Mystic Moon is an Adelaide based business with two stores, one in Tea Tree Plaza and the second in Marion Shopping Centre (called Alternative U). The two names sum up the contents of the store and its aims. As a fan of 'alternative clothing' (which I usually call my hippie-wear) I see this shop as a generic, trashier version of a truly alternative store. It sells all the usual items - like dream catchers, sterling silver jewelry with plenty of fairies and dragons, and lots of long skirts and large, flowing dresses. However, Mystic Moon makes this cheap. The dream catchers are tastelessness personified, an array of pink, sparkling feathers. The clothing is poor quality, in both make and material (just have a look at any seam to work this out), and this is supported by the price tag. Well, at least it's not poor quality and expensive.
Their range of clothing is dramatically varied. You can find everything from attractive summer dresses to fisherman's pants to white crinkle cotton maid-of-the-mountains outfits. You can also but one-size-fits-all rayon ponchos in coloured animal prints.
Wait, how did animal prints get into an hippie shop?! Especially PINK animal prints!
The clothing brand sold in the store is called Funky U. That was when my first realisation arose - this is the consumer version of alternative. Then I spotted the super short, frilly tie-dyed dresses, and the crocheted tops, and I was certain.
There are some gorgeous long skirts though, both the silken, multi-layered variety and cotton floor-length wrap-arounds.
The jewelry here is standard - mystic silver, and plenty for non-standard piercings - yet there are some nice wooden bead necklaces. Their 'costume jewelry' section is slightly confusing, because it doesn't look any different to the rest of the jewelry range. They have some long chains of colourful stones that I would wear when I'm in that sort of mood.
They also sell Indian-themed decorative statues, lots of Buddhas and elephants, along with those tiled bowls you see in all decor stores at the moment.
And of course, there's incense, which the whole shop smells of (though not as badly as most such stores).
If you could be alternative and generic at the same time, this shop would achieve it. read more