Tag: Vintage

Vintage Shopping at Paper Moon Vintage

k150_28Stiletto_City_heel_iconSZDVintage clothes have been a trend for so long they are clearly here to stay. There are those who wear them occasionally for an eclectic touch and those who consider vintage wear a lifestyle. No matter how you craft your look, good vintage shopping means going to a store that understands how to curate quality inventory and assist its customers in finding just the right piece. One store that’s a must for vintage lovers in Los Angeles is Paper Moon Vintage. Founded by vintage lifestylist Nicole Loretta, you can expect to find retro garb for women and men that’s been lovingly selected and in good shape from eras specifically within the 1900s-1950s

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Just wander the many racks filled with gorgeous fabrics, amazing cuts and you’ll see how Loretta’s eye for unique and beautiful pieces has put together a store that’s a pleasure to shop in. Loretta has been a longtime fixture on LA vintage scene and can always be seen in a fabulous outfit herself. She’s also known as a photographer, capturing event photos of patrons on her handmade moon props everywhere from the Cicada Club to private weddings with her Paper Moon Vintage photo booth business.

Nicole Loretta and Nathan Marsak Paper Moon Vintage Los Angeles
Nicole Loretta and Nathan Marsak Paper Moon Vintage LA

In keeping with the moon theme, Paper Moon Vintage also hosts full moon parties every month on the full moon (obviously!) They offer 25% off everything in the store and stay open until 9 p.m. with cocktails and snacks starting at 6 p.m. You can also have your photo taken on the custom-made moon backdrops by Nicole. Don’t miss out on the fun – and deals! Follow their Facebook page for event announcements.

Vintage Shopping Paper Moon Vintage Los Angeles

What I Wore

For a recent full moon party, I went noir-themed in a black vintage dress with pops of gold in my purse and shell shaped necklace with drop-bead, paired with leopard-print Mary Jane heels. And as always, you’ll find me in the shoe section!

Vintage Shopping

What to Wear for A Shopping Day

When vintage shopping, you’ll want to express your vintage loving style. It makes it easy for the store owners to get a read on what you might like and can make recommendations. Also, keep in mind items that are easy to take on and off so you can try things on.

BONUS TIP: I personally hate side zips on vintage tops and dresses because I have to pull them over my head risking getting makeup on them and wrecking my hair. One solution, however, if you find a side zip vintage item you want to try on – bring a clean t-shirt with you. Put it on over your head, so it covers your face (you can peek out through the neck or armhole to see and breathe.) This will help prevent you from getting makeup on the item you’re trying on and will usually keep your retro hairdo somewhat in place.

This cute pink, 1950s-style, peasant top has an elastic neckline (no buttons or zips to mess with!) Match it with a breezy flared skirt (you could even try on pencil skirts and pants underneath without having to take it off!) Wear some shoes that are easy to kick off to try clothes on – no buckles or ties – such as these sling-back sandals with pretty gold trim that plays off the pattern in the skirt. Just slip the back strap down and they’re off! Don’t forget to bring your shopping money in a cute bag, such at this retro telephone purse. Click the links to shop* this look!

Vintage Shopping Look

Paper Moon Vintage is located at 4516 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90027

Happy shopping!
Kastle

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Tag: Vintage

Look of the Day: Vintage on Main Street

k150_23SZDheel iconFor this Look of the Day I went shopping along Main Street, deep on the West Side of Los Angeles.  I love all the shops along there, there’s always something new to discover and there are lots of great shops to pick up a little gift for someone special.

I decided to wear one of my favorite vintage dresses, a ‘60s chiffon shift dress with a bright citrus print and matching fabric belt. I love this dress but unfortunately, the delicate fabric is giving way to time and it’s starting to disintegrate a little bit, despite my best efforts to preserve it. I figured I’d get it in a photo shoot before it turns to dust!

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The purse is a vintage, wicker, box bag that belonged to my mom. I’m lucky that it’s in perfect condition and I cherish it. The rhinestone clip-on earrings came from a local vintage store and the leopard sunglasses I actually picked up at a party store. You never know where you’re going to find something to add a spark to your wardrobe!

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The shoes are technically costume shoes. The plastic isn’t terribly comfortable but if you don’t have to walk around much, they go with any outfit!

While the dress is ‘60s, I topped it with a hairdo of ‘40s-era victory rolls. Don’t be afraid to mix up your vintage eras and also throw in some modern pieces. For my shopping day I was just going for a fun look, but if I was going for an authentic look in the era of the dress, I might have done my hair in a beehive or Brigitte Bardot style. Shop* similar items with the links below.

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Shop* similar items for this look:

Vintage Shift Dress 

Wicker Vintage Box Purse

Clear Heels

Vintage Earrings 

Vintage Bracelet

Photos by Erica Hampton, be sure to check out her work.

 

Until next time,
Kastle

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Tag: Vintage

Look of the Day: Shopping Day

k150_23SZDheel iconOne of my favorite things is to go shopping. Even if it’s just window shopping, I love making little wish lists of future outfit possibilities. And why not get dressed up for it? I see way too many people frumping around in sweatpants these days. This is Los Angeles, the city is crawling with celebrities and powerful people, you never know who you’re going to run into – plus, it gives me more to look at!

For this day, I put on a bright yellow, vintage, shift dress and matched the red trim with my shiny, red, t-strap shoes. I’ve had these shoes since my teens and I still love them! The red bag, featuring a pinup postcard, was custom-made by some creative gal who was vending at a hot rod show I went to years ago. There isn’t a tag inside. I wish I could find her so I could buy more, it’s one of my favorites! The drop earrings I picked up at a vintage store. While all the items here are one-of-a-kind, I’ve included links* below where you can shop for a similar look of the day!

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Shop:

Retro shift dress

Red shiny shoes

Red, retro, shiny bag

Drop earrings

Photos by Erica Hampton, be sure to check out her work.

Shop on!
Kastle

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Tag: Vintage

Look of the Day: Vintage Spring Floral Print

k150_23SZDheel iconIt’s officially springtime and that means floral prints! For this Look of the Day, I pulled out one of my favorite vintage dresses. I love it for the unusual sides-wept neckline with delicate pleating. I paired it with some gold sandals. a pair of floral drop earrings I picked up on a trip to Paris, and a handbag I brought back from a visit to my parent’s house.

This bright yellow, vintage, basket-weave purse is one of my treasured possessions. My mom kept it in perfect condition and it makes me think of her and her fabulous sense of style whenever I carry it.

Check the links below for where you can shop* similar items.

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Vintage Dresses

Vintage Reproduction Dress

Gold Vintage Ring

Vintage Wicker Basket Purses

Vintage Reproduction Purses

Gold Sandals

Flower Drop Earrings

Hair Flowers

 

Welcome Spring!
Kastle

 

Welcome Spring!

Kastle

Photos by Secret Agent Mojo Wurken. All items featured were purchased by the author (and her mom!)
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Tag: Vintage

Look of the Day: Carnaby Street

k150_23SZDheel iconToday’s look brings back the days of swinging London in the 1960s. I enjoyed some of the warm Los Angeles weather to don a vintage, color-block, A-line dress, vintage low-heeled shoes with a dainty front tie, ball-drop earrings and big frame Jackie O.-style sunglasses. The circle-pattern purse is direct from Carnaby Street. I picked it up on a trip I took to England a few years back.

For this photo shoot, I got to work with photographer Erica Hampton, be sure to check out her work.

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Carnaby_backDress from Clever Vintage Clothing
Shoes from Vintage Playclothes

Shop* similar items:

1960s-style Dresses 

Vintage Shoes

Dot Purse 

Jackie O-style sunglasses

Ball Drop Earrings

Swing it!
Kastle

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Tag: Vintage

Stiletto City Goes To Austin!

k150_23SZDheel iconTravel is one of my favorite hobbies. This year I got to spend a little extra time with my family in Houston over the holidays and decided to make a side trip to Austin. This quirky city is the capitol of Texas and an active college town, home to the University of Texas. It’s also the location of the mega South by Southwest Music Festival every spring.

Upon my arrival at a hotel along the trendy, boutique and café-lined district of South Congress (or “SoCo” as the locals know it), I found Austin to be quite charming with its abundance of artsy buildings, trailer parks converted into eateries, and old homes converted into galleries and shops, and my favorite – lots of vintage shopping!

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I did some shopping along SoCo (Disco K. will be very happy with her new pimpin’ vintage faux fur stole!) and went exploring Downtown where I ventured into the State Capitol building with its massive rotunda topped with a star that spells TEXAS at the top. I also checked out “The Drag” near UT, which now lives up to its name because most of the cool shops have been pushed out for chain-style restaurants. And a trip to Austin wouldn’t be complete without tasting some local music so I caught the new band Wrenfro featuring Tony Scalzo from Fastball at the Strange Brew Lounge.

Check out the scene:

Here’s a list of vintage stores I hit in case you’re ever in the area:

New Bohemia – 1606 S. Congress, 78704

Uncommon Objects – 1512 S. Congress Ave., 78704

St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store – 1327 S Congress Ave.,78704

Room Service – 107 E. North Loop Blvd. (E. 53rd), 78751

Bertha’s Paradise – 112 E. North Loop, 78751

Ermine Vintage – 106 E. North Loop Blvd., 78751

There were so many vintage stores, I didn’t have time (or the money!) to hit them all but here’s a map of Vintage Around Town if you do.

Thanks for a great time Austin!
Kastle

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Tag: Vintage

Pinup Girl’s Gift Guide

k150_23SZDheel iconTrying to shop for that girl on your list  who loves retro looks and vintage clothing? Then this gift guide is for you! Find out what items are easier than others when it comes to finding the perfect vintage or vintage-inspired gift, and what will help your girl out in trying to achieve the look.

From clothes to books, I’ve got you covered!

Be sure to subscribe to the Stiletto City YouTube Channel!
Shop* for items mentioned in this video with the links below:

Pinup Girl Clothing
Bettie Page Clothing

Vintage hats on Ebay
Vintage gloves on Ebay
Vintage purses on Ebay

Red lipstick

Foam rollers
Hot Sticks hot rollers

Style Me Vintage Books
Vintage Hairstyling Book
Classic Beauty: The History of Makeup Book (by Besame Cosmetics founder Gabriela Hernandez)

Santa, baby!
Kastle

This video is not sponsored. All items were purchased by me.
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Tag: Vintage

Mod About Style

k150_17heel iconIf you’ve ever seen me out ‘n’ about, you may have noted I like to wear a lot of vintage, but I always ground it with something modern be it my shoes, a pencil skirt or handbag. I found a site the must of have read my mind in this approach to style. ModCloth features a mix of new clothes that are modern, some that look vintage and some that are actually vintage. They appeal of my sense of mixing it up.

I go ga-ga over their coats, ogle over their shoes and giddy over their dresses.  And right now they are having a MASSIVE Cabin Fever Sale to help you beat the post-holiday blues with a new outfit. But hurry, items are selling out fast!

Check it out HERE 

 

Go mod,
Kastle

*Disclaimer
Photos from ModCloth via Pinterest

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Tag: Vintage

Bellejar Vintage: Going Out with Belles On

The New Year is upon us and what better time to shop for a new frock? I recently walked my stilettos over to Bellejar Vintage for their holiday party and it was a little piece of shopping heaven. Great pieces, great prices – even a $5 rack where my friend Fabby found the most fabulous tangerine-colored mod shift dress – which will put her right in fashion since tangerine tango was voted Pantone’s color of 2012. Bellejar frequently has little shopping parties with bands and we couldn’t help but the notice the good-looking crowd of shaggy-haired, alt-rock boys and gorgeous pin-up beauty queens that turned up. Owner Katie Stratton is one stylish dame herself and didn’t disappoint in a festive red-trimmed frock, pout and ruby sparkle shoes. Check the place out! See photos from the party by clicking the link below:

Bellejar Vintage Party

And this just in – Bellejar Vintage is offering Stiletto City readers 10% off all online orders by using the code STILETTOCITY. Whoohoo! 

Dress like you mean it,
K.

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Tag: Vintage

Party Like it’s 1929

‘Tis the season for parties but one group that never needs an excuse is The Art Deco Society. With so many fabulous historic buildings in Los Angeles, this organization knows where to socialize! They regularly gather in some of the city’s most amazing settings to have a drink, wear their finest vintage attire and discuss ways to preserve Los Angeles’ most precious structures – those built in a time when art, style and craftsmanship took precedence over cheap, nondescript disposable architecture. I love being a member of this group knowing I’m contributing to some dedicated conservation efforts and I don’t mind drinking a toast to it as well! See some photos from recent events:

Art Deco Society Parties

See you at the next party!
K.

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