Can’t find this on Amazon

There’s something that’s been on my mind lately: the best gifts you can give. Spoiler alert: they’re not found on Amazon, and I’m not just saying that because I’m a vintage fashion lover and small seller advocate. 

Are you being deluged by emails warning you that the clock is ticking down to Christmas delivery deadlines? The pressure to find the perfect gift is on. But the best gift can’t be found with a quick click and a two-day shipping promise. 

When did giving become so… impersonal?  

When you give vintage and secondhand items you give history, and you give something much more personal. I remember finding a 1960s tapestry handbag at a flea market, and it immediately reminded me of a friend of mine. It was vibrantly colorful and quirky—just like her. When she unwrapped it she had tears in her eyes.  I could tell she felt seen and appreciated.

A scene from a Brrrzaar, one of Spokane’s all-local winter art markets (image courtesy of Terrain)

And let’s talk about handmade items for a second. There’s a raw authenticity in something crafted by human hands. I’ve met some incredible small sellers who pour their souls into their work. When you buy from them, you're not just supporting a business; you’re lifting up a dreamer. Isn’t that a better story than clicking “Add to Cart” on a faceless website?

I get that shopping secondhand or supporting small sellers can feel daunting. Maybe you're worried about the quality, or you just don’t know where to start. But trust me, it’s worth the adventure! Browsing thrift shops or local markets can feel like treasure hunting. You never know what gems you might uncover, and the excitement of finding that perfect piece is second to none.

Instead of succumbing to the “last chance” emails, I propose we go explore a local thrift store, vendor fair, small independent shop or even our own closets. Trust me, the best things come with a little history, a touch of character, and maybe even a bit of dust.

Because the best things in life—those that bring joy, laughter, and connection—can’t be bought on Amazon. Go ahead, take the leap. Your friends (and the planet) will thank you! And who knows? You might find a little piece of yourself along the way, too.

Small Thanksgiving

This Thanksgiving, my heart is full of mixed emotions. While I'm deeply grateful for the incredible support of my amazing customers—thank you all from the bottom of my heart for making denisebrain possible—I also feel so many of the world's sorrows. The news is heavy, and the challenges facing so many are immense. It’s a complicated time to feel thankful, yet the kindness and connection I’ve found in the vintage fashion world offer light. I feel such gratitude for small, beautiful things, and for the community we have together. Strong, caring individuals need to have each others’ backs. I’ve got yours.

Please: SHOP SMALL. SHOP LOCAL. MAKE GIFTS. BUY LESS.

If you purchase from me this holiday season, I will include a small gift with your purchase. If you don't purchase from me, that's fine. If you do make purchases, make some small business owners happy.

Wishing you all peace, reflection, and a Thanksgiving filled with whatever brings you comfort.

Once more with feeling, for the manatees

I have been asked by Save the Manatee Club to help spread the word that November is Manatee Awareness Month. Yes, the real mermaids have a month! One thing you can do for manatees this month: Wear vintage fashion.

—Wait, what?

Not only are vintage clothing items a beautiful form of recycling but you can specifically help manatees by purchasing vintage fashion from me! I donate 10% of my denisebrain Etsy shop sales to Save the Manatee Club.

This November it is my goal to raise an additional $500 for SMC, and I’d be so grateful for your help! I have a justgiving.com fundraising page:

I'm a Manatee Appointee! Margaret's fundraiser for Save The Manatee Club Inc

Let’s spread the word about the real mermaids!

VOTE

Put on your coolest* shoes and GO VOTE!!
*make sure they are also comfy enough to stand in line for however long it takes.

By Wednesday, we will either have safeguarded our democracy or taken the first serious steps toward a descent into fascism.

Please leave no votes behind!

Post for my newsletter subscribers

I promised to let my subscribers know when a special contest has been won, and I will do so here.

*****WE HAVE BOTH WINNERS! Thank you for playing along, and remember, you will still get a treat if you contact me with the correct information.

If you aren’t currently a subscriber, and would like to get in on the fun, sign up here!

I hope you have a boo-tiful Halloween!

Let's try something new this fall

I know, I know, New Year’s Day is the the time of fresh starts, and spring is the time of growth…

…but why not treat each season as a new start or a chance to grow? Cooler weather changes our wardrobes, and it may be time to consider what you want to add to your closet—or to see what you currently have in a new light. I have some ideas for you.

Pattern mix

Here's a classic mix: Floral and plaid.

Another mixing idea

Try items that have the same pattern in a different scale.

Accessorize with vintage

You can style a modern or vintage outfit with a bevy of vintage accessories.

Layer dresses

Wear a vintage dress as a coat. Credit to my model for this idea. Thanks Ceydar!

Try out color combinations

The 50s had some of the most interesting combos, such as burgundy and light blue.

Another from the 50s: Sage green and pale pink.

Go full out time traveler

Step out in an outfit that is head-to-toe one era.

Embrace the humor

The 70s are the most fun decade for crazy prints. Find one you love and work it!

Find something classic to mix and match

Choose something of great quality and mix, mix, mix.

Choose a classic coat

If it's hard to tell when it was made it will always serve you well.

Mix men's and women's

Borrowing from the boys is not new, but sometimes we forget to throw vintage menswear into the mix.

Go high and low

Mix more dressy with more casual pieces for a fresh take on a single era.

Find something that makes your heart sing

Find one very special thing to call your own.

Many of the items shown here are in my Etsy shop now, and others are coming within the next several weeks.

This pair of hand-decorated gloves by artist Ellen Greene is my heart-sing item for fall.

What do you want to make your own in a new way this season? Do you have a dress that needs styling? What is the one piece you most would like to add to your wardrobe?

I can't wait to help you with your own vintage renewal this fall!

The Magtone Color of the Moment: Pretty in Ink

You know how Pantone has a color of the year? For 2024, Pantone chose “Peach Fuzz”. I like it in small quantities, but it is just too soft for my taste, so I countered with the Magtone Color of the Moment, Sherwood Forest Green. Today I’m here to report the latest color to gain Magtone status: Ink blue.

First, allow me to explain. I choose my Magtones by feel. I see a color and it sends a bolt of emotion through me. It isn’t a cerebral choice, or a color that I would pick just because I like it.

A screen capture from the presidential debate

My choice came to me when I saw Vice President Kamala Harris in what I thought was a black suit, but then I saw its true shade: Ink blue. It’s a sober but not somber color, classic with a modern edge, elegant and powerful. It feels like it meets the moment right now, with the current cultural and political climate.

Here are some vintage picks from Etsy in my new favorite shade. You can find these and more in my Etsy collection Pretty in Ink (affiliate link).

Clearly this is a versatile color, used for formal gowns, trench coats, and everything in between. Depending on how accessorize it, ink can look light hearted or deeply serious. Look how white changes ink’s mood on this 1950s cocktail dress offered by the wonderful VintageVixen. It’s a crisp and classic pairing.

I have a 1960s ink blue silk dress with bright pink rose appliqués in my shop. Coral, blush pink—all pinks seems to work with this color.

Look at the energy lemon yellow bring to this 1960s dress in the VintageGwendolyn Etsy store. Mustard works great too.

Gray brings classic dignity to ink blue, gold demands respect—possibly because of the connection with military dress.

A tip about this color: It can look like black in photos, especially if it is velvet, suede, or any fabric with a nap. You have to search “midnight blue” and even just “navy blue” as well as “ink blue”—don’t just go by the look.

Do you wear ink blue? How does it feel to you? Please let me know in the comments.

It's my birthday bash!

Please help me celebrate! You may take 20% off any purchase of $25 or more in my Etsy shop AND I will choose a vintage accessory to send you as a gift with your purchase!

Just use the code BIRTHDAYBASH when you check out, or click this link for an automatic deduction.

Then I may need some help getting these candles blown out…

Look for the Union Label

Women from the ILGWU Upper South Department waving from among decorated cars with placards. International Ladies Garment Workers Union Photographs (1885-1985) The Kheel Center for Labor-Management Documentation and Archives in the ILR School at Cornell University

The ILGWU, once one of the largest labor unions in the United States, had primarily female membership. When this photo was taken (1950s) most of what was available to wear in the U.S. was made in the U.S., from the raw materials to the textile, design and finished product. Union tags on items let you know that fairly paid garment workers made the items.

Although not every union-made garment still has or ever had the label, I always search for a union labels in vintage clothing, and always photograph them. They make me happy. They also clue us in on the era of their construction. I have yet to find a shoddily sewn garment with a union label—I don’t think anything poorly made would pass muster.

A manufacturer and the Union Price Committee examine garments to estimate the work involved as a basis for piece rates. International Ladies Garment Workers Union Photographs (1885-1985) The Kheel Center for Labor-Management Documentation and Archives in the ILR School at Cornell University

The labor movement achieved the abolition of child labor, the establishment of the eight-hour workday, the introduction of weekends, the creation of Medicare, and enhancements to workplace safety. These advancements have benefitted all employees, even those without union representation.

What else is there to love about the garment unions? They had basketball teams, bowling leagues, choruses, advanced education classes and ESL classes. They raised money to help those in need. They were remarkably integrated. Their families understood what garment manufacturing meant and didn’t want to see a lesser product. Women had major power in garment unions, and could picket for better conditions and better pay.

ILGWU Local 22 plays ILGWU Local 91, November 6, 1937. International Ladies Garment Workers Union Photographs (1885-1985) The Kheel Center for Labor-Management Documentation and Archives in the ILR School at Cornell University

Up until the 1960s, a couple of unions—the Amalgamated Clothing Workers Union and the International Ladies Garment Workers Union—were the primary representatives of the country's garment workers. Due to their successful organizing efforts, these unions helped transition workers from exploitative sweatshop conditions to stable middle-class livelihoods.

Consumers were encouraged to actively seek out clothing with union labels, assuring them that their purchases were made in humane working environments by employees who had a genuine say in their work conditions. At that time, it was entirely feasible to outfit oneself with a wardrobe composed solely of union-made apparel for men, women, and children as most clothing available in American stores was manufactured locally by union members.

However, this is no longer the case. In the 1970s, prominent U.S. clothing manufacturers relocated production to non-union factories in the South, and by the 1980s, they had transferred operations to sweatshops in Asia, Mexico and Central America. Presently, the majority of garments sold in American retail outlets—including major retailers such as Walmart, Target and Nordstrom—are produced overseas, where laborers often face dire working conditions and limited rights.

Public Domain

Until more clothing is once again made ethically (I have hope, with a new wave of caring consumers), vintage clothing with union labels will remain a symbol of what was—and could be again.

Dopamine dressing with vintage fashion

Are you ready to turn your wardrobe into a happy place? I’m talking about the delightful concept of “dopamine dressing” and how vintage fashion can help you sprinkle a little fairy dust into your everyday life. Imagine looking into your closet and finding garments that not only fit beautifully but also make your heart skip a beat—now that’s what I call style! That’s what I call JOY!

Dopamine dressing is all about wearing clothes that make you feel good, and if you ask me, vintage fashion is the ultimate mood booster! There’s something magical about slipping into a vintage dress or a fab loungewear set that makes you feel as good as you look. Picture yourself in that vibrant floral 1970s maxi dress, or perhaps a sparkling 1950s jewelry parure. Each piece has its own story and character, just like you!

We all know that life can sometimes throw us curveballs—the world seems to be filled with curveballs at times. But the beauty of vintage fashion is its ability to inspire confidence and joy. Whether you're hosting a cozy gathering at home in a stunning hostess outfit or enjoying a solo dance party in your favorite silk robe, vintage fashion invites you to express yourself in a way that feels authentic and uplifting.

Whatever floats your boat—whether it be vibrant colors and playful patterns, strong shoulders and a perfect cut, or yards of lace and silk—vintage fashion offers the best examples! The next time you’re feeling down, why not reach for that eye-catching vintage jacket or those fabulous high-waisted trousers? Trust me; it’s amazing how a splash of color can elevate your mood and spark joy!

A little anecdote: A friend saw me in a 1930s bias-cut skirt with a bright floral print, accompanied by raspberry tights, and a purple jacket. Knowing me well, she said, “you must be having a bad day,” and she was right! The worse the day seems to be going, the brighter and happier I dress. After all, it can’t hurt!

And let’s not forget about the sustainable aspect of vintage fashion. By choosing pre-loved pieces, you’re not only uplifting your mood but also giving a second life to beautiful garments, reducing waste, and making a positive impact on the planet. Talk about a win-win!

What I love most about dopamine dressing with vintage is the inclusivity it brings. Vintage clothing comes in all styles, sizes, and eras, ensuring that everyone can find something that resonates with them. If I can help you find something special that makes you happy, let me know.

And just try not to smile when you see some of my current Etsy shop favorites—

Great clothes closet scenes from movies

Don’t worry, I’m not going to send you to the No Wire Hangers scene from Mommie Dearest here—this is about a little vicarious fun watching the transformation clothes can make.

27 Dresses Outrageous bridesmaid dresses that Katherine Heigl’s character has worn—and somehow makes look good.

The Devil Wears Prada When Anne Hathaway’s character gets a makeover the result is astonishing. It’s the turning point of her character’s life.

Clueless An early PC helps Alicia Silverstone put together outfits “like an average teenager.” The year? 1995.

13 Going on 30 When Jennifer Garner focuses on the wall of shoes in her closet the look is positively iconic.

Sex and the City: The Movie THE most fun fashion show as her friends help Sarah Jessica Parker decide what to take and what to toss from her wardrobe before moving in with Big.

Do you have any favorite closet scenes, especially from older movies? I’d love to expand my list.

The past lives of vintage fashion items

Ever wonder where your vintage fashion item has been? Sometimes they reveal their history through pocket contents or photos, other times it takes a little work to uncover their past lives. History is held in the stitches and the seams of these items!

A Bank Robbery, and a Yellow Suit

Louise's yellow knit suit was worn by a local philanthropist. The dry cleaning receipt tucked away in a pocket, dated June 1972, is a tangible link to the past owner, offering a glimpse into the life she led. We can almost imagine her wearing the suit, attending fundraisers and making a difference in her community.

Denise's vintage shoes are more than just footwear—they are a window into a thrilling moment in history. Frances Billyard, the original owner, wore the shoes to her first day at the First National Bank of Fostoria, Ohio, only to find herself in the middle of a bank robbery, allegedly by John Dillinger himself! Denise's shoes, never worn again by Frances, hold a silent witness to a moment frozen in time.

The Crosby Connection

Jolene (of Black Lotus Vintage) found a 1970s sheer floral maxi dress at a church sale which held a surprising connection to Hollywood royalty. Stitched into the hemline, original photographs revealed that the dress belonged to June Kuhn Crosby, wife of Bob Crosby and sister-in-law to the legendary Bing Crosby. It's a testament to the power of vintage, where even a tag sale can hold extraordinary gems.

Beyond the Famous: Everyday Stories

While some vintage pieces connect to famous figures, it's the everyday stories that often mean the most. Avera (of Fashion Past Forward) has a video series which highlights the emotional significance of vintage garments: Mrs. Myers's 1924 wedding dress, Avera’s own Granny's wedding dress from the 1940s, and the garments sewn with love and expertise for Avera by her grandmother.

From Greece to Hollywood: The Journey of a Bolero Jacket

Marsha's incredible 1920s bolero jacket is a story of resilience and artistic ambition. Through meticulous research, Marsha (of Ranch Queen Vintage) unveiled the journey of its original owner, Anna Mulinos, a singer who emigrated from Greece to NYC and later worked as a seamstress for Paramount Studios in Hollywood. Her daughter, Angelie, followed in her footsteps, becoming a successful actress before facing blacklisting during the Red Scare. This jacket is a tangible link to their remarkable lives, highlighting the hidden stories woven into the fabric of vintage.

Every vintage item holds the potential to unravel a captivating tale, connecting us to the past and reminding us of the enduring power of human connection. I invite you to share your own vintage stories in the comments! Let's continue weaving together the threads of history, one vintage piece at a time.

Go small or go home: The greatest tiny items of vintage fashion

These are my picks, but I’d love to know what small vintage fashion items YOU love, in the comments.

A smattering of scatter pins

In the mid-20th century, a fashion trend emerged in which small, decorative pins were worn on dresses, sweaters and jackets to add a touch of whimsy and/or elegance. These little brooches, known as scatter pins, were designed to be clustered and mixed and matched. The motifs were often flowers, birds, or non-thematic rhinestone figurations, and there was also plenty of playfulness; you can find everything from a cat and mouse, to chickens and clocks. Sometimes the pins are of the same size, sometimes they are in two or three different sizes.

One of my favorite ways to wear scatter pins is in a collection of items of the same theme, but not made to match. These are all vintage swallow scatter pins available on Etsy right now.

Tiny tilt toppers

Miniature marvels of millinery, 1940s tilt hats, with their delicate proportions and jaunty angles, add a touch of vintage playfulness. Maybe it's the sheer audacity of these Lilliputian lids, perched precariously on the forehead, defying gravity and convention. These diminutive darlings remind us of a time when fashion was an art form. Particularly in the war-era of the 1940s, when so much else was rationed, fashions for hair and hats were at their peak. Whether perched atop a sleek updo or nestled among loose curls, these tiny titans of the millinery world hold incredible fascination. 

Tiny tilter from the Etsy shop of RagandBonesVintage (affiliate link)

The terse purse

Holding just enough room for a lipstick, a coin and a whispered secret, diminutive vintage bags hold the smallest of fortunes and the greatest of joys. The tiny dance bags of the 1920s, often rivaling jewelry in their sparkling materials, detail and finesse, are a favorite. Similarly pint-sized purses meant for little girls now hold a wealth of memories. Then there are the vintage coin purses that carry more nostalgia than money—all proving that the smallest of things can bring the greatest of joys.

Also a fan of also-rans

More vintage fashion items that can grab the spotlight in their own right: Barrettes, collars, initial and name pins, Bakelite rings and quirky award pins. About that last—don’t knock the merit badge until you try it! Great conversations will ensue.

All the items shown are in the Etsy collection Tiny vintage fashion items. (affiliate link)

Now, what are your favorite wee wonders in the vintage fashion realm?

Do you want to know who wore it before you?

Oh, the thrill of the vintage find! There's something special about scoring a unique, one-of-a-kind piece that's been loved and worn by someone else before you. But have you ever stopped to think about who that someone else might be? For some, the idea of wearing a piece that's been previously owned is a major turnoff. They might imagine the previous owner's sweat and tears (literally), or worry about the item's history and provenance. I’ve heard people say they can’t wear a dead person’s clothes! But for others, the allure of a vintage fashion item lies precisely in its mysterious past.

Photo by George Rex

One of my most exciting and intriguing finds was a flamboyant performance jacket worn by Ice Capades star Alan Konrad. I was so happy to be able to send it home to his family (Incredible Vintage: Happiest Ending). I have found solid hints as to an item’s previous life (The Contents of a Vintage Pocket and the Dating of Vintage). I’ve met some of the original owners of clothing (Whose Dress Was It?). I’ve just written about a OOAK designer outfit that was worn to the Oscars (Exceptional Vintage: The Matrix Gown).

Imagine the stories a vintage dress could tell, or the secrets a pair of retro sunglasses might hold. Who wore them to the party of the year, or on a first date? Were they a favorite of a Hollywood starlet, or a staple in a hipster's wardrobe? The possibilities are endless, and for many, that's all part of the charm. So, do you want to know who wore it before you? Or do you prefer to imagine your own history with the piece? Have you ever come across an item with an incredible history? Please let me know in the comments.

Exceptional Vintage: The Matrix Gown

It’s not very often you come across a garment that is so singular and clearly tells a story.

The original owner of this outfit had it custom-designed to wear to the 72nd Academy Awards ceremony in 1999. Her husband was part of the special effects team of The Matrix, which won a well-deserved Oscar.

Scott Tallenger designed the ensemble, and I was delighted to hear from him recently, when he saw the outfit in my Etsy store. He sent along 1999 photos he took of a friend with a strong resemblance to Matrix star Carrie-Anne Moss (Trinity) wearing his creation.

From a photoshoot on an LA rooftop. Photos by Scott Tallenger.

I asked Scott if the design for this outfit involved the person who commissioned it.

“She and I collaborated on this for sure. The faux fur cape was all her idea. We were inspired by the 1963 film Irma La Douce. I was fresh out of Fashion College, working my first post-production job in film at the Computer Film Company, and she was actually my boss.”

In Matrix-y shades of gray, the outfit consists of a boned corset top with back lacings, a flaring long skirt, and an extravagant wrap. The dark grey silk skirt is luminous; it has stills from The Matrix made into fabric-like strips, decorating the skirt in vertical stripes all around. The wrap was designed to be worn with the faux fur bands held together. I had it explained to me this way: “The wrap was based on something Rita Hayworth wore in Pal Joey; the fur parts kind of went together with the organza showing anywhere it naturally gapped.” However you choose to wear it, the wrap is gorgeous. The organza sparkles with golden metallic threads.

I photographed the wrap on myself before being clued into the Pal Joey reference, then I rephotographed it on my beautiful model Sarah.

I asked Scott about how he created the skirt’s photo strips.

“I took a lot of darkroom classes in college. I was working with a product called ‘Liquid Light’ back then. It was basically a liquid emulsion you could paint on fabric, wood, metal, or glass. But it had to be applied in the dark and let dry for 24 hours before you could put it in the developer in a dark room setting. I wanted one big image of Trinity across the torso, but the finished garment didn't turn out—the tests had all worked perfectly. So I settled for vertical strips (sequences from the film) at every gore of the 6-gore silk skirt.”

This may have been a fallback, but it’s a sensational technique!

This outfit is a stunning slice of the late 1990s—a piece of both fashion and cinema history.

You can find the Matrix Gown (as Scott referred to it) in my Etsy shop here: Academy Awards Matrix Outfit - Corset Top, Skirt with Photo Print Fabric & Faux Fur Wrap by Scott Tallenger (affiliate link).

From Flare to Flair: How Vintage Fashion Helps Me Cope with Psoriatic Arthritis

Sometimes I look in the mirror and am not sure who I see. Am I the same person who has spent decades as the confident owner of my own small business? The person who ran from estate sale to seamstress to dry cleaner to vintage show to storage and everywhere in between? The model for my fashions? The person who could carry 20 vintage coats at once?

Who is the person in the mirror?

Living with psoriatic arthritis, a chronic condition that can be as unpredictable as it is debilitating, has forced me to confront the darkest corners of my own self-perception. Some days I find it hard to put my clothes on. Some days I find it hard to get out of bed. I sometimes feel down—very down—which doesn’t help.

Psoriasis, the skin component of psoriatic disease, became my uninvited guest in 1994. It would flare up with my own physical, mental and emotional stress. At that time I tried every topical treatment available, and nothing worked as well as day-to-day peace and calm.

Soon after, in 1999, I started my vintage fashion business, denisebrain. A professional French horn player and principal horn of the Spokane Symphony, I felt I had to step away from that position to lower my stress level, which was stuck in high gear.

This was in about 2010, when I had “just” a bit of psoriasis on my leg and scalp, but no arthritis.

I looked around for what I could do that felt fulfilling, easeful, joyful and creative, and vintage fashion came to mind. I had always loved wearing and collecting older clothing. It was fun to hunt down and I was immediately delighted in offering it to others through the new-fangled platform called eBay. I loved learning all I could about fashion and fabric history. I loved writing about it. I loved meeting the people who had worn the clothing when it was new. I loved learning about business. Heck, I even loved standing with customers’ packages in line at the post office!

My itchy, inflamed skin mostly settled down, and I felt I had orchestrated a remission from the autoimmune disease. In the meantime, I was still playing in the symphony now and then, as an extra or substitute member of the horn section. It was wonderful to be part of the music with less stress, and seeing my friends was so good for me.

Playing horn in the Spokane Symphony

Then, at a concert in 2014, I was stepping up on to the highest riser on stage, where the horn section sits, and I fell. Instinctively cradling my horn, my back took the brunt of the fall, as I landed on the corner of the next riser down. Fortunately I only hurt myself and didn’t take out a bassoonist or two! My instrument was unscathed, and I played the last piece of the concert, but by the time it was over I had to be taken to the emergency room of the nearest hospital.

A few months later, I woke up with numbness in my arms and legs, and extreme pain and fatigue. I set up an appointment with my doctor and discovered that I had psoriatic arthritis, most likely triggered by the fall on stage.

Nothing has been quite the same since. I have tried many different treatments, consulted every imaginable type of doctor/healer and had a number of surgeries on painful (a knee, a shoulder), stuck (a finger), or even destroyed (my hips), joints. Still, the most that has been achieved is lessening of symptoms—not remission.

Fashionably Flawed

Because of PsA, I have had to rethink all I’m doing with vintage fashion: Running my business, and all the steps involved, is much harder. I need—and get—help with most everything. Wearing vintage fashion is hard too. I’ve gained weight with the disease and the medications, it’s much harder to zip a back zipper with stiff arms, and it’s downright painful to wear anything tight.

Still, standing in front of my overflowing closet, surrounded by a rainbow of eclectic dresses, tops, jackets and skirts, I'm not just looking for what to wear—I'm making myself happy. For me, vintage fashion is more than just a quirky style choice; it's a lifeline to managing the physical and emotional pain of psoriatic arthritis. The soft, worn fabrics, the colorful patterns, and the stories behind each piece are a balm to my soul—even just to look at.

Finding Confidence in Imperfection

What do I wear now? Having seen the gamut of fashion from the 20th century as a dealer, I have some favorites for my present condition.

1. Soft knit dresses, such as rayon or cotton jersey—1940s are my favorites.

2. 1960s A-line cotton house dresses with front zippers.

3. Kimono-style jackets from any era, the silkier the better.

4. Slip-on knit skirts from the 1970s. I especially love novelty print knits from that era.

5. 1990s oversized unstructured blazers in linen or cotton (vintage men’s jackets can be great quality).

6. Cotton wrap dresses—especially 1940s and 50s-era.

7. Accessories, accessories, accessories.

Some vintage fashion for PsA. You can find these all in my Etsy favorites (affiliate link).

Vintage Vibes and Chronic Hope

Me, in a comfortable hand-embroidered and hand-woven cotton dress made in Tlaquepaque, Jalisco, Mexico in the 1960s to 70s.

Since being diagnosed with PsA, I have adapted my work and taken on some different jobs in vintage fashion. I published a book in 2020. I’ve been the president of the Vintage Fashion Guild and am currently serving as Vice President.

My passion for vintage fashion has become so much more than a beloved job for me now. It's a form of self-love, a declaration of self-worth, and—I dare say—a defiant rejection of the limitations that chronic illness can impose. I feel that I can defy the constraints of my condition by expressing my personal style. I’m imperfect, that’s clear, but perfectly myself.

I am writing this during Psoriatic Arthritis Action Month, organized by the National Psoriasis Foundation. Reading others’ stories helps me. I hope my story is able to help someone else.

Decorating with Vintage Fashion

The Vintage Fashion Guild (of which I am serving as Vice President) recently received a request for tips on decorating using vintage items in a modern setting. We puzzled over this, thinking that the inquiry was about vintage interior decorating items. However, when the writer clarified that she was interested in our tips as long as they involved styling an interior, I dug into the compelling challenge!

May I have a show of hands… The glove cabinet of VFG member lkranieri

I asked fellow VFG members for their ideas and photos, and I found out our members have some intriguing and stylish homes! Here are the ideas I proposed for decorating using vintage fashion items, in many cases illustrated by my colleagues.

For the sentimentalist: Many have family history in the form of clothing and accessories. These are so often tucked away and forgotten. Instead of simply framing a photo of someone you want to remember, consider protecting and preserving more of their story in a shadowbox frame. Frame a baptismal gown and baby photos, or a necklace, gloves and lace handkerchief with a photo of the loved one who used the items.

Baby clothes in a box frame, via Michelle Dally Cunningham/Dallysisters on Etsy

VFG member Distant Details framed her husband’s childhood Superman cape

For the mid-century kitsch lover: You can use cheerful vintage aprons across a line to curtain your kitchen or breakfast nook. The half aprons that once were ubiquitous often represent DIY in the most charming way, with mid-century prints, interesting trims and extras like ruffles and embroidery.

Vintage aprons available from VFG Members TheSpectrum, Ranch Queen Vintage and The Vintage Merchant

A vintage Guatemalan huipil brings its hand-crafted charm to a room in the home of VFG member Amanda in Vermont

For the modernist: Set a tone with a grouping of framed scarves or handkerchiefs. Vintage Vera scarves are particularly artful and many of Vera Neumann’s designs are akin to fine art. In fact, you can set a tone to suit almost any style with the right garment on display.

This is the “Pursemas Tree” of VFG Member The Vintage Purse Museum

For the collector: Some highlight their vintage fashion item collections by displaying them decoratively. After all, anything in groups becomes more interesting. Try lighting behind Lucite purses on a glass shelf in a modern interior. Especially if carved or with encased confetti, the Lucite will glow and sparkle.

Framed vintage fashion images on the walls of VFG members Linn’s Collection (left) and Vintagiality (right)

For the romantic: It’s not hard to love old dress forms and hat-display mannequin heads or hands. You can display a beautiful vintage hat on a vintage head mannequin or hat stand for an air of romance. (If you are more the fun-loving type, there are vintage mannequin parts—think leg upside down in an umbrella stand!)

1950s mannequin with antique dress; 1930s head form as part of display. Both photos courtesy of VFG member Another Time Vintage Apparel.

VFG member The Spectrum has an eclectic mix of beloved vintage items on display.

For the prepster: Vintage swimwear in primary colors framed in white would give a sporty look to a beach cottage.

This collection of items, including a blazer with pocket square and oxford button down shirt, gives an old-school preppy vibe. Royalty-free image from PickPik

The “Hat Department” corner in the home of VFG member DollsnTrolls displaying some of her partner’s country/rockabilly collection.

For the Western lover: A line up of perfectly worn vintage cowboy boots, cowboy hats and maybe a spur or two? Yee-haw!

Shoe display (another alternate Christmas tree) of VFG member Fashion History Museum

For the girly-girl: A display of colorful vintage shoes make great bedroom decor.

For the practical: To make a useful and beautiful display you can pin brooches on a cloth-covered dress form or some other soft decorative item. Looks good and it’s easy to see and select what you will wear. You can cover a wall with handbags that you can select for use, or fill an emptied chocolate box with jewelry, using individual paper cups (like the chocolate was in). This looks great with a Valentine heart-shaped box!

A wall of vintage bags for display and use. Royalty-free image via Pexels.

Vintage hatboxes make useful and beautiful containers in the home of VFG member The Spectrum.

Read the entire article that resulted from my and others’ tips, “Timeless Fusion: How to Blend Vintage and Modern Design According to Experts” by Holly Hooper, on Redfin.

The vintage dresses sign heads up an eclectic collection in the home of VFG member Northstar Vintage.

A caveat for display of vintage clothing and accessories: Keep in mind that vintage fashion items, to one degree or another, are ephemeral. To preserve the pieces on display, you will want to protect them from harsh conditions, including moisture, big temperature swings, direct sunlight, dust, and critters. Keep the items clean and be sure anything delicate (think beaded silk flapper dress) is not strained on a hanger.

It's the 25th anniversary of denisebrain!

I’m uncharacteristically speechless about my business turning 25 today. I thought of rounding up some highlights, but that would be a book! So instead, here’s a video that gives you a sense of how a quarter century feels:

You can help me celebrate this occasion by enjoying 25% off your purchase from the denisebrain Etsy shop (affiliate link) through April 26. No coupon code needed.

A word cloud of my website

Just to be sure you know, regardless of the discount in my shop:

• 10% of profits goes to Save the Manatee Club

• 100% of profits from the Pink Heart Shop of my Etsy store goes to Dress for Success

• One tree is planted per order, via One Tree Planted

Can you have a *vintage* capsule wardrobe?

So we’re on the same page: A capsule wardrobe is a curated collection of essential and versatile clothing items that can be mixed and matched to create a variety of outfits. The concept of a capsule wardrobe emphasizes quality over quantity, focusing on timeless pieces that never go out of style. By investing in key wardrobe staples such as a classic white shirt, a tailored blazer, a little black dress, and well-fitted jeans, the thinking goes, you can build a wardrobe that is both functional and stylish.

The term “capsule wardrobe” is often attributed to Susie Faux, the founder of the London clothing shop Wardrobe. She wrote in her 1988 book Wardrobe:

"If we apply capsule to everyone, we have to ask: What is his or her lifestyle? What is the most important piece for that lifestyle? That might be a perfectly tailored dress to see friends in; or a beautiful jacket for the office. For others, it might be nice jeans and tops.”

What I especially like is that, even in the power-suit 1980s, Faux acknowledged the variations in lifestyle that would determine the pieces in a capsule collection.

You tend to see a lot of work-appropriate attire in capsule wardrobe suggestions, but these do not suit everyone’s lives.

A belted trench coat. Does such a coat fit into everybody’s lifestyle?

Jeans. Arguably on most people’s lists. I don’t ever wear jeans, so they’re not on mine.

The perfect white shirt. Are you a new mom or dad? Probably not the best thing to invest in at the present.

Some of us don’t wear pants, some don’t wear dresses. Some of us don’t wear flats while some don’t wear heels. 

My kind of capsule wardrobe!

I would argue that the first thing to do is to decide what you’d own if you could only have, say, 20 items to wear. What does your day-to-day life demand? What do you want to wear often? And, dare I say, does it spark joy?

For me this would ideally include:

• Several printed dresses in cotton or rayon

• Silky jacket to throw over anything

• Longish tailored blazer

• Shoulder bag in a bright color

• Several bright-colored and/or patterned shirts

• One black knit shirt

• Oversized white cotton button down shirt

• A couple of colorful flaring and/or knit skirts

• Black wide-leg pants

• Dressy but comfortable black block heel shoes

• Clogs in a bright color

For me, print mixing gets a big green light. I choose dots and stripes often to mix with florals and other prints. I couldn’t live with nothing but the solids that are usually the backbone of a capsule collection.

Could all the above be vintage? Yes they certainly could be. In fact in this collage, all are vintage pieces I found while window shopping on Etsy.

If you make your own list of 20± must-have pieces, could they be vintage too? Would the cut matter the most, the style, the color, comfort or quality?

Claire McCardell (1934). Five-Piece Travel Ensemble. Metropolitan Museum of Art. Retrieved from https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/81696

Although Suzie Faux popularized the term capsule wardrobe, it was not her invention.

An early incarnation of the type is Claire McCardell’s 1934 travel wardrobe consisting of a blouse, skirt, coat, halter top and wide-leg trousers. It was visionary, but she did not use the term capsule. According to Wikipedia,

The use of "capsule" to mean "small and compact" was a distinctly American use of the word that surfaced in 1938 according to the Oxford English Dictionary. The term capsule wardrobe appeared in American publications as early as the 1940s to denote a small collection of garments designed to be worn together which harmonized in color and line.

Can a capsule wardrobe be mostly or entirely vintage?

What are some attributes of a curated wardrobe, and how do these intersect with vintage fashion?

Quality. One of the primary reasons to opt for vintage pieces in a curated wardrobe is the calibre of their construction. Vintage clothing often features exquisite craftsmanship and attention to detail that is rarely found in modern garments. 

Economy. Vintage items are often wildly economical for their quality. 

Sustainability. Not one of the classic parameters of the capsule wardrobe, but this is now. Pre-loved fashion’s eco-friendliness is arguably the most important aspect of having a vintage capsule wardrobe: It doesn’t use the Earth’s resources, and with high quality, it lasts.

While being sustainable and economical, you can find typically well-made and durable pieces that withstand the test of time. Whether you're a minimalist at heart or simply looking to declutter your closet and refine your personal style, creating a vintage capsule wardrobe can be transformative. By carefully selecting items that reflect your aesthetic, you can build a wardrobe in which every piece fits you and your style.

If you could use some help with your style and your capsule wardrobe possibilities, there is an amazing resource on the website Minimize My Mess. I love her 57 fashion styles to mix and match! I found myself leaning toward Vintage (duh), Eclectic and Garconne, but I’ve gone through nearly all the styles on the list. If you read that article, please let me know in the comments what three fashion types triangulate your style best. I’d also love to know if you are a capsule wardrobe pro, capsule wardrobe curious, or don’t think the concept is quite right for you.

Happy Manatee Appreciation Day!

Once again we’ve come around the sun to the last Wednesday in March, officially known as Manatee Appreciation Day.

When did you first learn about manatees? Some people grew up with Sesame Street and this catchy number:

I can tell you that even though I loved animals as a child, I didn’t know of the manatee’s existence. When I finally came around to finding out about them as a teenager, I was shocked that such an endearing animal was at risk of extinction.

You will be forgiven if you too didn’t know a lot about manatees, such as that they have barely any fat on them, they are related not to seals or walruses but to elephants, they can’t turn their necks, their tails are called paddles, the species is between 30 and 60 million years old, they have flipper nails, and they are absolutely gentle herbivores.

Here’s the thing about manatees: To know them is to love them! So it is of vital importance that people learn about manatees, and how to protect them from boat propellers, fishing lines, loss of seagrass, red tide and climate change. With no natural predators, man is the manatees only “enemy,” and the toll we take is horrifying.

What can I do?

You can find out about manatees and opportunities to help them through Save the Manatee Club. There you can volunteer, donate, shop their store or partake in the classic Adopt-A-Manatee® program. Over the years I have adopted Bama, Brutus, Chessie, Deep Dent, Elsie, Flash, Howie, Lenny, Lucille, Margarito, Merlin, Georgia, Ilya and Rosie. It gets pretty crowded around here! 😂

I donate 10% of my denisebrain sales to Save the Manatee Club, so if you purchase vintage fashion from my Etsy shop, you help the manatees! I’m so grateful that my wonderful customers often express their support.

“I was deliberating between this dress and a couple others from different shops. Then I saw your note about donating to Save The Manatees. Done! Sold! I have loved manatees since I was a child, and I “adopt” one every year. His name is Floyd. Anyway - completely obsessed with the dress and 100% will be supporting your shop as often as I can afford!!!”

— Rebecca

Now on Zazzle too

To commemorate this Manatee Appreciation Day I’ve just opened a Zazzle shop with print-on-demand manatee items and I pledge to give 10% of sales from that shop as well. Today, in honor of Manatee Appreciation Day, I will donate 100% of sales. Have a look:

Save Manatees
by DENISEBRAIN_DESIGN

It seems that even the United States Postal Service has gotten into the act this year, with a new manatee stamp issued today:

What are you doing this Manatee Appreciation Day? I plan to stand by my manatee!

Please note: There are a couple of affiliate links in this post. These allow me to earn a little at no cost to you.