Camp Hollywood is more than just a swing dance event; it’s a vibrant marketplace for everything a swing dancer’s heart desires, especially when it comes to Swing Dance Outfits. This year, I dove headfirst into the vendor ballroom, and what I found was a treasure trove of vintage and vintage-inspired fashion perfect for twirling the night away. Forget sightseeing in LA traffic – the real attraction was right here at the LAX Marriott!
A vibrant vendor area at Camp Hollywood, filled with clothing and accessories.
Stepping into the vendor area was like entering a time machine, whisking you back to the golden age of swing. From dazzling dresses to suave menswear and essential dance shoes, the sheer variety of swing dance outfits and accessories was astounding. It was a shopping experience designed for dancers, by people who understand the needs and desires of the swing dance community.
One of my first stops had to be Re-mix Vintage Shoes. Knowing friends were at the booth was a bonus, pulling me into delightful conversations about footwear. As a dedicated follower of vintage style, visiting their booth was a must. While I dream of visiting their main store someday, having them at Camp Hollywood was a fantastic opportunity to admire their new purple shoe collection and, surprisingly, wedges – a style not usually seen at All Balboa Weekend. The Starlet shoe even fit my foot, a revelation considering my usual struggles with the Gabrielle last – another pair added to the ever-growing wishlist of perfect swing dance outfits components!
Jo Stafford pin displayed among vintage items, highlighting unique swing dance accessories.
Speaking of unique finds, a quick trip with fellow vintage aficionado Brettie Page to Paper Moon Vintage was essential. With limited time and a store brimming with swing era gems, focus was key. The reward? Brettie scored a stunning 1940s bathing suit, and I snagged a silk 1930s garden party dress – the kind of vintage dress that forms the heart of a truly special swing dance outfit. And the cherry on top? A rare Jo Stafford pin – band merch from the 1940s! Plus, a 15% store-wide discount made it even sweeter.
Display of wedge shoes at Re-mix Vintage Shoes booth, showcasing comfortable swing dance shoe options.
Another must-visit for crafting the perfect swing dance outfit was Vintage Blue Moon. Missing the Queen Mary vintage expo this year, their booth was a haven of discounted treasures. Jewelry took center stage, with vintage pieces and fantastic reproduction “Bakelite” styles. My first browse yielded a charming Bakelite scottie dog brooch, a 1930s rhinestone ukulele brooch, and a peppermint stripe necklace and earring set. Returning for a deeper dive into their clothing racks revealed extraordinary pieces: a heavy satin 1930s jumpsuit with appliqués, exquisite 1920s dresses, delicate lingerie from the 20s and 30s, and an impressive selection of menswear.
A rack of "Venice Beach" dresses in various prints, ideal for swing dancing.
Then, a vision in the vendor area stopped me in my tracks – the Beach Clip dress! Having followed its reproduction journey, seeing a whole rack of these dresses by Loco Lindo was surreal. This dress, originally worn by Southern California dancer Genevieve Grazis, is a dream for swing dance outfits. Made in comfortable, washable rayon crepe with a gored skirt designed for twirling, it’s the epitome of dance-ready vintage style. Linda Marrone and her team at Loco Lindo truly brought Jennifer Halsne’s vision to life, creating a garment perfect for dancers. I was thrilled to find my size in a delightful scottie dog print – fate indeed! Beyond the Beach Clip dress and skirt, Loco Lindo offered their signature range of dresses, skirts, pants, and blouses, all in that wonderful crepe fabric, providing endless options for building your ideal swing dance outfits.
Display of headbands and hair accessories at Bandini St. booth, perfect for completing swing dance hairstyles.
Sharing space with Loco Lindo was Bandini St., your go-to for finishing touches. Headbands, hair flowers, shoe bags – they had it all. Strategically located near the ballroom entrance, Bandini St. was perfect for adding that final flourish to your swing dance outfit. Imagine grabbing Re-mix shoes, a Loco Lindo dress, and then completing the look with a Bandini St. headband! And the shoe bags? Essential for protecting your dance shoe investments, especially when travel is involved. The thought of lost luggage became less daunting knowing Camp Hollywood’s vendor area could replenish almost everything but the essentials.
A colorful display of bangles at All The Shiny Things, offering a wide range of vintage jewelry for swing dance outfits.
All The Shiny Things! dominated the center of the vendor ballroom with an overwhelming array of jewelry. Theme nights at Camp Hollywood become instantly easier with a stop at their booth. Need an insect brooch for “A Bug’s Life” night? They had it. The rainbow display of bangles – lucite, Bakelite, and more – was irresistible, offering pops of color to enhance any swing dance outfit.
For hair styling needs, Hush Hush Bang Bang had a salon setup right in the vendor area. From blowouts to updos and glam waves, their stylists were ready to perfect your vintage hairstyle, a crucial element of a complete swing dance outfit, especially for Saturday night dances.
A colorful display of bangles at All The Shiny Things, offering a wide range of vintage jewelry for swing dance outfits.
A Walk Thru Time Vintage, the final vendor in the main ballroom, presented a delightful mix of swing era vintage, later vintage, and costume pieces. Their tiki/tropical display was particularly fitting, given the poolside setting of Camp Hollywood. It sparked ideas for festive poolside swing dance outfits or something special for the Monday poolside music.
Across the hall, a conference room held even more treasures. A Lip Sense booth, a collaboration of Iris Tarou, Tawnie Gadd, and Lisa Cleveland, offered budge-proof lip color – a dancer’s dream! Dance events demand long-lasting makeup, and Lip Sense, with its smudge-proof formula, is perfect for looking polished throughout a long night of dancing.
Pepperpie Vintage and Rare Revival Vintage, both in the conference room, offered more vintage and dance-appropriate later vintage clothing, primarily for women. And tucked away in the back, Purple Peacock Vintage presented a stunning menswear corner. Suits, including a rare 4-piece suit, swing era three-piece suits, and charming polka dot braces – menswear options for creating dapper swing dance outfits were plentiful.
Close-up of sleeve detail on the Venice Beach dress, showcasing vintage construction techniques.
The gored skirt of the Venice Beach dress, demonstrating the twirling potential for swing dancing.
Fabric swatches of the Venice Beach skirt at Loco Lindo booth, displaying the variety of prints available for swing dancers.
A selection of headbands at Bandini St., including coordinating fabrics with Loco Lindo dresses for matching swing dance outfits.
Hair flowers and blooms at Bandini St., adding vintage flair to swing dance hairstyles.
Menswear clothing rack at Vintage Blue Moon, featuring vintage suits and separates for men's swing dance outfits.
Main display at Vintage Blue Moon, showcasing vintage dresses and accessories for swing dancers.
A satin jumpsuit at Vintage Blue Moon, a unique and glamorous option for a swing dance outfit.
Vintage lingerie at Vintage Blue Moon, delicate undergarments to complete vintage swing dance ensembles.
Close-up of a straw hat at Vintage Blue Moon, a stylish accessory for summer swing dance outfits.
Reproduction Bakelite jewelry at Vintage Blue Moon, affordable vintage-inspired accessories for swing dance looks.
Services offered at Hush Hush Bang Bang salon, providing hair styling for dancers at Camp Hollywood.
A rainbow of bangles at All The Shiny Things, adding color and sparkle to swing dance outfits.
Insect brooches at All The Shiny Things, perfect for theme nights or adding whimsical detail to swing dance attire.
Necktie accessories at All The Shiny Things, small details to enhance men's swing dance outfits.
Wedge shoes at Re-mix Vintage Shoes, comfortable and stylish footwear options for swing dancers.
Men's oxford shoes at Re-mix Vintage Shoes, classic dance shoe styles for men's swing dance outfits.
Close-up of vintage shoes at Re-mix Vintage Shoes, showcasing the craftsmanship and style of dance footwear.
Lucite handbags at A Walk Thru Time Vintage, vintage accessories to complete swing dance looks.
Houndstooth jacket at A Walk Thru Time Vintage, a stylish vintage piece for men's or women's swing dance attire.
Entrance to Pepperpie Vintage, Rare Revival, and Purple Peacock vendor area, showcasing diverse swing dance clothing options.
Vintage dress at Pepperpie Vintage, highlighting unique and desirable vintage swing dance dresses.
Another vintage dress at Pepperpie Vintage, showcasing the variety of styles available for swing dance outfits.
Handbags and accessories at Rare Revival Vintage, complementing vintage swing dance styles.
Mesh men's shoes at Purple Peacock Vintage, practical and stylish vintage footwear for male swing dancers.
Vintage men's suits at Purple Peacock Vintage, classic and elegant options for men's swing dance outfits.
Cowboy braces at Purple Peacock Vintage, unique and fun accessories for men's vintage swing dance looks.
Camp Hollywood’s vendor area is a must-experience for any swing dancer looking to build their perfect swing dance outfits. From vintage dresses and menswear to dance-ready shoes and dazzling accessories, the sheer variety and quality were exceptional. Save your pennies and prepare to shop seriously at next year’s event – your dance floor style will thank you!
