College Times

Issue date: 9/11/08 Section: Style

Photographer Ryan A. Ruiz and I had so much fun here trying on all the unique pieces and learning the history of some of the rare pieces they carry, like jeans from the true Wild West, and cowboy shirts from the '50s.

The best part is that this isn't a museum; rather a store with affordable pricing that allows shoppers the opportunity to rock these rare and unusual pieces themselves. American Chaos, formerly known as The Blue Jean Buyer, carries a variety of unique clothing including retro women's clothing, vintage rock t-shirts, funky and authentic cowboy boots and even some new denim like Rock and Republic jeans.

Owner Steve Vizzerra explained that he has "pickers" who go to yard sales, estate sales, rag houses and buy only the best vintage pieces to sell at the shop. Along with the wide variety of clothing American Chaos carries, Steve also offers alterations and repairs on clothing, mainly denim. "Most people come in and find an old pair (of jeans) and have us distress them."

He charges anywhere from $15-$75 for distressing, depending on how much work the jeans need; which is worth it if the result is perfectly comfy and unique jeans. Also, if your favorite jeans get an unwanted hole or other damage, just bring them in and Steve can fix them.

While a lot of American Chaos's inventory is affordable, like $10 vintage tee's and cowboy button-down shirts, some of the true antique clothing is quite pricy, but for good reason. Steve told me that some of the 1950s authentic Levis' 501 jeans cost about $450.

So that might not be in your budget, but he does carry other vintage denim, like bell bottoms, and other Levi's that are much less expensive.

American Chaos, 1810 N. Scottsdale Road, Tempe, 480.947.8245

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