The New Vintage

Cardigan: Limited | Brooches: Handmade with Materials from Hobby Lobby | Bracelet: Betsy Johnson | Dress: Handmade with Robert Kaufman Fabrics and Simplicity Pattern 2444 (I should have done a quick steam on my dress before I took pictures after coming home after work, but such is hindsight)

I used to watch YouTube videos religiously and a common theme was “the haul.” The gist was to go to a store usually a thrift store of a discount chain and get as many clothes as possible for a ridiculously small amount of money. To be sure, the women on YouTube should be applauded for their frugality and ability to be so resourceful, but are their any implications for these hauls; and if so, what are they?

I see this pin on dozens of pin boards all over Pinterest. I cringe every time I do, because I have gone into Target and didn't find anything as I wait for a prescription I need.

After scrutinizing the clothes, shoes and accessories, I realize that the quality is not worth the price and I’ll wait until it’s 70% off or forgo the purchase completely. I check seams, fabric, and, construction methods. I have found some polyester garments pilling and running on the hanger! I’ve even seen accessories with visible hot glue—for shame!!!

I love Target and shop there often but I do so discriminately and conservatively. There are reasons for you all to consider doing the same:

1. If the market is flooded with throw-away clothing then what will our children and grandchildren have as the next generation of vintage clothing? Who will carry on the traditions of our grandmothers?
2. Materialism: I raised this issues in a posts that I wrote last December: "I Shopped 'til I Dropped"  and "The Heart of the "Gray" Matter"
3. This article from the Huffington Post about Elizabeth Cline the author of Overdressed: The Shockingly High Cost Of Cheap Fashion, makes several salient points as well. 
4. This blog post from Couture Allure Vintage Fashion Blog explains the anatomy of a cheaply constructed garment. 

Mourning, but Qualified to Live…

The wall that I hit after my last post in April was thirty feet thick, and it looked like this: 

I was in Target picking up an Rx only to see this display. I ran to the restroom nauseated and in tears at the reminder of my Mother's death. "She was only 51!" That was the litany that replayed in my mind...

Emotionally the wall I faced began to mount, and I felt like I had to dig my way through with a teaspoon. I was dreading my first May without my Mom: the days that lead up to Mother’s Day, the day itself (I slept through most of it), and the residual May mushiness. June couldn’t come quickly enough, but NOW June is here.

The smallest tools are more powerful than we may think; because, the teaspoon worked.  I see the sun.

I have gardens to tend...

A Perfectly Polka-Dotted, Purple, & Particularly Pensive Day

I taught Mini-Me well. She said "Mom you should wear a belt." But I said, "It's a Mod style dress; A-line and it needn't be belted. Trust me."  However, when I saw this picture I became particularly pensive--how in the world did I make such a misstep? I'll chock it up to experience...

Sweater & Boots: Express | Dress: Anna Sui for Target | Jeggings: Torrid | Gloves: Vintage

WHAT I'LL WEAR TOMORROW (with a small intervention): A Bunny Dress By Erin Fetherston for Target

There’s this dress. It’s a whimsical | flirty | fun | pretty | candy store all mixed together.

 

Getting into this dress may require a little intervention. Hopefully, it won't look anything like this:

WHAT I WORE TODAY: Ruminations on Sales Gone By...

Top: Anna Sui | Skirt: GAP | Boots: Express | Earrings: Betsy Johnson | Handbag: Cynthia Rowley |
Bracelets: Express & Forever 21

WHAT I WORE TODAY: The 5th Girl, Pt. 2

I constantly buy things in multiples so there isn't just one Tucker dress. This Tucker by Target Girl had two dresses to style:

WHAT I WORE TODAY: More Primary Inspirations from the Crayon Box

WHAT I WORE TODAY: The 5th Girl

Target struck gold with the masses when they decided to start pairing with big-name designers for their retail chain. Millions of budget-conscious fashionistas began to collect the pieces as if they were couture items. Tucker actually made a copy of their signature dress (in polyester) for Target in 2010. Needless to say, I have the Target version. In July 2011, Lucky Magazine published a feature, "Four Girls, One Silk Buttoned Dress." Well I thought, "Don't forget about ME! the fifth girl who bought the Target version last year!" 

I wore my Tucker dress over a Cynthia Rowley Dress, with Claire's Gloves, Express Shell Disk Earrings, Kenneth Cole Granny Boots, and a Faux Ivory Bracelet