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Tag: vintage clothing

Canadian Vintage Inspiration-Guest Blog Post Pt 2

Canadian Vintage Inspiration Blog Post of Vintage Fashion

Followers of my blog might remember that I recently paired up with Starlotte Satine Vintage to showcase her ‘Vintage Canadian Inspiration’ Interviews she was doing on her social media channel. It’s a project that is close to my heart, being a vintage Canadian myself and I’m excited to bring you Part 2 today (P.S. One of them is Me!). If you missed Part 1, don’t fear it’s right HERE.

About the Series:

Step inside the minds of Canadian Vintage life stylists in the modern world and find out what their passions, tips, and lives are like through my #canadianvintageinspiration hash tag! Once a week for #followfriday and #men’svintagemonday I’ll be posting Canadian vintage enthusiasts who are shaping the Canadian vintage scene and keeping it alive.

The Canadian vintage scene is much smaller than the rest of the world so I want to shine the spotlight on some of the amazing people who make Canadian vintage so great by showcasing incredible vintage fashions across Canada. I hope this project inspires others who are looking for fashion inspiration and to showcase homegrown vintage lovers. I hope to also give people an outlet to take bold risks with fashion and step outside their comfort zone.

First, up Steffi Kay.

Steffi Kay 1940s 1950s Vintage Fashion

Steffi Kay is not only a connoisseur of vintage fashion but one of the only female mind readers/ mentalists in the world. You can see her perform with her partner, Mysterion as ‘The Sentimentalists‘ (P.S. They are amazing!).

Q. What do you wish to see more of in the Canadian vintage scene especially in Ontario?

A. If there’s one thing I would encourage in the visuals of our local scene, it would be to amplify the authenticity. A modern trend that has evolved rapidly with the growth of Instagram (and I’ve noticed has made its way to the vintage world of whimsy) has been to “stand out” excessively… it’s evolved to the point that every part of every outfit has become a “statement” piece. Which, of course, takes away from an authentic vintage look. Understated elegance and function has been forgotten thanks to fast fashion and immediacy.

Steffi Kay 1940s 1950s Vintage Fashion Inspiration

Q. What’s the best piece of fashion advice you’ve ever received?

A. A valuable (and favourite) fashion tip I acquired was through a dear friend who lives across the street and has a wonderful little shop called “Frou Frou”. While shopping with my mother perusing his shop for the first time, I was maybe 14, we had found a beautiful tilt hat and I had no idea how to wear it. He noticed that the dress I had on had an asymmetrical design on the right and said “always keep the interest on one side”. It makes delectable placement without much thought for both accessories and my hair.

Steffi Kay 1940s 1950s Vintage Fashion Inspiration

Q. What is the main thing you look for when shopping for that one special piece of vintage to add to your collection?

A. My eagle eyes go for Fashion Originators labels… they date the piece between 1932 and 1941… which I think is absolutely magical as most pieces are only to be dated by production knowledge and the trends of the year.

Steffi Kay 1940s 1950s Vintage Fashion Inspiration

Q. Over the last few years your sense of style has really evolved into the ultimate vintage glamour connoisseur, what’s the main things that have inspired your sense of style and what are some tips you could share that you’ve learned while bringing your fashion game to the next level?

Steffi Kay 1940s 1950s Vintage Fashion Inspiration

A. My sense of style is driven by my love for looking genuine… I’ve always collected old magazines for collaging (I only use photocopies to cut up!) so whilst growing up I was exposed to images that were a lot different from the modern gossip and fashion magazines. What I did notice was that although the images were carefully chosen and sometimes heavily (but primitively) doctored that the trends weren’t as extreme as the standards of today. Discovering a vintage look that is more convincing involves research and lots of mental notes. Using ones imagination is wonderful, but using the mindset of someone from the decade you love and THEN using that imagination will really get you somewhere.

Steffi Kay 1940s 1950s Vintage Fashion Inspiration

Q. Being a traveling performer with the Sentimentalists and having vintage fashion play such a huge role in what you do takes up a ton of time and energy. How do you stay so glamorous on the road while staying true to your vintage lifestyle?

Steffi Kay 1940s 1950s Vintage Fashion Inspiration

A. Some months I have multiple shows nearly every single day… but I have my process down to an art. That being said, I know how to give myself a break when I need it. I truly love exercising my vintage dresses at the events I perform at. Nothing makes me happier than framing my treasures properly. The volume of shows does make things get hectic but what I’ve learned to be glamorous in a pinch is a few easy steps:

1. Find an outfit you love, find a hairstyle that can come together quickly that also won’t come out quickly.
2. Do the classic vintage makeup basics (if possible, wear waterproof eyeliner and bring make up remover for your lipstick).
3. Footwear that won’t tire you out, and a shawl or beaded cardigan in case it’s f-f-f-freezing.

All of these things are PRACTICAL. Glamour doesn’t appear glamorous if you’re miserable. If you don’t feel confident in the outfit, you’ll be distracted from having fun. If you pick a hairstyle that gets disheveled easily, you’ll be worried about how the photos will look. The waterproof eyeliner and make up remover is to prevent mishaps and if you do have one (lipstick bleed from oily foods or rubbing your eyes only to smudge your non waterproof liner) that you have solutions that prevent some make up from “ruining” your look. Your shoes should not be the reason to say no to doing things… they are only beautiful if you can walk in them.

Steffi Kay 1940s 1950s Vintage Fashion Inspiration

These are all tips to help accentuate YOU. It’s paramount to enjoy your outing and focus on feeling glamorous rather than feeling like you’ve forgotten something, that you need to take a fourth look in he mirror, or that you’re wishing you wore something else.

The more time you have the more you allocate to adding things on, but never forget the basics of comfort… because it’s hard to feel pretty if you’re too cold. Combining all of those tips with a vintage wardrobe is the golden ticket for a lasting impression.

Steffi Kay 1920s 1930s 1940s 1950s Vintage Fashion Inspiration

Make sure you follow Steffi Kay on Instagram for a weekly dose of vintage glamour in your life.

Steffi Kay 1940s 1950s Vintage Fashion

 

Lastly for today’s post, it’s ME the Vintage Inn Blog! Check out my interview below (Thanks for letting me be part of the experience Starlotte!).

The Vintage Inn Blog Vintage Fashion Vintage History Vintage Life Lindy Hop 1940s 1930s 1950s

Q. How has Lindy Hop influenced your vintage lifestyle/ fashion and what got you started in swing dance in the first place?Vintage Inn Blog Swing Dancing Lindy Hop Vintage Style

A. I started swing dancing because for as long as I can remember I have loved the music from the 1930’s & 40s. My grandfather had a pretty awesome big band collection and I would always go thru his music when I would visit, and I would ask for this to be played and that to be played. It was a great way to step back in time for a few hours.

BUT it was not until the late 90’s when the famous Jump, Jive & Wail GAP commercial aired and the movie “Swing Kids” hit the theatres that I knew that Swing Dancing (Lindy hop) needed to be in my life. It would not be until almost 10 years later that I would get that chance, but another 10 years later, I am still in love.

Now my vintage style emerged from my dancing. I have always loved clothing from other eras and I would spend hours drawing my own designs of styles long gone but growing up in Sarnia, there were really no “vintage stores” and everyone just dressed pretty much mainstream, so I did the same.

It was only after I moved to Toronto for Fashion School in 1999, that my eyes were open to this whole new world of “vintage clothing”, but I still kept my mainstream style.

Then Lindy Hop entered my life in 2008 and I no longer felt comfortable heading out in jeans and t-shirts, I needed 40’s dresses, 50’s circle skirts (to name just some of the items in my closet), vintage hairstyles, the shoes and purses to match.

Once those clothes landed on my body, I 100% felt that I had found the “REAL LIZ”. it felt so very right and I have not looked back since (while I will admit that once in a while “mainstream Liz will make an appearance or two).Vintage Inn Blog Vintage Fashion Vintage History 1930s 1940s 1950s 1920s

 

Q. When did you create The Vintage Inn and what was your main reason for wanting to blog vintage experiences?Vintage Inn Blog Vintage Fashion Vintage History 1930s 1940s 1950s 1920s

A. I created the Vintage Inn because I am fascinated by the time periods between the 1920’s and the 1960’s. The history, clothing, music, etc. and I wanted to share my passion with others who might feel the same way.

I was also wanted to have a more Canadian component to my blog, which was often missed in many blogs posting about the same time period. So when you visit my blog, you will not only see vintage images from the 1940s, but you might also learn about where people went dancing in Ontario during the Swing Era and what classic movie stars were born in Canada. Topics like these are really why I wanted to start my blog.

Vintage Inn Blog Vintage Fashion Vintage History 1930s 1940s 1950s 1920s

Q. What’s your favourite piece of Toronto’s/ Canada’s vintage fashion history?

A. This is an easy one; it’s hands down the story of Veronica Foster, the original rosie the riveter. But in Canada she was actually called the ‘Bren Gun Girl’ and came BEFORE Rosie was invented. Veronica worked in the Bren Gun Factory right here in Toronto and became the poster girl for the Canadian Home-front Effort.Veronica Foster-The Original Rosie the Riveter blog post by www.vintageinn.ca

Q. What’s one place you’d recommend to someone wanting to travel to experience the ultimate vintage experience?

A. Oh, this a good question! I love travelling and have been to many places that have several wonderful vintage elements to them but I think for the purpose of this interview I would say, ‘Havana, Cuba’.

If you love Art Deco Design (which I do) and the 1950’s, then Havana is your place. Spend a weekend there, stay in the hotel where Ernest Hemingway lived for several years (I did), get a ride in an authentic 1950’s Bel-Air, walk around the Historic Quarter and look up to all the beautiful Art Deco Buildings towering over you, sit down in a bar and listen to the beautiful Cuban Music playing and then while drinking a classic Mojito, close your eyes and soon you can see 1950’s Cuba in it’s heyday. That my friends is a true vintage experience.

Vintage Inn Blog Vintage Fashion Vintage History 1930s 1940s 1950s 1920s

 

That is it for today but if you would like to read ahead and see the other Canadian’s featured thus far, please visit Starlotte Satine Vintage’s Facebook Page or Instagram.

In a vintage online buying mood? Then you have to check out the store’s Etsy Page HERE.

I hope you enjoyed the first of many in this series (thank you to Starlotte for putting this together) and if you know of anyone that should be featured please reach out in the comments below or via the social media links above.

Thank you!

Liz

Vintage Clothing Labels-Hidden Works of Art

If you own a vintage clothing item and you are lucky enough to have the label still attached, go and take a look at it. Is it just a standard text label with no style or does it have a fancy design? If it has a fancy design, then you are lucky to have a hidden work of art.

1940s Vintage Clothing Label for Sasperilla
Source: Pinterest

Disclosure: Some of the links on my blog from Etsy , eBay, are Affiliate Links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. 

Note: If you click on an item and it is no longer available, don’t fret! The websites I have provided are updated daily with 1000’s of new & vintage items. Just do a quick search and see what you find.

Labels are also an excellent way to date a garment. Here is a great post by ‘Vintage Life’ on the “11 Ways to know its Vintage by Labels & Tags“. Give it a read after your done browsing this post.

vintage clothing label with an airplane on it for Aero of Boston.
1940’s – Source: Pinterest

Vintage Clothing Labels-Hidden Works of Art

The Vintage Examples….

The Kahala – For the liberty house Waiki. Made in Honolulu. LOVE The tropical look.

Vintage Clothing Label-The Kahala Made in Honolulu
Source: Flickr

Charm – featuring a woman in a swimsuit.

Vintage Garment Label / Vintage  for Charm featuring a woman in a swimsuit
Source: Pinterest

1930’s Nanette Shirley Temple brand toddler dress garment label.

ABOUT THIS BRAND: Shirley Temple was 5 when she made her film debut. Her 1930s and ’40s retail dresses were designed like her movie costume dresses, in a toddler style even though she wasn’t a toddler. They were made by Nannette Manufacturing Co. of New York City, a division of Rosenau Brothers. The basic design was a skirt with soft pleats and contrasting collar. Fabrics were cotton, organdy and dotted Swiss in prints, plaids, checks and embroidery. There wasn’t much trimming, maybe a small bow, an appliqued figure or narrow lace edging. A 1936 newspaper advertised Shirley Temple dresses for $1.89 each. Dresses for older little girls were made by Cinderella, also a division of Rosenau (Source).

1930's tagged Nanette Shirley Temple brand toddler dress garmet label

Playboy Clothes vintage garment label.

Playboy Clothes vintage garment label
Source: Pinterest

SWIRL’s 1950’s garment label is fantastic and very brand appropriate.

Swirl 1950's vintage Dress brand. Vintage Garment Label
Source: Pinterest

Mr Boots 1960s Vintage Garment Clothing Label.

Mr Boots 1960s Vintage Garment Clothing Label

This was a beautiful label so I added it to the collection even though it’s from an era that is a bit earlier then I usually blog about here. Vintage Lucile Dress Label-1916.

Vintage Lucile Dress Garment Label 1916-1917
Source: The Met

Sally Victor. Spring/summer 1960.

Sally Victor Clothing Label Spring Summer 1960s-Vintage
Source: Pinterest

Fashioned by Dainty Togs Inc. 1950s clothing label.

Vintage 1950's Clothing Garment Label
Source: Pinterest

Lumber King – 100% wool. This 1950s clothing label features a lumberjack (very appropriate).

1950s Vintage Garment Clothing Label for the Lumber King
Source: Pinterest

1950s Sport Time of California Vintage Dress Label.

1950s Sport Time of California Vintage Dress Label
Source: Pinterest

1940’s White Mountain Ski Wear.

1940s White Mountain Ski Outfit Vintage Garment Label
Source: Vintage Traveler

Betty Jane – 1940s Girls dress vintage garment label.

Betty Jane 1940s Girls dress vintage garment label
Source: Pinterest

Here are 2 labels from my own collection of vintage clothing. ‘Marvel’ from a 1950s house dress (seen HERE).

1950's Vintage Garment Clothing Label on a vintage dress

Flair of Miami. I love this 1950s tag, I just wish someone had not taken a marker to it.

1950s Vintage Clothing Garment Label on a vintage dress

Lastly, do you have some vintage labels that you would love to have more information on? Then makes sure you visit the ‘Vintage Fashion Guild Free Label Resource‘ page. It’s filled with loads of wonderful labels and their history.

Vintage Fashion Guild Label Resource

Question Time: Do you have a favourite label on an item of clothing you own? Or did you have a favourite from above? Share in the comments below!

FURTHER READING:

Liz