C'est La Vie... No?

As you read through our blog posts, you'll have noticed that one of the residents of La Caravane Bohème seems to be convinced she's secretly a French Woman even though she is utterly not so. Beatrice, the one with the French name and the French hair (not really, but she wishes) wants to show you all exactly why the French "do it better." ;)

One, our name: La Caravane Bohème is French for "The Bohemian Caravan." It's especially lovely because to our non-French speaking market, they can still understand what our name means. However, really think about it, try to say it outloud. There is just no possible way to say our name without enlisting a sultry French accent, the accented "e" being quite vital. 

Laaa Caah-raah-vaaahn Bo - eeeeem! The "h" is silent, just breath some air when you get to that part.

Second, the Parisian streets are filled, I say filled! with lovely vintage and antique stores. There is just so much history-filled enticement waiting for you on dusty shelves and murky windows. Not to mention their world famous flea markets dotting arrondissements and neighborhoods. How could you go to Paris and not manage to come back with at least one antique vase or vintage scarf? I came out of Montmartre wielding not one, not two, but three delicious vintage neckwears. (One will be listed shortly; exciting, no?)

Third, this article says it all. It's not necessarily about fashion, but it really does work at convincing you why life in La Francais can be quite attractive.

Happy Vintaging!

*For those of you who clicked on the link "French Woman," Entre Nous is a book Beatrice has been working her way through and using to slowly turn herself into a real French Woman. A lovely surprise.

Vintagers everywhere!

Fashion schools in NYC are home to possibly the widest range of style in the country (or at least that I, having grown up in Pittsburgh, have ever come into contact with.) I see everything here from your basic Paris Hilton fashionistas, to hardcore goths and punk rockers, and everything in between. However, it's hard to really appreciate it as a student at said fashion schools, since you're so busy most of the time that you don't really get a chance to take it all in.

On that note, let's all give Beatrice a big hand for keeping the store alive while I'm buried in the depths of muslin, pins, and endless homework... take a bow, B. ;)

Every so often though, a look stands out that just can't be ignored, no matter how busy you are. This happened to me the other day after, no joke, 11 hours draping away in my school's workroom. I noticed a girl in my class wearing this gorgeous seafoam green, cap sleeve, cashmere sweater with glittering jewels encrusting the neckline. I couldn't take my eyes off it. When I asked her where she got it, you know what she said? From a tiny thrift store near her home town in New Jersey.

Then, yesterday while I was at my day job as a salesperson in an eyeglass store, a customer came in with her grandmother's vintage frames and asked us to put new lenses in them so she could use them herself. (They were gorgeous, by the way, brown plastic large frames with a keyhole nose piece. Very cute and "geek chic"!)

I have to say, these girls made me a little proud. Not of myself and Beatrice for catching on to this vintage trend (although, that did cross my mind,) but of these vintagers giving once-forgotten items from half a century ago new life in 2010.

In a world full of Botox, facelifts, upgrades, and a new iPod every ten minutes, an appreciation for the classics, the antique, and the pre-loved is hard to come by. Although we vintagers may seem few and far between, we are out there, and we have to stick together!

Well, back to the drawing room. My dress form misses me.

Keep vintaging!

-Nadia

Ready-To-Wearability

Bonjour, it's Beatrice! 

Oh, to really be French, a girl can dream; and so can you. With our fabulous selection of vintage clothes, you can pretty much be whoever you want to be: bohemian or sweet, sultry or prim. Me, I like the look of the gypsy, yet composed French style which is basically lots of grey and black paired with awesome scarves found all over the place.

Speaking of scarves, I found a fabulous seventies tan, purple, and orange silk square that you will die for, especially when paired with the seventies Lord and Taylor blazer we found in a dusty corner somewhere. They are currently being dry-cleaned and pressed as you read this. Check our Shop often for new listings.

One of the things the resident gypsies at La Caravane Bohème pride ourselves on is the "ready-to-wearability" (our word, we're proud of that also) of our items. When we find clothes and accessories, we do everything we can to wash, dry-clean, repair, press, and shine these things up into pretty jewels just for you. That way, you know that once you get one of our gems, you can wear it right away.

There are certain circumstances that stains or other flaws cannot be removed and repaired. If this is the case, we will do everything we can to make it less noticeable when worn. We will never sell an item that has an obvious flaw and we always make sure to note each and every quirk in our descriptions.

This is the fabulous 1970's Grey Secretary Dress I am currently obsessed with, being hand washed by yours truly.

We use Woolite Gentle Detergent, cold water, and our frozen fingers to clean, clean, clean these garments up. In special cases, we will use a gentle stain remover if needed.

Below, you'll see the dress laid out to dry. Just look at the awesome dusty rose buttons. They make me smile!

Why did I lay this dress out to dry? Considering that I didn't quite know how the fabric of the dress would react, I didn't want to take the chance of hanging it and finding it a day later, all stretched out from the weight of the water.

Also, with most knits, usually delicate kinds, you want to lay them out to dry in their shape. They are known to dry in whatever position they might be and if you accidentally pulled a sleeve out too far, you may just end up with a very long sleeve!

Once it was all nice and dry, I discovered that since it was made of soft, lovely cotton, it didn't need to be pressed at all. Nice to know that this is truly a wash and wear dress.

And voila! Clean and ready to find a home in your closet.

Meet Emmeline, the lovely, button-up, throw on and go Secretary Dress from the 70's. 

Love it? Want it? Have to have it? Click on the name above to go directly to the listing; or visit our Etsy shop at LaCaravaneBohème or www.Etsy.com/Shop/LaCaravaneBoheme to find Emmeline and a cast of other beautiful vintage gems.

Happy Vintaging!

Greetings from New York

Hi all

Nadia here. What? Yes, yes, I have emerged from the depths of a new and busy semester at fashion school to update you all on La Caravane Boheme from the Big Apple perspective. I know what you're thinking. Nobody from New York actually calls it the Big Apple. But that's just how we roll aboard La Caravane (get it? Roll? Because caravans...have...wheels?).

I hope our friends in the Northeast part of the country are staying cozy and warm as this blizzard rolls through. You have to admit, the snow covering the rooftops is a beautiful sight - when you're sitting under a nice fluffy comforter and looking out the window at it. I was doing just that this morning when I noticed that the weather outside had joined me indoors. Check out that ice inside my apartment window! It's a good thing La Caravane is an online shop, and you can go vintaging while snuggled under said fluffy comforter, isn't it?

With Beatrice back from her adventures in Italy, expect some new gems to pop up in our Etsy shop! Rumor has it she has some (gasp!) accessories to add to our collection, as well as a few other items to start filling up those pesky empty categories.

As for me, I'll soon be turning those "coming soon" items, like our 60s silver space-age dress and this adorable 70s homemade pinafore dress into real listings. So keep checking back for those and much more!

I also just came across this gorgeous 60s floral mod dress. One problem though--it's sleeves seem to have run away! I'll be putting my seamstress skills to use to renew this beauty; whether its sleeves will find their way home or if we'll find a brand new look for this dress is still up in the air.

Check back soon for a behind-the-scenes look at some of our finds' vintage stories.

Keep vintaging!

Fashion on Cobblestone Streets

Ciao!

Beatrice here, I'm checking in from Italy: the land of pasta, wine, and cobblestone streets. And fabulous fashion too, of course. I'll be venturing out later this week to scope out vintage finds to bring back home to you!

While in Italy, I haven't been able to list any of my delicious clothes and accessories, but you can see them in the Coming Soon! album on our Facebook. Get your vintaging butt up and become a fan of us at the La Caravane Bohème Page. You should join our caravan because not only will you be up-to-date on our latest listings, you will also find stories about our vintage hunts, articles we like, and other random things that amuse us. Believe us, we are easily amused.

We also have a forum open on our Discussion tab at our page. Be sure to stop by and let us know what your favorite vintage era is. Is it the 40's, the 70's, the 20's, or a combination of everything? Discuss away and we shall be listening.

Here's a peek of what's in a day of a life of a vintaging gypsy (while in Italy:)

I couldn't resist the vintage red Landrover hidden in one of the narrow side streets of Trasacco.












Nor could I also resist this sweet Italian kitty, cuddling outside his home.












This has been a lovely experience so far, but I can't wait to get back home and aboard La Caravane Bohème!

Ciao!

Beatrice