What I Saw Today

Hello!

It's been a while since I posted. My days are filled with applying to jobs, cleaning, caring for my dog, etc.

But today I saw things I didn't appreciate. Justin's dad came up to visit us and we decided to take a trip to The Sleepy Poet, one of the most awesome antique malls in the immediate area of which I live. I love The Sleepy Poet; going there always inspires me and I get lost among the booths and displays. The first time I went I swore I had traveled through time. I wish I could live there.

Today they were having some sort of event. There was a food truck and people were set up outside. There must have been at least 200 people there. Normally there are not that many and it stays the quiet little spot that I love.

I'm claustrophobic. I don't like crowds. But I sucked it up and went in because the selection of clothing is enormous and beautiful. Luckily there weren't many people looking at the clothes so I stayed there.

Then these women meandered over. They dove into the racks of clothes as if they were in a department store. They tried on shoes, beautiful vintage shoes, pulling them over their feet as if they were in a shoe store. They pulled through the displays of delicate handkerchiefs and hats. And I wanted to scream.

The clothes there are delicate and well-preserved. As are the shoes and accessories. My heart was beating so fast because one does not handle vintage and antique products in this manner. I wanted to scream but I refused to make a scene. I watched in horror as a woman pulled a beautiful aubergine 1920s dress from the rack as if it were a rag doll.

I hate when people treat items like this. To me, a vintage/antique product is something to be revered. Yes, you can wear them, as long as you CARE for them and handle them with respect. They survived this long for a reason, and it is not because they were handled like mass-produced department store crap.

Don't even get me started on the 12 year old girl who started clanging a pre-20th century bell like there was no tomorrow. It actually caused me pain. Enormous pain.

I had the issue a bit ago of my things smelling like cigarettes, and I addressed it on my Etsy shop. I have since very carefully washed every single item after researching how to care for them. I keep everything on a clothing rack in a pet-free room in my apartment. I care for my items, I care about my customers, and I care about this business. I may be small, but I am happy for each and every sale I make. I am happy to provide people with quality vintage clothes. I love this and I plan on going forward and learning even more. I know most people in the business care and respect their shops and items, but consumers need to know exactly what they are doing as well.

Vintage and antique clothes are not toys. They are jewels of the past. Owning them is not a convenience but a luxury. You are holding someone else's memory. Remember that the next time you think a vintage clothing rack is the same as something in Macy's or Dillard's.

I don't want this post to sound mean or bitchy. I'm just trying to make a point.

Please visit Kitschy Cool Vintage. They supply The Sleepy Poet with the majority of their vintage clothes, shoes, and accessories. They are amazing and beautiful, and I wish I owned them all!