4 Mar
This clothing sale is one for the ages
Vintage clothing and furniture has fascinated Sherry King since she stepped foot in her tiffany jewelry on sale stepmother’s house in the 1970s.
“It was the first time I saw such wonderful clutter,” recalls King, 59, a Seminole Heights resident. “I really became an appreciator.”
King, owner of Sherry’s YesterDaze Vintage Clothing & Antiques in Seminole Heights, has amassed a collection of furniture and clothes, jewelry, handbags and shoes that goes from as far back as the early 1900s to the ’80s.
Today, she will sell off hundreds of women’s and men’s vintage clothes and accessories during a one-time $5 blowout sale. That’s right — everything will be $5.
Most of the items are abandoned consignment pieces; some just need a little work — a new button or seam or a spot treatment.
An expert seamstress will be on hand both days to help shoppers with alterations and repairs.
“I had to face the realization that there’s not enough time in my life to deal with all of these items and make them perfect,” King said with a laugh as she stacked sweaters Thursday in the Seminole Heights storefront she’s borrowing for the sale. “I’ve been stockpiling them for years.”
The clothing includes dresses, gowns, pantsuits and sweaters from designers such as Diane von Furstenberg and Yves Saint Laurent, which could sell at vintage shops here for anywhere from $65 and up, King said.
“But in New York City, Lord knows,” King said. “This is not the hot example of von Furstenberg’s much sought-after dress, but it still has its pedigree.”
Also $5: a beige linen Victorian walking suit with shell buttons; a 1970s floral discount tiffany sweater and a crepe mint and green dress with a long peplin skirt, circa 1940s; and a white organdy maxi-dress with flower appliques on the skirt from the ’70s.
How does King tell the age of the garments? Construction, labels and materials, such as shoulder pads, yield clues.
“If the shoulder pads are spongy, it’s 1980s,” she said. “In the ’40s, shoulder pads were made of batting that was used to make quilts.”
There’s also an array of pillbox, cocktail, veiled and wide-brim hats; lingerie; shoes; and bundles of scarves and ties for $5.
For the guys, there are seersucker shirts with flap pockets from the ’50s, three-button pinstriped suits from the ’60s and, of course, disco shirts — think “Saturday Night Fever” — from the ’70s. And there’s a nice collection of Hawaiian shirts.
King, who has operated YesterDaze for 11 years, says vintage continues to be hot with young and old alike.
People have an appreciation for the materials and craftsmanship that no longer exist, King said.
“Every piece of vintage is like a part of history, because they all have an individual story behind them.”
IF YOU GO
Vintage blowout sale
WHAT: Hundreds of vintage clothes and accessories for men and women on sale for $5 each.
WHEN: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. today
WHERE: 6112 Central Ave., at Central and Hanna avenues, Seminole tiffany jewelry sale. (The sale is not at the YesterDaze store.)
ADMISSION: free.
DETAILS: Call (813) 231-2020, or e-mail: yesterdaze@verizon .net.
Reporter Cloe Cabrera can be reached at (813) 259-7656.
