If you’ve never been to a vintage clothing show you’re in for a treat.
You will see some of the very best vintage loot scavenged from all over the globe and have the opportunity to interact with the intriguing vendors proudly showing off their treasures.
When you shop vintage you’re buying a piece of history.
I was very disappointed not to be a vendor at this show however that did not stop me from having a blast finding some very special new pieces to add to my personal collection.
What can I say? I’m addicted and enthusiastic about sharing my love of vintage with the world.
When you buy vintage you feel good.
Although quite a few people came up and took my photo at the show I did not (bad blogger!).
This what I wore… something that was easy to take off, comfy boots and no buttons or accessories.
I just had a major faux pas happen on my iCloud. Apparently I accidentally deleted all my photos from the show.
ARGH!!!
I will be directing you to links on my IG account. Sorry about that, an artist’s brain and technology do not mix.
I met Christopher Sharrock one of the dapper men featured in the newest book We Are Dandy.
He was a wonderful gentleman to speak to with so many stories about his clothes. I don’t know about you but I adore seeing a well dressed man.
I met up with a couple of ladies from my vintage lover’s meet-up group. Here is a photo of Jennie trying on a colourful jacket that she bought. Doesn’t it look like something you’d find at Anthropologie for big bucks? I’m not sure but I think she paid $25. She made out very well at the show and I believe it was her first time shopping vintage.
The other gal Cynthia (a big thrifter) had a good time browsing and chatting with the very interesting diverse crowd. Again, sorry…no photos : (
Also I had my first ever blog fan encounter! It was so exciting!
A very well dressed lady by the name of Jackie (I hope I spelled that correctly) came up and asked if I was Suzanne because she reads my blog! Whaaa???
I think I may have looked around to see if I was being punked. Ha ha!
This made my day. It is refreshing to know it isn’t just other bloggers reading my blog. Meeting a reader for me is like finding an endangered species. I just want to put my arms around them and hold onto them forever.
Then I want to ask them a million questions about why they read blogs.
Don’t worry! I didn’t do that with Jackie. I think I did put my arm around her though when her friend took a photo of us together.
Jackie, if you’re out there…I’d love a copy of that photo! Not only was I too lame to take my own photo but now of course I’ve lost all my photos from yesterday.
What To Expect At A Vintage Clothing Show
What can I find?
A multitude of one-of-a-kind pieces in a variety of price points and sizes.
Who is selling the goods?
Eclectic, quirky, personable vendors often with a keen knowledge of the inventory they are selling.
Who shops at vintage shows?
A diverse crowd from all age groups wearing all types of clothing, some very well put together like Christopher. Be prepared for crowds. Vintage is very popular.
Why should I bother shopping vintage?
It gives you the opportunity to do something good for our planet while supporting local vendors and owning a truly unique piece of history.
Where can I find vintage shows in my area?
Check your local papers or online.
Small choices in life create big changes for our world.
Here are the treasures I brought home with me from the spring Toronto Vintage Clothing show…
What do you think of my selections?
I could have easily scooped up more pieces but I was quite diligent about keeping within a budget.
As a vintage reseller I already own an ace collection so anything I bought needed to be exceptional.
I will be heading out to visit family in BC and meet-up with two of my favourite bloggers, Melanie (recently featured in Marie Claire Brazil) and Sue. They are preparing by having a massive snowstorm to greet me even though we have no snow here. The world is upside down!
I hope to post a few pics via IG while I’m away if you care to follow along.
Have a great week!
If you want to see what I scored the last time I shopped this vintage show in 2015 click here or here again.
Linking up with Visible Monday.
What a fab show – and to have a fan encounter – that is so cool! Put me in your bag to Vancouver, pleeeeeze. Love your purchases, esp the plaid rooster skirt. I am going to your shop now to see if it’s there : > xox
-Patti
http://notdeadyetstyle.com
Sadly the pieces I bought at the vintage show were all bought retail, so I can’t resell them unless I charged an arm and a leg. Those pieces were all bought for little old me. If you like I’ll keep you in mind should I decide to put the skirt up for sale in the future after I’ve worn it a few times.
Sorry about your photos getting deleted, that is a bummer! Love your purchases! The Asian embroidered robe is amazing and the plaid skirt with roosters is so unique!! It’s easy to see why vintage holds a magical allure!
Stay warm in Vancouver! Remember that Melanie has grovvy coats you can probably borrow. ..
Yes! That’s true! I’d be able to fit into her massive orange cone coat, I think that’d be the only one that’d fit me.
Some unique pieces, sounds like you had fun!
It is always a great time : )
What a fabulous time you must have had!!
It is a shame about the photos—but at least you still have the experience in your head!!
And how fun to meet a fan!! OMG—that would totally make my day!
You really know how to pick out some fabulous pieces, Suzanne!! It must be like the biggest thrill ever to walk in to the site and breath it all in!!
jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
It really is like stepping into nirvana a bit for me. So many amazing treasures all in one spot.
Jackie really did make my day and I told her so : )
As a reader of your blog in far away sunny Spain, I thought I’d answer your question as to why I read your blog! Here goes …
Watching ‘The true cost’ documentary last year really opened my eyes to the damage being done by the fast fashion industry. I made a conscious decision to become a better-informed and more conscientous shopper and started investigating blogs that were in keeping with that ethos, were funny and inspiring. That’s where you showed up!! I now have a couple of blogs that I follow regularly as they, you included, keep me on the straight and narrow by showing me other alternatives to fast fashion! I LOVE your style and aspire to be just as ethically aware and fashionable, so thank you!! Besos xx.
I’m just delighted you chose to comment Sarah!
That film is such a wake-up call isn’t it?
Striving to be part of the solution instead of part of the problem is an ongoing struggle for myself. As a style blogger I find it particularly challenging when fast fashion companies contact me regularly with cash in hand trying to persuade me to promote their products.
Promoting secondhand clothing and providing fast fashion alternatives makes my heart feel happy.
It thrills me to no end that you follow my blog because it fits in with your personal values and you find it funny and inspirational. I aim for those goals when I write. Your comment has left me with a wonderful sense of personal accomplishment knowing that I’m achieving those objectives.
Thanks for making my day!
PS
BTW…if you’d care to share the other bloggers you follow I’d love to know you top five recommendations. They sound like people my readers and myself might enjoy reading.
Hi Suzanne,
Of course! These are the blogs I follow …
moralfibres.co.uk
tartanbrunette.co.uk
simplyfiercely.com
retrochick.co.uk
trexesandtiaras.com
While trexesandtiaras isn’t about ethical fashion, the author has the most extraordinary collection of clothes and a wonderful sense of style – I think you’d enjoy it! It’s very much to do with dressing as you like and to hell with what other people think! Besos xx.
Gah! What a shame about the photos! I adore the green Chinese print maxi, I’d have fought you for that.
Isn’t it exciting to meet a blog reader? I stopped a lady at the fair on Saturday to tell her how incredible she looked (killer figure, gorgeous peasant style maxi, tons of ethnic jewellery, pixie haircut, huge glasses) and it turned out she read my blog – I was thrilled to bits!
Have a wonderful time with the girls and stay warm! xxx
What a brilliant story!
I was sorry to miss the show, but I was enjoying your experience via Instagram. I met Christopher when I went to the Spring show a couple of years ago and photographed him for my blog. He is one of the sharpest dressers I’ve seen. Looks like you found some great pieces – the polka dot dress is my fave.
Yes, when are we going to get together again Shelley? Hopefully in the spring/summer? BTW…Jackie mentioned that she also follows your blog : )
Really amazing pieces, Suzanne, I am so glad you got that amazing bag! I loved the knit skirt and the coat, the boots were a perfect complement for that! So good that you are going to visit your friends in British Columbia, and also great to meet other bloggers! Hope that Jackie sends you the picture! Also hope you have a nice week! Bisous!
DenisesPlanet.com
Having a fan encounter must be amazing! Well done! Well done, too, on your choices. How lovely is that handbag? The polka dot dress and the green Asian maxi are equally fab! So sorry to hear about the photos … xxx
Isn’t that handbag special? I’ve had my eyes on one in an Etsy store that was similar for some time now. I’m partial to these oversized embroidered handbags. I’m hoping to find a long chain to attach to it so I can also use it as a cross body bag.
It is so funny for me to read this because I just went to a vintage clothing event and same thing: I forgot my camera! And I was so wrapped up in the whole thing and having all of these wild conversations with other shoppers and vendors that I didn’t even remember to use the camera on my phone! Augh! I guess we’ll get better at this the more we do it. You got a crazy good haul. Congrats. And as always, when you and Sue and Melanie get together there is bound to be adventures. Can’t wait!
Did you buy anything Connie?
I’m glad you were well enough to get out to a vintage show.
Hi Suzanne,
I´m not a blogger, either, just a reader and a fan.
I don´t remember where and how I found your blog but as soon as I did I´ve been reading every post. Your style is quite different from mine but I do get inspiration from you for my own wardrobe: colours, fabrics, designs. I love your ideas.
Most of all, though, I love how you write and your determination not to be stopped by gettig older. Whatever your personal style, it shouldn´t depend on how old you are but on what makes you feel good.
You keep reminding me of that time again. Thanks!
Inra
Today is filled with gifts from my readers : ) I truly appreciate that you took the time to comment Inra and that you enjoy my writings on aging, what it means to me and how I’m approaching it. It is a learning curve no doubt.
As I’ve written before I refuse to be defined by my age.
I think this may be the best post I wrote about that… I’m not sure if you read it or not as it is from 2014.
http://suzannecarillo.com/i-refuse-to-be-defined-by-my-age/
I still feel that way today and I hope I will feel the same way when I’m 90 should I be lucky enough to live that long.
Life is too darn short to worry about what other people think of us. Being happy when we see our own reflection in the mirror is what counts.
These are indeed exceptional pieces. Lovely. And indeed if you wouldn’t sell them, you could wear them yourself as they are so you. The skirt with the roosters is fun. Love those colours too. The two Asian maxi dresses are jaw dropping. I would so have loved to be there with you. And to be in Vancouver with you and Melanie and Sue. I am sort of homesick.
Greetje
I love what you bought – especially that gorgeous bag!
xx
I really dislike the new IG algorithims – your pictures aren’t popping up in my feed. How fun to have a blog fan approach you! I would love to attend a Vintage show – I’m sure there are some in Seattle. I need to look it up. I’m absolutely in love with the polka dot dress you bought. Have fun in BC and stay warm!
OMG, what you WORE! That should scream— I have talent!– at least it did to me. I wish we had such shows near me. I can do well at the thrift stores near be and help a worthy cause, so that is a option. I am following you on IG, and love the shots.
xx, Elle
http://www.theellediaries.com/blog/
You found some really great and interesting vintage pieces! I love each of them. So sorry to hear that you lost all your photos 🙁
-Nicole
The Artyologist
Oh my goodness, you chose some amazing pieces to bring home with you, Suzanne! I’d have been fighting you for them… Although I’m not sure I could have afforded them ha!
Glad you had a great time at the show, despite the lack of photos. xx
I just love that polkadot dress! What a treasures!
First off, that outfit you picked to wear for the show is spectacular. You are truly the master of mixing patterns. Being a fan of interesting prints, I’m loving everything you bought, especially the skirt with the roosters on it. And, speaking of fans, that is FANtastic that you ran into a reader while there. You’re becoming famous!
Sorry you lost your photos. I’ll look at your others on IG. At the vintage clothing show I go to in Massachusetts, you aren’t even allowed to take pictures! I guess they’re afraid the designers who go there will use the pictures to knock off the styles.
Theresa
I would have been gutted to lose my photos of this fab event, but thanks for going ahead with the feature anyway. I love your purchases and think you showed great restraint.
The feedback you’ve had on this post so far is wonderful for you Suzanne. You’re such a source of inspiration, but you probably don’t realise how much that means to your readers.
And the joy of being approached by someone who follows your blog! That happened to me last year and I was really thrilled. And why a reader, not a blogger makes it more exciting I don’t know, but it just is.
I need to read that earlier post of yours now as well as look up those new bloggers. Thanks for lots of lovely info x
Anna
http://www.annasislandstyle.com
First things first — that skirt from Phoenix looks AMAZING on you!! AMAZING! I can’t stop saying that word. It pleases me to no end that you found something so perfectly you during our time together. I noticed you were wearing it in some of your Vancouver photos too?
Okay…now that I’ve fanned myself down from a giddy frenzy…. I think you know I’m drooling over several of your finds at that Vintage show. That dragon dress and the green one next to it are works of art!
Hugs,
Sherry
http://www.petiteover40.com