And now, answers to questions that no one asked, let alone
asked frequently.
Q: What is the Vintage Adoption Agency?
A: The Vintage Adoption Agency is my attempt to combine my love
of vintage, fashion, and street style.
I rescue forgotten and overlooked vintage pieces and clean or mend them back to wearable condition, as needed. Then I place them with appreciative and imaginative owners that provide a happy and stylish home.
This is done on the condition that they’ll incorporate those pieces into an insanely fashionable and unique outfit they’ll actually wear in real life…and I want the pictures (and stories) that prove it, which I’ll share here.
This handy venn diagram should give you an idea of things: using vintage as a stylish element in your everyday wardrobe.
I rescue forgotten and overlooked vintage pieces and clean or mend them back to wearable condition, as needed. Then I place them with appreciative and imaginative owners that provide a happy and stylish home.
This is done on the condition that they’ll incorporate those pieces into an insanely fashionable and unique outfit they’ll actually wear in real life…and I want the pictures (and stories) that prove it, which I’ll share here.
This handy venn diagram should give you an idea of things: using vintage as a stylish element in your everyday wardrobe.
Q: Thanks for the venn diagram! It's quite spiffy! Who are you?
A: I’m a girl who loves vintage clothes and accessories. (Cliché, I know.) It started when I
discovered my grandmother’s costume jewelry in middle school. Every sparkly,
rhinestone-encrusted piece was so much more interesting and authentic than
anything I’d ever seen at Claire’s.
Around the same time, I uncovered an old beaded bag and some crazy-printed psychedelic dresses on a spontaneous trip to a thrift store and began going regularly. I was amazed by how much more great stuff I could get with my hard- earned allowance and babysitting money...it's been a borderline-unhealthy obsession ever since.
Around the same time, I uncovered an old beaded bag and some crazy-printed psychedelic dresses on a spontaneous trip to a thrift store and began going regularly. I was amazed by how much more great stuff I could get with my hard- earned allowance and babysitting money...it's been a borderline-unhealthy obsession ever since.
Q: Where do you find most of this stuff?
A: Thrift stores are hit or miss but I love the thrill of the
hunt and primarily source my vintage there.
I’m also a cheapskate and while I can appreciate a beautifully curated boutique that specializes in vintage, all of my favorite pieces are from thrift stores and made by random, no-name designers.
I’m also a cheapskate and while I can appreciate a beautifully curated boutique that specializes in vintage, all of my favorite pieces are from thrift stores and made by random, no-name designers.
Oh, the stories I could tell (and will!)
and the lessons I’ve learned, in my assorted thrifting adventures…
Fun fact: I
even worked at a thrift store!
Q: So you just go around shopping at thrift sores all day? What’s
your background?
A: I wish! Heaven is a thrift store. (Note to self: screen print
some t-shirts ASAP.) I still go to thrift stores occasionally but I’m more methodical
about what I buy since I’m editing my collection.
I’m presently underemployed and overexcited about this idea, which came to me in a mythical dream (lie).
I’m presently underemployed and overexcited about this idea, which came to me in a mythical dream (lie).
 |
| Coming Soon. Maybe. Probably not. |
I studied fashion merchandising and marketing
in college and interned at a vintage boutique. I’ve consigned at vintage shops,
been a dealer on eBay, peddled at flea markets and pop-up shops and now I’m
here. (Hi, internets!)
Q: So you probably want to open your own vintage boutique one day...right?
A: I've always said I want my own vintage store but selling vintage things
that I love is hard!
I mean, I’ve sold lots of things before and I do love chatting with the buyers about how great something is and reliving the excitement of when I first found it but, for me, it is also the hardest part!
Sure, I get compensated but I’m still haunted by The Ones I Shouldn't Have Sold and I always have this slight twinge of resentment as I drop a package of vintage goodness off at the post office or watch a buyer skip happily off into the sunset with their purchase. I feel cheap. Like an inexperienced prostitute with conflicting thoughts and self-loathing. Ugh, how did I go through with that? How do dog breeders sell their puppies? It ain't for the faint of heart...
I mean, I’ve sold lots of things before and I do love chatting with the buyers about how great something is and reliving the excitement of when I first found it but, for me, it is also the hardest part!
Sure, I get compensated but I’m still haunted by The Ones I Shouldn't Have Sold and I always have this slight twinge of resentment as I drop a package of vintage goodness off at the post office or watch a buyer skip happily off into the sunset with their purchase. I feel cheap. Like an inexperienced prostitute with conflicting thoughts and self-loathing. Ugh, how did I go through with that? How do dog breeders sell their puppies? It ain't for the faint of heart...
Q: So you're not the average vintage dealer. Those are some interesting comparisons...
A: I know. I can be kind of dramatic like that. How am I supposed to say good bye to something
one-of-a-kind and uniquely awesome that I will never see again? Better question: How do I keep something
one-of-a-kind and uniquely awesome to myself, unworn and unseen, in my closet because
it doesn’t quite fit or it’s not really my style?
I’m finally coming around to the idea that if I love
something, I have to set it free. (That and the fact that of the five digits in my bank account, two are after the decimal point.)
Ultimately, with this whole principle about my buyers understanding that the transaction is more like an adoption, I feel free to edit my collection and share my finds with other vintage enthusiasts. Because I’m not just being reassured that my babies are going to a good home, I’m going to see them living the life I wanted for them all along!
I love my vintage pieces, but at the end of the day, I’m an abusive owner if I keep them tucked away in my closet, only to see the light of day when I take them out to fondle them (no pedophile) whenever I play dress up. So, basically, the short answer is that I’m a vintage hoarder. This is my side hustle.
Ultimately, with this whole principle about my buyers understanding that the transaction is more like an adoption, I feel free to edit my collection and share my finds with other vintage enthusiasts. Because I’m not just being reassured that my babies are going to a good home, I’m going to see them living the life I wanted for them all along!
I love my vintage pieces, but at the end of the day, I’m an abusive owner if I keep them tucked away in my closet, only to see the light of day when I take them out to fondle them (no pedophile) whenever I play dress up. So, basically, the short answer is that I’m a vintage hoarder. This is my side hustle.
Q: Wow, it seems like you’ve really personified these things, which are nothing
more than old articles of clothing. Seems a little unhealthy…
A: It probably is…but I really do think these pieces have soul
and, more obviously, a history and therefore a sense of authenticity. Unfortunately the clothing can’t talk and say
where it’s been and who it was worn by and why it got discarded. (I also think this about old cars: if only they
could talk, too! Smooth transition to this little ditty from the Brave Little
Toaster.)
Buy vintage is kind of like acquiring a weird souvenir from a place you’ve never been: it's mesmerizing and a little mysterious. I was thinking I'd primarily showcase clothing on here but don't be surprised to see a knick-knack or two. It really is a lifestyle!
Buy vintage is kind of like acquiring a weird souvenir from a place you’ve never been: it's mesmerizing and a little mysterious. I was thinking I'd primarily showcase clothing on here but don't be surprised to see a knick-knack or two. It really is a lifestyle!
With all of the pieces offered by the Vintage Adoption Agency, we
can’t necessarily know where something came from but we can track where it’s at and where it's going because we get to see how its latest owner is styling it and where they’re wearing it and why
they love it so much.
Q: Interesting concept. How do you wear vintage?
A: I'm rarely without a vintage handbag or piece of jewelry,
usually inherited. I like to wear my vintage in a modern way so I never feel
costume-y or like an extra from a period movie...although that would be cool,
too!
I’m often attracted to the details of vintage, and can appreciate something as subtle as beautifully carved buttons or an unexpected print on a jacket lining. Other times I’ll be more deliberate and wear a single, completely eccentric vintage piece and keep the rest of my outfit classic and minimal to showcase it. I’m really into creating that juxtaposition and balancing something extreme, like toning down something really fancy by wearing it in an offhand, casual way. (Also cliché, I know.)
I’m often attracted to the details of vintage, and can appreciate something as subtle as beautifully carved buttons or an unexpected print on a jacket lining. Other times I’ll be more deliberate and wear a single, completely eccentric vintage piece and keep the rest of my outfit classic and minimal to showcase it. I’m really into creating that juxtaposition and balancing something extreme, like toning down something really fancy by wearing it in an offhand, casual way. (Also cliché, I know.)
And if I’m feeling a particular trend or
designer collection, I try to find the originals that inspired it because we
all know fashion is always repeating itself!
Q: Will we see you on the blog?
A: I'm on the fence about whether or not I'll make an appearance on here...it's not about me, it's about the vintage! I'll probably share some of my favorite (read: not for sale) pieces and share some personal stories and memories as they relate to the things I've found.
Q: Will we see you on the blog?
A: I'm on the fence about whether or not I'll make an appearance on here...it's not about me, it's about the vintage! I'll probably share some of my favorite (read: not for sale) pieces and share some personal stories and memories as they relate to the things I've found.
 |
| Amber of Maryland. On a good day. |
Q: Gee, you seem like
quite the cool chick. Thanks for answering our most pressing queries! Where can
we reach you should we think of anything else we’d like to know?
A: Thanks! Help yourself to some punch and cookies and have a
little looksee around my little corner of the internets. You can hit me up here: Vintageadoptionagency@gmail.com
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