1950’s Vintage Dress By Way Of Hong Kong
You may recall on my recent trip to Hong Kong we made a point of trying to find some vintage shops.
This 1950’s vintage day dress was one of the pieces I managed to pick out from that uber tiny disorganized closet they called a shop.
It is made out of very dainty cotton and is light as air.
The only thing it is missing is pockets.
Darn it all!
I’m finally wearing these fun retro inspired Spring Step L’Artiste shoes that I scored on super sale from Mod Cloth months ago.
I am slowly replacing shoes that I loved but can no longer wear with shoes that I love and can wear. These new shoes replaced the shoes you see below.
My new shoes have soft cushioned insoles with arch supports. Plus the heel is only 2.5″ and angled so that it doesn’t bother my feet.
Yes, I love them!
Back to my vintage finds.
Wearing this dress reminds me of all the fun I had visiting my husband in Hong Kong and enjoying his company.
That memory puts a smile on my face.
The vintage embroidered handbag is a new addition to my collection.
I picked it up recently from Kensington Market at Courage My Love. That place is a vintage lover’s candy store.
I went with a group from Meet-up with other vintage lovers.
What I often find surprising about these groups is that most of the people don’t show up wearing vintage.
Ummm…I don’t get it.
These are some photos I took at other stores.
Sadly the lighting at Courage My Love wasn’t conducive to photographs.
Aren’t those go-go boots insane?
It was everything I could do not to add that embroidered butterfly handbag to my collection.
I picked up this amazing yellow 1970s butterfly maxi dress that day and a few other pieces. I have yet to decide what I’m keeping and what I’ll be listing on Vintage By Suzanne.
I’ve discovered I can search the world far and wide for vintage treasures but there is nothing like coming home to your pug.
She wants to know if I have treats in that new handbag.
I bought four vintage pieces from that one store in Hong Kong.
I’m excited to show off some of the others to you soon.
Do you often shop when you are on vacation? Do you find that wearing certain items of clothing triggers memories?
Here are some more of those fab Spring Step L’Artiste shoes.
BTW I will be heading out later this week for a blogger meet-up in Vancouver. If you want to ride along with me and see all the trouble Melanie, Sue, Sherry and myself get up to make sure you follow my Instagram.
Linking up with the lovely Patti at Visible Monday and the wonderful Judith over at Hat Attack.
I LOVE it when you and Zoe state wistfully into each others eyes!!! (TRUE LOVE)
That dress is a winner! The print looks very celestial…Is it? Also, La’Artist shoes are VERY cool. I have two pair but have never seen them on consignment or in a thrift shop. That’s a real score Suzanne!
I’m envious of you meetup in Vancouver but thrilled and delighted for all of you. I’m thinking that Sherry will be meeting Melanie for the first time. Fun for all!!
I *wish* I’d found those shoes at a consignment or thrift store. They were bought on super sale at ModCloth a few months back.
LOVE! You always look so chic. Are the brogues vintage too? I had lots of pairs from Poetic Licence but sadly heels too high now. Gail x
I adore Poetic Licence. They are also too high for me as well. No these are not vintage.
I was captivated by that oversized closet shop, and would have liked to have a rummage in it. You certainly managed to find a gem of a dress, even if it doesn’t have pockets. I love the shoes too, and anything with cushioned insoles and arch supports would be the thing for me too! I’m a sucker for embroidered handbags so they certainly get my approval. But how strange that people don’t turn up dressed in vintage for a meeting like that … I love picking up pieces while on vacation, and last year I bought about 15 brooches in charity shops in Wales. They make me think of Wales whenever I wear them! xxx
I always like to think my pets love me, but I have a dark suspicion that I might just be “the hand.” Of course, Zoe loves you though!! Great dress, shoes and bag – a delight for the eyes. xox,
-Patti
http://notdeadyetstyle.com
Actually I think Zoe is saying that you should feed her all the time, since she was so neglected while you were gone! At least that’s what our cats say when we get back from a trip!! We get snubbed for almost an entire day—ha ha!!
I have to admit that I’m one of those women who don’t get the appeal of pockets. But maybe that’s because I was brought up with a mother who would always remove them from pieces so she’d look thinner!! But that means, you could probably add them, right?
Jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
I have added pockets once…and that was enough for me for a lifetime. ; P
Great dress, amazing shoes, beautiful pug! Have fun in Vancouver!
I’ve been pretty lucky with the weather here in Vancouver and I had a BLAST!
Zoe adores you! That’s such an adorable photo.
Your dress is lovely, such a perfect fit and brilliant with the governess shoes and stunner of a bag. A splendid find. I wondered whether the vintage would be teeny weeny as us Westerners are giants compared to most Asian ladies (but isn’t it nice to be considered tall?)
I don’t get these vintage lovers who never wear anything vintage. Surely part of the joy of owning vast amounts of vintage is wearing it, not keeping it hanging in a cupboard? I don’t know many vintage traders who wear vintage either, Jon and I are a rarity! xxx
I really find vintage traders that don’t wear vintage a bit strange. Most of the vendors I’ve come across do wear it but there are a couple that don’t and if they love it so much I also don’t understand why they don’t wear it. Jon and you are the best advertisement you could ask for.
It’s a gorgeous dress and overall look, but most of all I utterly adore your shoes! Kx
You always pick amazing clothes (and shoes). Yes, many people say they like vintage but actually don’t wear it; I believe that’s because they think it’s cool to identify that way but don’t put any effort into doing it. (Most people are lazy and just claim credit for things they don’t do.) I hope you have fun in Vancouver. I’m so grateful to you for luring me there; I had no idea it’s so lovely. In answer to your final question, I’ve discovered the JOY of shopping on vacation, especially in thrift-stores. The shopping is fun, seeing new pieces is fun, and having mementos of journeys is fun.
I’m so happy you enjoyed Vancouver. If I could I’d move back to the west coast in a minute, preferably the Island and Victoria.
Love the dress, and new shoes, and I feel you when you have to say good bye to shoes you can no longer wear. But your new ones are just as nice. padded insoles are a must.!
Those go-go boots are a buy-buy!
Love them. and the bag. Swoon….
Your trip to Hong kong looks fantastic, I enjoyed the snaps on instagram!
Glad to see you and Zoe reunited !
traveling is great, but there is nothing like home sweet home! 🙂
xx, Elle
http://www.theellediaries.com
Tis true that after a while it is great to return to my own bed and pug ; P
I’m so impressed that you’re being sensible and trading down to more manageable shoes Suzanne. I’m such a pathetic fashion victim when it comes to shoes, that I’ll hobble around for half a day and swap over on my lunchbreak, just so that I’ve had the chance to wear them.
Today’s vintage find is adorable, styled perfectly with the new shoes and cutest of handbags, but I’m hungry to see the next installment. It was quite a good vintage haul for you eh? We had a stopover in Singapore on our way to New Zealand, but I was suffering from travel sickness and missed out on all the shopping opportunities there. It still pains me now. However, I did pick up some lovely pieces in NZ and yes, they remind me of the trip everytime I wear them.
Anna x
I’ve wanted to visit NZ forever. They say it is quite a bit like BC here and since BC is so much closer that’ll have to suffice for now.
OOOO, that dress is so cute, Suzanne. The print is very unusual and of course since it’s on a black background I particularly love it. Fab shoes, too. I never checked out that brand before. I’m salivating over those lace up boots.
As far as vacations and shopping. I won’t consider a vacation spot anymore unless I know there will be potential for vintage shopping there. How crazy it that?
Theresa
Ha ha! I kind of love how you choose your vacation destinations. That is hard core.
The dress is lovely on you and I absolutely love the handbag. You should have bought the other one, too! I also love the shoes with the lower heel. I don’t wear heels anymore – too uncomfortable – unless I can stagger from car to venue, sit down in them, and stagger back to the car!
I rarely shop on holiday but as I’ve been returning to Ireland regularly for the past three years I do charity shop whilst I’m there and I’ve found some great things.
xxx
I would have loved to have bought the other handbag but it was out of my budget. Some of those vintage shops price their inventory very high.
You are a bit of a thrifting Queen. It doesn’t surprise me that you shop while on vacation.
It is a lovely dress. Funnily enough today I tried on a similar dress, similar colour, only more kimono-like sleeves. It was just a tad too large. Pitty. Your new shoes look very good and indeed more comfortable. The “old” ones will easily sell.
Greetje
Those old shoes sold months ago ; P
Cute dress! If it has side seams it would be easy to add pockets, I’m sure you could look up a tutorial for that on Youtube.
I never really travel anywhere that has good vintage – maybe the USA years ago – but I am rather budget limited.
I think perhaps some of the people that are members of vintagey groups do so because they don’t know anyone in their friendship circle who feels the same as them, and they’re just starting to dip their toes in the water? They might need a bit of confidence before giving some vintage an outing! xx
Yes I do believe people are shy about wearing vintage. A vintage meet-up group would be the perfect place to start though.
You look fabulous in that dress – what a great find – add the beret and it’s all tres chic. xx
I don’t wear exclusively vintage, but I, too, am having to replace shoes—FLY London is now the backbone of my wardrobe as they are the only elevated shoes I can wear. I gave away 49 pair of shoes to a friend over the last 3 years–and now we aren’t friends anymore ;( But she has great shoes….. I thrift everywhere I go, because options in my very small corner of New Mexico are limited, and I couldn’t keep enough inventory to sell consistently–which remains true–there is little market for vintage here. As a former Costume Designer and Shop Manager, I learned that people WAY over-value what is often a nasty, dirty garment because their memories of it overlay their sight like sunglasses. They can’t smell the B.O., see the bleached out armpits or the moth holes…..
Wow…that friend scored big time! I know lots of people that adore Fly shoes. I can’t seem to find a pair that suits me.
Of course I love the beret as it goes with nearly everything! You have crafted such a fun mix of patterns and colors. Your embroidered handbag is an excellent addition to your collection, what a find! Thank you for sharing your wonderful style with Hat Attack!
What a great souvenir from Hong Kong! Those are the best kind. Not only does it hold great memories, but it definitely shows your fierce ability to find The Best Vintage in the World–even in tiny closets of stores.
I love the shoes, too! There’s nothing like a cool brogue, in my opinion, and your beret just tops it all off, literally.
And let’s not forget Zoe! She matches your outfit perfectly. 😉
Hugs,
Sherry