I hate backpacks. I always (somehow) offend people when I say this but it’s how I feel. I think they are ugly, bulky and make people look like turtles. My bitterness for backpacks comes from being squished by the accessory on the subway. Why do you have so many things on you? Do you really need all those textbooks? This is very poor commuting etiquette.
The problem? I need one. I bike a lot when the weather permits and as lovely as it looks to wear a purse it’s not very practical and dangerous if it slips off. So when I found this lovely and weird vintage-y option I scooped it right up. If I’m going to wear this weird contraption it may as well have majestic animals on it.
Found at: Value Village, $5
Categories: Blog, Toronto Vintage
Hey guys! As usual I got hooked on a certain embellishment after using it, (ie. Fringe Collar) so I decided to add it to the shoulders of my t-shirt dress which I wore as a shirt in the pic below.
Categories: Blog, Do It Yourself
In our final year at Ryerson, Fashion Communication students have to do a self-directed capstone project. The subject is of your choosing and it can be absolutely anything and not necessarily fashion-related. In our program we focus on visual communication through design with courses like graphic design, typography, illustration, photography, etc so our projects are going to be very broad from paintings, events, brand books, websites, etc. My project relates to My Vintage Secret. As you know, I shop mostly in thrift stores and re-use a lot of clothing. I wanted my project to reflect this idea of clothing as valuable and recyclable in a time that promotes “fast fashion” so I constructed a clothing sculpture. Below, is a piece that I made with donations (thanks to everyone who donated!) which I manipulated into what I hope is seen as something beautiful. In the middle is a white space (white clothing) for my do-it-yourself stop motion videos to be projected onto. After spending four straight days finalizing the sculpture I am 98% done! I just handed in these photos to my prof to mark and the next step is installing it at the exhibition which starts April 7th and continues until the 10th. Without further ado, here is my ultimate DIY.
Categories: Blog, Do It Yourself, featured
I love vintage (surprise!) and when I tell others about My Vintage Secret it prompts them to share their amazing finds and stories (Yaay!). Since I enjoy hearing vintage love so much I thought you would too so I’ve decided to start posting mini vintage interviews! I have asked one of my favourite people, Breanna Hughes from one of my favourite blogs, Unbrelievable, to tell me some of her vintage secrets. Enjoy!
What draws you to vintage?
Honestly, I’m new to vintage shopping. I am a tech nerd, so I feel I lack the creative eye, but I started getting a bit more brave and trying new things and now I’m hooked! I like how you know you’ll walk into a party and not be wearing the same thing as someone else. Plus, it’s hard work, so you feel like you’ve earned your outfit.
When did you first shop in a vintage store? Do you remember your first purchase?
My first vintage shop was my moms closet. She was a huge hippie, and has amazing style so I love going through her closet and her old clothes. My favourite and first item was this bag, and I wear it ALL the time.
What is your best Vintage find?
The aforementioned bag, or this amazing necklace my grandmother brought back from India and gave it to my mom when she was still just dating my dad. It has since been passed on to me, and it means even more since my grandmother has passed.
Everyone seems to be addicted to certain vintage accessories or garments? (For me it’s belts) What vintage items are you obsessed with?
At first it was purses, since I have a hard time finding clothes that fit me right (and I’m an awful sewer). Then it was shoes, but now it’s BELTS GALORE. I just bought 5 from 69 Vintage the other week.
Right now, what era does your style fit into? What are your favourite trends from this time?
My style fits into nothing. It’s so different day to day. Sometimes I wear expensive, more put together outfits. Sometimes I wear jeans and a tee. In the summer, it’s all about comfort and I love my little hippie style. I’m loving the 90s Party of Five style right now. I just bought a few pairs of brogues and a pair of oxfords. I’ve been finding a lot of vintage floral dresses that I SWEAR Neve Campbell wore.
Is there a vintage accessory or garment that you crave?
I have been on the hunt for the perfect fur shawl, and I’m just not happy with what I’ve found. (I’m sorry PETA!)
When you go vintage shopping do you have a vintage buddy or prefer shopping alone? What is your vintage shopping process?
Since I’m still just learning, I like to have a buddy with me who knows better than me and can tell me what looks bad or not. It’s so easy to walk away with the entire store when everything is so cheap. I always say “but it’s only $2.99″, but you need that conscience reminding you that you will never wear it. And that closet real estate is hard to come by.
My process is definitely shoes and accessories first. I feel that the good ones will get snapped up quickly, so I always am in a bigger rush to go for them.
If you could steal anyone’s style from the past whose would it be?
I think all fashion is pretty much stolen from the past, no? I love Katherine Hepburns menswear for woman style. I have to have a wardrobe that I can also wear to work, so I love wearing oversized collared shirts and baggier slacks.
Was there a TV show or celebrity/musician from your childhood who influenced your early style?
I think I speak for most girls of my generation when I say Drew Barrymore. I will never forget her daisy pictures and dark lips. I used to wear dark lipstick all the time. I also had a, yup, “Rachel” haircut.
Do you own anything that you want to pass down?
For my university graduation, I received a VERY beautiful pearl necklace from my grandfather. That will go down the family tree most definitely.
Do you have a favourite vintage store? If you shop online where do shop for vintage?
Etsy is great for vintage and it’s honestly where I do most of my shopping. Ebay is more risky I find. I love public butter, because I find they don’t jack up the prices too much. I also love bungalow, because they mix old and new, which is very much my style. San Francisco has AMAZING vintage shopping in the Mission. I brought most my items back from there.
What is your most memorable vintage item/story?
I bought a vintage dress with a bit of what I thought was shoulder padding. I washed it by hand, dried it, and put it on for the day. Throughout the day, I kept noticing a yellow powder on my dress and i had no idea where it was coming from. We went on a wild goose chase looking for where the yellow was coming from. Turns out there were two yellow chalk like tablets in my shoulders, it wasn’t padding at all. I think they might have been mothballs? Gross.
Thanks Bre!
Do you know someone else that has great vintage stories and would like to be featured? Email me at kaitlin@myvintagesecret.com
The Result
I have an addictive personality. Whether it’s food, clothing, or magazines, whenever I find or rediscover something I like I will buy/eat/do it over and over again, like The Great Peanut Butter and Jam Sandwich Addiction of November ‘09 where I had about two per day. My addictive personality touches all parts of my life including my Do-it-yourself projects. So yes, I have done another grommet DIY! If you look back (waaaay back to three weeks ago) I have already done a DIY with grommets but I have had way too many ideas whirling around in my brain on how to play with grommets that I just had to do another one (and maybe more, again, my brain whirls). In any case, I hope you like my newest DIY!
Categories: Blog, Do It Yourself
The Find
A Bitter Fashion Memory
I have found a lot of great items in the kids department in thrift stores. The boys section always produces some nice blazers but this time I found something from the girl’s section – a little floral dress circa 90s, the days of Full House, Family Matters and Sister Sister. I seriously think my cousin owned this at one time. I remember the pretty flowers and soft fabric which turned out to be rayon – a material, I found out, my mother wanted nothing to do with as it’s hand wash only. So there I was stuck with my practical and boring, easy-to-wash cotton t-shirt and jeans while my cousin ran around in her flowing dress that didn’t let her skin breathe properly. I was so jealous! But today I am happy to have finally redeemed this painful childhood moment of my past. And to my, Mother (who would probably roll her eyes at this repressed fashion memory) I say, “It may have taken me eleven years to find but this dress is finally a part of my wardrobe. So there!”
Before & After
Categories: Blog, Do It Yourself
Check out my latest post at My Vintage Addiction!
Rainy Days Ahead! Gear Up with Vintage
Categories: Blog
Hello! Sorry for the late night DIY but I’m a student so…. there. With the homework out of the way I would like to show you this easy do-it-yourself project. I wore this fringe tee today and let me tell you, fringe is fun! I’m one of those people who enjoy/annoy other people by swinging in chairs. Fringe is the grown-up version of a fun chair swing. Without further ado I hope you like my latest DIY!
What You Need:
- One tshirt: I got mine from Salvation army for $1.50
- Fringe: I paid $3 for this fringe which was in a package of remnants (leftovers) at Sussman’s Bridal on Queen, normally this size is $18/yard
Instructions:
- Find a tshirt
- Pin on the fringe or other trim of your choice
- Sew directly on making sure the fringe doesn’t go under the needle. One thing to note is that if you’re using a sewing machine make sure the tension is loose otherwise the fringe will get sucked up.
Gallery:
Total Cost of DIY: $4.50
Categories: Blog, Do It Yourself
In a Poll I asked you “What Vintage Accessory do you own the most of?” Here are the results:
30% Jewelry
27% Shoes
25% Purses
9% Belts
9% Scarves
0% Hats
First of all, thanks for participating! I really love that there are so many vintage jewelry and shoes running around out there! I am surprised however, that more people didn’t have vintage belts – there are so many amazing ones out there! Obviously, this is the accessory I have to most of. I have over 40 and I have to stop myself from purchasing them now. Here’s my collection:
Most Interesting Belt:
One of these belts… Keep on Reading »
Shopping is the only way I’m going to get out on a day like this so I thought I would share this map to let you know about this great area for vintage clothing. The amazing map was made by artist Keith Jones and can be found at any of the locations. (Thanks Silver Falls for the artist info!) It’s a great way to show the vintage shops in the area as I’m sure some of them get missed (like Penny Arcade – had no idea it was there, and it’s definitely worth visiting!) I rediscovered this map again in my messy room and wanted to scan it in for you guys. Just click each picture to make it bigger.
A tidbit about each store:
Categories: Toronto Vintage