shall we dance?

A holiday lunch (+wine) with friends today kinda made me feel like dancing.  Between myself and my photographer, I'm not sure who was laughing harder...

Denim Shirt (Winners). Beaver fur vest (vintage, Penny Jane's Vintage , Windsor, ON. $20 last seen here). Skirt (Mango). Snakeskin boots (vintage, 69 Vintage, Toronto, ON. $100). Custom leather cuff (Infinity Cuffs contact here). Bracelet (Me & Ro). Rings (Aldo).

Photos A Mingay

city of roses

Anne Hobbs for Connections dress (vintage, Regeneration, Pleasant Ridge, MI. $13). Belt (Dynamite). Necklace (H&M). Suede clutch (vintage, Jones & Company, Windsor, ON. $ $34).  Boots (Hugo Boss). Watch (Michael Kors). Rings (Aldo, F21).

Photos A Mingay

gloves fit for a superhero

Possibly the most bad ass gloves I have ever laid eyes on. 

Fownes leather gloves, Made in France (vintage, Penny Jane's Vintage, Windsor, ON $65). Beaver fur vest (vintage, Penny Jane's Vintage, Windsor, ON $20). Leather jacket (vintage, gift from Sanja, free; last seen here). Blouse (Club Monaco). Jeans (Gap). Booties (Stuart Weitzman for Scoop, NYC). Purse (Aldo). 

Photos A Mingay

jacket makeover

Sometimes something that is not quite perfect just needs to come in contact with a razor blade!  This fur vest was a coat last week.  After being inspired by a vintage find (that I didn't purchase), I paid a visit three visits to my seamstress who refused the work because she said that I could do it myself!  After her third refusal and a little instruction, I went to work.  First taking a razor to the lining in the sleeves, then to the fur.  She recommended a razor vs scissors to avoid actually cutting through the fur.  Good tip! I also removed the GIANT shoulder pads. I then hand sewed a binding (made from the removed lining) to the body of the jacket, rolled the edge and hand sewed the lining of the jacket to the binding using a blind stitch (as per my instructor).  Voila, $50 in alterations costs saved.  Not to worry, I keep my seamstress very busy, she can afford to push back every once in a while.

Rabbit fur (vintage, Value Village Thrift, Windsor, ON $25). Leather jacket (Zara). Beaded dress (H&M). Booties (Topshop). Cuffs (H&M). Personalized 'belongs to ghrlunltd' perspex clear clutch (MNO logie; buy it here). 

Photos A Mingay

every dress tells a story

When I purchased this dress a couple of weeks ago the salesperson was kind enough to tell me a bit of its' history.  The woman who had brought the dress in on consignment, had kept it since the late 60's when she wore it for her own engagement party.  When I asked if the woman was still married and why after all of these years was she now able to part with the dress, the salesperson said that she didn't have any further details, much to my disappointment.  It was torture.  A large part of my love for vintage stems from the story behind a garment.  Whether it was the first day of school, a first date, a sad goodbye,  clothes are part of the memory for me.
Next time I am in the neighborhood, I will be sure to stop in and give it another shot.  I would love to share  a 'then and now' perspective in an upcoming post and hopefully a little more of her memories.

Dance Originals by Zarnett Toronto lace dress (vintage, The Vintage House, Windsor, ON $65). Fur stole (Furs by Arpin Co Ltd, Windsor, ON, gifted). Handbag (thrifted, The Market, Windsor, ON $10). Belt (thrifted, Value Village Thrift, Windsor, ON $3). Boots (Barneys Co-op). Rings (Aldo). Bracelets (Club Monaco, F21).

Photos A Mingay