Addicted To :: Vintage Shoe Love

Shoes, shoes, and more shoes. Can a girl ever have too many shoes? This has been debated for ages, and if you ask today’s interviewee, I think you can already guess her answer. LisaZain’s Vintage Shoe Love is a vintage shoe superstore, with goodies in all styles, eras, and sizes. I know you’re itching to head over to her shop to see for yourself, but take a minute to read the interview first! Sheesh!

Q: Tell our lovely readers a bit about yourself. Is buying and selling vintage your full-time gig or a hobby? How and when did you get started in this business?

A: Hi Readers! I am a 26 year old married cellist living in Buffalo, NY. I cook part time at a vegetarian restaurant/greasy spoon, play in a band with my husband Phill called Red Tag Rummage Sale and buy/sell/trade vintage shoes at all hours of the day and night. I started selling vintage on Etsy in July of ‘08 because the restaurant I work at (then full-time) was closing down for 2 weeks for summer vacation and to get new flooring. There had been an interest in selling online for years prior, but this was really the time and reasoning that kick started my business. Other than being a bona fide shoe freak I am a sister of 3, an aunt of 5 and a cat mama to our 3 cats.

Q: Do you have any favorite, never-let-you-down, treasure hunting spots? Would you like to share, or are they top-secret?

A: I am so lucky enough to live in a city with lots of thrifting to be done! 7 days a week! I make the rounds to at least 5 places regularly, and have to admit I really love one that is literally half a mile from my home.

Q: Is there a certain aesthetic you look for when you’re thrifting? How do you decide what to pick up, or just pass on? Do you wait for an item to speak to you?

A: Vintage leather really speaks to me on more than one level. The color, texture and wear of a beautiful vintage shoe or boot has so much more of a personality than a dime a dozen new pair of shoes. Whether they are pristine or worn in, I am looking for shoes that make me swoon. I love shoes from wild to minimalistic, and from the early part of the century right up until the 1980s. I am always looking for classics like pirate boots, woven oxfords and jazzy mary janes. I also look for quality vegan/non leather items because I know that there is a market/ethical concern for people looking for an animal friendly option. Personally I think that buying vintage leather/fur is far more friendly than buying either new! As much as I try to keep an open mind about what I carry (I like to try to please everyone, at least a bit!) I check out current trends/collections to keep my ear to the tracks so to speak. Huge trends in new fashion and vintage styles right now (as I am sure many of you know) are Justin roper boots as well as tons of other witchy booties, gladiator/woven/cut out/criss cross styles aplenty and the oh so coveted 40s oxford heels.

Q: Be honest, do you keep many of your finds, or is it strictly business? And do you have any personal collections that you have built over time through thrifting?

A: Holy Moly! I have a lot of shoes. hehe. I am definitely in this partially for my own love and collection of vintage shoes. When looking for something for myself I often look first to Etsy. I definitely keep the cream of the crop of my thrift finds… if I am lucky enough to find them in my own size. An awesome and surprising perk of selling on Etsy is the trades! Not everyone is open to them, but when the desire is mutual between both shop keepers it’s pure joy to barter!

Q: Are there any items you’ve regretted selling and wish you would have kept for yourself?

A: Number one pair of shoes that I cry over late at night. (Only partially joking on this one.)

Q: Pick one and tell us about it: Weirdest, most valuable, or most satisfying find?

A: I purchased these shoes recently from Etsy seller bearandbicycle. A few months ago I sold them in a size 6 and was sort of heartbroken to send them off. Sometimes the only thing that can force me to part with a particularly beautiful pair is that they don’t fit! When i came across these shoes in my own size I freaked out! Super satisfying. Also! Don’t want to forget these blue dainty grunge boots from pineapplemint. My two favorite style choices for spring!

When it comes to the thrift stores my husband and I collect a number of strange and kitschy things, and when I say strange I mean strange. He collects “smiley” dolls from the 70s, big often clumsily painted ceramic dolls in a whole range of styles and poses, whenever we find one of those we get really excited! I have a New Kids on the Block Danny doll, a book of NKOTB sheet music and every single NKOTB trading card, a full set! I also have a tiny toy piano that was the first “thrift” that my husband and I ever split while we were dating. Cute, functional and sentimental. Haha, that was definitely more than one!

OK readers, thanks for reading. Now QUICK, dash over to Lisa’s Vintage Shoe Love shop to see what she has in your size!

Robin Eastwood is a treasure hunter and vintage fanatic. Visit The Fancy Lamb on Etsy to drool over some of her latest finds, and follow Robin on Twitter to hear about her latest thrifting adventures.