Perennial Vintage Supply: July 2024

Vintage '80s Wide Leg Levi's Women's Sailor Style Jeans

It's always fun finding vintage fashion that is currently on trend.

Take these sailor-style denim wide-leg jeans for example. This is THE look for a woman right now: high-waisted, wide-leg, roomy thigh, lightweight denim.

These are early '80s Levi's Misses (Levi's branched out in the 1970s with their ladies' lines) jeans.

I wish they were a little longer (I don’t particularly like the cropped wide leg but do LOVE a wide leg) for me to keep (ha!) but I'm super happy to have found them anyway.

I don't think cropped was the intended length back when they made them in the early '80s. These were made for a more petite woman (5'4" or under). But it sure is perfect for right now.

Oh, and this is a vintage size 10 - the waist is 25" which is like a modern size 0. FYI.

It’s in the shop.

Ahoy!

Thrift Haul │ Vintage Thrifted Finds July 30, 2024

The color palate for most of the things I source for my shop tends to be this: blue, black, olive green, and brown, with the occasional white or ivory and wild print thrown in (usually a Hawaiian shirt or dress is the bright culprit.)

I'm not exclusive to those colors, but they are my favorites, so that's what I "see" when I'm out and what ends up in my arms. And today was no exception.

Today's haul was nice.

vintage '80s denim vest
vintage '70s/ '80s Levi's jeans for women (yay!)
vintage '70s fringe suede vest
vintage '60s two-piece tweed skirt set (love!)
vintage '50s/'60s Hawaiian shirt
vintage '90s New Orleans Mug
two vintage '90s belts
one vintage Pyrex Homestead pattern lid for 99 cents (for my collection!)

Now that we're almost to August, the summer slump is beginning to dwindle. The moment August first comes up on the calendar, people think Fall and back-to-school and sales - that normally wane through the summer months - are right back to normal.

October through December are my super months - a huge bulk of my sales comes then as Christmas shoppers pave the way for higher-than-normal averages as well as from folks buying winter wear, which happens to be the majority of my shop.

Thanks for taking a peek at my thrifted finds haul. ♥

So happy to find random Pyrex Lids. Especially for 99 cents. I needed this one!

Vintage Mug Monday │Vintage '80s Seattle Space Needle Mug

This is an awesome ‘80s Space Needle mug. I’ve never seen this one before with its wider base.

Love the colors in this piece, too.

There are Space Needle collectors out there so this one with sell quickly. It’s in the shop.

Happy Monday! May your mug be vintage and your coffee (refilled perpetually) be hot.

Vintage Marilyn Monroe Dress

I love this dress that Marilyn Monroe is wearing (I think she's at a press event with a journalist here in 1954.)

She favored several designers - and wore a gazillion dresses - but I'm not sure which designer this is.

She looked good in all the dresses she wore, but there's just something about this cut that looks spectacular on her.

It could be Ceil Chapman, but maybe not. It could be Don Loper, but again, I just don't know. Wouldn't it be amazing to thrift one like this?

A dream come true. I'd have to wear it a little first before selling it. Hee hee...

I'm currently reading her autobiography. It was published a decade after her death. It's fascinating.

Have a wonderful weekend.

Thank God it's vintage Friday!

TGIVF

Lilly Pulitzer │ Vintage '60s Silver Lilly Pulitzer Dress

If you live on the East Coast or in the South, there's a good chance you know who designer Lilly Pulitzer is and how she got her start.

If you live in the West or North, well, let's be honest... you probably don't care.

So who is this designer Lilly Pulitzer? And why should we care?

Let me paint you a picture. Think about Florida - Palm Beach to be exact. Think bright colors and that you like making juice and selling this citrus blend because you own orange groves.

Then think about this: customers spill juice on their dresses. How do we fix this? With a great idea, that's what (necessity is the mother of invention after all).

Pulitzer began to create dresses that hid said juice in the pattern. The dresses were as bright as the dresses. Spillage problem solved!

That's how Lilly Pulitzer started about 60 years ago and the rest is history.

Lilly Pulitzer’s history is steeped rich in the East Coast all along the Eastern seaboard. People who live Cape Cod or the Northeast tend to vacation in the South. So, Lilly's works spread like the wild flame that it was and still is. Women loved her designs.

As I said, the West Coast doesn't know Lilly as well. We sort of just don't care, because it didn't start here (we are rather snobbish when it comes to fashion - if we didn't invent it, we don't care).

Not to mention, we have mastered the art of "California casual" which means dressing up is a rarity (most unfortunately).

This is a shame. And I hope it changes. It's nice when people look nice; like they care.

Lilly Pulitzer was a designer born out of a need. Her brightly colored shift dresses began in the late 1950s and continue today.

I occasionally find Lilly dresses even out here in California, and when I do, it's like a bright explosion of happiness.

The colors are vivid (easy to spot) and knowing that the dressed made it out here to the furthest realms of California fashion is a treat.

I just listed one of the least most colorful dresses she ever made. It's a metallic thread silver and ivory sheath. It's sparkly and gorgeous and I've owned her for about eight years.

I decided to list it in my shop, as someone else (like someone in the South or East) would get more use out of it. But, I have worn her. She's a gem.

She's a 1960s dress does 1920s with a dropped waist and fringe. She is stunning.

And she's in the shop.

-Heather

Vintage Outfit of the Day │ Summer Gingham Goodness

Yesterday, I wore a (nearly) complete vintage outfit - only the sandals were newer.

Gingham is a fun summer pattern. It makes me think of picnics, outdoor activities, and laughter. Gingham is an instant happy maker - it sparks joy.

My vintage outfit of the day:

‘60s blouse
‘70s belt
‘70s denim 501s
‘80s woven purse

The purse is a special one. My mom owned it but eventually, she didn’t want it - but I did! - so she gave it to me.

It’ll forever be my most valuable bag. ♥

The rest of the items were all thrifted, the sandals are Tory Burch in the Miller style.

-Heather

Gunne Sax Skirt │ Vintage '80s Calico Style Gunne Sax Skirt

Here's the Gunne Sax Skirt I just found.

I come across Gunne Sax, whether it's a dress, skirt, or blouse, once a year on average.

Twice a year if I've been a good girl.

They're just not easy to find anymore. So this beautiful skirt was like striking gold.

In fact, my wedding dress was a Jessica McClintock dress that I found at the Gunne Sax outlet in San Francisco 25 years ago.

Sadly, that shop is no longer there... such an iconic place. In fact, so many people ask about this place still that Yelp still has its place on review, though feedback posts are from 2012!

So Gunne has a place in my heart.

She's tiny... a 22" waist.

A lot of Gunne Sax clothing was sized for petite or small women and girls. So, it's difficult to find larger sizes.

Plus, women just aren't as small anymore. Over the last forty years, our waists have increased, but that's also because we're taller!

I don't fit her, but wish I did.♥

She's in the shop.

-H

Vintage Haul │ July 23, 2023 Thrifted Finds

When I find both Gunne Sax AND vintage Levi's 501s on the same day, it's obviously going to be a great day.

Today's thrifted finds (my usual day for sourcing for my shop) were decent, to be sure.

Two pairs of vintage '80s USA made 501s Levi's
One Vintage '80s Gunne Sax skirt
One '80s Pebble Beach cardigan (I love this thing)
One all-wool '80s vest

Those vintage denim fades just can't be duplicated. Look at those blues.

And the details on this calico-inspired cotton Gunne Sax skirt are, as usual, spectacular.

Of course, all will be headed to the shop this week.

Thanks for thrifting with me!

-Heather

Vintage Mug Monday │ Vintage CBer Trucker Mug

I love this mug.

It's all the "sayings" a trucker, or CBer, would potentially say.

It's also made by Fire-King, which is a bonus. I love all things Fire-King.

It's in the shop.

May your coffee be hot and your mug vintage.

Happy Monday, my vintage friends.

And as the CBers say, "3's and Other Good Numbers!"

Robert Frost │ A Writer's Wisdom

I saw this quote by Robert Frost the other day.

If this was true when he quoted it (back in the day), how truer is it now with the internet and social media?

I find people talk too much, say too much, bleed their hearts too much, and talk a lot of nonsense all because they have an audience.

Sometimes, I wish those who posted all the time would stop posting. A little mystery would be nice. A little wondering about their activities would be refreshing.

And those who don't post often should post a little more.

Robert Frost was a wise man. And I love his poetry.

Everyone has something important to say; everyone is important ... except for those who have set up their world to be self-important.

It's far more palatable for everyone if we forget about ourselves.

And far more potent to live a life invested in speaking words of wisdom (in person) and more forethought.

As Proverbs 19:20 says, "Do you see someone who speaks in haste? There is more hope for a fool than for them."

Yep. Thank God it's (Vintage) Friday.

Have a great weekend.

-H

Vintage Snowflake Blue Pyrex Casserole

Finding vintage Pyrex for my collection is an arduous activity these days. I already have so many pieces.

So, when I'm out sourcing for my shop, I see many pieces of Pyrex, but they're repeats. I don't need repeats.

When I found this Snowflake Blue pattern casserole 502, I was thrilled. I need quite a few more mixing bowls and a few more casseroles to complete the set, but as always, I'm not deterred by time.

I will find them. If I'm patient and willing to wait and thrift as often as I can (or when I have five minutes to hop in a thrift), that's all I need. Those are the rules for collecting anything you desire.

Patience, time, and the willingness to look OFTEN.

It's worked for the past three and half years I've been collecting Pyrex and I know it continues to work.

This newest piece of the Snowflake Blue (also sometimes called Garland) is proof. I love the blue. It's deep blue with white accents and some of the pieces are white with blue accents.

The price says $12.99 but I ONLY paid $6.50. It was half off!

Want to know how I keep track of all the patterns? This book is the answer.

Pyrex Passion. It's the best book on Pyrex out there. If you love vintage Pyrex, want to collect it, or just love knowing about the patterns, this book is a must. I use it constantly as a reference book.

Cheers!

Thrift Haul │ Vintage Thrift Day July 16, 2024

My recent weeks' thrift hauls have been quite superfluous.

Yesterday's haul was the opposite of that. It was miniscule.

But, it wasn't bad. It consisted of two denim items: a pair of '90s baggy overalls for women and a petite denim '80s LL Bean jean jumper.

I can never go wrong with denim (my fave) and I can never go wrong with overalls and LL Bean.

It was a great mini-mini haul. In the shop ASAP...

-Heather

Salt Water Sandals │Revisiting My Youth One Step at a Time

A view of feet wearing salt water sandals

When I was young, say four or five years old, I remember fondly a pair of sandals I wore and loved. Those wonderfully sturdy but classic sandals were Salt Water Sandals.

After thinking about these sandals the other day, and randomly seeing an ad for them, I began to contemplate the history of the company. I knew the company was older, and I figured they'd started in the 1960s.

I was wrong. They began in 1944 out of the need for leather sandals with very little leather available.

This was in the middle of World War Two. Everything was rationed. Most leather was needed for military supplies so a shoemaker named "Walter Hoy started cobbling sandals using scrap materials from a military boot factory"(Salt Water Sandals Website).

Recently, after a pair of sandals I owned wore out, I figured now was the time to bring back my youthful spirit and vigor and buy a pair of sandals I wore decades ago.

I purchase a pair of olive green classic cut Salt Water Sandals, for a great price (leather upper, leather insert, and manmade sole). They fit every bit the same and I'm smitten with them. Comfortable, with very little break-in needed, they're beautiful, soft, comfy, and adorable.

Olive green is my favorite color, so this choice was easy. While the sandals probably aren't made in the USA anymore, I do love supporting a company that's been around for nearly 80 years.

You too can find some via their website, and of course, there are some available on Amazon, usually overstock and sometimes at slightly better prices. But, the Salt Water Sandal website has a plethora of new styles and colors along with the classic Hoy Salt Water Sandal... the very one I used to have.

Now, I have a pair once more. I feel a little bit younger; like I've made a trip back in time. Life truly is cyclical. And I'm so glad it is. It's a chance to revisit what we love, and what we've lost, and to regain that love once more.

It's a balm to my soul and memory...

Vintage Mug Monday │ Vintage '70s Floral Speckled Mug

This little guy was 99 cents. Didn't have this pattern, so he came home with me last week.

And he looks great with the rest of my vintage mug collection.

Have a wonderful Monday, my vintage friends.

May your coffee be hot and your mug vintage...

I don't actually keep ALL of the mugs I don't have. It's tempting, always. But I sell many of the ones I find in my Etsy shop. Just an FYI.

Happy Mug Monday.

Vintage Labels │ Identifying Vintage Clothing │ Vintage Label Love

I just photographed and drafted fifteen items of clothing for my vintage shop yesterday. I had a lot of labels to look at.

And I wanted to give you a sample of the labels.

Labels are an important part of the piece of clothing. Often, many labels fade, fall off, or are removed over the years, so when the piece still has the label, it helps to identify the piece's decade, who made it, and where it was made.

It's literal icing on the vintage cake.

Below is a perfect sample. Here are 10 labels of my most recent batch of clothing I'll be listing in the shop. The labels have changed in fabric as well as size over the years. But the diversity is lovely, as is the fact that this batch of 10 items comes from the 1950s through to the early 2000s.

Many times, today's clothing has been screen-printed or lasered on labels, so once that's washed off, there's nothing to know about the piece.

I prefer actual labels (even if they itch your neck.) Label love is a real thing in the vintage community. A piece is still magnificent without the label, but with it, there's even more to love about the item.

Over the years, with research and repeated viewings, you learn to discern what era or decade each piece comes from. It's not 100% accurate; I'm not 100% correct. For example, some items I think are '70s are actually from the '60s decade.

A great website to learn more about labels is Vintage Fashion Guild. Incredibly helpful website about vintage clothing.

It's trial and error, for me. After nearly fifteen years of selling vintage, I'm still learning new things about vintage clothing every day. Which is a beautiful thing. But, as a vintage lover, wearer, and seller, I love vintage labels with every part of my being.