Bear Cat – a 1920’s slang term for hot blooded or fiery girl and is aptly the name of this week’s featured vintage online clothing shop – Bear Cat Vintage. This online shop offers hand selected, vintage clothing items and accessories from past decades. Below is my interview with the owner, featuring some of my personal picks from the shop.
50s/60s floral cropped jacket (buy)
When did you choose a vintage online clothing shop?
We launched the online store in late 2008. My mother introduced me to antique shopping at a really young age. We would hit up local thrift stores and antique shops, out of pure enjoyment of finding hidden treasures. From there I learned to love finding hidden treasures and the excitement it brings to find an older piece that has history. To be able to wear a piece of fashion not everyone and your next door neighbor might own.
After collecting like a mad woman all these years, I decided to disperse my energy in a positive way. I started to sell my vintage finds, this then turned into a full time business. In 2010 we opened two Brick and Mortar locations, one in LA and one in Long Beach.
VINTAGE JACKETS:
70s patchwork boho leather coat {buy} / 50s macrame lace coat {buy} / 80s flower blazer {buy}
Do you do alterations on the items you sell?
Not at the moment.
Where do you find vintage?
We buy our vintage from large rag houses from all over California. As well as buying vintage from customers.
Do you wear vintage?
Yes! Since middle school!
60s green velvet dress {buy}
What is your personal style in clothing?
I absolutely love every decade of fashion. But the one decade I adore the most are the 60s. Absolutely adore French New Wave, 60s. Just the simple blunt effortless bobs, and cat eye makeup, mini skirts and baby doll dresses. This style best suits me and my figure the most. I think every decade has a place for someone.
Do you have your own vintage collection?
Of course! And every once in awhile I have to recycle out my own vintage pieces to make room for new ones.
If we peek inside your bag, what can we see?
Satin vermilion red lipstick by Makeup forever, dior show over curl mascara, lock it Powder by Kat Von D!, iPhone, and my dooney and bourke vintage wallet. I’m pretty simple.
What are your favorite clothing shops?
Orla Kiely, SquaresVille, Pixie Market, and Asos. Lately I’ve been a huge online shopper.
If you were to choose four favorites from your shop, what would these be?
BCV’s FAVES:
The vintage lightweight poly dress. It’s super cute on and love the shape of the dress; should flatter a number of body types. {buy}
This 50s/60s tulle dress is absolutely stunning! We just got this little lady in. {buy}
The gold cocktail purse. This little boxed shape handbag is the perfect arm candy for any gal, wanting a fabulous piece that could fit more than just your phone and wallet. {buy}
The red shell high waist belt. Everyone needs a strong red-belt statement piece. {buy}
vintage knitted floral blouse {buy}
Why did you choose Etsy to sell online?
I think the customers that shop and sell on Etsy have a positive form of exchange. I love how people are sincere and genuinely want to help each other. Whether it’s buying hand made goods by supporting local artisans or making sure to leave positive feed back when given the chance. Etsy has just been a positive selling experience for me.
What tips can you give for people who would like to buy vintage clothing?
I would recommend researching different decades. The thing that helped me the most were watching old movies. For me it was my obsession with Nouvelle Vague. French 60s new wave movies like A Woman is a Woman.
VINTAGE DRESSES
60s gingham shift dress {buy} / 70s ascot mini {buy} / orange reconstructed vintage dress {buy}
60s floral sheer dress {buy} / vintage boho dress {buy} / 80s painted brush summer dress {buy}
*Please note: They no longer run our brick and mortar locations. You can find Bear Cat Vintage online at these places:
Etsy | Website | Instagram | Facebook | Blog
_________