1930s time capsule

When you love vintage you always wish you could just step back in time, even for just one day. Well, yestreday I sort of got to do just that. My mother lives in the very small town of Hudson, Michigan and she has opened up a little variety shop that's very vintage inspired though not all vintage. She recently discovered that her shop was a ladies shoe shop in the 1930s that closed in the 1940s. When it closed the irresponible (according to me!) owners threw all the shoes in the basement. Fast forward to a few weeks ago when my mother found these shoes, hundreds of pairs, in a rotted pile. Almost all of them ruined, petrified and molded. Rigid and brittle as glass. BUT, the ones at the very bottom of the pile, protected by the ones at the top were still in excelelnt condition. I went to my mother's shop yesterday and was nearly reduced to tears as I saw exactly HOW many pairs of shoes she has, and what's more, they are all deadstock and there are mulitples of some styles! To make it even more exciting, many were my size, so I tried on and took all the ones that were wearable and fit me, and also some for the shop. It was almost surreal to want a pair of 1930s shoes and have three of the same exact pair to try on for best fit just like a modern day shoe shop. When ever again will I experience this, never I am sure. My mother says there are more still in the basement and I told her to get down there and rescue them!

Above are photos of her shop, the last photo is of my grandmother, Daisy who was very into clothing and being gussied up. Below is what I wore to the grand opening of the shop yesterday, my mother told me to "dress 1940s" and I was happy to oblige.

black 1940s felted bow hat - estate sale

1940s black & white wool check dress (the buttons are wooden knobs!) - private estate purchase

1930s black pumps - thrifted