Tuesday, October 25, 2016

Dear Goodwill, This is NOT a Halloween Costume

Back in August, I stopped at Goodwill on a whim on my way home from yoga. I went through the dresses section, found nothing of interest, and decided to check out the furniture. On my way through the store, I noticed that they had prematurely put out a Halloween costumes section. I caught a glimpse of tulle and ruffles, and stopped. I found a pile of vintage gloriousness. 50s cupcake dresses, 60s gowns, 70s prairie dresses, and the ultimate Cinderella dress.








I was thrilled by my finds, but at the same time, a bit mystified. OK, with the Cinderella dress I get it. But what costume exactly were the others supposed to be? 

I went to the same Goodwill later, and found more. More lovely vintage dresses hidden away in the Halloween section.




I started guessing wildly at what costume the Goodwill employees imagined these dresses could have been. June Cleaver, perhaps? Do people dress up as June Cleaver? (I kept this one, btw. Because... well, LOOK at it. And it fits to perfection.)



100% wool.... Maybe a Hufflepuff who's feeling a little fancier than robes?



OK, ballerina. I got that one.



With the ridiculously amazing iridenscent green fabric, this one was obvious. Retro sci-fi alien queen!


It occurred to me that the Goodwill I'd been visiting might not be alone in mistaking vintage pieces for Halloween costumes. I made it my mission one Saturday to rescue all the vintage in the area from the Halloween racks of costumes. I drove to 4 additional Goodwills and rescued more! And kept up the wild costume speculation.


Maybe someone thinks this looks Renaissance-y? Maybe a Shakespeare character??



Ice princess? One who likes to wear hearts embroidered on their satin? Oooh! Professor Cold Heart's girlfriend!!!



Guys. Obviously you think this is Blanche, but it is neither blingy enough nor lowcut enough.



Girl lumberjack! Doi.




Jeannie, only she prefers blue and likes to keep her midriff all covered up. For the modest genie-in-a-bottle.




Flower child at bedtime, obviously.



A character on That 70s Show. Or just any woman from the 70s with really good taste




Someone who's giving themselves as a present? Wrapped in gorgeous turquoise silk?




Someone playing The Dating Game!


Man, I'm good at this game.

While I really feel somewhat horrified that Goodwill employees actually think these vintage jewels are costumes, I don't really want to disillusion them. I'm already looking forward to next year's rescue operation! So by all means, Goodwill. Be my guest. Keep it up.

And just a side note: Between all the Halloween-rack-rescue-missions and an extremely fruitful estate sale, there is no more room at the inn here at Magic Summer Vintage. I am completely filled up. So to enable my treasure-hunting addiction, I need to sell some to make room for more! To that end, I have a sale running from now until Sunday (10/30/2016)! Please take some of these beauties home for a reduced price! Just promise me that if you DO wear them as costumes, you'll treat them with love and respect and give them a good, happy home.



Use code FALL16 between now and 10/30/2016 for $10 off!