Zara loves vintage and I love Zara!

I was shopping in Zara the other day and was in love with so many pieces that they have right now. It may be because I really like Zara as a company or it also could be that a lot of what they have in stock right now draws on the previous decades for current styles. I came across numerous garments which I could have sworn I've seen in vintage shops around Milan and back home. For me, I love this, because I love the vintage style, but sometimes I have a hard time finding the perfect vintage and/or retro clothes since they usually are in only one size at any given store. Right now, Zara is using a lot of floral prints and retro inspired patterns, which works very well with their design aesthetic. 

Vernazza

Today, I finally got the chance to visit Cinque Terre and it was absolutely amazing! It was so beautiful and it was even better that I got a chance to experience the oceanside while in Europe. Of course while there I was on the look out for anything vintage and although I didn't come across any stores, I managed to find a girl waiting for the same train I was and she had on an awesome vintage sling bag. It was my favorite one I have seen on the streets yet. It was simple, but still detailed in the construction. It was perfect!

Vintage in Bergamo

I went to Bergamo yesterday for  a day trip and really enjoyed it. It was so beautiful and there was so much history to the city. While walking the streets in the downtown area, I came across a store called Dimore. I did not get a chance to go in the store, because it wasn't open yet, but I managed to take a few pictures of the display windows and I fell in love with the vintage furniture and other pieces in the display. They were really unique looking, but still modern enough to be used as decoration today. I really wish I could have gone back and looked around in the store!

Bikes, bikes, bikes

Bergamo, Italy

Bergamo, Italy

Bergamo, Italy

Landau, Germany

As you saw in an earlier posts, I really like vintage bicycles and I absolutely love that everywhere you look in Europe there is a vintage bike or a modern bike in retro form. While I was in Bergamo, I found so many vintage bicycles that were definitely my favorite by far. The pink one is just way too cute along with the burnt orange one, not only because I love the colors but they just were so classic with a basket on one and an extended back on the other. Then while I was in Germany, I was waiting for my train and saw a bike rack that was jam packed with vintage and retro bikes! I stood there the whole time while waiting for the train just starring at all of them, because they were all so different. I just can't get enough! Which is why I'm super excited to go explore some Milan bike shops to find some vintage decals to bring back for a few members who are huge into cycling. 

Sewing machines

                                                               Il Grifone in Venice, Italy

 Navigli Area in Milano

Over the past year I have been trying to teach myself how to sew. I've only made a couple of things, but I'm definitely learning along the way. When I go into vintage and thrift stores back home, I always love to look at the home goods and would love to buy a bunch of it just for decoration. One item I always see are antique and vintage sewing machines. I love the look of them. Over the past few weeks in Europe I have come across a few stores in Milan and Venice that have had antique sewing machines on display and I couldn't help but take a few pictures of them. The machine that I found in Il Gilfone in Italy was my favorite so far. The show alone was amazing. It's a leather goods store and the man who owns it makes every piece by hand in the back of his shop. It was very cool to see! I recommend going there if you every make it to Venice. 

Vintage inspired window displays

Being in Milano, there is a ton of amazing shopping. With the shopping comes gorgeous window displays. I have found numerous windows that have a vintage aesthetic. A display I came across a couple of weeks ago is that of Massimo Dutti in the Galleria by the Duomo. The window's theme is aviation and the clothes are very classic. I wanted to purchase everything that was in the window!

Fur!!

Whenever I see plush fur jackets and vests I always think back to the 60's and 70's when fur was so popular. Today we see tons of fur and it has taken on all forms. I founds this vest at a shop called Jeans House in Landau, Germany. I really liked it and contemplated buying it. But it was very soft fur and the back of it was a tan knit bulky sweater. I thought this piece definitely took inspiration from previous decades. 

Made in the Shade

The other week I was window shopping in the Navigli area in Milan and came across this awesome store called Made in the Shade. The design of the store alone was very eye catching and it definitely attracted me into the store. They carried women's and men's and had a variety of products from clothing to accessories and shoes. They had a lot of retro and vintage inspired stuff. I really liked this store and I believe I saw somewhere that they also display and sell artwork, which I thought was pretty cool! Another thing that pulled me into the store was the mannequin display below that is clearly retro from the sling bag to the vest and print of the dress. I wanted to buy everything on this display!

"Based in Milan, in the characteristic "Navigli" area , the Shop is located in a
very typical space, an old meat shop, designed with few but important
intervention.
The latest creations and research from the company brands B'Sbee and
Local Apparel are displayed to the public along with others products of the
ongoing research, jewelry, shoes and clothing that match the same spirit in
terms of values and contents.
The shop at number 53 of Ripa di Porta Ticinese is also place for art and
photography exhibitions , the MADE IN THE SHADE spirit make the stores
always updated with new stuff and initiatives making this a place to stop by
and sneak a peak every now and than."

Made in the Shade

Classic shoes

While shopping in Venice, I came across this little shoe store that was filled with what looked like old vintage shoes, but they were all new. I saw the few pairs of shoes below that truly look like a classic retro shoe with the block heel, leather and cream color. Also, the pair of oxfords on the bottom were gorgeous, they were suede and really nicely made! I wanted to get so many pairs of shoes in this store, but ended up not purchasing any, due to my lack of space to carry them around Venice all day long. But if I return before mid December, I might just need to get a few pairs! 

Vintage in Venice

Over the past weekend, I took a day trip to Venice with a group of friends and it was truly amazing. It is the most beautiful city I've ever seen! While getting lost in the city, for that is the best thing to do while in Venice, we stumbled across this small vintage store on Fond A'menta De. S. Basegio. I'm unsure of the name of the store, but I believe it is called Vetrina in Allestimento, for that was the only small sign in the window display. This store was very cool though, it was about the size of a large walk-in closet and was jam packed with vintage goods everywhere you turned, from accessories to shoes and boots, and they even had a few formal dresses. 

Vintage bikes in Como

While I was in Como a few weeks ago, I came across a lot of vintage bicycles. I really like the look of them, and they look like they would be much more fun to ride then modern bikes. I think the design of the bikes that were created years ago are much more attractive then modern bikes. The arches and curves of the older model of a bike are fluid and much more streamline in my opinion. So, I snapped a few pictures throughout the day of a few of my favorites that I saw. 

First vintage purchase!

After looking in Superfly Vintage, I decided that I must have something from their store. Everything they carry is nice quality and reasonably priced. I choose to buy a leather cognac colored bag. I have been searching for one similar to it for a while now and I had to have it when I saw it. I spent 25 Euros on it and it was well worth it! I've always been told that I am an old soul and I definitely would agree. I've always been so attracted to everything vintage and often prefer vintage clothing to modern clothing. I say that as well, because there are so many designers today that are gaining their inspiration from the past and looking back for current and upcoming trends, which I absolutely love. I'm very happy with the purchase I made and I can't wait to buy some more vintage pieces!

Handbags

I am in love with handbags, so I of course look at everyone's bags as the walk by. I have managed to capture a few photos of women carrying vintage handbags of the streets of Milan. The third bag I found in a window display at Twin-set located next to the Duomo. I thought it was vintage inspired and captured the essence of old handbags. I hope to see a lot more handbags over the next few weeks. 

First vintage excursion!

The other day, I went on my first vintage excursion in Milan. I set out trying to find some fun and cool vintage shops with a lot to offer and I definitely succeeded. I went to the area around my school, the Navigli area, and walked around since I had heard there was numerous vintage shops hidden within the streets. I found a shop called Superfly Vintage that is amazing. They have clothing, jewelry, handbags, accessories, and shoes. I managed to snap a few pictures, so you too can experience the store. 

Ciao and Welcome!

Ciao a tutti!

Welcome to my blog about vintage fashion and everything inspired by the vintage style. Over the next few weeks I will be exploring Milan, Italy, and other European cities  to discover vintage fashion and design. Along that journey I will be documenting my sightings here! I will be traveling to Paris, Switzerland, Germany and the Netherlands along with cities throughout Italy. I hope to experience vintage in every city I visit!

 

As a student studying fashion, I watch how surroundings inspire a look, trend or style.  And how design plays a crucial role in what we surround ourselves with through every aspect of our daily lives. Beyond the day to day design choices we make, interior and industrial design intrigues us too.

 

My current surroundings are going to take me to modern to old world settings and I can't wait to find how vintage inspiration is at the heart of it all!  I hope you enjoy all of my finds!

Ciao,
Meghan