STEALS AND DEALS!

Everyone loves vintage, and the feeling of finding a great bargain. So we've decided to host a FOUND (A Vintage Shop) YARD SALE!! We've got lovely stock left over from the shop on Fairbanks Ave. that we are going to be selling at the yard. The fabulous event will be held this Saturday the 8th, from 8am to 12pm at 3025 Oberlin Ave. Orlando, Fl, 32804.

There will be treasures from the 50's through the 80's including clothing, shoes, accessories, art, and housewares. Folks can expect to see only the best in vintage fashions in fantastic condition, all greatly reduced for a quick sale! So come to the yard sale early, or you may miss out on some of the best items.

Again, the yard sale will be for four hours only on SATURDAY the 8th. Come early and stock up for back to school, find something to give your home more character, or get some of your Christmas shopping done early. You'll be able to find something for everyone!

Directions from Downtown:

Take 1-4 East to Par St. Exit Par, and turn left. Go down a few blocks in a residential area (College Park), and turn left on Oberlin Ave. The FOUND YARD SALE will be on the left at 3025. Park where you can on the street, and carpool if at all possible.

Polly Pocket

Maybe one of my favorite trends so far...pocket dresses! Pockets add a sweetness to the already adorable day dress. And talk about functional! Look at those big smiles from the women pictured above. No doubt those bright smiles are due to the fact that they can pack light and leave the purse at home. Such freedom!

Designers such as Michael Kors, CHLOE (pictured below on Michelle Williams), and Marc Jacobs have all jumped on the pocket band wagon and created wonderful Spring dresses with this adorable detail. Michael Kors version (above) steps it up with the elegant polka dot print, making it a great day or evening dress.

As with any trend, this one has been in fashion for decades. You can find one of a kind vintage pocketed dresses with as much character as the ones being sold today. Here are some versions of this new favorite trend you can find at FOUND!

The first is a salmon and white checked dress from the
60's. It zips down the front, leading to the two front pockets.
Pair with a belt to cinch that narrow waist of yours. Our dress and belt combo comes to a bargain price of $60.

The next dress is a denim blue color, with a yellow and white chevron stripe detailed on the two front pockets. It also has the same chevron detail on the sailor style necktie! This dress couldn't be any cuter even if it came with puppies and kittens! This dress is priced at $40.

There are lots of dresses here at FOUND that fit right in with the pocket dress trend. We have house dresses, printed dresses, shirt dresses...all with pockets! Once you go pocket dress, you never go back.

She's Crafty!

Have you ever bought an item from a Vintage store because you just LOVED the color? Or fabric? You could see all this potential in it, so you bought it. We've all been there. Then you take the item home, give it a good wash, and put it away in your closet (or the drawer with all the other things that have the potential to be something great), where slowly you begin to forget you even had it. Well, its time to dig out those long forgotten treasures and get crafty!

There are simple things you can do to revive your vintage and all it takes is a pair of scissors, a steady hand, and a sewing machine (or at least the ability to hand sew). The easiest way to customize a dress? Cut it shorter!! As short as you want. That peasant dress looks great cut as short as a tunic top when paired with cut off denim shorts. Or cut that striped dress mid-thigh for a mod night out. Put the dress on, and using a friend, have them add straight pins where you should cut. Use a yardstick from the floor up to ensure the pins are where they should be to guide you to cut a straight hem. Then cut, and sew up a new hem about an 1 - 2 inches wide.

Second to cutting it shorter is making it sleeveless. It's nearly summer, so this option is really ideal. You can use a seam ripper, and pull the sleeve completely off...or grab those handy scissors and cut away to the length you prefer. Finish off by sewing up the sleeve hem, usually about inch wide.

You can also add applique (decorative patch) to your vintage to spruce it up a bit! A solid knit dress looks cute with felt hearts sewn on it, or add applique around the neckline of a vintage shirt, or over your heart on your favorite cardigan sweater. Most appliques can be ironed on, but you can also hand stitch them on for a cute homemade look.

There is so much you can do to pump new life back into vintage! Come into FOUND and we will help you find a one-of-a-kind piece that you can personalize with your own clever touches.

Do the Bunny Hop...

Sunday, April 12th is Easter! Its a time to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus by finding colorful eggs and eating chocolate bunnies. Wait...that doesn't sound right. No matter, what is really important is that its a chance to get together with loved ones and feast on tasty treats while thanking your lucky stars for what you have.

FOUND wants you to celebrate in style (well, we want you to do everything in style). Forget the enormous Easter hats, shirts with rabbits on it, or dresses that make you itch. We've got great outfits that are family friendly or date friendly.
The first dress is a light blue cotton with a fun sailor collar. There is yellow and white trim that edges the collar and the two pockets. Ahoy! Its a steal for $40!

The second is a white sundress with a peach checkered print. It looks super adorable with the Lacoste cardigan over it. $85 for this outfit. You can't even get a Lacoste sweater for that price anymore!

The third is a pink plaid romper with a ruffle. The added yellow belt makes the yellow in the plaid romper pop with cuteness. Romper is $30, and yellow belt is $20.


So go enjoy a picnic in the park, a brunch with your best friend, or a dinner with dad. Don't forget the vintage.

Word of the Day: Recessionista.

By now many of you have probably heard this word being kicked around in various fashion mags, fashion news reporting and even in the New York Times... But what exactly is a recessionista? Basically, a recessionista is a woman choosing to make smarter and more economical decisions due to these tough times. Recessionistas are women who value and appreciate fashion and staying current on trends, but no longer have the means, or the desire, to fork over hundreds and thousands of dollars to shop for each season. Instead, recessionistas are seeking new and alternative ways to update their looks. For a LOT less. Some popular tactics include updating only accessories (as opposed to full outfits) and seeking out discounted designer lines in stores like Target, Kohls and Payless. (Currently, you can find Alexander McQueen for Target, Vera Wang for Kohls and Patricia Field for Target.)

But one of the most effective ways to update on a shoestring budget is to find steals at local vintage stores. Fashion is cyclical and what is in style now, most likely came from-or was inspired by- a past trend. Some of the key throw-back looks this season include jumpsuits and one-piece rompers, 80s-inspired silhouettes, high-waisted trousers, wedges. ALL of these looks can cost you a small fortune at Macys and Nordstrom or you can come see our versions of these looks here at Found.....

Our rompers and jumpsuits are $35 and $40, respectively; pants are $35 and shoes are $30.... Tell me where else you can find prices like that!!

In honor of recessionistas everywhere, we have put together a special window this month that highlights the latest trends from the runways, alongside outfits from Found. We used what we have in the store to show that you can find trends in places you might not have thought of before say, the recession. We hope you enjoy the window (and the corresponding section within the store!) and think of us before you head to the mall for some serious buyers remorse. Don't do it! Shop smart. Shop economical. Shop FOUND.

Swing the Night Away...

Tired of all the bumping and grinding on the crowded dance floor of every bar in town? Yep, me too. The solution? Find out locally where you can go to Swing Dance!! Here in Orlando, there are several choices like...Whirl and Twirl Dance Club off of Forsythe Rd, UCF has a Swing Knights Club, Rollins College has a swing club, and there are plenty of dance studios to choose from. You can learn classic swing dances like the Lindy Hop, Jitterbug, or Charleston. Most places have beginners courses too! Plus its an added bonus to be able to wear your vintage best, while dancing to the roots of Rock&Roll, Big Band, or Jazz.
So what exactly do you wear to swing dance? Anything comfortable, roomy, and that you don't mind sweating in. Your shoes should allow you to skid, slide and spin at high speeds! Moderate heels are good, but stilettos mean certain doom. It is definitely possible to find those qualities in a vintage outfit that will make you fit right into the 1940's-1950's era.
Back then for men, the Zoot suit was a practical choice. The pants were baggy at the thigh, narrow at the ankle, and high at the waist (which made for easy leg movements). The zoot suit jacket comes down somewhere around the knee. These suits were completed with a broad-rimmed hat, shirt and tie, long wallet chain and spectator or wing tip shoes. It can get pretty steamy under all those layers of a zoot suit though. Many men instead choose to wear a shirt and tie, with a pair of pinstriped pants.
Women have lots of choices! All you really need to keep in mind again is you want something that allows movement, isn't too warm, and won't kill your feet. Skirts with an A-line shape or dresses with the same shape are best.
After World War II, Christian Dior stunned the fashion industry with his "New Look" collection. It included voluptuous silhouettes with tiny waists in rich fabrics. These gorgeous dresses would be accessorized with a pillbox hat, gloves, and pearl necklace. Another favored look came from Bobby Socksers, who would wear blouses tucked into flared knee length skirts (or circle skirts), white socks and saddle shoes. Poodle skirts fit in with this look. Nautical was a popular style too. They wore blouses tucked into sailor trousers. The trousers were tight at the waist, and fell loose at the ankle. There are 4 large buttons (2 on each side) that help define these pants. All of these looks could be topped off with a flower hair clip or snood, seamed stockings, and a glass of spiked punch.
Here are some choices we have at FOUND to help compliment any swing dance!

Fun in the Sun

Here's a few pictures of my favorite 50's starlets having some good old fashioned (literally, now) fun. These photos represent the warmer seasons flawlessly, and show you that some of the most celebrated women can look just as perfect without having to hide behind all the sequins and make-up.

The first photo, is of graceful Audrey Hepburn. I love how carefree she looks in her simple gingham capri pants, sleeveless egg-shell white tunic top, and white flats. This is a flattering look for many women, and can still be worn today. Puppy optional.


The second photo, of bombshell Marilyn Monroe in Long Island. Who says one-piece swimsuits aren't sexy?! The silhouette is classic and hugs all the natural curves. It leaves something to the imagination while still showing off her amazing body. Not to mention that white swimsuits on glowing skin looks so clean and fresh. The photo below is of stunning Elizabeth Taylor, who is also pictured wearing a scandalously adorable one-piece. The added halter to the swimsuit helps to shape her body, another flattering feature.

Stop thinking you need to avoid the beach this summer because of the fear of the bikini. Embrace your figure, and go get yourself a sassy pinup one-piece! Ooh la la!

Right now at FOUND, you can find similar pieces to the ones our lovely ladies above are wearing! Come in and check them out for yourself!

Golly, Gee!

One of my favorite trend reports to come out this Spring 2009 for MEN has been inspired by...AMERICA!!!! Yes, we can still inspire some things. These new trends exemplify cookouts, boating, baseball and apple pie. Things we are lucky enough to experience in March in Florida, while the rest of the country waits for June to arrive.
Whether its tailored khaki suits worn with boat shoes, floral shirts with trousers and saddle shoes, or baseball jackets and above the knee shorts-one thing is certain...these all-American classic fashions have been inspired by vintage looks of the 1950's! Think Rock Hudson, Robert Wagner, Cary Grant...even Ward Cleaver.
So break out your grandfathers gray wool trousers, a button down plaid shirt, black loafers (socks optional), and a pair of Ray Ban clubmaster sunglasses! Ray Ban just re-issued these, and they are the bees knees! If your grandaddy was too hip to be square, then stop by and visit your local Vintage shop! We here at FOUND pride ourselves on staying up to date in the fashion world, and always look for one-of-a-kind vintage pieces that are being worn today.

Diane von Furstenberg

Many of you know her from her appearances on Project Runway, but may have wondered why the competing designers stood around gawking when in her presence.
DVF carved her name in fashion history in New York 1972, when she introduced the world to her cotton jersey wrap dress. Due to its important influence on women's fashion, her wrap dress can be found in the collection of the Costume Institute of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. In 1997, she re-launched a line of wrap dresses, and continues to include a reissue of a dress or two from her 70’s collections.
In 2005 Diane was awarded the Lifetime Achievement award from the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) for her impact on fashion history, and only 1 year later, was elected the CFDA’s new president-a position she continues to hold today. She is also on the board of Vital Voices, a non-governmental organization that identifies, trains, and empowers emerging women leaders and social entrepreneurs around the globe, enabling them to create a better world for us all.
Diane has her own stores all over the states, across Europe, China and Japan. You can also find her collections in various high-end retailers like Nordstrom, Saks Fifth Avenue, Neiman Marcus, etc. If you’ve got the eye of a tiger, you can still find DVF treasures floating around Vintage Shops and the occasional Thrift Store. We here at FOUND have been lucky enough to score some great finds. In one photo our friend Ashley is modeling a DVF bat-wing top paired with an acid-wash denim skirt and the second picture has Ashley wearing a pretty in pink DVF dress. Timeless pieces from a woman who continues to mold today's fashions.

vintage eye candy

Ok so I'll be honest. 90% of the reason I wanted to start this blog was so I could profess my love for this dress. This dress.... where do I even begin???? Worn by Penelope Cruz to this years Oscars, this dress is basically the only thing memorable that happened all evening. Personally, I kept watching because I was A. sick as hell B. wanting to see amazing red carpet fashion and C. somewhat believed that the entire show would, at some point, become funnier/more entertaining. Well, it didn't. It was lame but this dress made my night- made my entire week even. So first of all, the dress is vintage Pierre Balmain, it is 60 years old and the actress admitted to having bought the dress 8 years ago for a "special occasion" but never wore it until that night. (On a side note, if you ever needed a justification for buying some amazing, extravagant vintage piece and felt like you "didn't know where you would wear it", Ms. Cruz just gave you a lifetime of justification. Of course we don't all have her wardrobe budget, but we all can relate to seeing that one piece that we know we can't live without. I think we have to embrace those sartorial moments in our lives and know that if the dress, hat, shoe is THIS amazing, it simply must be ours. Ladies please feel free to reference this post to your boyfriends/husbands who might be wondering why you need that certain vintage gem..... Because you just do. the end) Back to the dress, it is detailed with tulle and lace and actually has been criticized for looking too bridal. It is true, the strapless, princess dress does have a somewhat matrimonial flair, but what people are forgetting is that this dress is vintage!! That nipped-in waist, that amazing attention to detail and even the use of tulle and lace is representative of 1950s couture!! What we now associate with wedding day grandeur, was once just the style of the day....(see image below- they are almost identical!) Despite varying opinions, I think Penelope choose the most perfect dress to win an Oscar in. It is everything that vintage should be- it is unique, beautiful, personal- she kept it in her closet for 8 years!- and CLASSIC. And I'd sit through another boring Oscars just to see it again. Well, maybe with vodka.
By Rachel.

who we are

So it official kids, FOUND has joined the rest of the world and started blogging! And just three short months after our store's grand opening- (not bad considering that Amy and I pride ourselves on being completely technologically illiterate and usually avoid all things of this nature like the plague.) But here we are and, shock of all shocks, we're super excited to have this space to rant and rave and gush about all things vintage! For those of you that don't know, we are a small locally-owned vintage clothing and housewares store run by two best friends in Orlando, FL. We started our store-and this blog for that matter- to bring together all lovers of vintage styles, vintage craftmenship and the green lifestyle that is part of choosing to wear vintage in today's world. We are proud of the amazing sustainability of our products and even prouder to offer our customers truly unique and one of a kind pieces at a (gasp!) affordable price. We know that vintage doesn't have to break the bank and during these times, we can all appreciate that. So we hope that you follow along and let us introduce you to some of our favorite pieces in the store, analyze vintage choices by celebs , look at the cyclical nature of fashion trends and much much more. And if you are ever in the Orlando area and need a break from Mickey and Shamu, come see and we promise, you won't be disapointed.
more to come soon,
Rachel @ FOUND