Angela Grube quickly combed through the clothing rack ignoring several pristine looking garments before the prized item caught her eye: a black dress with a torn zipper and holes in the underarms.
Grube was shopping in the basement of a vintage store in Hampden when she found the treasure: a three-quarter length, cocktail dress adorned with bluish glass beads atop embroidered trees. She basked in her good luck.
The damage to the dress would be a quick fix for the self taught seamstress and vintage clothing store owner. More importantly, the garment appeared to have originated from the “Mad Men” era, which are the most sought after items in Grube’s Hampden store, 9th Life.
The show, which has inspired throngs of men to flock to a more tapered look, and has encouraged women to embrace their voluptuousness with simple designs, and high waists that accentuate curves. Although the show takes place in the ’60s, many of the characters wear clothing associated with the ’40s and ’50s, which was common at the time, according to fashion experts.
Full story: Vintage stores try to meet demand caused by ‘Mad Men’ success – Baltimore Sun