Fashion Bug
All the etymological vintage treasures I caught in my net.
The traditional Japanese calendar has 72 microseasons, each named for poetic descriptions of nature’s cycles, and I love how many have to do with insects. We’ve passed through “Caterpillars Become Butterflies” (March 16–20) and “Silkworms Start Feasting on Mulberry Leaves” (May 21–25), and are headed into “Praying Mantises Hatch” (June 6–10).
I’ve been out with my proverbial butterfly net catching etymologically inspired vintage finds, and now they’re ready to hatch:
An appealing assortment of vintage caterpillar and butterfly brooches like pinned butterflies, plus a shell painted with the silhouette of a butterfly visiting a flower, all from K. T. Marsh Vintage. — Long gone, but search: “pearl caterpillar,” or “celluloid butterfly.”
Talbots dragonfly embroidered skirt. Many listings of this exact skirt are on Mercari right now, so if you like it, look around for your size. — $17.
19th-century Shibayama silver insect locket studded with insects made of inlaid semiprecious stones and engraved little feelers, from The Old Cut. — Long gone, but shockingly here’s another one.
Vintage Faith Austin ladybug handkerchief—adorable! — $28.
Patricia Highsmith used to bring her pet snails to parties in her purse; this grey silk evening bag embroidered with a grasshopper is a more tame option. — $29.99
Upcycled beetle capris from Magg’s Rags. — $225, but long gone. Follow them on IG to hear about their next drop—they can be a real feeding frenzy.
Midcentury A.A Sutain folding ivory lorgnette embellished with spiders. (I read the description and was like, wait—what is a lorgnette? Answer: a pair of opera glasses whose name comes from the French verb lorgner, which means “to eye furtively” or “take a sidelong look at”). — $620 (lol, I’m side-eyeing that price)
“Empathy for every being” t-shirts designed by PA-RC and printed on secondhand tees sourced by The Nest. (They’re not making these anymore, but all the profits went to Greenpeace, and it’s a sentiment worth remembering.) — $40, but long gone. Search “90s nature t-shirt” for some options fit for summer camp.
Antique Brussels point de gaze needle lace butterfly with double wings from Jenny Sergeant Textiles. — Long gone, but here’s a darling alternative.
1980s Gucci flats with butterflies and beetles flitting about the flowers in their classic Flora print, originally designed as a thank-you gift for Princess Grace of Monaco. — $475
Chevette silk chiffon tap shorts embroidered with ants from Second Sight Vintage. — Long gone and pretty one-of-a-kind—but how about some antique bloomers with lace bees?
1960s/’70s zip-up collared cape with a lily pad and dragonfly watercolor print. I love this garment as a concept—someone please buy it and wear it. — $115
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