Getting to Know You: Romé, Sunday Millie vintage

Blogging never ceases to amaze me in the friends I make in unexpected ways. Sunday Millie is one of my favorite sponsors not only for the gorgeous collection of dresses the shop owner, Romé, has posted, but also for the owner herself! Through working with the shop, I’ve gotten to know her better and we have become friends. It’s been SO much fun talking to her and getting to know her via Etsy conversations, and I’m so excited to share a little interview so that all of you can get to know the person behind all those pretty dresses!

1. Obviously, you have an amazing collection of vintage for sale. What got you interested in curating and selling vintage?

Thank you so much! I just love vintage clothing…especially dresses and I thought rather than just collecting, I could perhaps turn it into a part time job where I’m doing what I love. It’s so fun scouting out beautiful garments that have lasted for years and sharing it with others who feel the same way.

2. You have a husband and three boys, can you tell us a little about them? And what do they think of your shop? (I know my husband just rolls his eyes when I bring home yet another vintage piece, ha!)

I’ve been married to my wonderful husband, Mat, for 11 years! He supports me 100% with the shop and even got me a photo studio set up for Christmas!! We have three boys ages 7, 5, 3 and they are pretty tolerant of me taking them out to estate sales or thrift shops…well, I do admit, I’ll bribe them with a treat or two…ha! But overall, they are a great group of guys and I’m lucky that they are all supportive of the shop. 

3. Do you wear vintage items yourself? And if so, do you ever find it hard to let vintage pieces go?

I do! My favorite era’s are 60’s and 80’s. I just love the mod/space like design dresses from the 1960’s (which I believe I got from my husband because he loves old school Sci-Fi) and I also love the weird and abstract printed dresses from the 80’s. Recently, I found a pretty neat 80’s does 50’s style wiggle dress. I got home and tried it on and just fell in love with it even though I started listing it for the shop on. My dear husband saw the dress and said, “there is no way you are selling that dress!!”. It was harder for him to let go of it than me…ha!

4. Your shop, Sunday Millie, is named after your grandmother. I’d love to know more about her!

My grandma Millie is one of the most stylish ladies I know. Even to this day she still dons on her makeup and does her hair and makes sure she has a nice outfit to wear out. (at one point she even had her own seamstress!) She was born and raised in Hawaii and so with that, she instilled a love of the Hawaiian culture into all her kids/grandkids. She was a hula teacher and taught all the girls in the family at some point. She’s an amazing lady and we just love her!

5. Do you have any vintage passed down from her?

I have a couple of vintage pairs of earrings and bracelets from her that I adore.

6. What is your favorite pastime?

One of my goals for 2014 is to take up embroidery/sewing!

7. How do you find the items you list?

I find the majority of vintage at estate sales and thrift stores. It’s hit or miss but when it’s a hit…it’s a hit! I went to one this past weekend and found a ton of goodies I can’t wait to start listing!

8.What would your perfect day be like?

A perfect day for me would definitely start off with some coffee and breakfast with all my boys. Then maybe see if there are any estate sales going on in the area or visit a thrift store in a small town. We usually do lunch out as a family on Saturdays so that would be a must for a perfect day. Then, maybe end the day with either friends coming over for dinner or all of us as a family going to the movies or arcade for the little dudes

9. Who is your style icon?

If I had to choose just one…it would definitely be Audrey Hepburn. My favorite looks would be from Breakfast at Tiffany’s where she is wearing the mod orange coat, sunglasses and fur hat. And also her beatnik look from Funny Face…with the black top, leggings and black flats…super simple but pretty iconic!

10. And lastly, because I am still new getting into vintage finding myself: what are your best tips for picking up authentic pieces?

I think one of the best tips to find authentic pieces is to definitely look at the tag on the garment. Usually you can tell just by the font on the tag how old it may be and also Googling the manufacturer or the name on the tag you can learn alot more about it. If not, sometimes there are RN numbers that you can use to date the item. I am also fortunate to know a couple of ladies that have been dealing with vintage waaaay longer than I have so if I ever come across something I’m not sure about, I will send them a pic of the item and get their expert opinion.

I am so excited to continue friendship with Romé, and to share her shop and a little more about her with all of you! I hope you enjoyed reading this interview as much as I did, and have a happy Saturday!