Vintage Shopping At the End of the World

Fifties Dress at World’s End :: Tinto 1848 // C-Type Plate // No flashIt was the end of the world, they said, and instead of preparing myself for it … and creating a post-holocaust/Mad Max type of dress-up story to commemorate the event (SO disappointed I didn’t think of it earlier), I was vintage shopping instead.

In Shag, I found a 1950s sleeveless blouse in pink and green. It had a washy floral print, and would complement my new ikat-print heels. I still had some time to kill before meeting a friend, so I moved on to Retro-Star Vintage. This shop is enormous, an Aladdin’s cavern of vintage splendour as it were, and one’s mind boggles slightly at the prospect of sifting through so many racks of clothing. But my eye was caught by a rather dazzling iridescent purple dress, poking out amidst the jammed racks.

Fifties Blouse at World’s End :: Americana // C-Type Plate // No flashThe fabric – which I guess is jacquard woven rayon – features square checks on the bodice, and diamond checks on the skirt. There is no zipper, but it slips over my head. It is a trifle loose at the high waist – lower than an empire line and most assuredly not a babydoll – and I realise if I decide to have it altered I would also have to have a zip inserted as I would not be able to get my shoulders past the waistline.

I am not sure whether to purchase it, and put it to the Facebook test. It takes only a few minutes before a number of SNAP followers immediately urge me to buy the dress. Then my friend arrives, and I drag her off for an opinion – she practically twists my arm (it’s Christmas after all), and the dress and I go home together.

Christmas Ikat Shoes :: Tinto 1848 // C-Type Plate // No flash