Vintage Mania

At some point in 2009 I discovered vintage fashion – I mean really DISCOVERED it. I did a lot of secondhand shopping when I lived in Tokyo because those were the only clothes I could find that were sized for non-Japanese women. But in the United States I spent years baffled by people who dressed in what seemed like costumes from decades passed, or professed a love of spending hours rifling through musty, dusty and dated thrift stores. I didn’t get it. But then I found vintage clothes that I liked, and something clicked.

Vintage clothing is Darwinism in the fashion world. Only the fittest – and most fashionable – survive! A vintage piece on sale today is the best of its time – or at least the most interesting. It really inspires me to get my budget in order so I can start buying things as soon as I see them. I also need to take my measurements so I can know what might fit. Here’s what I want RIGHTNOW:

Silk sequin jacket from Nasty Girl. This jacket needs to be in my life immediately! Unfortunately it’s too big and at $198, out of my budget for the moment.

Another sequin jacket, from the Vintage Collection. It’s fabulous, but kind of a consolation prize to the Nasty Girl jacket. This one is only $38! but also a size too large.

Shearling and leather bomber from the Vintage Collection. Is this jacket not perfection? It’s only $62 and in my size. I’m sure it would go perfectly with my vintage leather Frye boots.

Another beautiful offering from the Vintage Collection – a silk vesty shirt. I’m kind of in love. At $28 and in my size, I’m seriously considering this one as well.

Jersey dress from Avant Gaudy. What can I say – I’m having a leopard moment. Measurements aren’t up on the site yet but it looks to be my size, and it’s only $28.

Another Avant Gaudy dress. The 70’s are my spirit decade, and so this dress calls out to me. At $45 the price is totally do-able, but it’s way too big and polyester. It was made in the 70’s, after all.

Chocolate and silver dress from Shrimpton Couture. It’s sold out, but again, as this dress is from the 70’s I can’t resist.

One more from the Vintage Collection, a super-cute red belt. Only $18! I *think* it would fit, but with belts is all depends on where you want it to hit.