Ah, the '60s. The skirts were short, the hair was long and bras were purely optional. It was an era of self-expression and the time period the Houston Vintage Market is celebrating during its two-day festival this Friday and Saturday at the 1940 Air Terminal Museum.
"We choose to focus on the '60s for the preview party and fashion show because it's feels especially fresh and fun right now."
Vintage Market creator Dawn Bell in an expert on all things vintage, and her passion for the past is evident in the way she plans her thoroughly modern markets. Even though the 1960s were more than 50 years ago, the decade still resonates, plus, it’s Bell's favorite vintage time period.
“We choose to focus on the '60s for the preview party and fashion show because it feels especially fresh and fun right now,” Bell said “So many designers were inspired both last fall, and the new spring collections by the styles of 1960s.”
Planning to visit the Houston Vintage Market? Here are five groovy things to know before you go.
Dress the Decade
It’s not a costume party, but the Houston Vintage preview party Friday and market Saturday give you a place to show off your vintage flair, so go ahead and dress in the style of your favorite decade. Bell said to expect looks from the '40s to the '70s, so if the '60s didn’t ring your bell, embrace the era that did. Dressing the part is encouraged both days. There will also be vintage airplanes on site to explore.
Shopping Through the Years
The roster of vintage retailers has swelled over the past five years and now includes more than 10 new vendors selling everything from apparel and accessories to gifts. “The nature of vintage is that they're all one of kinds, so you never know what you'll find in each booth,” Bell said. “Our market is truly unlike any other market out there and especially great for finding "that" dress to wear to the upcoming holiday parties. You can be sure that no one else will have a dress like you.”
Cat Eyes and Bee Hives
If you’re looking to perfect a certain era’s beauty style, makeup and hair tutorials are offered and be on lookout for the market’s glamorous lipstick girls who roam the festival providing a lush red lip touch-up.
Leave the Jell-O Mold at Home
Deep Eddy Vodka is the official liquor sponsor of Houston Vintage, but you can also grab bites from OMG BBQ, Chamak Chocolates and Cadillac Coffee.
The Friday night preview party is from 7 to 11 p.m. and features a vintage fashion show, live performances and an early opportunity to shop. Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the door. Saturday, doors open at 11 a.m. and tickets are $5.
Houston Vintage celebrates its fifth year and features all things fashionable and vintage.
The new FIGS store will offer a Color Clinic and Customization Station to let shoppers personalize their FIGS uniforms. Photo courtesy of FIGS/Instagram