Perennial Vintage

Much like the rest of the fashion world, I tend to work with items in seasons about 4-6 months ahead. I realize I've been (constantly) lamenting the lack of cool weather and rain -- and now that we finally have it, I'm focused on Spring items ... and Winter hasn't even begun. Never fear. I have a perennial love for sweaters and wool and leather and denim, so that will never go away. Even in the middle of summer. My shop is perpetually "winter" stocked, so let that make you happy. And me happy, too! This gorgeous 1950s cowichan (style) cardigan is coming to the shop soon. While I had intended it to be in today, the zipper needs some work (an overhaul. i.e. new zipper) which is unfortunate. But, once it is fixed and working, it'll be in the shop immediately. And as for the Spring things, well, if I'm not listing sweaters and denim, I'm listing silks, linens and dresses! This stack has linen and silk and lots of comfy, soft blouses and shirts t

Hello all! Guess what? It's raining here in California! Couldn't be more thrilled. It's putting out the horrendous fires and giving us water for our perpetual drought. The rain dance worked!  I'm so thankful for the rain and I'm thankful for you. In fact, that Black Friday sale is happening now because I'm so thankful. And in order to prep for this sale, I added 125 new items in the last two weeks! I've been busy. And I'm ready for you. ♥ The whole store is 25% off right now (Black Friday is 30% off!) through Small Business Saturday and even Cyber Monday--and for you USA folks, all orders over $150, get free shipping. So, enjoy your Thanksgiving, eat lots, and tell your friends and family that you love them ... then head on over to find all your vintage needs at Perennial Vintage . ◄ Thank you again for supporting my little business and letting be get to do what I love. Happy Thanksgiving. -HJS

Fall is in full swing and though it's warm here today, I'm praying for cool weather and getting ready to do a rain dance. I'm ready to celebrate Fall. As in, NOW! Anyway, I'm scouring my usual haunts for the best merchandise. As noted in the picture, sweaters and button downs and leather in browns and golds and dark tones are in tow (as I write) and I'm only going to be adding more. My favorite season deserves the best I can give especially when it's not acting as it should. Ahem. Mother Nature! Regardless, I'm wearing the sweaters and boots and I hope that acts as a promoter of seasonal changes. Also, did you know that My Little Pony is 35 years old? See, I know you're wondering how this relates. It doesn't. But, it's vintage, so there's that. And back in 1983 I was seven years old and this was my dream toy. So, to hop into Target and see the exact same toy -- thirty  five years later -- is both heartening and disheartening a

I've never done free domestic shipping in the shop before. I've had plenty of sales, and plenty of different fun things, but never free shipping. Well, STOP THE PRESSES! I'm happy to say, there's free domestic shipping going on over  there ◄ and it's going to continue through the 3rd of November! Get a jump on your holiday shopping and head over to Perennial Vintage on Etsy   today before the free shipping event is over. I'm actually going to start MY Christmas shopping this week, too. I have a goal of being done with Christmas shopping by Thanksgiving (really, Nov 15th, but I'm giving myself some leeway) so I can thoroughly enjoy December, and Santa, and Nativity, and all things Christmas (Egg nog is included, FYI). And also in case you were wondering, and especially if you weren't, I plan on doing a bit of online shopping and I'm going to look like this-- pup on my lap with one hand on her, and the other on the laptop. Happy shoppin

In my last post, I talked about finding your key vintage "piece" to go alongside your outfit. Your key "piece" enhances your look (because you look unique), allows you to incorporate vintage into your modern vibe (the whole point), and makes you  look amazing (bonus!) Belts are one of my main go-to vintage pieces (other than sweaters). And I've talked about how things find me in waves in the past. It goes without saying it still holds true. The last two weeks have been belt heaven. Men's belts. Women's belts. Kid's belts. I'll go week -- months -- without finding a single belt to sell (or keep, as may be the case) and the last two weeks, I've found about two dozen that are amazing. I'll be selling most of them and they're in the shop --or will be in the shop-- in the next few days. Also, the belts I sell are USA-made. The best kind. If you've never bought a vintage belt before, you should. It's simple to make sure

In my world of vintage-buying and vintage-wearing, I get a lot of people asking me two things: 1. Where do you find your vintage? and 2. How do you wear your vintage? The answer to the first question is simple. I find my vintage in thrift shops, and estate sales, and if I'm lucky, I have people giving me their vintage! That last one is a blessing and a reward, really. I not only get to deal with vintage clothing and sell it, but these wonderful people hunt for me and give me their finds (and/or they just want to get rid of aunt Verna's things who passed away. That's fine too!) To you folks, I'm beyond grateful. The second is simple, too. And it has to do with blending. As Peg Boggs from Edward Scissorhands once said, "Blending is the secret."  My wardrobe is a mish-mash of new and old. And I wouldn't have it any other way. To wear vintage (and pull it off without looking like you're in a costume) it's a matter of taking key pieces, w

These jeans. Sigh. They're perfect. In the '70s perfect sort of way. Wide leg, flare at leg opening, high waist, two cute front pockets. Yeah, that kind of perfect. They're a little distressed, which makes them even better. And as of now, still available, in the shop, right here. ◄ I mean, look at the button, and there's a duplicate one on one back pocket. Then there's the Scovill zipper. Come on now, this is what vintage dreams are made of! This blanket also is awaiting your sofa or chair, or for that chilly Autumnal night on your bed. Such a beautiful color palette, 100% wool, and of course, USA-made. Available  here ◄. The Labor Day Weekend Sale at my shop begins early, on the 29th of August, and runs through the 3rd of September. 20% off the entire store! Time to pick up any late summer goodies as well as stock up for Fall. That word alone brings excitement to my soul. ♥ -HJS

Coming this week! One of my favorite fabrics is wool. And unless it's super light weight, like a gaberdine wool, you can't wear it until fall in most places in the US, but especially here in Sacramento where the heat can be suffocating and eternal. So, when I begin to see thrift stores setting out their wool sweaters, and thick cardigans, puffy warm jackets, and cozy flannels, I smile. A lot. Even if the temperatures are near the century mark in degrees of heat --  like today -- I  flourish with happiness poking through the sweaters, finding the thickest, most quality wool. I'm in my own little heaven. Coming soon! This blanket was too good to pass up (probably not wool, feels like a nylon/acrylic blend). The colors within each rainbow dial are deep and rich. I'd keep it for myself, but I know it's not for me. This belongs to someone else. I can feel it. In fact, I get that notion with each piece of clothing I pick. Even if the item fits me, or I

I know. We're smack dab in the middle of summer, and what am I dreaming about? Fall clothing. Okay, two things. One,  I like summer. I really do, from 100 degree days to swimming and cold drinks and t-shirts and skirts. Love it. But, I have a minuscule tolerance for it all. As in, oh, a day of it. Then I'm dreaming of flannel, wool, plaid, long sleeves and denim. I've been stashing all of said things in a nice pile in my "to list pile for fall," but now I come to point two. Fall fashion --and the previewing and selling of it -- comes in August. As in, August 1st. So, I just pulled the stash out and I'm going to start listing in two weeks. Problem is I'm totally sidetracked and drooling over the wools, and plaids, and I'm more than ready for apple cider and leaves by the truckload on my front lawn. For you, I'm showing a small preview of items to come. Look at the buffalo plaid! (I MAY be keeping that one...) Anyway, try to enjoy the r

I tend to shop and sell 1940s, 1950s, and 1960s product for the store. Those are my favorite decades. And I suppose I like the 1980s too, but that's a decade all to its' own, and one that deserves its own post. But every now and then, the 1970s appear and said items collide, coalesce, and all find their way to me in the same week. True, there are more 1970s product to source than older, because obviously, the '70s were more recent than say, the 1940s. (I'm also vehemently enforcing this concept because I was born in the 70s and it makes me feel young - albeit, if only briefly). But, it really goes in waves, and this week has a '70s vibe all over it. I'm a Levi's gal, and these striped beauties are a true flash to the past. And would you check out that big E on the pocket tag? Pretty sweet. (Coming soon, this week!) The belt here, mushroom and ladybugs included, are incredible. Who wouldn't want a belt like this? Stunning painted leather.

Ah, Spring. Just got back from Seattle. Their Spring is the rainiest one I've ever experienced. Probably doesn't help that it was an abnormal, record-breaking rainy weekend, either. But, it was beautiful. Stayed downtown, did Seattle-y things, like Starbucks and the Space Needle and coffee and Filson and Bainbridge Island, and more coffee. Now, I'm back at home and feeling refreshed, I'm ready to stock the shop with what you want. This Spring, it means more denim. I know. I can't seem to stock enough of it. From Levi's 501s, to Levi's 550s, or overalls or denim shirts, it's what you want. And lucky for me, I live and breathe denim. It's not work to supply you with what you want. Even denim that isn't a traditional color. Like these ones. I must say, I was blessed to find this gorgeous Hudson blanket. I am keeping this one, but I have a duplicate that will be coming to the shop. Yes, we're headed into Spring and Summer. But, I like to

Minnetonka I'm pretty sure I've talked before about how things come in waves, you know, waves of same things. For example, in life we have seasons. Seasons of change: seasons of gains and seasons of losses. It's a natural part of life, it's to be expected, and it's what keeps us on our toes and (hopefully) changing for the better. Mukluks This same facet holds true in vintage fashion and finding it. Just recently, I came across two pair of Minnetonka calf/knee high moccasins for ladies. I'll go years without thrifting these. *Yes, I can go online and purchase them, but that's not the point.* A bit before that, I came across these amazing moccasin/mukluk shoes. So gorgeous. Not my size, so I'm selling. But, they're phenomenal and may be Midwest plains or even Canadian. Not sure. And before that, I found some incredible buffalo skin moccasins. I love moccasins. I wear them a lot. They're comfy like a slipper, yet I can wear them out a

For Christmas, I got a pair of boots that I'm over-the-top thrilled with. Yes, they're Red Wing . And yes, they're Iron Rangers! Okay, my husband has one pair of Red Wings. Not because he wouldn't have more, but because the Iron Rangers are it for him. That is ALL he wants. He could never own another pair of boots other than the Iron Rangers for the rest of his life... and he'd be set. Forever. So, going with that stellar review, I knew my next pair had to be them. Unlike my other ladies Red Wing , and unlike my Wolverines , these are definitely a bear to break in. The way these are cut and put together (extremely well put together, per usual), the leather takes hours of wear and treading just to get to where it may want to mold to my foot. And then, give it another month or two to actually soften and mold to my foot, and they may be ready . However, I've worn them enough now that the molding has already begun and I know in a few months, they'll lo

While I love winter clothing, there's something about getting ready for spring ( as far as the wardrobe is concerned) that is life-giving. Some of my favorite fabrics to fall  back on are silks and linens. They're quite popular for good reason. The first reason is obvious. The materials are wonderful. There's nothing quite like either of them. Silk is decadent against the skin and linen says "vacation" and "travel" like nothing else. The other reason these fabric are choice purchases for most is because they're hard to find. You can't just go into JCrew year round and find linen. Sometimes, seasonally, yes. But, it's hard to get the right color, right size, or the right type of linen. Sometimes they're sold out. Sometimes, you may not even like what they have. That's where I'm happy to help. I love these fabrics as much as you and when I'm not buying for myself (which is actually not that often) I'm always buying

When I think of overalls, I think of the word "utilitarian," and bandanas, and iron workers, and unions. I think of Rosie the Riveter. I think old America. And I talk about overalls regularly because they're so iconic. As far as fashion is concerned, though overalls were a major wardrobe staple of years ago, they're now a cyclical item that pops its head up out of the sea of fashion every twenty years or so. I wore these in the early 90s, and they're back in. In fact, they've been very much in for the last four or five years. I've sold hundreds of them in my shop (Visit ◄ to see my current selection) and the desire for them isn't diminishing. Does this mean the world wants overalls as a standard part of their wardrobe again? And not just because it's hip? I think so! Sure, overalls don't do wonders for the figure. But, ladies, this isn't everything. There's something pretty dang attractive about comfy overalls on a hard-workin