Tag Archives: style

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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Bathing Beauties

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It looks as if summer is upon us! The pool just opened at our apartment, and I thought it a perfect time to share the real life bathing beauties (and other beach frolicking photos) from my vintage photo collection…

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And I’ve saved my favorite for last…

What is going on here?! Well, thank goodness one of the gals in this photo wrote what was happening on the back!

In case you can’t make it out, it reads “Isabel + I examine a jelly fish the boys speared (the look like tiny parachutes in the water + can they sting!)” How crazy is that?

Swimsuits may be the one thing that I long for the styles of the most.  Contemporary suits often lack the style (and coverage) of the suits of days gone by.  There were so many wonderful details and prints!

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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Bakelite & Bowties

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This morning a group of us vintage gals, and guys too, got together for brunch at one of Portland’s swankest restaurants, Gracie’s.  As always, we had a theme…today’s theme? Bakelite and Bowties.  I’m loving that we’re coming up with more co-ed friend;y events.  It’s so nice to see men all dapper…even if we only had three.

We enjoyed brunch while basking in the glow of crystal dripping chandeliers as we chatted while our bangles clicked against each other.  It’s so delightful getting together with people who “get” things such as Bakelite.  Like Solanah of Vixen Vintage toted a gorgeous very wide carved piece that she paid only $60 for! How amazing is that!? And all of us oo’ed and aww’ed over such a steal, while the average person would say “You paid $60 for a hunk of plastic!?” So, needless to say, I adore my vintage crowd. Thanks for being in Portland, ladies!

Outfit
Dress: Bombshell Vintage, Portland
Sweater: From a Toby Berman sweater set, Buffalo Exchange
Hat: Don’t recall…
Purse: Flea market
Bakelite Oranges Necklace: Birthday gift
Bangles: Various
Bakelite Ring: Hattie’s, Portland
Vintage Stockings: Expo…I think…
Shoes: Gosh, I think Payless, like six years ago…

Patrick’s Outfit
Cal-Anita Expressing for Miller’s Jacket: Thrifted by my dad!
(New) Dress Shirt: Nordstorm
Bowtie: Flea market
Cufflinks: Expo
Pants: Who knows…
Shoes: Allen Edmonds by way of Living Thread’s Vintage

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.