Practically Magic

Every so often a film comes along that feels less like a movie and more like a place you want to live. The characters in it could be friends. With the movie "Practical Magic 2" just around the corner, I've been thinking about that wonderfully romantic 90's era...the velvet and lace trimmed jackets and dresses, long skirts that brush against distressed leather boots and clothing that looks like it has lived a beautiful life.

This week, I opened a long-forgotten box of such clothing--most likely from one of my many moves. In it, I found some gorgeous pieces, like the thick grey velvet bias cut dress with a ruffle at the hem....several vintage slips that can be worn a dozen ways...little black knitted cardigans to layer over a simple outfit...a beautiful rayon bias cut long black skirt trimmed with lace...etc. 

Too many pieces to talk about....better to be seen in person. Some are one-of-a-kind, some are old-stock from Tattered Rose and a few are my own pre-loved pieces. All have been laundered and/or freshened up.

Seeing them again reminded me why I started my shop in 1999. Perhaps the real magic of beautiful clothing is that it never really goes out of style and maybe one of these items has been waiting for you.....

Tattered Rose is open Wed to Sat 11 am - 3 pm (or by appointment)

Tattered Rose Magazine~Summer 2026

It is officially summer, although by the weather you might think it was still April. We seem to have had a lion's share of rain in Alberta recently. I LOVE a rainy day now and then--that is when I allow myself to dream, to create, to rest without guilt. But I have to admit--this is too much rain, even for me.

That being said, we are not going to let the rain dampen our spirits. There is still beauty in the world, including inside our shop, Tattered Rose, where no rain ever falls.

For years, I have alluded to and outright talked about the idea of an how old attic is a place of inspiration for my shop. This is where you may find old dress forms, tables and a cat or two. And it is where old cedar-lined trunks rest upon wood plank flooring, filled with beautiful clothing from the past, carefully folded in tissue so as to preserve the fabrics.

And while we do carry some vintage clothing in the shop, our items are mostly new, with a nod to the past. This allows our clothing to be beautifully inspired by vintage clothing and yet wearable today. You may have an occasion to wear a soft tulle petticoat skirt that calls for a corset but the following week, you can wear that same petticoat skirt with a pair of distressed brown leather boots and a knitted sweater or boyfriend shirt.

This is where the heart is....this is Tattered Rose♥