Instagram Shops p.3

This is the other post that I wasn't able to do this past week because of the issues I was having, so I'm sorry to bombard you with posts this week. I just want to make sure that I'm back on track by Sunday and don't have any other delayed entries lingering in the Drafts section. There's already too many of those. lol But moving on, I really liked the addition of the Instagram accounts when I first started doing them back in April, but after initially trying to make it a weekly feature, I realized I'd probably run out of shops that I liked before the year was out. I'm still deciding whether I want to make it a once or twice monthly series so that I have more time to search and don't wear it out. If you know of any Etsy or eBay shops who have Instagram accounts that I haven't yet covered, shoot me a comment so I can check them out!

1. Golden Crane Vintage (@goldencranevintage)

 
NEW! 1930s Body and Soul Dress #1930s #30s #vintagedress #30sdress by @goldencranevintage

There are quite a few reasons why I like the Golden Crane IG feed. Firstly, the feed is full of beautifully styled photos, light filter work, and a lot of creativity. Secondly, the clothes they show are all in good condition and cover different decades, so they cater to people with interests in more than just one decade. I wanted this edition of the IG shops to focus on outfits one could wear to a wedding, since there's been no shortage of formal additions to most of these shops. That brings me to this dress, which looks to be a mix between peach and coral, has a light and flowy sort of material, and would be great for an outdoor wedding. 





2. Concetta's Closet (@concettascloset)

 
Newly listed. #1990s beaded linen dress, and so very 60s! - medium by @concettascloset

This is a shop I found a few weeks ago, and not only do I love the style of the photography in the feed, but the dresses are stunning. This is a '90s does '60s dress that would be great to wear to a summer wedding; it's simply designed, doesn't detract from the bride and isn't too dark, and is an acceptable length. The feed is full of dresses that have simple photography; nothing is overly complicated or fussy in Concetta's Closet and that's one of the things I like best about it. 





3. Dethrose Vintage (@dethrosevintage)

New in the shop * Marta Floral Day Dress * Small * dethrosevintage.etsy.com by @dethrosevintage

This shop has quickly become one of my favorites to browse through. There is a healthy mix of separates and full dresses, casual and semi-formal, and with the warmer temperatures I've been seeing a spike in the number of vintage swimsuits for sale. The items for sale aren't repeats of each other, the dresses vary in print, length and style, and it creates a colorful collection of items that you'd want to find places to wear the outfits so that you can justify buying the outfit. lol There are many dresses in the shop that I'd consider wearing, but one problem that I've noticed with wearing vintage is that depending on the style of the dress and the accents, you end up looking like a dated bridesmaid and not a guest wearing a vintage dress. This one, I think, scoots under all the 'wedding guest protocol,' is apropos for a wedding, and most importantly, is gorgeous. 





4. Guermantes Vintage (@guermantes.vintage)

 
So the #1930s spiderweb lace wedding gown is spoken for...but I had to show you this beaut in all its glory. Museum deaccession piece and so stunning! 😍 by @guermantes.vintage

I wanted to mix it up a little bit and put a wedding dress or two up here on the list, which brings me to this shop. Guermantes Vintage is quickly becoming one of my favorites, since this obsession with the '20s and '30s is only gaining steam over time and not waning the more that I absorb myself with it. This shop specializes in both of those decades and the finds on there are the stuff of fashion porn--to me, anyway--because I get to see the variety in these decades as I look through the feed. It isn't all sequins and flapper dresses, drop waists and Edwardian accents and that's been really informative to me as I learn more about these eras in fashion. This is a stunning '30s spiderweb wedding gown that is elegant in its simplicity (but unfortunately was already sold at the time of its posting) but I think it's a perfect representation of the gems in this shop and it fits this month's theme, which is even better.





5. Curtain Road (@curtainroad)

 
Vintage style rhinestone headpiece by curtainroad at www.etsy.com/shop/curtainroad #etsy #etsyfinds #headband #headpiece #hairaccessory #hairaccessories #rhinestone #rhinestones #rhinestonejewelry #rhinestoneheadband #vintagestyle #vintagefashion #vintagewedding #bride #brides #blingbling #glam #gatsby #glamparty #gatsbyglam #style by @curtainroad

If you're in need of an accessory for your big day but don't want the added pressure of wearing an aged piece and potentially damaging it (maybe those are just my fears), Curtain Road is a shop you might like looking through. The shop specializes in creating vintage and bohemian-inspired wedding accessories and for me, it allows me to bring a retro feel into my festivities that wouldn't cost as much as trying to acquire an original piece from the time period. I'm not sure if Curtain Road accepts custom orders, but if they do then there's an awesome opportunity to put your own twist on creating a one-of-a-kind vintage-inspired piece for your big day.





6. When Decades Collide (@whendecadescollide)

 
This one shoulder party dress is in the shop now! (32-25-Open) 💛 by @whendecadescollide

Voluminous and circle skirts are in mass supply on the When Decades Collide feed, with an array of different prints for you to choose from. I believe the specialty is in party dresses, so there's no shortage of potential items to steal buy for the next celebration you attend. This shop has a lot of fun-looking finds, with enough twirl power to satisfy anyone who envisions dancing the night away....or just spinning in circles so that the dress fans out. Just me? Okay. Anyway, vibrant colors are what drew me to the feed but the beautiful dresses for sale are what kept me. I think this one-shoulder party dress would be so fun to wear to a wedding. You would think (well, I thought) that a shop that specialized in party dresses and skirts would get boring after awhile, but it doesn't. There are different kinds of events to go to, and they have different dress codes. This shop has something for everything, whether it be a picnic, a wedding, a business meeting, or a vintage festival. 





7. Poppycock Vintage (@poppycockvintage)

 
So very much in love with this beautiful 30s wide brim by @poppycockvintage

If you're a hat person when it comes to formal event wear, then check out Poppycock Vintage, where this is the specialty. The hats vary in color, era and shape so regardless of your hat preference, you're sure to find something that suits it. All of these hats are in great condition, with the majority being great for a wedding. On a smaller note, if you're into cats then you've still found a winner, as the owner regularly updates her feed with photos of her adorable feline buddies. I think this hat would be perfect for an outdoor spring or summer wedding. The way it was photographed helped to sway me on it, but what I liked about it was that it gave a ladylike feel to the wearer and would compliment a variety of dresses. 





8. Canary Club Vintage (@canaryclubvintage)

 
New Arrival! 1940s Lace Party Dress with Bolero | Size XL 34" Waist #tulleandtiaravintage #wedding #vintage #dress #the40s #1940s #etsyvintage #vintagedress #midcenturyfashion #weddingdress by @canaryclubvintage

This is another #igfeedgoals photo reel for me, as the style of photography is what calls to me, right after the clothing itself. I've noticed that most vintage shop owners photograph their items in much of the same way, with crisp, minimalistic photos of the clothing in front of white walls and natural lighting, probably to best display the clothing. But the skill of the photography still shows with all of them, because I can't take a picture that well to save my life, no matter what I try to show on Random Reviews in my product reviews. lol It's a clean, natural style of photography that I really enjoy, especially with vintage clothing. I found it a little hard to pick a dress that wasn't too casual for a wedding but I had to feature this shop in this entry in the IG series. These dresses are great for everyday wear, business meetings and put-together days out and about. I hope this isn't too close to white for a wedding but I really liked how soft and feminine it was. I was going for a 'blend in' sort of style and this dress does that with style. 





9. Forever Vintage (@forever_vintage_shop)

 
I just love this beautiful backstage shot by the incredibly talented @sherbetbirdie_photography from our @bridalfashionweekaustralia bridesmaids runway show 💕 #forevervintage #forevervintagesydney #newlook #fullskirt #classic #couture #bridesmaids #love #vintage #instavintage #instawedding #instapinup #backstage #models #50s #1950s #tulle #sherbetbirdie #abfw2015 #abfw #polkadots #gold #sparkles by @forever_vintage_shop

This isn't an in-shop photo like the others, but I wanted to show it off because if you're trying to have a vintage-themed wedding and want to get some ideas on how to mix vintage and modern for bridesmaids dresses, this photo is a pretty good example. As I said earlier, sometimes there's a very thin line with wearing vintage to formal events. Too frilly toes the line of looking like an unintentional bridesmaid, and if you happen to be wearing a color that's in the wedding, you really won't be doing yourself any favors. I'm glad there's been a rise in having versatility in a bridesmaid's dress; none of us want to end up like Katherine Heigl's character in 27 Dresses. lol I'd want the dresses to look great for my wedding, but I'd also want them to be able to wear the dresses afterward and depending on the event, you could do that with any of these. They're fun, a stylish mix of vintage and modern, and won't look dated in pictures. 





10. Kat's Vintage Treasures (@katsvintagetreasures)

 
Silver Bridal Basket. Bridal baskets are usually one-of-a-kind vintage #novelties. They were especially #popular about 1880 when the decorated #basket was often given as a #wedding gift. Cut glass baskets were popular after 1890. Most bride's baskets lost favor about 1905. This is truly vintage to use in your wedding. On my etsy store now! The link is in my bio. #katsvintagetreasures #bridal #bride #bridetobe #flowergirl #flowergirlbasket #vintage #shopvintage #antique #vintagewedding #oldschoolrules by @katsvintagetreasures

And to bring everything together, here is a silver bridal basket that, as detailed in the caption, can double as a wedding gift for the bride and bring the "something old" factor to the day. From reading the caption, this was once a very popular tradition implemented in weddings but has since fallen out of favor, so having this in your wedding will put a unique twist on things that most of your guests probably haven't seen. Because it's a small detail, it wouldn't be difficult to mix it with a modern-themed ceremony at all, but if it's a retro-themed one then it's even more fitting. 

I hope you've enjoyed this installment of vintage shop feeds I've found on IG. I think I'm going to stick with the twice-monthly schedule so that I don't wear this out. Going through these shop feeds used to make me want a vintage shop of my own, but somewhere between the time I finally started paying attention to Instagram and four days ago (LOL), I realized that it's probably not a career detour I need to pursue. 
When you're just looking at shop owners taking gorgeous photos of equally gorgeous clothing and posting them online, it's easy to romanticize and minimize the difficulty of the process, but thankfully many of the owners provide a look behind the scenes as well. A camera that isn't up to par can negatively impact sales, as can lack of equipment. Bad weather can completely ruin a day of shooting, some of the clothing is damaged and requires careful washing and repair regimens, and some days a shopping excursion can result in returning home empty-handed. That's not counting the fact that you need to know how to edit photos, post them on multiple social networks as well as the home site, market them properly, get your name out there, and most importantly, have an eye for vintage. You need to have a sharp eye for vintage fashion, and to be quite honest, I don't have it. I'm just now, after 5 years of vintage-themed blogging, being able to identify clothing items made during different decades. I'm still not versed on designer labels or being able to tell authentic pieces from well-made repro and I'd be way too easy to fleece. I think it's for that reason that I enjoy looking through these feeds so much...you know, other than the clothes themselves lol...because I know the effort that likely went into each photograph. It sounds like it would be fun, but it definitely isn't a career path for everyone. So I'm content to sit on the sidelines and help promote them (with my single to double digit Internet reach LOL) instead. But as always, I hope you enjoyed this post, have a fabulous weekend and I'll see you on Monday!

Wishing I had an eye for vintage, 

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Vintage Shops on Instagram, p.2

When I first wanted to do the Instagram posts, I had 10 shops on the list. But I felt like I was leaving out some really good shops so the number went up to 15. Because of that mindset, the list had gotten up to 25 before I realized I'd have to break the post up into several installments. lol By the by, these aren't in any particular order of importance or favoritism, they were a combination of the shops I remembered first with some of the shops that I started following when I first joined Instagram. So here's the second installment of that list. The problem with these lists is that they continue to grow, because I continue to find more shops. LOL I hope that you're liking this series as much as I am; let's just hope I get the pictures coded correctly this time. I don't want any embarrassing repeats of the blunder I made last week. lol 
*Again, all photos used here are property of and linked back to their owners; they're only being included here for me to display.*

1. Dear Golden (@deargolden) NEW! 1930s Quartz Lustre dress * small
I really really wanted to include this list in the first group I did last week, but I wanted to show off some of the shops I'd found more recently and Dear Golden was actually the first one I'd found when I joined the 'Gram, so I held it off. This is one of my favorite feeds to look through as I never know what I'm going to see, but everything I've seen has always been very well-presented. I used to think that I wanted one day to own a vintage shop of my own...and I kind of still do...but it was partly through following Dear Golden's feed that I see how much work it really is, from picking out the pieces you acquire, to cleaning them, to styling them for photographs. It's not as easy as taking a picture and uploading it. I'm going to go more in-depth on that in a future post, so keep a look out for that. But if you ever want to see a feed worthy of a #vintageshopgoals tag on Instagram, this is one of them. 


2. Azalia Shop Vintage (@azaliashopvintage) This blush toned cutie is new in the shop * #vintage #etsy #etsyvintage #vintageetsy
If you've got a thing for vintage ladies' shoes, this is a shop for you to peruse. What I like about this shop is that it's just this random smorgasbord of vintage goodies. I love the shops who specialize in certain decades. I love the shops who have themes; I think it's interesting and I love seeing how many pieces the owner has that fit said theme. But I also love the ones who have no theme except that the goods have to be vintage. It always blows my mind when I think about the fact that all these shops have vintage fashion because I didn't realize there was still so much of it out there, especially the stuff from the '20s and '30s. It further blows my mind when I realize how much is probably still out there, collecting dust and not yet being claimed. This feed is a random collection of some of those finds, and that's part of the charm of this shop for me. I've seen a set of vintage cups, a cameo necklace, different kinds of older shoes and quirky jewelry (there's a cowgirl ring with a pair of boots on it calling my name) in addition to the vintage garments and I enjoy looking at all of it.


3. Duet Vintage (@duetvintage) 1970s maxi dress with cut out back | small, on etsy now! #vintagemaxidress #1970s #etsyvintage This is another of the first vintage shops I found when I joined Instagram, and not only is the owner cute as a button, but the clothes in the shop all give off a fun vibe. Said opinion extends to this adorable '70s maxi dress. I'm loving the This is a shop you need to visit if your favorite eras are between the '60s and '90s. Much like many vintage shops, Duet Vintage also has a home on Etsy, but I believe you can stake your claim on items through the IG feed as well. The Instagram page is a lot of fun to go through; you may get a cool b&w photo, some snaps of cool older cars, or a sweet '60s dress. I love the variety in this shop.  


4. Adored Vintage (@adoredvintage) new | Maud Monticute top c.1940s | xs | shop link in profile First things first, how cute is this top, right? I think it would look gorg with a black pencil skirt. It reminds me of a more relaxed peplum in the bottom, but the material and the neck gives me a Victorian vibe. I do see slight discoloration at the top of the blouse, but who cares. I love everything about this top and same goes for the shop. I've been seeing a lot of neutrals and light colors lately, so if you're in need of some color inspiration that isn't a pastel, check out Adored Vintage. There's also a lot of spring-appropriate pieces, so again, if you're in need of cut/decade inspiration, take a look at the feed. 


5. Hank & George Vintage Clothing (@hankandgeorge) 50% Cashmere, 50% Silk and then to top it off...Sequin. Can't put together a better combination than this 1980's sweater. So soft and luxurious! Find more details at our etsy site (link on profile/bio) or send a comment or DM with any questions about this beauty. #hankandgeorge #etsy #vintageclothing #vintage #vintageetsy #etsyvintage #instasale #shopvintage #vintageshop #vintagefashion #womensclothing #vintagesale #instashop #instacloset #igshop #igcloset
I know this sweater is simple, but for some reason when I was browsing the feed for a photo to add here, I kept being drawn back to this sweater. I'm guessing part of it was the caption--half cashmere, half silk? Sounds like heaven! Secondly, sequins. And I love the cream color as well. It's a simple sweater, but I think that's why I love it. It's versatile and I think it would look very nice with a pair of jeans and flats. That brings me to another thing that I like about this top; despite the fact that it's a sweater, it has a collar and button-style of a regular blouse. 


6. Cheshire Vintage (@cheshirevintage) The Perfect Little Black 50s Dress - modern size 10 - $185 | cheshirevintageshop.etsy.com | #vintage #vintagefashion #fashion #50s #50sdress #1950s #forsale #etsy #etsyshop #lbd
This is another of those #vintageshopgoals feeds for me; every photograph is well-styled and the photos give both a full view of the garment as well as details of the print. One of the (many) things I love about this shop is that it has some of the most unique skirts I've ever seen. This shop is definitely for the gal who has something to do with her day; the pieces are too beautiful to let sit at the back of your closet, like this '50s LBD. I think the neckline and glitter trim are what sold me on it. If you're after fancier daywear or party clothes, Cheshire Vintage is the shop to check. Like many of the other shops, the specialty is vintage yet different decades are featured, which gives the shop a healthy dose of variety. The owner describes the shop as "irresistibly cute," and I agree. 


7. Caps and Cravats (@_monsivais_) Update from yesterday !! I'm celebrating Earth Day by re- purposing an old damaged harris tweed jacket into a great piece of headwear. It was actually common practice in the early 20th century. This cap is Part of the "Green line" (haven't came up with a good name) #monsivaiscaps #madeinla #vintage #vintagetweed #vintagecap #repurpose #earthday #vintagemenswear #1920s #1930s #handtailored #newsboycap #tweed #harristweed
I found this shop around the same time I found many of the others on this list, and even though it's for men's caps, I've never been able to resist an old school newsboy cap. What I love about this shop is in the caption underneath this one; damaged materials can be (and were, for this particular piece) repurposed into becoming the material for these caps, which I think is a great option rather than tossing the entire garment. I also saw some bowties, so if there's a vintage-loving dude in your life (or you like masculine touches yourself, which looks awesome when executed correctly), Caps and Cravats might be a fun feed to browse through. 



8. Pinkham Road Retro (@pinkhamroadretro) 👻The Black and White Grid Mini Dress... this cotton dress with grid print has the sweetest cutout and button back detail, completely lined.... she has a tiny spot at the bottom right skirt... barely noticeable and missing one button at the back... easy fix! B37" w26" hfree l33" this dress is only $35 shipped!
I love this shop. It has been by far one of my favorite finds since I've been on Instagram. One of my favorite things about PRR is that every so often, the shop takes on a theme, and all of the pieces added to the shop that evening somehow play into the chosen theme. It's pretty creative. I had the worst time trying to find just one item I liked to put in this post; there were at least 10 pieces that I loved and wanted to show off. I finally went with this grid-printed cutie. I think it was the back of it that did me in. The shop has beautiful clothes and I like the playful vibe that the themes provide for the pieces being added.


9. Rusted Jalopy Decor (@rustedjalopydecor) The vintage style marquee sign I made for the awesome @shireensandoval !!!!
This isn't a clothing shop but the shop creates amazing vintage-style products out of old metal. I can tell a lot of work goes into each piece, I think some of the concepts (an aluminum bowtie, spiral lamps made to look like coiled springs) are so innovative yet so beautifully done. I love the concept of repurposing or upcycling older materials and creating something new and unique out of them. I admire the creativity that this shop displays, and if I had the money I'd gladly commission the owner to make a one-of-a-kind piece for me. 


10. Swan Song Vintage (@swansongvintage) New on #etsy #vintage moss green crocheted dress, size xs, $59
Finally, Swan Song is a colorful blend of different decades of vintage fashion, and much like the others, it's always a lot of fun to browse through the feed. I still don't know why I continue to be drawn to crocheted garments but here we are with another one. I think I just need to accept that I like crocheted dresses and get over it. lol I'm not sure how to style a dress like this, but if I did know how to properly style it I'd wear it in a minute. What I like about this shop is that everything gives off such a feminine, elegant feel, and the pieces cater to a number of situations. 

So that wraps things up for me in this second installment of the series. Next week's list is going to be slightly different, but still (obviously) in the vintage vein, so I hope you all like it. I gave my Files series the month off and it hasn't been half bad, but I'm kinda missing them now. lol I figure if I reintegrate things slowly and stick to a set schedule, I'll have the posting consistency that I'm after in a couple of months tops. I've got a few posts coming up in the next couple of weeks that I'm excited about; one's a (very late) Vintage Spotlight and the other is this month's Spotlight...which will still be late by the time I post it LOL, but that's neither here nor there. I'm trying, okay? lol Anyway, hope you liked this set of shops and I'll see you later this week!

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Vintage Shops on Instagram p.1

Hi all! Now in case you hadn't noticed, I'm not the biggest fan of social media. I only use Twitter when I'm bored, don't have to work too hard to condense my thoughts into 140 characters, and when I have a post to promote. Live-tweeting TNT is fun, but only when you aren't talking to yourself. lol Now that I've discontinued that, I'm usually only on there when I'm promoting a blog post for ATV or playing the quiet lurk game with wrestlers. Don't judge me. Anyway, I hardly ever bother with Facebook, which is why even if my blogs become popular I doubt I'll ever open pages for them there.  I barely check my personal page so I don't see much point in creating another page that I probably won't give my full attention to. I didn't see the appeal of Instagram but finally broke down and created an account last year. To date, I've posted exactly 28 photos since I signed up last January, not counting the jazzy photo you see above that I put up on there earlier to promote this post. I tried to do a 365-day Photo Challenge on there last year to get myself out of that bubble and take more photos, but I'd already failed by Day 6. LOL 

Me, when trying to find reasons apart from my blogs
to post on most social media sites. lol 

My lack of attention to IG isn't intentional, I just usually don't remember to put something on Instagram after I take a picture of it. I don't feel a need to share what I believe is a very uninteresting personal life, and as a result when something happens to me, good or bad, social media usually has no record of it. I might briefly complain about the bad stuff in a post, but that's about it and that's not even often unless it somehow affects the blog. All of my social media accounts are mostly used to infrequently share my self-proclaimed witty musings, funny pictures and more recently, to promote my blogs. I have a very large fear of becoming 'that girl,' the one who just has to photograph and share every life moment that might be even remotely interesting. I've noticed with the rise of the insta-share concept, I've learned how much I enjoy living in the moment and not always trying to get my camera out. It's a lot easier to take photos as a review blogger than it is a vintage one, primarily because I don't have vintage fashion to show off, which is why I don't promote my IG here at all. 

As a result, I do a lot more liking and following on Instagram than I do posting, but during said lurker expeditions I find a lot of good vintage shop accounts, some of whom simply promote their finds there and others who run their shops exclusively on Instagram. I'm still a noob to Instagram in general, but especially to the vintage side of things, where I'm finding new shops to peruse and drool over on the daily. I thought I'd start a new series about the vintage shops on IG for those just starting out on IG like I am and needing a bit of direction. When on a shop's account, checking out who they're following is also a great way to find new shops. You get caught in the maze of going through so many pages you have to press the back arrow about 8 times, but it's worth it. lol 

*Quick disclaimer, I own none of the photos in this post. They are just here for display and promotion purposes.*

1. Simplicity is Bliss Vintage (@sibvintage) Just Listed | vintage 1970s pink chevron stripe cotton sun dress | size large | shop link in profile I just found this shop last week and I haven't finished looking through the feed yet, but I'm in love already. There are so many spring dresses in this shop right now and many more that have already been sold. It's a constant source of inspiration on what colors, what styles, and what patterns to wear for the season, and the condition that the garments are in is pretty awesome. The shop is based on Etsy, but the outfits are featured on IG. There's not much else to say; I love this shop and the clothing it features. This dress here is fun, light, and would be perfect for a casual day out and about. 


2. Gossamer Sells (@gossamersells) 1920s silk and beaded chiffon great -xs/s. Very good. No major holes. Discoloration and underarm yellowing. $120. This shop's been quiet for a couple of months so I don't know if they're still in operation, but there's no shortage of eye candy left behind to peruse. If you're a fan of Edwardian or flapper fashion, this is definitely a shop for you to look at. I even saw a Victorian walking suit in there. For items that are at or even a little older than the 100-year mark, they are in great condition and many of them are still wearable if you're careful. Everything in there is so elegant and glamorous, and I found it so difficult to choose just one item to put in this post. I finally went with this 20s chiffon dress. It's a beaut and in very good condition for its age, so I'm not surprised it sold as quickly as it did. So if your favorite decades are between the 1910s and 1930s, you'll have fun in this shop.


3. 1919 Vintage (@1919vintage) New in the shop * 1950s lemon grove dress * medium 1919 Vintage is one of my favorite shops on IG because of gawgeous gems like this one. This was one of my favorite shops on Etsy, then I found it on IG and now I can stalk the shop items in peace on a daily basis. I love collars like the one on this dress, and the button detailing fits the style of this dress perfectly. The color is another thing that gets me; this would have been great for Easter. The shop is updated often, everything is well taken care of after Anne gets to it, and while some of the prices are a bit high, they're completely worth it. This is an amazing shop and if I had more money to spare, Anne would have a significant chunk of it. LOL 


4. Vacation Vintage (@vacationvintage) Just Listed! ＊ 1950s Doris Dodson two-piece pique dress set with carved buttons | sz XS In the etsy shop: www.vacationvintage.com Couldn't you just plotz over this dress set? I am dying over the hem of the top and the buttons going down the front; there's something so structured yet feminine about this look and I love it. From the collar to the sleeves, the cut of the top and light pleating in the skirt, it just flows together so well. Now white isn't a color I'd wear from head to toe because I'm messy as all hell, but I think this would be a classy choice for a business meeting. The entire shop is full of beautiful garments like this one. It too is based on Etsy but we'll get sneak peeks of upcoming additions on IG. I've seen more looks from around the 50s so if that's your decade, check out Vacation Vintage. 


5. Static Vintage (@staticvintage) #Vintage #Givenchy Quilted Purse. #Black #Leather #Gold #Chain strap. $175. Call 415-422-0046 for purchase. We ship worldwide. What drew me to this shop wasn't the fashion, at least not quite in the same sense as many of the other shops on this list. This shop is actually not based online; it's a ground location but the goods are still advertised on IG. What drew me to Static Vintage was the collection of old school sports jackets and the retro kitschy t-shirts that I adore. Then I saw this Givenchy quilted purse and it was game over. As I've gotten older, I've slowly morphed into my mother with the size of the purses I carry. I know it's because I need more things now than I did when I was 17, but still. I'm at a briefcase level right now. lol So when I saw this much smaller bag--and I've always been a sucker for quilted purses--I was sold. I don't know how I'd fit everything I need in there, but challenge accepted. lol


6. Raleigh Vintage (@raleighvintage) This super adorable 1950s sundress was just listed! Go get her... www.raleighvintage.com How season-appropriate is this dress, right? I want to say that this beauty has since been sold, but if there was a dress that embodies spring, I'd say this was one of the finalists. It's well taken care of, it photographs well (to me, anyway but what do I know? lol), and hello--it's fabulous! The shop is based in Raleigh but there is the option to shop online as well, and the goods are advertised on IG. Both the website and the IG feed are well-designed and styled, and the clothes are in impeccable condition. There's a wide array of vintage in this store, so there's a little bit of everything if you're a fan of various decades. 


7. Mill Street Vintage (@millstreetvintage) New on Etsy | Turf Club * vintage dead stock dress with tags Plotzville, population 1. LOL I've made no secret that I have a serious hard-on for flapper-inspired dresses, and this one is no different. I adore absolutely everything about this dress. The leaf pattern and beaded outline, the colors, the sparkly bow print, and the beaded fringe at the bottom, the silhouette it creates, ugh. Mill Street's homebase is on Etsy but they share the goodies on IG. The feed is updated regularly, everything I've seen is in stellar condition, and while things are a little pricey they're more than worth it. If you're a window shopper like me though, then this is a wonderful source of inspiration and learning about the styles of different decades. 


8. Kay Dove Vintage (@kaydovevintage) 1950s Atomic Print Dress from Kay Dove Vintage $124 #vintagedress #50sstyle #50sfashion #shop #etsy #fashion #style #dress #vintagefashion #vintagestyle #midcentury Kay Dove is a shop I found a couple of months ago, and it too is like an online candy store. Casual wear, formal wear, dresses, separates, outerwear, swimwear, this shop has it all. On occasion, there are even some vintage b&w photos thrown in there showcasing retro fashion. I've been trying to include dresses from these shops that are good for spring, so I went with this mint green polka dotted dress. I'm loving the neckline and the smaller skirt although I'm sure if you wanted to wear a small petticoat underneath you probably could. In short, I love everything about this dress and the shop is amazeballs. The specialty is midcentury, so if that's your thing then check out Kay Dove. The Etsy shop is currently closed as the owner is moving residences, but it'll be back in a couple of weeks. 


9. Shop Vintage Bowtique (@shopvintagebowtique) Such a BEAUTY! Vintage sequined black and silver blouse. Has a beautiful butterfly pattern and shape (look at the bottom of the shirt) the back of the shirt is identical to the front. Size:M/L $38 If interested please leave email address below for an invoice. #shopvintagebowtique #shopsmall #ilovevintage #vintagelover #vintagewoman #vintagestylist #fashion #naturalista Oh my goodness. To say that it was difficult to choose just one item from this shop would probably be the understatement of the season. I had this obstacle with each shop, but this one was on an entirely different level. LOL I saw this Ralph Lauren flared pencil skirt and this stunning pair of earrings, and couldn't decide which one I wanted to put up here. I finally decided on this blouse because it spoke to the sequined, Farrah-haired disco queen living somewhere inside me and I had to let her out for a few minutes. I love the bottom hem of the blouse and the massive butterfly; as a matter of fact I have a sequined butterfly headband that matches this blouse to a T. (See what I did there? Wasn't intentional. lol) I think it would be sweet to tone this down with a pair of jeans and flats, or dress it up a little with black polyester (gotta keep it decade-appropriate, ya know) pleated pants and kitten heels. 


10.  Shantilly Lace Vintage (@)shantillylacevintage) L22-12 Sise. X-small - small Skirt only Waist. 11 - 16 inches flat Hips. Free Length. 27 inches Flaws. None Original price was $16 shipped Then 50 % off at $8 shipped Now 60% off at $6.40 shipped If you're a plus-size vintage enthusiast, this shop is for you. I know this skirt isn't a plus-size one, but it's fabulous anyway, isn't it? lol This is one of the more active accounts, as the shop is updated on almost a daily basis. Many of the dresses are plus-size and since the owner is plus-size herself you get the added bonus of being able to see how the dress would look on you if you're a similar size. Here's one of my favorite plus-size dresses in the shop, although it has since been sold. Different kinds and styles of dress are in this shop, but if you're a fan of circle-style bottoms, then you'll fall in love with this shop as soon as I did. There is a profile for the shop on Etsy, but it looks like the home base is on Instagram. 


11. Butch Wax Vintage (@butchwaxvintage) JUST LISTED on the #ButchWaxVintage #Etsy: 👀 Ring the alarms... This is a drop-dead STUNNER. This wickedly sexy, swirl-embossed inky black #silksatin #1950s #extremehourglass #cocktaildress with fabulous #peekaboo #reversehalter neckline, triple side pleated #shelfbust, nipped #waspwaist, slim tapered #pencilskirt, and triple layered 3D #mermaid "cha cha" hem! Too damn good. #MintCondition, size #Medium with a waist just over 26 inches. ✨💕✨ #forsale #bombshell #highendvintage #vlv #rab #vintagepinup And finally, I found this gem last week when I found Simplicity is Bliss, and my need to look through the IG feed on a daily basis is already at problem status. lol Just like the other shops I've already profiled, all of the items are in excellent shape, they photograph well, and the garments themselves are stunning. Amanda, the owner, is a total babe and her story is a pretty interesting one; I suggest giving it a read. There's also a base for the shop on Etsy in addition to the website; you can purchase from either one. There's a fun, sort of playful feel to this shop and I love it. In true #relationshipgoals fashion, her boyfriend also runs a vintage shop, but he specializes in mens' vintage tennis shoes so if you're a retro shoe connoisseur, sports fan or have a dude in your life who is, go take a gander at the IG feed. Also, check out this coat. It should immediately inspire fangirling and anger at the person who purchased it. LOL

*edit: I'm sorry the photo displayed for this shop was accidentally the same one for the Vintage Bowtique. The coding for the picture has been giving me hell since I started and it showed up correctly at first. This should have been the dress displayed. My apologies!*

I'd like to do another one of these round-up type of posts, so I really hope you liked this one. It's far from innovative and I'm sure there are tons of these kinds of posts, but it's the first one I've done so I'd like to keep it going. All of those ladies (and some men) work really hard to find the items that they sell, they put up great photographs, and I'd love to continue showing them off if I can. So maybe some time in the future I'll put up another post. To be honest, I think you should follow just about all of the vintage shop accounts on Instagram, but this was a very condensed list of a few shops I found recently and wanted to pass along. I apologize if you're an OG on Instagram and this post didn't provide you with any new shops to look over. But for the newbies like myself, I hope you were able to find a few shops on this list to your liking. I'll be doing a part 2 of these probably at the beginning of the month; I've already got the list together. I hope you enjoyed your Sunday and I'll see you tomorrow!

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Vintage Spotlight: Vintage-Inspired Swimwear

I realize that I'm about 10 days late for this month's Vintage Spotlight. I've been going back and forth on what I wanted to do for this month's Spotlight and vintage-inspired swimwear was originally the idea I had, but then I scrapped that because I wanted to do a history lesson sort of post on vintage swimwear like the one I'd done with the hair last year. But after I got started I realized I'd gotten in over my head; right now I just don't have the time....or energy....to give the post the research attention it needed because I've been working a lot more on the design changes to come, so I had to backburner it for later in the summer when I have a bit more free time.  So now I'm back at my original concept, which, admittedly, was a lot more fun to research. This Spotlight is more of a guide for beginners who want to bring a little vintage into their swimwear and don't know where to look. I also want to include some vintage candids and swimwear pics if you just want a little inspiration. It's sort of funny to me that I'm making this post now because I have to admit that I was late on the bus for retro swimwear. As I've mentioned a couple of times, I used to hate older swim/beachwear but I found some styles that I really liked a few years ago and I've been hooked ever since. Let's get started!  *Note: I claim no ownership to any of the photos from the companies featured in this post.*

1. Pinup Girl Clothing Pinup Girl is one of my favorite vintage repro sites. All of their designs are so classy and put a bit of a modern touch on vintage wear, which I love. I can't afford the clothes, but a girl can dream. LOL All of their clothes, swimwear included, are plus-size friendly and the swimwear is both flattering to one's figure and varied in terms of style/print. They also feature swimwear from different companies, some of which you'll see later in this post. Here are some of my favorite pieces. 

Pin Up Pink & White Polka Dotted
Bikini, $75

Bettie Swimsuit in Black Cherry,
$78

The latter bathing suit also comes with a matching swim skirt that is so fetching and would be adorable to wear when not in the water. Now that I'm an older (ha!) broad and realize that not all dimples are good dimples--hint hint--I'm much more willing to wear a sarong or towel when not in the water. Why not go with a cute-and matching-cover up? I'm a sucker for polka dots anyway, but the ruched waist in the bottoms would probably disguise any bloating and flatter my figure even though the bottoms end at my problem areas. Pinup Girl has an awesome selection of both swim and everyday wear and their catalog is definitely worth checking out. 

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2. Unique Vintage Unique Vintage is another of those shops that I love digital window shopping at, the prices aren't quite as much fun but life goes on lol, but the clothes are amazing. Like Pinup Girl, said compliment extends to the swimwear, which has a lot of really fun prints and styles. There is a wide range of swimwear options on this site and they too are plus-size friendly. 

1950s Pin Up Style Polka Dotted
One Piece Bathing Suit, $78

Red & Leopard Open Back Halter One Piece, $102

I love this polka dot suit, but I put it up here because I liked the style. The skirt style of the bottom is flattering to the figure and would keep the tops of the thighs covered if it was just a little longer. I didn't think I'd like the second suit, but after getting another look at it I've decided I love it. The front is cute but simple, but the back of it is what sold me. There's a strip of red double ruffling across the bum and two red straps on the lower portion of the back. It's super cute and not like every other swimsuit. 

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3. ModCloth ModCloth is my ish. Just about all of my past Vintage Ensembles come from there and it was the first repro site I found after I discovered vintage. Their clothes have a modern touch of quirkiness that agrees with me, even though, yet again, their prices do not. In case it has not already become evident, I am not only on a fixed income, but I'm cheap. LOL But anyway, I love going to ModCloth because I think the clothes have a touch of both modern and vintage in them, and I like the variety of styles in both everyday and swimwear. Again, these are plus-size friendly and made well; some of the suits are also good pieces if you just intend to spend the day by the beach and not get wet. 

Queen Bay One-Piece Swimsuit,
$80

Blue Gingham Party Pool Picnic Swimsuit,
$50 (clicking on the photo will take you to
 the page for the top only)

Now this first suit is why I said that some of the pieces were practical as well as water-friendly; I probably wouldn't wear this for a day of straight swimming as the shoulders would probably be a little confining for me once they got wet. But if I was going to have a day by the pool or beach and might dip my toes in the water later, I'd probably wear something like the Queen Bay swimsuit. I think it would look great with a maxi skirt or sarong. I love the second one because I've always been a sucker for a good gingham print. The wooden buttons were a unique touch, and I like that the bottoms are high waisted for this type of print as well. 

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4. Babygirl Boutique This is a site I've stumbled on a few times over the years but never really stopped to peruse for a long period of time. Of the sites I've seen so far, this one has the most categories and is probably the most extensive collection of bathing suits I've seen yet. Something I found especially awesome is that in addition to the repro suits, there is also a smaller collection of authentic vintage swimwear. I don't often see original pieces that aren't in really bad shape due to wear and tear, so that was pretty cool to see. The site itself is pretty extensive and accommodating to the pinup, rockabilly and even psychobilly styles. 

High Waist Nautical Swimsuit with Polka Dot Push-Up
Bikini Top, $50

1950s DeWeese Pinup Bullet Bra
Maillot Swimsuit in Black, $130

The suit on the left is a more modern twist on the nautical theme and I love the buttons going down the sides. For some reason I think the angle of the buttons makes the bottoms more flattering. Is that weird? I also like the difference in pattern from the waistband to the rest of the bottoms; I hate the 'long butt' effect in high-waisted bottoms and the printed waistband sort of detracts from that. I'm not usually one for different patterns in one suit, but the polka dots and stripes seem to go well for this outfit. The second suit is an authentic piece from the '50s, bullet-style bra and all. It's figure flattering and looks to be in good condition. Love it. 

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5. Miss Rockabella I recently found this swimwear company through Twitter and I'd seen a couple of their designs on Pinup Girl Clothing, so I went to check them out and fell in love with the bathing suit on the left. What I like about these swimsuits is that they're not the regular high-waisted bikini bottoms, they're more like short shorts than anything else. Currently, there are three brands featured on the site and I believe more products from each line are still being added. Each of them have the vintage feel you'll be looking for, but they have a bit more sass than some of the other brands and I like that. By the by, the prices below are converted from euros so if you do decide to buy anything, keep that conversion calculator nearby!

Lucille Bikini Top & Dottie Bikini
Bottoms by Sugar Doll, $83 and $84
(this link is to the page for the bottoms
only)

Merry Meadows Bikini Top & Poppy
Bikini Bottoms, $102 and $70
(this link will take you to the page for the
bottoms)

I saw the Lucille/Dottie set and fell all the way in love. It'll keep my problem areas covered, love the tiny gingham-like print on the top and the thicker halter straps, adore the simpler bottoms and the fact that they're more shorts than regular bikini bottoms. But the Merry Meadows/Poppy set grew on me immediately after I saw it as well; I like the smaller floral print with the darker pattern in back and the red accent on the top. I also like the silhouette it creates. I wonder how tight it is, though. 

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6. Retro Swimwear I just found this shop while prepping for the post and I've loved the majority of the suits I've seen; the style of most of the suits veered more toward the rockabilly side of the spectrum. Something that I liked about this shop is that there's a section with site-curated suggestions for first-time shoppers. Each piece is custom handcrafted and the entire line is plus-size friendly as well. Unfortunately, after I did some checking I saw that their Twitter has been inactive since 2011 and as of last summer, they were not taking any orders so I believe the company is now defunct, which is a shame because their swimsuits were awesome. I still wanted to show off the suits though, so here are a couple of them that I favored.

Skull Print Halter Swimdress

Peggy Sue Gingham Retro Halter Swimsuit
Top & Hipster Bikini Bottoms

The swimdress on the left side is a plus-size suit but I still thought it was super cute. It definitely has that darker rockabilly feel to it, it hits a decent length on the thigh, and isn't too tight. It's also playful and covered enough so you can wear it out of the water without needing an additional cover up garment. I went back to gingham for this second suit, firstly because like I said earlier, I just love gingham print. I also like it because of the style of the top. The bottoms are lower waisted and you'd definitely need a cover up for it if you're out of the water, but I thought it was cute, simple and can either be modern or vintage. 

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7. Amazing Vegas Fashions This is a cute little shop I found on Etsy (did you really think I was gonna do a fashion post and leave that goldmine out??) that specializes in vintage-inspired repro swimwear. I like this shop because although the vintage silhouette is intact, it's sexier without showing a great deal of skin. The shop is still a bit small right now, but these pieces are handmade so I don't expect there to be a massive amount of products just yet. Here are two suits that jumped out at me. 

Colorful Retro High Waisted Pinup Swimsuit, $45

3-in-1 Retro/Rockabilly High Waisted Swimsuit, $45

I love the style of the first suit and the versatility that it's willing to accommodate. If I want to do something more modern and wear my bottoms low-rise, I can. If I want to wear them high waisted, I can do that without having to buy another pair of bottoms. If I want to change the bottoms and do something different, I can do that as well. I like all three variations of the bottom. The second suit reminds me of both summer and the '70s with the different colors and style of the bottoms. The colors chosen for the suit are light and playful and suit the style they were chosen for. 

Good ol Jantzen.
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8. Concetta's Closet This was another of the shops I found on Etsy and while swimwear isn't the primary category that the shop carries, I did like a lot of the pieces that were for sale. These are authentic pieces from the '50s--'70s, so I'm sure upkeep of the suits will probably be slightly different than today's suits. I admit I don't know much about vintage swimwear material and how it holds up. I wonder if they'll be adding more suits to the collection in the future. 

Vintage '50s Elisabeth Bikini, $218

Vintage '60s Bathing Suit--July's Girl,
$68

I'm not normally a huge fan of one-piece suits. I might make an exception for suits like the Queen Bay one from ModCloth or the July's Girl suit here, but usually I try not to wear them. I have fears of my bum hanging out the back, wedgies galore and cameltoe taking up residence. I've also never worn a one-piece with an actual belt before, so I found this kind of interesting but I do wonder if it would be uncomfortable. I like the second because it's more subtle in color, more casual in style, and again, problem areas are covered. I love that it's an original from the '50s but I wonder why it's so expensive compared to the July's Girl. I still like it, though.

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This was a fun Spotlight to put together. I know I've been slacking on those posts but they're in draft, waiting for me to finish them and if I ever get the time and I'm feeling okay, I fully intend to finish all of them. I have some fun Spotlights for this summer that I really hope you enjoy--and don't worry, I'll do those on time. LOL I figured with summer on the way, May was the perfect time to bring some attention to swimwear if you're a newbie to vintage and haven't learned where to look for or purchase appropriate water-friendly garments. I suppose this was more a Vintage Spotlight on companies that offer vintage-inspired swimwear rather than the swimwear itself, but regardless I hope you were able to find some color/style inspiration for your bathing suits!

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