Keep Your Vintage Smelling Good

Often times when I’ve gone thrift store shopping, I can’t help but notice the particular smell that “old” clothing when I walk into the shop. It hasn’t stopped my from buying a piece I adore, but that funk is a tad off-putting. Has this happened to you?

As I was browsing through my RSS last week, I came upon this little gem from Valet Magazine. In their 31 Days of Tips & Tricks, tip no. 10 talked about how to get “the fix for that vintage funk” and it’s rather simple. According to Janie Bryant, the costume designer for the hit TV series Mad Men, “All you have to do is mix one part vodka with two parts water in a spray bottle.” The article doesn’t say you have to spray it on the clothes, but just to be clear, you will need to. Just mixing two liquids together doesn’t clean clothes, but it can make a nice drink. 😀

image from Valet Magazine

And there you have it! Simple and easy.

Have you found anything else that works better?

Love Vintage: A Passion for Collecting Fashion

This looks like a fantastic book! Do any of you own this book? Have you flipped through it? What is your personal review?

Here is a great review from Super Kawaii Mama!

Information provided by seller:

Love Vintage takes the reader on a charming visual and literary journey through the annals of 20th-century fashion design.

With beautiful photography and an elegant text, It effortlessly reveals both the recurring themes of fashion whilst also identifying the distinct features and innovations of each era.

Vintage clothing is much valued, not least because if its graceful and fluid appearance, but also on account of the wearability and durability of the garments. Unlike the mass-manufactured clothing of today, where garments are more-often-than-not two-sided grabs of fabric hastily stitched together, much of the clothing of the past was designed to be refashioned and reworn as time went by. They were shaped garments, structured in three dimensions, and designed to impose form upon the wearer.

Love Vintage covers both the glamorous and everyday garments of the past and, despite the apparent complexity of some, shows how each was perfectly designed to suit the occasion for which it was worn. They were ultimately so much more functional, wearable and sustainable than the clothing of today.

The book also contains a wealth of information about fashion design, of high value to both the experienced and novice collector, together with an inspirational collection of photography that helps describe each piece to its full. Also included are valuable notes on dress construction, vintage designers, and fabrics.

This book is the culmination of almost 30 years of studying, collecting and repairing vintage clothes, fuelled by a passion for the art of design and a humble respect for the dressmaking skills of a bygone era that brought such creative visions into reality.

Nicole Jenkins is a costume designer, vintage clothing afficionado, and owner of the highly respected vintage clothing store, CIRCA, in the heart of Melbourne’s vintage district in Gertrude Street, Fitzroy.

Click here to buy!

2nd Annual Seattle Vintage Fashion Runway Show

Well, the 2nd Annual Seattle Vintage Fashion Runway Show and Lecture just happened on December 4th as part of the Killer Diller Weekend, and here are some snaps of the gorgeous vintage clothes, circa 1920-1950, that were on display. If you’re a swing dancer, you’ll recognize some familiar faces strutting their stuff on the runway, and some of you may also know the mastermind behind the event, Lorraine O’Neal. Photos are by Jared Luxenberg. Click on the photo to see it larger. Enjoy!

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