Thursday, June 19, 2014

Taking Vintage Hunting to the Next Level

As you may have seen on my Twitter, whilst down in Bathurst I came across quite the collection of vintage clothing. The boy and I would be driving through town and I'd been spying out vintage boutiques and charity shops from the passenger seat window, like a PI on the lookout for bandits and fugitives. Can you imagine how I must have looked? Aha! That's one vintage boutique. Position noted. The store was closed as it was the long weekend, but we came back after the public holiday. 

All very lovely it was. They had a great collection of items ranging from clothing and accessories to vinyl records and furniture. There was a lot that I wanted to splurge on such as a gorgeous purple 1960's cape and golden Glomesh evening purse in it's original boxing, but I had to restrain myself and think of the plane ride home. We only had carry-on luggage. But me being me, these thoughts were quickly forgotten as soon as I took a walk up stairs to the second level of the store. 

Nothing seemed too interesting at first as I traveled through the racks. I wasn't expecting to find much as a sign declared that all up stairs items of clothing were $5.00 each, a lot cheaper than what was downstairs. However, all of a sudden a burst of yellow was seen out of the corner of my eye. And if you know your vintage you'll know that this kind of yellow ain't the kind of yellow that appears in clothing stores today. I followed my vintage hunting instincts and grabbed the item off the rack, my heart skipping a beat as I realized it was a beautifully conditioned 1960's maxi dress. All buttons and zips intact and with a sweet empire waist line. Mine. This process repeated subsequently with more and more eagerness and urgency as each dress was discovered.

I ended up getting an entire bag overflowing with vintage maxi dresses. At $5.00 each, and considering how beautiful they all were, I didn't care. Coming home that afternoon however, I still was not satisfied. I kept dreaming of dresses that I'd left behind, thinking that they wouldn't fit me. I had to go back again. They needed to come home with me.

And so a couple of days later I did. And again, I went overboard and bought every dress from the era they had in stock, as well a cream 1960's suit (I wore the jacket here), a woolen skirt, a blue 1970's blouse with the most amazing sleeves and collar I've ever seen and a beautiful embroidered tunic. The gentleman who owned the store was disappointed when he found out I wasn't a local. I think he knew just how often I'd buy from there if I was. 

It wasn't until we began packing for the trip home that I realized how impulsive I'd been. We didn't have any space, but being the determined gal I am I achieved the impossible and packed about half of the load that I bought (which also included quite a few other accessories and such that I haven't shared here). Having to catch a plane the next day and with a ridiculous armful of clothing that wouldn't fit in our luggage I raced around the entire town looking for another carry-on bag. I wasn't having any luck and ended up having to buy a canvas grocery bag to bundle them all up in. As a result of this I think I actually lost one of my dresses at the airport; a beautiful cream 1960's mini with an olive green bow and matching covered buttons. I hope it went to a nice home!

Have you ever taken your vintage hunting to the next level, or gone a bit overboard? 

I'd love to hear your stories!

25 comments:

  1. Unfortunately, I'm not able to go vintage-shopping as often as I like. However, in April, I went to a small shop that I've been wanting to go to for a while, and came away with a beautiful velvet 60s dress that I still can't believe I was lucky enough to find. So I definitely understand the feeling of finding something and obsessing over it. You came away with some really great items (I love the dresses)! Anyway, I know that if I were able to go vintage hunting regularly, I probably would not be able to control myself. I think it's something that all vintage-lovers are guilty of :).
    xx Tessie

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    1. That's a real shame that you can't go out looking for vintage as much as you'd like, but I'm very glad you found yourself that beautiful dress. I'd love to see it! Thank you very much, I'm glad that you like them. And I think I'd have to agree on that one - we're all guilty of it to some degree!

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  2. You've certainly found some very lovely items! I do like that yellow maxi dress, and the blue shirt and orange skirt in the bottom picture look like they'd make a lovely outfit right there! I've never been able to splurge like this myself on clothing, vintage clothes shops here are too overpriced, but the times I have found that something special I can certainly relate to your excitement! It certainly is a lovely feeling to find something so perfect.

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    1. Thanks, Faye! I actually thought that myself about the blue blouse and orange skirt. I also got a pair of blue and white vintage shoes down there that I think would top of the outfit as well! I'll be sharing them soon. I understand completely. It is there same where I live. Vintage dresses are sometimes priced over $100.00 and realistically that is not something I can afford in my budget. So I was more than thrilled, and actually couldn't believe it, when I discovered these items were only $5.00 each. I think perhaps that's why I went a little overboard! It is a lovely feeling, isn't it?

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  3. Wow you certainly did find some great stuff! I've never found quite that much in a vintage shop before, but that's mainly due to the fact that my size is so hard to come by (that's the main reason why I started making my own!). Whenever I find something that does fit though I snap it up straight away, regardless of price! I bet you can't wait to start wearing all of your lovely dresses.

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    1. Thanks, Sarah! It is hard to find the right size in vintage dresses. I have that trouble too. I've had to leave behind some beautiful items because of it, but you are very lucky that you can make your own! I'm hoping to start learning to make my own as of next year, and hopefully get a sewing machine for this Christmas.

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  4. What an awesome haul! I can't wait to see how you style everything. Too bad about the one being lost at the airport but hey, it makes an interesting story, for you and whoever was lucky enough to find it. I have gone a little wild in thrift shops before, but luckily they were in my hometown so I didn't have to worry about stuffing everything on a plane!

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    1. Thank you! I think the most difficult thing about styling them will be finding the right shoes to wear with them. Because I'm quite short, some of them are a little long for me, but I'm sure heels will fix that. You are right, it does make for an interesting story. I hope it went to another vintage loving gal! Glad you didn't have the stress of trying to contain it all within a little bag!

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  5. What a haul! At first glance i thought you'd raided my wardrobe! xxx

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    1. Haha! In all honesty I can only imagine how amazing your wardrobe is, Vix!

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  6. i have never found a dream shop - but what you described sounds like all my dream that i have where i walk into a shop, everything is $1 or some other low amount and there is perfect vintage everywhere! And just in Bathurst you say? pity I cant drive or id take a day trip out there!

    Country towns are a full of the best stuff! its too far for the city hipsters to pilfer through.

    But really! what amazing dresses you found! you should do a little fashion show for us. i hope they all fit and that you keep them forever!

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    1. That certainly does sound like a dream shop! Yup, it would be great if you could take a day trip down there sometime. If you ever do manage to get down there I'll tell you all the secret spots for snapping up vintage goodies. And I find that too, a lot of my favourite vintage dresses were bought way up north in my Grandma's country town. The comment about the hipsters made me laugh. And thank you! Most of them fit nicely, I hope to be pictured wearing them soon!

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  7. My goodness, what a haul, dear Lucy! That shop keeper should work out an arrangement with you whereby he emails you pictures of his "new ins" and sets aside any that interest you until such time as you are able to make the trip back again and buy them. It's such a shame you lost one of your treasures but you gave all the rest a forever home. I can't help wondering if the boy wishes you had bought a few minis along with all those maxis! :)

    In my record collecting days I often made the rounds of vinyl shops and went overboard on purchases. When you are passionate about something it's hard to control yourself.

    Have a wonderful weekend, dear friend Lucy, and please come see me again soon at SDM&M!

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    1. That really sounds like the most fantastic idea. If I lived down there I'm certain that I'd be in more than once a week. It is a shame that I lost the mini. But yes, at least I have all the other beauties to keep. I'm sure the boy would have loved a few minis in there too but he's more than happy with some of the maxis I got! His favourite was the 60's suit I got, but I haven't pictured it here.

      I can't wait until I have some time and money to go on a day trip about all the record stores and buy some more. It's been a while since I've made any big additions to my collection. You are very right, when you are passionate about something it is very hard to control yourself! Enjoy your weekend too, Shady!

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  8. cute blog!!!

    stop by,
    http://abeautifulheart07.blogspot.com/

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  9. Goodness, you did so well! It's sad about the mini, have you contacted the airport? Somebody may have handed it in.

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    1. Thank you very much! And goodness, I'd never even thought of that - you can tell I don't travel by plane often haha!

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  10. Impulsive shopping is the best kind! You found so many cute dresses, the yellow one was a great find. I may be in a similar situation when I come back home from America - I haven't bought anything yet but I have a feeling I might go a bit crazy when I go shopping in New York!

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    1. It certainly is! Thanks very much. I hope you find some beautiful things when you get back home!

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  11. Yes, it is a great feeling. I get that little 'zing' too.

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  12. You found SO many good things! So many dream dresses right here. When I am out thrifting and there are lots of gems, I go overboard allll the time, but usually end up putting them in my shop :)
    Cheers,
    Hannah

    http://thebraidedbandit.blogspot.com
    http://thebraidedbandit.etsy.com

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    1. Thanks very much! Glad to hear I am not the only one that can go a little overboard sometimes. It's great you have a shop to put them in! I've been out of wardrobe space for the past two years and I still keep the clothes coming in on a regular basis!

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  13. Oh wow, so many great finds! Every time I go for hunting like that I wonder if my wardrobe is big enough to fit everything (of course it isn't!) :)

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    1. I usually think the exact same, but this time all rational thoughts when it comes to wardrobe space (or luggage space on the plane) were thrown out the window!

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