How To Turn Your Closet Into One Of Your Best Sources Of Income

Can you really make money off of old clothes?

You've heard of the success stories of women cleaning out their closets finding clothes that they don't want anymore or buying clothes for cheap at their local thrift store. and selling them on Poshmark, eBay, or Amazon and going on to own their own their own clothing companies and even having their own movies based off of their success. But how did they do it? Well, whether you're struggling to get your online store off the ground or thinking about starting one and just don't know where to start in this article I'm going to show you just how these women built their online clothing empires.

Do Your Research.

Make sure you do your research on lesser known designer labels (I said lesser known labels because people will obviously know the worth of a Chanel or Louis Vuitton) People in thrift stores tend not to pay attention to the labels. Take advantage of that, and do your research.

Don't Be Afraid Of The Thrift Store.

A lot of women don't shop at thrift stores because they think that they don't have good quality clothing. But you'd be surprised at what you could find in one. One girl once bought a fur coat for 4 dollars and sold it for 1,000 

Invest In Real Vintage Pieces.

Look into investing in authentic vintage pieces one woman bought a vintage dress for 750 dollars at an auction and it's now worth thousands. But beware of the fakes, that's why it pays to do your research before hand. If not, someone could scam you out of a pretty penny.

Wash, Clean, Iron Repeat.

Make sure the items you're trying to sell are thoroughly cleaned and always read the instructions on the label before cleaning so you don't ruin the piece of clothing you're trying to sell.

Make Your Photos Look As Professional As Possible

Try to make your photos as professional as possible. Don't just take a blurry picture of shirt you trying to sell in your closet. Take photos where there's good lighting and position the item so it shows off its best features. don't list the item if it's something you wouldn't buy yourself.

5 Black Pin-ups That You Have To Know About

Is the pin-up community as accepting as it seems? 

When pin-up girls became popular there wasn't much diversity, But now, the fashion industry is embracing women of all different colors, shapes, and sizes. But is it really diverse and accepting as it seems? - I asked five Black pin-up models that are taking the fashion world by storm, questions concerning their experience being Afro American pin-up models and the advice they had for aspiring pin-up models of color.

Here's what they had to say...

Smexcksy

Hair by Hisvintagetouch

"I've been Pinup modeling for 7 years, but regular modeling since I was a younger teen and burlesque for 4 years on and off. I don't look at color honestly, it's more about having that confidence as a woman and the many looks that we can pull off.

Working with the right photographers, designers, and businesses. I love the concept and the style and a lot of my inspiration comes from my grandmother and her stories It's really easy to get into it.

As far as advice, be confident in all you do research your work, network properly and add your own style too if you want."

Lady Eccentrik

"I found that the vintage world has shown less prejudice than any other society, I'm not sure if my debut came at the right time, when society is moving to a more exceptant space or my ethnic diversity has just simply been embraced but it has been nothing but love, my modeling career is really starting to take off and I'm getting a lot of bookings.

I'd advise all Afro-American pin-ups and generally, all pin-ups believe in your magic, stay true to yourself, work hard, and educate yourself in the field you want to dominate and never give up.

My pin-up modeling has honestly organically happened a lot of my recognition came through my social media, I was approached by a few different companies, for both modeling and promotional work. It just keeps getting better I'm so grateful for these opportunities, it's amazing industry exposure. the response has been great."


Brwnpaperdolli

Photo credit: www.Shamelessphoto.com

"Being an African American Pin-Up model, as well as being plus sized has served as an exciting learning experience for me. I made my way into this world as a means of boosting my own self-confidence, never even considering the impact my images may have on other women similar to me. Just the other day, a woman commented on one of my photos saying that she was so happy to see a beautiful black woman who wasn't a size two, being featured. I would never have imagined that someone would say anything like that about me when I look to so many other women in this community (such as Angelique Noir and Jenny Rieu) in that same light. For me, my Pin-Up experience and journey has allowed me to appreciate my own individual beauty as well as all of my quirks that add to the Susie Dahl package. I'm still paving my own way in this world, but I'm having so much fun in the process! "

"Please don't be afraid to make your way into this subculture! Sometimes we get so much push back from our community for doing something that may be considered to be "strange" or "different", but don't let the opinions of sheep deter you from what could be your calling or lifestyle. I've gotten so much support not only from other Pin-Ups of Color but from mainstream gals as well! I believe that if you are passionate about this world and let your personality shine, you can take this ride as far as you want to. Also, utilize your resources and don't be afraid to ask questions! Your network can be a huge help in your Pin-Up journey, I know that The Luscious Ladies, Black Pin Ups, and Pinups of Colour have all be such great resources for me personally! If anyone out there is aspiring to get into Pin-Up, please don't hesitate to reach out to me! I'd love to pay it forward for all the love I've received.

I was actually encouraged to start getting into Pin-Up modeling by Sophie Spinelle of Shameless Photography. Back in 2013 when I was first doing makeup for Shameless during one of her photo tours to New York, Sophie for some strange reason saw something in me and said that I eventually needed to be in front of her camera instead of just being behind the scenes. A couple of months later when Sophie was interviewing a new photographer for the New York branch of Shameless, I was asked to be a test model for the practice run. I only had a couple of pieces of Pin-Up style wardrobe, and I hadn't been in front of a camera professionally since I was 7, so I didn't know what to expect from myself. Would I know the right way to pose? Would I shrink away from this process? Would I be able to properly execute all of those classic Pin-Up expressions? I admittedly had a lot of self-doubts (and I still do, if I'm being honest), but Sophie was so encouraging and gave me such a boost of confidence as I was shooting. I've been hooked ever since!"

Saucye West 

"My experience with being a black/afro American pin-up has been interesting. I wish I could be more apart of the culture but it's hard finding clothing of the era in my size and a lot of the pinup clubs are exclusive. So I just do my own thing a lot of the time. People love seeing a fat pinup and I love bringing the diversity to a genre of modeling I love!

The advice I would give is to just keep going. It's easy to get discouraged. But the end result is seeing more women of color in this genre. We need to see diversity and change the standard of what is considered beautiful in pinup. "

Theurbanpinup

"To be honest, I live in the more *cough* "rougher" parts of London so it's always funny to see the different reactions I receive - especially considering my cartoon proportions. (Can't tell you how many car crashes I've almost caused XD). No, but on a real note, it's always so positive. People are always intrigued by not only the style but the way I add my own flare to it and the fact that I throw a bit of color into the mix- it's something people barely see and was barely showcased in media both at the time and now so yeah, it's all good. 

The best advice I ever received was: "Restes comme tu es" meaning be true to you! (Well, actually it means to stay as you are but you know what I mean) There's no right or wrong way to be a "pin-up model"- the pin-up field is filled with such a large range of styles and even within that, there are no rules. you honestly just gotta get out there - as scary or nerve racking as it may first seem- we're such a nice supportive community, we've got your back! join the social media sites, showcase your beauty, reach out to people. And let me tell you now; an iPhone with good lighting can deliver some fire photos! All things happen in the right time, just keep going and get to know people! You never know where opportunity will come from.

I once had a bet with an old boyfriend to see who could take better pictures - and so the challenge began. We went all out and found a photographer, planned our own shoots and everything (we took challenges very seriously (we took challenges very seriously lol.) Anyhoo, I went with a retro concept as it's something I have always wanted to try and the photographer spent the whole time on me! (Haha I won the bet). But on a serious note, I found the whole process enjoyable but more importantly empowering so I eventually joined social media. I started to put out a few of my pictures as well as create small opportunities and of course, annoy my poor little sisters in the dead of winter to get those perfect-imperfect pictures (haha) and the rest is well, to be honest, it's still the present. I've still got a long way to go and loads to learn but I sure do have fun with it."

It seems that black women don't face much prejudice in the pin-up community as they use to.

What do you think? 
Do you feel that the pin-up community is as accepting as it seems? or do you think it still has a long way to go?

Do Men Like To Wear Vintage Fashion?

It's a question that has been on my mind for a while now, In the vintage fashion community, they're a lot more women than men. So much so that I wonder if they're any Dapper Dans left. I would love to find a male counterpart who shares the same love for vintage as I do. But sadly, not many of them are left.

So that begs the question, Do men like to wear vintage fashion?

where are the Frank Sinatra's or Dean Martin's of the world? perhaps they're hiding under a rock.

or maybe they're afraid to dress how they want because they're afraid of how other men would perceive them?

I showed some of my male friend's pictures of how I like men to dress and they said it was too "old school" for their taste. A similar response as to when I ask my female friends about vintage fashion I usually get "I don't want to look like an old lady."  as a response. 

Is it mostly the fear of public opinion? or is something else? It could be something as simple as it's just not the majority of men's style preference.

Are there any communities or blogs out there for male vintage fashion lovers? If so which one is your favorite? 

How Important Is Being "Period Perfect" In The Pinup Community?

One thing I hear a lot about in the pin-up community is being "Period perfect" for those of you who don't know what that means. It means that you perfectly match the era that you are trying to recreate, From your hair to your nails.

sometimes it is looked down upon to add a little modern twist to the traditional pin-up look. For instants, if there's a modern pin-up but with a few tattoos, it's not uncommon for some people to complain that it's not a "Period Perfect" look. And it's not if you just have tattoos you could have a different hair texture than what was socially acceptable in the era you're trying to recreate or have your nails pantied any color but red, It can be any little change you make to the traditional look.

I've heard that some people get really offended If you don't perfectly match the traditional look of a Rockabilly or Pin-up girl. I think it really doesn't matter as long as you're having fun with it.

What do you think?

Should modern pin-up girls match everything about their look to the era they're trying to mimic?

Or do you think it's okay for them to add a modern twist to a retro look?

Why Is There Not Many Natural Vintage Hair Styles For Black Women?

As an African American pin-up my self, I've always wondered why there aren't many hair tutorials for natural black hair. I myself just rock a 70's style Afro but it seems like it's the only hair style that we have to choose from when wanting to rock a vintage hair style. Sadly, this is because back in the pin-up days such as the 1940's and 1950's it wasn't considered socially acceptable for black women to wear their natural hair. So they often straightened it. Now, people are embracing natural black hair but there is still not many vintage style hair styles for black women who prefer to stay natural. They're some black pin-ups that recreate vintage hair styles. Such as Theblackpinup, Theurbanpinup, and Misstammisavoy but not many others. I wanted to know other pin-ups of color thought about this topic, So I reached out to some black pin-up models to get their thoughts on this topic.

Here's what they had to say...

Misstammissavoy
"As far as straightening the hair, I feel as if people should do what makes them happy. I would love to see more vintage styles recreated, but I also understand how difficult it is with textured hair. Sometimes it's hard to get the curl definition to achieve such styles. I just had someone recently comment on one of my photos that in the 60's their hair was shinier. She asked was it my choice to have it the way it was or was getting it to be shiny a challenge to come? I told her that was as shiny as it was going to get especially with the humidity being so high lately. She didn't understand that my hair is textured and even if I were to straighten it and make it "shiny" it would revert back to its natural state. I love trying out different styles with my hair though. I like the thrill of a good challenge. I feel accomplished when I finally do nail a hairstyle. I think that's what keeps me going and why I will continue to do it because that's what makes me happy."

Theurbanpinup

"I've also bumped into loads of POC (Pin-ups of color) who have these same convos- it seems like it's a mixture of not knowing how to do "black" versions of the hairstyles (finding source material for this is hard which makes sense considering the historical context of the time) also I think coz black hair is so different in range it's like what works for one girl don't work for another- yet there are like zero tutorials online etc 

For me I've found: 1) blow dry "straight" 2) pin curl with heat 3) hold in place with hair pins

But obvi there are loads of women who don't like using heat or there are loads of ways to pin curl etc - in the process, I think, has to be unique for every hair type. Now, all we have to do is find out what works best."

Velvet Jones 

"My view is that natural hair is beautiful. I'm all about diversity and standing out from the crowd. I try to create vintage hair styles for shoots but yes it's difficult to get that authentic 50's look with natural hair which is why I like to put my own spin on it. I'll either have my hair in a huge afro with a side flower or put hot rollers in my hair for some shape.

I definitely think there isn't that much inspiration for natural vintage hair- which is why you have to get creative and add a touch of your personality to it.

Everyone is different and if you want to straighten your hair that's cool- just do whatever makes you happy. Life is too short"

I'm not saying that it's not okay for black women to straighten their hair, It's your own choice at the end of the day. I would just like to see some vintage hairstyles for black women who choose not to.


What do you think?
Do you think black pin-ups should just straighten their hair?
or would you like to see them recreate retro hair styles?

Pin-up Girls: The Rebels Behind The Look

There's a debate on or not pin-up girls are empowering to women because it seems to some like it's celebrating a time when women were oppressed, But I beg to differ. Don't be fooled by the pin curls and rosy cheeks, Pin-up girls were the rebels of their time defying society's expectations of what women should be, Unapologetically expressing their sexuality, and paving the way for modern day fashion. Today We're going to look at the women behind trends that were once seen as unthinkable for women to follow.

When It All Began: The Gibson Girl

Camille Clifford

You might want to kiss your bike after reading this, In the early 1800's safety bicycles became very popular because it allowed women to get around with a male escort, But it was proven very difficult to ride them in long skirts and petite coats, So women began wearing shorter more versatile clothing such as bloomers and boots. 

When Things Got More Interesting: The Flapper Girl 

Joan Crawford

This is the time when thing got really interesting, This was the time men started going to war and Boy, Would they have a site to see when they returned. Women had their taste of freedom. This means shorter hem lines, More makeup, and lots of alcohol. 

Give Em' Something to Fight For: The Vargas Girls

During the war times, A certain pin-up artist by the name of Alberto Vargas was very popular his art work was often in side soldiers pockets and pinned up on their walls. As a reminder of the all American pin-up that is waiting at home for them.

A Taste Of Freedom: The Rockabilly 

After the war times, Men and Women had more freedom and people starting expressing their individuality more. This meant big hair, rock and roll music, and lots of swing dancing. 

5 Celebrities Who've Gone Retro

Think vintage is out of style? Well think again, Here are five celebrities who've gone retro.

Taylor Swift

Taylor Swift rocking a 1940s style outfit while riding her bike.

Kim Kardashian

Kim Kardashian, channeling her inner Sophia Loren with her 1960s ensemble.  

Katy Perry

Katy Perry wearing a 50's style crop top and matching bottom at an event.

Kendall Jenner and Kylie Jenner

Kylie Jenner and Kylie Jenner rocking 50's style high waisted bathing suits while lounging by the pool.

Rihanna

Rhinna recreating Dorthy Dandridge's iconic look from the movie "Carmen Jones".

Which Celebrity's look was your favorite? 

Retro Fashion Trends That Came Back From The Dead: Corsets And Cat Eye Sunglasses

Trends come and go but today, I'm going to show you two trends that seem to stand the test of time.

Corsets/Waist trainers

A popular trend among women since the 1600s women wore bodice stiffened with whalebone to achieve an hourglass shape. Nowadays, you can’t go anywhere without seeing this trend. Women are buying all kinds of fit teas, corsets, and waist trainers to try to obtain an hourglass shape.

For those of you who are probably asking "Why is she say corsets and Waist trainers? aren't they the same thing?" Well, no. Waist trainers are made of stretchier and more comfortable fabric so you can wear them while working out and doing various other activities. While Corsets are more restricting and not as easy to move around in.There is some controversy surrounding waist trainers and if they actually shrink your waist, And if Corsets are even safe to wear, But you'll find that many different opinions and at the end of the day it's up to you which one you want to wear or not to wear.

Cat eye sunglasses

Cat eye sunglasses (known in the UK as Upswept glasses) were popular among women in the 1950s and 1960s they were commonly worn at the beach or with a Beehive like hair style. It has now become popular in recent times as well. there are so many styles to choose from. The one most common style are the ones with mirrored lenses.They add a glamorous touch to any outfit you wear so when you forget to put on your eye makeup you can just slap them on and you're ready to go!

Do you love these trends? or do you think they need to hurry up and go out of style?

What's The Real Reason Behind You Wanting That Louis Vuitton Bag?

You see women on Instagram, Twitter, and everywhere else you can think of flaunting these luxury bags, It's like if you have an expensive bag on your arm you've made it in life.

You even hear songs about buying women Chanel, Prada, and Gucci bags and it seems some women will buy these bags to shove them in your face and make you feel bad for not having one. Only to toss it aside whenever a newer version comes out or when another brand becomes more popular. It's like no one buys designer bags just to have a good quality bag anymore, they're symbols of success and since everyone wants to be successful (or at least appear to be..) is part of the reason these bags are selling like hot cakes. So today I'm going through some common reasons for you wanting that luxury bag.

All your friends have one.

You go out to lunch with your friends and they all have a Dolce & Gabbana, Louis Vuitton, or some other designer bag by their side, Talking about how much they love it. And there you are, with your Twenty dollar handbag that you are now trying to hide under the table while considering spending your rent money on the latest designer handbag.

To Make you look rich.

Some women will actually go through with spending the money left over for their rent to perches one of these bags to make their bank account appear bigger than what it really is, But there is a cheaper way to do this, Women also buy fake bags to the create the illusion of a large bank account. But if you get one realistic looking enough it's going to cost half as much as the real deal though, But at the end of the day it's your decision. 

The sales clerk says you need it.

We all know that one pushy sales clerk you step one foot into the door and all of the sudden you have a sales clerk saying you need this new 800 dollar bag or all future your outfits will be incomplete. But now you're buying a bag that you weren't even planning on buying in the first place.

You want to look like your favorite celebrity.
Celebrities always have some designer bag on their arm, Which intern makes their fans want to go out and get them.

You just want to treat yourself.
You've worked hard for your money and you just want to treat yourself with a good quality bag as a reward for all your hard work.

What's that reason you're planning on buying a luxury bag? Let me know in the comments below!

How to Give An Old School Twist To Your Modern Wardrobe (For Men And Women!)

Get the classic look.

Contrary to popular belief, my audience is 50% women and 50% percent men, but I really don't have any Retro style advice for men on this blog because you know I'm a girl and I really don't have any experience in menswear but I did some research on it so today I'm going to focus on the men who read my blog as well as the women (I didn't forget you ladies!)

So if you're looking to dress like a "classic man"
(or woman) this blog post is for you!









Retro style tips for men.

If you're buying a suit get it tailored.

Nothing looks worse than a poorly fitted suit.

Quality is worth the money.

While you can find some suits for a relatively reasonable price many do cost a pretty penny but there is a reason for that it's made out of better quality material so you won't have to buy suit after suit.

Figure out what kind of tie you like.
Would are you a bow tie kind of guy? or maybe you prefer a bolo tie? it's important to know this so you can pair it with the right kind of suit or outfit.

You don't need a suit to look, classic.
You can always just wear a white button up shirt with black pants and loafers. 

Retro style tips for women.

Always keep a scarf in handy.
Bad hair day? no worries just throw your hair up into a classic vintage turban and bam out the door!

Lip liner is your friend
Line your lips with a slightly darker shade of red before applying your lipstick, it gives your red lips an extra pop of color.

Always have a little black dress 
Have a date but he didn't mention where you'll be going and don't know whether or not you're going dancing at an upscale club to wear your fanciest dress and highest heels or just going out for a bite to eat and to just wear a nice Tee shirt and jeans? No worries!  just throw on a little black dress and keep some bold jewelry in your handbag so if you do end up going to that upscale club you can just put it on or if you don't just keep it in your bag.

Now my Dapper Dans and Vintage Vixens go on and dazzle the world with your amazing style!

Hehe.

See you in the next post!