For die-hard thrifters, finding a vintage dress that seems tailored for your 1940s alter ego is a thrill in itself, but sometimes the real thrill is finding the shop it’s hanging in, especially when there’s little more than a handwritten sign to mark its stealthy locale. Such is In Commune (Capitol Hill, 1510 12th Ave.; in-commune.us), a new vintage boutique located across from the Northwest Film Forum with a handsome selection of women’s wear (Pendleton shirts, $32–$40), children’s frocks and a few intermixed men’s pieces (say, a Woolrich overcoat for $40).

Owner Sara Hofmann has taken the sifting out of the equation by having just a few curated racks—interspersed with displays of quirky ceramic housewares and textiles. Business hours are sporadic (best bets are Wednesday and Thursday, 3–7 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m.–7 p.m.; and Sunday, noon–5 p.m.), but hey, it takes determination to score the perfect 1950s peach housecoat.