A Vintage Affair

by Isabel Wolff

Book Overview

"A captivating story about the power of friendship . . . More than a novel, it is a recipe for happiness."--Anne Fortier, New York Times bestselling author of Juliet

Every dress has a history. And so does every woman.

Phoebe Swift's friends are stunned when she abruptly leaves a plum job to open her own vintage clothing shop in London--but to Phoebe, it's the fulfillment of a dream, and her passion. Digging...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 055338662X
• ISBN13: 9780553386622
• Release Date: April 2011
• Publisher: Bantam
• Length: 384 Pages
• Weight: 0.71 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 5.3" x 7.9"

Customer Reviews

I want to give this book 6 stars!

I wish I could give this book 6 stars because 5 doesn't seem like enough. I'm not going to bore you with another recap of the plot in this review but I will say this about it: it's the first book I've read in a long time where the plot unfolded for me as a surprise rather than an expectation. I loved every second of reading this book because the author did such a great job of not giving away too much at once. Phoebe, the main character is incredibly charming and likable. All the characters in the book are so well written that by the time you turn the last page you can't help but feel a connection with all of them. The descriptions of the garments are described in such a way that you have no trouble seeing in your mind what they look like. Don't pass this book by if you're not into vintage clothing or couture because there's so much more here than that. This book will make you laugh and cry but most of all it will make you glad to have read it. I will definitely seek out other books written by this author!

Fantastic read!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I knew I would like this book; women, fashion and relationships. However I didn't know how quickly I was going to get sucked in. It didn't release me till teh end, far too soon in my opinion. We have a young lady, Phoebe, who's best friend, Emma has passed and Phoebe feels responsible because she fell in love with a man that Emma had dated and really liked. In this story, Phoebe starts a vintage clothing store, and meets new friends, new loves and comes to terms with Emma's death, through an elderly woman's own story. She also comes to learn about love and herself in the process. Just about every kind of topic she covers; family, love, friendships and a bit of scandal in it too!!! I loved this style of writing, it was so descriptive of the clothing, you felt as if you were putting some of the pieces on yourself. Heck, I wanted a cupcake dress after this story!!! I will be checking out Ms. Wolff's books, she is one of my new favorite authors!!!

Great Beach Read - Better than Chick Lit

I admit I love clothing, especially Vintage. This book was better than I imagined, though. It was a speedy read with the various plots going on throughout it. There was great character development for the main character/narrator, Phoebe. The vintage clothing aspect was inspirational and fun to read about as well. It was not overwhelming to the story but a nice enhancer. Phoebe definitely has given me the urge to want to open my own shop. The book is not your typical love story type novel but more about self-discovery, moving on, some fun mystery, and of course clothes! I give it 5 stars for what it is, a fun novel, a great beach read.

A Vintage Affair

As someone who has been studying couture sewing by reading about it in books and magazines like Threads I found A Vintage Affair a delightful book to read. After the death of her friend, for which she blames her then boyfriend, Phoebe Swift opens a clothing story that sells only vintage couture clothing and accessories. Her storefront captures the eye of a reporter for a struggling new newspaper and his story about the store brings in business in ways they never expected. Then her store is behind the breaking news story that catapults the newspaper into the news itself. There are lovely descriptions of the clothes and the stories behind them and how special certain pieces are to people. The different characters are well thought out to the point that you want to slap Phoebe when she takes up with a gentleman that is spoiling his 16 year old daughter rotten. You just know that this isn't a relationship to get into because his daughter will always be first in his life. Over the course of the book there is healing for many different relationships that have over time become difficult. One of the main themes is the touching story of a handmade girls blue coat that takes us back to WWII and the holocaust. I found it a truly delightful book to read and only wished that it were illustrated with some of the clothing that was described. The story itself is light reading set in Great Britain. If you love some humor, romance and fashion in the books you read, you should enjoy this one.

A great layered story

A Vintage Affair is a beautiful combination of historical fiction and contemporary women's fiction. On the surface, it tells the story of Phoebe, auction house buyer turned vintage shop owner. In substance this career change isn't drastic; it utilizes the same skill set. It is, however, a great risk both financially and personally as Phoebe initially uses her shop to hide from her demons. In running from her own past, Phoebe ends up running headlong into the pasts of others. Clothes do hold memories, after all. She ends up very involved in the life and past of Mrs. Bell. This French survivor of WWII tells Phoebe of her experiences in her designer clothes, which Phoebe is buying from her, and of her experiences in clothes that were handmade for her during the War, specifically a blue winter coat which she refuses to sell. As Mrs. Bell relates the small betrayals that had lasting consequences in the French countryside where she grew up, Phoebe notices the correlations to her own life and the large act of betrayal she has been trying to forget she committed. A wonderful read with lush descriptions of both the clothes and the eras in both women's stories, A Vintage Affair will not disappoint. It is a story that will stay with you, just like the prom dress in your attic that you can't bare to part with. Book source: Goodreads First Reads Program