Retro Kitten Apparel Has A New URL Website Store

Retro Kitten Apparel has finally updated our URL to www.retrokittenapparel.com. We've been doing business under this name for several years now, but our store was connected to our old name and business platform Gypsies Do It Better.com. It will take a few weeks for our customers to find us on search engines without directly typing in our new URL into the address bar. We have deleted the old URL for GDIB so we have created this blog to help direct you to our store. It's the same store you have always shopped at and only the address has changed. We've provided you with a link above. Please be sure to update your Bookmarks, and links. It won't be long until you can simply type in our name and find us on the search engine of your choice again. Thanks everyone for your patience and effort! Lindsay Dominguez, owner 559-326-0130

Back In The Game Everyone! Come on over...

Retro Kitten Apparel has relocated to the City, but we are still an online store only. We haven't been available for almost two years, letting the store just sort of sit there all by itself, due to the harsher realities of life (death). But I am very happy to announce that that is over! We are back in the game and going strong. I have my fire, my passion back and it's strong. I am unstoppable! I have been listing new merchandise daily and updating all social media to alert you all of our move and new numbers and addresses. So COME ON OVER to Retro Kitten Apparel and check out the new stuff. Be sure to check back often as, like I said, we are adding stuff daily and burning the candle at both ends! I was kidding when I said I got my fire back.. We are having a Halloween Sale as well so make sure you enter the coupon code: scardycat into the coupon field during check out (all coupon codes are noted on our home page if you forget) to get your discount! PS: Watch for our many sales throughout the Holiday Season!

It's Retro Kitten Apparel's Birthday! RKA Is Turning 6 Years Old!

Retro Kitten Apparel is excited to celebrate our 6th Birthday with all of you Pin-up Girl's and enthusiasts, Retro, Rockabilly, Punk, Vintage Loving, Mod, Skin, and Alternative girl and boy out there, and every single sub-genre to surface the scene! I am Lindsay Dominguez, the owner of Retro Kitten Apparel. RKA is the very first "Online Alternative Second Hand Store", and it was 6 years ago today when I was sitting in front of my computer looking at my little girl, only 7 months after we lost her father and my husband in a car accident, thinking about how bad I wanted/needed to stay home with her through those tough times when an ad crossed my computer screen advertising owning a small business on Yahoo!. I sat there fondly remembering the very first time I walked into Valentino's, a brick and mortar store in the Tower District of Fresno, California, and how amazed and excited I was that a store that sold Punk Rock clothing actually existed in the city I lived in. Valentino's was split into two sections with one side full of Alternative Punk clothing, shoes, and accessories by big name brands like Na Na's, T.U.K., and Lip Service and the other side full of Vintage merchandise. At that time, the 50's era revival hadn't happened and I wasn't much interested in the vintage side of the store, however, I was very happy to be able to buy my very first pair of black suede Na Na ankle boots with 6 leopard buckle straps on the spot. At $75 for a pair of Punk Rock shoes I was only able to purchase anything on my birthday or Christmas, but that didn't stop me from browsing through the store every chance I got. The rest of the time I went back to the never ending sorting through rack after rack at every thrift shop in the city only to find very few cool items to create my own Punk clothes. I was 12 years old then, but I knew that someday I wanted to own my very own Punk Rock/Vintage store! So there I sat staring at this ad suggesting that I could own my own business for a small fee and it came to me - an online, second-hand alternative store! So many years had passed and I now had access to every genre and sub-genre style of clothing there was, and I could actually start an exclusive Pin-up/Vintage style, Punk, and Rockabilly Alternative Thrift store so nobody ever had to weed through all the other fashions to find something to satisfy their taste, and I could sell these clothes, shoes, and accessories to everyone across the world at affordable prices. No one had to wait for their birthday to roll around anymore! Everyone could afford a pair of $150 Dr. Martens, or a $100 Lucky 13 dress now because I would buy it gently used, in excellent condition and sell it for up to 75% off the retail price! By midnight, Retro Kitten Apparel (then it was called Gypsies Do It Better) was born! I spent the next year rearing my baby and molding this store into exactly what I wanted, and now, 6 years later, we are still here and thriving! I've had the pleasure of meeting lots of very enthusiastic customers, high ranking on all major search engines, and Retro Kitten Apparel was recently voted "The #1 Thrift Shop in Arroyo Grande, Ca", and we received a trophy! Although RKA is an online store we are currently based on the Central Coast of California in the Five Cities, which includes Arroyo Grande. I was just coming off of a 6 month hiatus, although the store was up and running, I was out and playing, when I received the recognition and the award, and what perfect timing, because we were about to turn 6 years old! So, I want to thank all of you for supporting Retro Kitten Apparel, and, in return, reward you with a celebratory Award/Birthday sale! So come on over to our web store: www.retrokittenapparel.com and check out our home page for details! Thanks again everyone, and have a rock & roll day!

Retro Kitten Apparel ranks at #2 on Yahoo & Google!

I just typed in several keywords and found Retro Kitten Apparel on the very 1st page on Yahoo & Google, and RKA even made it to #2 on the 1st page for cheap pinup clothing, and I did it all by myself! Of course, Yahoo!, my company's platform, deserves a huge hand for being the absolute best! Then there is Starfruit.com, the company I chose to help me design the layout and logo of Retro Kitten Apparel in an organic search-engine friendly fashion on the world wide web! Other than that though, I've been the glue that hold Retro Kitten Apparel together daily. I want to give one more very special applaud though...to YOU! You guys and gals are #1, and without you, I'd cease to exist as the #1 Retro, Rockabilly, Pinup, & Punk Second Hand Store Online! Woo Whoo! Thanks you guys for shopping at RKA, and sticking around since I was just a chance, a dream in the making. I've gotten to know quite a few of you over the past 3 years and I love you guys! Everyone has been super cool, and understanding even during rough patches, and I couldn't ask for a better group or culture of people to surround myself with 24/7! This is definitely a "Custom Culture Lifestyle" as a whole, and cannot be narrowed down to one thing in particular and being a part of this creative niche is my personal dream come true! Thank you everyone, and You All Come Back Now Ya Hear?

Where to buy cheap Pinup Clothing

Find the cheapest, high-quality, new and used Pinup, Rockabilly, & Psychobilly clothing online at the #1 Online Retro Pinup Rockabilly Second Hand Store: Retro Kitten Apparel!

Calling all “Pin-up Girls” and “Custom Culture Lifestyle” Enthusiasts! If you absolutely adore Pin-up, Rockabilly, or Psychobilly clothing, and you are looking for the best place to buy cheap, yet authentic, Pin-up and Rockabilly clothes then you really have to check out Retro Kitten Apparel the #1 online Second-Hand store for Retro, Rockabilly, Pin-up, Punk, and Mod clothing! Retro Kitten Apparel is the coolest, most unique online thrift shop where you can buy an entire Pin-up, Rockabilly, or Punk outfit for less than $100, and that includes all the accessories necessary to complete your “Custom Couture” ensemble such as a Vintage black patent leather purse, or gold clutch, a pair of Pin-up 1940's peep-toe stilettos, creepers shoes, or Dr. Martens boots, and some fishnet stockings, a long Vintage faux leopard fur pea coat, a black leather jacket, or a Pendleton, maybe a studded belt, or Punk Rock patch, and don't forget that “Classic Old Hollywood” pearl necklace and matching pearl and diamond earrings! Retro Kitten Apparel has everything you need to put together the perfect Custom Couture outfit for any occasion, and all the greatest Pin-up, Rockabilly, and Punk name brand clothes as well as Retro, Vintage 1940's and 50's apparel at super low prices!

Retro Kitten Apparel is also the easiest online thrift shop to browse through with everything clearly listed in its own category like Wiggle & Swing, Prom & Formal Dresses, Vintage, Punk & Rockabilly Shoes & Heels, Rockabilly & Pinup Separates, Faux Fur Jackets, Pea Coats, Pendletons, Cardigans, & Leather Jackets, Men's Section, Accessories: where they list Purses, Jewelry, and Belts, etc. Take a look at everything in every category right there, without jumping all around deep within the site to find secret treasures that will stay secret cause nobody can find 'em! There is also a huge section with some of the finest Pin-up Lingerie & Classic Vintage Undergarments available, which is perfect for that super important photo-shoot, or maybe you are putting a portfolio together, or just because you wouldn't be caught dead without your Lycra. There is even a Clearance section! That's right...they send merchandise to a clearance section after it's been up for awhile to make room for all the new merchandise going up everyday!

Retro Kitten Apparel is your one-stop Pinup, Rockabilly Second-Hand Shop!

“Retro Kitten Apparel is the #1 online Second-Hand Thrift Boutique where you can buy High-End, One-Of-A-Kind Rock-N-Roll Clothing all Hand-Picked for Quality and Style! We pride ourselves in the largest online selection of Alternative “Custom Culture Lifestyle” Apparel from the past and present.”

 

RETROKITTENAPPAREL.COM

If I lived in So-Cal I would...

REGULARLY HIT THE SHOPPING SCENE. 


Everything down in Southern California has a different vibe than where I currently live. (Nor-Cal). It's a fast, paced environment when it comes to anything and I mean ANYTHING. Parties are going on every single night, kids are always up to date with the latest technology and clothing stores are always competitive with each other; they're always changing and having sales like no other, getting rid of inventory that is no longer in 'style'. Little do people know, that what is, supposedly out of style, will always come back with a vengeance.


Thrift Stores know exactly how to do it. The ones in busier cities that is, because up here, it's very difficult to find specific items that are the latest craze...like, for example on my last trip to the thrift store I was searching for a fitted pencil skirt. Do you know how hard it is to look for dresses that fit someone like me? (96lbs and 5ft1) Everything fits me huge. Every skirt that came across was too big for me and that is because the items here are scarce and people are smart because they know that they will never ever be able to find a good skirt, so they don't send them to the SALVATION ARMY or the GOODWILL, to where people like me, will be needing one and looking high and low for one. 


In So-Cal, you will probably find a whole aisle dedicated to pencil skirts, because trends come and go and its not that hard to find items in a city where there are at least 10 thrift or bargain stores. 


People should be grateful to be surrounded by stores like these; they always come in handy.


And of course, RETRO KITTEN APPAREL is one of them. Although RKA is not an 'official' location, it is in the city, and it's easier for people who live around it, to shop online and receive their items quicker and for cheaper shipping.


DO NOT MISS AN OPP. LIKE THIS. RETRO KITTEN APPAREL IS RIGHT AT YOUR FINGERTIPS! AND CARRIES THE BEST IN VINTAGE. (SOMETHING I WISH WE HAD UP HERE IN NOR-CAL!) 

spring break is right around the corner! Get your dresses, girls!

(Wear this one with cute, peep toe pumps! It's super classy.)

FOR MORE CLOTHING AND ACCESSORIES GO TO 

 RETROKITTENAPPAREL.COM

 

 

Vintage wear, here and there on todays celebrities!

MODERN DAY PUNK, PIN-UP, AND VINTAGE CELEBRITIES

Amy Winehouse , Katy Perry, Gwen Stefani. These are just a few celebrities, who have, basically decided to become trend setters with styles that were used not too long ago.

For example, Katy Perry channels back to the 1930’s era wearing plenty of wiggle dresses and peep hole pumps as well as bright pastel colors and A LOT of pin-up bathing suits. I don’t have anything against her wearing those sets, because she can def. pull them off. I do have a problem though…when she wears them to awards shows or concerts. And I don't know who let Minnie Mouse out of her Disney cave in that last image but someone needs to send her back. It’s like Katy only wears dresses and such in photo-shoots, but she forgets to wear them to important events. Someone needs to remind her. Someone like Amy Winehouse.

Yeah, she is old school,  (I haven’t really heard much about her actually) but Amy is a true vintage style icon, from her 1950’s ‘beehive’ to her …um…drug addiction. She really does know how to keep true to the Sex, Drugs, Rock & Roll era. But aside from her problems, lets look at the good side of Amy Winehouse. She can SING and dresses like she doesn’t even belong in the 2000’s, which is always a good and fun thing. Although there are times when it looks like she needs serious help in getting the rest of herself up to date. 

I found these images of Amy and thought outfit number 2 and 4 would be good enough for us to wear and not be embarrassed to be seen in. I also had a hard time trying not to block out her face on outfit number one, but you do have to have proof that it is indeed Amy Winehouse.

Let’s talk about Mrs. Stefani. She definitely knows how to dress young and she is very versatile especially because of the music style she has. When she was with No Doubt, Gwens’ style was a bit ‘out there’ as shown in the first photo example.  I can’t help but think that Gwen got tired of using drugs and handed them over to Ms. Winehouse instead. It’s like a case of handy me downs…I wonder who will get the worst dressed pills next. Anyways, back to Gwen.  You can tell she matured in her fashion sense and decided to take her career a lot more seriously by adopting a whole bunch of Asian little girls and calling them Harajuku  as well as creating her OWN clothing line called L.A.M.B. So basically…I’m thinking this whole idea of changing her style came because she wanted to become more of a trendsetter and business women. Thumbs up to her. 

To wrap this up and actually come to a conclusion on modern day vintage ladies, I think they are doing a decent job. Sometimes it just feels too forced for me. I do however admire when they put certain accessories and blouses or skirts together…not full on ‘costumes’ of certain eras. I know it seems like a pretty blunt way of ending this blog, but really, there is nothing else to say about them except they are slowly but surely bringing back real fashion; Sexy and sophisticated fashion without going over the top. At least when Amy is sober and Katy is only doing non- bathing suit photoshoots or trying to attract attention with something other than her fashion aka boobies. Gwen Stefani is leading the way with good, vintage fashion sense.

NEW YEARS CLEARANCE SALE - GET 50% OFF STOREWIDE FOR 1 WEEK!

NEW YEARS SALE!

"GET 50% OFF EVERYTHING!"!

Enter newyear in the coupon field during checkout to receive your discount!

*We're clearing out the warehouse for lots of new stuff so we're practically giving this stuff away!

OR

FREE PRIORITY SHIPPING ON ORDERS WITHIN THE U.S.A. FOR $99 & UP!

Enter free99 in the coupon field during checkout to receive free shipping!

* Only one coupon code per order please.

A good way to welcome in the year...50% off E V E R Y T H I N G ! ~RKA

First off, Happy New Year!

A LOT OF PEOPLE'S NEW YEAR RESOLUTIONS CONSIST OF WANTING TO CHANGE SOMETHING PHYSICAL  ABOUT THEIR BODY, FOR EXAMPLE ...BODY WEIGHT, BODY SHAPE, HAIRCUT, TATTOOS, AND EVEN WARDROBE STYLING. 

I WANT TO HELP SOME OF YOU OUT BY PUTTING A COUPLE OF ITEMS AND CLOTHES FROM RETRO KITTEN APPAREL ON THIS BLOG THAT YOU DON'T WANT TO MISS OUT ON! REMEMBER, EVERYTHING IS 50% OFF, SO IF YOU'RE INTERESTED IN ANYTHING THAT YOU SEE DOWN BELOW, GO BUY IT!

JEWELRY :

NECKLACES, EARRINGS, BRACELETS, RINGS..ETC.

 

 

 

http://retrokittenapparel.com/elpestne.html

 

 

 

ORIGINAL PRICE: $16

SALE: $8

GOTHIC SHEER LACE TOP

 ORIGINAL PRICE: $14

SALE: $7

http://retrokittenapparel.com/hivelepesksi.html

EVERY GIRL LOVES LEOPARD!

ORIGINAL PRICE: $20

SALE: $10

http://retrokittenapparel.com/vireblwerobu.html

FOR THE MAN IN YOUR LIFE

ORIGINAL : $18

SALE: $9

http://retrokittenapparel.com/le511blskjes.html

ORIGINAL: $16

SALE: $8

http://retrokittenapparel.com/vabllaupmesi.html

VANS USUALLY COST..WHAT...$30?

ORIGINAL: $20

SALE: $10

FOR THE KIDS!

http://retrokittenapparel.com/inrofalefurh.html

 ORIGINAL:$12

SALE: $6 

http://retrokittenapparel.com/chtahitopcop.html

 ORIGINAL: $8

SALE: $4!!!!

AND FOR THE BABY BOY

SAME PRICE AS PINK CONVERSE

 GO TAKE A LOOK NOW! 

<A HREF="http://retrokittenapparel.com/index.html">RETROKITTENAPPAREL</A>

Rockin Retro Rockabilly Vintage Pinup & Punk Christmas Sale!

Retro Kitten Apparel is having our annual Christmas Sale now! Get 30% off everything storewide! We're spending the next 2 weeks adding new merchandise, which will be included in our sale, and marking down older merchandise too. Check out our home page for more details and our 30% off discount code! This sale's code is good through Christmas Day! Happy Holidays everyone!

PS: We also have Gift Certificates up to any amount for that special someone who likes to shop for themselves! Gift Certificates are deliverable within 24 hours from purchase, which is great for that last minute gift! Gift Certificates are available via email. You can choose whether you want it sent directly to the recipient, or to you to print out and give it to that special person yourself.

Retro Kitten Apparel is a Retro, Rockabilly, Vintage, Pin-up, and Punk Second-Hand Shop where you can buy an entire outfit for under $100! We sell Used and New Clothing, Shoes, and Accessories Online! Buy Classic Hollywood Glamour and Alternative Fashions, Wiggle Dresses, Pencil Skirts, Capri Pants, 50's Swing, Separates, Vintage Lingerie, 40s Undergarments, Punk and Rockabilly Shoes, Peep-Toes, Antique Costume Jewelry, Pearl Necklaces, Purses, Hats, Long Black Gloves, Studded Belts, Rose Hair Pins, Manic Panic Dye, Faux Fur Coats, Peacoats, Wool Jackets, 50's Cardigan Sweaters, Retro Swim Suits, etc. We also offer Vintage Reproduction and Couture Clothing along with these Cool Brands: Steady Clothing, Mode Merr, Stop Staring, Lucky 13, Switchblade Stiletto, Lip Service, Pendleton, Fred Perry, Ben Sherman, and more. RKA is a secure, trusted Yahoo! Small Online Business for your shopping pleasure!

BLACK FRIDAY SALES EVENT @ WWW.RETROKITTENAPPAREL.COM A RETRO ROCKABILLY PUNK & PINUP SECOND HAND STORE

Retro Kitten Apparel will be having an awesome Black Friday Sales Event begining at 12:01 a.m. on Friday, November 26, 2010 ONLINE ONLY! Beat the crowds, save yourself from getting trampled, and sit in the comfort of your home and shop at the best little online Retro, Rockabilly, Punk, Pin-up, Vintage, Gothic Second Hand Store around!

Plus, we have been working hard at ADDING TONS OF NEW MERCHANDISE FOR EACH CATAGORY THAT WILL ONLY BECOME AVAILABLE AT 12:01 a.m. on BLACK FRIDAY! We will have all the details on our home page on Thanksgiving!

*We will be having some pretty cool sales through Thanksgiving too so check those out also.

This weeks specials @ www.RetroKittenApparel.com!

THIS WEEKS SPECIAL:

GET 30% OFF EVERYTHING STOREWIDE WITH MINIMUM ORDER OF $75!

Enter thanks in the coupon field during checkout to receive your discount!

OR

GET 20% OFF EVERYTHING STOREWIDE WITH NO MINIMUM!

Enter giving in the coupon field during checkout to receive your discount!

OR

FREE PRIORITY SHIPPING ON ORDERS WITHIN THE U.S.A. FOR $99 & UP!

Enter free99 in the coupon field during checkout to receive free shipping!

* Only one coupon code per order please.

BLACK FRIDAY SALE EVENT AT RETRO KITTEN APPAREL + THANKSGIVING SALES ALL MONTH!

”BLACK FRIDAY” SALE EVENT ONLINE AT RETRO KITTEN APPAREL!

Retro Kitten Apparel is going to have a huge “Black Friday” Sale Event this year and we have the low down! Since we are an alternative online Retro, Rockabilly, Pin-up, Punk, Vintage, and Gothic clothing, shoes, and accessories store, our “Black Friday” Sale will begin at 12:01 a.m. Pacific Standard Time (PST) on Friday, 11/26/10.

The great thing about our “Black Friday” sale is the fact that it’s online and you never even have to leave your house. There are no mile long lines to wait in at 3:00 a.m. in the freezing cold just to have people who arrive at 5:00 a.m. walk right on in through the doors as soon as they open in front of everyone in line and you end up being the 47th customer inside only to find that the last one of the only item you wanted from that store was grabbed by the customer right before you. There is no fueding or fist fighting over who grabbed the last Wetsy Betsy. No fighting the masses trying to get every circled item from every store ad that, by the way, is no longer neatly folded and tucked in your purse, but spread all over your car and flying out the window. No getting trampled, and shoved, or having your heels rammed by mad shoppers armed with shopping carts.

That was just a few reasons why online shopping on “Black Friday”, especially at Retro Kitten Apparel, is the best way to get the best deals and all from within the warmth and comfort of your own home. So start saving for our "Black Friday" Sale Event starting at 12:01 a.m., because we have set aside lots of new merchandise that will go up on our web site at 12:01 a.m. Friday, 11/26/10!

Retro Kitten Apparel’s “Black Friday” Sales Event is going to be the event of the year! We will beat all alternative retail store sales and we can’t wait! So get ready and get over to Retro Kitten Apparel at www.retrokittenapparel.com and get familiar with the store now.

We will also be having sales all month long to give thanks to our customers and everyone who has helped get Retro Kitten Apparel off the ground and going strong into our 3rd year! THANK YOU EVERYONE! So check out our homepage throughout November for weekly sales and discount codes! We have a huge inventory of men, women, and children’s clothing, shoes, accessories, jewerly, coats and sweaters, vintage undergarments, Manic Panic hair dye and bleach kits, Pin-up, Punk, and Rockabilly posters, Retro Lovely magazine, etc. all at less than 50% off retail already so add us to your faves and tell your friends about us!

We will post the “Black Friday” Sales Event Instructions and Coupon Code on our homepage on Thanksgiving Day!

Here are a few tips to help you get a jump on online shopping for “Black Friday”:

• Read our instructions on "How To Place An Order" under our “Store Policy” section tab located at the top of any of our web pages on our web site. *Don’t forget to read our "Return Policy", also located in our Store Policy section, so you don’t get any surprises if you decide you’d like to return an item. Then test out our checkout process. You can mess around adding and deleting items to and from your cart, filling out your address, choosing shipping methods and hitting apply to see how much shipping you would pay (we charge by weight of your entire order), entering your credit card information and reviewing order. But stop there, and don't hit the send order button at the bottom of the "Order Review" page as that is when your credit card will be charged and the order will be placed. Please read the instructions first so you know what you are doing and at what point your credit card gets charged (as noted above) before you do a practice run;

• Check out the different sections we have in our store and add the sections pages you will most likely find items you would be interested in to your “favorites” on your computer with a name that you will remember (i.e. add a folder titled Black Friday sales with a sub-folder called Retro Kitten Apparel and add the section pages from our store in that folder with a title such as black retro 50's swing dress, or Dresses section, etc.). This will save you time when 12:01 a.m. rolls around on “Black Friday” while everyone else is frantically searching all over the store for things they want. For example: If you are a size 5 and you like dresses then go to the dress section and click on Dresses in small and medium sizes in our dress section and you will be taken to the page that only lists small and medium sized dresses. This is a first come first serve deal and the first person to finish the check out process gets the items in their cart even if that item was in 100 other carts as well;

• Go on our website before 12:01 a.m. on “Black Friday” and add an item that you want that is already up on the web site and fill out the checkout form with your name, address, phone number, shipping method, etc. That way all your information will be entered which will save you lots of precious time. I’m am unsure of how long your items will sit in your basket so I recommend doing this at around 11:00 p.m. Thursday night and leaving that window open on your computer, then sit poised on our checkout page, ready for the clock to hit 12:01 a.m., and click on the "Continue Shopping" link just below the table of items on the checkout page. You should then be taken to our home page and you should see the notice that states “Black Friday” Sale Has Begun. If not, hit the refresh button. As soon as you see that you will also see all the new items we’ve added for “Black Friday”. If something goes wrong, don't fret, just begin shopping and go through the checkout process and remember to have a good time.

• Keep your cool and be calm. Steady wins the race.

All items added for the "Black Friday" Sale Event will remain available after the sale is over, as long as they haven’t sold, however everything will return to its normal price.

VOLUNTEER NEEDED TO BLOG FOR RETRO KITTEN APPAREL!

Hey everybody, I'm looking for a volunteer to take over Retro Kitten Apparel’s Google Blog and Squidoo Profile. You get a chance at a fun experiance working with Retro Kitten Apparel, an established online Retro, Rockabilly, Punk, and Pinup retailer, and possible school credit for students. I need someone who is creative, computer savvy, and experianced in blogging and social networking. You could end up with some pretty cool stuff from www.retrokittenapparel.com!

Thanks.

JOIN RETRO KITTEN APPAREL FOR OCTOBER SCARE – GET KILLER SALES LIKE 30% OFF EVERYTHING INCLUDING HALLOWEEN COSTUMES

OCTOBER SCARE!
KILLER SALES THROUGH HALLOWEEEN!

GET 30% OFF STOREWIDE WITH MINIMUM ORDER OF $75!

Enter spooky in the coupon field during checkout to receive your discount!
OR

FALL SALE!
GET 10% OFF - NOT INCLUDING CLEARANCE ITEMS - NO MINIMUM!
Enter fall in the coupon field during checkout to receive your discount!

We have lots of costumes to choose from plus we're an online Retro, Rockabilly, Vintage, Pin-up, Punk second hand thrift store so we have tons of cools clothes you can create your own costume for way less than retail. Super cheap costumes are super cool!

Check out some of our costumes:



and lots more! Come on over to Retro Kitten Apparel Costumes or go to our home page at Retro Kitten Apparel Costumes now and save!

CLEARANCE SALE - 50% OFF EVERYTHING @ RETRO KITTEN APPAREL INCLUDING HALLOWEEN COSTUMES

HUGE CLEARANCE SALE!
GET 50% OFF STOREWIDE WITH MINIMUM ORDER OF $150!
Enter 50off in the coupon field during checkout to receive your discount!
OR

HALLOWEEN SALE!
GET 20% OFF EVERYTHING ONLINE - N/A ON CLEARANCE ITEMS - WITHOUT A MINIMUM ORDER!
Enter hallow in the coupon field during checkout to receive your discount!

WINTER COAT & SWEATER SALE @ RETRO KITTEN APPAREL 1 WEEK ONLY!

That's right! Retro Kitten Apparel is having our annual Winter Coat & Sweater Sale for ONE WEEK ONLY! So get here quick and have your pick! We just added lots of new coats and sweaters for you to pick from plus your old favorites! Pick from our vast line of alternative outerwear such as:

Retro, Rockabilly, Vintage, Punk, Mod, Goth Coats, 50's Faux-Fur coats, 60's Pea Coats, Cardigan Sweaters, Boleros & Shrugs, Flight Jackets, Wool Trench Coats, Leather Jackets, Vests, Jean Jackets, DIY Project Jackets, Pendletons, Fred Perry, Dickies Jackets, Sailor Jerry Hoodys, etc!

WINTER COAT SALE!
GET 20% OFF ALL COATS & SWEATERS - NO MINIMUM - ONE WEEK ONLY!
Enter coats in the coupon field during checkout to receive your discount!

PLUS

FALL SALE!
GET 10% OFF EVERYTHING ELSE STOREWIDE - NO MINIMUM!
Enter fall in the coupon field during checkout to receive your discount!

FREE PRIORITY SHIPPING, WITHIN THE U.S.A. ONLY, ON ORDERS OVER $99 & UP!
Enter free99 in the coupon field during checkout to receive free shipping!

Some come on in and take a look inside Retro Kitten Apparel and don't forget to tell your friends to so they can share in the fun!

PS: We've also added lots of skinny jeans too! We just got back from a shopping spree and have 8 garbage bags full of the coolest dresses, skirts, shoes...clothing for everyone! Give us about a month to get it all photo'd and up, but check back daily, or, at least, weekly cause we're working daily to get this stuff up and ready for you to buy!

Retro Kitten Apparel has a Lay-Away Department now!

That's right! Retro Kitten Apparel is proud to announce that we have opened a Lay-Away Department at our online store located at Retro Kitten Apparel. Click on the following link to read all about it: Lay-Away Section.

Plus, we're having our "Fall Sale" right now! Get 10% off everything in our store except items in our clearance section (which are only a dollar anyway!!). Just enter the code word: fall in the coupon field during checkout to receive your discount!

My name is Lindsay Dominguez and I am the owner of this joint and I just wanted to send out a special Thanks to everyone who helped me make this year so special! Retro Kitten Apparel formerly Gypsies Do It Better has grown by leaps and bounds since opening in June of 2008 and it couldn't have happened without you! I love you guys and I'm here for you with any questions you may have. Customer service is my main priority and I am always available (unless I'm sleeping) for you guys and gals with any questions, problems, comments, or just to chat about what's going on at Retro Kitten! Have a great rest of the year! And Thanks again everyone!

How to Make a DIY Leather or Jean Punk Rock Jacket for Under $100

How to Make a DIY Jean or Leather Punk Rock Jacket Under $100

Above is a photo of the latest jean vest I’m making. All it needs are the studs/spikes and I’m done…I think. See more photos of the side and back below as we go.

Any punk rocker knows that DIY “brand name” for clothing and that a jean or leather jacket is a major staple in our wardrobe! Most of us started out in the scene at the ripe old age of 12 and some of us carried this lifestyle through into their 50’s and will die with only one request: “Bury me in my jacket!” So this article is for you youngsters who want to make your first and very own Punk Rock Jacket. This isn’t going happen in one day, unless you’re super lucky, already have all your supplies, and work on it all day and night so be patient because this is truly going to be an important moment in your Punk Rock story.

Important Tip: Never copy someone else’s jacket, or any DIY clothing for that matter! Most of us true punks use our clothing as our way of making a “our statement”. This jacket is your statement, and should be made from your own imagination with the things you like, and with your own blood, sweat, and tears. I actually have a little of my own blood on my latest jean vest from sticking my finger with the needle, because I don’t know how to work a sewing machine and I have stitch everything by hand!

Styles and fads have been re-vamped over the ages and it’s almost impossible to do something someone else hasn’t already done, but as long as you use your own creative ideas and materials, and don’t intentionally copy someone else’s style stitch by stitch, patch by patch, and stud by stud, you should be fine. Also, many of us like the same bands and use the same band logos and patches. Remember, this is your jacket, and you’re an individual, so why would you want to copy someone else anyway? You might as well just buy someone else’s jacket as there are many on sale on Etsy and Ebay.

Things you will need for a Jean Vest (Supplies for a Leather Jacket are below):

Tools/Supplies (read the entire article before purchasing these tools as you may not need them all, or may decide on another method):

Pad of Large Plain Paper – sketching original design

Colored Pencils – sketching original design

Jean Jacket

Spikes and/or Studs (prong or screw on) - decoration

Cool Material – decoration, hand-made patches

Patches – bands or symbols, decoration

Material Paint and Paint Brushes – to paint larger sections, decoration (I prefer sharpies pens in jean

Sharpies Permanent Marker Pens (a pack of all colors, some wide point, some fine point, but no extra fine point) – to draw or write, decoration

Dart Awl or Sharp Ice Pick - to make holes and apply studs
Flat Head Screwdriver – to clamp down stud prongs to material

Scissors – cutting off sleeves or material, shredding hems

Safety Pins - attaching patches, decoration

E-6000 Glue (in craft section at Wal-Mart) – a great material glue

Jean Sewing Needle – stitching on patches and material

Heavy Duty Thread – (I use dental floss mostly, but you’ll want red and black too) – stitching

Thimble – to push the needle through seams on jean

Imagination – most important tool

Things you will need for a Leather Jacket:

Tools/Supplies (read the entire article before purchasing these tools as you may not need them all, or may decide on another method):

Pad of Large Plain Paper – sketching original design

Colored Pencils – sketching original design

Leather Jacket

Spikes and/or Studs (prong or screw on) - decoration

Cool Material - decoration

Patches – bands or symbols, decoration

Acrylic Paint and Paint Brushes – to paint larger sections, decoration

Paint Pens – to draw or write, decoration

Dart Awl or Sharp Ice Pick - to make holes and apply studs

Flat Head Screwdriver – to clamp down stud prongs to material

Scissors – cutting material or patches

Safety Pins - attaching patches, decoration

E-6000 Glue (in craft section at Wal-Mart) – a great material glue

Leather Sewing Needle – stitching on leather

Heavy Duty Thread – (I use dental floss mostly, but you’ll want red and black too) – stitching

Thimble – to push the needle through thick material

Goo Gone – painting mistakes

Imagination – most important tool

Finding the perfect jacket

Depending upon where you live, for some, this part will be easier than for others, and whether you have a computer and credit card or Paypal account for ordering online. Decide whether you want a leather jacket, or a jean jacket, which can be made into a jean vest? Do you want your jacket to be vintage, new, long, or short? Whatever the case, you should be able to find it for between $5 and $50 if you buy at a yard sale or online. There are numerous places to find a quality, yet inexpensive jacket for much less than $150.

Online Web Sites: This is, by far, the easiest and second cheapest place to find the jacket of your dreams. I recommend this route first, because there are limitless opportunities to find the perfect jacket without even leaving your house. There are several online thrift stores and second hand shops, auction style web sites, and stores having clearance sales. You can always check out my online second-hand store: www.RetroKittenApparel.com, a Retro, Rockabilly, Vintage, Pin-up and Punk Second Hand Clothing Store as we have leather and jean jackets in our Coats and Jackets section frequently and we are usually having a sale so check the home page first for sales coupon codes. With online shopping, of course, you will have to pay for shipping for the jacket, but think of all the options you’ll have online, and the time, and gas, you’ll save! Usually, if you call an independent store you can talk to someone in management and ask if they can bump your shipping up to the next day or two, but the larger corporations usually won’t even consider going outside of the “rules”, if you even get to talk to a person.

Tip: Use keywords such as “Used Leather or Jean Jacket Size Large”, “cheap jackets”, “used clothes”, “online thrift shop”, cheap punk clothes”, etc. Remember, the more specific the search terms the more likely you’ll get to what you want faster. Then let the search engines do the foot work.

Warning: Be careful for viruses. There are verified sites with various logos or green check marks, and even warnings telling you whether the site is safe, and be sure to have your anti-virus software up to date.

Thrift Shops, Yard Sales, and Swap Meets: These are some of the cheapest places to find your “new” jacket, which, of course, will probably be used. However, this can become costly with the high price of gas, especially for non-freeway miles, and you might end up driving all over the city and never finding the right jacket.

Tips: Check the newspaper, Craigslist, or ZZ Star for yard sales, Flea Marts, Swap Meets, Church Sales, Estate Sales, etc.

Contact the people who list phone numbers or email addresses and ask if they have any leather or jean jackets even if they’ve listed the items that will be for sell, or inquire when you arrive at a sale even if you don’t see one, because maybe they forgot to list everything, or put it out, or maybe they forgot they even had one. Maybe someone else will overhear you and speak up as well. This will save you time and money.

Army Surplus Store: This is the last place I would recommend, but you can find leather, army, and flight jackets here for sure, and maybe even jean jackets. Just be prepared to pay a hefty price for it. I got my first leather jacket at an Army Surplus store for around $50, which wasn’t too bad, but that was back in 1986. So now you have the leather or jean jacket you’ve always wanted, and, hopefully, you didn’t pay more than $50 for it! Now, make it into something you will be proud to wear!

Sketch Ideas and Design Your Jacket

This step isn’t always necessary, but I’m going to add it because it might be for you, especially for your first time.

Grab your pad of large plain white paper, your colored pencils, and your regular pencils, and draw your jacket in detail including every pocket, seam, button, strap, etc. Be sure to cover most of the paper, but leave room for an "Ideas/Notes" grid (see the tip below for using a grid). Then do the same for the back of the jacket on the other side of the paper (we want to be eco friendly don’t we? And we’re using pencils so the color won’t soak through). Here’s where your imagination comes in. Ask yourself what you want your jacket to look like? How will your jacket represent you? Should it be a tribute to your favorite bands? A removable upper body tattoo? Or, just a really cool jacket made with all kinds of cool stuff? Well that’s up to you, and this the most exciting part of making your very own Punk Rock jacket.

Begin designing your jacket with your pencils, coloring in painted areas, writing words, drawing symbols, drawing a square for your patches and writing the name of the patch inside the square, writing in what material will go in which areas, drawing studs, spikes, safety pins, etc. (*the grid is good for this part – see below). If you don’t like the outcome, erase and re-do, or start over fresh until you have your own perfect personal creation!

Grid: You can use the grid to make notes such as if you want leopard material to go in a certain area of your jacket you can write #1 and then #1 on your grid will say add leopard print material here, or you can simply write leopard material on the sketch itself if you have room. Also, you can write #2 where you are going to put pyramid shaped silver studs ¼”, and #2 on your grid can say pyramid shaped silver studs ¼”, etc. Or you can use a color system with stud sizes and shapes by writing Studs on the grid as a headline and put a red dot and write “pyramid stud - ½”, etc. then draw the stud on your sketch in red, etc. For safety Pins write #3 on sketch, and #3 on grid will say safety pins, etc. For patches, you can just write the name of the band or draw the symbol directly on the sketch, etc.

Cool Ideas: Here are some ideas to help get you started, because some of us try as they might, just aren't artistic, or go blank when it comes time to get to work. No problem! I'm going to give you a kick start to get your creative juices flowing.
Turn your leather or jean jacket into a vest. Cut off the sleeves just before the seam, because you can use the seam to add studs and keep the arm holes from fraying. You can cut after the seam for a more non-professional look, or if the jacket is too big and you need to totally re-vamp the jacket.

Above is a picture of the side of my vest, which shows just about everything I used to make this jacket (expect the studs which will be added next). I used sharpies to draw or write on jean, except I used a wide white paint pen to write Charged G.B.H., which took awhile and I went over it at least 5 times to show up that good (that’s why I prefer sharpies on jean). I used the leopard collar from a dorky sweater, which fit perfectly, and stitched it with matching thread. I cut up an old skirt and stitched it around my waistband with red thread, which was a little tricky, because I left the straps and buttons out. I stitched on some patches with dental floss or thread.

Tip: Keep the sleeves, and any left-over material you use to make patches or for material on another project. You should find a medium sized lock or clamp shut box with a handle and use it for your sewing box to keep all the materials and tools you acquire in. If you find you’re addicted to the DIY style of clothes you’ll want to keep all the left over zippers, buttons, pieces of material (bigger than shreds), thread, needles, you gather for other DIY projects. This is a must have for any punk rocker. If you live in a non-temporary house you can create your own personal work station and just carry a small kit in your purse for the times you need to fix on the go. If you squat, you’ll need the box I mentioned above.

If you’re making a leather jacket, paint an entire sleeve, or a side section, blue, use your paint pens and draw a spiderweb on a sleeve, maybe on the elbow.

Stud the entire jacket (what a job that would be), just the collar, or down some seams. Add some spikes along a seam, or intersperse them in your studs (be careful, because you don't want your jacket to hurt you while you're wearing it).

Add some band patches, or write band names the way they do. Tip: You can look up band logos on your computer to see how they are written.

Draw some skulls or symbols, or, if you aren’t a great artist, have someone else do it. It’s still your idea, and now you can help promote your artist friend.

Add leopard printed material to the belt.

Make a safety pin design, or use safety pins to hold down a patch.

Use different colored thread to stitch down patches, or make your own patches with non-stretch material, and add them to your jacket.

Lace up the side of your jacket with hand-made eyelets and leather string, add zippers, D-rings, etc.

Buy Your Supplies

If you aren’t a beginner in the DIY world, you probably have a lot of supplies on hand. If not, here are some ideas.

Make a list of the tools, materials, and supplies you'll need now that you have your design. Also, find a hard flat work station such as your kitchen table to put your jacket together. Tip: If you’re going to paint or use permanent markers, you will want to put something hard and flat between your jacket and the work surface so the paint/pen doesn’t bleed through onto your mom’s kitchen table. Here are some tips to help you gather your supplies and some helpful links too:

Work Station: Mom’s kitchen table, your bed, the floor, the squat.

Hard Flat Board: Use a piece of cardboard, wood, cookie pan, school folder, etc.

Acrylic paint and paint pens: Try Office Depot, Wal-Mart, or a Hardware Store. Ask for their Oops Paint, which is just paint mixed into a wrong particular color, because you can get that paint super cheap. Just make sure it will adhere to leather such as acrylic paint.

Patches, Pins, Badges, Spikes and Studs: Grab a patch, or a pin, from a punk show. Cut up a band tee and make a patch from the band logo, and save the rest of the t-shirt to use for other projects. Check out www.crustpunks.com for cheap patches, spikes, studs, badges.

Material: Get cool material from your old clothes, curtains, etc., thrift shops, or scrap bins at craft stores or Wal-Mart.

Chain: “Borrow” your dog’s collar.

Thread: You can use dental floss, or fishing line, which both make sturdy thread for stitching. Your mom should have some sturdy thread, but, if not, buy some.

Needle: Again, your mom should have some sturdy needles, if not, try any local craft store. Remember: You need a sturdy leather or jean penetrating needle.

Dart Awl: You can use a really sharp ice pick for making holes for studs instead of a Dart Awl, or use a nail and hammer. You can get a Dart Awl at www.studsandspikes.com for pretty cheap though. You can also buy studs, spikes, and patches there too and then the shipping will be combined.

Scissors: Everyone has scissors, but they need to be sharp.

Next, get all your supplies set up in an orderly fashion so your work station is comfortable and your supplies are handy. Then, post up your sketch where you can easily reference it, and get started.

Begin the transformation!

Now comes the blood, sweat, and tears part of making your own Punk Rock Jacket (I actually have a little of my own blood smeared on the Left Over Crack/Citizen Fish patch over my heart from poking myself with the needle for the 3rd time)! You have your design, all your supplies, a nice hard surface, and your work station so now all you have to do make your Punk Rock Jacket. My job is done, but I will leave you with some helpful tips/information.

There is an order in which your jacket should be put together to make it easiest on you as follows:

1. Start with paint or markers and color in any areas that need it

2. Draw/write any words, names, drawings

3. Add your patches, and last, but not least, start studding.

TIPS:

Spiking/Studding: Spiking - From the top side of the jacket, use an ice pick or Dart Awl and make the hole in the jacket, and poke the spike through. Then flip the jacket over and or screw on the backing of the spike. Studding - get a flat-head screwdriver, a hammer, a nail, and a pair of needle nose pliers. First, press the stud down on the leather to leave an indent where you’ll want to make the holes. If your working with jean this might not work so well so make a tiny pen mark. Make two holes with the hammer and nail by hitting the end of the nail into the material with the hammer, and put the stud in (there are usually two prongs so you’ll want the two holes). Then flip the jacket over and clamp the prongs down onto the material with needle nose pliers, or use your flat head screw driver to press down the prongs. The best way to clamp the prongs down is with a special tool that looks like needle nose pliers, but the tips are rounded not as pointy, but needle nose pliers work pretty good, and you grab the prong and bend it over so the sharp end of the prong bends around and back into the material. This way it won’t get caught on your shirt. This is one of the most time consuming parts of creating your jacket!

Stitching: I recommend using a thimble to push your heavy duty needle through the tough material, and stitch anyway you want! This is also very time consuming if you don’t have a sewing machine like me and hand stitch everything. I also find that dental floss is what I mainly use, and black and red sturdy thread 2nd and 3rd.

Patches: Add material glue to the back of the patch before placing it onto your jacket then stitch it down, or safety pin it on. That will help keep the patch in place, and it looks more professional, if you want it to look professional. I don’t like to use iron on patches, because they always come off, and you have to stitch them down anyway in the end.

Paint Mistakes on Leather: Never use polish remover! If you make a mistake with paint, on your leather jacket only, not jean, try Goo Gone from Dollar Tree, or a similar type of remover. Sometimes, simply using a wet wash cloth, or baby oil/olive oil will work. I've also heard isopropyl alcohol too and then a leather conditioner so it doesn't dry out. I have never personally used any of these options so do a spot test first in an inconspicuous area, or look up another tutorial for removing paint.

The picture above is the back of my vest. I used safety pins on the Broken Bones Patch, because I'm still unsure which patch I want, plus I want to stud the patch on and I don't want to double my work. I will stud it, then stitch areas that need it, which may end up being all around, but only if it's necessary, and I will definitely use dental floss. Also, I decided to leave the straps and one pair of buttons out so I had to use four panels of material, and I slit tiny holes in the material for the buttons to come through. Then I reinforced the hole by stitching under the button and wrapping the thread around the material that came up the side of the button stem then locked it down with a small stitch under the button again.

FYI: I decided not to post any pictures of my jackets, because there are enough of those online to look at, and like I said, use your own imagination!

Later on that month: OK, OK, I will post one punk rock jacket I’ve made. It’s the latest one and I’m still working on it. It still needs the studs, but otherwise it’s done (I think).

Thanks for reading my article!
Written by Lindsay Dominguez-owner of www.RetroKittenApparel.com, a Retro, Rockabilly, Vintage, Pin-up and Punk Second Hand Clothing Store.