Field trip: Beggars and Choosers, Pittsboro, NC

(WordPress is being uncooperative with my photos and I don’t have time to figure out the problem right now, but I wanted to get this post up in case any locals wanted to go check out the shop, as they are only open this weekend! I’ll work on the pics soon…)

Yesterday was actually the first time I had been to Beggars and Choosers in Pittsboro, NC, even though I have been to Pittsboro many times. People have been telling me to go for years and I can see why – this shop is full of thoughtful and adorable pieces of furniture, antiques, knick-knacks, a second floor full of vintage clothes and accessories at reasonable prices, and a basement full of furniture and clothes at thrift shop prices.

The shop is only open for this coming weekend, after being closed for some time following a robbery at the store. To kick off the store’s limited weekend opening, Beggars and Choosers had a “preview” night on Thursday, April 29 and for $10 admission you get first dibs on the store’s new inventory, hors d’ouvres, and live music while you shop. The store’s owner, Pam Smith, was a delight and danced around the store, meeting and greeting people, new friends and old friends, with a warm welcome.

I hope that Beggars and Choosers will remain open, if not with regular business hours, with these sort of limited open weekends, because there were some really great swing era items and a lovely selection of vintage faux pearl jewelry. My friend Natasha El-Sergany came along and picked up a pearl necklace for her wedding. Notable items included a great selection of men’s footwear, lots of dead stock items for men and women, a pair of black spats, a 1930’s embroidered debutante/wedding gown with matching embroidered shoes, tons of sundresses from the 1950’s through the 1970’s, tons of men’s and women’s hats, at least 6 pairs of 1940’s heels that make me wish my foot was AAAA width, Art Deco era Bulova watches, a wonderful straw cloche, bakelite bangles, lots of pearl jewelry, a lovely brown evening gown that was promptly snatched from the display, some sassy 1940’s dresses with peplums and draping, and the biggest collection of 1950’s rooster ties I’ve ever seen.

If you are local to NC, the store will be open Friday and Saturday (April 30 and May 1) from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and on Sunday, May 2 from 1 to 5 p.m. It’s worth the trip!

The center of the store is this magnificent dress!
Some really old captoes.
Spats!
Whimsical dress...
There was a whole shelf of dead stock men's shirts.
Lovely brown evening gown with gold detail on the neck and pockets - yup, pockets in an evening gown! Awesome!
A straw cloche for a very small head.
These red shoes were adorable.
There was a whole box of these little men's accessories bits and pieces, brand new in box.
Some of the bits had initials on them...
...and other bits had 1950's men's names on them. 🙂
Most of those white/cream jackets are dinner jackets.
Rooster ties!
Adorable flowered dress with peplum...too small for me, but maybe not for you?
Cool men's vest.
Who doesn't want a Mr. Tap 'n' Go?

More lovely dresses from eBay

They just keeping coming and I feel compelled to post them:

This sheer black 30’s/40’s dress has some lovely detailing on it. Sheer dresses can be tricky, though, because then you have to find a full slip to go underneath it. I’m a big fan of this slip from J.C. Penney because you can simply cut the slip at the different lace points to alter the length of the slip (no hemming!) and the straps are adjustable.

This dead stock 1940’s flowered day dress is new, with tags on! When I find these dead stock dresses it just seems wild – there must be an interesting story on where the garment came from and why it was never worn.

This black 30’s/40’s dress with scalloped sweetheart neckline is adorable, with asymmetrical buttons going up the front (very similar to the white dress from Putting on the Ritz in this post).

Delicious green satin dress (40’s/50’s?) – check out the embroidery! This would be wonderful at Christmas…

Purple striped cotton dress – I’m loving the collar, the sweetheart neckline, and those GIANT pockets!

Leather and mesh shoes for men

I know a lot of swing ladies who have this pair of Aris Allen heeled oxfords. They are flexible, comfortable, and breatheable and I know I love my pair.

So when I came across these shoes on eBay, I was wondering: do the same principles apply to men’s shoes? Would this pair of oxfords have the same mesh benefits as the Aris Allen oxford heel? Regardless, they are a sharp looking pair of vintage shoes. Gents, feel free to weigh in with your feedback.

Green gingham dress!

When the perfect article of clothing for me comes along I get this feeling in my gut and I know it’s right and I should own this piece of clothing – I got that feeling when I looked at this green gingham dress this morning from the Raleigh Vintage Etsy store. I’m trying to contain myself in describing how perfectly cute it is and how awesome I think it would look on me…if only it were in my size. 😦 😦 😦

Someone please buy this dress so I can enjoy it on someone I know or may encounter at a dance event – you would have my infinite admiration and adoration!

Lindy looks from Forever 21

Forever 21 has some of the best bargains I’ve found for clothes, but I usually shy away from their retail stores because of the sheer volume of chaos involved in going to the store. The Forever 21 website is a streamlined way to get through all those racks of clothes in a more organized and stress-free fashion.

Here are some dresses from Forever 21’s website that are sort of a nod to things swing:

Meridian Silk Dress

Picnic Party Dress

Whispy flower silk dress

Whispy feather knit dress

Linen vests

I’ve been getting a lot of requests for vests lately, but vests are hard to come by in the men’s stores I’ve been to with my dad and in vintage stores, or at least the ones I am frequenting. EBay has a few right now, so here are some vests in linen, an ideal summer weight fabric:

Tan linen vest I can’t seem to get the photo for…

Plaid linen vest in large and x-large.

Brown linen vest with what looks like some nice weaving or texture.

Granny shoes

The heeled oxford can be an elegant shoe and this collection of “granny shoes” on eBay is a prime example of oxfords done well. Most of these shoes are narrow in width, so check the measurements carefully or pick up a shoe stretcher. There are so many of them, maybe a few of you could go in together on the auction…

Special thanks to Milda Matilda for posting the auction and to Heidi Rosenau for suggesting that narrow shoe issues can be solved with a stretcher. 🙂

Gentlemen, start your engines…

Yes, I know I have neglected the gentlemen on my blog thus far, but I was waiting for a superior item to post and here it is. Check out this 1930’s navy blue pin-stripe three piece suit for sale on eBay – the suit even makes the scruffy male model in the pictures look sharp!

Note that the suit is custom tailored and “the pants and jacket both have plenty of room to be let out,” in case this suit is almost your size.

Pretty frocks to cure your case of the Mondays

On Mondays the eBay sellers get back to work with fresh vintage auctions for the week. Here’s what today’s listing had to offer:

Coral beaded flapper dress

Adorable blue gingham dress with bows on the shoulders and buttons up the side.

Colorful feedsack print dress.

Citrus striped sundress.

Aqua patterned 40’s day dress with puffed sleeves and rickrack.

Chevron striped sundress.

Black crepe cocktail dress with beading detail.

Art deco-inspired earrings.

Zac Posen for Target

I have been in love with Zac Posen‘s clothing since Natalie Portman wore his Empire Dress to the Star Wars Episode I premiere (Pictured here – I still love this dress!). I have followed his work over the years, but lack a movie star budget, so I have admired his work from afar…until today.

Target‘s GO! Designer series has done an excellent job of bringing edgy, creative, and up-and-coming designers to the masses. In the past I’ve picked up a few things to wear to dances from this clothing line at Target, including a black Anna Sui flapper dress, an off-white Libertine 20’s-inspired slip dress, and a blouse and vest by Alice Temperley.

I went to Target this morning to check out the collection, which was surprisingly not picked over yet. The collection was youthful, colorful, and a bit more luxurious and detailed than some previous GO! collections I have seen. I’ll add that Zac Posen knows how to make a lady look good and, where the fit in previous collections has been sub-par, everything I tried on from this collection had an excellent fit. Here are some of my favorite looks from the collection that have swing dance potential:

This dress is adorable and, unfortunately, was not at my local Target. Check out the twirl of the skirt on the model!
These tuxedo pants were well-tailored. Matching jacket optional.
The model doesn't do this retro-inspired bathing suit justice - add curves to make this gold swimwear a vintage piece.
This dress fit like a dream, but after yesterday's shopping trip to Winston-Salem, it could not come home with me. The photo does not do this dress justice, it is more vibrant in color and has gold threads running throughout. Wear this at the next Swing and Soul and you'll look gorgeous, like one of the Supremes.
This skirt was not at my Target location, but given the flirtiness of skirts present in the collection, I'd say this has definite swing potential.
This tiger print dress flows beautifully and, upon closer inspection, has details that you would normally not see in clothing sold at Target.

Field trip: Putting on the Ritz, Winston-Salem, NC

Run, don’t walk, to Winston-Salem, NC to experience the gorgeous vintage clothing and treasures at Putting on the Ritz. The store owner Hans Hauser has a lifelong passion for vintage clothing and accessories and it shows in every square inch of the house he has converted into a vintage clothing store. Through his vintage consignment sources, friendships with vintage collectors, and his own efforts to retrieve specific pieces from faraway locations, Hans has collected one of the best, if not the best, vintage clothing and accessories collection for sale in the state.

I met Hans about 5 years ago when my friend Sharon Ferris directed me to this treasure trove. I purchased a 1940’s bathing suit that I wore to VBLX that year for the battleship dance. Even though I had not seen him in 5 years, he knew immediately who I was today and pulled out the picture I sent him of me in the bathing suit from behind the countertop. My friend Laura Boyes and I ended up exploring the shop and chatting with Hans for about 3 1/2 hours – excellent company and excellent vintage!

The shop is jam packed full of a mix of vintage, designer consignment, and glitzy clothing. The list of notables is long: straw boaters, men’s 50’s hats, Yves Saint Laurent black satin pumps, a white fur capelet, 50’s prom and day dresses (some with matching jackets), 30’s and 40’s gowns worthy of an MGM movie, flowered 40’s day dresses, a velvet trimmed 40’s suit, wide brim ladies hats, art deco costume jewelry, wedding dresses from the Victorian era through the 50’s, delicious 40’s platforms, bias cut lingerie, and a burnout velvet 20’s dress that came home with me.

If you are interested in any of the clothing items I have posted or would like to know more, please contact Hans Hauser at (336) 659-9944. He is happy to work out arrangements over the phone and he also does layaway.

Putting on the Ritz
304 Harvey Street
Winston-Salem, NC

The shop is open Tuesday through Friday, noon to 6:00 p.m. and on Saturday from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

P.S. Pardon my unmade face – I think it’s easier on the clothes if I don’t wear makeup when I try on vintage clothing.

White 40's crepe dress, buttons up the front with scalloped edge around the buttons.
Pink 50's cotton sundress with matching bolero jacket.
Light blue 40's crepe gown shown with wide brim blue straw hat with a velvet ribbon.
Union Jack crepe evening gown that did not actually fit me, so I am holding the zipper on the side. This dress is stunning in person and will look much better on someone else.
This 20's burnout velvet dress is mine!
Navy blue 40's (?) sheer dress with painted on polka dots and matching under-slip.
50's plaid day dress with really cool polka dot detailing where the plaids cross.
Leopard print bathing suit - rawrrrr!
MGM starlet white evening gown with gold trim and cutout triangle in the front. Made for someone tiny.
Brown 40's suede platforms, small size.
Green suede 40's platforms with perforated suede and button detail, small size.
More gorgeous art deco brooches.
Boater hats - gents, sorry there wasn't more for you in the store. The boater on the left with the blue and red ribbon was sized 7 1/8. No size was found in the boater with black ribbon, but I tried on both and the boater with the black ribbon was slightly larger, so I'd say it was about a 7 1/4. Michael Q., here's looking at you to check a boater in one of these sizes off your shopping challenge!
View of some of the men's hats.
View of one of the main rooms in the store.
Adorable sportswear hat of unknown decade. SO CUTE!
Green satin platforms!
Mexican straw luggage.
A view of what I am calling the wedding dress corner.

Vintage picks of the day

It was a banner day for listing dresses of the swing era on eBay! Let’s get started:

I am not usually accepting of lace clothing, but for this dress I overcame my stigma about lace looking matronly or overdone. The color is cheerful, the cut impeccable, and it comes in a wearable size. Just look at the goring on that skirt! I bet it twirls like a dream…

This yellow crochet knit belted sweater with black crepe swing skirt is just too adorable for words! Someone please buy this and let me know when you are wearing it so I can come inspect its adorableness.

This formal gown is definitely not danceable, but was too gorgeous not to post – love this!

Beach pajamas! Classic wide-leg, high waisted style in one colorful piece.

I love chevrons! This chevron dress has summer dance written all over it.