array of accessories and creations. Top hats, parasols, flapper dresses, kimonos, brooches and lace galore is what you will find here. This is a perfect place to go to find a special occasion dress (they also sell contemporary clothes too). La France has so many treasures and little bits of history that you'll have to make more than one trip to finally see everything. This store has such a fantastic atmosphere and the staff is even better! more