I wish I knew what the secret of Lost and Found Vintage is. Or vintage shopping in general, to be honest. I need the cast of Portlandia and Zooey Deschanel to gently take me by the arm, my vintage fairy oddball-mothers, and whisk me through the aisles on an instructive journey that leaves me the belle of the everyday ball.
Maybe that's the problem: I need clothes to wear on a regular basis instead of 'sometimes outfits' made of tufted chenille, satin, and a crinoline. I don't find many pieces here that work into my everyday wardrobe, either for work or for play. The other strike against me are my proportions, too tall for most eras and built on a curvier frame than earlier periods accommodated. I have more luck with modern takes on vintage, like the Stop Staring brand, than actual brands from the day. I'll defy this for any Christian Dior or YSL dress from the day though.
Lost and Found is a whirlwind of pale colours, cowboy boots, and cute twin-sets superimposed over whimsical designs and happy, slender people in adorable dresses. Size 0-8 functions great in here, though I think it helps to be slim hipped and modest in proportion for most dresses. It's definitely a stop for a cocktail dress or a special occasion outfit, since many of the frothy concoctions beg for a fresh night on the town. I found one too many items straight from the 70s which resemble and probably are nightgowns (they were interchangeable), but that's preferential taste.
Clothes are clean, elegant, and will definitely put a dent in your wallet for the privilege of something very few others will possess in their closet. They aren't unreasonable, but the vintage market can be so topsy turvy for costs. I was disappointed most of the shoes seemed to be in sizes 6-7.5, hardly anything larger than a 9, but maybe they get snapped up super quick. The boot selection is impressively wide. Accessories are a dime a dozen, adorable, and a major selling point. They have something at most price points, though serious damage happens for complete outfits.
What appeals most are the abundance of colours and textures like nothing in TJ Maxx, the mall, or typical apparel stores. Shirts, skirts, dresses, and pants are represented in abundance, most with a definite feminine slant.
My extra star here comes from their gorgeous collection of well-priced accessories. Come in for the vintage clothes, stay for the jewelry. Cocktail rings, fanciful necklaces, and charming pins are all sumptuously displayed, and definitely catch my eye every time I come in. read more