Last weekend antique collectors flocked to Portland’s Expo buildings for the spring Palmer-Wirf Antique Show to look at over 1000 booths hunting for that special thing.  Sometimes when I’m around my friends who don’t collect, I begin to feel alone, but at these shows, I am reminded that I’m very far from alone.  This year, I observed and met loads of interesting people.  I met a man who has been on a 12 year hunt to collect photographs which were done by his great grandfather, and when sitting down for lunch I sat next to a woman dressed in early 20-century attire eating nachos. “I love your dress,” I commented, “Did you make it?” She nodded yes, and began to tell me how her and her husband are historical re -enactors who portray Teddy Roosevelt and his wife.  Such interesting people and such wonderful things to buy! What could be better?

As for the finds, it was a day of really good deals…

Rose Hat with Veil

This little number I just adore.  With its small cap, faux rose and veil, it screams I Love Lucy.  Also, I’m half tempted to wear it for my wedding, or at least my going away hat.  There are some condition issues, like the rose is a little flattened, and there are some rips in the netting, but overall, not too bad.  There is not label.  Cost: $3.00

Marche Exclusive Hat

Another classic 50s hat, one that says “Wear me on Easter Sunday”.  Like the other one, this one has some rips in the netting, but nothing too horrifying.  There are some remnants of fake leaves in the netting, which leads me to believe this too had some flowers of some sort.  The label here reads “Marche Exclusive” with “Finlan” (yes, “Finlan” not Finland) on the side. And this hat was an even better deal, $1.00!  Especially since my research is digging up an average of about $40.00 for this brand.

Beresford Fur Hat

This certainly was a day for hats, and white ones at that.  This one I couldn’t resist, especially since it was just fun and reminded me of some of the hats that a few Elvgren girls wear.  The top part is bunny fur, and soft as ever to the touch, and the label reads “Beresford”, but I’ve had little luck trying to dig up any info on it.  Cost: $8.00

1955 Montgomery Ward Catalog

I just love old catalogs.  They are wonderful portals into the past.  And this one provides so much insight! Clothes, BBQs, cameras, furniture, shoes, appliances, it’s fabulous!  It’s also interesting to see the cost of things.  $7.98 for dresses!  While that may seem like very little, you have to remember what minimum wages was a heck of a lot less!  But the quality of things made then was a million times better that what comes out of department stores today. Cost: $5.00

Starburst Platter

As you know, I collect Franciscan Starburst. I usually don’t anticipate buying any at Expo because it tends to be very expensive.  Condition is a particular issue with dishes, and especially with Starburst, and often can drastically bring down the price, which is all the better for me! I got this platter for $25.00 due to three small chips on the side.

In case you missed out on this March show, mark your calendars for the July show on the 10th and 11th! It’s bigger and better too!

In a successful act of procrastination, I ventured out to the antique shops of Springfield to avoid completing my Brown v. Board of Education paper this afternoon.

First stop, Althea Lou’s just off Main St.  A favorite haunt of mine, I’ve never left empty handed, and today was no exception.  I left with the most adorable late 50s, early 60s coat.  The coat has a Season Skipper “Two Complete Coats in One” label.  Season Skipper coats were made with a satin/wool removable liner, making their coats versatile enough for fall, winter and spring.  This coat still has its removable liner, and is in fantastic condition!  It has 3/4 length sleeves and a fur collar.  No moth holes or rips anywhere.  The cost? $10.00!  I’ve had no luck uncovering any female coats available for purchase on-line, so I don’t have a ballpark value.  But I can see it easily being a $40.00 coat.

Next on my rounds, Glory Days Antiques.  Sadly, it looks as though several dealers have bailed out, leaving the spaces more scattered.  I don’t have my ears pierced, and frankly I’m not keen on getting them pierced…I hate looking at little old ladies and their sagging earlobes…but that’s another story.  The point is not having my ears pierced places me in a limited realm of earrings.  But thankfully, a lot of fun costume jewelry earrings are clip-ons!  So I was thrilled when I found these Judy Lee earrings to be clip-ons!  Judy Lee was the Avon of costume jewelry.  Beginning in 1949, Blanche Viano began a party planning style of sales (akin to Tupperware parties) and it caught on.  I picked up these fabulous pearl/rhinestone for $9.50.  More than I wanted to spend, but not bad.  They are practically weightless and fairly comfortable to wear.  Three piece sets of Judy Lee are priced around $25.00 throughout the internet, depending on its style.

Eugene is home to yet another great vintage clothing store, Karma Kloz, located at 540 Fillmore.  The shop is filled to the brim with everything you could ever want to add some retro flair to your closet and offers both mens and womens clothing.  There are hats, shirts, dresses, coats, shoes, ties and jewelry galore and you could easily spend hours there.  As for style, there is loads of stuff from the late 1960s through the 80s, but there are also some wonderful hats and shoes from the late 1940s and 50s.  The shop has a creative pricing system involving playing cards and the owner has a very nice cat who is more than willing to help you shop.  Overall, Karma Kloz has a creative and fun atmosphere and the owner is keen on expressing the importance of resale for not only your wallet, but for the environment and local economy as well.

What did I find?  For awhile now, I’ve been wanting a “Lucy in Connecticut” type jacket, you know, plaid, somewhat boxy, shirt jacket.  And at Karma Kloz, I found it!

The label reads “California Male R” – a brand I’ve never heard of before and haven’t dug up anything on the internet yet. Anyone familiar with it?  The tag is located on the inside left of the jacket and includes gold metallic thread.  The jacket itself is made of an odd light flannel type fabric (it’s not wool, although it does look like it), and has a great plaid pattern to it and fun fit to it as well, a tad fitted with an elastic waist and cuffs.  I want to say it’s from the late 1950s, early 1960s.  First time customers get a 10% discount so I got it for only $16.00!

The downside to Karma Kloz is its location.  It’s rather far out from the other stores similar to it, which are all located within blocks of each other in the east side of town.  But it’s well worth the visit!

This weekend brought the third and final of the Palmer-Wirf antique shows at Portland’s Expo Center.  This one is always a good one since it’s the last show before the holidays (ever since they got rid of the show at the Portland Convention Center), so dealers have great vintage Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas items.  I headed up to get there when doors opened at nine, and what a crowded show! Seriously, there’s a recession on? Those in the antique world don’t seem to notice…With over 1000 booths full of postcards, vintage clothing, oak bookcases, books, and other goodies, Expo is an orgy of things gone by. Quite literally at times, you’re often pressed up against others to peek into booths.  As for myself, I purchased 36 glass Christmas ornaments, all of them at a dollar a piece.  I need loads more since purchasing the six additional aluminum trees.  Speaking of those, there were at least nine at the show.  The cheapest was $32.00, and the most expensive one, $165.00.  I also bought three vintage skinny ties for Patrick and the following…

Vintage 1960s Grey Wool Dress

This dress sadly bears no tag, but I think it may be handmade based upon the cutting of the fabric as well as the stitching.  However, there are thread loops for a belt, which I find interesting for a handmade dress.  It has interesting pleats in the skirt portion and tapers up nicely in the strap area.  I love the simplistic lines of it, which make it elegant, but the fabric gives it a more casual feel.  I’m guessing it’s early 1960s based on the cut of the skirt.  It’s a fuller skirt, not as pencil like as seen in the later 60s pieces.

A bargain at $10.00 – I couldn’t pass it up.

Reissued Hamilton Electric Ventura

So here’s where all my money went…I spent $300.00 on this baby.  And, yes, it is gold plated.  Introduced in 1957, Hamilton Venturas were the first electric (battery powered, not wind-up) watch, as well as the first asymmetrical watch, plus, they were the premier watch to have.  I’ve had the desire to own one of these for sometime, and checked out Amazon where they cost around $650.00, and Ebay, where they can fetch the same price.  I chose a reissue because the old ones cost over a grand, additionally, they are a pain to maintain.  Only one guy is known to work on them.  The new ones are quartz movements, so they are more reliable and easier to fix.  It should be noted that some big names wear and wore this watch, including Twilight Zone host, Rod Serling, Elvis, and Brian Setzer, and Tommy Lee Jones wore one in the film Men in Black.

Now, some of you may ask, “How can you spend $300.00 on a watch!?” Well, I justify it by saying I spend so little on everything else…I mean hell, that top I’m wearing in the photo, I bought for five bucks! I buy a big chunk of my stuff at Goodwill, and I know what a good deal is, and even though $300.00 is a lot, it was a good deal for what it is.

Tomorrow, Eugene Picc-a-Dilly! Like I need to spend anymore money!

Now that classes are back in swing, it’s going to be difficult to keep on posting so frequently, so I may or may not be posting every Wednesday for Wednesday Wardrobes or Thursdays for Thursday Cinemas either.  Just keep that in mind, and don’t think I died or anything.

Today’s Entry: 1956

Jacket: New, Urban Vibe, given to me as a gift last Christmas, but these new “-ette” motorcycle jackets usually run $30.00 (made of vinyl)

Shirt: Vintage, Mesquite, Buffalo Exchange, $5.00

Dice Bracelet: Resale, Picc-a-Dilly, $1.00

Jeans: New, LEI, TJ Maxx, bought awhile ago…$14.99-ish

Belt (unseen-metal buckle of a 4-leaf clover): Resale, unmarked, The Clothes Horse, $14.00

Shoes: Resale, Converse, The Clothes Horse, $12.00

Total Cost: $46.99

The shirt was a steal at Buffalo Exchange at $5.00, it happened to be on the 50% off rack – so the original price was $10.00 – still not bad at all.  The brand is Mesquite, which is known for their western wear.  I have a few feelings on the shirt itself, I think it was shortened and that the darts that are in it were put there later, since the thread is black, and the stitching isn’t the finest quality.  Additionally, the dice images on the upper portions look hand-painted, and I have not come across any other Mesquite clothing which was like this.

Thankfully, my mom doesn’t throw out a whole lot, this includes many of her clothing from her high school and college days.  When my mom came to visit yesterday she filled my request for her to bring some of her dresses for me to wear.  She brought three, all in perfect condition of course.

Homemade Plaid Jumper

This fun dress was homemade by my mom’s sister, Carol.  Making ones own dresses was still commonplace through the 1970s (back when HomeEc was still offered in middle and high schools) and both my mom and Carol made dresses, and often exchanged items, since they were similar sizes.

This dress is very loose and has fake pockets with a chain connecting the two buttons along the classic 1960s dropped waist.

Plum Carol Brent Dress

This one is my favorite out of the three.  This little number my mom purchased out of a Montgomery Wards catalog in 1969-70.  The tag reads “Carol Brent” (image available on Flickr), which was one of the women’s brands for the store, offering shoes, stockings, slips, blouses, fur collars, and skirts.  The store also offered a child’s doll bearing the same name.

Slimming in both fit and color, the dress was shortened by my mom by about four inches! I couldn’t believe it!  It also bears a dropped waist.

Sealsle Fashions Plaid Jumper

This dress was originally Carol’s, but my mom ended up with it when she went away to college.  So my mom doesn’t remember where it was purchased.

I just love how this dress screams “autumn” with its colors and pattern.

The tag reads “Sealse Fashions”.  I’ve never heard of it prior, and couldn’t dig up anything on the internet.  So if you have any information on this brand, I would be very interested!

I’m so glad my mom kept these, they are in fantastic condition, fit wonderfully, and didn’t cost me a cent! Thanks, Mom!

On a day of running errands, I decided to swing by Nobody’s Baby, a fabulous vintage clothing store in Eugene.  While the ladies of the store were reorganizing their costume selection (Nobody’s Baby also runs Time Warp Costume Rentals within the store) I chatted and dug through The Trunk; a large truck just inside the door chalk full of items that are slightly damaged or imperfect items at bargain prices…what did I find?

Orange Gingham Sun Dress

This adorable piece was in the trunk due to two small stains and cost only $5.00.  The dress is unmarked and there are no tags in it to speak of.  It has a fun boat neck and zips up the side.  There is also a nice beading around the waist, which I think it almost a lost accent in dresses these days, and often adds a lot.

1950s Prom Dress

This was also in the trunk because the top wrap piece was coming undone and there is fading going on in the armpit area of the right side.  This dress also lacks a label, and by looking at the stitching, I think it is homemade.  The fabric weighs a ton and I need someone else to zip it up because I can’t hold it up and zip it at the same time.

Paid: $13.95

Yes, I am wearing a crinoline under, however, it isn’t the best one for the job, I feel I look a little like an upside down teacup. But crinolines cost a bundle these days…upward around $30.00-$60.00 and I haven’t brought myself to purchase one yet…the one I am wearing is a square dancing one, which is extra poofy.

Kaufman Brothers/National’s First Quality box and stockings

I usually don’t buy seamless stockings, but this box was too great not to pass up, since it is from Kaufman’s, one of the hot spots for fashion in Eugene through the 1970s.  Plus, the printing on stocking tops is fantastic. Paid: $1.00

My current job is at another resale shop in Eugene, which specializes more current fashions, but once in awhile we get some great vintage goodies like this beauty!

Rago Open Bottom Girdle

The moment I saw this, I couldn’t contain my excitement!

This fantastic little number is by Rago, a company still in business.  Girdle Bound sells them on their website and girdles comparable cost around $52.00-$56.00. I paid $14.00

The girdle has no zipper, and a total of six garters for extra stay up.

With no zipper, the girdle is one pain to get on and off, but it is the perfect foundation to vintage dresses due to the brazier portion being that classic “pointy” look that many vintage dresses were designed for.

For past Wednesday Wardrobes, click on the “Clothing” category on the left.  You’ll also find entries about other vintage clothing items!

Today’s Entry: Indiana Jane

• Hat: Resale, Indiana Jones/Disneyland, Goodwill, $6.99

• Blouse: Resale, Land’s End Cotton, The Clothes Horse, $12.00
• Tie: Resale, No label, Goodwill, $2.99
• Jacket and Skirt set: Vintage, Nardis of Dallas, Althea Lou’s Vintage Mall, Original price: $17.95, but I had a coupon for $5.00 off, so I paid $12.95
• Bag: Vintage, German Army issue stretcher bag, Picc-a-Dilly flea market, $7.00
• Shoes: Resale, Sarah Jayne, Goodwill, $3.99

Total: $45.92

Titillating Tip

Antique shops usually come off as being places where prices are high because the dealers know the value of objects, but often dealers price stuff more reasonable and under the market – more often than on-line shops which specialize in vintage clothing.

Also, shops like Goodwill don’t really have the stigma that some make them out to have and you should never be ashamed of going there, especially if you’re on the hunt for vintage stuff.

Today was the annual Coburg Antique Fair where dealers from all over Oregon come to the small town of Coburg to sell their vintage goods to those of us silly enough to buy ‘em.  I, of course, am one of them.   This show is always fun because of the atmosphere of Coburg, it has a nice small town feel.  The show itself is great because there are loads of dealers, fun people to interact with, good food (I recommend skipping the food vendors and popping into the local Dari Mart for their fried chicken) as well as live music.  Admission is free, and so is parking – well, if you don’t mind a walk.  Many residents and property owners take it upon themselves to charge for parking that is close by, usually $5.00.  Plus, many residents take this as an opportunity to hold garage sales, so you can hit those up after you walk through the show, as well as the many antique shops Coburg has to offer all year round!

This year was a fairly good year loot wise, and was fun, as always.  I found quite a few goodies which I purchased as well as wished I could purchase, such as an amazing lamp that was $175.00, as well as some amusing items, such as the Relax-Aciser as seen in the episode 1.11 of Mad Men:

That’s right, for a mere $35.00 you can own this “weight loss solution” which, in “Indian Summer” proved to be providing a rather different type of solution.

The woman selling the item provided a write up saying she didn’t know what would need to be relaxed in the regions which the diaper shaped belt covered, and did not understand its purpose, so obviously this woman did not see that episode.

The Finds

Studio Girl Stockings

This stocking box caught my eye immediately, because of its fantastic image! A photograph of a young woman trying to get a stocking away from her (stuffed) dog is a very iconic pin-up image.  The box is in fair condition, but the stockings were never worn! Paid: $4.00

Pin Wheel Pill Box Hat

This adorable little number reminded me a lot of the 1960s show The Prisoner, because of its pinwheel design.  There is no tag to really indicate the brand, just one which reads “ADJ. M.S.C.” – a close up is available on my Flickr account. Paid: $8.00

Sloat Wool Skirt

I used to hate pink, but now I find myself buying more and more of it.  I know it appears more orange in the picture, but trust me, it’s pink.  This skirt I am sure was never worn outside of the store, because it still bears what I believe to be the original store tags. Made entirely out of wool, the skirt is terribly itchy, and must be worn with a slip – like many other vintage skirts. The tag reads “100% Wool tailored by Sloat Sloat & Co. New York”. I found a few other skirts by Sloat on-line, ranging in price from $14.00-$24.00. Paid: $4.00

Here we are, another Wednesday, which means another Wednesday Wardrobe for me to share that looking retro doesn’t have to cost a lot! Enjoy! And remember, for past entries, check out the “Clothing” category on the left.

Today’s Entry: In the Mood

• Dress: Vintage, No label, Nobody’s Baby, $7.00
• Bracelet: Vintage, Unmarked, Copper Penny Antique Show, $2.00
• Garter: Resale, Frederick’s of Hollywood, St. Vincet de Paul, $1.99
• Stockings: New, Leg Avenue, 3wishes.com, $11.95
• Shoes: Resale, Target brand, Goodwill, $7.99

Total Cost: $23.93