For the past year, I've been wanting to travel the state (and maybe the surrounding states) to check out all of the great vintage clothing that the Midwestern US has to offer. I've explored St Louis and a few small towns around St Charles but now, I'm really branching out and hitting the road!
2011 is beginning with an abundance of gorgeous vintage finds. On New Year's day, Amanda, Olivia, the guys and I ventured out to Warrenton, Missouri for a new fashion adventure.
Warrenton, Missouri is about 3 hours east of Kansas City and about an hour from the heart of St. Louis. It has a quaint, small town ambiance that leaves me wanting to explore each little shop and residential street. The city is located very close to Missouri's famous wineries with many scenic country routes and parks for picnics. Warrenton is also home to the beautiful 1920's Bed and Breakfast, The Hiding Place.
Main Street in Warrenton takes the visitor right back to the 50's. There's a cute book shop, the historic Belle Starr movie theater and my new favorite destination, Brenda Sue's.
Brenda Sue's specializes in costume sales and rentals with a huge emphasis on gorgeous vintage clothing. The shop is fully stocked with vintage clothing from the 20's-80's as well as many modern costume pieces for parties and theater. Everything is very neatly organized and tagged, which is one of the things I truly appreciate in a vintage shop. The shop is owned and operated by Brenda Sue herself, who can quickly point you in the direction of anything that you're looking for. She buys all of her own inventory and pays very close attention to the detail and condition of each garment. All of her items are truly unique, quality pieces. Brenda Sue told me that she really loves the 1920's and she carries quite a few incredible 20's pieces in her shop. I loved looking at the dainty deco lingerie. Isn't this an incredible slip!?
Several factors really separate Brenda Sue's from other vintage shops I've visited. She stocks exquisite garments and accessories in great condition and prices them with affordability in mind. I left the shop with 2 pairs of shoes, 2 awesome suits and a gorgeous vintage coat with a fur collar for just over $50. I've never done that in St Louis unless I had to come home and do serious repairs and cleaning. At Brenda Sue's, you'll find plenty of suits and dresses but she also carries separates which is really nice for a gal on a budget. There's nothing that makes a wardrobe and a dollar stretch like mix-and-match pieces. Best of all, Brenda Sue's has an excellent selection of vintage pieces for us curvy gals and ladies with not-so-dainty feet (like me!).
In addition to the huge amount of quality clothing, I can't forget to mention the accessories! Oh, my goodness- I was in hat heaven. I while back, I mentioned a dream I had about going to a store loaded with exquisite, affordable vintage hats- well my dream came true today. Every color, every style, every material- all amazing!!
When I'm no longer looking for maternity-type clothes, I must return and buy some of those beauties for my collection.
If you live in Missouri or are traveling through, do make it a point to visit Brenda Sue's. I can't wait to visit again!!
2011 is beginning with an abundance of gorgeous vintage finds. On New Year's day, Amanda, Olivia, the guys and I ventured out to Warrenton, Missouri for a new fashion adventure.
Warrenton, Missouri is about 3 hours east of Kansas City and about an hour from the heart of St. Louis. It has a quaint, small town ambiance that leaves me wanting to explore each little shop and residential street. The city is located very close to Missouri's famous wineries with many scenic country routes and parks for picnics. Warrenton is also home to the beautiful 1920's Bed and Breakfast, The Hiding Place.
Main Street in Warrenton takes the visitor right back to the 50's. There's a cute book shop, the historic Belle Starr movie theater and my new favorite destination, Brenda Sue's.
Several factors really separate Brenda Sue's from other vintage shops I've visited. She stocks exquisite garments and accessories in great condition and prices them with affordability in mind. I left the shop with 2 pairs of shoes, 2 awesome suits and a gorgeous vintage coat with a fur collar for just over $50. I've never done that in St Louis unless I had to come home and do serious repairs and cleaning. At Brenda Sue's, you'll find plenty of suits and dresses but she also carries separates which is really nice for a gal on a budget. There's nothing that makes a wardrobe and a dollar stretch like mix-and-match pieces. Best of all, Brenda Sue's has an excellent selection of vintage pieces for us curvy gals and ladies with not-so-dainty feet (like me!).
In addition to the huge amount of quality clothing, I can't forget to mention the accessories! Oh, my goodness- I was in hat heaven. I while back, I mentioned a dream I had about going to a store loaded with exquisite, affordable vintage hats- well my dream came true today. Every color, every style, every material- all amazing!!
When I'm no longer looking for maternity-type clothes, I must return and buy some of those beauties for my collection.
If you live in Missouri or are traveling through, do make it a point to visit Brenda Sue's. I can't wait to visit again!!
I would love to shop at Brenda Sue's! My wonderful, stylish Granny was a Miss-oura girl, born and raised, she met my grandfather on the way home from a movie in a small town near Kansas City (MO) in 1935 and bought her wedding dress at Macy's. She lived most of her life in Southern CA, but moved back to Springfield in her later years, when I hear about Missouri I always think of her and my great-grandmother, who raised 11 children on a farm during the depression, and still managed to take her daughter to the aforementioned movie; without which I would not be here....sorry, I got all nostalgic about Missouri....Great post!
ReplyDeleteI have one word and that word is jealous.
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ReplyDeleteMy dream for years has been to travelAis and go to every opshop I see now i will have to add vintage shops too.
ReplyDeleteBrandi do you have grans wedding dress?
Brandi, that is so cool! Have you ever been to Missouri? I was born and raised here too. My great grandma used to live in Springfield right after she retired. We're planning on doing a vintage tour of Springfield this summer! Apparently, they have a ton of great places to shop down there!
ReplyDeleteBrittany, I love these posts when you review vintage shops, they are very very well written, and really make you feel like going to visit these places.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Daniele! I have a lot of fun with them!! It's tempting to be greedy and keep my favorite shopping spots secret but I love to give a shout-out to all of the fabulous vintage shop owners!
ReplyDeleteI love the fact that you think about us!!!! loving the hats! Question: How much does a vintage hat run out here?
ReplyDelete~Mrs. Martinez
In Missouri, I've seen them anywhere from $2 and up, depending on the hat and where you buy it. If you're shopping around the midwest, antique malls always have adorable cheap hats. Sometimes, you can find them at thrift stores although they are usually pretty plain. Estate sales are a good spot to check also. Vintage shops in St Louis sell vintage hats from about $8 and up. The most I've ever spent on a hat is about $23. Most of my hats cost $3-8. I don't like to spend more than $8 unless it's really fantastic.
ReplyDeleteSadly, I don't have many things from my Granny, she passed away in 2000. I just checked to see where she was born, she was born in 1920 in St. Joseph at home. I remember that she loved makeup, and was always trying to convince my mom to wear lipstick and eyeliner! She also was very proud of her hair, it was still brown with a few streaks of grey until her death at age 80, she always had it done at a beauty shop in an updo, no poodle hair for her! I did visit her in Missouri with my sister once, it was my first time East of the Mississippi, beautiful country, they lived on a few acres in a small town; Garden Grove (?) She was a wonderful, dynamic lady who's laugh could be heard literally from the back of their property, all the way from the house! I love pictures of her, she was very glam! I remember her telling me in detail what she was wearing the day she met my grandfather, all those years later, she still remembered her outfit! My Great-grandmother was a talented seamstress who clothed all 11 of her children (10 redheads and one brunette, my Granny)in style although they were poor, my mom says I'm just like her, I wish!
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