Spring Goodies From Fashion Conservatory

[AD] Hello !  I hope you are all enjoying the start of spring. It's still a bit cold here, with some random ice storms (lol.. send help). However despite that, I'm excited for the new season... especially after receiving an incredible package from Fashion Conservatory! If you don't know what Fashion Conservatory is, its about to become your new favourite place to shop!  It's a curated online shop filled with incredible vintage pieces. You could spend hours browsing through because their selection is incredible. They also have a label archive on their website where you can research brands, labels and designers. Their goal is to create a community for vintage lovers where you can shop and also research brands. They were kind enough to send me a package to get ready for the spring, so I thought I would share the pieces with you guys as I put them away in my closet. 

1930s Blue Velvet Dress 
Ah this might be my favourite piece in the box! It s a STUNNING 1930s velvet dress. It has short sleeves and a lace collar, with matching lace on the cuffs. It has intricate gold coloured buttons and a matching belt. I love velvet dresses for all year round, of course red/maroon/green velvet dresses are great for Christmas, but I think as a society we should embrace velvet all year round. There is something so romantic about it. 

1940s Wool Dress/Coat
Ok so this is *technically* a dress but I think it would look fabulous as a spring coat ! It's a 1940s piece that has small gold coloured buttons, that poke through large pieces of velvet. It also has small little pleats that line the font of the shoulders. A detail that I love!  I think its so feminine and adds so much detail and texture to an outfit. I can totally see this being layered over a dress on a nice spring day. 

Late 1930s Yellow Colour Block Dress

Ah ok this might be another favourite !  This is a late 1930s/early 1940s colour block dress and I am IN LOVE with it!  I think it would be perfect for everyday once the weather gets warmer.  And I know what you are thinking, these are not the typical colours I go for, but I think its so much fun !  I also really like the slight drop waist, small shoulder pads and scalloped edges. I can truly say this is a unique addition to my closet, 

1940s Grey Wiggle Skirt
And last but not least there is a grey wiggle skirt!  This piece, while it seems a bit simple, its actually perfect for every day outfits. As a vintage shopper its easy to get sucked into the beautiful dresses and tops, that end up being statement pieces.  A simple skirt is bound to be worn over and over again. I also have a tendency to buy tops that don't have skirts to match (oops lol) so what I really should be shopping for is for simple skirts.  And I know this grey one will go with a lot of the current tops I have in my closet 

And into my closet all these pieces go. I hope you guys enjoyed this post and thank you again Fashion Conservatory for these amazing pieces, I know I'll be wearing them non stop this spring/summer. 

Toronto Vintage Clothing Show Spring 2025

The Toronto Vintage Clothing Show is THIS WEEKEND ! You guys know the show is my favourite time of the year and the vintage show is where I buy the biggest bulk of my vintage clothes. its on Saturday April 5th and Sunday April 6th at the Queen Elizabeth building at exhibition. You can find more information on their website (along with a discount code!) here. As I always do here is a general list of the types of pieces I am shopping for: 

DECADES 

If you've been following me for a while you know my style has evolved a lot over the years. I have experimented with most decades. But for the past year - year and a half- I've been obsessed with the 1930s and 1940s. I think these decades  match with my personality and body shape really well, so they will be my main decades of focus this season. 

STYLES

WARTIME SWEETHEART

I LOVE wartime fashion. There is something about the clothes from the late 1930s-early 1940s that I love! Maybe its the rayon/crepe dresses that have little pleats on the shoulders or the interesting pocket details but I love it all. It's also about putting on your best outfit for when your sweetheart arrives back from leave just to wear it to the train station. Those small moments of romance among the chaos of the war. 
It's also a time where we saw some beautiful hairstyles, due to rationing clothes became simpler and money was scarce so women spent more time on their hair and creating some beautiful looks. Something I hope to master one day. 

CREPE DRESSES

I am on the hunt for some crepe dresses, especially ones with small pleats on the shoulders draping over the bust. Ideally in some fun muted pastel colours 

STRUCTURED BLOUSES

I am looking for some 1940s blouses that have a flat structured collar. These are great for layering under blazers or worn on their own. I think this time period had some beautiful natural muted tones that we don't see as often these days. 

BLOUSES AND SHORTS

I really am trying to find some separates. You guys know I don't wear pants but I love shorts ! So I would be over the moon finding a pair of shorts this weekend !   As well as some flowy blouses with some fun details. 

1930S SOCIALITE 

Ah is there anything more dreamy that the 1930s socialite look. The long flowy dresses worn to a garden party at an estate. Weekends spent at horse races and taking evening walks in the garden (A secret rendez- vous by the flower garden perhaps) 

SHEER PRINTED DRESSES

At the top of my list are sheer printed 1930s dresses, Ideally ones that come with a matching jacket. Ok I know this might be a long shot since these are harder to find but I am crossing my fingers ! I've seen a few online that I currently have in my cart but I'll see what I find at the show first. 

1930S SKIRTS 

Longer 1930s skirts would be INCREDIBLE ! I love the longer, bias cut shape on my figure (ok who doesn't look good in a bias cut) But again taking it back to wanting to find separates, I think finding some skirts would be great for more every day outfits. 

KNIT DRESSES AND SETS 

Everyone loves a 1930s and 1940s knit! It truly doesn't compare to the modern stuff. It's so unique with some many small details and matching belts. I would love to find some skirts with matching tops or dresses. Ideally in muted tones. 

1930S AND 1940S LINGERIE 

Ok this is something else that is at the top of my list this season, I would love to find some 1930s/1940s undergarments. Garters, bras and slips would be an amazing addition to my wardrobe. I see some online but I struggle with the fit.... I think this it's one of those things that would benefit from bring tried on in person, so I'm hoping to find some this season. 

ACCESSORIES

CELLULOID AND WARTIME BROOCHES

You guys know how much I love brooches. As my style has evolved so has my taste in jewellery. I've been really into celluloid brooches as well as wartime brooches (Canadian of course). So any kind of make do and mend, animal or floral print would be lovely. 

BRACELETS 

This one is a bit more new for me, I've never been a big bracelet girl but I've been getting more into them this season (I even bought a bangle the other day!) But I would like to find a 1930s/1940s charm bracelet. 

1930S AND 1940S CLUTCHES

I am restricting myself to only clutches this season.... to be honest I shouldn't be buying any purses at all haha. But I have been on the lookout for a 1930s clutch, particularly brown leather. So If I find one I'll be more than happy !  As for any other types of purses... I'll try to show some restraint.... Unless its a very unique piece. 

TILT HATS

I think 1930s tilt hats have been on the Toronto Vintage Clothing Show shopping list for the past 4 shows. I think they are SO flattering for my face shape! I'll look at any colour I find, so I'm crossing my fingers there are some at the show. 

and those are the main things I'll be shopping for. Of course its the Vintage Show so I'm sure other pieces will catch my eye ! I'll be vlogging and filming a haul so make sure you are subscribed to my youtube channel here!

New Hair For Spring

It's a new season which means a new haircut ! Ok so maybe it's the same haircut ... but its SHORTER I got a similar haircut last spring and I loved it. I really hope it last through the summer because my hair grows so fast. I do feel like this length  suits me and want to maintain it on the shorter side. It really adds to my 1930s and 1940s looks. It instantly makes my outfits look  more authentic, which is key if you are a vintage dresser. I am wearing a 1930s slip I found on ebay and a little lounge/bed jacket from Ian Drummond Vintage. 
If you want to hear more about my haircut, and also see two of my newest hats check out my latest youtube video below 

Winter Blues Coming To An End

It's officially Spring!  Although I will admit it doesn't feel like it quite yet. Yes, the days of -20 are behind us, but we did wake up with a dusting of snow the other day. I find the weather doesn't fully turn until Mothers day. Ok... sorry I feel like I always start my blog posts talking about the weather... Thank you for reading my weather statement lol 

This past Sunday I spent the day in Niagara on the lake, I walked around, bought two pairs of hats (oops) and had lunch. It was my first outdoor outing of the year since its been too cold and snowy this winter to walk around outside. I wore this navy blue 1940s coat that I magically found at a thrift store... its hands down my best thrift find ever! I layered it over a 1940s dark grey suit set, a set that I've worn a million times since I bought it. I kept the accessories pretty minimal with a late 1930s navy blue felt hat, brown shoes and a brown 1940s leather clutch. 
Let me know what you guys think of this look in the comments !