This will be a space to explore adornment, talismans, and personal style through my love of getting dressed in vintage!
•Garments As Decor•
I love to use vintage clothing as decor. A scarf makes a beautiful wall hanging. A vintage table cloth becomes a closet curtain. A kimono becomes wall art. One of our first apartments had horrible ceiling tiles so I draped antique saris from India across the ceiling to cover them. It was so colorful and cool!
I have a metal purse hanging in my hallway. It's art when not in use, and when I have a fancy occasion I just pull it off the wall! Displaying beautiful pieces this way gives your home a lived-in, creative, bohemian, and relaxed vibe.
In my high school bedroom, I had this amazing black lace 1930's gown that I hung on the wall because it was so delicate. This is a great way to display pieces that can no longer be worn.
I found this image and it reminded me of that antique lace dress. Maybe you've fallen in love with a costume piece but know you won't wear it. Just hang it on the wall like this cape pictured above!
I hung my wedding dress on the wall in our bedroom. I'm not wearing it so why not display it? (I'm not wearing it because it doesn't fit, but I totally would! I would style it over a bra top and jeans, maybe with a leather jacket?!)
This vintage kimono and shredded t-shirt hang over these old lockers. I also have my jewelry on display here.
I think a vintage statement necklace hung in a gallery wall would look so cool.
I found this picture on the internet a long time ago. I love the chaos of this room. Full of personality. Not trying to be anything other that what it is, you know? Notice the use of clothes and scarves as decor.
Florence Welch (haunting vocalist and queen of personal style) also uses her vintage garments to decorate her home.
I think vintage clothes, jewelry, and textiles make wonderful home decor. Next time you're rearanging your art or furniture try looking to the wordrobe for inspiration!
•Playing Dress Up With A New Find•
I love when I bring home a new vintage piece that sparks all kinds of inspiration when getting dressed! Right now, it's this camo shirt-jacket. I brought it home from the thrift store thinking I would wear it a few times. But it soon became the new go-to. It juxtaposes so well against my feminine pieces. It's a fun additional pattern to have fun with print mixing. And it is perfect when I am leaning more masculine. It's comfy and worn in. It challenges me to find new ways to wear old and beloved items. Here is how I've styled it recently.
Look 1:
Here I am wearing it over a vintage Etheopian gauze and embroidered dress that was gifted to me by my mother in law. I am wearing deadstock 1940's mens socks that I picked up from my favorite vintage shop at 16 years old. I am wearing a bronze beaded 1980's statement necklace and my favorite rings. On my wrist you'll see my 1972 penny bracelet. My catch all purse is a woven basket bag with leather straps.
Look 2:
For this look, I am wearing a 1990's floral lace dress over washed out vintage Levi's. I have a 1970's tooled leather belt over the top to hike up the front of the dress to show a bit of the pant leg. I later paired this with my vintage leather Frye boots. I am wearing a 2000's crochet skinny scarf with three dimensional roses. Top it off with my go to stiff brimmed hat!
Look 3:
This time I needed a casual outfit. Old Levi's, a vintage tee, and my jacket. Pair this with my trusty hat and frye boots. I wore my hair in braids tied of with strips of scrap leather. This t-shirt is signed and dated 1988.
Look 4:
A great running around town look. Super comfy but not sloppy! I'm wearing my leg warmers (That I've had since high school) with birkenstocks. I've got on these really fun quilted pants, I love them! Then layers of necklaces to top it all off!
Vintage necklaces in order: Ethiopian cross choker. Necklace number 2, Mother and child pendant (not vintage) on grandma's vintage chain. On number 3, we've got a vintage cracker jack pistol that belonged to grandpa on my mom's side, my great grandpa's social security tag, and my paternal grandpa's mini pocket knife that he got in Geneve. The longest chain also belonged to my grandma and the serpent pendant is vintage and handmade, a gift from my husband! I find that this jacket is a nice backdrop to my most precious jewels!
I hope you may find something in my shop that inspires you to take your outfits in fun new directions!
•The Vintage Fashion on my Mind•
I am feeling very inspired and excited about getting dressed at the moment. I have always played with texture and shape while getting dressed but lately, it's all about pleats, lace, fur, and shimmer! A dynamic sleeve is on my mind. I have always loved an interesting sleeve, it's been that way since around 2008 when I first fell in love with poet and bell sleeves. Here are some of the designers and pieces that have been swimming around my brain for months now.
Let us start with 80's and 90's Mary McFadden. I am in love with these goddess temple priestess dresses! The pleats, the colors, the beading, the BELTS. They are speaking my language! I love when a designer reaches back to the ancients for inspiration. These are romantic and feminine master pieces.
Continuing on with the theme of pleats, let us dive into the wonderful world of Issey Miyake! This designer has stolen my heart. I can never get these images out of my mind! So sculptural and bold! I have a few vintage pieces that resemble his designs enough to scratch that itch. I will just have to dream of one making it's way into my wardrobe. The following images are from the 80's and 90's.
Next up, the artistry of Kaisik Wong. Prepare to be amazed by this maximalist fever dream!
I have also been in the mood for shimmer and shine. Liquid lurex, metalic brocade, and intricate beading. Top it all off with some vintage fur and it's your moment! This Dior 1998 spring show is all I can think about!
•Finding The Right Vintage For You•
Lets get into some vintage shopping tips. We are all dealing with the heightened voyerism of the internet and the quickening of the trend cycle thanks to social media. A lot of people have expressed to me that they often buy clothes that don't feel like them. They buy something because of a micro trend only to realise they won't wear it. We want to invest in vintage pieces that we can re-ware and be excited about for a long time.
So my first tip is to know what you will and won't reach for. Try to only buy what truly lights you up or what fills a hole in your wardrobe. It's okay to leave with nothing in your basket!
Sizing is tricky. Vintage sizing is trickier. Clothing sizes can be different between brands. But it is even more inconsistent through the decades. You might be a tag size 12 in the 60's but an 8 in the 90's. Take tag sizes and letter sizes with a grain of salt. I have a range of vintage sizes in my personal closet. I wear anything from a letter size S up to a size 18! Detailed measurments are your best friend. Knowing your bust, waist, and hip measurments can be really helpful!
That moves us on to another tip, don't force it! If it dosen't fit, quit. These items are anywhere from 20 - 100 years old! Be mindful when trying on, and watch those seams. The seller has spent hours in a dirty pile of clothes, cleaning, repairing, researching, and measuring so be respectful. For both their work and the history these items possess.
Get to know what silhouettes suit your unique body shape. Different eras will usually have a defining silhouette. I am bustier, so I know a 60's empire waist dress isn't going to work for me. But an 80's dolman sleeve usually gives me plenty of room around the chest.
Know what fabrics you like or dislike. If you're not going to take things to a dry cleaner or hand wash, then go for 90's and Y2K pieces and avoid delicate fabrics. Don't buy a wool sweater if you have really sensitive skin. If you love natural fibers, stick to silk or linen. Polyester fabrics from the 70's might have the bold and colorful prints you love, but if you run hot, you might want to leave it behind. You know, since they are basically made of plastic (not breathable!)
Lets talk faux vs real. The fur and leather dilemma. We are all trying to make ethical choices. I get it. I became obsessed with avoiding slave labor made clothing in my teens. I was a vegetarian for 6 years. So I get why people avoid wearing animals. BUT, when faux leathers and furs are made, they create a lot of pollution and water waste. Faux items don't last long at all. And when they are discarded, they leach toxic chemicals into the earth for decades. In my opinion, vintage fur and leather is the the best option. If well cared for, my vintage fur coat will out live me. My grandkids can wear it. And it will actually keep me warm, unlike faux fur! When it has reached the end of its life, after being loved hard and patched up, it will break down naturally.
Give it a good look over. Vintage means wear and tare. How much will you tolerate? Does it have a few minor stains? Will you only by things in pristine condition? Do you have the basic skills to fix it up? Will you actually fix it up?! (Haha, guilty!)
How do I know if it really is vintage? Learn the basics. Fabric, common era silhouettes, metal zippers, zipper placement, tag info, etc. All of these contribute to accurately dating vintage. Vintage Fashion Guild is a helpful educational resource.
After you have found the right vintage item for you, learn how to care for it! Know what should be hand washed, buy a laundry wash bag, and always air dry! Learn the mending basics. Darning is a vintage collector's best friend! Learn how to stretch out the life of your clothing. Hand sewing an open seam, replacing a button, patching, etc - these are all good things to know!
I hope these tips will help you find some vintage magic to add to your wordrobe!
•Shipping Orders•
I love sending vintage out to it's new home! While packaging, I imagine the person falling in love with their new jacket or where they will wear their new dress. I wrap in sparkly tissue paper and I'll tie it off in a bow. Sometimes with hemp rope, plant dyed string, or vintage ribbons.
For a little extra fun, with every order is a handdrawn coloring sheet! These are inspired by my love of small batch feminist zines of the 60's and 70's, Alicia Bay Laurel books, and vintage fashion. Of course, you'll always receive a handwritten thank you note from me too.
When you spend $120 or more, I send a hand dyed and printed Indulge Vintage tote bag with your order. (These are $20 in the shop if you want one! Colors change often.)
All jewelry items are packaged on hand painted cards. And each one is put in a hand stamped cotton baggie. I carved all my stamps by hand.
Thanks for shopping small with Indulge Vintage! 💘 Me and my unpaid interns (aka my husband and daughter 🙃) thank you!
• Maximalist Layering •
I love to get dressed. I dress acording to my mood. The colors, textures, and over all look will be determined by what I'm feeling in the moment. I need to feel like an outfit is representing me in that moment to feel satisfied. My favorite outfits are usually maximalist, layered, artsy, eclectic, bohemian, and head-to-toe vintage, baby!
How do you layer, mix prints, and pile on the vintage without looking costumy or sloppy? This is how I do it. Here are a few tips:
1. Mix your eras. Pair a 80's shoulder pad shirt with a 60's skirt. This keeps things looking fresh and not like you walked out of a time machine. (or not! Your style, your choice!)
2. Wear what YOU love. No exceptions. (this should have been #1 but I'm too lazy to change it.)
3. When mixing patterns consider color, difference, and size. At least one color should be similar in each of the garments. And size wise, a big bold floral paired with a thin pinstriped pant works because one is a large print and one is more subtle. The prints should also be different shapes than each other. But sometimes you can make it work with a classic print, like lets say a big polka dot skirt and a little polka dot top.
4. Consider starting small with layered necklaces or add a vest or a scarf to an existing basic outfit recipe (i.e. Skirt and blouse combo.)
5. If you don't know where to start, try mixing and layering with only one or two colors. You can go maximalist by using different fabrics and textures. For example, an all black outfit compiled of a linen dress, a quilted velvet vest, and a leather fringe jacket.
6. An unexpected pairing is exciting and interesting. A button down dress worn open is a duster, a shirt worn backwards takes on a new shape. Try new things. Play around.
7. Breaking the rules is fun. Style "rules" are stupid and you should break them. (You should also break other kinds of rules as often as possible but this is about vintage and not about rebuilding society.)
8. Have fun, duh!
Now, I will get looks and comments that range from positive to sceptic. (mostly excited and kind comments!) But getting dressed is for me. It's about me and what I like, regardless of trend.
Here are some recent outfits and my thoughts while putting them together:
Let us start with this neutral yet, maximalist look. I wanted to wear this long sleeved crinkle asymetrical top, I mean look at those sleeves. I have had this mudcloth vest thing for a while and the colors made sense together. I pulled this scarf becuase the colors also matched. I pulled from the florals in the scarf which coordinated with these velvet hair bows. Then I needed pants so I went with these black pin striped ones, they work because the vest is trimmed in black. The prints work together because one is big and bold and the other is small and classic. I almost wore tights because I wanted to wear these 70'a boots, but it seemed too easy to flash what was under the vest. Not good! I wanted to see the boots more so I tucked those pant legs into my socks and wah-la! I like the extra interest and shape it gives.
Now lets look to another print mix moment with some color shall we?! I wanted to dress in layers but it was a bit warmer outside so I needed something breezey. (I hate summer dressing. It's too hot to be maximalist.) This silk kimono could do the trick. The big embroidered stars seemed to work with the small florals becuase the pieces were both mostly blue. I layered on three silver necklaces and topped it off with a white hat and some cowboy boots. (the comfiest shoe choice.)
This dress didn't fit me but it was 99¢ and I loved it. So I wear it open and backwords as a duster! Creativity is your dress-up bestfriend! I wear it here with a oversized romper that has a small checkered print that matches the dark background in the florals on the 80's dress *cough* I mean, duster. Layer up the jewelry and pair it with some red cowboy boots. On chillier days I've worn this with a black turtle neck and green sheer tights under the romper.
This one is a little more toned down. I wanted to wear something fun but comfy. I started with these crazy harem pants I've been wearing since highschool. Then I wanted to wear this velvet duster which I deconstructed and added lace I picked up from an estate sale. My tank and crochet vest paired nicely. then I added my accessories with this woven belt and jewelry. So many different textures! I topped it off with an off-white stiff brimmed hat.
I woke up and wanted to be Jimi Hendricks. I layered my husband's LA tee with a gold velvet mirrored jacket, then I put a gold and green shinny kimono over that! I threw on my pinstriped pants and some maroon cowboy boots. Of course, I have a big old fish pendant and choker too. Could be worn with or without a hat and skinny scarf.
Most of these were taken before I had all my rings on, unfortunately. It's funny, I am a real dress girl but not in any of these photos! The mirror is dirty and there is shit in the background because I'm a homeschooling mom, working artist, and vintage slinger, so get over it, I'm busy. 🙃
Thanks for reading, shop vintage!!
• Talismans, Trinkets, and Jewels •
I am a maximalist collector. But the one thing I have collected the longest is jewelry. This obsession began with my grandmother. She loved costume jewelry and my sister and I would often leave with sandwich baggies jingling with the metallic sound of rings clinking together. I have a few necklaces I got from garage sales in my elementary school days that I still wear. Both are prayer box/coin purse type things that open and close. One is silver with three bells on the bottom, amethyst on the sides, and twisted metal embellishments. The other is an antique circular shell with a kiss lock closure on a chain. I remember how I felt when I found these. Like I had uncovered a treasure. This feeling fueled my love of old things.
I loved myth and stories from another time. I became obsessed with symbolism and fell deep in love with ancient cultures, their rituals, and their adornment. Everything seemed to be infused with meaning. Jewlery was a way to celebrate the body and adorn myself in my beloved symbols. I loved stones and wearing amethyst around my neck or a little prayer in a box pendant gave meaning to the mundane.
Old things had meaning. They came with stories. Someone's grandma knitted that. This symbol dates back to the ancients of Egypt. That dress was worn by my aunt to her prom in the 70's.
In high school, I became known for my unique ways of dressing but especially for my rings. Layers of rings stacked on my fingers. I can still tell you where I got each one. Not all of them are vintage, many are. Some were new when I got them as a child but are now considered vintage because I have had them that long! My pieces are from loved ones, antique shops, artisans, travels, and garage sales. The vintage and handmade ones are always the most treasured. Those feel like talismans.
Some people cannot leave the house without makeup. I cannot leave without my jewels. I feel naked with out them. I love to layer necklaces, stack rings, and adorn my arms with bangles. Basically, if it makes me feel like a goddess temple priestess, I'm taking it home! Jewelry is that special oomph to an outfit! Pictured below are some of my favorites.
Fun fact, my husband and I made our wedding bands for each other. That band has not left my body in 10 years. My original engagement ring doesn't fit my finger anymore, and so, my husband gifted me with these two lovers for our tenth anniversary! (all three pictured below)
Thanks for peeking at my collection of jewels! It seemed fitting to start this blog with the vintage items that started it all.