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.
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.}
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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! :)
