Vintage Indie

Vintage Fashion Forward: Swanky Turquoise

Top Left: Custom Fit 1950s Style Cocktail Dress from DaintyRascal, Top Right: Turquoise Necklace from iheartmies, Bottom Left: New Vintage Leather 80s Turquoise Shoes from mysweetiepiepie, Bottom Right: Vintage 80s Turquoise Cutout Clutch from vintageangel25. 

Vintage Fashion Forward: DiscoBelly, Fresh & Fun Maternity Tees

Who says you can't have fun with fashion while you're pregnant! I'm totally digging these adorable screen printed Tee's from DiscoBelly!

 

Visit DiscoBelly to purchase any of these Tee's and for other great designs! 

Vintage Fashion Forward: BrokenGhostCouture Upcycled Clothing

My heart can't stop thinking about warmer weather. Although, I am very grateful we haven't had any snow. I'm wondering if this will be a first for my birthday!  Anyway, as my heart leads so does warmer weather fashions! 

I'm really loving the layered looks of these upcycled fashions by BrokenGhostCouture. 

What do you think? Could you pull one of these off? 

Shop BrokenGhostCouture

Vintage Crush: Red Boots

You do know my love affiar with red shoes right? I think Christmas time is a perfect time of year to pull them out! Check out these! 

 

starletvintage

 

magnoliavintageco

 

 

 

Vintage Fashion Forward: Vintage Sweaters

 

VonlenskaVintage

Vintage Fashion Forward Special Guest: Two Ways To Wear It: Vintage Blouse

 Please help me in welcoming our special guest Christina of Cookie Louise Pleaze! 

Hello, my name is Christina and I run the blog Cookie Louise Pleaze. I began thrifting early on during high school in an attempt to carve out a style all my own. After spending much of my childhood living with my grandparents I developed an affinity for all things classic. I have recently begun a home based vintage boutique catering to women’s fashions. I believe every woman should have the opportunity to feel beautiful and unique!

 

I reside in Corpus Christi, Texas with my husband and four pets Cookie Louse, Roxi Bear, Henrietta and Lucille.

 

Two Ways to Wear it: 

This 1950s blouse was a part of that massive estate that I scored a couple of months ago. After a good washing I wanted to give it a try since wearing vintage blouses isn’t something I normally do. I thought that styling this top would be especially difficult because of its length and size but I was wrong. This is something that can easily become a vintage staple in your closet with enough imagination!

 

 

First, I decided to go with a 70’s menswear vibe. I paired the blouse with some high waisted bootcut jeans, a rust colored blazer, lots of jewelry and peep toe oxfords. This look was easily worn to the office and I felt fancy all day.

 

 

Earrings: Gift

Necklace: c/o InPink giveaway via Adored Austin

Vintage Brooches: Vintage Estate Sale/ Grandmother’s Cameo

Blouse: Vintage/ Estate Giveaway

Blazer: F21

Belt: F21

Jeans: Gap

Shoes: Lucky via Macy’s

 

 

For the second look I went a little dressier but still office appropriate. I think it’s important to be able to showcase your own personal style even in an office environment. I like to dress a little outside the box without sacrificing professionalism and you can too.

 

Glasses: Derek Cardigan via Coastal Contacts

Cashmere Sweater: Victoria’s Secret via Ebay

Blouse: Vintage/ Estate Giveaway

Dress: Vintage/ Thrifted

Tights: Target

Shoes: MIA via Dillards

 

 

 

 A special thanks to Christina for sharing her vintage fashion forward ides with us. Please take a moment to visit her Etsy shop and follow her on Facebook or Twitter if you'd like! 

Etsy: www.etsy.com/shop/cookielouisepleaze

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Cookie-Louise-Pleaze/107991869253503

Twitter: http://twitter.com/cookie_louise

 

 

Vintage Fashion Forward: Twila Jean Vintage

Perfect for the holidays! 

TwilaJeanVintage

Vintage Fashion Forward: New Fashioned Whispers

I love the yummy colors and upcycled use of clothingwear that New Fashioned Whispers offers with their clothing and accessories. 

 

New Fashioned Whispers

Vintage Fashion Forward: Desiree Salas

"My dresses are easy to wear and fit like your favorite vintage dress."  - Desiree Salas 

 

Loving the second Black Eyelet Dress. 

 

SHOP > Desiree Salas 

Vintage Fashion Forward: Small Earth Vintage

Just in time for fall, some fall vintage style. 

Shop for these at Small Earth Vintage 

Fall Fashion: Scarf Style

Well it is official, I'm embracing fall. I LOVE fall don't get me wrong! Fall is probably one of my favorite times of year, right next to the warmth of summer. Autumn should I say, is beautiful. It is the cold weather that follows that bothers me. I thought it was time to bring on the change of seasons, starting with fall fashion, what do you think? 

These handmade scarves come to your from The Tea Rex. With many different styles, hometown fabrics and more you'll find something that fits your wardrobe in no time. 

Welcome Autumn! 

Vintage Fashion Forward: For Him

It's not often that I feature guy stuff here at VI, but I do have a sweet hubby who would look rather swanky in any one of these. 

Of course, if your man is stylin' he needs some accessories to go with those swanky suits! 

You can find all of these items at CarnivalOfTheManiac over at Etsy! 

Happy shopping!

Vintage Fashion Forward: Femenine Vintage Nude & Lace

 

I love these feminine and fresh looks from Chicwish. 

Vintage Crush: Vintage Floral Housecoat

I feel so domesticated, but I just can't help it. I love things like this vintage housecoat! 

This one comes from a little Vintage Shop.

Handmade Crush: Isla New York

Handmade Crush: Full French Nautical Cotton Market Bell Skirt with Shirring and Pockets

SHOP THIS: Isla New York

Vintage Fashion Forward: Traven7

I'm swooning over these 1950s dresses. They remind me of one of my favorite childhood movies the original Parent Trap. Did anyone else like that one growing up?

Visit Traven7 over at Etsy to purchase any one of these lovely dresses.

Vintage Indie Shops: Bohemian Bisoux Vintage

How do you get to know an vintage indie store? By the owner of course! Please help me welcome Lauren the swanky owner of Bohemian Bisoux Vintage. 

Can you tell us a little bit about your shop name?

Bohemian Bisoux Vintage was named with a Parisian aesthetic in mind- macaroons in the morning, effortless hair, tulle skirts for day-wear, & loads of bisoux at the ends of love letters (bisoux is the French equivalent of xoxo's). I’ve always had a soft spot for everything French, so naturally the shop has a soft spot, too.

How did you get started?

I’ve been exploring the back roads of the Midwest with my family since I was a little girl, always taking time to stop at antique shops & local estate sales. I vividly remember being 7 & going to a sale one rainy Saturday- as my dad headed for the garage & my mom for the kitchen, I went to the missus’ room & came out with a heap of lace dresses. My love affair with vintage had begun. I’ve been wearing & collecting since then, but didn’t decide to start sharing my passion on Etsy until college.

Who or what inspires you?

Etta James songs, this tiny town about 30 miles from mine (filled with teeny cottages & fisherman), old images of Françoise Hardy, & my Sunday morning blog reading.

Often times vintage shop owners carry things that they are personally drawn to. Do you find that true for your store?

Absolutely. I’m a sucker for 1920's silk lingerie, 1940's rayon dresses & 1960's leather Frye boots, & almost never pass them up. I must admit that it’s hard to let these things go, precisely because I am so drawn to them, but I do my best to share them with my pretty customers!

What are some of your favorite vintage items from your shop?

A 1920’s silk crepe dress, a 1950's blue brocade wiggle dress, & a pair of 1960's olive green kitten heels.

Does vintage play a role in your art or life? If so, how?

Oh gosh, yes! For instance, right now I’m wearing a 1920’s silk chemise, listening to Louis Armstrong, drinking a Bellini concocted using a vintage recipe, & trying to perfect the perfect cat eye liner. You might say I’m engulfed in it ☺

What one vintage/antique thing have you scored that you will never sell in your shop?

I have so many beautiful garments that I’ve kept, but I must say that my favorite find has been a complete 6 piece Samsonite luggage set in mint green. I have so many places I’m longing to travel to, so this luggage has some big dreams to help fulfill.

What is important for your customer to know about your business?

I want my customers to fall in love with their purchases from Bohemian Bisoux- that whenever they peek into their closets & see their dress or hat they feel instant happiness. As such, finding the perfect match between customer & vintage item is so important, & so very fulfilling on my part. Customer & shop owner relationship is a key part of Bohemian Bisoux.

 

Thank you Lauren for sharing your love of vintage with us!

Vintage Fashion Forward: Blue Dresses at Meshka Vintage

 

Shop Meshka Vintage

 

How are you incorporating vintage into your spring wardrobe?

 

Vintage Crush: Sage Green Dress

I'm completly crushing on this dress by Sam Loves Vintage. Purchase it on Etsy!

Vintage Indie Prom 2011: 80's Picks

 

Annielake Vintage

1980's Sateen Dress

Vintage Indie Prom 2011: French Vintage

There were just too many dresses to choose from Dandelion Daydreamer.

This green one is my favorite, but I think it's way over budget for a prom.

 

Visit Dandelion Daydreamer for more great vintage. I could get a summer wardrobe from this shop!

Vintage Crush: Now That's a Great Coat...

♥ Vintage Crush ♥

What do you think? Could you pull of this color? I think it's yummy. I love the faux pockets.

Find this at  Schoolhouse Vintage

Deck the Halls: Christmas Party Fashion

Vintage and handmade blend like a dream for a classy Christmas look.

Shop these great stores for the items above. Top Left: lilyladyblue Top Right: allencompanyinc Bottom Left: ninu Bottom Right: prizysebastian

Vintage Fashion Forward: Snuggle Up With Wintage Looks This Autumn

Hello Vintage Indie readers! Gabreial kindly to ask me to contribute a couple guest posts about my favorite topic: vintage fashion.

With the weather turning crisp in many parts of the Northern Hemisphere (oh! how I envy you all as I’m in sunny and still warm Florida!), my mind has turned to fall dressing. I love putting together little outfits utilizing vintage and handmade finds, especially when they revolved around a theme. So here are a handful of outfits from independent shops on Etsy all with a distinctly vintage autumnal flair, mostly inspired by 1940s and 50s styles. What looks are inspiring you this fall?

snuggle up for november: angora ahoy sweater at 1stlove, sleepy owl bracelet, 1940s black cord bag, 30s/40s black leather oxfords & blackwatch plaid skirt.

autumn farmer's market: little flared red dress, multicolored carpet bag, copper pinecone earrings, 50s brown wool felt hat & auburn leather riding boots.

afternoon walk in the park: 50s paisley dress, detachable lace collar, ode to france charm bracelet, vintage cut out oxfords & sand bow belt.

Casey is an ardent vintage lover, spends her free time sewing and knitting (usually vintage patterns), cooking and spending time with her husband and rascally rabbit. She blogs from sunny Florida about her interests and pursuits at Elegant Musings.

Collecting Vintage Clothing: An Introduction

Hello Vintage Indie readers! Gabriel kindly to ask me to contribute a couple guest posts about my favorite topic: vintage fashion. Growing up I was surrounded by old things; my mother had a love for antique furniture and clothing, and my grandparents were antiques dealers. While vintage clothing wasn’t the main emphasis for anyone, the appreciation I gained for older textiles and clothing began early. Although I still don’t consider myself a formal “Vintage Clothing Collector”, I have spent a bit of time working on my small “stash” of pieces and refining my eye for a good find. I get many emails asking me “where do I begin?”; hopefully I can shed a little light on the matter!

Vintage clothing is magical; it not only evokes the look and feel of a certain era, but many times pieces feature textiles, patterns and embellishments that you are hard pressed to find on modern clothes. Many garments were also well made and have stood the test of time, making vintage a good investment on pricey and special occasion items. But this wonderful and tantalizing world of past fashion can also be extremely overwhelming--there are so many styles to choose from! Determining what era or style you want to focus your collecting on can be a big help. It can be broad in terms of buying mostly pieces from the 1930s, or mid-century day dresses (which can mean anything from the 40s through mid 60s), or maybe pieces created by a certain designer or brand that span several decades. Or perhaps you’d like to be a bit more narrow, collecting pieces that were only made during the early 1940s, or dresses of a certain color (that would be fun!), or Victorian undergarments. Don’t forget the exciting world of accessories either: hats, costume jewelry, handbags, shoes, scarves--it’s and endless array of colorful temptations!

So where do you start? Ebay is an obvious choice; the vintage categories are a treasure trove of expensive museum-quality pieces as well as hidden gems that can be had for a song. It’s one of those marketplaces that requires a willingness to spend time looking and waiting for the right piece, as well as setting a budget so you don’t get caught up in a bidding frenzy! Etsy is my second favorite spot; even though it’s original purpose was for handmade items, vintage has become a large category. It takes a bit of digging, but you can find gorgeous, curated shops that offer some beautiful pieces with a bit of search-keyword know how! (Plus groups like the Etsy Vintage Team help locate shops.)

Another up-and-coming vintage clothing site is Market Publique, which is a sort of cross between Ebay (auction) and Etsy (instant purchases), and is definitely worth a look!

Other online groups and professional organizations is another place to start your search for online dealers who may not be on Ebay or Etsy, but have independent online stores. The Vintage Fashion Guild has been around since 2002 and had a large variety of members who focus on many different eras and types of vintage.

Want to shop brick and mortar shops? I have found that doing a simple Google search with my town or zipcode can turn up hidden treasures I had no idea existed! Part of the fun of vintage is trying it on and seeing it in person; I have spent many an afternoon going through the racks at my favorite vintage shops. Also make friends with your local shop owners; let them know what sort of pieces you’re looking for. They may be able to keep their eyes open for your specific search when they get new inventory, or even have something in the back room!

Don’t neglect other sources for vintage that may require a bit more footwork for you: thrift shops and flea markets are plentiful. While the competition at these spots has increased over the years as interest in vintage has gained, diligent searching can sometimes yield amazing finds. Again, a Google search or a stop by Thrift Finder (one of my favorites!) can help you locate stores in your town. Craigslist is another great spot to find both vintage clothing for sale, as well as potential vintage hot-spots like church rummage sales and estate sales. Just remember though that many of these items will need to be cleaned (either professionally or by you; just be sure to research what is appropriate for the garment and fabric!) and possibly mended.

Vintage clothing and accessories can be a fantastic way to enrich your wardrobe. Whether you tend towards 100% authenticity in recreating the look of an era, or just want to add a fun hat into your modern wardrobe. It’s worth a look!

What are some of your favorite vintage sources online? Please share in the comments below!

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Casey is an ardent vintage lover, spends her free time sewing and knitting (usually vintage patterns), cooking and spending time with her husband and rascally rabbit. She blogs from sunny Florida about her interests and pursuits at Elegant Musings.