Saturday, May 26, 2007

How Vintage Are You?

I love vintage fashion. My collection is slowly but surely building up. Somehow, the interest in shopping for "normal" clothes currently in fashion is no longer as big a draw for me. The thought that someone else could be wearing the same mass-produced dress I have on. Sure I still shop for these, as I can't be wearing vintage everyday.

But I so much prefer browsing through the racks of clothes at Granny's Day Out, Deja Vu Vintage etc etc. It's a strange, inexplicable feeling, knowing that something you are wearing was worn by someone 30, 40 years ago. You wonder who wore that, what was she like, where she had been, how many hands it passed through. Some of them were hand-made, which add even greater character to the pieces. The oldest piece I recently acquired was a dark, navy blue dress from the 50s. Some people call it the yellow armpit clothes. I love them!

Thanks to the tip-off from Pillotalks, I ran over (literally) to Raffles City during lunch yesterday to check out the Vintage Bazaar at the basement. Her sms went, "Dustbunny Vintage, Granny's Day Out and more at rc basement. Just spent some money there. Thought you might want to check out during lunch."

My loot of the day.... and you know you have reached another level of being into vintage wear, when you not only pay 100-over bucks for clothes that are old, they are torn too. The opened up seams can be sewn back, my precious lil' dress. *contented smile*

16 comments:

yuling said...

nice dress!! i love vintage too, but eh, i think many times before spending that kind of money.. :I

pillo said...

Oh yah! Looking at your blog I now remember you asking me to post my "loot" online. OK the next time you check out my blog, you'll see my "yellow armpit" collection - thank God they were both sleeveless pieces... :-)

Jemej said...

yuling > thanks! i was attracted to the frills around the collar and the sleeves. this one was a little more expensive than normal. Usually, they cost around 80-90 bucks.

pillo > hoho, sleeveless cannot have yellow armpit then, hohoho!

Sharon Koh (XHPS) said...

I like your vintage dress! me likey vintage stuff too .. hee but they are usually quite pricey!

Little Miss Snooze said...

Nice dress!but I quite *anal* about vintage...I rather go for vintage-inspired,which may not be as nice I know.

Jemej said...

sharon > Thanks! Yeah, i was attracted to the collar frills first! *gulps* yes, usually pricey, esp knowing you are paying for "old" clothes. =p

lilsnooze > thanks! have you checked out deja vu vintage at mandarin gallery? their clothes are really well restored, no "yellow armpits". yes, surprising, a lot of effort has been put into making them as good as new again. go try it! :)

mummybean said...

i have to say i've never really given vintage a chance, but i think it's very you! :)

Jemej said...

I didn't think i would like vintage, till i tried them on. you'll get hooked. hsiao ying does a fantastic job at recommending which you can carry off, and how to match with accessories. Try it! :)

Anonymous said...

u look good in this!!!

i like the look. but i can never fit into the vintage dress. i'm so prepared to buy and i've tried every single one frm deja vu because i love their selections and i just can't squeeze in!! boohooo! :( never mind. i'll just look at your buys,photos and drool.

domestic rat said...

Vintage dresses, even if slightly worn-out are still more acceptable than er, vintage bags!

Jemej said...

imp > thanks babe :)

are you sure? can't they do alterations? Have you checked out granny's day out? maybe better luck there?

domestic rat > hahaha, uh... bingo! i just bought a couple of vintage bags. I was quite anal about them too, luckily these 2 were in pretty decent condition.

Anonymous said...

Not everyone suit vintage.. with so many wearing vintage these days, I think its also becoming abit 'mass'.

Used to be that 'such vintage' can be 'thrifted' and a steal.. nowadays its just so expensive..

Jemej said...

Hi! True, agree with you on that. I guess every one does have a certain style that one would be more comfortable with.

Antiques become more expensive as time passes too! :)

michelle said...

haiyoh... that reminds me. my friend's birthday party theme is retro. still haven't thought of what to wear yet! don't think i have anything leh!

Anonymous said...

i saw the ad and thought of you! hee... you look good in that blouse. :)

Jemej said...

michelle > if anything else, the simplest could be just a coloured hairband and/or some coloured plastic earrings?!! :D

lilmsbead-a-lot > thanks gal! :)