Event Fashion » Charity

5 Tips for Shopping for Vintage Fashions

cmerry — Sun, 06 Apr 2008 03:55:58 +0000

What is Vintage? Essentially, ‘vintage’ is just another name for second-hand clothing, but it can be expensive. Antique flapper dresses from the 1920s and original Raoul Dufy designs are gorgeous, but discovering unique pieces doesn’t have to be expensive.

Thrift Shopping If your funds are limited, but you are adventurous, try thrift store shopping. It sometimes takes effort, depending on how the shop is set up and organized, but the results can be very rewarding. My most recent finds were a full length Eileen Fisher silk skirt and a vintage Valentino Boutique Couture Blouse (tags still on) for $17.00, total. Another trip netted me several silk designer scarves (Echo, Ferragamo, Valentino, Liberty of London among them) for $20.00 total for the bagful. Even if I had the money for these at retail, I would choose to spend those 100’s of dollars on other things. I love owning a beautiful designer piece, but love even more that I own them, and spent so little.

The List The key to a successful shopping trip is to go with a piece (or pieces) in mind, otherwise it can be overwhelming. Do you need a skirt for a special event, a belt to freshen up a t-shirt and jeans look, or a silk blouse to brighten a dull business suit? This way you can scan shelves and racks for the colors and textiles you want, and only pull those items out. It is safe to say, if you are looking for a black slip dress, you can skip the obvious yellow neon plaid and green striped numbers.

Choose Well Build up a list of ideas whenever you go out and come up with your own thrift shopping rules. Steer clear of anything stained rather than just a little dusty, and things with the strong scent of mothballs should be avoided because that scent will never come out 100%. Tiny holes can be mended if they are not very visible, you want to look good not like a little rag doll (unless that is your personal look). Fabric and pattern choices should fit your current wardrobe if you want to incorporate it in everyday use. Choose the wilder looks for parties and special events.

Patience Give yourself time. You may not find the perfect piece the first time, or the second, but the third time you might. Take the time to build a perfect wardrobe. Explore the shops and flea markets and if you find yourself frequenting one shop, introduce yourself to the owner and ask if they will give you a call the minute new things come in.

Accessories If you’re still unsure about ’second-hand clothes’, just shop for accessories. Bags, belts and scarves are easily incorporated into an everyday wardrobe. Finding pretty pieces sometimes takes as much dedication as scanning for clothing, but when you find that perfect pair of 1960’s pink rhinestone basket earrings for $2.00 you’ll be converted. Then you just might look around and take a chance on a new ruffled tuxedo shirt or a fun 1970’s mini skirt, and you’ll never see shopping the same way again. Look at it this way, it’s closet of fashion you can raid without mom and grandmom getting mad at you!

Socially Responsible Shopping Thrifting and vintage shopping is also a great way to recycle. With so many beautiful fashions in thrift and vintage shops you may be able to find what you need and in essence recycle a well-made garment. If the current trends aren’t your taste, you may find past looks in great condition. If you are like me, and dress to express yourself, not follow the trends to the letter, then I think you’ll be very happy. Many thrift shops benefit charities too, so in some cases just by shopping, you’ll be doing a good deed. Just get out there and look!
Photo, vintagevibes.com

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Modern Lady, Vintage Style

cmerry — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 04:49:26 +0000

Thandie Newton has the right idea when it comes to fashion. In a recent news item she says vintage clothes are not only glorious, but a great way to recycle. Thandie is known for her passion in making the world greener. Why buy new things when there are so many lovely fashions in vintage and thrift stores already? Her tastes may be vintage but her ideas are very modern.

Thandie Newton has said she can’t understand why people buy new clothes when there is so much great vintage material out there.
She said that she loves buying secondhand clothes because of the benefits for the environment: “It is grotesque how out of control manufacturing has become, and the excess, the pollution that’s caused by it.”
“Vintage [fashion] is not only glorious and stylish, it’s also the way forward in terms of recycling.”
“Whenever I go into great vintage stores, I wonder why we ever buy new things.” Source: fametastic.co.uk

Remember to check out Thandie in her new film Run Fatboy Run with Simon Pegg.

Coming soon! The Louisville KY, Cinderella Project

cmerry — Sat, 29 Dec 2007 19:14:18 +0000

Check out this event if you live in the area. Remember if you have an event for the donation of and receiving of low cost or free gowns coming up for formal dances and prom let me know so we can announce it here. Contact the Louisville Chums for the complete details. This is such a wonderful concept, to give and receive, and everybody feels great!

Check out the big list of free and low cost gowns here . If you have or know of others please let me know so I can add you.

Interesting Prom Mentions in the News 5

cmerry — Sat, 17 Mar 2007 03:22:12 +0000

Parent outraged over glassware passed out as Prom momentos

Some parents are outraged over junior prom souvenirs. Copper Hills High School students are getting glassware that look like beer mugs and champagne glasses. That’s what Gary Davis’ son brought home from school after he bought his prom tickets. Davis says, “I was shocked, appalled that this type of material was given out by the school to underage kids.” Concerned parents say these glasses send a mixed – and dangerous – message to high school students.

Dresses recall eras of boogie, twist, big apple

Glitzy or glamorous, smart or sassy, the dresses featured in the second annual Dare to Be Vintage Prom Fashion Show, were just as individual as the high school models wearing them. Those who shop at Eclectic Twyst in downtown Howell have come to expect standout items.

Millburn students give Shoa survivors a reason to celebrate

The evening, like the “Prom of Your Dreams” for Shoa survivors held two years ago, was conceived in the eighth-grade Holocaust studies classroom of Mary Vazquez. As they did for the prom, vendors donated their services, from the fresh flowers to the live music to the catering hall, which was provided by owner Allan Janoff, whose son is in the Holocaust studies class. (He also had a child in the class that created the prom.)

Copycat gowns not on at girls’ night of nights

According to Perth designer Dana Mathers, a girl’s dream night will quickly spiral into a nightmare if her double is seen dazzling the crowd on the same dance floor.
The exclusive frock, costing anywhere between $259 and $849, is recorded on a custom-designed prom registry, promising that particular gown will not be sold in any other colour to anyone else attending the same event.

Valley View Students Learn Danger of Drinking & Driving

With prom season just around the corner, school officials teamed up with Jonesboro Emergency personnel to show students the dangers of drinking and driving.

“At any moment you could be dead and lose everything that you ever loved or ever wanted,” said Jordan Huggins who participated in the mock accident.

Interesting Prom Mentions in the News 4

cmerry — Wed, 14 Mar 2007 18:05:43 +0000

Speaking of Sweet Charity check out this cool story (and others!).

Sweet charity

Watching the excesses described on the MTV reality show “My Super Sweet 16″ last summer led St. Joseph Central High School sophomore Taylor DiSantis to turn his 16th birthday party on March 3 into a fundraiser for teen activities.

DiSantis, with help from fellow St. Joseph’s students Ryan Storie, Eric Kulpa, Jessica Healy and Courtney Failla, raised $2,200 that they plan to use to provide financial and other mentoring assistance for Berkshire County youngsters between the ages of 5 and 18. More than 100 teens from four high schools attended DiSantis’ party, which took place at the Sons of Italy’s Itam Lodge.

“I was expecting $1,000 at best,” DiSantis said.

A proper prom

Bradley, whose daughter is going to the prom, said that when she asked a sales clerk at one dress shop, she discovered only one of hundreds of gowns at the store had something resembling sleeves.

Erika got so frustrated with the low-cut, sleeveless styles she kept encountering that she took up an offer from Ellen Timmreck, one of her mother’s friends, to sew her a dress.

Thursday night, Timmreck, armed with pins and a ruler, inspected the hemline on Erika’s gown, preparing for final adjustments.

Related Reading:

Six Modest Prom Dresses and Gowns

STUDENT SPOTLIGHT/ROXANA HIGH SCHOOL

Among the sports, clubs and activities she has participated in are National Honor Society; National Honor Roll; First Baptist Church of Bethalto Youth Group; varsity softball; volleyball; German Club; Madison County Youth Forum; Riverbend Youth Growth Association; and Prom committee. She also is Student Council treasurer, school newspaper editor and yearbook editor.

Give the gift of glitz

Prom jewelry is being collected by Beltsville resident Marisa West to donate to young women who were affected by Hurricane Katrina. Last year, West gathered 3,000 prom dresses for Katrina victims.
Donations can be left at Alchemy, 8025 Georgia Ave., through April 1. They also can be mailed to West at P.O. Box 710, Beltsville, MD 20704. For information, e-mail promdressneworleans@yahoo.com orzengardens555@yahoo.com.

Enterprise High School Prom Help

Some Wiregrass donors are also helping storm-torn students on their special night.
It’s prom time for many high school seniors, but in the wake of the March 1st tornado, many Enterprise high school students are still just trying to get back to normal.
That’s why some area groups are looking to give the students a prom truly like no other.
Houston Academy is taking $5000 dollars from their own prom budget to share the popular high school experience.

Seniors enjoy different kind of prom

Senior citizens had the time of their lives last night at the senior citizens prom held by First National Bank.
“This is the banks way of saying ‘thank you’ to the seniors in the area for what they have done to help the Tularosa Basin,” said Pete Cook, president of First National Bank.
The theme for the evening was a masquerade ball, and the turnout was higher than the year before. The theme changes every year. Last year was the celebration of First National Bank’s 50th anniversary, so the theme was the 1950s.

Auto News: Toyota Names Gretchen Conway Family Literacy Teacher of the Year

Conway has instituted many new initiatives as part of her literacy program, including a “Family of the Month” recognition that features one family in a celebration planned by other families; an incentive store, where vouchers are earned for outstanding achievement so families can obtain food staples and diapers; a “second chance” prom for parents who missed out on this experience as teenagers; and a referral/resource system to help families find social service agencies they need.

More schools have gay-straight alliances

And besides promoting tolerance, gay/straight alliances organize activities such as open-mike night and the community prom, which started last year and drew more than 150 students from high schools in Clinton County.
Members of Plattsburgh’s and Peru’s clubs started the prom when gay students at some schools were denied couples tickets to their school proms.
This year’s community prom is a masquerade ball scheduled from 8 p.m. to midnight Saturday at the Comfort Inn ballroom.