OUTFIT POST: visible in vintage

 

BABE THE BLUE FOX: every once in a blue moon, you stumble onto a dress that seems perfect but not for you. This dress is one of those stumbles. I have held onto it for a couple of years, because it is BOSS, it's a vintage cotton Hawaiian inspired frock made by the humble folks at J.C. Penneys. I'm presuming it's a hostess dress, ya know, for your Tiki BBQ mixer where you invite the neighbors over for some roast pig in the fire pit and Mai Tais, drink a bitsy, and flirt too much at the relentlessly handsome bachelor from Connecticut in front of your dear and darling (and thankfully very patient and understanding) husband. But I digress. 

I imagine this little tropical number has more than a few good party stories up her fluttery sleeves. 

ROSEBUD OF THE WEEK: lovely Carelia

Just look at this gorgeous + vivacious woman! Perhaps it's no surprise that a personal style blogger has great style, but we're mesmerized by the chic and timeless appeal of Carelia's outfit. Not too young, not too old, but JUST RIGHT. When Carelia messaged us, sharing that she had indeed purchased this top from the shop (a pre-loved cotton top, made in the USA) and was wearing it in her recent outfit post, we had NO IDEA how

SECONDHAND FIRST™: meet the mrs.

A BETTER HALF: it's funny how one thing can take so many different forms. For example, in your garden. You like roses? Isn't it wonderful to see the many varieties that can grow in flourish in your yard? That's how I feel about so many of my favorite style bloggers: while they may share many common values (like shopping secondhand first!) it can be expressed in so many different ways. In short, it's not all one flavor, but it's all kinds of wonderful.

MEET THE MRS: let me introduce to you 3 of these women, because I'm sure they'll inspire you as much as they do me. File them under mulitple catagories: +40 style bloggers, queens of pattern mixing, thrift store mavens, and women of integrity who have all taken the pledge to shop SECONDHAND FIRST. Oh, and I should mention, absolute sweethearts. Irresistible in charms, you can't help but vow to love them forever.

SUSTAINABLE SOUL: chrome's mobile factory tour

Forged Rubber: 70 Years in the Making from Chrome Industries on Vimeo.

RUBBER SOUL: Ya gotta love a company that looks to the past for innovations for the future. That's kind of what sustainable style is all about: keeping what works, and fine-tuning it for better products, and better living. We've written about San Francisco-based Chrome Industries before, and we're gonna mention them again.  The company is launching a cross-country tour, showing off it's recently acquired, vintage war apparel machine that they've retrofitted to make sneakers that kick concrete jungle's ass. 

It's coming to the Emerald City  tomorrow and Saturday, so if you're in Seattle, think about swinging by and checking them and the contraption out.

WHAT: Chrome turns modern manufacturing upside down by resurrecting 70-year-old Forged Rubber machines originally used to make army boots.  Discovered in eastern Slovakia, an area of the world known for its demanding city landscapes, the Forged Rubber machines were refurbished and adapted to make sneakers that embody the brand’s spirit of making thoughtful, well-made products.  

Each Forged Rubber sneaker is individually made by hand using heated pressure and fused directly onto the upper to ensure no separation between the upper and the sole. A reflective heel and odor resistant technology are also integrated for daily city survival.

WHERE: Chrome HUB  - 1117 1st Ave, Seattle, WA 98101

WHEN: July 18th Friday & July 19 Saturday - The Unveiling of “Forged Rubber” Manufacturing 11am - 7pm

We've got our eye on these tasty bites of (rubber) red deliciousness:

#SECONDHANDFIRST: Sustainable Kicks. Vintage innovation. American Made.

 

 Which you can purchase HERE.

THIS IS 40: Sylvia of 40+ Style

THIS IS 40. Here's some time tested proof that life is not over at forty. The forties come in a variety of colors, shapes and sizes. Find the one that's right for you.  This is the third in the series presenting the incredible range of style loving women over forty.  

This one comes with a cute Dutch accent, and very practical advice about style in your forties.  Meet Sylvia, maven  of 40+ style for the +40 crowd. 

 
You've been sharing your own style journey with your readers for a few years now, as well as starting much dialogue about +40 style.  What have you discovered is the biggest concern for women over 40 in regards to their own personal style? 

Our Shop's Got Smarts: putting it all up on eBay

THE CITIZEN ON EBAY: while we've been selling very casually on eBay since 2009, in just the last two months, however, we been serious about setting up a storefront on eBay. Why a storefront? Well, for starters, it's a great way to create sales events and coupon codes, so that our CITIZEN shoppers can save as they show their support and shop our goods. 

Also, it's a place where we can offer up not only vintage items, but all items- including contemporary brands, especially the ones with a MADE IN THE USA label. Right now, we're offering up mostly womens' clothing, but look for a bit more diversity with home wares and stuff for the gents coming soon to an eBay shop near you.

 

SECONDHAND FIRST ™ get preloved

I've been a big fan of this company from Canada for many years now, since my stint as shop girl for an eco-friendly clothing shop in my Sac-town days. They up-cycle old clothing, taking old sweaters, t-shirts, coats, whatever and turn them into fresh remakes. Recently, they've closed up their brick-and-mortar shop in Toronto, and now are exclusively online- which seems to be what the smart folks are doing these days. Blog knows, small businesses are struggling these days, and its even harder when you're paying for often costly overhead.

FLASHsale: Make a Wish in the Etsy Shop!

FLASH SALE: You've got 24 hours to save some legal tender! For the next 24 hours, you can take 18% off any order of $10 or more in the Etsy shop. Offer valid until midnight, Thursday July 10th, 2014.

SHOP IT: http://bit.ly/citizenETSY

SECONDHAND FIRST: Tips for Clothing Swaps

Seattle-ite, +40 blogger, roller derby maven, vegan and unofficial #SECONDHANDFIRST advocate, Jean is a pretty cool person all around, and a delight to know. We met a while back at a blogger meet-up, and let me just say, as fun as her blog, Jean of All Trades may seem, she is much more fun (and stylish, and smart and pretty!) in person. I am honored to have her guest post today, covering a FANTASTIC Secondhand First practice: swaps.

Reduce, reuse, recycle. It's the mantra of eco-conscious people everywhere. I like to apply this philosophy to my sartorial life too. I try to shop less, I remix items in new ways, and I recycle.

No, I don't put my old clothes in with my bottles, paper and cans. I attend--and often host--clothing swaps.

Clothing swaps--or exchanges--are a fun way to recycle fashion. They keep clothing out of landfills and keep me out of the mall! Best of all, the clothes don't cost a penny.

MUST HAVE HATS: hat attack (the patriot edition)

BASEBALL (caps), HOT DOG, APPLE PIE AND A CABERNET: what's more American than putting (or saying) something on (or off) the top of your head? And what's more gloriously patriotic, than to coordinate your 4th of July outfit with the colors of ol' Glory?

STARS + SPANGLES: in honor of the Style Crone's one year anniversary of HAT ATTACK and in celebration of our nation's birthday, may I present you with THE CITIZEN'S GUIDE TO MUST-HAVE HATS, the patriot edition.