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THE GOOD, THE BAD & THE UGLYBy Faith Carman-Rogers |
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Many moons ago, when I was leaving for college, one of my going away gifts was a mini-iron & a canvas laundry bag. Printed on the side of the bag was: "Todays fashions are tomorrows laundry." Thinking back it should have read: "Todays fashions are tomorrows thrift shop donations." Well, what's old is new again. If Chanel was the label of the 80's & Prada for the 90's, perhaps "vintage" is the predominant non-label in the new millenium. If you love vintage clothing & you don't feel like going through dusty racks & bins...Instead of gettin' all sneezy & wheezy, why not try one of the many vintage clothing websites. Some are solely on-line ventures & some are originating from an actual vintage store somewhere. Obviously, you will not unearth some low-priced one-of-a-kind treasure as you might in a thrift shop or "off the beaten path" antique shop. They list details, such as measurements or approximate size, its overall condition,etc. & hopefully clear pictures. The sizing is very important. Sizing is much different now than in past decades, even as recently as 30 years ago. A size 8 or 10 in the '50s or '60s is equivalent to a size 4 today! |
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Most prices will not be cheap. But if something really strikes you, it will be worth it. It has become harder to obtain really affordable pieces, now that so many people have jumped on the retro bandwagon; from affluent Upper East Siders & La-La Land Hollywood-types to yuppies with a new-found interest & plenty of disposable income. When scanning through these sites, sometimes you are teased by a "SOLD" sign placed near a covetable item. Move on! Time periods can range from early 1900's up til '70s & '80s. Keep in mind that some people call Prada from two years ago "vintage". Tiffany Dubin, coauthor of "Vintage Style: Buying & Wearing Classic Vintage Clothes" says that "vintage now means anything worth keeping & collecting...Even if it's from this season, if it transcends fashion, if it has value that lasts, then it's vintage," Dubin explains. Here is a short list of some interesting retro-obsessed fashion sites (besides E-bay!) that I've come across, where you'll find a range of items from $4 polyester shirts to $700 Pucci dresses: |
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www.carolinesclosets.com-- Primarily pre-60's to present-day(Lilly Pulitzer for example). Some "closets" contain: Cocktail, Polyester, Retro, InterstateWear. Special section this month for Vera pieces. Five percent of Caroline's sales go to local & national charities. www.rustyzipper.com-- Claims to be the first on-line vintage store. Carries thousands of items from the '40s through '80s! Seems to have an excessive amount of poly(especially disco shirts, bellbottoms), silk ties, hawaiian shirts. Has sewing patterns from the '40s - '80s. Also has fun '70s & '80s t-shirt iron-on transfers which are separated into categories, such as : TV, Film & Tasteless Sex, etc! www.kingpoodle.com-- is the sister store to rustyzipper. Similar items, but one great advantage? Site states: "absurdly cheap vintage clothing- nothing over $10"!! www.justsaywhen.com-- Sells original one-of-a-kind vintage clothing by category, year, designer, etc. (They have a booth whenever the Metropolitan Vintage Show is in NYC) Have personal shoppers if you don't see what you're looking for. www.kittygirl.com-- Located in San Francisco. They buy & sell. They give updates of what's been added. Great website, because there are SO many links listed to other vintage sites. www.fashiondig.com-- Akin to a fashion community, where you can sell or buy in various "shops" in a mall, ask fashion questions, participate in forums, read articles...Has various shops such as Mod Shop(which has consignment items from various sources) Also has a directory of fashion events, directories & resources of the web. ****Important--Check each website's return policies if you plan to thrift in this manner. Keep in mind that your ass may not fit into some of these retro-sized clothes.**** |
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As promised, kids, here are my top 10 favorite fashion magazines. They're not too price-y.(less than $20) & I'm consistently pleased with them every month- *(British) Elle $7.95 ****Honorable mentions?-- the "fashion" issues of Britain's "The Face" & "I-D", & San Francisco's "Surface"**** |
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As promised last time, here are some well-stocked NYC magazine shops that provide a wide array of inspirational reading for the fashionista in all of us: *Universal News-- There are various NYC branches. Some have a cafe with seating. You will have to brave the heat & rampant B.O. at some of the vendor's registers. *Hudson News-- Also a chain with the prerequisite balminess & B.O. *Virgin Megastore-- Many magazines & fashion books, too! *Barnes & Noble-- Some have well-stocked magazine sections & great fashion books. (Might as well sit & read the whole damn magazine without paying if you can find a seat, cheap skates!) :) *The Lobby Shop-- A small extensive magazine shop in the heart of the fashion district. You might actually see some real live snooty fashion folk! (109 West 39th Street) *Gallagher's-- This is a great backdate issue magazine store located in NYC. There are all sorts of retro magazines, NOT just fashion! Good gift options abound here for sentimentalists. One can see what was hot & happening in the month they were born. & for the guys out there, if you're still awake, witness the days of silicone-free au naturale women when leafing through early Playboys. (126 East 12th Street...www.vintagemagazines.com) *A & S-- Smaller scale, but similar to Gallagher's. Anyone for a Tiger Beat with a Bay City Rollers pullout poster? (308 West 40th Street...www.asmagazines.com) |
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On a final fashion note: That ageless sprite, Betsey Johnson, who always cartwheels down the runway at the end of her shows just turned 60!!... Kids, coming soon: I'll unearth some great sneaker resources, so you can be the only kid on the block with one of a kind "trainers". Reveal what ADIDAS could be an old school acronym for? Unique X-mas gifting sites & shops... Finally R.I.P.(i.e. Retail Is Perishing)-- This past summer, Antique Boutique, one of NYC's earliest institutions of retro chic closed its doors. It's age-revealing to recount the days when it was a store selling only antique items. Hell, I can remember when there was a Canal Jeans ON CANAL STREET!!- Ah Youth! Ladies, when it comes to age keep the boys guessing!... |