Tag Archives: clothing

Western Adventure

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One vintage thing I don’t really “do” are scarves.  We’ve just never much got along.  Sure, I’ll tie a classic nylon scarf around a ponytail, but that’s pretty much were it ends.  However recently I came across this fantastic wagon train themed scarf, and at $5.00, I couldn’t pass it up, despite not know what I was going to do with it! But then, I remembered an outfit I’ve wanted for ages… Judy’s green ensemble from Vertigo, in which she has a small scarf or handkerchief, that matches her collar and cuffs, tied around her belt. So I took that idea and ran with it.

I’m really looking forward to digging out the small collection of scarves I have and putting them into action.  I think the same effect can be achieved with handkerchiefs too, and I have a few of those as well.  It’s a fab way to add some pop to an outfit, and integrate a lot of different colors into an ensemble.

Outfit
Jumper & Oregon Charm Bracelet: Antique Alley, Portland
Shirt & Belt: Thrifted
Covered Wagon Earrings: Expo
Covered Wagon Brooch: Antique Alley Flea Market
Tooled Leather Purse: Twilight Rummage Sale
Scarf: Red Light, Portland
Stockings: What Katie Did
Shoes: Buffalo Exchange, Portland

15 Vintage Essentials

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Awhile ago I was contacted by a reader who recently noticed a fashion trend, 15 essentials for your wardrobe.  She liked this idea, but felt that the contemporary trends didn’t help her in building up her vintage wardrobe, so she suggested the idea to me!

Just remember, not every piece has to be vintage! Several pieces I have included in this list are on the hard to find side, so repro is a perfectly acceptable solution!  For the most part, I am focusing on the 1940s, 50s and 60s and attempted to cover a wide range so you can have all of your bases covered.  So here we go!

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Jitterbuggin’

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Yesterday many of us PDX ladies had the absolute pleasure of going to the home of the owner of Jitterbuggin’, Kim.  She hosted a lovely open house, complete with treats, so we could try on her beautifully crafted creations.

Kim’s home is so cute, adorned with fun vintage prints, records and linens.  Her work space is a seamstress’ dream too.  The gaggle of us oo’ed and aww’ed over her wonderfully hand-crafted garments, before plowing into the bathroom to try them on.

I was in desperate need of pants and purchased a pair of Kim’s best-sellers, the Ankeny, wide leg, high-waist, suspender slacks.

For those of you contemplating buying a pair, it is recommended that you order two inches above your waistline.  The three of us who purchased a pair all did that.  The reason being the higher waist midriff, which covers your ribcage.  I ended up purchasing a pair that was three inches bigger (yay for having an odd number waistline!) so these are a little roomy, but I was purchasing these for comfort and practicality, so having room fills both of those requirements.  Additionally, if you buy a pair, and you find the legs pooling around your feet, that’s natural.  Kim makes her trousers on the long side to accommodate taller gals.  You can either hem them or turn them up, like I did here, yourself.  I also found the need to adjust the suspenders.  The slacks feature a left side zipper, and a right side pocket.

Kim is an absolute doll, and has been sewing since she was a teenager.  You can tell she has an extreme passion for the era and for the garments she produces.  And her quality can’t be beat.  Her garments are hardy feeling and have top-notch construction.  So, go on! Get shopping!

Outfit
Snood: Etsy – April’s Bag
Hair Flower: Made by me!
1940s Blouse: Solanah’s space at Old Glory Antiques, Vancouver
Slacks: Ankeny by Jitterbuggin’
Saddle Shoes: Willits by way of Buffalo Exchange

Portland Vintage Guide

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Over the time that I’ve had this blog, I’ve received multiple e-mails asking where one should go for vintage shopping while visiting the City of Roses.  And often I find myself having to actually take the time to create a list instead of just being able to pull one out of my pocket.  I’ve decided to change that routine…So here is the Atomic Redhead’s Guide to Portland!

Please note that I have not included every vintage shop or antique mall in Portland.  I have selected ones I enjoy shopping at.  However, I have also included a handful of other shops that I don’t often visit, but those seeking very high-end vintage garments or furniture may wish to visit. Additionally, I have listed some other Portland places you may want to visit, as well as places to grab a bite to eat or a drink.

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Simply Vintage

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Just a few weeks ago, Portland was blessed with a new vintage store, Simply Vintage Boutique.  The gal slinging out the vintage? Some of you may already know her! She’s Sarah of the Etsy shop Stutterin’ Mama!

Sarah’s shop is a vintage lover’s dream come true.  Lush and elegant vintage garments hang from plush satin hangers on buttery yellow walls and nearly every piece in her shop could be the prized dress in any retrophile’s closet.  Sarah has carefully hand selected each and every item in her shop.  There are many beautiful dresses as well as a wonderful range of separates.   Another thing that is wonderful about Sarah’s inventory? A lot of really wearable sizes.  People often complain about vintage being tiny, but at Simply Vintage, that’s not the case.  I found plenty of gorgeous items that were too large for me, which, while a bummer on my part, I knew some other gals were going to be thrilled because finding “plus size” vintage is always a little tougher.

Sarah also stocks menswear too! So there’s something for your man as well.  Simply Vintage is strictly for the hard-core vintage lover or even collector – Sarah has some stellar, very high-end items.  Lovers of the 1940s and 1950s will be in pure heaven here, because true vintage is all she stocks. Her inventory extends only into the 1960s, which is like a giant sigh of relief.  It does get tiresome to go to a “vintage” shop, only to have to sift through rack of 80s.

You can visit Simply Vintage at 3640 SE Belmont St. Mondays and Wednesdays through Sunday, 11 am to 7 pm.  “Like” her page on Facebook or learn more on Yelp.

Sunny Days…

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I’m not quite sure what’s up with Portland lately…but we’ve had a rather large lack of rain and the next few days are slated to be in the 80s! And it’s May! What is going on!? I’m not complaining…it’s just…strange.  And I don’t quite trust the weather…like I’m betting we’ll be back to the 50s and rainy in a week or so.  But despite my distrust in the weather, I turned over my wardrobe to more summery duds… capris, sheer blouses and sleeveless dresses. Oh, how I’ve missed you all…

One fabulous thing about having friends who are in the antique and vintage industry is instant access to amazing pieces.  This dress and purse are prime examples.  Friends will find something that makes them think of me and with the joys of smart phones, they can snap a picture and send it to me, and I can instantly say yes or no.  So when Lyndsie came up earlier this week she brought with her a car full of treasures.  Meanwhile, I had been doing the same! I had a stockpile of items she had been interested in! And we just traded.  I was a pretty happy camper to get my hands on a sleeveless Squaw dress and a black tooled leather purse in addition to loads of other wonderful vintage goodies.

Outfit
Dress & Purse: Retro Rejuvenation, Coburg
Belt: Stolen from a dress I got at Red Light
Shoes: “Bonnie” by Miss L Fire, Imelda’s, Portland
Earrings: Antique Alley, Portland
Bangles: Various places here and there

Thrift Luck

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On Sunday I had friend and owner of Retro Rejuvenation, Lyndsie come visit me.  She’s an absolute doll and we had an incredibly fun time visiting vintage shops and thrift stores for two solid days.  Sometimes the downside to having so much fun is a failure to take pictures.  Even with reasonable cameras in our pockets, I got no pictures of us together.  How lame am I? But what I can show you is my insane haul…yeah, this is going to be one of those posts.  Monday, found ourselves on the prowl at thrift stores, and at nearly every shop we scored…it was the craziest thing! And as cliche as it may be getting, we couldn’t help blasting Macklemore’s “Thrift Shop” as we cruised down the road, because seriously, “This is fucking awesome.”

I picked up a few of the normal thrift finds…some slips, a couple of belts…but there were a few things that utterly floored me…

First was this Root Beer Bakelite bangle…

Lyndsie picked up one of those taped up vases filled with “junk” at Goodwill, and pointed out three bangles, whispered “I think these are Root Beer,” and showed me the price tag of $7.00. A risk worth taking.  Upon returning to the car, we ripped open the vase and poured out all of crappy metal bangles, plastic beads and broken watches to reach the bangles, which were of course at the bottom, yanked them out and rubbed them until hot, and low and behold, they provided us with that glorious whiff of formaldehyde.  While Lyndsie made the purchase, she offered one of the bangles to me as a gift, and I was oh so pleased.

We continued on our merry way and at another shop were scanning the dresses…sometimes you can just run your hand along the edge of clothing racks, feeling the fabric and stopping when something feels right…and my hand stopped on a plush royal blue dress of silk velvet.  I pulled it from the racks and inspected the garment…snap closures at the neck and side, a dainty faux sash…no…it couldn’t be…but it was…a 1920s dress! And it was $9.99.

And it fits!  Of course, the picture doesn’t do it justice, but that’s okay. I kind of what it to have a fabulous reveal later…probably for a viewing of The Great Gatsby.  It appears to have no holes or tears, and is just missing some kind of buckle for the sash, which is an easy fix, just have to find the right buckle. Update! To view this dress in action, visit my Great Gatbsy post!

My final score was this piece of furniture…

At $14.99 I couldn’t leave it at the store.  It’s a little rough (a cat used it as its scratching post) and could do with being re-upholstered, but for now I’m going to leave it as is.  The biggest problem right now is finding a home for it.  So for the next few days Patrick and I will be playing musical chairs…literally.

I also happened upon a vintage hat box which had at least five hats in it, for $2.00.  I didn’t dig through them, just purchased it.  But ultimately I didn’t care for the hats, and Lyndsie found herself in love, I gifted her the hats and box.  Lyndsie didn’t make out too shabby either, the highlight being an End of Day Bakelite bangle (that is in addition to the Root Beers!).

By the end of the day, we were exhausted, but on an extreme thrift store high.  It was just plain amazing.  I’m not sure if it was a fluke or if Lyndsie and I posses some sort of magical thrift powers when united.  I’d like to think it’s the latter.