Lacy Timmerman and her mother, Kimberly Hagee, have been running Whynaught Shop, an online store for vintage womenswear, since March of 2013. Born from a mutual affinity for vintage fashions and designs, Whynaught Shop boasts a growing collection of over 40 dresses and accessories - an impressive amount for the 4-month-old business. What sets Whynaught apart from your everyday thrift shop is the quality of each authentic vintage piece. I sat down with Lacy to talk about how the shop got started.
LT: We opened the store in March, but it had been in the talks for quite some time. We were already sitting on a collection, and didn’t realize exactly what we had. I started doing some research, and before I knew it, I was like "I should just be selling these pieces." Many of them had simply been sitting in my closet, or they would get worn once or twice, or they would be pieces that we bought just because they were so amazing. My mom and I both have a love for fashion, and particularly vintage fashion.
UM: It seems like you and Kim make a great team for running the shop. How do you decide who is in charge of what?
LT: My mom is the best with the materials, and all the finite details of what goes into the clothes. I just know it looks good, and that I want to buy it and wear it and put it on bodies and style it and photograph it. She knows how it’s made.
LT: We opened the store in March, but it had been in the talks for quite some time. We were already sitting on a collection, and didn’t realize exactly what we had. I started doing some research, and before I knew it, I was like "I should just be selling these pieces." Many of them had simply been sitting in my closet, or they would get worn once or twice, or they would be pieces that we bought just because they were so amazing. My mom and I both have a love for fashion, and particularly vintage fashion.
UM: It seems like you and Kim make a great team for running the shop. How do you decide who is in charge of what?
LT: My mom is the best with the materials, and all the finite details of what goes into the clothes. I just know it looks good, and that I want to buy it and wear it and put it on bodies and style it and photograph it. She knows how it’s made.
Lacy manages the shop’s web content, social media and networking, and frequently models their clothing for the website. Kimberly, who used to own an antique shop, has an extensive knowledge of fabric, labels, construction, and history, and she restores each one-of-a-kind garment to its original glory, if not already in mint condition.
KH: There are a lot of tell-tale signs of a good dress vs. a not-so-good dress. And if you know your labels, that’s always helpful. But if you don’t have that, there are certain things that I look for, because, you know, I want to see the inside of the dress; I want to see if it’s got that banding around the waistband. All those steps take a lot longer, and usually indicate a better-quality piece.
In describing one of her favorite dresses, Kimberly said, “This is 1940s probably, because of the shoulder pads. In the ‘30s, things were kind of loose and drapey and still Hollywood, but in the ‘40s, women’s fashion started to become a little more streamlined, and you began seeing the big shoulder pads.” While admiring another beautiful black sheer and velvet mermaid dress, Kimberly informed me that the dress only had a blue-and-white Union label sewn into it, despite the indications that it was designer-made. This observation is how she was able to date the dress back to the 1930s. It’s this knowledge and attention to detail that give each piece a level of quality that you don’t often find elsewhere.
KH: There are a lot of tell-tale signs of a good dress vs. a not-so-good dress. And if you know your labels, that’s always helpful. But if you don’t have that, there are certain things that I look for, because, you know, I want to see the inside of the dress; I want to see if it’s got that banding around the waistband. All those steps take a lot longer, and usually indicate a better-quality piece.
In describing one of her favorite dresses, Kimberly said, “This is 1940s probably, because of the shoulder pads. In the ‘30s, things were kind of loose and drapey and still Hollywood, but in the ‘40s, women’s fashion started to become a little more streamlined, and you began seeing the big shoulder pads.” While admiring another beautiful black sheer and velvet mermaid dress, Kimberly informed me that the dress only had a blue-and-white Union label sewn into it, despite the indications that it was designer-made. This observation is how she was able to date the dress back to the 1930s. It’s this knowledge and attention to detail that give each piece a level of quality that you don’t often find elsewhere.
UM: Do you wear lots of vintage clothes yourself?
LT: I don’t really wear the dresses unless I’m going somewhere, but I have a million old vintage blouses and pants and skirts, and I wear those all day long. I’m a huge thrift store girl. My mom was always dragging me there since I was a kid, and I hated it, but now I get it. There are particular eras that I am really fond of.
UM: Which ones?
LT: I love the ‘30s. I just want to wear ‘30s all the time. Sometimes it’s not so practical, but I think it’s a very refined style. The dresses are very straight and elegant. We love the ‘30s. The 1950s is a very popular style for girls in general, especially in our age group. There’s this underground sort of gal that really really loves the ‘50s and I go crazy for them, but I put them on, and they’re just not me. They’re really fun, but I’m not a ‘50s gal. If anybody asked me like “What are you?” I’d say ‘30s all the way.
LT: I don’t really wear the dresses unless I’m going somewhere, but I have a million old vintage blouses and pants and skirts, and I wear those all day long. I’m a huge thrift store girl. My mom was always dragging me there since I was a kid, and I hated it, but now I get it. There are particular eras that I am really fond of.
UM: Which ones?
LT: I love the ‘30s. I just want to wear ‘30s all the time. Sometimes it’s not so practical, but I think it’s a very refined style. The dresses are very straight and elegant. We love the ‘30s. The 1950s is a very popular style for girls in general, especially in our age group. There’s this underground sort of gal that really really loves the ‘50s and I go crazy for them, but I put them on, and they’re just not me. They’re really fun, but I’m not a ‘50s gal. If anybody asked me like “What are you?” I’d say ‘30s all the way.
UM: Do you try to give your vintage clothes a modern twist, or do you like to make them look as authentic as possible?
LT: I think we really are trying to cater to a modern girl. I mean, I wear vintage all the time, and I love finding a great dress and pairing it with clunky platforms or a leather jacket. Our website does look very refined, but I’m hoping that most of the girls looking at our website have an imagination and want to buy that piece to make it their own. I think vintage is a personality. It's all about confidence,
UM: Would you like to own your own storefront eventually?
LT: Right now, online is the best resource for us because you can reach so many people if you’re good with your marketing and social networking. I mean, I fantasize about having a storefront, but I live in LA and it’s a whole different world there, it’s very expensive.
KH: It’s a real time commitment. I know what it’s like, and you are constantly working 14 hour days. You don’t get a break.
LT: There is a very big vintage world, and I’ve watched some of these other store grow so much, and they have such a huge demand that they need to have stores or showrooms, so it’s a possibility. We’re open to all ideas.
Lacy currently lives in Los Angeles as a stylist/styling assistant, although she would love to be selling her vintage and making Whynaught Shop her day job. I definitely hope they continue to grow as a business. I had so much fun hanging out with them the other day and wish them all the very best! If you haven't already, check out Whynaught Shop's Etsy page, and keep up with Lacy and Kim on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Tumblr.
The "vintage" style has gained a lot of popularity over the last few years. Would you rock these vintage dresses or do you prefer a modern style? Let us know in the comments below and stay ugly!
xKatie
LT: I think we really are trying to cater to a modern girl. I mean, I wear vintage all the time, and I love finding a great dress and pairing it with clunky platforms or a leather jacket. Our website does look very refined, but I’m hoping that most of the girls looking at our website have an imagination and want to buy that piece to make it their own. I think vintage is a personality. It's all about confidence,
UM: Would you like to own your own storefront eventually?
LT: Right now, online is the best resource for us because you can reach so many people if you’re good with your marketing and social networking. I mean, I fantasize about having a storefront, but I live in LA and it’s a whole different world there, it’s very expensive.
KH: It’s a real time commitment. I know what it’s like, and you are constantly working 14 hour days. You don’t get a break.
LT: There is a very big vintage world, and I’ve watched some of these other store grow so much, and they have such a huge demand that they need to have stores or showrooms, so it’s a possibility. We’re open to all ideas.
Lacy currently lives in Los Angeles as a stylist/styling assistant, although she would love to be selling her vintage and making Whynaught Shop her day job. I definitely hope they continue to grow as a business. I had so much fun hanging out with them the other day and wish them all the very best! If you haven't already, check out Whynaught Shop's Etsy page, and keep up with Lacy and Kim on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Tumblr.
The "vintage" style has gained a lot of popularity over the last few years. Would you rock these vintage dresses or do you prefer a modern style? Let us know in the comments below and stay ugly!
xKatie
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