Lemondrop

My name is Emily and I am a vintage-aholic. But while I love the real thing, I have to admit that it can be frustrating trying to ferret out of the musty racks a dream piece that is not only in good condition, but also fits without tailoring.

So when I first stumbled upon Stop Staring Clothing, it was a match made in retro heaven. Their vintage-inspired dresses are made out of stretch gabardine designed for my thoroughly modern muffin tops, are substantial enough to wear through all the seasons, and make you feel like a real-life pin-up girl whenever you step out in one.

The thing about these dresses is that they are expensive -- usually in the $75 to $150 range. And Stop Staring was just the gateway drug. Soon my list of frequent stops expanded to include Bettie Page Clothing, Pinup Girl Clothing, Heartbreaker Fashions, Mode Merr and a whole slew of other companies specializing in modern remakes of vintage silhouettes.

Because the dresses are truly so stunning and special, I convince myself I need them all, from va-va-voom wiggle dresses to sweet Betty Draper numbers. It's like the adorable tattooed, red-lipsticked models are personally inviting me to enter my credit card number. They've even got one who looks just like Bettie Page.

How am I supposed to say no to Bettie Page ... or a dress that might make me look like her?