Shop Update!

 New this week are our very own Xtabay label cotton sundresses. Made of 100% cotton swiss dot they are a perfect reproduction of a classic 1950's dress. The soft gathered bust line and fitted waist reminds me of a dress Marilyn Monroe wore.  Oh yeah….it's a lot like the dress Marilyn Monroe wore!

Our newest design is available in white, ivory, aqua, red and black. We currently have them available in a 28" waist and a 30" waist size.

We have been blessed here in Portland with an abundance of sunshine recently. People were out in shorts last weekend! All the sun has got me really anxious for spring and I couldn't resist putting a bunch of spring merch out.  Lot's of really cute, everyday kind of dresses for under $100. I'm starting to put out prom dresses too, like this one by Emma Domb that's the color of daffodils...

Our bridal salon has been so busy! We are booking out appointments a few weeks in advance.  I'll let you in on a little secret. I have sourced a bunch of vintage style wedding gowns that are very reasonably priced.  If you are looking for a beautiful vintage or vintage style wedding gown you should call and make an appointment, you will not be disappointed. Speaking of vintage wedding gowns, how lovely is this one from the Edwardian era….

 Such beauty! Can you imagine the time and dedication it must have taken someone to do that? So gorgeous, and to think you could get married in such a work of art!

 Another favorite item to hit the shop this week is this lovely 1940's plumeria print rayon dress. Rachael here is pretty seriously considering buying it for herself this week, she should because it fits her perfectly and frankly we NEVER get dresses like this in anymore. Seriously, they are going extinct. It's available in our Etsy shop if you want to swoop in and buy it before she does.

 Personally, I treated myself to 3 new dresses this week…maybe you should too:)

Beige No More

 The color beige is having it's hey-day here in Portland. Everywhere I look, it's beige or ecru or oatmeal or cream of wheat. Yes, the blandest color on the spectrum is having it's moment here in 

Portland, OR. 

My aversion to beige started young. Growing up, my parents always opted for the color beige. I might say they were beige enthusiasts.  I remember the time my Dad bought a Volkswagen Rabbit when I was about 5 years old. While looking over the color options I vied emphatically for the red model but in the end he chose beige. The zippy, sporty nature of the car evaporated instantly when the beige version  pulled up into the dealership parking lot. The color of dirty sand, it faded into the environment and became invisible. Nobody was going to think I was cool riding in that car. Nobody was going to notice me at all. 

 I grew up in a beige living room. When picking out home appliances my parents always choose beige.  I could never figure it out, why would people pick the color most like no color at all? 

So this post is dedicated to color. The items above are new arrivals in the shop that are saturated with color! Juicy, rich, vibrant color. Because here in Portland we need it. Badly.

 Most items above are listed in our online Etsy shop Xtabay Vintage. 

Thanks to our lovely shop assistant Rachael Allison for modeling. 

Vintage Bride, Modern Rachael

Rachael Allison models some of our favorite vintage wedding dresses and accessories.  Everything is currently available in our bridal salon and will soon be in our Etsy shop as well. 

The last two pictures are of Rachael on her wedding day in her vintage wedding gown from Xtabay. 

Doesn't she look beautiful!? 

The tricky thing about vintage wedding dresses is that they really have to be tried on to be appreciated. The dresses we photographed today are some of our neglected beauties. They rarely get tried on because of one reason or another. Usually it's that they are too conservative and covered up. Seeing them on Rachael really makes them come to life. The bridal salon is chock full of beautiful vintage wedding dresses just waiting to come back to life. 

The bridal salon is open by appointment only Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Call us at 503-234-7568. 

Thank you Rachael for playing dress up with me today!