The Vintage Fashion Expo in Santa Monica - Feb 5th 2011

Imagine an entire convention center filled with vintage clothing from the 1850s to the 1980s...seems overwhelming, right?


The truth is, it IS incredibly overwhelming and if you are anything like me who gets butterflies in her stomach at the sight of anything polka dotted, chiffon, or lacey... your mind just goes all a whirl and you don't know where to begin.


You really have to go to these things with a game plan. This is the 4th convention I've been to and I still haven't gotten down a system, I just spend hours wandering around, touching things, holding dresses against me, squealing with delight when I see sparkly baubles or embroidered clutches... it's like a giant vintage playroom except everything is really (and sometimes REALLY) expensive and sometimes you get "you shouldn't touch that" looks from the sellers.

You're always bound to run into some fashionista whether it be an indie chick or a modern day style icon. The latter was the case for me. I was in the same booth as Alexa Chung and we were both trying to peek at ourselves in the mirror. She had slipped on a 1930s black polka dotted dress with a seafoam green bow on the front, very cute. I had made a friendly exchange with her and told her that I really admired her personal style...and to my greatest sadness, my compliments were met with a barely audible "thanks" and when I resumed to compliment her on her vintage dress choice, she WALKED AWAY. Well, pish posh, how extremely rude!

I was a bit annoyed and we happened to be in the same booth again and the seller clearly knew who she was and had asked her if she gets photographed in the dress to tag them on Facebook or Twitter and her friendly attempts were met with...Silence.

My heart was crushed. I've always admired Alexa Chung's style so much, her dress choices always seem so whimsical, sweet, cute... I thought she herself would also be the same. Maybe she was having a bad day? Oh well, I'll probably still admire her fashion choices, but now I won't be as enamored since her lack of friendliness really just put me off.

But back to vintage clothing... the massive amounts of it present at the Vintage Expo... I actually ended up not purchasing anything. It was really crowded (although in my photographs there aren't people present, aren't I clever?) and I was met with so much snobbery that day. From sellers, from other buyers... when did vintage get so elitist? It was really quite tragic!

Vintage Shop Updates: Little Black Vintage Dresses

It's the quintessential wardrobe piece every woman must own in her closet, so instead of just a simple little black dress, why not make it a special little black vintage dress? There are even more vintage dresses in the shop!

Shop: Little Black Vintage Dresses at Adorevintage.com

Vintage Vogue Fashion Editorial 1968 by David Bailey

This vintage UK Vogue fashion editorial from May 1968 really speaks to me. I adore the photography and gorgeous New Zealand landscape so much! The clothes are quite fun too, especially those 1960s mini dresses!

{ click on images for larger version }


Image credits: TheFashionspot.com Forums via 'biggirlsblouse'.

Vintage "Bella Hess" Clothing Catalog Scans: Spotlight on 1957 Winter Coats

"Shine or Shower, you'll be right in fashion in our all weather wonders."


I absolutely love old catalog copy! So, for a change of pace, and perhaps to inspire some of you vintage sellers who write descriptions for your vintage wares, here are snippets from this vintage catalog scan.

SNAPPY STRIPED ACCENTS
"Glamor raincoat, hat and umbrella will shine fashionably in any kind of weather. Snappy combination of rich gabadine and candy-striped taffeta..."

BACK-INTEREST COAT
"In all kinds of weather, the year round, you'll love wearing this water-repellent cotton tweed ensemble that's really in fashion! Back bowed-and-pleated coast is so stunning with its pointed collar, push up sleeves, vertical welt pockets."

MIRACLE MILIUM LINING
"All-purpose water-repellent corduroy companions to wear in any weather... any time of day! Boxy coat has unusual Empire-back tab detail, Puritan-type collar, adjustable turnback cuffs, vertical welt pockets. Milium-insulated rayon-and-acetate lining gives warmth without weight."

Dating Vintage: Vintage Sweaters, Twin Sets, + Cardigans from the 1930s, 1940s and 1950s

There is something about rainy cloudy days that makes me wish I had more sweaters in my closet. Particularly vintage sweaters and to get even more specific, vintage sweaters from the 1930s, 1940s, and the 1950s.

I never seem to spot them on my many vintage adventures, or perhaps it's because I am not really sure how a sweater prior to the 60s should look. So, to help me, and to help you I hope, here are some advertisements, vintage knitting patterns, and other wonderful images of vintage sweaters from the 1930s, 1940s, and the 1950s.

/// Vintage 1950s Sweaters


One of the things I noticed about sweaters in the 1950s are the popularity of dolman sleeves and towards the late 1950s into the 60s the shapes got a bit more boxy. (But that's another post!) Cardigans and twin sets were also very popular in the 1950s especially embellished styles with fur collars and sleeves or delicate embroidery or fancy beading.

/// Vintage 1940s Sweaters


Sweaters and knitwear in the 1940s were a lot more fitted usually with puff sleeved details and ribbed waistlines. Most of the advertisements and catalog images and knit patterns I have seen for 1940s sweaters they almost always are fitted at the waist and broader along the shoulders. Vintage 1940s sweaters also were cropped shorter in comparison to later versions. A popular sleeve length for 1940s sweaters appears to be right above the elbows.

/// Vintage 1930s Sweaters


One of the aspects I noticed about vintage sweaters from the 1930s was the looseness in shape along the bodice. Most of the knitting pattern images I found were more blouson in shape and there were definitely a lot of bow and sailor tie inspired details on the neckline (which I love love!)

The Top 10 Vintage Buys of the Week

There are so many places to find vintage clothing nowadays, but sometimes the search for that one perfect piece to add to your wardrobe can be a bit daunting, so just to help you out (and an excuse for me to window shop...) here are my "Top 10 Vintage Buys of the Week"!


/// Vintage 1940s Black Rayon TROPICAL Floral Dress, $178
Simplicity is Bliss Vintage


/// 1920s Vintage SILK MILITARY Cloche Hat, $155
Greatest Friend Vintage


/// Vintage 1930s Brass Leaves Fringe Necklace, $65
The Collected Collage


/// Vintage BROWN LEATHER WEEKENDER Bag, $135
IKAHN Vintage


/// Vintage 1940s DARK COCO Suede Heel Shoes, $115
Shop ReINVintage


/// Vintage 1940s DEADSTOCK Black Gabardine Swing Shoes, $85
Avant Garb Vintage


/// Vintage 1930s Lace + Silk Lingerie Cape, $42
Jessica Stark Weather Vintage


/// Vintage EGYPTIAN MOTH Tassel Art Deco Necklace and Earrings, $750
Vintage Sparkles


/// Vintage 1950s BROADWAY Gingham Dress + Jacket Set, $186
The Paraders Vintage


/// Vintage 1940s Blond Mink Capelet, $225
The Greedy Seagull Vintage

{ Preview } Friday Shop Updates: Delicates As White As Snow

Vintage lace slips, chiffon peignoirs, ruffled bodices, and dainty bows all coming soon to the shop!

Vintage sleepwear and loungewear used to be so lovely, nowadays it's so easy for us women to slip on sweatpants and a baggy t-shirt. I think we should bring back delicate and feminine nightwear! Aren't all of these just so sweet?

More images and product details at the vintage shop! { A D O R E V I N T A G E }