Store Review: Vinegar

To call attention to the re-opening of Vinegar, on the eve of the Khar boutique’s launch last week, its marketing team got models to stand smack in the middle of Linking Road. The models were holding up Vinegar placards that pointed in the direction of the store, a gimmick that was perhaps necessary to ensure that potential customers became aware of Vinegar’s location, inside a tree-lined lane that doesn’t offer the same visibility as that enjoyed by the string of high street brands on the adjacent main road.

Owner Varsha Bhawnani shut the old Vinegar, near Salt Water Café in Bandra Reclamation, in November 2011, in order to focus on expanding her brand from a small boutique into a 5,000 square feet split-level store. Currently, the ground floor of her week-old establishment features a maze of racks stocked with summer wardrobe essentials such as tunics, shorts, and cotton trousers, which are designed in-house by a team made up of people from India and Spain.

Even though the upper level may not be operational for another couple of months, there’s already plenty to choose from, and if you look hard enough, there’s actually something for everyone. That said, if you have a strong aversion to bright colours and bold prints, then you may want to strike Vinegar off your list of potential shopping destinations. Hot pink, scarlet, sunset orange, midnight blue, and forest green are the predominant colours across their collections, which comprise blouses, vests, tunics, trousers, shorts, halters and singlets.

The designers also have a strong preference for polka dots, and floral and geometric prints, which in some cases are combined in a single garment. The dresses, we found, are all similarly styled—half-sleeved, straight cut, and ending at the knees. Among the more, shall we say, unique items are the M. C. Hammer-esque harem pants with abla work borders, and the closed neck and full-sleeved lacy blouses in eggshell and peach.

The relatively more restrained workwear includes linen shirts, formal trousers, and pastel-coloured jackets with a printed lining. Chunky necklaces made from threads, beads and stones; block-coloured bangles; and flashy handbags make up the accessories, all of which left us quite underwhelmed. Much of it looked like the tacky stuff you’re better off picking up from Colaba Causeway. Party dresses, swim wear and lingerie are among the collections that will be displayed on the upper level. A café that can accommodate just about ten people is slated to open at the ground level by the first week of June. As far as the clothes are concerned however, Vinegar’s biggest draw will perhaps be its pricing; it’s more affordable than Zara and on par with Vero Moda.

Prices start at Rs650 for accessories, Rs1,100 for tunics, and Rs1,500 for trousers.

Vinegar

LocationKirabo
Ground Floor
Behind Khatwari Darbar Temple
13th Road
Off Linking Road
Khar

Phone022 4266 3264

HoursDaily, 11am to 10pm