A couple of OCThen readers share their memories of a 1960s and 70s clothing store located at the Orange Circle called "Carrie Wicket"...
Anonymous said...
Hello! Does anyone remember a girls (young womens) clothing store on the "Orange Circle" in Orange named "Carrie Wicket"? An old friend and I were talking about our days at Santa Ana Valley High School in the late 60's, and what a great store Carrie Wickets was. In the 70's, they opened a mens store across the street called "Sir Wickets".....I remember we could always find cute clothes at Carrie Wicket....now adays, you could spend a whole day at any mall and not find a thing to buy! Love those olden days!
Janie Elsey Campbell
Class of Santa Ana Valley, 1968
Anonymous said...
Yes! I recall Carrie Wicket's! My mom bought me a lemon yellow linen pantsuit that I got lots of compliments on. I was 13 or 14. Wasn't it a little upscale? At least it seemed like it at the time. If I remember correctly the racks were always well stocked and the sales ladies were very helpful. I hadn't thought of that store for decades. Thanks for the memory!!
Yes, I remember. Not sure if I ever got anything there. They had hip, high quality fashion.
ReplyDeleteI remember Carrie Wicket on the Orange Circle. I went to Chapman University (then Chapman College) in 1974-76 and bought some great clothes there. It was a small shop, almost a boutique, but had an outstanding selection. And Sir Wickets was close by.
ReplyDeleteOh yeah, Carrie Wicket was the coolest place to shop in Orange, along with Dale Douglas and Hayton's on 4th Street, Santa Ana. Back then, the lay-a-way plan was the only option if you wanted a garment bad enough. The credit card system merged into the banking system in 1963. My mother couldn't believe that by filling out a simple application, we could take our merchandise and pay later. At Fashion Square, Baker Shoes had exactly what every girl needed for school or dances. Interestingly, those 60-70's slide styles are "in " today,but referred to as "Mules" instead.
ReplyDeleteSo ladies,are you wearing hair extentions today? Remember the custom Fall's from Bullock's,personally blended for $20.00? If you wore one,not only were you the talk of campus, but in town too. Back then,your purchase big or small were properly folded with tissue, carefully placed in a box,placed in a bag,as the customer was profusely thanked by a sales associate. What happened to good service in 2010? Today it's self serve and in some store,better bring your own bag too or buy the stores recyleable. In most stores today, a courtesy wrap is an inconvenience. You get to take it and do it yourself! How sad is this?
Well I remember it. Not actually- but thru my mother. She grew up in Orange and told me about Carrie Wicket. Which later on expanded to Sir Wicket right next door. By the time I was a teenager Carrie Wicket was gone, but Sir Wicket survived. Sorta. It sold costume like 'zoot suits' for many years. It was a bit odd. AND JUST CLOSED in 2009.
ReplyDeleteC.E. Utt Jr. High and Foothill HS through 1975 - Mom got all my dance dresses there! (we weren't allowed to wear pants at school unless it was a "Pants Day" or Santa Ana winds) Carrie Wicket and Jabberwocky in Tustin were my favorite places for clothes :D Great memories, thanks for posting!
ReplyDeleteOhhhhh, Jabberwocky! I loved that store!
DeleteI bought a Tuxedo @ Sir Wicket for $75 bucks for the whole thing... wore it for a supperbowl commercial, then tossed it, lol. It was a strange place but was good in a pinch for TV & Movie wardrobe...poor guy probably didnt know how odd most of his things were. And...yet I hate to see things change... sometimes. My grandparrents tied up the horses to the old hitching posts at the Orange Circle.. we have allot of history there, but time marches on.
ReplyDeleteI first went to Carrie Wicket's when it was located on Tustin Ave. a little north of Chapman in a small store near Walnut St. Shortly after, they moved to the store on the Orange Circle. That would have been in 1969. I got my wedding outfit there - not quite a dress, but quite fashionable for 1970 in a non-traditional way.
ReplyDeleteI remember shopping there when those dresses with white stitching were popular. I bought a navy dress with white stitching around the collar, sleeves and buttons. Great memory!
ReplyDeleteThis is Awesome! My Mother, Elsa Olson, was the owner and my sister Cheryl worked at Carrie Wicket. I worked at Sir Wicket for a short stint. We are planning a 90th Birthday Party for Elsa in January 2014 and all these comments will be presented at the event! Thanks, Chris Olson
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