Cold Weather Inspiration

Hello Dear Readers,
I apologize our boutique has been quiet for so long. But at the store, the usual influx of amazing vintage clothes continues, and the seasons are changing! Which means it's time for a wardrobe change too! Here are some ideas for vintage (or just vintage-inspired) fall and winter outfits.

From the flickr of the adorable irene adler:
And from my vintage vogue:
Enjoy the crisp air and frozen mornings: layer on bell-shaped coats and little hats and tights under vintage dresses. And if you're in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, come to our store and see all the amazing cold-weather options we have!

WWII Coverall

This authentic WWII Coverall is beautifully made and practically indestructible.


The fine construction manages to be both durable and detailed.


Not to mention it is a hardcore antidote to the recent influx of jumpers, rompers, and onesies for women.


This one is functional, tough, and a bit daring. Not for the sartorially timid!

Ordering Info:
Name: WWII Coverall
Description: Authentic vintage
Size: 38R (with 32" waist, pictured), 40R also available
Price: $100

To order, just call Greystone Gardens at 413-442-9291, between the hours of 11 and 6, Monday through Saturday, and pay with a major credit card. Or come to our store! Our stock of high quality vintage is constantly expanding.

Another Preview

As you may have gathered from our previous posts, Greystone Gardens has an amazing collection of hats. One of my favorites is this wonderfully impractical bathing cap.


It's so frivolous and pretty, like something out of a fairytale.

And our store is just full of adorable dresses. Here's another one we'll be offering on-line next week:

Stop by then for all the details. And to see the rest of this badass vintage men's jumpsuit.


And for more unique menswear items...


Prices, ordering info, and lots more photos in our next post! Until then have a lovely week!

As Promised

Remember those fabulous outfits I promised you the details of last week?

Well here they are!




Ordering Info:
Name: English Countryside Jodhpurs
Description: Authentic 1950s vintage
Made of: 100% plaid wool
Size: 32" waist (pictured), 36" waist, and 38" waist
Price: $50
Note: As is often the case with vintage, each size pant has a slightly different fit and construction.

The rugged sexy jacket is also available in our shop. Just call and ask!


And about that dusty pink prom dress. Did I mention the amazing matching bolero?



And the gorgeous detailing?


We're offering the set at a complete steal: only $40!


Ordering Info:
Name: Dusty Pink Prom Dress and Puff Sleeve Bolero
Description: Authentic 1980s vintage (of course!). Satin with sequins and applique. Sweetheart neckline. Full length. Peplum in front and back.
Label: Eve of Milady
Size: Small, 26" waist, 40" from waist to hem.
Price: $40


And don't forget about the charming hat!

Ordering Info:
Name: The Hunting Hat
Description: Wool/ fur blend, woven band with feathers.
Price: $45

For ordering instructions, see the sidebar. We'd love to hear from you, dear fellow vintage lovers!

A Little Preview

It has been rather nutty here at Greystone Gardens, and I do apologize for the lack of fresh looks from our shop. But this week I'm posting a few more lovely items that will soon be available for purchase on-line!

Like this gorgeous, ruffled pink dress. The cut is amazingly 80s.

Wouldn't it be perfect as a slightly tongue-in-cheek prom dress! It even comes with a matching, puffed sleeve jacket. Make it completely avante garde by adding an almost over-the-top hat like our model, or chic it up with elegant heels and a clutch.

And have I mentioned that Greystone Gardens also carries menswear? Well we do!

These red plaid riding pants are so stylish and unusual. And the leather-patched button-down is the ultimate in rugged sophisticate. Can't you imagine our model on a hunting excursion in the English countryside!

More photos and ordering details for both these looks will be posted soon. And remember, shopping vintage is the green thing to do, darlings!

Vintage Inspiration Everywhere!

It seems vintage-inspired fashions are popping up everywhere. On flickr, there's no shortage of adorable photostreams where fashionistas post their lovely sartorial concoctions.

I love how this beautiful girl incorporates 1950s trends: high waists, puffed skirts, and scarves.

The result is whimsical and totally charming.

And then there's too-cute-for-words Irene Adler. She takes the vintage modern look to whole new level with pops of unexpected color and the most phenomenal collection of vintage-inspired accessories.

Just look at her hats!

And those amazing oxfords!

I love how every outfit tells a little story about where she must be going.

Her party frocks are especially delicious.

Perfectly vintage with a twist.

Peruse our archives for more vintage inspiration and authentic pieces available at Greystone Gardens. I hope you are all having a wonderful beginning to your week!

Fashion Make Believe

Do you ever buy outfits for made-up occasions? Someday I'm sure I'm going to find myself on a beach in Southern India, and when I do, I know exactly what I'm going to be wearing.
(May 1955 Harper's) And of course it will look just the way I want it to: light-hearted and rugged and totally seductive.
(Suzy Parker, 1950) Where do you imagine you'll find yourself? And what will be the perfect costume for that specific moment when ordinary clothes just won't do!?
(Jean Patchett in LIFE Magazine, 1949) Someday I will be wearing the canary yellow floor length gown from 1979 that is a half size too small and will hardly be appropriate anywhere. When I saw it I just had to take it home.
(Audrey Hepburn in Givenchy, 1963) Because why not dress for our imaginary lives as much as for our real ones? It's much more fun!

(all photos from the amazing flickr account myvintagevogue)

Inspired!

I'm constantly finding new reasons to fall in love with vintage. The most recent is, of course, Mad Men. Who hasn't been captivated by its late 50s/early 60s fashion? Now I am always looking for outfits that remind me of the various female characters.
Peggy's sweet and almost girlish jumpers,
her demure checks and dots and plaids, all hinting at something just a little irreverent.
And then there's Joan. Gorgeous, curvaceous Joan, tightly packed into her sweater sets and pencil skirts.
Her shift dresses would be modest on anyone else.I am so excited a sexy, full-bodied woman is finally in the spotlight! It's about time!
Equally enchanting, is bright, sad Betty in her puffy skirts and delicate tops.
She always looks too perfect, too pretty.
We know her soul is rumpled and messy.

Why not decide which Mad Men woman you are and find just the right outfit to match. There is no better reason to shop vintage!

Perfectly Mismatched

I love that every season the rules of fashion change. Suddenly the looks that work best are the ones that counter all the previous trends.
Like this season's perfectly mismatched patterns. These silk separates are beautiful apart, but together the punchy florals of the top add just the right accent to the painterly quality of the skirt.
Paired with the sexiest of gloves (black lace!) and a chunky cut glass necklace, the effect is dressed up and nonchalant, just the right amount arty, and very fresh.

Ordering Info:
Name: Floral Picnic Blouse
Made of: 100% silk
Label: Saks Fifth Avenue
Size: Medium
Price: $35

Name: Painterly Skirt
Description: Authentic 1960s vintage
Made of: 100% silk
Size: 28" waist
Price: $35

Name: Black Lace Gloves
Description: Wrist-length, black lace with ruffle around wrist
Price: $12

Name: Chunky Cut Glass Necklace
Detail:
Description: Authentic 1950s vintage, cut glass beads
Price: $95

Order by giving our store a call at 413-442-9291 between 11 am and 6 pm, Monday through Saturday, and paying with a major credit card. Our Ebay shop with a PayPal account will open soon, we promise!

Retro Luncheon

One of my favorite things about vintage clothes is imagining the stories that go with them, the person to whom they belonged, the events to which they were worn.
Surely the owner of this sharp 1960s shift was effortlessly relaxed and chic, practical with a hint of edge, classic with a modern twist.
She would have been quietly refined at chic luncheons or in a smoke-filled office.
The clean, spare lines have just the right mix of utilitarian glamour and retro nonchalance.
Our model gave the outfit a cheeky twist by adding white net gloves and statement-making studs.
And asking to pose in our store window!
Ordering Info:
Name: The Retro Luncheon Shift
Description: Authentic 1960s vintage
Made of: 100% polished cotton
Label: Junior Vogues
Size: Small
Price: $65

Name: Cheeky White Gloves
Description: Wrist-length, slightly stretchy mesh
Price: $7

Name: Retro Office Earrings
Description: Authentic 1950s vintage, clip-on
Price: $20

As usual, order by calling our wonderful little store at 413-442-9291 between 11 am and 6 pm, Monday through Saturday, and paying with a major credit card. Or come see us in Pittsfield, Massachusetts!