Lisa Loves Vintage

Vintage Shopping - How to Get it Right!

I have a lot of people say to me...

I love what you are wearing I wish I could get away with it.

So...after a dismiss the notion that the comment could be a dig I thank them.

I shop vintage often and watch people struggle with the entire concept of the vintage shopping experience so I thought I would offer some guidelines.

My top ten hints for getting it right! 

1: It must call you!

You have to be drawn to it either by the colour texture or fabric.  

                                                      
2: Will it fit? 

This is of most importance and I would say you can almost totally ignore size labels. All of the size standards have changed for both local and international manufacturing.

For instance I am roughly an Australian size 10 sometimes a size 8 fit in the current sizing standard but have found that with older garments a size 14 will just fit. Vintage UK sizing are usually pretty correct and are often gauged by the bust size so I can buy a vintage pattern or garment in a size 32" or 34" and it will fit. Waist for UK sizes are usually pretty accurate but are often are tailored with corsetry in mind so depending on the era the garments may have tiny waists and womanly hips within the design. On this point you can check seam allowances to allow for alterations. Measure your self before you go, write it down if need be.

3: DO NOT damage the garment.  

This garment has survived, if it doesn't fit don't force it. Be gentle ask for assistance if necessary. Don't ruin the garment for the next person.

4: Allow a lot more time for the shopping experience. 

We are not talking off the rack these are rare items, take your time you will find your fit.

5: Do not butcher the fit! 

If it is a beautiful A line 60's frock don't think it will transform into a fitted dress well. The entire pattern construction is engineered for it to fit a certain way - some tweaks are very do able but silhouette is usually much harder to redefine...sometimes it is better not to try it will only look wrong.

I took this in just under the arms at the side seams and complied with the original design lines as the garment was intended.

The alterations are invisible - see the side seam and the accesories teamed
with the dress are sympathetic to the era.

6: Many vintage garments are home made by individuals - like back in the day. 

Watch for height issues. I just had the experience of finding an ideal shirt that I almost purchased without trying on. When I did pop it on I found the darts were way to high and this threw the entire look out of whack - an awkward fit makes the entire vintage thing look wrong. The garment was made for a very short person and on me the fit was not at all convincing. It has to look like YOU own it.

7: Is it too costumey? 

I often find that I love the loudest most ridiculous items they attract me - see my first point above. 

Clearly I am too busy talking here but what I am trying to say is this original late 60's early 70's Maxi looked far too costume before I shortened the hemline - any shorter however and it would revert to costume again.

8: Re think it! 

Okay what if it is too costumey but you must have it? Play everything else down while you wear it. Tone down the shoes and other items while being sympathetic to the look. See above.

9: Ask the shop assistant / store owner for assistance. 

They are working in the niche because they love it and a passionate person will be more than happy to help out.

10: Launder it well - you have worked hard to own your gem now take care of it. 

Mend where and when required, pop some new buttons on if you need to. Take your belts and bags to be cared for by experts, jackets can be relined, repaired and renewed by dry cleaning care.

*More tips soon on where to find the best items very soon so you might want to subscribe - meanwhile...to thine garments be kind.

Lisa has spoken x.

Shhh a little more here...

To all the Men I have Loved Before

Ok lets talk men. Striking men, memorable men, lovely delicious men! Ordinary men, plain men, brooding sexy men, fugly weird sexual men - hey its all good.

Gene Kelly
strong athletic unguarded and as much charm as any man could
muster.

I have watched this man amble, swan and lift women like they are delicate dainty bouquets. Such a masculine dancer and those arms...mmmm.

 Darling darling darling darling!
Cary Grant....where do I start? Brilliant comic timing a tan to rival George Hamilton perfect glossed hair, legs to his neck...only rivaled by Robert Mitchum in physique..but Cary had class and a refined finesse, perfectly well rounded verbal affectation that I am sure loosened garments and corsets alike.

The lovely Mr Curtis - just plain cute...cheek squeezing goodness...

Ah Javier...mmm like gristle, chewy and interesting something you linger on, nasty yet addictive...munch munch munch. been watching Javier Bardem since he was only ever in foreign films - love seeing him more now :)

Don - Do Me - Draper. Now Don interesting complex character - just love the guy...and I want to step back in time with him...."Come in put your hat down, I'll take your coat" I love you Don.

And  Waldemar Januszczak.......oh good lord the guy is as cute as a button - I do suspect I would tower over him but that's ok, love this fellas take on things and verbal flamboyance that he splashes his own creativity and skewed view so unexpectedly - love it! Intelligence, wisdom and wit....oh Waldermar!

Some Images I Truly Adore.

Honey I'm Home...
and it's Martini Time!

I just adore this image and those that follow but this first one is the epitome of style, sophistication and romance...ahhhhh swoon.

The Subtle Siren of 1952.....
This image of a lone woman evokes so much the mood and level of heightened fashion stylization is just divine - beautiful portrait.

Perfection in Red...
Disarming smile, come hither beckoning eyes, she looks soft to the touch. Shamaltsy Perfection!

Dangerously Hot Fox : First Prize...
Clearly on the prowl - she looks like she devours men for the game. Got to love her!

My love of .........Whats Not Fashionable at the Time

Now this may be one of the most risque 'shares' of my entire lifetime. I do like to think of myself of a modernist to some degree with traditional values but I have never been afraid to challenge convention either.

As most of you now know I am a clothing designer, stylist and an artist. My love of beauty and detail goes into the appreciation and creation of my work and the things I have collected over many years.

So with my heart on my sleeve I must confess...amongst my collection of mid century ceramics, vintage sewing accessories, jewelery and clothing including cravats and tie pins and the best cuff links you could ever imagine...tucked in a drawer here and there and yes snuck subtly onto display in my home- lets call it subversively (makes me feel cool and edgy) are my .........pause for effect...........doilies and hand embroidered table cloths and linen.

I LOVE THEM!

There I have said it...they are small intimate treasures hand stitched desires, hearts poured into small neat threads of carefully selected color, hand made lace, starching and ideas of permanence. Small details to cover protect and covet the furniture purchased once to last a lifetime, in a time when in that patient diligence of heartfelt creation pride and dignity was poured.

Young girls were taught by their mothers, aunts, sisters and grandmothers how to sew, how to sit and master the fine grade weaves and knots, how to tat, embroider and sew, these divine little creations were passed on, carefully placed into glory boxes and hope chests...it seems that hiding behind my perm in the mid 80's my mind had notions like that. So there in my best gloried funk traipsing around Melbourne's not so cool streets then Johnston,Greville and Smith Streets, Plenty Road and High Street I gathered and collected all manner of what people perceived to be rubbish...as listed above. You must remember folks this is in a time of Salmon and Grey decor...and while I am at it I do own a hand full of smashing Nanna hats too...they were just to well made to ignore.

Back to the doilies...perhaps I should just let the pictures do the talking - these are taken in my home and perhaps reflect my mish mash approach to the era's I love.

Do you think Janice loved her David? On the other corners of this small square linen table cloth is what I suspect to be the children's initials - one is shown here...

Are you expecting?
I think the babies pillow slip is machine embroidered but is still exquisite to me.

Ok another fetish I have is for donkeys they have the kindest eyes, lovely lashes and work so hard...this is probably my most favorite piece! This is one corner of a square table cloth - so 50's!

Ok so this ones a multiple brag - I threw together the art works and the phone is possibly one of the best things I have ever been given its been embellished to be known as the Glamor Phone and the jewelery box is something else I love given to me by my big sister - the flowers were a gift from the Mothers Day stall from my sons and it all sits upon an embroidered place-mat that's far to delicate to ever be used for those purposes.

Close up.