In someone else's shoes

One thing I've never particularly been into is second hand shoes. Don't get me wrong, I've seen plenty of lovely looking recycled footwear displayed prettily in second hand and vintage shops - from the dusty shelves of Value Village to the most upscale consignment boutique. But for some reason, I just can't wrap my mind around slipping my toes into previously worn shoes.

The stench of a thousand feet

Perhaps it's because my size 9 feet would have seemed like they belonged to a mutant Sasquatch to the average woman living in the 50s, and thus I have a hard time finding anything bigger than what looks like an eight year-old child's shoes. But in all honesty, it's the idea I can't get over. I mean, I am all for putting yourself in someone else's shoes. Just not literally. The thought of walking around in footwear that has absorbed some unknown individual's foot sweat (or perhaps much worse...toe jam? Athlete's foot? BUNIONS?), and then sitting around a shop letting the juices fester just doesn't seem that appealing to me. And with a father who worked in microbiology, I'm all too aware of the fungi that can linger in places for many, many years.

Sure, you could wear socks. But I've smelled some of my shoes and boots that have never had a bare foot touch them - not pretty. Socks don't do a good job of absorbing moisture (at least, not with my feet). And there's no real way to clean shoes unless you spray the hell out of them with Febreze and anti-fungal disinfectant. So unless I'm going to be covering my feet in HAZMAT material, I think shoes are going to be one of those things I'll leave to other buyers.

Now, I do happen to own (and have previously owned) hand-me-down shoes from friends and relatives, which I think is a great way of acquiring new wares. The difference is, you actually know where the shoes are coming from. It's like this: let's say, there are two curtains. Behind one is a good friend of yours, and behind the other is a complete stranger who you can't see. You have to make out with one of them. If you don't, you'll spontaneously combust. Don't ask why, it's a hypothetical situation and logic doesn't apply. So, do you make out with the complete stranger, or someone you've known for years? I mean, in reality both of their mouths are probably just as bacteria filled, their breath is likely just as bad, and there's a chance you could get Mono from either party. But wouldn't you rather know who the Mono came from? If I'm going to get plantar warts from wearing someone else's shoes, I'd rather have the opportunity to blame it on someone I already know. So I can shame them. Publicly.

I have nothing against other people buying second hand and vintage shoes - all the power to you! But I think I'll stick to things I can throw in the washing machine.

Would you take the plunge?

Cozy Cashmere

When the temperature dips below -20°C, all I want to do is throw on my warmest, cuddliest cashmere and stay indoors.

I see cashmere as one of those winter essentials - it's soft and cozy and oh so warm (I inherited a love for it from my mother and Nana - as well as a couple of sweaters!) So when A.H. and I popped into the very upscale Thrill of the Find on Queen East on a particularly cold and blustery day last weekend, a beautiful grey vintage cashmere sweater was the first thing I pulled off the racks. It fit perfectly, and for only $50 (and made in Canada to boot), I didn't need to think twice about buying it!

I've found that vintage cashmere is of much higher quality than new stuff - it's thicker and better woven (although I'm sure there are exceptions...if you're willing to pay for it!) This sweater is no different - thick, soft, warm and in mint condition! I even wore it to work last week with my new leather skirt :) Simple, yet chic!

The Details:
Era: 70s or 80s
Material: 100% cashmere
Label: Parkhurst
Made in Canada

A new purchase + a moral dilemma

One thing I love about shopping vintage is it makes me think outside the box in terms of what I like and what I think suits me, and how it forces me to embrace styles that perhaps I wouldn't necessarily choose for myself right off the bat.

Which brings me to a debate I've been having with myself the last week or so.

On Monday during lunch, I decided to check out a vintage shop near my work, Timeless Apparel. It's full of great finds from every era, and that day I happened to land upon a section of lovely 80s leather skirts. A few, in particular, were purple. They were also all on sale.

Now, I love vintage skirts (especially awesome ones from the 80s), and I love purple, and I love sales. The problem? The leather. Most of you may know I'm a vegetarian, and have been for over 15 years. It's more than a diet to me, it's an important part of my life and drives a lot of the moral decisions I make. As a rule, I don't wear leather or fur or even angora (the shearing or plucking practices can be very cruel).

As I left the store, I wondered if vintage/second hand leather (or fur, if you want to expand the question) was considered "ok" to purchase and wear, since I wouldn't directly be supporting the leather industry by buying into it. Or was I? I started to do some research online for other peoples' opinions on the issue (mainly from other vegetarians and vegans). Some were in agreement of wearing recycled leather and fur, and others were completely opposed to it.

After weighing both sides of the argument, I was still a bit torn, but more on the agreeing side. From a purely ecological standpoint, which is more sustainable: buying a pair of used/second hand leather shoes, or buying a brand new pair of cheap synthetic shoes that will fall apart and end up in a landfill? Which has a lesser impact on the environment? The choice is obvious (to me, anyways). And again, you're not directly buying into and supporting the leather industry by contributing to increasing demand.

On the other hand, it's still wearing the skin of an animal, something I'm against (for the same reasons as eating them). So does wearing recycled/vintage leather comply with my own morals and values about animal rights and ethics? I think in a large part it does, but in other ways it doesn't. That being said, I would still never wear fur, even recycled, but I think that's more to do with the point that it's obvious you're wearing a dead animal. (Although, both synthetic leather and synthetic fur can definitely look like the real thing).

It's a personal choice, and after much thought I decided it was okay and right for me to be able to wear recycled leather. I'm not going to nuts, but I have the option and the choice. That's not to say that I believe other veggies should follow suit - everyone needs to do what's best for them (and I believe, in this case, that it's also best for the environment). As long as I'm comfortable with my decision, I shouldn't have to justify it to others - although unfortunately, I have the feeling I'll have to anyways.

So, in light of my decision, I went back to the store on Thursday and purchased a very lovely purple leather skirt:

Funky and fab and oh so 80s!

The Details:
Era: 80s
Label: unknown
Material: leather
no label

What do you think about vegetarians or vegans wearing recycled leather and/or fur?

Top 5 Finds of 2013

No New Year's resolution would be complete without a look back at the previous year. Thus, I thought it would be fitting to come up with my top 5 vintage and second-hand purchases of 2013 to help kick off my new blog.

So without further ado, here are 5 of my favourite vintage and second-hand finds from last year (in no particular order):

1. Vintage red wool wraparound skirt

I came across this gorgeous skirt while exploring the neighbourhood of Parkdale with A.H. one day. We popped into the most adorable little boutique, FrouFrou Vintage, and I simply couldn't leave without something! With a unique wrap-around design, classy pleats and three cute buttons (and not to mention mint condition), I couldn't be more pleased with this find.

The Details:
Era: 70s
Label: Jocardi
Material: 100% wool
Made in Canada
Fab Factor: red hot


2. Vintage wool cape

 

I absolutely adore this cape, because...

 

Wait for it...

Wait for it...

 TADA! That's right, it's reversible!

I scooped up this gem at Courage My Love in Kensington Market (during one of me and A.H.'s Toronto neighbourhood exploration days). For only $35, it was a steal. Who could say no to a gorgeous camel cape that flipped inside out to reveal a whole other wild side to it? It's very heavy and warm, and I tend to keep my arms and hands tucked inside so as to avoid "T-rex arms". I get compliments every time I wear it! Unfortunately the original labels are missing, so I don't have much information about the era or origins.

I haven't been bold enough yet to wear it with the leopard print side out, but one of these days...

The Details:
Era: 60s
Label: unknown
Material: wool and...?
Fab Factor: off the charts

3. Vintage high-waisted checked skirt

Right behind my streetcar stop on Queen East (and therefore handily close to home) is the very cute second-hand shop Common Sort. I went in to try to sell some of my clothes one day (they unfortunately didn't want them), but as they were sorting through my wares I sorted through theirs, and snagged this chic skirt. They don't specialize in vintage, but I've gathered from the design and label (and fact that it wasn't made it China) that it probably falls into the vintage category. I love the burnt orange and navy blue checked pattern!

The Details:
Era: 70s/80s (?)
Label: unknown
Material: rayon and nylon
Made in Canada
Fab Factor: Check me out!

4. Vintage oversized hand knit wool sweater with polar bears!

Who doesn't love an oversized knit sweater from the 80s? I found this adorable wool pullover at Mama Loves You vintage, which I ducked into to escape the cold while waiting for the streetcar home (the shop is a little too conveniently located right behind the stop). I missed the streetcar but did not miss out on claiming this very soft, warm and cozy item. I've already worn it a ton (perfect travel outfit for cold airplanes!) and it even has a cute kangaroo pocket. And um, polar bears? Yes. Just, yes.

The Details:
Era: 80s (label says 1988...i.e. younger than me, and considered vintage. I wept a little.)
Label: BEREK New York
Material: 100% wool (label says "Knitted by hand with two needles")
Made in Uruguay
Fab Factor: too cool

...and last but certainly not least:

5. Vintage yellow and white lace sundress

I fell in love with this beauty the moment I laid eyes on it. I came across Used House of Vintage in Vancouver while on a trip to B.C. last summer, and boy am I happy I decided to take a look inside! This bright and cheery 60s summer dress fits like a glove and we are, in my opinion, a match made in heaven! It's in excellent condition save for a couple of very slight discolouration marks. The lace detail makes it simply divine! *love*

The Details:
Era: 60s
Label: unknown
Material: polyester (?)
Made in USA (most likely due to ILGWU label present)
Fab Factor: always on the bright side!


Honourable Mention: Vintage Samsonite train case
Well it's not exactly a piece of clothing, but I just had to put this in here:

This was one of my first vintage buys of 2013, and I found it in Elora of all places while A.H. and I were on a B&B weekend away. The quaint town is lucky to be home to a wonderful vintage shop, Sweet Trash. The store is full of incredible high-quality vintage wares, and I'm glad I got to take one home! As soon as I spotted this mint-condition Samsonite caramel train case, I knew it had to be mine. It even came with the original key and insert tray! The case itself is quite heavy and I've never used it for travel, but it sits prettily on my antique dresser and holds plenty of trinkets. I do dream of the day where I can waltz classily onto Via 1st class in a baby blue 50s summer dress, ivory hat, white lace gloves and Mary Janes and proudly carry this gem in both hands. I've got some shopping ahead of me.

The Details
Era: 50s
Label: Samsonite of Canada
Made in Stratford, Ontario!


Love it? Hate it? Plotting how to steal it? Feel free to leave comments!


Photography: A.H.

First purchase of 2014!

Well it's finally 2014 and my New Year's Resolution has officially begun! To kick off the New Year, I present to you my very first vintage purchase of the year.

On Friday during my lunch break, I wandered into a lovely vintage shop downtown, Mama Loves You vintage (which is quickly becoming one of my favourites!)

I walked out with this chic 70s striped blouse, in absolute mint condition:

 I think it's simply fab!

The Details:
Era: 70s
Label: Silkhana by Lady Manhattan
Material: Polyester
Made in China