January 24, 2007

Living in the Past

History Boutique

History. You’ve shared it with teachers, family, exes, and (most memorably) your journal.

You’ve even picked some up from Jane Austen flicks. But for a piece of the past that you can relate to, head to History, the new vintage shop that brings fantastic old pieces back to life.

Owner Rachel Hirsch, a former high school teacher (guess which subject), turned the space into a walkable time line, with racks from the ’40s (bowling shirts, boxy jackets) through the ’80s (Crayola-colored tees, plaid pants), up to today (von Furstenberg-inspired wrap dresses by 3Free).

Ever the historian, Hirsch tags every hand-picked item with a short story based on the decade in which it was made and the lives of female characters. One reads: “She looked across the table and wondered how Annie Hall would handle this.”

Some call it vintage style.

We call it history in the making.

History, 1693 Massachusetts Avenue, between Harvard and Porter Squares, Cambridge (617-868-5400).