Cream of the Crop

This summer has been dominated with 1980s and 1990s fashion staples and the daring crop top is back. It's a controversial fashion choice because cropped tops can show a lot of skin, however, this wasn't always the case. We have seen cropped items as early as the Victorian era in modern fashion.  These usually came in the form of belero jackets (sophisticated shrug) worn over other items of clothing and became decidedly less modest through the decades.

Vintage 1920s Coral Pink Lace Bolero Jacket, $75

By the mid-twentieth century we began to see cropped short sleeve and sleeveless tops paired with matching capri pants or skirts that met in the middle.  This trend continued into the 1960s and 1970s, with a lot more tummy being showed in between the top and bottom of the outfit!

Vintage 1950s Green & White Cropped Top with Belt, $39.99

In the 1980s and 1990s crop tops were...well...extra cropped. These tops were bold fashion statements that left little to the imagination! A great DIY spirit can be seen in these pieces, as they were often re-cut and tied higher than they were when purchased.

We have seen the crop top make its comeback the last few years, but the best part is that not one style of crop top is back in fashion...they all are! There are a wide range of cropped styles that are currently fashionable, making this go-around creative and unique.

Don't think crop tops are for you? Think again. 

-Abs for days? Rock the high crop.

-Cute and flirty? Use a high-waisted bottom.

-Fancy? Pair with palazzo pants or an elegant maxi skirt.

Not into skin? Put a tank under a tie-up crop.

Don't love the look? Accentuate your waist with a bolero jacket or cropped jean vest.

Crop tops are meant to be fun and versitile! Experiment wearing crop tops different ways or find a cropped look that works for you, and be sure to check out more cropped options in the SLV store now!

Summer Sleepwear is Here!

It's not just the clothes we wear outside that change in the Summer! No matter what climate you live in, there is a definite need to switch your sleepwear for those sticky Summer nights.  We have a terrific selection of Summer sleepwear options that are functional and reflect your personal style!

Beautiful 1960s Green and Blue Nightgown with Flower Detailing, $26

Vintage can be for the bedroom, too. Be sure to check out the rest of our vintage sleepwear so you can sleep sweet this summer!

Happy 4th of July!

Wishing our neighbors to the South a Happy Independence Day! Brighten the holiday with this fun Red, White and Blue 1950s Color Block Reproduction Dress. Large Size, $125

       

Some Like it Vintage has been invited by the Vintage Fashion Guild to contribute to the Vintage Red, White, and Blue board! Be sure to stop by for some great vintage 4th of July looks from our shop and others.

Have a wonderful holiday everyone!

Beautiful Vintage Fashion Photography

 A beautiful slide show of elegant and refined vintage fashion by Norman Parkinson.
This just mellows out my day!

Vintage Underwear? Really?

No, not really. But as all vintage clothing enthusiasts eventually realize, the correct undergarments are essential to that vintage look.

Women's bodies have not changed that much, it's the undergarments that have. We all have waists and getting the correct fit is important. 

Which is where vintage guru stylist Naomi Thompson comes in. Based in the UK, she is a vintage stylist! What a great job that is!

You can read all about her and her book, "Style Me Vintage: Clothes: A Guide to Sourcing and Creating Retro Looks" over at Collector's Weekly. She is just as happy with modern Spanx as she is with vintage undergarments - good ones. Not everyone will embrace vintage underwear, and there are many modern options. Even my dry cleaner won't touch them!

1950s Vintage Girdle

Veronica

Trying on A Piece of Rock History

Want to own a piece of rock history? If you are familiar with Kim Gordon and the band Sonic Youth, she is selling off a collection of her clothing at Mercy Vintage. With a very sixties vibe, there is some vintage, some designer and some of her own clothing label, X-Girl.

Lisa over at Collector's Weekly, alerted me of this fabulous sale as she is lucky enough to live just a short distance from the store. But hurry, sale only lasts until September 15.

For more information, read the entire Collector's Weekly article! 
Have a great weekend!

Dear Vintage Goddess...Your Drycleaner Will Love You!

Here is a very practical letter.  I'm sure that many of you have wondered the same thing:


Dear Vintage Goddess,

I'm on my way to a creating a closet full of fabulous vintage clothing.  You'll think I'm silly, but I've actually been afraid to wear some of the items for fear of getting them dirty and I don't know the proper way to clean delicate fabrics and other vintage pieces.

Thanks for your help!
Jess.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Dear Jess,

Love this question.  I hope that I can give you all the answers you need.

Generally, I would say to hand wash most of your vintage garments.  Use a mild detergent.  No need to be vigorous with the lukewarm wash.  Gently spin, then hang to dry.  Do not use a clothes dryer.  If the material is silk, HOLD THE PRESSES!  Get those items dry cleaned.  Taffeta is another tricky material best left to the professionals.  1940's crepe rayon also falls under the category of "if in doubt, take it out".  If your garment is without a tag and you are not sure what animal or fabric it is, it's best to go to the cleaners.  Colour dyed linens will need quick action.  Dip then hang.  You may be dashing to the line as colours may run.  OK, so my first statement may not be the rule of thumb as I thought!

Good luck with it.  Go ahead, wear all your favourite vintage pieces!  Enjoy them and worry later about how to keep them clean and neat.

Stay tuned for a sequel to Jess' answer.  After all, odour is a whole other animal!  We can't just turn up our noses!

Carol

Dear Vintage Goddess....

Dear Vintage Goddess, 

I keep hearing different words to describe vintage. What's the difference between vintage, thrift and retro? 

Thanks, Jennifer

==========================================================

Dear Jennifer, 

With the ever increasing popularity of vintage - the terms used to describe it are also becoming more confusing. There are disagreements however, but basically it follows this:

Vintage - an item that is at least 20 years old. So this would put 1992 in the vintage category. However, ask a die-hard vintage collector and they would insist (as I do) that pre 1980s is 'true vintage'.

Thrift- Anything used. So this can mean used from last week. It is not necessarily of good quality nor old nor collectible. It applies to not just fashion, but all second hand items. A.K.A. recycling.

Retro - This is more tricky. Traditionally, retro meant the 1950-1960s era. However, it is now encompassing the 1980s. (We're not sure what happened in the 70s here...). Think Mad Men, Las Vegas and swinging cocktail parties.

Hope that helps!

New Items Listed!

Well, we have been busy even though it's technically summer vacay. Have a great weekend everyone!

1940s British plantation shawl

1960s suede belted cape

1940s western style jacket

1980s crisp white linen ruffled wedding gown

The Lingo of Fashion: Jackets

 To continue with a handy glossary of fashion terms, these are some jacket styles.

The Lingo of Fashion

Ever stuck with what to call a particular treatment on clothing? What is that skirt style called? That dress shape? 

Here is a handy glossary of terms. I'll post several over the next couple of weeks.

Silhouette Styles