Fashion

Getting on my Vintage Vogue for the Los Angeles Blogger Prom

By Mary Hall | September 19, 2010

Extra, Extra, the Blogger Prom is coming up this week in Los Angeles. To my surprise, I’m getting really excited about it. Why? Well, I will get to meet some local bloggers whose blogs I read regularly, have an amazing dinner in the Hollywood Hills at Yamashiro, and…wait for it…dress in 1940’s Vintage Style! That is really my favorite part. I just love Vintage clothes. Bloggers who do not dress according to the theme won’t be admitted. It’s serious George Hurrell Vintage Vogue time. Yesterday. I spent the afternoon getting my vintage shop on. Now, I have to do a show and tell of all the treasures I found at my local thrift stores: the Palos Verdes Resale store and the Salvation Army. If you are in the Los Angeles area, you will want to give these places a look.

My top pick from my Blogger Prom expedition is the Palos Verdes Resale store for rare vintage treasures that benefit a wide variety of charities. The store is staffed by a team of very friendly and helpful volunteers including: Carol Kubik, Betty Wall and Rosemarie. Carol Kubik is the curator of their small, but quality, vintage section. Ask for her when you go to the store, she is extremely knowledgeable about what the store has, the stories behind the clothes, and can tell you what is in the back of the store that they haven’t put out yet. I wanted to find a Vintage Irene dress or suit for the 1940’s themed prom, but Irenes can be hard to find. I was not able to find one for this event with the right price or fit (Irenes typically go for big $$$.) What I did find were great vintage earrings, an amazing sweater with jeweled embellishments, a gorgeous pink suit jacket with pearls sewn into the design on the the right breast pocket, a vintage handbag for $1.50 and amazing Ferragomo shoes. Check out my haul.

Pictured: My new vintage sweater jacket with embellishments, price $32.00. This is from the old Robinson’s store and the condition is immaculate. Check out the detail on it.

Pictured: Amazing detail on this little sweater jacket

Pictured: My new pink suit jacket with pearl embellishments. Cost $25.00.

Pictured: My new/old vintage earrings from PV Resale, $12.00 each. These are perfect for the 1940s look, because they are from the period.

Pictured: My new, like new, no scuffs on the soles Ferragamo shoes, for $20.00, but if you buy 1 pair you get 1 free at the store. Not for Blogger Prom but for wear elsewhere.

Pictured: I didn’t buy this, but Palos Verdes Resale has this vintage Galanos couture one piece, tuxedo suit worn by a celebrity for a special event. It’s a size 6-8 and in mint condition. Looks circa 1980s to me.

As you can see I scored big at Palos Verdes store. If you’re in Los Angeles, you’ll definitely want to check out this little gem on Pacific Coast Highway in Lomita. It’s much less expensive than many of the other stores offering vintage in Los Angeles. And Psst, they also had a black couture jacket from Bullocks Pasadena. Run don’t walk to get it if you are a size 6 to 8 US.

My second stop was the Salvation Army store on Pacific Coast Highway in Torrance, CA. This store is huge. There are good things and many bad things too. You have to pick through it carefully. And let’s just say this store has no ambiance and leave it at that. Right now they are having some amazing sales, and I did find a few things that I can use for Blogger Prom or after. I’m probably going to wear this Black dress with white flowers, plus the open toe platform ivory shoes shown below with the black and white clip on earrings.

Pictured: 1940s style print dress and matching open toe platform shoes. I could wear a white gardenia behind my ear, like Mo’nique did at the Academy Awards this year. Cost: $10.00.

Pictured: 1940s style surplus bodice wrap top with pleats, this could be worn with a black slim pencil skirt with Veronica Lake style hair and a big brooch. Cost $4.00.

As you can see, I clearly got some good deals on vintage styles. Just a little reminder about all the great pre-owned, reusable fashion available at your local thrift stores. It make take some time, but there are treasures out there. Be sure and explore stores in your area, and check their reviews on Yelp! These are great places to look for Halloween costumes, vintage, and everyday wear for adults and children.

Now for Blogger Prom, I just need to decide on my final look. One thing is for sure, I’ll be wearing my hair in waves, rocking dark red lipstick and probably flash eyelashes. Any other ideas?