Sometimes Bigger is Better: Vintage Ear Climbers

Part of working in any segment of the fashion industry is keeping up with the latest trends.  And, while I am not selling current fashions I am selling them to modern women, some of which buy and wear vintage fashion for its excellent construction, relative low cost, and to fashionably blend in the modern world.  So, I like to be mindful of what's hot in current fashion and try to mix a few of these "trendier" items into the shop.  

The other day I stumbled onto a segment about ear cuffs on The Fabulist (full disclosure: I'm not a frequent viewer of this show, it just so happened to be on while using the tv for background noise).  I found it very interesting that one of the host of the show, Orly Shani, makes the claim that these are a totally revolutionary thing and a cool new accessory alternative.  It's clear that she, and her cohorts for that matter, lack a general knowledge of fashion history, which is further pointed out in the next segment on hair scarfs.  Really, that's here nor there for this post -- although I could write an entire post on that very topic!

While the ear cuffs that are being marketed today aren't exactly like their vintage counterpart, they are the same concept.  During the late 50s and into the 60s, ear climbers -- a type of earring made to fan or cascade up your ear -- were very fashionable and are extremely reminiscent to what we are currently seeing on the runways. 

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I found several pairs on easy, but these four were among some of my favorites.  The rhinestone pair at the beginning of the post are one of my most loved pair of earrings.  I thrifted them for around $5 or $6 and I always feel like a Golden Age starlet when I wear them.

I always find it fascinating when and how vintage fashion trends make a comeback.  What are some of your favorite fashion comebacks?

A Thrifting Tip and Deal of the Day

Unmarked Rhinestone Clip Ons

Almost every Thursday I visit my local Salvation Army. This is because on Thursdays it is "students day" where anyone with a student ID received 25% off their items excluding the orange tagged collectables. Most of the time I get the 25% off of jewelry too, it depends on who is working the counter, so I tend to keep track of who is there before I look at the jewelry and fall in love with something. I am pretty sure almost every Salvation Army has a "students day" and it really is awesome, if you have a student ID. So that is my thrifting tip, see if your Salvation Army has a students day. I also like to ask other thrift stores if they give a student discount, most of the time they say no, but will knock 10% off my total purchase. It never hurts to ask!

Unmarked Rhinestone Screwbacks

I find that at most thrift stores, it is pretty hit or miss with the jewelry. However, the one that I go to on my weekly Thursday trip always has some kind of vintage at it. Be it dishes, clothing, furniture, or jewelry, they always seem to have a decent stock of vintage to select from. Plus what is so great about this particular Salvation Army is they have a "bucks" program where if you spend $20 or more, you get $1 for every $20 you spend. So, I tend to make off like a bandit many weeks because the items are cheap to begin with, I get my 25% off, and occasionally I received extra money off with my store "bucks." I would see if your Salvation Army does this and if they don't maybe you can persuade them to start. :)

The two pairs of earring above are not marked and were about $3 each (after all discounts applied). I spotted the first pair with the pink rhinestones and leave design first, which lead me to see this pin, which was my "deal of the day" last Thursday. It is a gold filled pin with what is probably a fake pearl off to the side. I am thinking this is from the 40s, as I have seen many similar types of pins being sold as from that era. Regardless, I love the design and have been keeping an eye out for one on eBay and in my thrifting adventures. It was originally marked $14.99, however, I had one store "buck" and got my student discount applied, so it wound up being $10.49 plus tax. A pretty good deal (imo) for a gold filled pin!

I wonder what I will find this week?!

Emily

Vintage Twins

Last week I attended an estate sale what was FULL of vintage costume jewelry. The entire front room of the sale was jam packed with boxes and tables of rhinestones and anything that sparkles. I picked up a lot of great pieces, including a pair of yellow bakelite carved hoop earrings for $3. My favorite find would have to be these scatter pins which are an exact match to these earrings from my grandma. I also found a pair of costume earrings that were twins of a pair I bought from Lana Turner's daughter. I left those for someone else to find and treasure, but it was so cool to discover so many vintage twins at this sale. I have occasionally come across the same dress, but that is VERY few and far between. Have you ever found a vintage twin out there to something you already own?

Emily

A Few of My Favorite Finds From Chicago

While in Chicago, I had the chance to do some major vintage shopping. It seemed like there were TONS more little vintage and antique shops there than in my hometown. I also was able to check a few things off my vintage want list. The cookbooks pictured above were FREE at this block sale we attended. I just love old cookbooks and the zany recipes they have. I have also started collecting yellow handled bakelite kitchen utensils. Two of them were purchased at an estate sale and the other at an antique shop.

One of the things on my vintage wish list was little combs that coordinate with some of my vintage compacts. I just love the little peacock one; it has a red rhinestone for its eye!! The other comb and jewelry were all bought at the same little vintage shop that was CRAMED full of vintage goodness!!! The sombrero hat earrings are vintage Mexican Silver and are screw-backs. The pin is bakelite and was a major steal!!

My deal of the trip would definitely have to be this bag of vintage photos for a mere sum of $2. These were found at an antique mall in Michigan City, Indiana on the way home. This antique mall was AMAZING!!!! It had over 140 dealers and is huge!! If you ever get a chance to go, I highly recommend it. Plus, they are open 7 days a week!!

Emily