Real People, Real Vintage

VFG member Maggie from DeniseBrain.com 

A while ago I was watching re-runs of Hemlock Grove, a deliciously dark, supernatural soap-esque TV series. The show is set in modern times but in one of the episodes I noticed that upir (Ukranian Vampire), Olivia Godfrey, had on a heart stopping, vintage coat which looked a LOT like Courrèges. To my delight, Olivia's entire first season wardrobe seemed to be peppered with fabulous vintage. It's exciting to me, when vintage is a fashion choice of film and TV costumers and I love reports of vintage sightings in high society or the Hollywood crowd. But, my vintage radar is on high wherever I go and I mostly love seeing it worn by real everyday people.

The other day there was a discussion among my fellow trade members on the Vintage Fashion Guild, about house dresses, the kind our mothers and grandmothers wore to tend family and home. A number of members shared their own preferences for these pretty but practical frocks. Some dressed them up for special occasions and others simply wore them as they were intended, to work around the house or garden.

This got me to thinking about how real people choose to wear real vintage. I put a shout out to my VFG friends and asked if they might share pictures of themselves showing off their own unique vintage style. I got a great response and here goes... Real people wearing real vintage.

Alice from  EndlessAlly on Etsy

 In a Mid 60s - early 70s Abe Schrader ensemble. Coat has back belt and velvet collar. "It's my early fall gallery hop favorite!" says Alice

Amy from VivaVintage.com

1. A 1970s acrylic knit sweater dress, short 1960s wool cape, accessorized with a 1940s black plastic cameo pin and a mid century(Christian Dior) hat.

 2. 1970s snap-front corduroy coat, 1940s wide-brim straw hat and 1960s leather purse with modern leather gloves and scarf.

Amber from TheVintageVortex on Etsy 

1. Wearing a black and white 1960's maxi dress at the Don the Beachcomber tiki bar in Sunset/Huntington Beach. 

2. Amber's hubby in one of his vintage Hawaiian shirts. 

Barbara from RueDeLaPaixHats.com  

Under a shady tree wearing a mix of old and new. Antique hat, circa 1919, Edwardian french purse, shoes are 1990s Edwardian revivals and antique brooch.  The green 2 piece suit is a custom made copy of a WWI era suit.

Suzanne from AnotherTimeVintageApparel.com

 Modern vintage look gown. 1950s Hattie Carnegie ruby and hematite necklace. Gold Victorian bangle bracelet, 1950s black gloves and not seen, beaded 40s bag and red and black suede 50s Springolator shoes.

 Bonnie from MyVintageClothesLine on Ruby Lane 

All in 1940s attire. Black Wool Suit, Elizabeth Hawes hat, black wool purse and Joseff of Hollywood Brooch

Carrie from Cur.ioVintage.com 

Formal night photo from her Mediterranean cruise, 1940s rayon gown. "I'm wearing vintage jewelry too, though you can't see it!" says Carrie 

Harriet from TastyVintage.com

 1. A ww1 nurses dress over a 90s gap tshir

 2. With a friend at a vintage show wearing a psychedelic jumpsuit  

                                             

    

                   Joules from JoulesVintage on Etsy 

                1. Wearing an 80s jumpsuit

                2. In a 1960s palazzo jumpsuit

                 

Liza from BetterDressesVintage.com 

1. Off to a fundraiser in a 50s-themed dance production. Everything vintage but the shoes

2.Liza's customer Nicole in a dropped waist 60s dress

 Maggie from DeniseBrain.com 

1. With a friend in 30s/40s attire

2. Mod vintage coat and umbrella

Mary Jane from Poppy'sVintageClothing.com 

MJ says "Here is an old photo of myself back in the 70s in my first vintage shop with my mentor/partner, Alma"

MJ on right in a 40s silk day dresses. Alma wearing Bakelite bangles on and amber pendant

 

Melanie from StellaRoseVintage on Etsy with twin sister Heather

1. Heather wearing a 1970s Kimono style robe/dressing gown for a day out shopping
2. Heather in 80s St Michael shorts and crop top

3. Melanie went as Jessie, to a Disney character themed Fancy Dress, wearing men's 1970s Italian boots, 80's home made line dancing blouse and 90's Etam cord waistcoat. Plus her Dad's hat

4. and 5. 1980 Tootal tie worn as a headscarf:

Nicole from CircaVintage.com.au

1.Nicole and friends in 1940s/50s vintage

2. In 1930s vintage on her wedding day

3. Wearing 30s printed silk satin

Susan from NorthStarVintage on Etsy

Wearing her beloved 60s Brooks cafe racer jacket with stars painted on the cuffs. 

Karen from WillyNillyVintage on Etsy

1. Vintage slip and handbag with modern jeands and cardigan.

2. 1950s cotton play suit with modern belt and heels.

3. 1960s Courrèges raincoat with vintage scarf bag and Bally boots.

And... me in my favorite 1960s cotton print cropped shirt

Thank you to all of my friends and colleagues at the Vintage Fashion guild!!

A Heavenly Day at The Roaring Twenties Lawn Party

Most of the time I like my job as a vintage dealer...then there are the days when I just love it! Sunday was one of those days. A few weeks ago I was invited to be one of 8 vendors at a brand new and exciting event, The Roaring Twenties Lawn Party. This Gatsby themed party was planned by Boston Swing Central and the Trustees of the Crane Estate in Ipswich Ma. Spending a summer day on the beautiful Crane Estate was more than enough reason to say yes.

Just close your eyes and imagine winding your way up a private wooded road, until you come to an open manicured hilltop with terraced grounds. There, a gravel drive leads to a magnificent 59 room, Stuart style mansion. The grounds behind the mansion are the most breathtaking of all....like something out of a fairy tale. A half-mile-long corridor of perfect emerald lawn, softly rolling it's way to a distant private ocean beach, flanked on either side by larger than life, Grecian style statues. The surrounding hill is lush with protected forests. Lawn party is an understatement! The vendors were to set up on a lovely side terrace with post card worthy vista as backdrop. Oh yes, this sounded nice :)

If the setting didn't hook me the venue was sure to.  Live jazz music all afternoon and evening, performed by Brooklyn's own, Baby Soda Band. Swing dance lessons were scheduled for afternoon and evening . A huge dance floor to be spread beneath a gorgeous summer sky. Nature would provide a steady flow of ocean breeze to cool the revelers, picnickers AND the vendors.

Advance ticket sales promised a huge crowd. Dressing the period was strongly suggested for all party goers and I was looking forward to enjoying the parade of twenties inspired attire. The vintage community is close and I knew most of the other dealers who were attending, so I was keen to hear all the news.

The fates were with us because the day arrived just after the break of a heat wave. The morning dawned cool and clear. It was hard to focus on setting our booth up with so much beauty around but we managed to be ready when the first guests arrived. Picnickers staked out their spots, some even set up vintage venues complete with linen covered tables and flowers! In time the band began playing and they were amazing. After a brief dance lesson, the floor went into full swing and the party was on!

Things were busy in the vendors area as well, people strolled in and out of booths to peruse the carefully curated merchandise. Shopping may not have been the main event but so many tempting choices made it hard to say no. This was our crowd, people who loved all things beautiful from earlier times. Jason Volk, was the man who coordinated our little market and he did a wonderful job.

By 8:00 pm the festivities were over, content guests made their way to the parking lot and the merchants started to pack up. There were smiles all around.

A few snap shots of our lovely day. Enjoy!

 

                    A Sampling of Party Guests   

                  

Two of my favorite outfits. Laura Kimsey, on the left, is an illustrator and devoted fan of vintage as well as a long time and dear customer.

 

The lush lawn was an irresistible invitation to kick off ones shoes and relax

 

 

The fine art of picnicking.

 

 

Dashing well dressed men...such a pleasure to see!

 

 

The music was intoxicating and the dancing divine!

 

 

Vintage dealer, Adam Irish, from Old as Adam, attended the party with this lovely lady at his side.

 

 

A Few of my Vendor Friends 

 

 Amy and helper Amanda, Artifaktori       

 

    Carrie , Curio Vintage  

                            

 

 

Jen and Vince,

Morning Glorious Vintage

 

 Booth Shots

 

 

 

There was so much more to see, I wish I had more pics. As you can see the merchandise was to die for :)

 

AND my favorite shot....

 

 

... my dear and VERY handsome husband Bob. I could not do any of this without him.