Vintage Clothing

Many people are currently wondering what the word ‘vintage clothing’ means. This is because many collectors are now scouting the market for such items. Vintage cars are those old-modeled vehicles that are aged 50 years and more. What about vintage clothing?

The term ‘vintage’ was originally associated with the year oil or wine was bottled. In reality, wine and oil get better and finer as they age; hence when they get ‘vintage’ their quality is magnified. The word got into general usage when old cars were marketed to novelty collectors, who indicate interest to pay how much it would take to own such collectibles.

Years passed by and dealers of old or second-hand clothing used the word to relate to their own merchandise. Initially, the term vintage clothing was used to refer to old clothes. Currently, numerous buyers and sellers use the word vintage to describe previously owned or second-hand clothing aged 25 years and more. With the advent of Internet, vintage clothing has further become more popular.

Many online clothing sellers are now selling 1980s-styled clothing and accessories. They call such items vintage clothing. While the market for such items gained profile, more people has become further confused. People who have lived through the 1970s could hardly find 1980s styled clothes as vintage.

Technically, some people assert that vintage clothing should refer to clothes that belong to a previous era. They should be scarce not just because of limited supply, but because they are not produced by any garment maker anymore. Thus, clothing that belonged to the 18th, 19th, and even 20th centuries that are still intact and are still in good condition are technically called vintage clothing.

Today, the word is now widely used to refer to more recent designer garments. It could also refer to items that are not new fashion items or accessories and are still of good quality. Most vintage clothing items are still exhibiting excellent flair and are still capable to create an original statement of style. Purists are logically unhappy about this. They are warning the public against being misled to buy fashion apparel and accessories sold as vintage clothing.

In general, even non-haute couture items could be currently sold as vintage. More often, good and reliable custom made garments and brand names are either taken as unusual examples of different eras’ fashion. They could also be taken as typical items identified with eras for specific design value and style. Thus, such items are considered the staple vintage trades of today.

Vintage clothing are said to contain elusive quality, which makes them very desirable especially during their heyday. You could be surprised to learn that most collectors today are buying and using vintage clothing that could be categorized as vintage 70s or even vintage 80s. Again, purists are disagreeing with this custom. They assert any item that are designed and made just within the last 15 years should be identified, described, or described as ‘contemporary.’

Quality, uniqueness, novelty, and desirability truly make vintage clothing worth buying and owning. However, be reminded that not all old items could be desirable and could be described as vintage items. Take note and be watchful of quality. Real vintage clothing should be of high quality and should always shine through. Any damage in the item should not be overlooked as well.

Are Diamonds Really Rare?

When you walk into a jewelry store and see all the diamonds in all of the various settings that are for sale, it is difficult to realize that diamonds are indeed rare. Most people don’t even stop to consider how that diamond came to be sitting in that jeweler’s case! There is quite a bit of work that is done before a diamond is ready to sell to the general public!

For every one million diamonds that are mined, only one will be found that is a quality one caret diamond. In order to find a two caret diamond, about five million diamonds must be mined. More than two hundred tons of ore must be mined to find one small diamond, and even then, more than 80% of the diamonds that are mined are only good for industrial use, such as diamond drill bits.

So, the next time you visit your local jewelry store, ask to see the one carat diamonds. You should look at this diamond with new appreciation – knowing that it truly is one in a million!

What is Vintage Clothing?

People everywhere are caught up with one of the hottest fads to sweep the planet since sliced bread, and it is not even something new. Vintage clothing is making a big comeback everywhere and people are raving about how old can be so in and new. What is it about vintage clothing that people cannot get enough of and why is it so popular?

For us to better understand what vintage is and how to spot vintage clothing we have to first know the story behind its slow rise to the fashion scene. Typically, vintage clothing is something that was created back from the 1920's to the 1980's. Items of clothing like shirts, pants, tops, vests and other clothes worn in those eras are considered vintage. Other items like boots, shoes, accessories and other materials that were created for the purpose of being worn are also vintage items.

Fashion trends back in those days influence the slow rise of vintage clothing to the modern fashion scene. Some notable personalities have contributed to the comeback of vintage in the modern fashion scene. One of them would be the late King of Pop, Michael Jackson. If we remember during the height of his career as a music icon, he bravely sported the Napoleon look with his military uniform inspired coat and gloves. He was the main influence of people when it comes to the maverick fashion that he had.

Though he later settled down with less flamboyant color schemes, he nonetheless made an impact.  While it is true that a lot of celebrities have tried their hand in bringing back a certain period in vintage clothes, there are also some that really didn't work out well. After all, not everyone or anything for that matter, which makes a comeback, is readily accepted by the people. Still, there are some that really made an impressive mark in the vintage fashion scene.

If we trace back the roots of the rise of vintage, we will find ourselves in the shores of Japan where some of the most eccentric and iconic fashion statements have been made in the last century. After being closed to the influence of the outside world for centuries, the Japanese have made a big comeback in terms of fashion.

The young and talented Japanese designers have tapped into the years of fashion trends and have put on a certain degree of ownership to the design. For example, corsets were a main fashion must have back in the 20's and 30's, the young Japanese designers put a twist to it and helped give the corset a comeback. Though there would be a few disputes as to where the corset comeback really originated, it is still undeniable that the Japanese have helped a lot in the resurrection of an antiquity.

Aside from eccentric designers and mavericks that bravely delved in to the past t look for viable designs that could be brought back, one of the  main contributor to the rise of vintage clothing to the modern fashion scene would be the second hand stores that could be found almost everywhere. These stores have an abundant supply of Vintage clothing that dates back to the civil war.

So if you are out to find that perfect vintage look don't be afraid to look into these stores and get a great find.

What is Crystal Jewelry?

People have been buying and investing on jewelry since the dawn of civilization. Some cultures see it as adornments that enhance the overall appeal of the person. Some have considered it as symbols of their status in society while some consider it amulets that protect them from harm and disease.

Over the years the design and function of jewelries have evolved from its simplest metal forms to crystal jewelry and even to synthetic jewelries of the modern times, different ages', different uses and meaning but one thing remains true. Throughout the ages jewelries have formed a bond with human civilization as part of their culture and tradition and no matter what the meaning or the use, it will remain part of our societies for the eons to come.

The history of jewelry dates back to the time of the pharaohs in ancient Egypt. But it could have been older than that. Some experts theorize that when man form the very first communal settlement, adornments may have been part of their culture thus making jewelry far older than anyone can imagine. As for the time of the Egyptians, part of their culture was to adorn their loved ones with gold and other jewelries made by hand.

It is even true that they brought their jewelry with them to the death as some archeologists have unearthed chambers in the pyramids that were filled with the riches of the departed. Some say that these adornments were cursed with black magic and whomsoever touched them were cursed to their last days.

Cursed or not one thing remains true for these people; part of their rich heritage was dedicated in the improvement and development of the jewelries that they bestowed upon their kin. These improvements were very much seen in the crafting of the embellishments and the designs of their jewelries.

The development of jewelries did not stop; instead it was carried on through out the ages. During the time of the empires and the kingdoms, jewelry making were considered a one of the noblest professions, it was a very important task that only duly deputized jewelers of the royalty were allowed to craft jewels and only nobility were given the privilege to try it out.

In modern times jewelry making is still a very lucrative profession and only a handful of individuals have made their mark in the jewelry business. Part of the human need to seek out different things and better ideas is improving what is already there. One of the most notable improvements that man has promulgated is making use of natural crystalline rocks and synthetic crystals as jewelry pieces or adornments in jewelry sets.

Nowadays, it is not uncommon to see crystalline rocks and synthetic crystal jewelry sold in almost every corner of the world. Some companies have even specialized in selling and crafting crystal jewelry. The Swarovski crystal jewelry pieces are one of the most top selling crystal jewelry in the market. The company has set new boundaries in crafting and designing raw crystals in to the eye candy that is crystal jewelry.

But they are not the only ones that have made their mark in the crystal jewelry business, some Asian countries, one particularly being China boasts about the fine natural crystal jewelry that they produce. Regardless though of where it is from crystal jewelry has broken grounds in the mainstream accessory business.

The Romantic Nature of Leather Journals

Journal keeping has long been a favorite activity for writers and aspiring writers. A journal is a place to write down those occasional brilliant flashes of insight, notes on dreams, random thoughts or observations on life while sitting at a park bench. Journals are also often used as exercise books, honing the writer's skills or warding off writer's block. Writers come in every shape and size, may be young or old, romantic poets at heart or budding novelists. With the diversity of people who love writing, a special journal is a wonderful gift item for the writer in your life.

Perhaps the most revered journal among writers is the leather journal. Writers tend to be a romantic lot and leather journals embody romance, beauty and quality, an irresistible combination of virtues in a book intended for the musings of the owner.

If you're not quite as taken with the craft of writing, consider this: do you remember the very old books, sometimes found in the library's reference section, bound in fine leather with page edges decorated with ornate designs and gold leaf? Even were you not to examine the contents of such books, you can't help admiring the beauty of the container. Images of Merlin, bent over, poring through his leather bound journals of spells come easily to mind. Leather journals, used by the 15th century scribe at the monastery to copy secrets of the ages. This is the gist of the attraction of writers to leather journals.

Now that you've found this very special gift for your writer, let's go shopping. Where do you find this paragon of writer's gifts? Italians are known to produce some of the finest leather goods in the world. Leather journals are no exception. Italian paper goods are beautiful works of art. Naturally, the two crafts combine well, so search out online Italian sources for truly artist-quality leather journals, often enhanced with gold leaf edging, with ornately Renaissance style designs imprinted on the page edges and satin ribbon markers.

Closer to home, there are many fine stationers, both online and in town, who carry an array of lovely leather journals any writer would be proud to receive. Visit writer's sites and scan the ads there for links to sites that sell these coveted items. Art supplies are another good resource.

When you choose such a gift for a writer, you can bet it will be held in the highest esteem and used for writing down those most profound, romantic and philosophical thoughts. Your writer will always remember you as a thoughtful patron of the literary arts, which is a nice reward indeed.