Mintage: Retro Ruthie Shop

So, you know how in the previous post I was all like "Man, I need to stop blowin' my dough..."

Well, the reason for that is... I have a trip to LA coming up soon!

So I need to save money... in order to spend it!

Kinda like before I went to Italy on exchange the first time... I worked out like a dog and everyone was like "Why are you losing weight? You wanna get one of them Italian boys?" And I was like "Nope, I lose it so that I might gain it alllll back and be no worse off than the day I was born...." MATH!

That being said, I have so many plans for LA... mostly shopping-oriented.

Other than the old standbys which I plan to hit like a butterfly / sting like a bee - I also wanted to check out some places I have since discovered... though not entirely sure they have bricks-and-mortar shops... but I think they do... hmmmm....

I present to any of you not in the know... Retro Ruthie!

How unbelievably gorgeous are her designs? And incredibly affordable! Especially when you put on the ol' pounds sterling rose coloured glasses on over it.

Shoot - if there is no store, I might have to order online in advance. Ahhh vacation stress!

Ok - now I'm going to get back to that staring contest I am having with the tube of Pringles.

Credits: Retro Ruthie Shop

Mintage: Recent Acquisitions from Beyond Retrooooooo!

Now, I am not a huge fan of the London "vintage" shopping scene. Especially when most of the items that are considered "vintage" and are commanding a premium look like they have somehow recirculated themselves from my OWN childhood Goodwill donations to Brick Lane.

Dude - I used to wear this sh!t fo' realz. Like.... unironically... what does that even mean!?!?

Like I mentioned, or maybe I didn't, I like Black Out II in Covent Garden. I had first heard of the shop from a Paloma Faith interview. I kinda dig her so that was good enough for me to ch-check it out.

I have made a few purchases from Black Out II - to be shown at a later date because, um, the post is about Beyond Retro ... or something.

Anyways, somewhere, somehow, I was in the neighborhood of the Brick Lane adjacent Beyond Retro and felt particularly inspired.

Trouble is with places like that, in locations like that, is that they KNOW what they got. They KNOW. They have the internet... I am a firm believe that there is no way you're going to score.

And I NEED to score these days. I need a win. I need to feel like I felt that time I scored a vintage letterman sweater and vintage silk navy flight suit at the JetRag $dollar$ sale.... El Cheapo de Mayo.

And then I did. I scored. I dun good. First I found an ace 60s beaded cream-coloured gown that would pretty much be the most amazing wedding dress ever - but since it ain't time for that yet, I had to tag and release... It was only 80 quid and looked to fit a UK 12 so if anyone's looking for one it was gorgeous and in  solid condition. Next I found a yellow terrycloth beach cover up dress of indeterminate age as I totally forgot what the name on the label was. It tempted me something good for £25 but the elastic on the sleeves was done for and I haven't quite committed my life to learning how to sew yet - though I am hoping to fulfill that ambition soon (::Looks up at dusty guitar in the corner...::)

Ok, ok, enough of the teasin', what about das pleasin'???

So first things first, actually, in order of fabulousness...

I nabbed this pretty cotton scarf for £5... I thought it would be an instantly prettifying accessory:

Next up to bat is a deadstock, with tags, skirt that seems to be made from a pastel plaid cheesecloth...

Shazaam! Perfect fit! Perfect condition! Smellin' so fresh and so clean clean. £14.

And now the boom shama lama ding dong catch of the day... Context: So one of my bestest best friends is getting married in LA in July and I have been having nightmares and heart palpitations over what to wear. The "theme" and I use that loosely cuz we are too cool for themes... Just kidding. I have themed pajamas per  night of the week.... Anyways, the theme is Gatsby-esque. And she has been planning this since we were little squids - it just happens to finally be happening in the same year of the movie (Damn You Luhhhhrrrrmmmaaannnnnn!). I originally bought / had sent to LA a dress from Modcloth:

Ah, now that I am looking at it again, I just might keep it. I love it - but the momz says it's not evening wedding-appropriate.... But it's sooo cute. Ok, well, at Beyond Retro, I found this:

I think it reads a bit 90s in this photo due to my wonky pitcha-takin' but check the details below... The dress fits like a glove and is actually ankle length despite appearances:

Right? I think it can go late-20s / 30s... either way, it's handmade and ::drumroll:: £25!!....

Like so:

Momz is already working on learning to do the hair. I found some decent tutorials to get a nice wave but have yet been brave enough to actually try it!

Ta-dah! That's all folkz!

PSYCH!

Totally kidding.. there's one more.... he he he he he.

Get ready for sensory overload:

At the bottom of the scarf bin I found this AMAZING treasure. Who'dathunkit? In the bin in Beyond Retro in Brick Lane? £4! I might want to frame it actually. It's spotless and amazing.

Which reminds me... Stop spending money!!!

Credits: ModCloth, Fashion Senorita, F As In Frank Vintage

“We're born naked, and the rest is drag.” - Our Lady of Dayumn (RuPaul)

I used a yoga advert as a cookie plate today.

...

....

I am feeling ok with this decision.

And then we were alone...

Thought:

Charles Bukowski reminds me a lot of my father.

I guess right now my greatest fear is running out of his words... and having no one left to talk to.

Credits: The Solo Swan

Mintage: The Great Jean Revue... er, Review!

I love me some denim. Maybe you've heard? Yea, I did triple denim... in the office... I'm going for quadruple next time.

BOO YAH!

Anyways - back to the point...

I am now the proud (and broke) owner of a sh!t ton of repro jeans.

I have (in order of poi-chase... er, purchase):

1. Three pairs of GAP High Waist Skinny Jeans (2 Black, 1 Blue)
2. Freddie's of Pinewood Classics
3. Freddie's of Pinewood 1940s Work Pants
4. Bernie Dexter Siren Capris in Black Denim
5. Bernie Dexter Siren Capris in Blue Denim
6. Bernie Dexter Skinny Dungaree High Waist in Black Denim
7. Vivien of Holloway 1950s Jeans in Black Denim

Whew... "Ouch" said me wallet!

I will do a proper review later with photos of my fine denim-clad azz but for now the story is:

1. Pic Unavailable - These puppies sold out fast because their reputation preceded the quality of this batch!

Bust the zipper out on me ol' Blackies. Good thing I had a spare pair. These fit great... however, the black denim fades to a Salvation Army tinge after the FIRST wash... looks more vintage than I'd like if you catch my drift! The black denim was much thicker and therefore flattering. I wore the blue jeans once but the fit on those was so horrid... the thinness of the denim paired with the thickness of the waist band gave the worst silhouette. Spit! Gross! Givin' me the Horsey Sauce Blues!

2. Freddie's Classics. Had to go up a size in these from the 1940s Work Pants because ain't no way that was gonna happen. Ah the fond memories of bathroom adventures when these were yet to be properly broken in... shudder. I really liked these at first - in the dressing room at Camden market. Buuuttttt.... uuuggghh. I have since decided the denim is a smidge to thick and the cut a smidge too wide for someone of my thigh-ular proportions. It just... was.... :: Little Mermaid gasp - sigh:: stumpy. Such an absolute shame since in my mind Freddie's has by far the best quality denim on the scene... Maybe I should give the New Jeanies a go??? So in the end I took the scissors to these and made them into shorts... I think they work ok... especially because I was able to choose the length... which is a whole other post about how impossible it is for us chubby-legged lassies to get some retro shorts that aren't hotpants!

3. Freddie's 1940s Work Pants. These! They are so the goods. The fit is incredible and makes my legs look miiiiiiles long and my waist so fly (or waspy?!?! boom! puns!). But seriously. These are a great jean and I can't imagine them not looking good on anyone. Though, disclaimer, I won't wear these without some chunky-azz platforms for extra leg-lengthening... which left a HUGE void in my life since I can't seem to manage wearing heels between the hours of "sober" and "buzzed"... so I needed a pair of casual denim that wasn't stumpy!

4. That's when I went to What Katie Did and snagged me first pair of Bernie's (which I initially wrote about in my Mintage Spending Spree post). These were the Black Denims, size Rio Grande (which will be my stage name from now on - obvs!). These fit amazing. These seriously caused a man to honk and give the boyfriend a thumbs up as we were walking down the street... hahahahahahah. It's as if all those years of shite denim lead up to this moment. These jeans were the reason I ate all those cheeseburgers and ditched soccer practice. So that my curves could be resplendent in Bernie Dexter jeans... Alas, just as all love stories come to a horrifying end (or maybe just Love Story... ugh the worst)... I am having some ishies with my babies. One of the back darts is coming undone (Mind you there are only 2 months old) and the front seem is pulling... Obviously not devastating but I get weirdly obsessed with little imperfections and so have focused on and blown these issues out of proportion... sad face.

5. Then bought the Bernie's in Blue Denim, which are available in the UK through Kittenish Behaviour and at £100, vs £120 at WKD. These are also great though aren't as thick as the black denim... which is a bit boo. And also! The way that it's just the zipper and no button! Word to the wise... this happened to a friend of mine.. ahem!.... make sure they are zipped up right and maybe use a safety pin or else yo bare azz will be walking through the airport.... SHAME.

6. Woops I lied. I actually "technically" bought the Skinny Dungarees before the Blue Siren Capris.... alas, they are sitting in LA until I collect them in July because my momz refused to spot me $200 for shipping.... GAWD MAWM WHY>!>!>!> jk.... Hoping those are awesome. Fingers crossed.

7. Now about my most recent acquisition... VoH 1950's Jeans... and finally! Some awesome casual jeans that aren't so va-va-voom as the Siren Capris but still look good with little tomboy shoesies. I lovelovelovelove them... Though there were some intial issues with the purchase... first was told the wrong size, then bought the wrong size and then when I got home I noticed the seam on the pocket was coming out so had to bike out to the shop and return them and then bought the right size online - whew. So as I sit wearing them now everything is lovely... will comment on durability a bit later as this is my first day wearing them! And then just want to add in the most roundabout non-controversial way possible... I know I am just still used to American levels of customer service.... and I can admit that I am the most socially awkward and sweaty person ever so I take full responsibility for that.... SO I am hoping I just had some off experiences! Let's put it that way! Here's hoping because I love the jeans and hope to score the sombrero skirt as well! Wow I just b*tched out of that hard. Man up, Horsey Sauce!

That's that.

Leave a comment or email me at TheYearOfGigi at Gmail.com if any questions on sizing!!

Credits: Bernie Dexter, Vivien of Holloway, Freddie's of Pinewood

Mintage! Etsy Mill Street Vintage... WAaaaaAAAaaAAant......

Like Oh Em Frikkin Gawd....

First I was like "Say hwa-hwa-hwaaaa?"

But then I was like...

Seriously.

Are you serious?

How is this a thing that exists and is not mine?

Etsy Mill Street Vintage

That's it, I'm dead. I'm gone.

This post brought to you by pop culture speak.

Credits: Keramigo, My Life as a ShitShow, Gifs for the Masses, Semi Charmed Collegiate Life

Mintage!: Blamma Lamma Ding Dong... Pinterest!

I don't know that I have a Pinterest.

DO I?

But here's an awesome one....

Lydiaposh1's Vintage Mexican Hawaiian Clothing

Easy Peasy Lemon Squeezy!

Everything you need to regret that you are not a gazillionaire. Or a dope Mexican chick.

I got both. Waheeeyyy.

EN-jwah!

'Til next time.... Do recall...

Lepah Prin' Errthang