Inspiration...Ralph Lauren

The other  day while looking through instyle magazine, I came across Camilla Belle wearing The Ralph Lauren beaded skirt above and ...I completely fell in love. I rushed to find his Spring 2011 Collection and picked out a few of my favorites. While doing this I started to realize how many pieces in our shop looked very much like they could be in a Ralph Lauren collection. I picked out a few to put in this post and started to realize why I was drawn to buy these items in the first place and how you can take clothing and style it to look like designer pieces.
Since 1967 (just a coincidence, that also was the year I was born) Ralph Lauren has created the classic American style with Western and equestrian influence using distressed denim, leather and suede combined with classic white cotton.
My favorite piece has to be the skirt above for it's length , color and stand out details, but if I were to buy something from this collection it would no doubt be the crossbody leather and woven wool Southwestern bag for it's wearability and rugged style.
Other names that have driven iconic American style and have influenced the way I buy clothes are Levi's, LL Bean, Madewell, JG Hook, J Crew, and Land's End, stay tuned for more posts about them in the future. 

1st Spring Collection 2011

Vtg 80s cabbage Roses Rayon Dress

Vtg 80s Chocolate Paisley Tent Dress

Vtg 60s Navy Canvas Peacoat

Vtg 70s Ecru Misty Harbor Raincoat

Vtg 80s Hawaiian Flowers Babydoll Dress

Vtg Gunne Sax Calico Prairie Dress

Vtg Lavender Bird Print Tent Dress

Vtg 70s Scandinavian Apron

Vtg 80s sheer Cream Embroidered Dress

Vtg 70s Calico Halter Dress

The above photos are just a little preview of what I have been working on all day. Putting together our 1st Spring 2011 Collection on Flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/vintageurbanrenewal/ . I hope this gets you as excited as I am about the warmer weather that is on it's way.

The Best of 2010...

aureliaLT

When I decided to make this post I had no idea how many memories I would have as I looked back on all of our sales for the year 2010. Here it goes...
**MY FAVORITE ITEM IN 2010 NOT IN OUR SHOP (but wish they were) AWARD goes to these Gorgeous Black Handmade Felted Mittens from aureliaLT,because I wish I had thought of making them...warm, vintage looking and raw egdes...absolutely to die for.
**MY FAVORITE BAG IN 2010 AWARD goes to this unique bohemian leather tooled number, because I will probably never find another one like it and probably should have kept it.
**MY FAVORITE DRESS IN 2010 AWARD goes to this bohemian (there's that word again) sundress,
words can not explain my joy when I found it.
**MY FAVORITE BAG 2010 AWARD ... oh yeah...I already chose one, but this one is a tight second to the previous one because of the size and practicality of it...that's right practicality.
**MY FAVORITE SHIRT (by far) 2010 AWARD goes to this beautiful pink, cotton, embroidered top from India. They don't make them like this anymore. I also love the model wearing it.
**MY FAVORITE CROCHETED WHITE DRESS 2010 AWARD ... oh yeah...I mean the only white crocheted dress in 2010, because I will never find one like this ever again...so beautiful. My only consolation is I know it went to a good home.
**MY FAVORITE SWEATER 2010 AWARD goes to this absolutely incredible wool cardigan with the cutest intarsia village knitted into it. Right out of a fairy tale.
**MY FAVORITE COAT 2010 AWARD goes to this stunning 70s camel wool, trench coat. At the time it was my most expensive sale yet, check out the pockets...LOVE LOVE!
**MY FAVORITE SHOES 2010 AWARD goes to these unbelievable ankle boots. If they had been my size I would have certainly called them my own...alas my feet were too big, but Sarah was the lucky buyer and kindly sent me a picture to thank me.

As I was going through all these sales I not only remembered selling them I also remembered when I found almost every one. I counted selling 150 pairs of shoes and 30 bags and 220 pieces of clothing. I learned more than I can say about taking pictures, pricing items and organizing a warehouse full of clothes which will make the year 2011 even better. I got a smart phone, learned how to text, started a blog and found out I enjoy twittering. Goodbye to old friends and hello to new ones.

Cyber Weekend Sale-

http://www.etsy.com/shop/vintageurbanrenewal

 
Check out our shop this weekend when we will be having a a great SALE

FREE SHIPPING on $100 worth of items

or

HALF OFF SHIPPING when you buy two items

Anywhere in the world----11/26/10-11/29/10

New Avatar

.need new clothes.

Our new avatar. Happy Hunting!

Remembering Woodstock

Woodstock changed how we looked at fashion.

4 Up

Vtg 70s Hooded Faux Leopard Fur Princess Coat

Vtg 80s  Oxblood Penny Loafers

Vtg 70s Fringe Intarsia Knit Vest

Vtg 70s Cutwork Ivory Top

It was really tough this week to pick the top four, but the Leopard Print Coat is absolutely my favorite item in the whole shop right now mainly because of the unusual hood. http://www.etsy.com/shop/vintageurbanrenewal

Giveaway...$35 Gift Card to any CSN Store

Victoria Leather Teardrop Bag

Can't you just picture yourself toting this around this winter?

Victoria Leather Luxe by CSN

Victoria Leather Company began over 28 years ago in a barn in northern New Jersey. Victoria Leather purchased their leather, at that time, from a jacket manufacturer in New York City. The Teardrop, Victoria Leather's original design, was inspired by the need to use the small pieces of leather that were a by-product of leather coat manufacturing. (One of our earliest methods of recycling!) Little did they know the Teardrop would become their bestseller for over a quarter of a century. Today Victoria Leather uses only the finest hides available.

I have owned Victoria bags in the past and the quality is superb.

Whether you are looking for a barstool or a handbag you will find them at All Modern or a 

 Luxe by CSN and ....

 Win this $35 GIFT CARD

from  http://www.csnstores.com  based in Boston (my home town), to use on their websites 

                      www.allmodern.com and www.luxebycsn.com. 

                                                                Where they sell everything from

                                        barstools to designer bags.

RULES: *Must be a U.S. or Canadian citizen.

                *Must follow our blog.

                *All entries must be in by Friday Oct 15th

                *Winners will be notified by email and csn will send prize.

                *If winner does not reply within 7 days prize will be given to someone else.

How to Receive Entries:

               *1 Entry for becoming a follower of our blog

               *1 Entry for going to our etsy shop and commenting on your        favorite item

                    http://www.etsy.com/shop/vintageurbanrenewal

               *2 Entries for buying something from our etsy shop http://www.etsy.com/shop/vintageurbanrenewal

               *1 Entry for going to one of the http://www.csnstores.com             websites and commenting 

                on your favorite item

                *2 Entries by linking to my blog and emailing (on your blog, facebook, twitter, myspace or any other site) simply www.vintageurbanrenewal.blogpot.com

THIS GIVEAWAY IS CLOSED

4 UP

large distressed canvas & leather satchel 

vtg 80s rustic leather ankle boots

vtg 50s distressed dirndl costume skirt

vtg 80s patent leather & suede spats 

My favorite picks for this week.
Good Day

Browsing About

vintage clock window display

vintage chair window display

folded books anthropologie window display

great inspiration for a display window

vintage button counter display

1920's window display

wall display from our store urban renewal

Just a few inspirational window displays i found while browsing about.

I am taking the advice of my friend Elizabeth from hivennn and keeping this fairly short and sweet. Please check out her wonderful blog.

Stay tuned for a few exciting things coming soon:

FREE $35 GIVEAWAY from csn stores.

Elizabeth from hivennn will be doing a review on our shop vintageurbanrenewal.