You know you’re going to have a good day when someone visits with many pairs of vintage shoes. At least I know I will. And I had such a day recently when Chey Scott came over to model some vintage fashions for me, and brought along a large tote filled with her shoes that we hoped would go with my outfits.
Chey is not a model (although she could be with her poise and beauty), but a journalist, an award-winning journalist at that. I’ve been interviewed by her, and the results have been in The Inlander, the weekly paper for which Chey is the Arts and Culture Editor. The idea of asking her to pose for my photos was a spur-of-the-moment inspiration. I knew that Chey had a penchant for vintage fashion (see her Instagram @sewvintagewritemeow and her Inlander articles on the subject), and I thought why not ask? And she said yes!
Chey made a beautiful Cinderella in this gown, now in my shop.
And of course, since she is a journalist, it seemed fitting to turn the tables, and get Chey’s take on wearing vintage.
Maggie: Do you wear top-to-bottom vintage fashion, or do you prefer to mix it with newer items?
Chey: Most days, I am wearing at least one thing that’s modern, however there are times I am wearing 100 percent vintage (minus undergarments, of course). The modern pieces I wear with vintage tend to be wardrobe staples, like a plain T-shirt or modern shoes that complement the vintage aesthetic I’m aiming for. Sometimes, though, I may just feel like wearing modern skinny jeans with a vintage T-shirt or blouse, and that’s one of many reasons why vintage is so fun and fabulous — there are no rules! Also, when I’m just hanging around the house, I definitely don’t wear anything vintage because I don’t want to damage any of my one-of-a-kind-pieces or cause excess wear.
M: What is one of your favorite vintage fashion items and why is it so?
C: Oh gosh, this is such a hard question because I have so many!
When it comes to items that are very “me,” I’d have to say the very first Alice of California / Alice Polynesian Fashions brand palazzo jumpsuit I found a couple years back. This was the piece that introduced me to the brand, which is now one of my favorites. It has a black background and a border-esque print of neon pink and orange flowers with green leaves on the bodice and bottom of the wide, billowing legs. It’s barkcloth, which is also one of my favorite vintage fabrics, and has a super chic, draped high neck. I wore it to a concert a few summers ago, and it definitely turned heads!
When it comes to items that are “practical” and more everyday, I have the most amazing pair of 1950s deadstock, deep indigo blue jeans. They have a wide leg cut, super high waist, bright orange contrast stitching, big patch pockets on the back and that perfectly crisp, stiff feel from being never worn. The best part is the brand and the label on the back: “Old Kentucky Well Made Sanforized” embroidered in gold thread on a black patch. Something about that label just adds the most charm and personality to these jeans, which I wear often, styled all kinds of ways!
I also have several vintage dresses — one formal and two day dresses — that my dear, late grandmother made for herself in her 20s and 30s (during the 1950s and ’60s) which I cherish deeply.
Another very special piece is a late ’40s, early ’50s letterman jacket from Washington State University — my alma mater — that I somehow scored on Etsy one late night for an incredible deal. The catch was that it needed many major repairs to the knit wool cuffs and collar, which I painstakingly took on. The seller told me it was her father’s, who attended back when it was still Washington State College, so the iconic cougar silhouette logo patch on the front has a ‘C’ instead of a ‘U’ for its mouth. It’s a highly collectible piece that I treasure for its provenance, my incredible luck in finding it, how it unites my love of vintage with being a WSU alum, and the time I put into restoring it to wearable condition.
M: Do you have any favorite vintage labels or designers?
C: As mentioned, I love the Alice brand!
Others I’m drawn to include Alex Coleman, Bobbie Brooks, Judy Bond blouses, John Abbott dresses, Mode O’Day, Jantzen, Pendleton — all high quality brands whose tags fill my closet(s)! I also adore vintage military-issue pieces and own many pairs of pants originally made for service. A few favorites are my navy wool fall-front sailor pants, some side-buttoning Vietnam-era field nurse pants, and a pair of deadstock 1940s WAVES wool slacks.
M: Do you collect any particular vintage fashion item?
C: I have a growing collection of vintage novelty print tops with cats!
I also love 1960s era shoes, and have many pairs in all colors. The wearability and comfort of a low block heel can’t be overstated! I have a large number of 1960s shift dresses in bright, colorful patterns, as well as many pairs of 1950s denim and ’60s palazzo pants, including my jumpsuits. So there are definitely items I gravitate towards.
M: What do you consider the biggest challenges in finding vintage clothes you’d like for yourself?
C: I don’t have too many difficult challenges, to be honest. The competition as a buyer to get good deals or snag in-demand pieces from some of the more well-known online vendors can be frustrating, at times, but I spend a lot of time shopping, both locally and online, to find good deals. While I’ve definitely splurged on some grail-level pieces, the amazing, unexpected scores even it all out, or at least that’s what I tell myself to justify my spending…
M: Have you ever talked someone into giving vintage fashion a go?
C: I hope that my coverage of the vintage scene in the Spokane area has inspired others to go out and visit the many amazing shops we have here, because they need that support to stay in business.
M: What’s your holy grail vintage item?
C: Another very tough one, because there are many — lots of things I’ve even found but haven’t hit “buy” on simply because I also have to feed and house myself, ha ha.
Chey in a 1920s rayon jersey dress, now available in my Etsy shop.
I would love to someday own a true vintage, 1920s flapper dress that’s sturdy enough to wear (with care). I have come across many I love, but they’re often quite expensive, as is to be expected. I think the main thing holding me back, besides budget, is fear of it not fitting right or getting damaged if I were to wear it. If I did own such a piece, I’d want to wear it out for the right occasion because it deserves to be seen. At the same time, I’d be terrified of accidentally ruining it!
Thank you, Chey, for being a wonderful model, and for sharing your experience with vintage fashion! I hope you find that exact-right flapper dress.
The links to the two items in my Etsy shop are affiliate links. If you click through and make a purchase (any purchase on Etsy) I earn a small amount of money at no cost to you.