Spotlight On:
Hollie Point Vintage

It’s that time again, where I’m turning the Spotlight On a favorite vintage store! You know when you find a vintage shop and pretty much love everything they have? That’s how I feel about Hollie Point Vintage. My wallet pops out of my handbag like an eager puppy whenever I click over to Jennifer’s shop. If fabulous vintage interests you, read on…

One awesome thing about the Dressed app is that it helps me organize my wardrobe. One rather frightening thing is that I can quickly see how many dresses I own or how many pairs of shoes I’ve purchased from a particular store. A few quick taps and I realized I am the proud owner of 9 dresses, 1 dress & top set, plus a jewelry set and an amazing handbag from Hollie Point Vintage. I may or may not have a problem…

But, it became very clear that this shop deserved a feature.

Q: Can you tell me a bit about yourself, about your shop, and your reason for starting as a vintage seller?

Jennifer: “I’ve been utterly fixated on historical dress since I was just a wee one. In grade school I would trace paper dolls (anyone else remember the paper dolls in Betty and Veronica and those awesome Katy Keene reproduction comics?) and draw eighteenth and nineteenth century gowns on them. I graduated from the University of Kansas with a degree in history and a minor in women’s studies. I was fortunate enough to have supportive instructors so I devoted much of my education to researching and writing about women’s history through the lens of dress and adornment. My interest in the mid century period was inspired by my grandmother’s old dresses, which still hung in her basement closet during my childhood. I began collecting pieces from this period early on and I suppose I began selling vintage merely to support my habit! I think selling full time on Etsy was a pretty natural transition for me because vintage clothing and the history of dress is an all-consuming obsession, I really can’t imagine ever doing anything else.”

Q: Where is your shop located? Are you exclusively online or do you have a brick and mortar?

Jennifer: “I currently sell strictly online. I run Hollie Point Vintage from a 1960s mid century modern California ranch home, portions of which I am slowly converting into my ideal studio, complete with industrial sinks for soaking vintage and premium lighting for finding those pesky flaws.”

Q: What is your personal style aesthetic?

Jennifer: “I hail from the American heartland, where casual style reigns supreme and this definitely influences my personal aesthetic. I love broken-in jeans, old army shirts, and vintage riding boots. For special occasions or sunny summer days, I don one of my 1950s printed cotton sundresses which I usually pair with flats, chunky bakelite bangles, and one of my treasured tooled leather or embroidered vintage bags. I work vintage into my everyday wardrobe by throwing 50s cardigans or 60s pea coats over my modern clothes and I never, ever leave the house without just a little too much vintage jewelry. ”

Q: Your shop specializes in the 1920’s-1970’s, but do you have a favorite decade? What’s your favorite piece in the shop right now?

Jennifer: “Like many vintage fanatics I adore the 1950s. I love the structured, feminine nature of 1950s tailoring and I’m a huge sucker for vibrant, whimsical prints, black floral prints are my favorite! I also like this era because clothes in the post war period became more casual and easier to care for. People believed in the concept of modern living, which called for devoting less time for house work thus freeing up hours for leisure and family activities. I’m fascinated both by the innovations in textiles and the concept of freeing women from laborious housework that emerged during the mid century period. I think most people who aren’t personally familiar with vintage clothes tend to think of 50s clothing as being stuffy and even oppressive but this was a time of machine-washable cotton shirtwaist dresses, jeans and saddle shoes. These things were practically revolutionary for women, although, true liberation in dress didn’t fully develop until the seventies, women in the fifties paved the way for the flexible nature of the clothing we wear today. I know a lot of vintage lovers are drawn to the formality of the fifties but my interest in the period is focused on a very different element of dress. I suppose it’s no surprise then that my favorite piece in the shop right now is an early 50s simple cotton dress in chocolate brown with a bold rose print. It’s exemplary of care free, everyday clothing that managed to be functional and yet very beautiful.”

Q: What’s your process for sourcing, cleaning, repairing, and finally selling vintage?

Jennifer: “My process begins with sourcing, which is the most difficult but also the most enjoyable part of my job. I love traveling the back highways of Kansas in search of treasures. Many of my best finds have come from places that don’t appear in a Google search. I have to get out on the road and wander which is a huge stress reliever for me, not too mention a whole lot of fun! Cleaning and mending are a huge part of my job. This too, can be quite difficult. For every dress that makes it into the shop, there are a few pieces that don’t make the cut. It’s not unusual to put hours of work into a piece then later decide that it just can’t be saved. Selling is another great part of my job. Once an item is listed it often leads to a great deal of interaction between myself and my customers. I love being part of the online vintage community! I love learning all about my customers’ personal style and over the years I’ve learned much from them about what draws them to specific types of vintage which allows me to curate my shop in a way that has maximum appeal both to my customers’ tastes and to my own.

Q: I would really struggle letting so many beautiful pieces go – Have you ever sold a piece and later regretted it?

Jennifer: “I used to have a wonderful 1950s circle skirt in black with a colorful modernist floral print. It was always a little too small so I didn’t wear it often and after a couple of years I sold it. I’ve always regretted that a bit and I still miss the skirt. Recently, however, I found the most beautifully styled 50s sundress online in the very same print! I bought it with no information about its condition or size and somehow, miraculously, when it arrived I found that it was a perfect fit! Now I don’t feel so bad about selling the skirt, maybe it was meant to be…”

Isn’t Jennifer just so amazing? One of my favorite traits shared by all vintage sellers I’ve worked with, is the sheer joy and passion they have for their work. And I think my favorite story is her love of the history behind 50’s fashion – how it’s stereotypically seen as being so restrictive, but really it epitomizes a hugely liberating moment in our history. I love that those women in the 50’s were true trailblazers.

I always have such a hard time parting with vintage, but can completely relate to that magical feeling of helping a vintage piece finds it’s way into its rightful closet, where she will be loved and worn. It’s no surprise that Jennifer has helped many a 1950’s stunner find its way into my closet. From novelty prints to sailor stripes, some of my most favorite dresses of all time have come from Hollie Point (I realize that’s a crazy statement to make, given the size of my wardrobe). But, it speaks to the quality of dresses Jennifer curates on a daily basis!

My Collection

As is my favorite tradition, I got to drool over the wares currently on offer at Hollie Point and curate a list of my top picks. Here are my personal swoon-worthy favorites for sale (that I’m trying very hard not to scoop up and run away with yelling miiiiiiine!), ranging from sizes XS to XL. Any strike your fancy? They pretty much all strike mine…

For Sale

Although I already own 9 Hollie Point Dresses, I can already tell it won’t be long until I meet lucky #10 (this one in particular is calling my name. I mean – that print??).

To assist you in curating your own lovely Hollie Point collection, for one week only, Jennifer has generously agreed to offer a coupon code exclusive to my readers (is that awesome, or what?) Use the code DRESSEDAESTHETIC between now and midnight on 18 November 2015 (AWST) to take 15% off your purchase from the Hollie Point etsy shop!

I hope you also stop by and visit Hollie Point on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram – and give her a follow! I promise your retinas will be treated to vintage delight daily. If you decide to scoop up a beauty, I can’t wait to see how you style it

Happy shopping!

xoxo

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I want to mention that any shop I feature I have personally shopped in and love – I was given no personal incentive for this post. I chose to feature Hollie Point because I adore this shop and trust Jennifer to source amazing vintage pieces, always accurately describe and measure her garments, and provide exceptional customer service. I think it’s important to create a network of sellers that you know you can trust – and support small businesses along the way! If you want to see last month’s Spotlight On feature, check it out here.

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