Some Odd Rubies

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When Some Odd Rubies opened in 2003, the fashion press jumped on the quasi-celebrity status of the boutique’s three stylish owners, Summer Phoenix (sister of River and Joaquin), Odessa Whitmire (ex-assistant of Ben Affleck), and Ruby Canner (childhood friend of Phoenix). In the years since, the shop has maintained its notoriety, now thanks solely to the one-of-a-kind clothes and accessories housed within. Specializing in “repurposed vintage”—each piece is deconstructed and re-sewn to fit modern proportions and sensibilities—SOR’s looks distinguish themselves by their vibrant, printed fabrics and unique style, devoid of any of the musty, ill-fitting stiffness commonly associated with vintage clothing. Sold under the shop’s own label, the pieces (mostly from the sixties through the eighties) hang from bare wooden rods against exposed brick. Many are displayed with a suggested accessory, like the elegant, rose-gold chain creations of local jewelry designer Veronica Moore. And though you won’t find standard women’s sizes here, most items have adjustable straps, elastic, or drawstrings, and tailoring services are offered for additional tweaking. Near the register, the store’s sound system fits in with the neo-retro theme: It’s a reproduction of a phonograph (created by neighboring custom-stereo outfit Tubesville) connected to the owners’ iPod mini. — Carolyn Murnick