Vintage Thrifting

Nags Head, North Carolina thrift shop finds. Pink cluster of cottages, Edith's Antiques, I walk up the boardwalk through the covered porch alley to shops so stuffed it is certain one is on a movie set.

 

 

Mannequins in 1930's smoking jackets, white linen suits, armor, lumberjack flannels, servant’s wear, civil war soldiers uniform, chenille jackets, coral opera coat, cowboy boots, flowered and netted hats, bowlers, Stetsons, top, cloche, pillbox, wonderfully zany costumes for every fantasy.  A wonderland of nostalgia, stories, what feet have marched, hobbled, tiptoed, stomped, skipped, and dragged in these shoes? Tiny baby shoes, worn boots, 30's black leather pumps. I buy a silk scarf, flirted with a magenta border and just a few holes.

 

Southern Soldier Antiques, in a back room in a far off dusty corner, is a rack of costumes, "re- enactment” clothing. Not too old, surprisingly well made, and fun. I spy a long, claret colored silk skirt, ankle length in front, dragging a small train in back, with many tiny belt loops and Gabriel belt. Hugely wide along the hem, fitted around the hips, I buy it for fifteen dollars without trying it on. Then I spot a long, bias cut, silky, black, deeply plunging sleeveless dress, I slip it over my head and it is stuck, way too tight for my bust. I start to sadly put it back then decide to check the seams and discover it has been take-up with darts, wide and deep, and surely I can let it out to my size! I fold it lovingly on top of the claret skirt. Ten dollars. A long white cotton skirt full of tiny tucks and ruffle along the hem with only a few yellow stains, too tight around the waist but so long I can cut off the waist band and hike it up shortening and widening it, I may never wear it peeking out from under a grey linen skirt but hey it only cost three dollars! AND a sunflower shaped silver pin with a cluster of amber stones in the center. Perfect for my cloche if I ever find one that fits.

Another vintage house jammed with jewels. Bags, bonnets, belts, beehives and sequined pajamas. A coral opera coat is too dear at two hundred fifty dollars. I ask the man how did he collect all this.  His wife has connections. For thirty years she accessorized Hollywood. Yes, she knows her stuff. What fun is all this glitter!

Even wind at the beach can't stop the hilarious, glamour of this day in The Outer Banks.

At home I tie the silk flowered 50's scarf around my shaggy hair and pretend I'm Hollywood.