New MCM Wares for My Ever-Updating, Rockabilly Abode! (Oh, and Vintage Eyewear Too!)

This past Saturday, my sister and I went to Southeast DC to visit the District Flea Market.

http://districtflea.com/

The day was sunny but the air was crisp with a windy autumn bite.  I wore my Freddies of Pinewood classic indigo jeans, a 50s camp shirt, and a red 49er jacket.  I thought about wearing a housedress with tights but jeans seemed like a better, more logical (and warmer) choice.

As we grabbed a hot coffee, we browsed several booths containing vintage records, hi-fis, books,  prints, art, clothes (mostly 60s-80s but I did spot a cute 50s patio set with gold ric rac but it had holes), jewelry, wall scones, lighting, mirrors, melmac, shabby chic furniture, vintage eyewear, and mid-century furniture.  In addition to the shopping vendors, the District Flea also boasts food vendors. 

Now, I admit that I went to this market with a few doubts.  I was not expecting to walk away with anything.  I was hoping to see the vintage eyewear booth and maybe stumble upon some bakelite, but my hopes were reserved.  However, my doubts were soon proven wrong when I found two Lane two-tiered end tables in gorgeous condition.  I was floored.  The tables only had minor stratches (nothing Scott's Liquid Gold couldn't fix!) and the seller wanted $250 for the pair.  I recently spotted similar tables on eBay for $500 or so.  I took notice of the tables and decided to think about it.  After a few sips of coffee and some brief hemming and hawing, I went back and told the gentleman, "You have a deal."

While I was coming down from my "end table high," my sister and I found the vintage eyewear booth.  I was in total acetate, cateye, and aluminum heaven.  I tried on a few pairs of various colors and styles and then found the pair I wanted: a 50s silver aluminum modified cateye frame for $55.  The hinges needed to be cleaned but overall, they were perfect.

I already own four pairs of vintage frames that have been fit with my prescription: a solid black cateye, a clear acetate and soft gold cateye, a pale blue and clear acetate cateye, and lastly a black, brushed silver, and clear acetate cateye.  In addition, I have three pairs of vintage sunglasses also fitted with my near-sighted/astigmatism prescription.  I am addicted to vintage frames. Yes, it's true.  I am not ashamed.

Here are my new frames:

After returning home from the flea market, I placed the two Lane tables in their spots in my living room.  I treated each table with the Liquid Gold and then let them cure.  Then, I accompanied Big Daddy to his barber appointment, we had lunch, and we went to my local optician to have my frames fit with my prescription.  I love them!  There is nothing like a great pair of vintage cateye glasses!  I used to despise the fact I needed to wear glasses (modern frames are typically boring to me)  but once I discovered vintage frames, I am happy to wear glasses again!  It is just another way to accessorize and accent my daily vintage style!

So, overall, this weekend was a huge success!  I got some pretty new frames to wear and my home is continuing to be updated in proper, mid-century style!

What are your newest vintage treasures?

"New" Cat Eye Glasses!

Last week, I bought these 50s, clear acetate and light gold cat eye frames on Etsy. They are in amazing condition and look unworn! I paid 58.00 USD and with shipping, the total came to be just over 63.00 USD! I love the gold accents:

 
I received my glasses on Saturday and that afternoon, I took my new frames to my local optician and had them fitted with my prescription. One of the lab technicians, who happens to collect Victorian-era accessories and furniture, always ensures that my vintage frames are well taken care of!

In the past, other technicians and opticians have been reluctant to work on vintage eyewear because they are afraid the frames will snap/break when heated. So, I am truly lucky to have found a place where people understand the nature of vintage metal and plastics!

Here is me today wearing my new frames:

 (I am wearing a tee because I was going to the gym)

So, if you are looking for vintage eyewear, give Etsy and eBay a look!

Vintage Eyewear

Here is a picture of me wearing my 50s vintage black acetate cat eye glasses. I usually wear contacts but there are days when I cannot be bothered with putting little plastic disks in my eyes. I tend to wear my glasses on 'lazy days' and at night when I take my contact lenses out. I also wear vintage sunglasses during the day when wearing contacts. As for these frames pictured here, I found them for 30.00 USD on eBay about a year ago. I have found many great eyewear finds on eBay but as of late, I have discovered that Etsy.com is the better site for vintage goods, particularly eyewear.

Here are some tips:

When searching for vintage eyewear, read the description and condition stats! Look at the pictures carefully to see if there is any warped plastic, warped metal, flaking paint, missing rhinestones, or missing parts like temples and/or screws.

If you are buying sunglasses and you wear a contact prescription or if your eyes are normal, try to find lenses that are prescription free. If you need a prescription, then the original lenses will not be an issue since you will have them replaced by your optician anyway.

If the lenses show extreme wear and/or are made of older acetate (plastic), you run the risk of having the lenses fail on you. This is especially the case when you need glasses made into your prescription. In order to fit acetate lenses, opticians need to heat up the frames so they can put the lenses in correctly. If the acetate is weak, the glasses themselves could snap! I have experienced first-hand that many modern opticians or optical places will not touch older glasses if they are not in good shape! Therefore, when buying vintage glasses (both indoor and outdoor) that will be fitted with your prescription, look for glasses in excellent condition. If possible, try to find ones that are "new old stock" or "deadstock."

When it comes to pricing, some online auction sites and seller sites like Etsy will have great prices and over-the-top costs. Know your budget. I have seen a few sellers on eBay charge 200.00 USD for glasses and these were glasses with major flaws! Talk about shameful!

When it comes to sizing, take a current pair of glasses you own and read the measurements. You can often find this information listed on the inside of one of the arms. If you cannot, you can measure with a ruler. For the length across the glasses themselves, measure across the entire front. When measuring the length of the arms, take a string and follow the shape of the arm from the area where it is screwed in to the end of the bent part. Compare these numbers to the item's description and try to stick with that figure roughly. If your new glasses arms are too short, if the lenses do not adequately cover the eye region, or if they pinch the sides of your head, then they are more than likely too small. If the opposite is true and the glasses are falling of your face or sliding off your ears, then they are too big.

I hope I am able to help those in need of vintage eyewear! Happy hunting!