This place usually fits the bill if you're looking for something unique, like a 70s roller disco outfit. Don't expect an upscale shopping experience though, this place is bare bones and pretty old school. I'm not even sure this place has an elevator. It's located in an alleyway up the stairs. And the fitting rooms need some love in the form of cleaning... I wish their return policy was more lenient. Always impressed by their selection. read more

It's kind of pricey for not great quality clothing either used or new. I couldn't believe that used jeans shorts were $15. It's not a bargain for sure. There are some deals if you look at their sales. But You might be better off at the Goodwill or Salvation Army where you can get deals for $1-$10 typically on sale days. It's great to upcycle so please make it affordable upcycling. There is no parking so just park in the street or walk from CTA. Staff are nice and friendly. The coolest area. Very hip and in. The store does have some unique and fun stuff and costumes. It's a fun store! read more

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good selection of stuff! not too expensive either! i've gone back a few times since my first visit! read more

Cool place. I wandered in with my girlfriend for some random shopping. I ended up walking out with two new shirts. Some very funny novelty shirts and their sections were organized very well. Definitely somewhere to go if you need an outfit for a themed party. read more

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Sorry, not really a fan. I admit it is kind of fun to walk through. They have a large selection of clothing of all sorts - used and new. My issue is the quality vs prices. I did find some items that I liked but they were the ones I felt were way overpriced. It was a very cool day early in July when we were there. My daughter suggested we stop to get a sweatshirt. Couldn't find anything I liked that was worth it. read more

Ragstock is my go to place for discounted clothing and holiday apparel. I first discovered Ragstock two years ago when I was on a random shopping excursion. Since that discovery I've always made it a point to visit Ragstock at least once every two months to see what new items they have to offer. Ragstock is my go too place for holiday or theme related clothes. I recently visited Ragstock and they had a whole floor dedicated to Christmas. I was able to find several options for the ugly sweater parties that I have coming up. Back in October they also had a floor dedicated to Halloween costumes. The best thing about Ragstock is that their clothes are always super discounted so it's possible to find some cute clothing and not spend over $20. The clothes range from vintage to trendy so there's options for everybody. read more

I have this friend who LOVES to have costume parties. Cake shop opens in the neighborhood? Dress up like Mr Rogers to welcome them to the neighborhood. Red Party? Queen of Hearts it is! Random December weekend? How about an 80's Prom? I could keep going and going, but everything she's concocted in her head.. they've got an outfit for. I sooo wish this wasn't a three hour drive for me, because it would become an extension of my closet. Prices were very reasonable and the selection was quite large. When I was here a few months ago, I saw a lot of items for Halloween. This time, the store had been taken over by ugly Christmas sweaters. They know their audience and cater to it well. read more

Cool selection of clothing, vintage and new micro trends, however I was a bit disappointed by some of their sizing, not too much of a selection of non small clothing for women read more

Not to be dramatic, but I MAY be Ragstock's biggest fan. Fine -- I'll take the title *One* Of Ragstock's Biggest Fans. But enough about me!!! Nestled in what-looks-like-a-sketchy-alleyway-but-I-promise-is-not in Lakeview is the entrance to the most affordably eclectic store I've ever frequented. If you bring in a bag, you'll be prompted to hand it over upon entering, but in exchange you'll get to carry one of many colorful, laminated pop culture-themed cards (that you'll hand back upon exiting to get your things back). THEN, you can enter what I like to refer to lovingly as "the obnoxious dresser's Narnia": Everywhere you look, there are insane accessories you wish you could have invented in your own head, clothing to match any upcoming holiday, festival wear, bras, Etsy-level unique hats and tops -- if I were to list everything I'm thinking of right now, you'd get overwhelmed. So GO VISIT. Finally, the best part of this wonderland is that everything is extremely affordable and not garbage quality at all. I've purchased a gorgeous vintage Levi's denim jacket here for $20, Halloween costume essentials for $18 altogether, and my beloved $6 heart-shaped sunglasses which I lost on vacation (RIP). Whenever I want to shop, this is the first place on my mind. I love you, Ragstock, and I hope you feel the same way. No pressure, text me when you're ready. Xoxo. read more

Clothes are cute but the employees are rude, particularly the one that was wearing a Plankton shirt and two buns Update: went back to the store and the same employee slammed my backpack on the counter which dented my laptop and yelled "thanks for the review Dorien P." If you don't want your things broken or to get taunted by employees don't shop here read more

Besides the ridiculously uninterested staff (I think they hold job fairs for uninterested hipsters for Ragstock and Clarke's, they are definitely pulling from the same pool of peeps), this place can be pretty fun. I stopped in the other day on my Prom dress mission. Now, let me tell you the prom dresses are in a sad state. Somehow each and every one of them is balled up and then scrunched, stepped on, and then hung outside in the rain for a bit...then I think they hang them up in the rack. Basically, you might be able to find a funny/vintage/80's poofball, but youd' have to have it drycleaned and that's expensive. Unless you like the 'rumpled' look, then it's right up your alley... Otherwise, they've cleaned it up quite a bit. Granted I generally only go in here for Halloween stuff, etc so maybe it is always this organized and clean and I never knew...there is a good assortment of used/new clothing, wigs, sunglasses, weirdo socks, t-shirts, random kitschy crap and a oddly large collection of kimonos. Upstairs: ladies. Downsairs: men. The entrance can be tricky, if you are standing in front of Hollywood Mirror facing the funny mannequins, enter the alley to your left and there's the door to Ragstock. They say its "Dayton" street, but that is for real, an alley...so don't get lost. If you can get past the major 'tude of the workers...some good stuff to be had, but you'll have to dig a bit except in the "new stuff" section. Oh, and no pictures...I always find that sign funny, do people really go shopping and take pictures of stuff? Weird. read more

Bigger than the Wicker Park location and I always seem to walk out with something that makes it in my regular rotation of hipster gear. If you're anywhere near Lakeview this Ragstock is definitely worth wasting an hour or so at. read more

I must have had an underground tip yo or something because I have been browsing Ragstock for 12+ years now and it still surprises me that some people don't know about it (poor poor Zak). Bottom floor is for the guys, upstairs for the gals. Both are about the same size and the same funky, trendy selection. I will say the crowd has gotten younger and younger, I guess it's the next generations turn. I mean Ragstock has been in business since 1971. It has been a little while since I been there but I don't remember ever seeing anything but used clothes there, well and some accessories. Some of my favorite shirts have been from their stock, the best deal was a Heisman trophy sport coat for only $5 and it so rocks!! The place looks a mess but surprisingly there is a method to their madness (mostly sorted by color). The staff is hit or miss (more miss), some days they ignore you and want nothing to do with (you unless you go off on some cool angst rant), other days they feel chatty and helpful. The prices are very reasonable and you should always be able to find something. Check out the website http://www.ragstock.com read more

I can understand the hipper-than-thou malaise that besets those offput by cynical help: this brings to mind my recent experience at Ragstock. The clerk working the counter here seemed to be bred at the same school as the American Apparel employees, albeit with a different outfit on. As a general rule, no one in an ironic t-shirt should be allowed to condescend to the rest of us unless we get to openly return the favor. In a perfect world, it might have gone something like this. Dude Buying Something: Hey, You're shirt's funny. It has a football helmet with a rainbow on it and says "football is gay." Not that there's anything wrong with that. Clerk: Yeah, I thought it was ironic when I put it on. Thanks for noticing. Dude: (holding up shirt he's picked out) I'd like to try this shirt on. $4.50! Score. Clerk: I'm sure it'll look great on you. And I should know. I can be a little judgmental. Dude: Yeah? Clerk: I'm sort of a hipster. Dude: Let me know if you ever make the full commitment. Alas, that's not what happened. I did find the $4.50 shirt which I'll be donning under my bad tuxedo tonight at Yelp Chicago Prom. I found another killer shirt here for $15 that didn't look like anything already in my closet. And I figured when the clerk at the counter acted as if he'd rather be having a root canal, well, that was his loss. 'Cause even if he missed the smile meeting, I still came away with cool threads. read more

This place is huge and now has a big selection of both women's and men's clothing. We came here on our quest for pirate gear last weekend, and it was definitely a great place to find costumes, but lacked a selection of everyday items. They separate their used clothing by decade, which is kind of awesome for finding a great costume--you can have a specific look in mind and go directly to that rack to browse. There's definitely a lot of things to choose from as far as used clothes goes, and it's all in decent condition at a decent price. The new stuff they carry seemed poorly made and expensive for what it was. I think the service is laid back and friendly, and I love their no-cell-phones-while-being-rung-up rule. Really people, that's rude, so kudos to them for that. read more

This is probably my number one choice for finding a Halloween costume in the future. Lots and lots of ideas for costumes--mumus, kimonos, 70s clothing, and military clothing are just some of the options. Prices seemed reasonable. I felt really old in this store. read more

Ragstock has a huge stock of new and vintage clothing! The store is seriously packed with a large variety of items. The vintage items are great! I've noticed that most products tend to be from the 70s or 80s, but I've seen things from the 60s and 90s as well. Another great thing is that they have a lot of items in each category: racks of windbreakers, dozens of puffy-sleeved prom dresses and denim overalls, stacks of baha shirts, etc. You name it, they probably have it! The prices are pretty reasonable; they are not thrift store prices, but lower than other vintage stores. I am not a huge fan of the new items. They have a large variety of dresses, sweatshirts, leggings, and other items with comparable quality to Forever 21. Sure, they are really cheap and probably fine if you need them for a costume or a single occasion. However, the quality is pretty poor and has a very mass-produced look. The staff here is not very welcoming, friendly, or helpful, but it's not enough to drive me away. Overall, Ragstock is a fun place to find quirky vintage items, but pretty average when it comes to new clothes. read more

Been to Ragstock numerous times and have never walked out with anything nor have I come close to purchasing anything. The only thing I leave with is an itchy feeling. read more

I was really excited to go here because of the kimono section that other reviewers have mentioned - but I was actually pretty excited. For some reason, I imagined colorful, soft, flowy kimonos that I could wear as a bathrobe. Instead, I found kimonos mostly in boring, dark colors and stiff, scratchy fabric. I did buy one, but when I washed it upon returning home, it immediately started emitting these horrible fumes. I ended up tossing it out because I couldn't get it to stop smelling. There are, however, two things that I would go back for: a pretty nice sunglass rack (although I would say a little overpriced for what it is), and $3 fake Keds. read more

Ragstock's main plus is the huge selection, but unlike some other stores, the used section doesn't seem to have many standards applied to it... in other words, you have to search out the gems. And I'm not sure there are that many. Handy for things like an emergency sweater (today's purchase, useful for my hangover-induced shivers) - $5, thank you very much. The new stuff is it and miss also, but it is cheap - clearance rails aplenty. If you're looking for disposable fashion though, I'd stick with Forever 21 for its variety. All in all, a bit ho hum. Fun if you have time to search around and you may find some great things (oh, hallowe'en-wise, they're on top of it!), but you might also get very frustrated. I have a high shopping threshold and was happy mooching around, but my boyfriend would probably rather stick pins in his eyes. read more

Some crap, some gold. Good prices, easy shopping experience, predictably stuck-up sluts of all conceivable genders behind the counter. I guess being lackadaisical still makes you cool. I've found some really nice stuff here, but it takes a while to weed through the junk. read more

Unimpressive, basic, and overpriced. Lots of good costume pieces if you're looking for something specific. But you can find most of these "vintage" items at Salvation Army for $3 not $23 read more

Yesterday I had to get some plain stupid trendy clothes for my new job and I didn't want to spend a lot of money because I don't like shopping, trendy clothes, or my new job. I got a handful of skirts and they were five bucks, a nice pair of those stupid footless tights everyone wears and some nice tops. Prices were awesome and the guy that helped me was nice, but I've been there before and had brats in my face. I went earlier in the day and everything was clean music was good. Only thing I wished for was sale items to be more organized and clearly marked. Might have to go back to get things I actually wanted. Very good mix of new and old, costume and practical, trendy and quirky. read more

Whether you are looking for junky clothes to mess up, or have an 80s party to go to, Ragstock has everything you need. I wish I had a Ragstock by me in college to prepare for the 9 million theme parties I went to. What is nice is that they not only have a bunch of random clothes, but you might be lucky to find some pretty sweet items at a great cost. I found a great pair of aviators (that I wear regularly) for $3.50 and they likely would have cost $10+ anywhere else. One drawback is that you cannot talk on your cell phone in the store. I know that sounds lame, but I definitely got yelled at for being on mine. And no, I was not rude and at the cashier while doing this - I was in the back of the store! Make sure you complete all conversations prior to entering or you'll be forced to continue them later. read more

Always loved Ragstock; been shopping there for years and in other cities, too. This particular location had quite a few jean jackets to choose from, which I was on the hunt for. Snagged a really cool one for cheap. Best part is that it doesn't LOOK cheap! The staff is friendly and doesn't look at me like I'm a shoplifter when I come in with my backpack. I always stop in when I'm in the neighborhood. read more

Dear Ragstock staff, What did I ever do to you? Did I kill your dog? Am I not wearing skinny enough of jeans? Because please tell me why you scowl at me and hang signs everywhere telling me that I can't bring in more than 3 pieces of clothing at a time into your *gated* changing area, why I have to check my small purse (at least I was allowed to take out my wallet), why I can't pay with a card (is this 1985?), and, mainly, why you go out of your way to make me feel like you don't want me to shop at your store. I'm not picky-- I don't like overbearing staff who breathe down my neck or ask me if I want help more than twice-- but these guys are downright rude. If you don't mind that, then they do have cheap clothes like funny T-shirts for $5, hoodies, etc. Just be prepared that the staff thinks you cheated with their girlfriend. read more

Where did all the true vintage clothing go? It used to be here, not anymore. It's mostly reproduction, cheaply made stuff.

Ragstock is a fun place. From the moment you walk in the door (it's on the side of the building in the alley, making it feel like a secret clubhouse), you can tell it's a novelty of a shop. It's big, bright, and you'll find plenty of hipsters roaming its floors. As for the actual inventory, there's a lot of "eh" and a little "whoa, cool!" There is a mix of new and used clothing; you can find used jeans for $5 and dresses for $5-$10 but I wasn't that impressed with the selection. They have new stuff from places like Forever 21 but for some reason they're priced pretty high - $15 for a neon tank top from F21? Nah, I'll pass. If you walk a little bit further though, you'll find their amazing collection of long and short kimonos. Totally random, but also totally awesome. Only priced at about $10 each, the kimonos take up a few racks in the back that I could just die in. They also have a nice collection of used denim jackets, vests, and...overalls, if you're into that kinda thing. Don't expect the staff to be extremely helpful or friendly; I wasn't greeted once while I was in the store. But that's alright, as long as they don't bother me while I'm swimming in the kimonos, I guess it's all good. read more

Wow, have times have a changed. I guess there is no more good vintage? When I would come here in the 90's the entire store was vintage with fun stuff everywhere..and great prices. Coming in the other day was so sad. It was like Chinastock. More than half the store was new crappy cheap clothes made in China. Nothing that would last more than a few washes or wears for sure. When I finally found the vintage section ( so sad, so sad) it was sooo small. They really didn't have much of a selection with vintage, nothing better than a real thrift store, that's for sure. I mean, there was new stuff mixed in with the vintage. They did have a lot of Indian kurtas but, I don't wear those. The staff was meh, I don't ever remember talking to people like that when I worked downstairs at Hollywood Mirror, but whatever. I didn't go to the mens section downstairs, which used to be Hollywood Mirror's basement with furniture, but I would expect to see the same disappointing selection. I did get a vintage kimono, which are fun, but the ones I've gotten in the past were silk, and these are polyester. I'm sorry, I'm a stickler for quality and ragstock has now become its namesake. read more

Do they sell new? Yes. Do they sell vintage? Yes. Is everything cheap? YES! Amazing! New, trendy clothes mingle politely on their hangers with their old and vintage friends. Everyone is happy because the prices are low. You can shop for real life or spend hours putting together the perfect costume. And let's face it, if you can't find a Halloween costume here it's because you're Halloween challenged. They even label everything for you. An 80's rounder is next to an end cap with "work out wear" featuring leotards and leg warmers, which sits in front of a rack full of vintage skirts. And there are tons of dresses! Now, Colleen C. is right, they are a little wrinkly, but if I can pick up a $10 retro wedding dress, I'm okay with risking a tumble in the dryer with a box of dryel. read more

The first time I stepped foot in this enormous clutterpot was in high school when I was in a play called, Virgil's Wedding where I played a deaf 80-year-old woman. It was no wonder I found the perfect costume here! This place is loaded with weird apparel from the 1960's mod to 1990's rad - it be all over the plizace, foo! oh and if you're looking for a kimono in any color of the rainbow, look no further. read more

Ragstock has a ton of stuff you won't find anywhere else, and is a go-to for Halloween costumes, but that's about it. My biggest issue is that they charge new clothes prices for musty, vintage wear. Way way too expensive for what you're getting. Also, I second the mediocre staff. They basically just hang out behind the register where you can't find them, and when you get to the register, you'll have to wait to be rung up until they're done with their conversations. If you're looking for something off the wall (a 1970's housecoat or rainbow brite hoodies), or a token gift (ugly holiday sweaters), this is the first place to go. Otherwise, keep walking. read more

Okay. If you need quantity over quality accessories this is a great spot. I bought four pairs of sandals yesterday on clearance for $20 TOTAL. It's a bit disorganized in the store. But if you have some time to search around I think there are some hidden gems. I did not appreciate having to check my purse, though. I am not really sure what happened as I saw numerous other girls with their purses about the same size as mine. There was no explanation when I inquired other than pointing at a sign. The part that really bothered me though was that my purse sat on a chair behind the desk. And the desk was not attended at all times. read more

Ragstock is a store that always seems like a good idea (especially this time of year when everyone is costume hunting), but in reality it's usually a disappointment. The vintage section is small and focuses on the 70's and 80's. It's very hipster-centric, but I'm more of a 40's - 60's vintage gal and mustard yellow cardigans are not my thang. The rest of the store is loaded with cheap mix-n-match separates and Avril Lavigne's hand-me-down's. Riot grrrrrrrls 4evr! You have to duck down an alley to get into Ragstock and, at times, jump over puddles of...I dunno...could be rain water, could be homeless person pee. Getting to the Ragstock door is a good indication of what your experience will be like. read more

This place is killer!!!! I love the fact that they have such a wide array of styles and all are reasonably priced. Unlike most "vintage" stores where they charge too much for to little, you can find something for evert budget. I love the decor they have and it give shopping here a really fun feel! Great way to spend an afternoon playing dress up and buying yours hearts desire. When i go though... i always feel like the staff feels like they are better then everyone. I mean.... COME ON... you work at Ragstock, which is fine. but your not the effin pope!! Just blow off the snotty staff and you will have a little piece of heaven in this dirty little town. read more

You work at a clothing store on Belmont... Good for you! What a bunch of jerks. We were trying to find a Jolly Roger shirt for our costume, and the guy that we asked for "help" from was about as useful as asking a brick wall. Unfortunately it does some good prices which have made me come back, the mens department is much better overall than the womans department. read more

This is a ragstock. You go in there for certain occasions/items and they most likely have what you need. This location is pretty standard - had some funny items that I bought. However this review is for the awesome customer service. I went in there the other day and while trying something on, my ipod must have gotten stuck in the sweatshirt. on my way out, I realized it was gone and so ran back in there and looked around. Couldn't find it. I left my name and number with the two employees who were really helpful. I figured, this is a store where you literally buy homeless people clothes....some character is going to find my ipod and take it (after losing 5 phones I have lost most faith that people do the right thing). Five days later, I get a call from the same girl who I spoke with....they found my ipod. Thank you so much. The two ladies who work in the men's department on tuesday and thursday night should be commended. I obviously know not everyone will have the same situation as mine but it is nice to know that this location has good, helpful, and honest employees. read more

Went there looking for an ugly Christmas sweater, and this place did not disappoint. Huge selection of items, and the prices did not hurt the wallet. I found a truly hideous sweater that scored me 2nd place at the party I went to later that evening. I asked one of the store workers what is usually in the shop when it isn't filled to ugly sweater capacity, and she said a lot of vintage and retro clothing items. I looked around the store at non-holiday pieces, and there were a lot of items there (sweaters, socks, pants) that I would definitely wear while I am out and about in the city. Stop on by and look around. There are two floors of fun to be had by all those who stop by. read more

The biotch working the register here sucked! I asked about a shirt on a mannequin, and she said they were sold out, and then I asked if I could buy it off the mannequin, and she said no -- without any rhyme or reason. Also, when we were checking out, she was extremely rude and kept asking if I was done, when I was looking at accessories that were hanging by the register - UGH!! clearly, I was still perusing. SO RUDE!!! But, I was happy with my purchase at the end - for $69! I bought this really cute bag, makeup bag, and casual/workout clothes. Come here for good deal on hoodies, tees, and leggings! read more

The chick working the register just refused to give me back my bags even though I clearly described what was in them. They make you check in your bags and give you a sticker- I lost the sticker . Big whoop. I had to go and find the sales associate who took my bags to begin with so she could give me my bags. I get it- it's a security measure but how can I even prove it's my bag if you're holding my bag/ wallet/ ID behind the counter?? Then to top things off when I'm going to purchase my items (considering I now have my wallet) the girl literally throws my things in a bag by sliding it off the counter into the bag. She didn't even bother to fold them and put them in the bag like any customer service/ sales associate would do. This place needs a new system or to upgrade to getting some security cameras if they're going to be THAT particular and paranoid. Last time I checked I don't look like a homeless vagrant. Despicable service. read more