I attended the Toronto Vintage Clothing show with Shelley recently.
You may remember when I did this show as a vendor. I *wish* I could have done the same this year but my helper and main squeeze is on the other side of the world right now so I made due with shopping the show instead.
I know!
Poor me!
Ha!
This was the opportunity for me to pull out all the stops and showcase some of my vintage collection.
I love creating a memorable impression with layers.
Sure this fabulous 1970s lurex dress in gorgeous copper is amazing on its own but I need to prove my styling abilities when I go to a show like this so I added a few pieces and accessories to make it truly mine.
First item was a romantic floral tapestry blazer that I thought I was going to sell but then changed my mind.
Oops! I did it again!
Funny how that happens.
Since I’m a stickler for showing my waist I added a belt.
I should have used that hack with a mini elastic band to catch the end of the belt so it wasn’t flopping all over the place.
Then added a scarf.
This scarf is one of my favourites. Who doesn’t love polkadots?
Only freaks don’t like polkadots.
That’s right. I said it. Deal with it.
Now I’m liking what I’m seeing but there is still something missing. Can you guess what it is?
My main goal is to leave a lasting impression and a good vintage hat tops off the look, literally.
Did you guess correctly?
If so you win a hug from the pug : )
You lucky dog you.
Hats are one of the surest ways I know to separate myself from the masses.
From my many years of working in ice cream parlours I can tell you that this is the difference between an ice cream sundae or a banana split.
One is just so much better than the other.
There is a titch of a Mary Poppins vibe on this outfit but I don’t mind. All I was missing was a massive carpet bag. Although I love big tapestry bags the fibromyalgia hates them so it is strictly small cross body bags when I’m going to be out all day. I save my oversized bags for shorter trips.
Shelley and myself at the show.
Shelley has her posing down to a science.
I need to make a mental note to point my foot out to the side next time and throw my hand on my hip. It accentuates your waist and elongates the body so you avoid looking like you have munchkin legs.
Here is Shelley in action…photographing some of the amazing vintage pieces at the show. Be sure to check out her post on the Toronto Vintage Clothing show.
The show was great but I found that I was rushed for time and I didn’t make it round to all the booths I’d hoped.
Funny thing was that people were packing up while customers were still everywhere.
This is not a mistake I would have made. It reflects poorly on the vendor and I personally wondered if they were so flush with cash that they simply didn’t need any of mine.
Here are some very quick pics I snapped of pieces I would have snagged had my budget been more robust.
I bought one of the pieces below…can you guess which one?
Here I am showing off just how awful it is to see myself in hideous fitting room lighting.
Scary!
But the dresses are sweet and both made it into my bag.
I made it home without breaking my budget and added five new pieces to my collection.
If you guessed that groovy 1970s shirt with the plane on it you’re correct! That also came home with me. It was too cool and I’d never seen anything like it before. It’s an Italian brand called Nik Nik. The graphics and the colours are wild and will really work with my bright yellow booties.
I would have loved to have taken home that pretty cardigan too but it was well out of my budget.
Two other vintage dresses grabbed my eye at the last minute and are now taking up valuable space in my closet which I will need to share with you another time.
Vintage shows are a blast to attend.
If you get the opportunity to visit one I highly recommend it. There are one of a kind pieces and interesting people abound.
Thanks to Catherine Knoll the organizer for providing entry for Shelley and myself.
Have you ever attended a vintage show? Did you enjoy it?
Love your outfit that you wore for this fabulous show. Great pattern mix and love touch of lurex! Love both dresses you bought, and am impressed about your relatively modest purchase of items. I am sure your wallet is Relieved.!! 😀
I hear you about heavy bags…
Loved following this post and seeing all of the vintage style !
❤️🌸❤️
Elle
https://theellediaries.com/
You both look fantastic! Shelley a pro poser—I’ve been working on it myself! Love the floral blazer and your picks from the she vintage fair. I need to google the belt hack lol
You both look fantastic!
I loved your story of how you created your stupendous outfit. The dress was already pretty special but with the scarf, blazer, governess shoes, sassy stockings, belt and hat you took it to another level. It goes to proves that Coco Chanel didn’t have a clue – sod less is more, more is always more!
I knew you’d gone for that shirt. I’ve got a man’s one very similar, it’s got Sherlock Holmes on the front and a Victorian lady on the back – 1970s trippy-ness personified.
Both dresses are killer! Can’t wait to see your other buys.
Vintage fairs? Do I like them? They’re my life! xxx
What a fun time, Suzanne!!
And was everyone else dressed as fabulously as you were?
What a great way to take us through the process of how you put together an outfit!!
XOXO
Jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
I love how you styled up that pretty, which was already pretty spectacular on its own. Looks like you and Shelley had a good time. If I leave wanting more I am pretty sure to return the next year, but I’m surprised vendors were packing it in early. Five pieces, score!! Love that airplane top! I’ve never been to a vintage show. I don’t think there is a big one like that in Vancouver. But I’d go for sure if there was one.
I win a pug hug! Such a pretty outfit Suzanne. Love the pattern mixing. I would love to attend a vintage show – I’m sure there is one in Seattle. I’ll have to check around. Have a great weekend!
You have so many fun layering pieces here Suzanne!! The shoes, is there a little DIY going on here?? I love brogues and have found so many that I can’t afford!
The plaid tights, unexpected and CUTE!! the floral blazer, so lovely and reminds me of an English garden in Fall sunlight. The dress, almost as gorgeous as your hair color and copper penny, pretty!! The hat, the attitude layer in my way of thinking!
You and Shelly stole the show. Maybe that’s why the venders all closed early? 🙂 I’ve never been to a vintage clothing show. Do they have others in Toronto or just this one? I want to go so bad I can taste it!!
Oh yeah! I won a pug hug too! (No brainer) Can’t wait to see this airplane blouse styled with your yellow sock boots.
I was leaning towards the cardi or the coat, but the dress and the shirt had such amazing patterns, I just wasn’t sure. Congrats on your purchases. You guys looked amazing. Bet it was heaps of fun!
vintage clothes have so much personality, great post!
Bite My Fashion
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So nice to see what those maxi dresses look like on you – they fit you beautifully. I appreciated the careful thought that went into your outfit for the day. I’m looking forward to seeing you in the yellow and pink airplane shirt.
Thanks for the compliment on my posing skills. It’s a work in progress, but I discovered that when I was in New York I had to have a go-to pose and I learned quite a bit from watching the women I was hanging out with. I’m glad we were able to go to the show together – it was a lovely day out!
Inspired styling of the copper dress. I too would have added a jacket and belt – always try to add a belt! The knockout for me is the shoes. I am drooling. I adore brogues, particularly multi coloured ones.
There are hardly any vintage clothing shows around here, so I am a tiny bit envious 😉 I love how you are showing us each layer you add. If there’s a Mary Poppins vibe going on, then you certainly are one fabulous looking Ms. Poppins! I would have fought you for those two dresses, so they both get my full approval. And I guessed it was the blouse too! Taking Shelley’s posing tips in mind: I already throw my hand on my hip (if I remember to do it, that is) but will try pointing out my foot next time too! Thanks for sharing, Suzanne. xxx
You both look vintage-amazing. I picked the airplane shirt for you! What a fun event, made even better with a friend. BTW, I couldn’t show my ass in that awesome long skirt b/c I am wearing a huge clothespin in the back! (lazy girl hasn’t made it to the tailor’s yet.) Your hat is indeed the banana in the split, xox
-Patti
http://notdeadyetstyle.com
Yes, I guessed correctly both times!
I loved your beautifully styled outfit; you looked gorgeous in it.
Some fabulous items…..
We don’t have shows like that. We had the Designer Vintage Sale in Amsterdam but you cannot callvthat price friendly. I found a colour block tunic / mini dress by Diane von Furstenberg and that was still €175. Loved it though and was just looking for exactly that. What are the odds?
I guessed wrong because I went with my taste instead of yours. I wanted the black cardigan. Love the way you styled yourself. Must have been such a nice day with Shelley.
Greetje
You look fabulous in your layering outfit, love it!, love every layer, love every accessory!! you rock!
And I would love to attend any vintage event!
besos
Nice! Love that lurex and how you pattern mix. Shelley’s paisley jacket is fab! I immediately knew you’d pick the airplane shirt. I’m familiar with the Nik Nik brand from back in my disco days. Always such unique prints.
Vintage clothing shows are a blast, but can be extremely challenging to the budget 🙂
Theresa
I can’t stop looking at your shoes. Holy cow! <333 Also, the vintage show sounds pretty rad. I'll have to check that out. 😛
– Anna
http://www.melodicthriftychic.com