For years I have been searching for a jumpsuit that will flatter my figure.  It all started when I saw "54", the Mark Christopher film about the (in)famous NYC 1970's nightclub Studio 54.  I developed an infatuation with the audacious disco-era fashions of the 70's and early 80's that has lingered in the recesses of my mind.  Unfortunately, because of my super long torso every single jumpsuit I have ever tried on has resulted in the oh-so-attractive camel toe.  ERG! Thus, I am jumpsuit less to this day.  (Below: fashion designer Halston, Bianca Jagger, Andy Warhol and Liza Minelli in Studio 54.) 

But for those of you who can wear the one-piece wonder, this summer is going to continue the one-piece trend that dominated summer '09.  In particular, look for jumpsuits (which typically have pants that are ankle-length or longer), playsuits or rompers (which typically have shorts but can be as short as hot pants), and overalls (skirted, shorted, or panted).  The one-piece epitomizes versatility more than simply because it is an outfit in and of itself.  Ralph Lauren's 2010 Spring/Summer collection was chock full of denim overalls, offering a put-together, classic version of Americana ease.  Albert Elbaz for Lanvin crafted gorgeous, decadent jumpsuits that are worthy of the most glamorous night out.  Stella McCartney devised tailored, elegant one-pieces that make for ideal basics that could transition easily from the office or the classroom to dinner out.  Draw inspiration from these designers, then search thrift stores, vintage shops and ebay for similar styles. 

-K

         A fashion blogger wearing a vintage 1970's jumpsuit

Three playsuits / rompers for spring/summer '09 collections that could easily be worn this summer.

              A STUNNING Erin Fetherston satin jumpsuit.

                    Some examples of cute overalls for Summer 2010

                                                 For guys too!

It's that time of year again: time to make the switch from boots to open-toed shoes and sandals. It's my duty to inform you of my opinion of the ever-present flip-flops.
I know what you all must be thinking, flip-flops are SO easy, they offer the simplest, most stylish solution to the hot summer days...well, I have to say, I think that's unfortunate.
Personally, I only wear my flip-flops in the dorm showers here at school...and since I no longer live in a dorm, I find them to be entirely unnecessary outside of the sticky, moldy tiled rooms they try to call showers.
Why, I wonder, do so many people wear flip-flops, if there are a plethora of awesome sandal options out there? (See Below)
And while I see the appeal (flip-flops are cheap, and everybody seems to have a pair so that makes them fashionable...right?) I'm not trying to hate, ladies and gentlemen, but with the exception of Rainbows and Reefs, I really don't see the point.
And guys, I know what your thinking too: "I'm not a Birkenstock kind of dude, so I have to rock the flip-flops." In an article by askmen.com, we see some do's and don't for men's sandal picking. You actually have more options than you think! Plus, if you're not down to show your toes, there's always the classic
Below are some solutions to the flip-flop dilemma, because remember, being fashionable doesn't mean wearing what everyone else wears. Flip-flops have their place, I promise you, I had to buy a pair today because the rain soaked my brand new boots to the sole, but I will never (never!) wear them again unless I find myself stuck showering in a dirty Kimball bathroom.
-A

This past Sunday, I had the privileged of walking the runway for a line designed and made flesh by Brittany Keefe, c/o 2011, who participated in this years Element Fashion Show. Brittany's line was cohesive and fluid, yet diverse and varied. It looks to the future while keeping the past in mind by starting with familiar shapes, such as the tulip skirt and maxi dress and updating those beloved dress styles to fit her personal style, and to make predictions about the future shape of women's fashion.
We'll keep you updated on Brittany's assent (because undoubtedly she will rise!) but for now, here's a peak at her line.
-A

Where to find vintage and thrift shopportunities:

-Thrift Stores: We’ve already given you the details on these guys.

-Flea markets: Markets, usually outdoors, featuring a wide spread of individual stalls, some of which will likely be selling vintage or used clothing, or cut-rate merchandise. 

-Garage sales, tag sales and yard sales: These sales, typically small and always localized, are often posted on craigslist.com.  Save yourself a drive by looking specifically for garage, tag or yard sale posts that mention clothing. 

-White elephant sales:  These are basically large, collaborative tag sales, in which a group of people come together to sell their secondhand goods. 

-Estate sales:  Otherwise known as an estate liquidation, these are a type of garage/ yard sale or auction meant to dispose of the possessions of a person who is recently deceased or who wants to unload a great deal of their belongings to make a relocation easier.  Again, you can focus on listings that mention clothing.  

The internet is a particularly wonderful starting point in your vintage and thrifting exploits.  Below, online resources that can get you started:

-thethriftshopper.com and thriftyplanet.com:  These  sites allow you to search for thrift stores in your area by category. 

- thesalvationarmyusa.org and goodwill.org:  Find the nearest Salvation Army or Goodwill thrift store near you and you can be sure that your purchase is also for a good cause. 

- vintageshoppingguide.com and fashiondig.com: Both of these sights allow you to locate vintage stores in your area.  Fashion Dig has the added bonus that you can search by decade, department or designer. 

-etsy.com and ebay.com:  Etsy is rife with vintage and resale online boutiques, as is ebay.  Some of our Etsy favorites are www.etsy.com/shop/raretreasure ,  www.etsy.com/shop/purpledeervintage and www.etsy.com/shop/dalenavintage

-For ideas of how to wear vintage clothing in a modern context, there are a multiplicity of blogs featuring fabulous fashionistas.  All you have to do is look!

If you are worried above plunging headfirst into the world of thrift and vintage, we have a couple of tips that might help you plan your attack:

-Be patient; it’s the only way to not feel overwhelmed.  In thrift stores especially, you will most likely have to dig.  This means that giving yourself a good amount of time to browse is vital.  Keely of Canned Caviar spent two hours rummaging through ridiculously crowded racks of clothing at one of her favorite thrift stores before unearthing an Yves Saint Laurent blazer that was crammed in a corner.  It was 15 dollars, an unbelievable steal.  Don’t miss out on a dream discovery because you gave up too soon.

-At the same time, don't be afraid to leave empty-handed.  Sometimes there’s just not a great selection, but nearly every retailer is constantly getting new merchandise, and will frequently refresh the items on the floor.  That means you may strike out today, but take home a fabulous prize next week. And remember, one thrift or vintage store is not the only thrift or vintage store. If you haven’t found what you’re looking for at your favorite store, try another place. 

-Low prices are a beautiful thing, but don’t feel pressured to buy something because “it’s…just….so….CHEAP”.  We’ve been there, but you must resist the urge to binge just because you can afford it.  Take your time with your decisions, be selective, and really think about how this new garment will contribute to your overall wardrobe.  Can you see it working with several things you already own?

-In order to ensure that you’re not impulse-buying, make a mental list of what you need.  If, say, you’re looking for jeans, go straight there and scan thoroughly before browsing elsewhere.  We keep ongoing lists of our must-haves (which may become would-likes and never-minds) and update them often.  If you take note of something you’ve spotted that you like, you can target stores that would be more likely to have what your looking for.  For instance, if you’re keen on structured jackets with striking shoulder padding, aim for vintage stores with a broad selection of 80’s gear, since shoulder emphasis was huge in the 80’s.  This is why knowledge of the circularity of fashion trends will benefit the vintage shopper.  What was stylish “back then” will often reappear in a modern translation.

-Check the garment thoroughly before purchasing it.   Because it is second hand, you may be getting a damaged item.  Check for tight seams, for stains, and for holes by holding the garment up to a lit window.  You might also find pieces that aren't second-hand, sometimes still with tags, brand spanking new, or samples from major merchandisers. And remember, certain flaws can be remedied, but avoid purchasing clothing that has dark stains or rips that are not on the seams. You may even want to ask a sales associate if they’ll give you a discount on a damaged item.

-Go to thrift stores on sale days (you can check to see when these days are) and stocking days, when you will find reduced prices and new items on the floor.

-If you’re getting vintage clothes from the seventies or earlier, be aware that people were a whole lot smaller then.  Don't be traumatized if the only dress that fits you is a size 12, which would be more like a size 6 nowadays.  What the sizing issue also entails is that it will be very difficult to find shoes that fit, unless you are a size 6 or smaller, in which case… bonanza!

-Don't forget to take note of misleading information about what
retailers might call "vintage". This is especially troublesome when you are trying to make an online purchase. Sometimes a garment will be referred to as "vintage" when really, it is just "retro". For example, the website Indie Treasure Trove boasts a large collection of  vintage-inspired garb, which is just retro, replicas of styles that might appear to be from another era. Don't make that "era"!

Here are our top reasons to buy vintage and thrift, in no particular order:

(Above: An adorable pair of vintage lace-up oxfords with a coquettish little heel.  Only $33 on Etsy.com)

1) The price is right: A good thrift store can have desirable things for $2.00, and who doesn't want to spend less?

2) Vintage stores are more expensive than thrift stores, but the pieces there often look like higher-end contemporary designer pieces.  This is in part because of the circularity of fashion trends (more about trend circularity to come in a later installment of this guide).

3) The condition of most apparel in these stores is often better than you might think.  If you have the heebie jeebies about wearing used clothes, give them a good wash or dry cleaning. 

4) Vintage and thrift shops are the perfect way to enhance the originality of your wardrobe.  You'll find things at these stores that aren't currently proliferating across racks internationally, and thereby avoid that awkward moment when you discover that you and Jane Doe are wearing the same dress.

5) Buying only resale clothing is environmentally friendly.  By reusing you are decreasing demand and therefore production and waste. And speaking of environmental friendliness, the fur industry (for all you animal lovers out there) was once a lot less dispicable than it is now. Vintage furs made before the 1980's lack the evil factory settings of today, in which animals are raised in captivity (often times in positively VILE factories) for the sole purpose of using their fur. This is not only wasteful, as other parts are simply discarded, but also expensive, and these days, YOU pay for it. At the thrift store Re-Runs in downtown Saratoga, you can find beautiful vintage furs, often for under eighty dollars, and no new critters have to die!

6) Often, and this is the case with thrift stores especially, you are giving to a good cause.  Part of the proceeds of many thrift stores support non-profit organizations.  The Salvation Army and The Goodwill are two of the most famous non-profit supporting thrift stores, but a little web research or a phone call can let you know whether your favorite thrifting spot donates to a good cause.  

7) When it comes to vintage clothing, the fabric and tailoring are usually superior to what is available today and have a lot more handwork.  Even inexpensive women's clothing has considerable attention to detail, the kind that would cost a lot more to buy from a modern retailer. 

If there is any one shopping tactic we advocate over all others, it is doubtlessly to make thrift and vintage your best friend.  It can be difficult, however, to hone your thrifting skills, especially if you're new to the field, or living in a small town setting like us Skidmore students.  This little guide, to be given in a few installments, is meant to jumpstart your sartorial savvy with a few tips and tricks for thrift and vintage shopping.

To begin with, it will help to know exactly what is meant by "thrift" and "vintage".  A "thrift" store is any shop selling second-hand goods, of which we at Canned Caviar are (naturally) focussed on preowned clothing.  This is pretty self-explanatory, and thrift stores can be found virtually anywhere, but as we'll explain later, locating the treasure troves may take some hunting. 

Defining "vintage" gets a little trickier.  The general rule is that clothing and accessories made before the 1920's qualify as "antique", a genre of dress we won't go much into since a) is is understandably expensive and b) it isn't usually wearable without looking costumey.  Clothing produced between the 1920's and 1980's is officially "vintage".  A rule of thumb is that a garment must be at least 30 years old to be considered vintage. 

Although these are the established standards for vintage clothing, the ladies of Canned Caviar generally work with a looser definition of the term.  For us, anything from the 1980's is vintage, whether it is from 1981 or 1988.  Some vintage retailers seem to share our looser standards, so if you are looking specifically for officially vintage items, you should ask the shopkeeper what range of decades they are offering.  The truth is, many retailers will not know the exact date of a given piece, only an estimation, but we're of the opinion that a great garment should be allowed to fudge the rules.  FYI: "Retro" does not mean "vintage".  If something is called retro, that only means that it emulates a vintage style.  

Another ingredient in the pre-owned clothing store mix is the consignment shop. Consignment shops differ from both vintage and thrift stores because of the way the owners obtain new clothing. At a thrift store, pieces are usually acquired in-house, and sellers are often given store credit for their used garb, as is the case with Buffalo Exchange or Beacon's Closet. Vintage stores, by contrast, generally have professional buyers and sellers with whom they keep in close contact. Not just anyone can walk into a vintage store and give a bag of clothing, get some tax credit and bounce, as is the case with the Salvation Army. Consignment shops are a rather clever blend of Vintage and Thrift stores. Standards at consignment shops are generally high, however, sellers can also be buyers, as with thrift stores. What is unique about consignment is the way commission is given to sellers. At thrift stores, when you sell your clothing, you get money (or a receipt for tax credit) right away, whereas, at consignment shops, you receive your portion of the sale after the clothing has been appraised and sold.

A Gibson London 60's "retro" dogtooth men's peacoat.

A vintage 1971 navy Pembroke men's peacoat, with tag details that verify its origin.

It's no secret that I love Forever 21. There is no other way to say it. Even though I suffered greatly because of my employment there, I'll never stop poking through the plethora of inexpensive, yet super trendy and fashion-forward isles of this great store. A while ago, I posted a few pictures of a massive amount of gold jewelry, reminding everyone that it's all right to be flashy in frugal times, so long as you don't boast the price of your second-hand Swarovskis.
I was just browsing (I swear) through some of the new jewelry from Forever and came across a great deal of animal-themed jewelry, which reminded me suddenly of a customer who came up to me when I was working there this past winter. She said she was looking for something with an owl on it, because her daughter really loved owls. I found one item for her in the end, and placed her search request in the back of my mind. I think that animal jewelry is fun for all ages, which is precisely what Forever 21 aims to promote through its attire and accessories. I can hear the echoing coo of Alphaville now... and I have to admit after seeing these glamorous gems,  I wanna be forever young too!

-A

I recently watched the 1969 film Cactus Flower, starring Goldie Hawn, Walter Matthau and Ingrid Bergman.  As a Gen Y'er myself, I'd never thought of Goldie Hawn and anything but Kate Hudson's mother until I saw this charming film.  The love triangle at the epicenter of the film is charged with wit and energy, mostly as a result of Hawn's character, a role for which she won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress.  It's no surprise that the French adapted the film into a play, Fleur de Cactus, being that they love a good ménage à trois.  Below, a film still of Hawn in Cactus Flower:

Remember those old tv ads that promised to turn your boring old tees and last season jeans into flashy, fashionable works of wearable art? Well, ladies and gentlemen, due to a recent episode of gossip girl, I was reminded fondly of that splendid 90's infomercial which featured a sort of sewing kit thingamajig that literally turned any ragged old thing into a ballin' blinging...thing.
Okay, so the bedazzler thing was kind of lame because those plastic pieces of poo always fell out when I put them in...BUT, when I saw Blair Waldorf's character in this little number, I almost gave the bedazzler a second chance. She looks absolutely delectable in this mocha-latte-with-a-dash-of-whipped- cream ensemble...I mean, this entire image is edible, just take a peak, even the bedsheets match her outfit, what a lucky (yet slightly anal retentive, maybe) gal! It kind of turns me on to hear her pretending to moan and groan in this desert dish of a scene....but I digress...All in all, I think that bling is great, but chocolate covered bling is somehow a little more sumptuous...
All right I have to say it, cause this is just so beautiful right here, look below!
"you know you love me....xoxo"