As the weather slowly creeps up to Summer mode, we’re gearing up for swimsuit season. It seems that even the big stores like Target are taking a nod to the early years of swimwear with vintage patterns and fits. Let’s take a peak at some adorable suits (and the gals in them) of yesteryear…

The River Girl – Truus, Bob & Jan too!
1950 – Elena-lu
Vintage Dames – Farmer1976
Barbara Lawrence – pinup_girlz

This weekend in St. Louis is looking like a rainy one and I’ve got the blues! Of course, nothing could cheer me up more than a lovely little collection of blue Spring-y clothes. Here are a few of my favorites from our fellow Vintage Addicts via the My Vintage Addiction Flickr group.

1. Your Pretty Things, 2. etsy update, 3. Vintage BRIGHT BLUE SPORT Skirt, 4. Vintage PAISLEY BABY DOLL Tank, 5. vintage 1980s Pink and Blue Day Dress, 6. Blue Back

T-shirts are often overlooked when shopping for vintage but today they tend to make up the majority of our wardrobes. These expressive garments range from containing funny messages to interesting graphics. Check out some of these great vintage versions found online!

Clockwise from Top:

Hi Y’all T-shirt: $32 Bleubird Vintage

Kurt Cobain Tee: $58 Spanish Moss Vintage

Vintage I’m With Stupid T-shirt: $16.40 The Bag Basement

Vintage Miller Lite Sweatshirt: $14 The Block Vintage

Vintage Metallic Screen Print Glam Sweatshirt: $24 Nana Pat Project

Scissorhands Crop Top: $29.25 LAVintage

Vintage Top with Silver Beads: $18 Hot Vintage

Clockwise from Top:

Vintage Canvas I Love You Sailing: $12 Recycle Restyle

Vintage Hepburn Shoes: $20 Andra358 Vintage

Vintage Lampl Patch Pocket Dress: $69 Maries Vintage

My Find: Blue and White Bucket Bag: $35 Vintage Mix One, Toronto

Navy and White Striped Culottes: $22 LOOKs Vintage

First Mate Swimsuit: $98 Nasty Gal Vintage

70s Shaheen Sailboat Maxi Dress: $159 Tractor Dog Vintage

I spent most Saturdays through high school at a nearby vintage shop, which happened to reside above the local Army Surplus store. I’m a bag maniac, and the vintage medic bags were my absolute favorite. Military jackets and accessories are big this Spring. If you’re not ready for camoflauge or army green in your wardrobe, why not bring the trend to your accessories and home decor with these wartime collectibles?

Clockwise from top-left:

Vintage 1960s 1970s US Marine Army Green Spring Jacket/Shirt $42 :: plundered

Vintage military awards from Soviet Union $18 :: spacejam

WWII Ammunition Box with Latch $140 :: Hindsvik

Vintage No. 11 – WWII Military Police Armband $15 ::TheInvisibleCircus

Crochet isn’t just for covering your table anymore! This light and intricate fabric is in style for spring and summer so let the breeze in with these fun crocheted items!

Clockwise from top:

Vintage Cotton Crochet Collar: $8 SimplyStephy’s

Purple Fringe Crochet Mesh Sweater: $18.50 Thrifted Vintage

Vintage Crochet Cross Body Messenger Bag: $19 Goodwiu Vintage

Vintage Ivory Crochet Gloves: $19.99 AlpenGlowVintage

Embroidered Sunflower Dress: $24.99 Trendsetter Vintage

Vintage 70s Black Empire Crochet Cut-Out Mini Shift Dress S: $9.99 Laced With Romance

Vintage Hand-Crocheted blouse: $38 MadGirl Vintage

As an active child I used to come in after a day of playing to my mother shaking her head at me and the new holes I ripped in my jeans. The next day I would wake up to a heart patch sewn over the previous day’s blemish and would run outside with my “new” jeans to tear them up again. Needless to say this patchwork trend emerging for summer is close to my heart and easy to participate in. Be daring and mix patterns with homemade patches or purchase one of the many lovely vintage items available.

Clockwise from Top Left:

Desert Island Dress: $218 Nasty Gal Vintage

80s Plaid Boyfriend Blazer: $17.95 Hollywood Rose Vintage

80s Leather Handbag: $32 Kitty Dirt Vintage

Hippie Vintage Silk Skirt: $35 Bohemian Groove

80s Fanny Pack with Patches: $4.95 Ebay

40s Gypsy Duster: $188 Spanish Moss Vintage

One of our favorite shops, Great Grandma Agnes, sent over photos of their brand-spankin’ new sweet vintage Spring dresses coming soon to the shop. Check out these darling pieces perfect for a warm Spring afternoon.

As the weather gets warmer puddles start to form, so you must don yourself accordingly and what better way than with vintage! Channel your inner Gene Kelly and Debbie Reynolds and jump into puddles yelling ‘Singing In The Rain’ in these awesome waterproof garments found on the internet.

Clockwise from Top:

My Find: Red Rubber Boots, $5 My local Salvation Army

Men’s Vintage 80s Burberry Rain Trench: $1 Puppy Dog Vintage

Men’s Vintage LL Bean Duck Boots: $57 Lisa Zain’s Shop

Vintage 1980s Iceberg Blue Hooded Raincoat: $35 Rackshniya Vintage Shop

Vintage Rain Dears: $9.95 Wood1565 on Ebay

Vintage Umbrella Earrings: $12 The Bumbling Bird’s Shop

1960s Musical Novelty Parasol Umbrella: $30 Rock Zombie Oldies

Kaitlin Simonsen loves vintage for the originality it adds to any style. Read more about Kaitlin’s fashion finds at My Vintage Secret and follow her on Twitter.

My Find: Clogs $6, Salvation Army Burlington, ON

Bobby Joe Boots: $48 LaVintage.com

City Lights Skyscraper Heel: $78 NastyGal

7os Vintage Combo Sandal Boots: $98 Allen Company Inc.

Leather Cut-out Op Art Shoes: $86 2 Treasure Hunt

Vintage 80s Rodier Paris Ankle Boots: $14.99 Jamis Johnson

Vintage 90s Grunge Boots: $114 (or make an Offer) American Archive