Who is...

Miss Belle Aire???

That would be me! Hi there, I'm Miss Belle Aire, the one you see on social media, the one running around, driving from place to place and looking good while doing it all. I started my vintage journey about 15 years ago and it's been a trip ever since. I've met the greatest people and I have a wardrobe that is about the most expensive and valuable thing I own in its entirety.Β 

I am a librarian by trade, but for years now, there's been something nagging at me - it might be my friends and family, who honestly said, "Why haven't you been doing this all along?!" when I told them about finally putting the store together. I've had a love and eye for all things vintage, that includes cars! My own classic is a 1964 Mercury Comet (but I don't discriminate against more!)Β 

There's something I like about every decade of fashion, therefore my own closet does sport the 1940's to the 1990's, but my favourite fashion items are 1940s/50s pin up, 1960's brocade and bishop's sleeves, 1970's empire waist summer dresses, and I'll admit it, a good 1980's structured power suit or blazer with the shoulder pads. Fashion has given us SO much, so what's the point in wasting it all?

For years people have been telling me that "they don't know how I do it", and I think it's time I show everyone how, because it's not hard, it's not that expensive, and it's for EVERYONE. It's a lot more accessible than people think. I want to open society's eyes to the fact that there's something for everyone in the vintage fashion world and apparently you've been secretly begging for my help so here it is!

Come join me, Miss Belle Aire, as I provide you with vintage options at affordable prices but with that shopping experience where you feel heard, seen, and valued. I am making the time to give you the shopping experience you deserve so that you can look good and feel good about it too. I'm taking the last 15 years of my experience and sharing all the ins and outs, ups and downs, so that you don't have to take that kind of time out of your day.Β 

Let me know how I can help, it's what I'm here for. Don't be shy, cause I'm not! We'll get you feeling so confident with vintage that friends, family, co-workers, schoolmates, and people on the street will be loving (and wanting to be a part of) your vibe.Β 

And no, I do NOT wish I grew up in another decade or generation - I might like the fashion but I am not nostalgic for a time when I would have had less rights than I do now, less opportunities, more marginalized, and I probably wouldn't even be able to open my own store!

What's the dream?

I'm not big on "picking" - you know, going to a massive bin of items and having to sift through them. I will do it on occasion, but I was so glad when the move to more curated stores began. The only thing is though, that I have never been to a store that fulfills ALL my preferences for vintage shopping. I thought there may be people like me out there looking for one place with all of these qualities, so here is what I pledge:

  1. Maybe it's my librarian brain but everything will be organized my decade.
  2. Tags will have the measurements of each item (and there will be someone at the ready to measure you so you know your sizing and can say 'yay' or 'nay' right when you look at the tag.)
  3. All items will be dry-cleaned and fixed. There will not be items with stains or marks (unless they happen in store without our knowledge), and items will be in their fullest working order. Granted it is vintage clothing, so even though that 60 year old zipper is still working right now, I can't guarantee that it will work when you zip it up or down for the millionth time.
  4. An up-to-date shop will be available online. There is a lot of preference to do vintage shopping in person, but the reality is that once I've vetted a place, I trust them enough to buy online but many shops don't have websites or up-to-date ones. I know they have great stuff but I'm too far away to buy anything in person. Once you've vetted me, you can buy online with ease.
  5. I will try to have smaller accessories available online. Storytime - I was in need of brooches and there are stores I KNOW have them, but not online to purchase, so I had to call them each up and ask them to send photos of what they have, and the back and forth, etc. Smaller accessories move a lot more quickly but it is my goal to keep up with them online.
  6. Just as I'm doing with the online space, the physical space (still to come!) will be organized, highly curated, but still comfy and inviting, to lessen the anxiety of shopping and make it fun again.
  7. There are no dumb questions. My social media already presents this idea that we're here to learn and I can teach you! If you don't care, that's fine too, but a lot of the avoidance comes from the unknown and being worried you're doing it 'wrong'. Ask me anything! I will continually try to provide my own words of wisdom (plus some other people's) on social media but if there's something I haven't covered, don't be afraid to ask.
  8. I think lastly, I will continue to carry the torch of my predecessors in maintaining a sense of community. The vintage/antique/thrift community is one of the foundational nostalgic and tangible communities, similar to the car enthusiasts, musicians, crafters, etc. We are people who work with the past, present and future, and because of that we have a community that is not only in the digital space but the physical, which I will admit has been sorely lacking lately. I have always felt welcomed and included by the community, and I will continue to uphold that mission.