Author Archives: metropolisvintage

RALPH LAUREN: POLO BEAR and beyond

As the legend has it, one year at his annual yachting birthday party Ralph Lauren received a teddy bear in his likeness, dressed ears to paw in miniature Ralph Lauren garb. He was so charmed by this gift, instantly smitten, and it looked so much like him that he decided to produce a line of miniature teddy bears for sale to discerning customers looking for a stylish cuddle. These furry Ralph Lauren surrogates soon proved to be incredibly popular with adults and children alike. Who among us was a Polo bear baby?
Demand grew and it was soon clear that this was simply not enough. Lauren knew he had to up the ante and 1991 found RL debuting his latest creation – sweaters proudly emblazoned with his beloved bear, soon to be christened the POLO BEAR.  The public was overjoyed and snatched them up in all forms. The bear was a true style icon and was depicted in all manner of guises, dressed as a doctor, lawyer, fireman, you name it. Everyone loved the bear icon, but possibly the greatest supporters of all time was a legendary Brooklyn street gang named The Lo-Lives – as in “PoLO-LIVES” – who ONLY wore the most rare of Ralph Lauren Polo Bear items they could find. METROPOLIS VINTAGE has just acquired a serious amount of prized POLO RALPH LAUREN items of a variety of styles, some with the Polo Bear, some not, but all have that refined style known and prized by Ralph Lauren aficionados from the yachts to the streets and back again.

OVERALLS: VERY FAR FROM THE FARM!

VINTAGE OVERALLS BUY

 Overalls have come a long way from the cliche image of the farmer and the oil-stained on-duty mechanic!  Though versions were used as early as 1792, overalls as we popularly know them (the “bib-and-brace” style) came into effect around 1891.  After decades of hard work,  the durable denim overall came into fashion, evolving from cornfed to cool.   What once was protective gear for WWI-era mothers working in factories became a staple for the earth mother of the 1960’s and beyond.  Even the ’90s found overalls being repopularized by Hip Hop artists such as Tupac and Kris Kross.  Suddenly, they’re back.  Once again, we here at METROPOLIS VINTAGE have anticipated the trend and have a wide selection of overalls for you, from the traditional dark denim variety, to the popular “Shortalls” or “Skirtalls” which have been cut into shorts or modified to become a dress.  Perfect for summer wear in the country OR the city!

METROPOLIS VINTAGE named one of the “7 BEST VINTAGE STORES IN NYC” by GOTHAMIST!

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A tale of TUXEDO TAILCOATS at Metropolis Vintage!

fred-astaire

What could be more dapper than a tuxedo coat with tails? Also known as a “swallow-tail” or “claw hammer“, flip on Turner Classic Movies at any given time and you’re bound to see a dapper gent wearing one. Everyone from Clark Gable to Fred Astaire owned one, the latter immortalized his tailcoat in song during one of his most famous films of 1935.  While the world may not yet be ready for a top hat or monocle resurgence, the tailcoat looks elegant and adds the edge of class you need for that extra special occasion. Unfortunately, they are becoming harder and harder to find these days, but we at METROPOLIS VINTAGE remain eagle-eyed and stalwartly search for the finest in vintage menswear for you. Come on down and catch the tail of a tuxedo tailcoat before they’re all gone!

 

Get your High Rise, High Waisted JEANS at LOW prices!

Ladies! Tired of seeing all these dangerously plunging waistlines?  Too much midriff around for your liking?  We here at METROPOLIS VINTAGE have just the solution for you! Racks of those classic high-rise,  high -waisted jeans you’ve been missing.  Roll the cuffs up or let them hang down, it doesn’t matter.  Anti short zippers and short shorts?  Grab a pair of our  jeans, button them up tight and take a stand!