danielle hatfield: Vintage Style : Design Archives

Monday, July 13, 2009

Vintage Style : Design Archives

As many of you know - I *love* classic 40's style. . . so much so that nearly all of my wardrobe is made up of vintage fashion. . . . .and you can be certain that growing up watching classic movies with my father (WWII vet) has played a huge role in my silver screen style.

Recently I spent an afternoon, on Tate Street in Greensboro, exploring one of my favorite getaways

- Design Archives.

Known as the largest vintage store in the southeast. Design Archives has been the mecca for vintage buffs for over 30 years . . . offering a selection of wearables, collectibles and textile swatches from the1880’s to the 1980’s

that rotates weekly. It is always a thrill to carefully discover little gems. . . like this classic black hat from the 40's - found in an open suitcase near the front window. I spent nearly a half an hour with all of the other hats that waited

patiently to be admired and fussed over.

Next to the hat racks near the front, I oooed and ahhhed like a little girl over these shoes. ::sigh:: It's too bad that I already have my Halloween costume (Samantha from Betwitched) because these shoes would be perfect for a Cinderella, or a Glinda the Good Witch costume . . . or maybe a sexier Maryilyn-esque dress. Hell, why wait for Halloween!

Take one look at my closet and you will see that I am a sucker for anything black . . . and this little polka dotted cotton number with a red belt, Sews up the fresh summer style of the 40's era . . . It makes me want to wear white gloves and red lipstick.

Oh, and if you haven't heard already . . . they also have a fantastic selection of costume and vintage jewelry, clutches, sunglasses and accessories.

The reason I love shopping at Design archives? . . . . Kit Rodenbough, the owner . . .and her 370 consigners silly! Together they offer a fun, funky mix of styles to accommodate any ones taste.