Festival Ready

Spring is here officially, and that means music festivals and fun are right around the corner. If you are one of the lucky ones to be able to attend the Coachella's and Bonnaroo's out there then don't worry, I've got you covered - fanny packs, fringe and leather... and maybe some festival inspiration to get you in the mood...

Vintage Denim Cut offs

Feather Charm Bracelet

Embroidered Fanny Pack

Suede Fringe Vest

Black Leather Backpack

Suede Fringe Boots

Vintage Woven Backpack

Vintage Cropped Tank Top

S T Y L E I N S P I R A T I O N: Vicky Christina Barcelona

Some of my favorite movies for style inspiration come from the one and only, Woody Allen. I don't know if the director himself has an eye for women's style, or if he just hires a good wardrobe stylist, but it seems like almost every movie he even made has his leading ladies wearing outfits that I can't get out of my head.  One such movie is the fairly recent film, Vicky Christina Barcelona of 2008. Set in Barcelona, Spain, where the character of Maria Elena is played by Penelope Cruz and to this day I am still obsessed with black Spanish hats and white summer clothing.

I don't know if its the black eyeliner, the bedhead, or the bitch face, but there is something about this look that I find extremely appealing.

Turns out,, black Spanish hats are hard to come by. I've been looking since the movie came out in 2008 (yes, I'm that obsessed) and I finally found one!!! ...but it doesn't fit me. Alas, I've put it on the Etsy shop as well as this amazing shirt that I converted from an awkward fitting dress to a beautiful and comfortable blouse! 

My Maria Elena inspired look

Just click on the photos below to find this blouse and hat:

Black Spanish Hat

White Mexican Blouse

Vintage Inspired Street Style #2

Just thought I'd share some more street style photos I've come across in the past few weeks... 

(none of these photos were taken by me. They were found on other blogs and on pinterest)

Honestly, this model could be wearing a potato sack and I would think it was cool. She's just so cute!

Those brown shoes.

A modern way to wear a Vintage Mexican frock dress

I've been loving this look lately. All one color makes getting dressed in the morning so simple... just add a cool bag, scarf, or hat and you're set.

That's all for now! I just got a new camera (yay!) so stay tuned for my new and (hopefully) improved photos that I will be posting soon, as well as new items!

A D A Y I N T H E L I F E: Vintage Urban Renewal

Sheer White Edwardian Dress

There are a lot of vintage Etsy shops out there and as an Etsy shop owner, it can get kind of discouraging. It's hard to know (as a buyer) what shop to look at first. For me, certain shops have a "look" that I tend to be drawn to... Vintage Urban Renewal has that look...and lucky for me, they are filled with awesome vintage finds. Clean photos of beautifully curated items fill every page of this shop, and there is something for everyone: Boho dresses, chic jackets, and unique accessories. I had the pleasure of asking the owner and founder of Vintage Urban Renewal a few questions...

What made you start selling on Etsy?

I own a brick and mortar clothing store, in a small valley in southern Oregon, where the thrift pickins' are great, but the appreciation for buying vintage, is less than stellar. So when I started buying more than I could sell in my store I started looking for another outlet for my collecting addiction. Which led me to etsy.

How would you describe your stores' aesthetic?

We blend "boho tough" with "chic sweet". It took me a little while to label my style and chose this description because I like to blend and mix eclectic styles together. Wearing a leather motorcycle jacket with a long, bohemian maxi dress, for instance.

What have been your most exciting vintage finds?

It's not about name brands for me, it's all about how a piece makes me feel. I get very excited about finding distressed leather, oversized fluffy mohair sweaters and natural gauze dresses.
We have started specializing in "boho wedding dresses". I wore my moms wedding dress from the 60s at my outdoor wedding and have loved that style ever since.It is one of the most overlooked wedding dress styles, perfect for casual , outdoor, garden or woodland weddings. They are usually very affordable and you can make them one of a kind just by removing sleeves, shortening them or wearing them with a sash.

What style or era influences you the most?

That is the easiest question... 70s bohemian style is my absolute favorite era and style. I do sell other eras, but they all evoke a feeling of "boho chic", which ties them together along with photo taking in our shop.

What advice do you have for other Etsy shop owners?

We have been selling for 3 years on etsy and have learned a few things in the process-

Sell what you love (keep just enough for yourself). If you don't love what you sell, your shop won't survive. Selling on etsy is work and if you don't enjoy what you sell you won't enjoy your work.

Find a niche market that you can find plenty of items for and that there is a need for, if there is no need then create a need for it. Think outside the box ie: Taking a sheer edwardian petticoat and tying a sash around the waist and selling it as a "flower girl" dress.

Photos are everything, they are your best marketing tool. Lighting, styling, color etc. is what defines your shop.

Customer service, answer all questions promptly and professionally, get to know your customers. There is no need to have bad feedback.

Have fun!

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Thanks Michelle! Here are a few wonderful pieces from her shop...

70's Wedge Sandals

Cotton Lace Wedding Dress

Navajo Jacket

Leather Hippie Bag

Embroidered Jacket

Check out these items and more at Vintage Urban Renewal

S T Y L E I N S P I R A T I O N: Ingrid Boulting

 

Normally a style icon is someone who's individual style influences and is remembered by many. However, sometimes it is a persons face or overall vibe that has the same impact, and it can easily represent an entire generation. Ingrid Boulting may not be as famous as Twiggy or Cindy Crawford, but her face is still iconic of her time (60s and 70s). 

For me, any time I see a picture of Ingrid Boulting I stop to stare at it. There is something about her face that intrigues me - I love how versatile it is. In fact, it took me some time to realize that all these photos I was noticing were all of her.

Starting as a ballerina and model, Ingrid Boulting became a truly iconic face when she worked for Biba cosmetics. Eventually, she became an actress, but it was her modeling career that she is most known for.

S T Y L E I N S P I R A T I O N: Once Upon A Time In the West

As a lover of the southwest and vintage, it's only natural that I love old western films. I definitely wouldn't say that I am an aficionado, but I am a fan enough to know that the best of the best westerns are spaghetti westerns. One of my favorites of all spaghetti westerns is Once Upon a Time in the West.

Filmed in 1968 by Italian director Sergio Leone, Once Upon a Time in the West takes place in a fictional town of the Old West, where a struggle over Sweetwater (the towns only water source) turns bloody. I won't go into details, but I will say that every aspect of this movie is done extremely well and reminds me of a Quentin Tarantino film (he might actually have been inspired by this movie). I truly love everything about this movie... the music, color scheme, acting, story line, slow pace, costumes, gun fights... it all truly adds up to be one of my favorite westerns of all time.

Several stills of the film

first scene in Once Upon a Time in the West

Once Upon a Time in the West stars Henry Fonda (the villain), Charles Bronson (the villain's nemesis), Claudia Cardinale (as the damsel in distress with a questionable past) and Jason Robards (as the bandit). Each character is fascinating to watch, especially seeing the costumes and the props that are used. I am convinced that the film maker really captured the grit and grime of the era. The costumes they wear in the film are especially dirty. The men are covered in grease and sweat, and their dusters are all brown and grey and covered with dust. But I am weird, and I love those filthy dusters, and boots, and five o-clock shadows. I am especially in love with the flat, wide brimmed hats and dusty suits. The female, on the other hand, has less appealing attire. I hate the way women were dolled up and constantly uncomfortable... but what I do like is the 60's style bed head and make up on Claudia Cardinale. I highly doubt women looked like this back then, but it works for the movie.

Henry Fonda as Frank

Claudia Cardinale as Jill McBain

I can't say that I dress like the characters from this era, but I definitely take inspiration from the color scheme of the movie. Dark greys, browns, tans...I always loved natural/neutral colors, blue skies and with the occasional pop of red from a bandana or dress. The props in the film all look heavy and substantial. Everything was made of something pure like iron or wood, and the clothing out of linen or cotton. "Stuff" seemed to be simple back then and I can appreciate that. The only thing I can't relate to is the ruthless killing, but after all it's just a movie.

If you haven't seen this movie, watch this trailer...

A D A Y I N T H E L I F E: Shop Lucilles

As an Etsy shop owner and shopper, I peruse through Etsy listings and shops quite often. Once in a while I come across a shop that strikes my fancy - Shop Lucilles is one of them.  

Straight out of Portland, Maine, Shop Lucilles sells vintage clothing, accessories, some housewares and handmade items, too. I had the pleasure of asking the shop owners (vintage duo Caiti and Jess) a few questions:

How did you start selling on Etsy?  

Jess- I started selling on Etsy by myself a few years ago because my love for vintage was just getting a bit out of control. I would be at a thrift store and find something AMAZING and buy it even if it wasn't my size. I just wanted to own a little piece of beautiful history! So once that collection got a bit out of hand, I started selling.

Caiti - Well my business partner previously sold on etsy, I just sort of tagged along.

What decade are you most inspired by?

Caiti - I'm in love with the forties. I'm a huge fan of the tailored, nipped in at the waist silhouette. Women's sportswear from the 40's is fabulous too.

Jess - This is a hard question! haha I really love the 1940s. I tend to emulate the 40s and 50s the most in how I dress. But it's also hard to rule out the 20s and 30s... whenever I want to feel re-inspired by fashion those tend to be the eras I look at. The lines & details on clothing were just incredible back then. 

Is there any past fashion trend you wish would come back?

Caiti - I wouldn't really call it a trend but I wish the tradition of dressing in "Sunday's best" and strolling through town would make a come back.

Jess - This is sort of silly, but I wish men stlll wore hats. Not baseball hats, but dashing fedoras & such. I kind of blame that on watching Mad Men. Watching Don Draper put on a hat made me swoon a bit. 

What have been some of your most exciting vintage finds?

Caiti - A trash bag of clothing! 

Jess - Seriously, a garbage bag FULL OF CLOTHING! We were at an auction and they held up one of this big black hefty bags and said "I think it might be curtains...?" and we bid on it on a whim. We got it for ridiculously cheap, then realized it was full of 1920s & 30s clothing. It was the most incredible thing ever. 

Is there any advice you would give to other Etsy shop owners?

Caiti - I would say do your research, vintagefashionguild.org/ and sammydvintage.com/ are excellent resources. Also try to put up at least one item a day. Haveing that continual stream of newly listed items really makes a difference.

Jess - Learn to date your items correctly. I think it's misleading to label something as 1940s when it's clearly from the 1960s. Also, try to have good communication with your customers. It's pretty infuriating as a buyer to be in the dark about questions that you have... try to put yourself in their shoes and be as accomodating as you can.

 I can now say that I will NEVER turn down a mysterious garbage bag full of fabric.  Thank you Caiti and Jess!

 

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You can see Caiti and Jess's shop at http://www.etsy.com/shop/shoplucilles

Also, visit their blog at shoplucilles.blogspot.com

Or you can check out their website at www.lucilles.me 

Here are some of my favorite items at Shop Lucilles:

Awesome Deadstock Sunglasses

Vintage Little Black Wiggle Dress

Handmade Fabric Button Earrings

Sweet Little Children's Sundress

Handmade Vintage Inspired Earrings

 These are just a few of the many wonderful items at Shop Lucilles! Visit the link to check the rest!