May 26, 2015

25 Vintage Deals Under $100 for May 2015


The sun is shining, the birds are chirping up a storm, and soon the many beaches that abound throughout the Okanagan will be filled to the breaking point with throngs of tourists and locals alike. The former come from all across the province, throughout the rest of Canada, and even the world at large to soak up some of the sublime rays, dry heat, and truly perfect summertime breezes that we have here (I've never been to Hawaii, but I suspect they're akin to the legendary ones there).

In the spirit of celebrating the return of beach going weather, no matter if you happen to live near a swim-able body of water of any kind or not, I thought that we'd shine the spotlight on body-of-water inspired and/or perfect offerings for May's edition of 25 Vintage Deals under $100.

I love this time of the year! It's warm, but not staggeringly so yet, and one can easily dress the beach going part, whether they're actually headed down to the lake/ocean/river or not. It's a carefree, happy, feel good season and our wardrobe choices should reflect that as often as possible.

Grab a (vintage) beach blanket, slap on a wide brimmed straw hat, slip on your favourite sundress, adorn yourself with some seashell jewelry and join me while we take a look at some of the most delightful, budget friendly beach inspired offerings you could ever hope to find!




1. Cool shades of blue and silver suit ocean inspired jewelry to a tee and look especially glamorous in this super fun, good sized pair of 1980s does 1950s pearlescent lucite beaded shell clip-on earrings. $17.50 from Chronically Vintage on Etsy.

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2. A super cute silhouette, tropical sea inspired colour palette, and wonderful mid-century styling come together here to great one seriously charming 1950s playsuit. Available in ladies sizes small, medium and large. $90.00 from Blue Velvet Vintage.



3. An embroidered felt fish bowl with cheerful little goldfish teams up with blue and white polka dot ribbon in this fabulously cute handmade alligator style hair clip. $4.25 from Haylee's Boutique (who also have a very sweet little felt sand pail hair bow that would be ideal for the beach, too).



4. Measuring in at 11 inches long, this thoroughly delightful c. 1950s vintage tin windup toy fish is big enough that plenty of anglers would be happy to land a catch that big while on the water for the real deal! :) $35.00 from Third Floor Retro.



5. This month I was thrilled to welcome vintage inspired custom swimwear line Danalia by DP as a new blog sponsor. Not only are their offerings swoon worthily gorgeous, but they're affordable, and many styles are very, very old school looking to boot. If you've been searching for a new bathing suit this summer or for your next pinup photo shoot, look no further. This particular gem is called the Dolly Super High Waisted Bikini in mint and is available in modern ladies sizes small to XL. $68.00 from Daniella by DP.




6. One of my favourite elements of dressing for summertime has long been that we usually don't have to worry about our handbags being able to stand up to the ravages of the elements, and thus can be made from all kinds of fun, creative materials. Case in point, this immensely pretty Czech made cornflower blue beaded 1930s handbag, that would look amazing with garments ranging from your prized fifties Shaheen halter dress to an adorable mid-century patio skirt and blouse set. $45.00 from The Best Vintage Clothing on Etsy.



7. There are some sensational vintage reproduction jewelry producers out there and Mrs Polly's Lucite, located in my husband's home country of Italy, is most definitely one of them. This uber cute 1940s style clear lucite fish brooch will suit everything under the (summer) sun in your wardrobe and no double make you smile every time you look at it. $22.16 from Mrs Polly's Lucite (it's also available in some other colours, such as black and red, here).



8. For the wee beach goer in your life, this splendidly sweet mid-century vintage sleeveless blouse with fish themed blue and red embroidery is a must for any stylish tot's summer wardrobe. Fits up to a 28" chest. $12.00 from Tiny Town Vtg.



9. Stunning for a beach wedding, tropical vacation, ocean cruise, or day spent having fun on the sand anywhere, this immensely lovely, vintage appropriate headband features a genuine sugar starfish and white faux pearl beads and is just as pretty as can be! $9.95 from It's A Shore Thing (don't you just adore that name?!).




10. You'd be hard pressed to find a more charmingly adorable, summertime perfect sea creature themed blouse than this beauty dubbed Bubble & Sweet from Hell Bunny. Available in modern ladies sizes XS to 4XL. $39.00 (Canadian) from Blame Betty.



11. Elegant, soothing, highly pretty shades of aquamarine and silver glisten from this pair of 1950s inspired earrings, called Running River Studs in Blue, which are both nickel and lead free. $26.83 (New Zealand dollars) from Vintage Heaven.



12. Are they sharks, fish, whales? You decide! No matter aquatic critter you see first when you look at this darling set of mid-century ceramic salt and pepper shakes, I think we can all agree that they're cuter than the ocean is wide! $12.95 for the pair from Joe Blake.




13. Smile inducing, unused, and bursting with mid-century charm, this set of four different circa 1940s fishing themed postcards (originally from Yarmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada) is a must for any fishing fan or vintage postcard collector in your life. $8.50 for the set, from Chronically Vintage on Etsy.




14. Calling all vintage novelty print fans, this seriously cool 1980s does 1950s short sleeve dress featuring a pattern of fish, people, trees, and buildings in serene shades of blue, purple, grey, and pink is sure to catch your eye, while the reasonable price seals the deal. Fits up to a 36" bust, 26" - 29" (elastic) waist. $40.00 from Hey Viv! on Etsy.



15. You know those things that you don't realize that your wardrobe seriously needs until the moment you lay eyes on them? Enter these fabulously charming crab print custom made shorts, available with either a blue or white background, that would look sensational for any beach related activity. Each pair is made to measure. $58.31 from Swell Dame Boutique.



16. Oh my stars (starfish :)), the adorableness factor of this c. 1960s pink braided yarn octopus toy is off the charts! Love, love, love!!! $34.00 from Cabin on 6th.



17.Pastel colours, kawaii level sweetness, and a great mid-century vibe all add up to one seriously cool marine life themed, vintage inspired headscarf. $12.81 from Clumsy Kate.



18. Made from an upcycled men's shirt, this fun green and white stripped sleeveless sundress channels a great 1960s - 1970s vibe and would make for a fabulous and very breezy summertime beach cover-up. Chest fits up to 37" - 43.25". $46.65 from Contrapunt.




19. Equal parts pinup girl perfect and completely cute, this charming multi-loop nautical hair bow is perfect for beach going fashionistas of all ages. $2.95 from Diddlebugs and Me.




21. Be prepared for a wide range of ocean and nautical inspired looks and occasions with this delightfully sweet set of three fabric covered button style bobby pins, featuring one of each of the designs shown here (fish, turtles, and anchors show here). $9.50 for the set from Rachel O's.




22. Keep your 'do dry as the sun-parched sand when you top it off with this wonderfully fun royal blue hued 1950s swim cap, the design of which resembles both leaves/petals and fish scales. Deadstock vintage swim cap, $38.95 from The Quiet Village.



23. Nautical inspired strips, a classic mid-century design, a jaunty bow, and a timeless colour combination? What's not to adore about this great Desi two-piece swimsuit? See listing for a wide range of sizing options (including cup sizes). $93.00 from Danalia by DP.



24. Perfect for a powder room, covered patio, beach house, cottage, or anywhere you fancy, this vintage pale pink chalkware wall pocket wish will instantly impart whimsy and cuteness in spades! $20.00 from Mikasa Su Casa.




25. And last, but certainly not least in the slightest in today's roundup of ocean inspired picks…this completely charming vintage style novelty brooch created by stellar UK vintage reproduction jewelry company Luxulite, which features a aqua-mint coloured fish and two sparkly green "air bubbles". $32.19 from Luxulite.



{Please click on a specific item, or the link in the description below it, to be taken to its respective listing.}



♥ ♥ ♥



While beach inspired garments and accessories can be nautical in natural, they don't have to be. They can draw inspiration from tropical cultures, forest locked lakes, rivers running through sprawling cities (say, like the Bow and Elbow Rivers in Calgary, Alberta), the Mediterranean, or any number of other great waterfront locations that are rich in spring and summertime sartorial inspiration.

And of course, as I'm a huge fan of doing, you can also make the beach a backdrop for your outfit photos, no matter what kind of ensemble you're sporting. Nature gives us so very much and we're blessed to be able to utilize those gifts both literally, and in the case of fashions that are inspired by its countless bodies of water and glorious summertime weather, representation-ally.

I hope that you enjoyed this stylish vintage beach inspired roundup and that you'll each have a chance to slip away for at least one day of waterfront fun in the weeks and months to follow. You can bet your bottom (sand) dollar that I'll be soaking up some rays and sporting my favourite shell, nautical, and Polynesian inspired every chance I get this spring and summer! :)

34 comments:

  1. So, so cute! Great designs. I want that playsuit (although I'll have to shrink a little) and will put the salt-and-pepper set on my table. Oh, and I can't begin to explain how long I've wanted a swim-cap!

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    1. Same here! Would you believe it, I don't own one either. It's true! Part of the reason for that is that many of the earlier versions (and some modern ones, too), contain latex, which I'm allergic to. I know that there were some made without it though and I really, really should add one to my wardrobe, especially since it would solve the problem of how to go in the water and not have my wig fall off or at least get soaked! :)

      Thank you for your great comment, Ally. Have a terrific Tuesday!
      ♥ Jessica

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  2. I adore the beach and all thing nautical and ocean related! :)

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    1. Me, too, massively!!! :) I'm always looking for more such items to add to my closet and would genuinely love to live near the ocean (again) one day (lakes are great, too, of course, but there's nothing quite like the scent, power, and majesty of the sea itself). It's so great that being in Florida, you guys are near the ocean!

      Big hugs & happy Tuesday wishes,
      ♥ Jessica

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  3. I wish I'd had some of these beautiful things when I visited the beach just yesterday! I was searching around for something appropriate to wear to the sea and realised I didn't have anything either that nautical or fish-themed! Who wouldn't love a fish brooch... x

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    1. How lovely that you got to spend time at the beach yesterday. Winter lingered for a good while here and May has been surprisingly rainy, so I haven't made it to the beach yet, but was just saying to Tony last night I want to get there asap! We bring our folding camping chairs, slathering on the sunscreen (and bug spray), and just watch the tranquil waves together. It's one of my favourite elements of the summer.

      Definitely! Fish and nautical/beach themed brooches and jewelry are so darling! I have a few marine critter themed brooches (as well as two anchor ones) and adore sporting them in the summer, including sometimes when I accompany Tony on some of his fishing trips (I don't fish myself, but I love watching all the wildlife, from turtles to herons to, if you're really lucky, beavers).

      Big hugs & many thanks for your great comment,
      ♥ Jessica

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  4. That blue beaded bag is pretty special! And I love the swim cap, they went out of fashion but they're so practical. Some really lovely finds once again Jessica, and that upcycled shirt is really tempting as a sewing project isn't it?

    x

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    1. Very much so! And I'm with you entirely about swimming caps, too. I'm going to try and track down one that's latex-free (I'm allergic to latex) this year and finally add this classic piece to my wardrobe.

      Thank you very much for your lovely comment. Have a terrific week, sweet lady!
      ♥ Jessica

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    2. I love vintage sewing caps! I have my eye on a multi coloured reproduction. So very elegant!

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    3. Ooohhh, how lovely!!! Do you per chance have a link (if there are others available, too, I mean). That could do the trick quite nicely for me.

      Thanks, honey!
      ♥ Jessica

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  5. I love them ALL! Especially the 1940s style brooch. too cute for words. I will be doing some shopping later on this week I think at some of the shops you mentioned above.

    Have a super day!

    Liz :)

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    1. Hi sweet Liz, they really are darling! There's something so incredibly fun about ocean related fashions. They can certainly be sophisticated and elegant, but no matter what they seem to have this innate sense of delightfulness that I think harkens back to the fact that we so often associate the beach with great summer and/or holiday memories.

      Happy shopping!

      ♥ Jessica

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  6. So charming! Funny you should post this, I've had beachy things on the brain this week! Thanks for sharing!
    ~Theresa

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    1. It's great to hear I'm not the only person that's daydreaming about the beach this month. The fact that we've had a rather damp, overcast May is fueling those thoughts all the more. I'm soooo ready for the sweltering hot days of summer that lend themselves perfectly to time spent at the beach.

      Wishing you a great end of May and summer ahead!
      ♥ Jessica

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  7. Those crab print shorts. Omg. I don't just want those, I'm pretty sure I need them. Love the picks this month, they're so pretty!

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    1. Aren't they sensational? I don't wear shorts myself, but if I did, I would be all over them like a seagull on a French fry (especially since I'm a cancer and the crab is my zodiac symbol, so there'd be that cool layer to the pattern for me as well).

      Thank you very much for your great comment. Have a wonderful last week of May!
      ♥ Jessica

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  8. I enjoyed it very much! I loved the high waisted bikinis and the blue earrings # 11 and the printed dress, looks so sweet! The kind of dress that I liked! Very good deals, for sure, many sweet things!
    DenisesPlanet.com

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  9. Your choice is great!
    While observing the items you've chosen.... I couldn't help but imagine myself on a vacation. So: it's high time for me to pack my bags and... sadly, I've chosen to spend my money on my home-reconstruction-project and hilidays will be postponed 'till further..

    Happy Thursday, Jess!

    Marija

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    1. Same here!!! There are no exciting trips in my immediate future either, so I'll be having a staycation summer and enjoying our local beaches, while daydreaming of more far flung destinations.

      Big hugs & tons of happy Thursday wishes to you as well, my sweet friend!
      ♥ Jessica

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  10. So many cute things! I love the hell bunny top and that headband! such a cute theme. I love nautical designs year round :)

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    1. Ooooh, same here, big time! Even in the dead of winter, crisp navy blue and cheerful red work fabulously and more aquatic themed pieces remind us of summer's beauty, so there's no reason to take them out of rotation.

      Big hugs & many thanks for your lovely comment,
      ♥ Jessica

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  11. Lots of fun things here, I like the fish brooches and have realised that there is a gap in my brooch collection that may need to be filled! Hope you get to the beach very soon!

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    1. Isn't it interesting how something will jump out at you like that and then you'll be completely surprised that you didn't yet own a brooch (or other accessory) featuring that item or theme? My brooch collection exceeds 100 at this point and I still run into that on a fairly frequent basis. But you know, I kinda of love it, because it just shows that like any great collection, it's never complete and that's half the fun! :)

      I hope you find a great fishie pin soon for your own collection, my sweet friend.

      Big hugs,
      ♥ Jessica

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  12. So many adorable things! I do love the men's shirt cover up and the beaded bag. I have to watch going out in the heat but I love the beach. The high waist bikinis are so cute!

    I hope all is well with you and yours, Jessica.

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    1. Hi sweet Tambra, thank you very much for your lovely comment. It's always a pleasure to hear from you. Some of life's many ups and downs so far this year, but we're hanging in there and hoping for a great summer. How are you as May draws to a close?

      I hope that you're doing well and having a great spring!

      Big hugs,
      ♥ Jessica

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  13. A great selection! My body of water to visit anytime soon will have to be a heated indoor pool, but they is actually on the agenda for the little one.

    I love the swim cap and the adorable brooches in particular, although the swimming costumes are wonderful too.

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    1. Thank you very much, honey! That sounds like a blast. I hope that you and your and your darling wee one have a great time at your swimming sessions. I have super fond memories of going to the pool with my parents when I was little (though by the age of about twelve, I'd developed a strong allergic reaction to chlorine and haven't been able to go into a chlorinated pool for many years now as a result - if I have hit it rich, I'm going to have a salt water pool though and will just relax in it, as swimming is out now, too, due to some of my chronic conditions).

      I love that swim cap, too. It's so darling and instantly calls to mind thoughts of synchronized swimmers. :)

      Have a terrific weekend!
      ♥ Jessica

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  14. My aunt tought me how to create these yarn octopuses when I was a kid ... I made a lot of them in every colour and size - but I never came across a lady octopus!

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    1. That's really cool! I've seen the male versions before, too, but this was the first yarn lady octopus (octomiss? :D) that I've encountered as well. She sure is a cutie pie!

      Thank you very much for both of your wonderfully nice blog comments today, honey. Have a stellar weekend!

      ♥ Jessica

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  15. I have always loved the beach. During my childhood my mom moved to our tiny summer cottage with my maternal grandma and stayed there all summer, and we lived very close to the beach. So I adore everything beach themed, and it really screams summer. What I loved most here is the starfish headband, the Luxulite fish brooch (she makes such lovely items), and Mrs Polly's Lucite became and instant favourite. I found a record charm bracelet with matching earrings in her shop, which I have been looking for for very long, hurrah! Wishing you a lovely weekend, dear. :)

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    1. That sounds like such a marvelous way to have spent your summers growing up. We didn't have a beach house, but living so close to two large lakes and in a town that was, and still is, a mega tourist draw, it was (and, again, still is :)) much like being on vacation in your own town each summer, and I so love that about this area (it's a point that helps to make up for, or at least counterbalance, some of its shortcomings for sure).

      Wishing you a marvelous weekend, too, my dear friend!

      Big hugs,
      ♥ Jessica

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  16. love the beach theme :) adore the hairband :) love pearls

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  17. Really cute choices as usual. That blue and white playsuit at the top is darling.

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    1. Thank you very much, honey. It sure is!!! Seeing this post again is making me miss the ocean. Good thing we have two lakes here to fill in for it until I can get back to the Pacific again. :)

      Big hugs,
      ♥ Jessica

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