July Last Night- It's Friday!

Summer is in full swing and we've still got lots going on.

We are teaming up with The Hallway Gallery again to celebrate the last night of the month, the last night to see the current month's show, the last night to meet the artists, shop specials, browse art, hear some great music and sip some Champagne punch.

This month is special for two reasons:

Our showing artist Steph Plourde-Simard is a finalist for a Boston Artadia Grant, come by and check out her art as she may be famous some day.

Second: We will have live music performed by John Gerard! John has an amazing voice and really powerful lyrics. Check him out here.

Shop specials and of course our Dame punch!

Opens at 12, event runs 7-10pm Hope to see you there!

Block Party Photos

What a super duper sunny fun day on South Street. I can't say thank you enough to everyone who came out to hangout, eat and check out the event.

I heard people say over and over again that this was their first trip to Jamaica Plain, I even heard through the grapevine that it's a pretty easy bike ride if you don't want to take the T and what better a destination with a bike shop at the end of the block.

We met so many cool new folks that day, a big thanks to Cassandra from the Closet for both promoting AND shopping our event. Check out her scores from DAME and Punky's Haberdash here, what a fine selection of goods, if I do say so myself. It was also great to see Amy, owner of Artifaktori, come all the way from (gasp) somerville, she's got a great event starting this Thursday so be sure to check out her great wares.

Big thanks also to all the business owners who pitched in to make this event a success The hallway, 40 South, Fiores.

Thanks to Amy of Punky's Style for bringing her swanky camper down for the day.

Everyone is buzzing about another bigger South Street event in September so stay tuned!

It's Vintage Baby

We love to pick up vintage baby clothes whenever we can get them in the Dame styles you already see in the shop for ladies and gents. We've had the cutest mini hippie dresses, little 50s swing skirts and tiny boy's collegiate cardigans that you ever could see.


What's so wonderful about vintage children's clothing is that often, it is in very good condition b/c it just wasn't worn for very long and then maybe it was stored away in someones attic for 50 years.

Check out this little number that was a total score. Handmade cowboy printed linen boys shorts set. From the square shaping on the collar and the condition of the elastic waistband (which Taylor expertly redid) my guess is that's from the 1950s. It was a bit hard getting David to stand still for very long. But he had a great time at the South Street Block Party in his new outfit.


The envy of nursry schools everywhere...

37 that's all

We are 37 fans away from being able to name our very own facebook page.

Can you help a Dame out? Click here

You'll be the first to know about store specials, events and general good cheer on South Street!

One for the Boys

So since it seems to be blog sharing Friday. Here is one for the boys. Nerd Boyfriend is one of the funnest style blogs I've seen in a while.

Send me some of your favs to add to my reader! This photo is pretty great but I also love Ringo on 21st too!

Marketing Interest

I just have to share this. I saw it on my google reader this morning and could not resist. It's one of the more interesting examples of cross marketing that I've seen in a while. AND I know I have some readers who are Olivia fans!

Check out the fun Blog too.

Happy Birthday

She was a trailblazer and infinitely interesting

"I wish I could write a beautiful book to break those hearts that are soon to cease to exist: a book of faith and small neat worlds and of people who live by the philosophies of popular songs. " -Zelda Fitzgerald

DAME Summer Sidewalk Sale & South Street Block Party

Summer Sunday South Street Block Party July 26th

Dame is hosting Punky's Haberdash all the way from Worcester to create a vintage extravaganza of epic proportions on our own little corner of South Street.

Come check out Punky's 1954 Bellwood Aloha trailer turned vintage boutique, Dame's summer sidewalk sale and make your way up to 40 South for more super deals. Support South Street

and have fun!

Make us first or last on your trip and stop by for some of Punky's super style, Dame's sidewalk sale, ginger lemonade and sweet treats!

Happy Monday

Something super special is happening on South Street Sunday July 26th

New in the shop

Fine Mid-Century Dresses and the cutest Vintage baby clothes Ever!

Happy Friday and Fun Stuff

Inspired by completing half of my third month of fitcamp without missing a single session...

And a Daily Pin-Up for your viewing pleasure: both great ways to start the day

Hours- We need your input

So figuring out the hours for the store is a constant kind of back and forth in my mind. The hours have been consistent since we have opened, with one change to opening at noon on the weekdays. Being closed Mon-Tues seems to work pretty well.

My Question to you is, would you like to see us stay open later on the weekdays?

Here is our current schedule

M-Closed
T-Closed
W 12-6
R 12-8
F 12-7
S 11-7
S 12-6

Options include:
Staying open later on Wed and Fri while possibly opening at 1:00 pm
Opening Earlier on Sat and/or Sunday

If your a regular or just struggle to get to the shop during our current hours, let us know your preferences! Maybe same stores staying open later in JP is a good thing...

Fit for a Dame or a Dandy

My friend Amy over in Davis Square owns and runs a cute little shop called Artifaktori. If you are in that part of town her shop is worth a stop, it's almost impossible to leave empty handed. I never do.

We met at the SoWa market and have shared a lot of stories about buying and selling vintage and the clothes we come upon. One of the most often brought up subjects is fit, and while it's true it can be hard to find that perfect fit, it is often not as hard as people *think* it is.

Fit quite often has nothing to do with waist size, for example, I'm short waisted and have a terrible time with vintage dresses, most were constructed with a very standard pattern cutting method on the same form as every other dress, all with the same shoulder to waist length. Meaning none of those dresses will ever fit me.

Amy wrote up a great piece on finding and fitting vintage clothes that you'll love and treasure.

You should check it out here.

A few of my own tips would be:

1. Just ask, I know there are a variety of fits on our racks, and we generally get to know the clothing pretty well. People will often ask to be led to styles but not to fit, don't be shy speak up. Everyone also has unique preferences as to how they like their clothes to fit, feel free to share. Us shop girls harbor a repository of fitting knowledge in our minds, use that to your advantage.

2. Be open to alterations, some things can be changed, and yes a lot can't, the only way to know for sure is to ask. Be willing to think outside the box. For example, I know a few great fitting techniques for girls in boys clothing so if you want to rock those high waisted pleated linen pants that cost only 20 bucks, just ask. That's why I carry them!

3. Look for hand made or designer made dresses as opposed to common labels. If you can see that the size is close you may have found a savvy dressmaker with the same shape as you, it happens, I'm not the first short waisted girl to ever walk the earth. Designer and very well made clothing often have large seam allowances and can be altered. So if it's close ask; at Dame we do alterations in the shop and are more than happy to let you know if there are possible alterations that can be done to the garment.

4. My trick to guess before trying something on is to hold the garment up to yourself and either match the seams to the clothing you are wearing or see if the waist and the hip goes at lease "just over" half way around.

5. Use a measuring tape and/or allow someone to measure you. The number is irrelevant when you are loving yourself in an outfit that fits the way you like.

6. And to underscore Amy's great points, keep an open mind and come prepared to try things on and most of all have some fun.

Long live Vintage!

Maxi History

I have no shame when it come to showing my love for the Maxi dress. Effortlessly chic, tall glamor for girls of any height and size. The Maxi is most often associated with the styles of the late 60s and the early 70s, but here we have an image from Vogue, circa 1959.

Lovely

Cinderella?

If you've ever wanted the perfect princess dress, we've got one for you. About 100 layers of tulle, embroidered flowers, and sweeping bustle and bow .... Just add an updo and long white gloves and you will be the perfect picture of 1960s demure glam.

About a size 6-8, upto a 30" waist

Would make a really sweet non-traditional vintage wedding dress

Event Photos

Steph's show looks great in the shop, and these photos are evidence of the strange weather we've been having here. But today is gorgeous! Photos in the Sun soon

New Summer Vintage

So summer's in full Swing here at Dame; the beachwear and Vintage T's are going fast. Come on by if you still need a great Vintage styled bathing suit, beach shorts, or some kind of super 70s gauzy dress just to lounge around in with your enormous beach hat. (If you've been in the store you know what I mean) We only had one Vintage hat this season and it sold this weekend. Lucky for you we are only a block or two down from Salmagundi for all your summer accessorizing needs....

And Just in: A new batch of MadMen era party dresses done with beautiful silks in peach and beige and Navy and black, it's truly a beautiful lot. Add to that a small batch of sundresses 50s-70s and we are ready for July! The new merchandise should be out by the end of the week. I promise to have some new pictures soon.

PS. Super big thanks to everyone who made it out for Last Night AND/or First Thursday. It was lots of fun for us in the shop. Steph's show is pretty great, if you haven't seen it you have all month and "Last Night".

First Thursday July 2nd Reception, Premier & Punch 5-9ish

Welcome to Dame's July First Thursday Event, featuring the work of JP's own Steph Plourde Simard. I personally love Steph's work and think you should come on out to see it hanging in our pretty little shop.

Come gander and sip and enjoy all the new shops and fun going on around South and Centre.

**Special**

Shop our new summer merchandise and

for those of you who missed Tuesday, buy one item and get a second for 50% off

Event special only 5:00-9:00 PM
Jewelry excluded, sorry

New Jewels in the Shop Monique Rancourt

For all you regulars who love Monique's work, she has just stocked up her shelf again with some great new pieces. I love her work and would wear anything she makes. I also love her Mission and creative vision. You can find out more about her here.

Dame Rain Dance

For the record, This is what umbrellas are for in July.