Tangerine Boutique - Vintage Clothing and Accessories

A Little Bit of Our History

Hi All! My name is Melody Fortier the person behind Tangerine Boutique. Virtual stores can be lovely to look at and the merchandise wonderful but I still miss meeting actual shop keepers. Just pictures and words but no people. I always am pleased when a website has an about us page. It helps me feel somewhat connected. So if you feel the same as I please read on and WELCOME!....

I do believe "OBSESSED" would be a good word to describe the reason for this site. Oh, and SNOB, that would be another accurate word to use. I am obsessed and a complete snob about clothing. It's not my fault though. I was raised by a mother, an aunt and a grandmother who sewed, had strong opinions and are perfectionists!

Early on I was unaware of my inherited fashion disease. As a young woman my desire was to be a sculptor. In art school I bedecked frying pans with Austrian crystals, swathed side tables with French embroidered lace and draped walls with pure silk organza. All the while ignoring my professors not so gentle suggestions that there might be another outlet for my particular "interests"

I graduated from art school confused and disheartened, got married and had three incredible sons. To supplement our income I worked as a couture seamstress and a milliner. At home I filled custom orders and outside I altered clothing at an exclusive dress shop on Newbury Street in Boston. All the while becoming more and more enchanted with beautiful clothing. Well, needless to say you don't wear Dior on a seamstresses' salary. Even the finer fabrics with which to create my own garments was beyond my means. Still I needed to own fabulous clothes... then I discovered vintage.

I was hooked when... in a little second-hand shop... drowning in the tedium I found MY Harris Tweed coat. Hand rolled lapels, cloth bound button holes and hand set lining. A very ladylike 1960's piece of perfection. All for HALF THE PRICE of what the FABRIC alone would have cost!

That was many years ago and even after my own closet was full I was unable to stop the hunt for wearable treasures and decided to go into the Vintage business. For three years I had a little vintage store in Boston. The business grew and we have since relocated to Gardner Ma..Take a peek at our shop by clicking on this link TANGERINE BOUTIQUE.We are very happy to e-mail Directions to all who ask. So if you are ever in this corner of New England (one hours drive from Boston). Please stop by and say Hello!

Enjoy the site! Melody