DAME

Hours- We need your input

2009-07-15T11:04:00.002-04:00

So figuring out the hours for the store is a constant kind of back and forth in my mind. The hours have been consistent since we have opened, with one change to opening at noon on the weekdays. Being closed Mon-Tues seems to work pretty well.

My Question to you is, would you like to see us stay open later on the weekdays?

Here is our current schedule

M-Closed
T-Closed
W 12-6
R 12-8
F 12-7
S 11-7
S 12-6

Options include:
Staying open later on Wed and Fri while possibly opening at 1:00 pm
Opening Earlier on Sat and/or Sunday

If your a regular or just struggle to get to the shop during our current hours, let us know your preferences! Maybe same stores staying open later in JP is a good thing...

Fit for a Dame or a Dandy

2009-07-14T18:06:00.009-04:00

My friend Amy over in Davis Square owns and runs a cute little shop called Artifaktori. If you are in that part of town her shop is worth a stop, it's almost impossible to leave empty handed. I never do.

We met at the SoWa market and have shared a lot of stories about buying and selling vintage and the clothes we come upon. One of the most often brought up subjects is fit, and while it's true it can be hard to find that perfect fit, it is often not as hard as people *think* it is.

Fit quite often has nothing to do with waist size, for example, I'm short waisted and have a terrible time with vintage dresses, most were constructed with a very standard pattern cutting method on the same form as every other dress, all with the same shoulder to waist length. Meaning none of those dresses will ever fit me.

Amy wrote up a great piece on finding and fitting vintage clothes that you'll love and treasure.

You should check it out here.

A few of my own tips would be:

1. Just ask, I know there are a variety of fits on our racks, and we generally get to know the clothing pretty well. People will often ask to be led to styles but not to fit, don't be shy speak up. Everyone also has unique preferences as to how they like their clothes to fit, feel free to share. Us shop girls harbor a repository of fitting knowledge in our minds, use that to your advantage.

2. Be open to alterations, some things can be changed, and yes a lot can't, the only way to know for sure is to ask. Be willing to think outside the box. For example, I know a few great fitting techniques for girls in boys clothing so if you want to rock those high waisted pleated linen pants that cost only 20 bucks, just ask. That's why I carry them!

3. Look for hand made or designer made dresses as opposed to common labels. If you can see that the size is close you may have found a savvy dressmaker with the same shape as you, it happens, I'm not the first short waisted girl to ever walk the earth. Designer and very well made clothing often have large seam allowances and can be altered. So if it's close ask; at Dame we do alterations in the shop and are more than happy to let you know if there are possible alterations that can be done to the garment.

4. My trick to guess before trying something on is to hold the garment up to yourself and either match the seams to the clothing you are wearing or see if the waist and the hip goes at lease "just over" half way around.

5. Use a measuring tape and/or allow someone to measure you. The number is irrelevant when you are loving yourself in an outfit that fits the way you like.

6. And to underscore Amy's great points, keep an open mind and come prepared to try things on and most of all have some fun.

Long live Vintage!

Maxi History

2009-07-10T09:05:00.001-04:00

I have no shame when it come to showing my love for the Maxi dress. Effortlessly chic, tall glamor for girls of any height and size. The Maxi is most often associated with the styles of the late 60s and the early 70s, but here we have an image from Vogue, circa 1959.

Lovely

Cinderella?

2009-07-09T11:20:00.003-04:00

If you've ever wanted the perfect princess dress, we've got one for you. About 100 layers of tulle, embroidered flowers, and sweeping bustle and bow .... Just add an updo and long white gloves and you will be the perfect picture of 1960s demure glam.

About a size 6-8, upto a 30" waist

Would make a really sweet non-traditional vintage wedding dress

Event Photos

2009-07-09T11:11:00.006-04:00

Steph's show looks great in the shop, and these photos are evidence of the strange weather we've been having here. But today is gorgeous! Photos in the Sun soon

New Summer Vintage

2009-07-06T16:58:00.004-04:00

So summer's in full Swing here at Dame; the beachwear and Vintage T's are going fast. Come on by if you still need a great Vintage styled bathing suit, beach shorts, or some kind of super 70s gauzy dress just to lounge around in with your enormous beach hat. (If you've been in the store you know what I mean) We only had one Vintage hat this season and it sold this weekend. Lucky for you we are only a block or two down from Salmagundi for all your summer accessorizing needs....

And Just in: A new batch of MadMen era party dresses done with beautiful silks in peach and beige and Navy and black, it's truly a beautiful lot. Add to that a small batch of sundresses 50s-70s and we are ready for July! The new merchandise should be out by the end of the week. I promise to have some new pictures soon.

PS. Super big thanks to everyone who made it out for Last Night AND/or First Thursday. It was lots of fun for us in the shop. Steph's show is pretty great, if you haven't seen it you have all month and "Last Night".

First Thursday July 2nd Reception, Premier & Punch 5-9ish

2009-07-01T16:12:00.001-04:00

Welcome to Dame's July First Thursday Event, featuring the work of JP's own Steph Plourde Simard. I personally love Steph's work and think you should come on out to see it hanging in our pretty little shop.

Come gander and sip and enjoy all the new shops and fun going on around South and Centre.

**Special**

Shop our new summer merchandise and

for those of you who missed Tuesday, buy one item and get a second for 50% off

Event special only 5:00-9:00 PM
Jewelry excluded, sorry

New Jewels in the Shop Monique Rancourt

2009-07-01T15:58:00.000-04:00

For all you regulars who love Monique's work, she has just stocked up her shelf again with some great new pieces. I love her work and would wear anything she makes. I also love her Mission and creative vision. You can find out more about her here.

Dame Rain Dance

2009-07-01T15:54:00.002-04:00

For the record, This is what umbrellas are for in July.

DAME'S Last Night Special

2009-06-29T16:21:00.006-04:00

Come join us for our First "Last Night", a new monthly event sponsored by the shops on South Street.

We are teaming up with The Hallway Gallery to celebrate the last night of every month, the last night to see the current month's show, the last night to meet the artists, and **Specials**.

Stores will be open late along the street hosting events and specials and this month, live music at the Hallway Gallery-Local musician, BETHEL STEELE will be releasing her new album and playing throughout the evening, right next door.

As always Dame punch will be served.

Hours 6:30-10

DAME'S Last Night Special:

Buy one item and get the second for 50% off, now's your time to shop our fabulous new summer Merchandise and snag a great deal.

One night only

Handmade jewelry not included... sorry

Ladies of Dame Bio: New Faces

2009-06-29T10:25:00.003-04:00

If you've been the shop lately, you've probably seen some new faces. We've got a couple of great new girls working in the shop. Stop in and say hi.

NAME:Taylor

NICKNAME:Tay

WHAT DO YOU DO IN THE SHOP?/SUPERPOWER?
I go around and oogle all the clothes endlessly, imagining myself wearing them in different eras and situations. Technically, though, my position is the shift fill-in gal and clothes mender. My superpower might be telepathy, but it also might just be that I want to know what people are thinking.

WHAT DO YOU DO OUTSIDE OF THE SHOP FOR WORK/PLAY?
I spend time making, discussing and thinking about art. I hunt for strange old clothes and objects at thrift store and yard sales. I knit and sew. I ride my bike around town. I play drums and sing in apost-psych prog folk band (whatever that means). I run a blog about art, the Internet, and postmodernism.

WHERE CAN YOU USUALLY BE FOUND OUTSIDE OF DAME?
Playing at house shows and small venues around JP and Allston or at my house drinking fancy microbrews and Belgian ales and watching old movies with my roommates.

HAVE A FAVORITE NIGHTLIFE LOCALE, PARTY, ACTIVITY?
When it's bar time, I usually go to the Behan Pub because it is the shortest walk from my house. I also frequent events at friends' art spaces (Mobius, MEME gallery, 57 Delle, etc)

WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR OTHER FAVORITE BOSTON AREA STORES? urban renewals, weirdo records, raven used books, a good yarn, 40 south st

LET'S TALK ABOUT J.P.- WHAT'S THE COOLEST THING ABOUT YOUR/OUR NEIGHBORHOOD?
I like how many different cultural pockets there are, and how I run into friends every time I walk down the street... among other psychic vibes I can't explain.

WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE VINTAGE PIECE/LOOK IN YOUR CLOSET?
I have a black and grey pinstripe wool dress, perfectly tailored with a v-neck and small collar and pockets paired with a perfect (and comfortable!) pair of black tooled leather pilgrim style 1940's pumps.

WE ALL HAVE THEM- THE PERFECT VINTAGE PIECE THAT GOT AWAY, DIED, YOU GREW> OUT OF, YOUR EX STOLE IT, YOUR BFF BORROWED IT AND IT EVAPORATED. WHAT'S> YOURS?
I found a pair of leather shoes in Chicago for $3. Leather soles and laces, in a perfect men's dress shoe style, but with a more feminine rounded toe. Sort of a tobacco brown with a great patina. They fit like a glove and eventually molded to the shape of my feet. I wore them until they exploded.

WHAT'S YOUR PICK FOR THE SUPER HOTTEST ITEM IN THE STORE RIGHT NOW?
There's a mustard yellow silk dress with a front tying sailor collar I'd love to get my hands on.

WE ALSO ALL ROCK A LOT OF CLOTHING FROM OUR SHOP. WHAT HAVE YOU GOT? Unfortunately I am too short waisted and not quite busty enough for most of the dresses I love, but I do have a really sweet brown and gingham cropped short sleeve jacket that I like a lot.

LOOKING FORWARD TO SUMMER, WHAT WILL YOU BE WEARING?
Lots of rayon and linen high waisted skirts with drapey lingerie top and old t-shirts, gauzy 1940's silk dresses, leather belts, etc. I think right now I'm going for 1940's housewife meets post apocalyptic punk on my good days. I also plan to start wearing hats.

IN HAIKU FORMAT, LADIES, DESCRIBE THE VINTAGE EXPERIENCE:
a tactile eradraped
and stitched with untold tales
wearing time, it seams

Some businesses start up while economy goes down - The Boston Globe

2009-06-24T13:41:00.002-04:00

Interesting, if it interests you.

South of Boston, some businesses start up while economy goes down - The Boston Globe

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Who do you love?

2009-06-22T13:14:00.005-04:00

A little Monday love for the Dandy

#16 all the way!

This sort of looks like someone I know

Crazy 'bout a sharp dressed man - Stylephile - Boston.com

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Summer's Rolling In

2009-06-12T15:57:00.005-04:00

We'll be bringing lots of new stuff almost every day for the next few weeks. Lot's more of what you've come to love about Dame! All beach and summer. Lot's of dresses with a heavy add to my favorite era the 194os. Dames, Dandies and a few of the cutest Children's pieces you ever saw!

Happy Friday!

One Lovely

2009-06-12T10:49:00.007-04:00

Super thanks to Jessica at Boston Handmade, for sharing the "One Lovely Blog Award" with Dame. What a way to start the weekend with a smile.

Dame now nominates the following Blogs for the "One lovely Award" Enjoy!

Crocodile Tears

Rogue Femme Art

Ann Wood

Beyond Boston Chic

Dorothea's Closet

New Brahmin

PunkyStyle

Couture Allure

Ouno Design

The Snail and The Cyclops

Now it's your turn! If you care to honor your some of your favorite blogs, pass on the award, post and link back....

Thanks Begamyte!

2009-06-11T15:32:00.001-04:00

SoWa Antiques Market

2009-06-09T13:59:00.007-04:00

It was our first year in the back at the SoWa Antiques market and wow, what a lot of space, it was pretty great to get to spread out the way we did. We definitely made note of our lack of a dressing room and will remedy that for the next market date. The Market was crazy busy with people, so hopefully the Antiques Market really will take off in Boston.

It's really hard to be around all those antiques, b/c there is just so much great stuff. A vendor just across from me had a selection of 1950s outdoor motel furniture that I wanted terribly, and I spied a pair of gorgeous black 1940s pumps in about a size 1o for a great price; take note there are great deals to be had here.

Personally I bought an Antique boudoir dressing screen with wheels so you can just slip behind it effortlessly, not to mention it folds totally flat. You can see it in some of the photos and I am in LOVE with it.....

I wish I got more of a chance to view all the handmade goodness in the tents outside. Did you shop the market? What did you score....

It's getting warm down South

2009-06-06T15:42:00.015-04:00

Thanks to everyone who came out to make June's First Thursday such a stellar event.

The weather was perfect and lots of folks were out to check out the local shops, art and Music. We stayed open until almost 11 and the Hallway Gallery two doors down was buzzing until midnight. I heard there was all kinds of stuff going on even further down South at James's Gate, the Jeanie Johnston and music by Bitches Brew as far down as Washington Street.

Our showing artist Lauren Kenneally sold several pieces, our vintage bathing suits and jumpsuits were the hot items of the evening, and we completely sold out of vintage Ts!

We're all already excited about July and will be working hard to make South Street a great place to be for all the South Street shops...

Putting out a batch of $25 dresses

2009-06-03T16:38:00.007-04:00

They go fast folks

First Thursday 6/4/2009 Reception, Premier & Punch 5-9ish

2009-06-02T11:53:00.004-04:00

Lauren Kenneally: Fine Art, Not-So-Fine Art

Keep up with us on Facebook

2009-06-02T11:49:00.002-04:00

Find us here, it's always current

Dame at the SoWa Market this Sunday!

2009-06-02T11:29:00.004-04:00

This Sunday 6/7/09 we will be closing the JP Shop,

to show at the South End Open Market's Antique Market. I went myself on opening weekend and there was all kinds of stuff to look at from clothing to furniture, antique art etc. The vendors are different almost every week so you are certain to see new things, not to mention all the crafts, art and farmers markets that come together every week at the SoWa market.

We will also be offering special deals at the Market that we will not offer at the store so come on by and say hi, and check out the market scene... It's a really great way to spend a Sunday afternoon.

Window Inspiration

2009-06-01T11:39:00.009-04:00

There is always so much talk of the 80s imitating the 1950s design aesthetic or the even 40s. And haven't we kind of been reliving the 40s for the past few years? I thought it would be interesting to point out vintage designers using this kind of period inspiration in other ways and going back decades.

We've got a pretty great selection of designer dresses that were handmade by a local unnamed designer back in the 1960s. Several of her dresses have sold already, but there are some great pieces still left and maybe if I am lucky more to come.

I put this set on the dress form yesterday just to check it out. Sometimes the true beauty of a dress doesn't shine until it's on a form and wow did this pop!

I immediately thought of Erte and saw shades of the silhouettes he was so famous for. But on further investigation this ensemble reads very clearly to me as a 1960s Mod version of a Poiret.

Erte and Poiret overlapped in what some refer to as the WWI period and while one was old school and one new, they were both largely responsible for ushering women and fashion out of the Victorian age and influenced designers like Chanel for years to come. Before I go on anymore about the boring stuff... just take a look. It's unfortunately difficult to take pictures of the the front of the window during the day when the sun is out, I suppose there are worse problems. I'll be sure to get some photos of the front posted too.

Check us out at Brunch

2009-06-01T11:29:00.004-04:00

Dame is on the Doyle's menu for June! Thought I'd never see that happen. Just a little bit of fun for a local girl....

I love google reader

2009-05-29T13:28:00.002-04:00

Everyone is loving the Vintage styling on bathing suits, it started to hit high fashion last year, and it's picking up steam. I bet it won't hit it's peak for another season or even two... and then maybe it will even go on and on as trends sometimes do.

You won't hear me complain