You can leave your hat on

Remember that song? I loved it when I was little, though I really had no idea what it was about. Tehehe.

That top picture is my fave, I've had that concept in the back of my head since I started Vixen Vintage, and never go around to it. I mentioned it to Lara, and she said "let's do it!"

I think this is my favorite set so far we've done, I mean, it features my favorite accessory! My facebook peeps might remember a picture I posted a while ago of a studio set up in my teeny living room. Well, this is the result! I still can't believe these were taken in my house, Lara does wonders!

Hope you enjoy, and have a nice weekend!

All photos by Lara Blair

Polka dot dress-Fab Gabs

Pink dress-Buffalo Exchange

Red dress-Urban Eccentric Vintage

Spring in the 1930s

It was another sunny day, which seemed perfect for a rare mix of silk flowers and fur. Sam and I went to Portland for some shopping, he found some nice Marc Jacobs pants at Buffalo Exchange, and I found the most amazing dressing gown at Magpie Vintage. It's an early 40s navy wool zip front, and best of all, it has a fantastic silk polka dot hood. It's makes me feel very chic while eating Mexican take out on the couch :)

And a true 1930s outfit couldn't be complete without some torn stockings. What started out as a little pull, turned into both my knees feeling quite chilly.

At one point I got stopped by an elderly gentleman who inquired about my outfit. He loved that I dress in vintage everyday, and just happened to have a picture of him back in 1954 at a military dance, and a reunion. Sooooo cute!


We also stopped at Fl\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\sdddddddddddddddddddddddrt6ghyg

Um, my cat decided to use my computer as a sidewalk. Anyway.

We stopped at Flutter to look at all the pretties and say "hi" to King, the adorable shop kitty who is basically the gray version of Hobbes.

And of course the photobooth at Ace Hotel is a must, as you can see, I tried my best to make Sam smile.

I've been waiting to wear this hat for a week, Poppycock Vintage graciously sent it to me, and I'm just in love with it. I usually don't to full on shop promos, but this fantastic Etsy shop specializes in vintage hats! Right up my alley. And since lots of readers ask where to buy affordable vintage hats, I think you should know about it!

Here's a couple hats from her shop that fit into today's "spring meets winter" ensemble. You can purchase both, and many more at Poppycock Vintage!


1930s jacket and fur collar-Urban Eccentric Vintage

Skirt-Made by me with a 1930s pattern

Sweater-Fab Gabs

Shoes-Chie Mihara, found at a yard sale

Purse-Michael Kors

Gloves-Thrifted

Hat-Courtesy of Poppycock Vintage

Gatsby Summer Afternoon (a.k.a. heaven)

I don't think I need to tell you that The Gatsby Summer Afternoon was fabulous. But just in case:

It was fabulous.

The morning of, Julie and I prepared a picnic lunch, then headed over to the estate with her friend Dave. When we got to the parking lot and dressed up picnic goers were getting out of the car I got giddy, but it was just a little taste of what the afternoon would hold. Groups of people had set up anything from picnic blankets and baskets, to tents with tables and oriental rugs. There were art deco automobiles parked on the edges of the lawn, and a dance floor and live band in the middle of it all.

Seeing so much 20s and 30s attire in one place was amazing, with every turn Julie and I couldn't help but stare at the detail and drape of many a ladies frock.

One of the greatest things about it was that most of the attendants were people just like me, who dress in vintage every day. I met some amazing people, and even a couple gals who read Vixen Vintage!

I am counting down the days until next years picnic, we've already started planning something crazy elaborate! I think every weekend should be a Gatsby weekend.

You can see ALL the photos I took in a special Flickr account I created for this picnic and ones in the future! Click here

Dress-Gift from Twila Jean

Hat-Estate Sale

Purse-Urban Eccentric Vintage

Answers to your questions

Since some questions were similar you may not see yours, but the answer is there.

What is it like having bangs like yours? Are they easy or hard to care for? Also, why how come you ended up with all the nice hats?

Having bangs is really nice, actually I think I look pretty funny without them. When they get long they get annoying though, so I’ve got to get them cut professionally, doing them myself would just end badly. I've accumulated the hats over the past decade or so, starting out as tea attire and dress up items, and morphing into my must have accessory.

How long have you been dressing vintage, and what is your favourite outfit of all times?

I’ve been dressing vintage for about five or six years, and every once in a while seem to have a favorite outfit, though it never sticks to the same thing ;)

What do you know about taking in vintage coats? I got a gorgeous early '50s brocade dinner jacket but it was meant for a much larger woman. I want to take in the body of the coat and maybe the sleeves (although they are not as ill-fitting)

I would leave taking in coats to a professional. Coats and suits depend on their structure, and even a small mistake can ruin that.

I have a few questions! LOL. Some of these might be covered in hate week (I can't wait!!). 1.) I have many vintage hats and gloves. Not so much vintage clothes. How can I incorporate them into my wardrobe without looking like I'm wearing a costume? 2.) Some of these hats don't stay on my head. How to adhere hats to head. 3.) Hairstyles with vintage hats. Is it possible to stay contemporary with the hair but vintage with the hat?

I’ll be covering all of this during hat week! Hopefully I’ll be able to give you some good info then, but I've been seeing hats gracing magazine pages lately so until then flip though some magazines and a fantastic look might jump out at you! You would be surprised how good a 30s topper looks with skinny jeans, heels, and a cardigan.

Oh, I have a question! When you sew your clothes do you make your own pattens or do you buy commercial ones, if so which? Any good advice on sewing vintage style clothes?

For sewing vintage clothing there is no better way to go than with authentic patterns. I find them at thrift stores, estate sales, and of course, online. If you are going to sew vintage style clothing with a vintage pattern then I have to say you MUST use vintage sewing techniques. I’ve read over a few 20s and 30s sewing books that give amazing tips and tricks, things that just are not done anymore because they take too much time and effort. However these techniques are why vintage clothing lasts so long! So invest in a good authentic vintage sewing book, and start with a simple pattern, with few pieces.

How did you and your husband meet?

Sam and I met in high school our senior year.

When you were a child, what did you want to do when you grew up?

I think a ballerina.

Do you want kids?

Yes, I love children :)

What kind of music do you listen to?

At work I listen to the old stuff, from 20s jazz to Frank Sinatra, but a few of my favorite bands are Franz Ferdinand, The Killers, Black Rebel Motercycle Club, and The Decmeberists to name a few.

Which are the top 5 blogs that you read?

There's so many!

Liebemarlene Vintage with a modern twist (not to mention the fantastic photos)

The Mysterious Life of the Metropolitan Housewife My partner in crime, and super stylish vintage mama.

The Satorialist Street fashion from around the globe, real people rival style icons.

Lulu Letty My biggest everyday style inspiration, she pulls off menswear like I wish I could.

Frances Baker An Australian gal spending time in London right now, just go look at her, she's cute :)

Is your home also vintage-inspired?

Most definitely!

What do you wish to achieve in your life?

Balance.

I was ironing a dress to wear this week and thought of all the lovelies that you wear. They always seem to be in pristine condition. How do you care for your vintage/otherwise garments? Do you clean and press them yourself or have it done? How do you store things? I would love some tips.

There are a few things to know about preserving any article of clothing, not just vintage. Materials break down with each washing, and something as old and delicate as vintage should be treated with extra care. If it’s cotton, hand wash it, wool, dry clean, silks generally should be dry cleaned as well. Although these are the correct ways to wash vintage, they should not be done often. Wear your clothes gently.

One great thing to keep your clothes feeling clean without over washing is inserting underarm guards, Modern deodorants basically destroy vintage fabrics, and even persperation can have harsh effects. Underarm guards prevent any damage, and can be changed regularly.

For storing things, I rotate my closet seasonally, right now my summer wardrobe is packed away, everything folded and stored in rubbermaid containers. My fall clothing is all in my closet, on padded hangers. All knitwear is folded and stacked on a shelf. Never ever hang knits, especially dresses, they will loose shape. For beaded sweaters, fold as you would any sweater, but place acid free tissue paper or unbleached muslin between layers to prevent the beadwork rubbing and scratching against each other.

Ironing works great for most things, but having a garment steamer is much gentler than hot pressing. I would highly recommend one if you have a large collection.

I would love to know what your favorite thrift stores in Van/Portland are. I had mine when I lived there, but since it's been so long they are all moved and new now. :) Thanks darling! Xoxo

The Urban Eccentric

Buffalo Exchange

The Red Light

Magpie Vintage

Hattie’s Vintage

Do you plan to visit NYC anytime soon? It would be fun to hang out! Wow, that sounds kind of stalker-ish, but I swear I'm not a creep!

Hehe! I actually got the pleasure of visiting there a few winters ago, no plans to go back at the moment (although of course I would love to go back).

Who are your biggest style inspirations/icons?

Other bloggers are great style inspirations, and old movie stars are the ultimate style icons. I particularly like seeing photos of stars in their casual wear, such as a simple pair of cigarette pants and a cardigan.

Favorite classic movies or film stars?

I love watching Roman Holiday, and have been watching a lot of old movies on NetFlix Instantwatch lately. I love any old film star really, and hopefully will gather some favorites the more films I watch.

How do you do your make-up? It's gorgeous!

Thanks! Basically I keep the eyes simple (smudged brown eyeliner on the top lid, mascara) and paint and line the lips in red.

What tips do you have for customers who want to care for their new vintage wear? I always have a problem getting smells out of some pieces.

Getting smells out can be tough, especially if its something that can only be dry cleaned, like a coat that smells like mothballs. If it’s a weak smell you can steam it, then air it outside, and repeat a few times if needed. Otherwise it’s a trip to the cleaners.

I'd love to know what your favorite beauty products are, especially lipsticks. :)

Here are some products I use daily:

Face:

Neutrogena Extra Gentle Cleanser

Berts Bees Radiance Day Cream

Boots Botanics Night Cream

M.A.C. Studio Fix Foundation

Lipsticks

M.A.C. Lipstick in "Lady Bug"

L'Oreal in "True Red"

Revlon Matte in "Really Red"

How do you store or display your hat collection?

Like my wardrobe I rotate my hat collection seasonally, and store hats upside down and stuffed with tissue paper in hat boxes. I display them in our dining room on the wall, hat racks, and on shelves. The ones I use often stay within easy reach.

Is there a piece of vintage clothing that is 'the one that got away' for you one that you still regret not buying?

The Leopard accessory set!

Have you ever had any big sewing/laundry disasters with your vintage clothing?

I can’t recall any HUGE disasters, but I always manage to do something wrong when sewing. The last thing I did was sew my 30s wide legged pants in the wrong spot, so they came out like a big long skirt.

I'd also love to be nosy and see what your home looks like. :) I'm sure it's gorgeous!

Here's a few photos, at the moment just a couple rooms are decorated fully, but I can't wait to get a house where we can paint! (not that thats anywhere in the near future).

I would LOVE to know how you store all your hats too!! i have probably a quarter what you have and am perplexed what to do with them... and i'm always curious what people's sewing/work rooms look like.

Ideally I would love some sort or China cabinet to display them in so they are not prone to dust, but at the moment they are on walls and shelves, and a hat rack.

Right now my sewing room in the basement is full of fabric and stuff, but I actually have my sewing machine/table in the hat room, it's much cozier to watch TV with Sam and sew, than be in the cold basement alone ;)

When you come across vintage clothing, how do you determine what era it came from?

I suppose experience would be the best way to determine an era. There are lots of little things you can look at to determine when a piece is from such as zippers, labels, materials, silhouette, length, seam placement, and sewing techniques. Reading books and looking at authentic photos is a great way to place a style, along with looking at old photos.


I would also love to see more pictures of your home. I remember a few photos when you
were moving in/setting up.

Here's a few more:



What are your greatest inspirations?

You guys!

How can I start incorporating vintage fashions into my daily wardrobe? (I only have vintage dresses I wear to church)

There are two great ways to start: Work in a simple, classic item into daily wear such as a high waist pencil skirt, cashmere cardigan, or button up blouse with an interesting collar.

Or

Wear a bold accessory with your modern clothes, like a novelty brooch, silk scarf, pretty gloves, or lush handbag.

Wear what you are comfortable with, and wear it with confidence. Taking a step outside your normal style can add so much excitement to the everyday

At what age did you start wearing vintage?

About 14 or 15.

Which era is your favorite?

At the moment the 1930s, but I have a soft spot for the 40s and 50s too.

Which one was your very first vintage outfit?

When I was about six or so my uncle bought me a fantastic Gunne Sax style prarie dress from the 70s. So even though I dress in clothing long before that era, I still love those style dresses, thought they rarely fit me.

Is it uncorfortable that people look at you because of your clothes?

It is really uncomfortable being blatantly stared at, but I’ve learned to ignore it most of the time

How old are you?

I will be 21 in March

How long did you dated with your husband before getting married?

We dated about 2 1/2 years.

Where did you get all the vintage photo backgrounds and effects you use on the pictures in your blog?

The images are digital scrapbooking images. Most were given to me, but you can find a lot of great ones here, you can even sign up to get free downloads every Friday!

What kinds of modern pieces do you own, and how often do you buy new? When you do, where do you go, and what is the appeal of a new item versus finding a vintage piece for you?


Button stockings...Blue dress...Cable cardigan

I generally buy modern pieces as basics, such as cardigans, pants, and tights. I always buy modern shoes, but they have a vintage feel, and I love modern designer purses, the one I have has just the right amount of pockets and durability, vintage purses are always too small and have only a few pockets. Thanks to constant thrifting I hate paying full price for things, so I'll shop for modern at secondhand stores or hit good sales ;)

My favorite modern shops:

J. Crew

Anthropologie

Sock Dreams

Topsy Turvy Hatties

To say that millinery is dead in these drab modern times, is to assume you have never seen a Topsy Turvy hat. And once you do there is no turning back.
I stumbled upon Kim Dyes shop a few months ago when browsing Etsy for hats, stunned at the pure dreamlike design each one holds. Her designs are a flirtation of lush materials and vivid imagination, making you wonder why on earth people don't wear hats anymore. They're too pretty not to wear.

Her Shien hat inspired me to go all out for that 18th century hat a while back and I love The Beaux thanks to the mix of wings and wild ribbon wrapping about. Just recently have I seen her Flickr account, full of pretty photos of the modeled hats in fantastic settings, and also tons of happy customer pics that make me say "hey, where was I for this fun costume party?"

If you are looking for that stunning addition for a Halloween costume (it's right around the corner) then there is nothing better than a Topsy Turvy hat. So go on and pick one out before September 15th and you'll have it for your oh so fabulous costume. I also saw some fantastic bridal photos featuring the hats, which would be so great!

And since Kim is such a sweetie, she's offering Vixen Vintage readers 10% off your order between now and October 31st 2009. Just send her a little covo on Etsy letting her know Solanah sent you and which hat you want ;) She's more than nice to work with, and even if hats aren't your cup of tea she offers a variety of pretty clips and headbands.

Etsy shop

Website (you'll want to check it out, it's way cute).

Flickr

Mad Hatter

I'll bet no one has a hat as awesome as this one! It is the work of me six year old nephew Oliver who surprised me with it the other day :)
We obviously have a budding milliner here, so well thought out, complete with the string to keep it on. He's such a sweetie, and so funny. Especially if you get him talking about Star Wars, the kid knows his stuff ;)

Speaking of Mad Hatters, you can see the trailer for Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland here.

"EEEEE! HATS!"

When I walked into work and saw the floor behind the counter covered in hats, I squealed "Eeeee! Hats!"
Over the weekend my boss went to an estate and purchased TONS of hats, from the turn of the century, to the 80s. This, I am told, is only the beginning, she has many more to bring to the shop as the seasons change, these were many of the spring and summer hats. Of course I tried on every one, and there was a surprising amount from the 1930s. Some really silly ones from the 60s, and darling wide brimmed hats from the 40s and 50s.
I wore that two piece 50s outfit today for a short time, since early in the day it ripped in the back :( It's really cool I wish the fabric was a better quality since its very flattering, the hips are even padded!

Here are two 1930s floral toppers, I fell in love with immediately. I used to shy away from these since I thought they looked so silly. But with the right hair and outfit (and attitude), I just love them, still silly, but oh so fabulous.

Here's another over the top topper and 40s wide brimmed hat with netting. Both are totally the kinds of hats I see in old catalogues and think "there is no way the netting could stay in tact to last until this era." But there is hope! Both have netting in excellent condition, the wide one reminds me of a bee keeper :)
I wore the white on today and a customer came in with a baby, who just stared at it for the longest time. Apparently the baby loves hats, how cute is that?