Another One Toots Our Horn

Thanks to Deborah @ Ma Bel Ailie, who calls us a COVETABLE COVER. Check her out at http://mabelailie.com/links.html.

We covet you right back!

A New Mention

Yay! A new friend:

http://www.thebigbanger.blogspot.com/

Thanks so much. We appreciate the press, and love that you love :-)

Born-Again Kids

Bridgett makes these awesome knit corsets. A couple of months ago, she made one for my daughter Zoe, who is only 11. Zoe put hers on this morning over a plain white tank. Looks so cute with appliques or embroidery, too, on a tween or teen, and with other designs for a grown-up gal. And they're so easy to make. All you need is an old sweater, a long piece of ribbon and a crochet needle. Take a look at the directions in Born-Again Vintage and see for yourself.

The 80s Prom: Why Only Live It Once?

Jen's good friend Tabitha lives for Halloween, and nothing makes her party more fun for her than having a theme. Last year, we were all fairies: good fairies, bad fairies, rocker-chick fairies, etc. This year, we thought it would be fun to have an 80s prom night. And look what Jen just scored on eBay!

Naturally, as soon as we're done wearing them, they go straight to Bridgett for remaking for putting in our book, 27 Dresses. Jen can't wait to see what she does with these. The photos were cribbed off eBay, so you can't really see what great patterns and colors and textures these are. But we're sure you can use your imagination.

The Aforementioned Cape

Jen has a feeling you were curious about the cape she mentioned in the first Paris blog. She found a picture of herself in it, posing in front of the golden gates of Versailles (you can't get more vintage than that!). So here it is. Cute, right? Especially over a tank and skinny jeans. It was chilly and breezy that day, so here she's got it layered over several jerseys--not exactly how she had planned to wear it. But it did in a pinch.

It's important to note that vintage boutiques often stock a rack or two of original collections from up-and-coming local designers who reflect the shop's philosophy. Jen has scored a number of quality, original, non-expensive items this way (she'll post another one soon), and Bridgett's designs are frequently showcased in such places. So even if you're not a total vintage freak, but love unique pieces, stop into your corner vintage store for a look-see. You never know what might be there.

To Wash Or Not To Wash -- That Is The Question

Jen's mom brought up a valid point when they were browsing vintage wear in Paris: Does she always wash something she buys before she wears it? Of course she asked this question hoping Jen would reply "yes," but sort of knowing that the answer was, "well..."

The truth is that Jen only sometimes washes or dry cleans an item before wearing because she's lazy, and also likes to wear her new items, a bunch of which she finds while traveling, immediately. But in truth, reputable boutiques should have already done the necessary spot removals and so forth. In the course of setting clothes out for display, proprietors not only dry clean the lots of estate clothes they've picked up on their rounds, they steam clean for wrinkles and also make minor repairs such as adding or replacing buttons. (This can add major value.) For instance, in this picture, taken at the window in the Rodin Museum, Jen (right, in green 1940's polyester) is wearing a freshly purchased item from the day before, found at Le Marche aux Puces in a little shop at the beginning of Les Halles de Dauphine.

However, if the item comes from a yard or garage sale, or if the piece comes from a place that has moths in the woolens--like a store did in Montclair, NJ, where Bridgett and Jen purchased a wedding dress for 27 Dresses (more on that particular adventure in another post to come)--it goes for cleaning, yes. Moths fluttering out while you're going through the racks are just one indication that nothing in the shop is being cleaned, let alone cared about.

Restraint in Gay Paris--an Oxymoron?

So here's the first item Jen scored from a vintage boutique in Paris, on the outskirts of Le Marais, in a little shop called Venus au Cour. (Ignore the ugly bedspread; the Hotel Cadet is not the most charmingly designed of lodgings). She also bought a hand-crocheted, rust-colored, cropped cape that was not vintage but made by a friend of the shop's owner. But that's it--though there plenty of items that could have gone in her sack, the prices were too high and the Euro too strong. Yes, Jen actually stuck to a budget! (Sort of.)

The cape's a keeper and looks adorable over a tank with jeans, and not a candidate for renovations as a) it's not vintage and b) it would fall apart when it's cut. As for the flamenco-style skirt, Jen's not going to give it to Bridgett for a while--or maybe not ever--as it fits perfectly and looks totally hot with a sexy black shirt and heels. Remember, not everything needs to be cut and redesigned. If you find a piece of vintage that you like, is wearable and fits you, keep it as is. There's always another item that can be subjected to scissors.

Born-Again Coats

You wouldn't believe what you can do with retro jackets and coats. This used to be a structure-less winter jacket with a terrific paisley print. With a little trimming, it's a take on tails! And below was a waist-length coat with long sleeves, giant buttons and a fur collar that was both itchy and sweaty. It looked like a bed jacket for a rich old lady. But the material was irresistible. Now it's a funky piece that makes unique use of that great color and cloth, perfect for hip chicks of all ages.

And you can get useful clothing not only from coats, but from the linings of them. This was the zip-out lining of an 80s black trenchcoat with huge padded shoulders that looked dated even though trench coats came back in style. With its original zipper but trimmed sleeves and an added ruffle, this is a great piece to wear over leggings or skinny jeans.