Stocking up at Catherine's Closet

Julie Lawson photo
Catherine’s Closet owner Catherine Fong, left, with Alyssa Fung, who purchased a boho top and coverup, perfect for spring and summer.

There’s only a couple of weeks remaining before Catherine’s Closet closes its doors, so I was in there Saturday picking up a few pieces.

Owner Catherine Fong has been known for her collection of vintage hats, as well as her private label Panama hats that sold at Barney’s Japan. I was able to pick up one of the last she’s been holding on to.

I tried on a lot of hats and people in the store kept commenting I look like such a lady, maybe because I was in a ladylike dress en route to the Junior League of Honolulu’s “Luxe” event at the Sheraton Waikiki. Which was so funny, because I’m so not ladylike in demeanor.

Nadine Kam photos
Catherine’s is the place to stock up on hats for any mood and ensemble. These are the three I picked up. The center Montecristi fedora was a hit for Catherine at Barney’s Tokyo.


In fact, that was a joke when I traveled to Shanghai two years ago and as always, headed to tailor central. The women who make tweed jackets kept trying to sell me on formal styles, and my friends who were translating, were like, “No, she likes punk rock, heavy metal,” and “She’s no lady.”

I was so happy with the end result, one black jacket with chopped off three-quarter sleeves, fringe at the hems (before fringe mania hit last year) and shiny spangles. Another navy dress and cropped jacket with metal chain trim all around (adding that trim cost just about as much as jacket).

My late husband did like me to dress in 1940s to ’50s styles because they hugged and flattered women’s bodies. And you’ll find such designs here. Catherine’s has pieces dating from the 1920s through the present.

Although she was scheduled to close at the end of the month. She may offer one last hurrah on First Friday, April 3, before the store closes to make way for a Reyn’s Rack expansion.
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Catherine’s Closet is at 125 Merchant St., open 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Fridays, and by appointment Saturdays through Thursdays. Call 386-2746.

Bethany Shelley shows off her vintage style at Catherine’s. She’s a fan of 1950s style and says clothing from that era simply fits her better. Below, a detail of her skirt featuring imagery of Venice. She says she has a closet full of peasant and circle skirts.

Catherine hams it up in a Lai Fong coat with vintage cigarette holder.

A yellow party dress is among the vintage finds.

A non-wearable but colorful showpiece from downtown Honolulu’s Lai Fong, and below, the label from the long-standing Nuuanu Avenue store.

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Nadine Kam is Style Editor and staff restaurant critic at the Honolulu Star-Advertiser; her coverage is in print on Wednesdays and Thursdays. Contact her via email at nkam@staradvertiser.com and follow her on Twitter, Instagram and Rebel Mouse.