CatherineSimmsVtg
Buyers are raving!
This shop got multiple 5-star reviews in the past 7 days.
Announcement Welcome to Catherine Simms, a store dedicated to Vintage Special Occasion Clothing~ One of a kind fashion~ because everyone deserves to sparkle!
Announcement
Welcome to Catherine Simms, a store dedicated to Vintage Special Occasion Clothing~ One of a kind fashion~ because everyone deserves to sparkle!
Items
Featured items
All Items
Reviews
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raisacromain on May 12, 2021
5 out of 5 starsLove my dress so much! It’s a little big but I knew that before I bought it. I’ve been smiling at it ever since I got it today. This is my favorite dress purchase in the last 5 years.
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Elaine on May 2, 2021
5 out of 5 starsVery beautiful. I wish that I had a cruise to go on so I could show it off right away!
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Elaine on May 2, 2021
5 out of 5 starsBeautiful! The sparkles are glistening but subtle. Extra bonus - it is a Joseph Ribkoff, a designer that I find is both elegant and kind to the mature figure.
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Denise on Apr 22, 2021
5 out of 5 starsThis was my first time ordering a big ticket item from Etsy, so I was alittle worried. But the shop owner Cathi was so easy to work with. She replied to my messages in a timely manner. I received the dress earlier than expected and the fit is absolutely perfect. I’m thankful that Cathi, was honest about some imperfections in the material. I will definitely be referring people to her shop!!!
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Amy on Apr 19, 2021
5 out of 5 starsI wasn’t sure if this would fit me but the seller was very helpful before purchasing. The dress is in amazing condition and shopping right on time!
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Cass on Apr 17, 2021
5 out of 5 starsCathi is great! She was quick to get back to me and really friendly & professional. She goes above and beyond to make sure each item she sends out is as close to perfect as possible for being vintage, and I love that!
This dress met every single one of my expectations. For a (30ish?) year old dress, it is as perfect as it gets! And bcuz Cathi takes the time to provide measurements, this one fit me like a glove, literally. Even tho this dress had a life before me, I feel like it was made just for me bcuz it fits so perfectly and I cannot wait to wear this at my wedding reception! If I ever need a special occasion piece full of sequins, beads, and everything pretty I will 100% be back to this shop! -
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jazminofelia on Apr 14, 2021
5 out of 5 starsAmazing craftsmanship out of this world beautiful 😊 thank you
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About CatherineSimmsVtg
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at the Gatsby party, my family minus the mates, and grandkids
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my grandaughter who is just too cute for words!
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my youngest daughter Hayley who is my partner in this new sequin endeavor
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my middle daughter who helps me all the time with business and party planning
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my eldest daughter who is my style guru!
The Story of Catherine Simms
In 1985, I began a Bridal and Special occasion store, named Catherine Simms in the Chicagoland area. This store, far exceeded my expectations and in time, we found ourselves selling literally thousands of prom and special occasion dresses. During the time I owned the store, we had hundreds of fashion shows and I was in sparkly, lacy heaven! It was a dream job, and I loved every minute of it. But after 7 years, came children, and more life (my husband took over his dad’s company) so I sold my store in the 1990s. Not long after, I began to work with young people. Using my fashion show skills I began to create large dance productions events for kids and teenagers. We took teens to many countries and danced around the world (literally) putting on productions and training young people that there is a big world out there. Of course I had to raise money for my dreams, and began to sell old photos in 2000s. For almost 20 years I have sold old photos mostly majoring on 1920s fashions and beautiful images and sold photos all over the world. Always with an eye on beauty and fashion, I loved it! After 2009, it was time to move on from teenagers, but the photos stayed with me, and I created a place on Etsy as well as eBay known for selling vintage photos.
In 2018 for our 40th anniversary, my hubby and I decided to have a big party. Great Gatsby was the theme and instead of dressing in the fringy flapper, I decided to do sequins, deco, and full on Gatsby. It was beyond fun, and I was suddenly hooked on a new passion (or an old one) 1980s/90s Vintage clothing and fashion. Remembering that that era was strong on the same styling as the Art Deco and flapper fashion, I couldn’t get enough and began to hunt all around for more of the sequin goodies, thrilled that I knew many of the designers, knew their fit, and once again found that all things can become new again!
Now that it is the 2020's, Great Gatsby parties are even becoming more and more something people are enjoying. So I have a lot of styles that are Gatsby Styles. Fashions that will make you stand out and go back to the age of food, jazz, and fun!
1980s is also a fun fashion trend today, so you will see some classic 1980s styles, with some of my favorite designers that I remember buying the first time they came around.
Also, Remember that vintage fashion is just good common sense. The quality of items that were sold in 1980 were of much higher quality than those of today. The hand beading on some of the older pieces are absolutely amazing. But remember, they were also sized differently. So you shouldn't depend on the size on the tag, but instead know your own measurements. And buying vintage means that you will be doing your part to help our environment and repurpose these beautiful items. So here is to the fashions of yesterday brought back for you today!
I have been in customer service and retail for so many years, and I want you to have a good transaction! If there are any problems at all, please do not hesitate to let me know so that I can cheerfully work it out with you and that you will be happy! Which is frankly why I do this to begin with!!
Thanks for checking us out!
Cathi
Shop policies
Color may vary from monitor to monitor; please know this before purchasing. Also Vintage Sizes are known for being smaller than today's sizes...so MEASURE!! and
please ask any questions you might have, I am usually not to far away from my phone so i can answer you!
Accepted payment methods
Returns and exchanges
I gladly accept cancellations
I don't accept returns or exchanges
Returns and exchange details
Note: we try hard to get things cleaned and repaired before it is shipped to you..if there is something that i could not repair it will be mentioned, but my goal is to make sure it is in Great condition for you!
These are vintage pieces..so I might miss something from time to time..and if so..WRITE ME..i will be happy to make things right for you! I want you to come back again and again!
Payment
I will also work out layaway if you need to take time to pay something
Again, communication is key.