vintage

Blouse, Belt & Purse- Vintage; Capris, Rings & Bracelets- Thrifted; Heels- Garage Sale; Necklace- Gifted; Hat- Simons; Nail Polish- Fuchsia Fever by Revlon

If I had been alive during the 70s I like to think that my day to day attire would consist of floppy hats, rounded sunglasses and bellbottoms.  Since I wasn't born until nearly two decades later, I play vintage dress-up instead.  This weekend proved to be the perfect time to break in one of my new floppy hats, when I met local fashion bloggers (Malorie, Darcy, Kelly, Rosie, Laura, Kathryn, Zara, Leah& Lauren) for brunch, followed by shopping at the Ottawa Vintage Show. 

Just like with thrifting, you can find unique pieces when you shop vintage, just be prepared to pay a little more than your neighbourhood secondhand shop.  Vintage items are carefully curated and as a result are high quality and often seen as collectibles or nostalgic memorabilia. 

"Vintage clothing is not only glorious and stylish, it's also the way forward in terms of recycling. Whenever I go into great vintage stores, I wonder why we ever buy new things."  (Actress Thandie Newton)

Here is how I shop vintage:

1. Go in with a budget.  Once I am in the store, I often become overwhelmed by all the beautiful retro articles and spend more than I should.

2.  Pay attention to fabrics.  I can count on one hand how many times I have been to the dry cleaner so when shopping vintage I try to avoid buying silk or wool, unless it's something I can spot clean like this floral silk blouse I am wearing.  

3. Sniff test.  I am not shy to smell the clothing because it can be very challenging (if not near impossible) to remove musty, attic or basement clothing smells.  And cigarette smoke? Forget about it!

4.  Pay no attention to the sizes as a size 12 vintage may very well fit like a modern day size 6 (think Marilyn Monroe)  so when I shop vintage, I don't get discouraged by the label.  It's about a great fit, not an arbitrary number!

5.  Do a 360' stain check.  I have often brought vintage clothing home with me only to realize that the back of the dress is covered in tiny stains.  Use your keen observation skills!

6. Think outside the box! Just because something is labelled a certain way, doesn't mean it has to be used as such.  For example the vintage hot pink lingerie I bought at the show (photo below), will be worn as a summer dress (styled with wedges and flowy hair) and I have various vintage scarves displayed throughout my house as tablecloths. 

I entered the Ottawa Vintage Show with $40 cash and here are the treasures I took home with me:

Lingerie- $15. 

Scarf- $5

Animal (Racoon?) Ring- $5 & Dangly Jellyfish Earrings- $15

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Are you fond of vintage?