A Vintage Affair

I really enjoyed A Vintage Affair by Isabel Wolff, a romance story set against the vivid backdrop of a vintage clothing shop. The descriptions of the vintage clothing was almost sensuous as she fills in the details of fabrics’ texture, colors and design features. This is a heart-warming and witty story that was pure escapism, the author tells a touching, feel-good story without the story bogging down in too much sentimentality or sweetness.

Although I started the review by calling this a romance story, really there is less emphasis on the romance and more on the actual story. There were a lot of things about this book that I liked. The main character was a mature woman of thirty-six, she was living an interesting life and finding a man show more wasn’t her number one priority. Instead the book explored themes of friendship, grief and loss as well as learning how to forgive yourself for actions that were at the most thoughtless or uninformed rather than deliberate or vindictive.

This was the first book I have read by Isabel Wolff, but I am certainly going to be adding her to my list of authors that I would like to read more of. show less

If, as Mark Twain said, clothes make the man, Isabel Wolff's A Vintage Affair demonstrates that each of us also imprint our clothing with our stories, our feelings, our lives. Sometimes those clothes retain the regret for choices we have made that have altered lives, and sometimes those clothes encourage us to take the leap, to have the self-confidence to break off that dysfunctional relationship, to tell the truth, to pursue an opportunity, to fall in love.

Phoebe Swift has built her life and a successful career around the fashion and styles of days of yore, but when several life-altering events occur within two years, she decides to take a risk and pursue her dream – a vintage clothing store that sells the memories embedded in these show more clothes so they will have new life and new stories. Phoebe loves helping her customers find the perfect vintage outfit for the affairs in their own lives, yet her own life is stagnant, the clothes not speaking to her own regrets and challenges. This changes when the elderly Mrs. Bell offers to sell Phoebe her clothing and shares the pain, regrets, love, and life embedded in them. As Phoebe's customers imprint their clothing purchases with their own stories and share those stories with Phoebe, she begins to open herself up to new life choices and to overcome the pain of the past.

The vintage clothing from Phoebe's store develop a life of their own in Wolff's novel, becoming almost integral characters themselves. As Phoebe and her customers imagine where the cupcake dresses or white satin handbag has been, these imagined lives and stories help each one to accept the choices and triumphs of her own world, and the reader longs to step into the feminine sleek cocktail dress and suave pumps to become Audrey Hepburn or feel the swishy crinolines as Cary Grant, Clark Gable, or Fred Astaire spins her on the dance floor. As the dresses of Isabel Wolff's A Vintage Affair take over the reader's imagination, anything is possible. show less

I'm amazed by how much I enjoyed this book. The blurbs on the back of the cover describe it as being for romance or fashion lovers, and I would not consider myself to be either one of those. However, there was something about this book that made me want to read it. I was immediately drawn in.

The words are so beautifully written. I was particularly enamored by the descriptions of the small villages in France, as well as the vintage clothing shop and its contents. The descriptions of the clothing, in particular, were wonderful; I actually found myself imagining going into a vintage clothing shop and finding a beautiful dress that fit me perfectly, enchanting me. (A bit silly, I know.)

And yet the main story isn't really about the clothes, show more but the many people that the main character, Phoebe, meets and befriends through her shop. Most touching to me, was the underlying message of how we can spend so much time regretting what we have done or have not done, and how we may touch the lives of people. We can't change the past, but it is possible to make peace with it. show less

Author Isabel Wolff does a masterful job in creating a novel that blends so many elements so seamlessly into one story. Against the backdrop of vintage clothing, she weaves together a story from the past with a tale of the present using the common thread of friendship. Like some of the vintage clothes shop owner Phoebe sells, sometimes relationships fray at the edges. Sometimes they can be repaired, sometimes not. With strong, well-defined characters and an intricate plot, you will soon find yourself engrossed in this story which is rich with history, touched with romance, and shrouded with mystery. With its satisfying conclusion, some may say that the author ties everything up too neatly. But really that is not the case. She leaves no show more threads dangling, but not everything turns out to be picture perfect. Some of the character’s mistakes and errors in judgment leave their mark on people’s lives, just like in real life, and like with vintage clothing, relationships may be salvaged but the repair is evident. And, of course, no matter how hard you may wish it, you cannot undo the past. Sometimes, it is too late. A thoroughly captivating read, this novel is every bit as fine as a vintage evening gown in mint condition. show less

How appropriate to buy a book about vintage clothes in a second-hand book store? When I saw the book, I fell in love with the cover. The summary was intriguing, so one plus one equals I had to have the book. Please, don't think it is a fluffy read; oh no, it isn't. It is very well written, filled with excellent characterizations, a compelling plot (for that matter, many plots), deeply researched concerning vintage clothing.
A Vintage Affair is about our regrets over relationships that have ended, how to forgive and move on. The necessity of forgiving so that we can move on. The necessity of accepting the truth so that we can move on. The sadness when it is obvious that even with forgiveness, the relationship cannot be repaired--the show more tragic parts will always be hanging in the background, casting a spell of gloom over all potential happiness. The acceptance that sometimes it is impossible to gain forgiveness because the other party is gone will make you figure out how to make it right and forgive yourself.
If you love reading about the recent past, especially about beautiful clothes, and if you enjoy reading something that will stir your emotions and cause you to think, this is the book for you.
I am looking forward to reading more books by Isabel Wolff soon. show less

Isabel Wolff's A Vintage Affair centers around Phoebe Swift and her experiences with internal struggles concerning her best friend's untimely death. In addition, her parents are recently divorced; and their strained relationship also contributes to Phoebe's quandary as she balances being loyal to her mother with growing to love a new bundle of joy who happens into her life — little Louis, her father's love-child.

Prepared by a successful career as an auctioneer at Sotheby's in London, Phoebe branches out and opens Village Vintage, an upscale vintage clothing boutique, in Blackheath. Wolff's use of the UK (mecca of international fashion designers) and Sotheby's (a vehicle to introduce vintage clothing) as elements in the setting of this show more novel contributes greatly to its ability to instantly engage the reader. The vivid descriptions of the boutique's decor (which includes a hat designed by kooky Emma), and its diverse clientele, fuel the imagination — transporting the reader into an appropriate setting to watch the storyline unfold.

The tragic death of Emma Kitts is clearly one of the sub-plots of this novel. You see, Phoebe is overcome with guilt and regret concerning events leading up to her friend's sudden death. The pivotal character is Thérèse Bell, a well-bred octogenarian (or older) with tons of style. She enters the storyline as a client with a well-kept wardrobe and one item with which she refuses to part — yet another sub-plot. Phoebe continues to address her as Mrs. Bell even after their acquaintance blossoms into a beautiful mother-daughter-type friendship.

Wolff skillfully weaves a mother obsessed with rejuvenation, a dedicated assistant, a choice of three potential suitors, a high-schooler who can't afford a coveted gown, a superstitious dressmaker, an inept medium — and other relevant characters — throughout this charming tale. The element of suspense is subtly incorporated throughout the storyline. Wolff continually broaches the subject of Emma's death in a manner that led this reader to suspect suicide — a conclusion so obvious that I couldn't readily accept it. Instead, I immersed myself into the plot and patiently waited for the author's revelation.

And to all you fashionistas out there, designers mentioned (the ones have knowledge of, anyway) include: Betsey Johnson, Givenchy, James Wainwright, Pierre Cardin, Burberry, Guy Laroche, Jean Paul Gaultier, Ted Lapidus, Dior, Halston, Mary Quant, Vivienne Westwood, Ferragamo, Hermes, Nina Ricci, Yves Saint Laurent . . .

I love all things vintage and knew, just from reading the description, that I would love this novel. Reading it brought on the same waves of nostalgia I get when I enter local vintage and consignment shops. The stories behind the items that Phoebe considers for addition to her inventory will be appreciated by vintage lovers. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this Advance Uncorrected Proof of A Vintage Affair by Isabel Wolff. I expect the June 2010 release to be nothing short of spectacular. show less

A Vintage Affair hit the spot! The main character, previously employed by Sotheby's in London, opens her own vintage clothing store. We peek into the lives of the people who come to sell clothes and people who come to buy. We also meet boyfriends and friends from the past. Just a warning that this is not a bubble headed always feel good story, included is a character who is haunted by the betrayal of a Jewish girl during WWII and the death of the pirmary character's best friend. A really good read that will keep you engaged until the last page. This is the first book I've read by Isabell Wolff but will be looking for more.