Wednesday 1 October 2014

FOUND - Big Smoke Blew into Chicago


I found this crinkly cotton "housecoat" at Randolph Street Market CLICK HERE in Chicago. A few weeks ago, the husband and I set out on a holiday to the country of my birth, starting in The Windy City where my dad joined us for Cubs baseball and 2nd-hand shopping. We hopped on an Amtrak train to my mother's place on Lake Erie in Ohio and then carried on to see friends in The Big Apple. Randolph Street Market is a monthly retro/antiques selling spree that Huntress highly recommends. You'll also find a parade of well-stocked, organized and affordable vintage shops in the Wicker Park neighborhood of Chicago. I particularly loved Store B Vintage CLICK HERE and Vintage Underground CLICK HERE.


I feel luck to have repatriated this London-centric coat/dress. It's a spectacular pattern of Queen's Guards, Buckingham Palace and Westminster Abby, entangled in graphic brambles. If it had been red and black, I would have left it. But the unique GREEN and black colour combo keeps it from feeling like a brand new tourist souvenir. Over my silk fitted cami and rolled up denim, it's the perfect outfit for the unexpected warmth of September back in The Big Smoke. Re-styling a 'button through' dress as an overcoat is a great way to breath life into a piece of lovely but dated vintage. This pretty pop of print was just US$30. 

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

ooh nice find - great layering piece and I love anything that kind of flutters or leaves a wake of swish as you walk. 'Proper' kimonos left open (I hate the term as used for any kind of shirt with lampshade trim being touted as such at the mo) and vintage men's robes are great for this. Mens robes often come in delicious paisleys too :) Is this batik? Your bangles look so good with this too - lovely :))

Anmarie said...

Thanks...glad you like. Great market, I could have bought the lot! My only regret is I can't track down any info about the creator of the print. The garment could be home sewn although not sure. No labels but they may have fallen out. The print (maybe batik) is artwork in my book.

randolph street market said...

So glad you blew into the West Loop and the Randolph Street Market! our inspiration was originally Portobello Road so glad we could inspire you too ;-)

Anmarie said...

Thanks Randolph Street Market...I'll be back one day soon!

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