The lyrical motto emblazoned across a stack of T-shirts on display at the front door is perfect for May’s Place. Located in the Grove neighborhood of St. Louis, Missouri, the family-owned store offers secondhand clothing and accessories for women, men and children.
From the moment you walk in, you feel transported — not to the past, but to a different world altogether. A world rich in texture, color and thoughtful details that stir memories (real or imagined) of bonfires and road trips, rainy morning coffee and after-dinner dancing.
As you might expect, there’s lots of denim. And at the time of writing, at least 24 pairs of cowboy boots. Every display is thoughtfully arranged with Americana staples and statement pieces that range from jean jackets and overalls to leather purses, cowhide vests, cotton tees and more.
Owner Katie May started the shop with her husband, Andy, in 2015. Years of experience in retail and corporate fashion left her frustrated with the industry — and ready to create a socially-responsible community-oriented alternative.
Katie had become a thrifting expert at an early age thanks to what she calls “champagne taste on a beer budget,” and she decided to turn her passion for vintage fashion into a unique boutique shopping experience that promotes sustainability.
The fashion industry is one of the greatest contributors to pollution worldwide — some sources list it as second only to oil. Excessive production caused by fast fashion (buying cheap, trendy clothing found at retailers like H&M and Forever 21) exacerbates the problem, while slow fashion (thoughtfully selecting a smaller number of long-lasting items) moves toward solving it.
The goal of May’s Place is to promote slow fashion — encouraging people to shop second-hand when possible, to limit consumption and to invest in fewer, high-quality pieces.
Every piece of clothing May’s Place sells is hand-picked by Katie, usually discovered during visits to private homes and collections. And since the majority of her finds come from the St. Louis region, they’re very different from what you’d see in New York or Los Angeles, where the slow fashion movement has also gained traction.
Browsing the racks at May’s Place, you could come across a ’70s gingham dress, signed Gregg Allman jacket from the ’80s, Chanel pencil skirt, ’60s suede fringe vest and Pierre Cardin silk floral dress — all within a few feet of each other. As you make your selection, you can pause to imagine their story. Who was their original owner? Where have they traveled? What memories have they already been a part of?
May’s Place is more than just a beautiful place to shop for unique clothes. It’s a store that has found a way to honor and preserve the Midwest’s history while also working to protect its future — all without having to give up your cowgirl boots.
