Event: Vintage Heaven. Chicago Vintage Sale.

Last Saturday, I went with my friend and ChiCityTrend's blogger Luis to the monthly vendor vintage sale at Vintage Heaven in Wicker Park. To those of you unfamiliar with Wicker Park, this area is the best in Chicago for thrift and vintage. There's so many different kinds of shops and clothing there.

Vintage Heaven had an interesting selection for many different eras of dress. The shopping area was spread out between two rooms, and did have a dressing room in the back to try the clothing on if you were undecided on a piece.

My most memorable vendors were Adrienne from ShopNOV with her beautiful selection of wild dresses, and Karyn from Dethrow who looked gorgeous in her retro Gunne Sax day dress. Karyn is also putting together a dolly kei fashion show this weekend.

I also met the lovely ChicagoLooks fashion blogger Isa, and caught Dollparts' Michelle on a smoke break.

 

I highly recommend stopping by and visiting to anyone in the Chicago-land area who is looking for a unique and interesting addition to their wardrobe.

Who are the Odd Fellows? Some background info & history.

Example of Odd Fellows Regalia used in a outfit, and Odd Fellows Royal Guard Uniform Illustrations.

I talk about The Oddfellows frequently because of the many different beautiful and strange ceremonial objects that were made for their group. While originally their regalia, costumes, and vestments make for interesting additions to a vintage wardrobe, particularly those with a dolly kei bent. Also the collars, pins, and shriner's hats are popular accessories with the Grimoire shop girls.

While I claim no expertise in the subject, I vaguely know their background. There isn't much information online, so I'm going to have a find a history book somewhere to fill in the details.

Odd fellows started a fraternity of "odd fellows" in small villages in Europe, who had too few in numbers to start their own guild of trade. They formed a raggedy crew of differently talented individuals and from here they grew to become a large group that promotes community and charity. Eventually the fraternity moved to the US as well. They are very similar to Freemasons.

They have many symbols they use within their group but the most prominent ones that I have noticed on costumes and regalia are: three entwined chains, a hand holding a heart, a beehive, an eye, and the eastern star which looks like an inverted pentagram.

The Rebekah group seem to be a teenage fraternity, and sometimes a women's group. Their symbols are the moon, a dove, a lavender flower, a beehive, and use most of the other odd fellow symbols as well.

As I learn more information and background information I will blog about it. If you have any information or books to recommend don't hesitate to comment and message me!

Vintage Styles: Oddfellows Oddities

Recently I've stumbled across some strange finds on ebay for oddfellows items. Sure the typical robe and regalia passes through ebay... but these items are something else.

The top mask is listed as 1890s ODD FELLOWS painted mesh mask By DeMoulin Bros. I'm not quite sure what its use would be, perhaps some kind of ceremonial object? Very strange and very creepy.

Regalia is fairly easy to come by, but this particular collar is unique to what I normally see listed. Silver color and metallic prints is fairly uncommon, as opposed to the typical red with embroidery.

What a beautiful book! I couldn't resist putting it up here despite the staggering price.

And my favorite... these comical numbered "watch" uniforms! (oddfellows have different classes, such as guard, watch, king, high priest, ext. Depending on what class you are you where different uniforms). I like trying to imagine what kind of scenario would call for such a uniform. I can only hope its the oddfellows extended version of Dr. Suess's thing one and thing two.

Style Guide: Modern Stores

I'm crazy about vintage and antiques, especially how many items are one of kind. However, there are many opportunities to find brand new, mass produced clothing that have an intricate antiqued feel. It is also a safe and easy route for people not keen on the idea of wearing second hand clothes.

Some more upscale stores that definitely have a classic feminine feel: Anthropologie, Free People, Modcloth, and Lucky Brand jewelry.

These are the more common stores you will find at your mall and have a lot of things applicable, especially with spring rolling around: Forever 21, H&M, Macy's, Charlotte Rousse, Wet Seal, and shoes from Urban Outfitters.

In this post I'm featuring Forever 21 because this stores in particular change stock constantly and have a wide variety of styles they cater to, so anyone can find something perfect for their own style.

Currently, white lace dresses and scarves with layers of lace and crochet are in style for spring and are great for layering. I haven't seen any examples in online stores, but if you visit the various shops in person you're bound to find some.

You never know when you'll see something you like, so generally its best to peep into every store you can. Some of my favorite shoes and dresses I've found at stores you wouldn't necessarily go out of your way to visit like: Target, Sears, and Kohls. In my experience, for some odd reason usually the most unique and interesting stuff is in clearance.

Rule of thumb: If they sell clothes and isn't owned by the Abercrombie Company, Gap, or American Eagle, check out what they have!