Unexpected Vintage Treasure Trove

 Sunday, we were wandering the abandoned mall on our way to the community, "Garage Sale" in the now empty lower court when the boys decided to take a quick look in the costume shop. I had assumed it was devoted to rentals and props, but imagine my delight when I discovered they have a very large aisle of vintage. Imagine me happier when I found it was all 50% off. The prices were already great, and I would have happily paid six dollars for this dress at full price. At three, it felt like a gift.

 Orange and brown florals and polyester? That's my kind of  maxi dress.

Of course I had the perfect jacket to wear with it because...brown polyester! So easy to match, so easy to care for. I simply don't understand why people are so sneering about the fabric today. Maybe they like to stand and iron clothes, or send them to the dry cleaners. People have their hang-ups, I guess.

We'll talk about the bag, as I know that's what you're looking at.

 Initially, I thought this was a very nice example of a hand-made bag. Upon closer examination I spotted the familiar, "Gaymode" tag on the removable lining.

How cute is that handle? I paid $3.99 for it at Hand-Me-Ups and on the same visit came home with this one as well...

 At some point, a previous owner painted and decorated this box purse. At first, I bought it thinking I'd give it a high-gloss black spray paint and then do atomic designs in pink and green neon on it. Now, I'm less convinced because...orange and brown. What can I say, my taste is clearly stuck in the 70's.

The lining is falling apart, so that will be going soon. There's a peek inside my purse-hankie, compact, lippy,  phone, wallet, and a couple dollars in cash. My grocery list is there as well. God knows, I'd forget everything I needed if I didn't make a list. 

 Outfit Particulars:
1970's polyester maxi dress-Fairytale Costumes, Omaha
1970's Koret of California polyester jacket-Thrift World
Large bracelet-Garage Sale at the mall
Earrings-K Mart
Shoes-K Mart
Both Handbags-Hand-Me-Ups $3.99 each
Fragrance-Cabotine de Gres (I'm still trying to come to a place of understanding with this one. I'm not there yet).

 The rings on my middle and index fingers are both vintage Monet. They are in rough shape, and should be re-plated. I wouldn't do that for just any old rings, but I'm rather fond of these.

The costume shop yielded some great stuff including a pink and silver patio dress from the 50's, a wild 60's pink floral dress, and a blue and green polyester dream of a smock dress. I'll be showing them in future posts. I managed to pull a muscle (getting out of a chair-totally pathetic, I know) running from my neck all the way down my upper back, so I doubt very much I will make it back to the shop before the sale is over, but I can promise it will be in regular rotation now for my vintage shopping-she has great taste in vintage, and the regular prices are quite good!

Have you ever discovered vintage in an unexpected place?