Meet Lindsey Leyland | Owner The Getup Vintage / clothing preservationist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Lindsey Leyland and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Lindsey, where are your from? We’d love to hear about how your background has played a role in who you are today?
I am from a teeny tiny nowhere river town about an hour north of Pittsburgh Pennsylvania. We had ducks and goats and it was very rural and very secluded which made me want to live in the “big city” so bad! My love of vintage and sewing skills started young because there where no malls close so i had to get creative with the fashion i wanted so badly! I got into theater and that really sealed my love of costumes and historical fashion. Living where we did taught me alot about hard work and determination. From hauling wood and tending to animals to creating things that you dream of because how the hell else are you going to get it ( pre internet life and no tv) has made me a very resourceful human.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
As a small business owner that has operated in a college town for the last 18 years I can tell you its definitely had many ups and downs! I’m not sure many small independently owned stores would ever call things “easy”. There are alot of things Kaylan and i wish we had known when we started out and are still figuring out today. I am very thankful to have a wonderful partner though, she balances out this business and we both are very grateful to have each other for support. I think any Vintage clothing store is going to be unique because no two stores will ever have the same inventory! Thats what makes vintage so cool because its exciting every time you go shopping, you never know what will be there! I am most proud of our sustainability and saving and restoring these garments so they can go on and live future lives and not die in some landfill somewhere like so much textile waste. I think if any thing i would want to spread the message of how awesome it is for our environment to buy second hand. How mending your clothing and being mindful of where you shop really does matter. Support local community always!

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Well I’m a nature gal so alot of my plans tend to be outside! Its fall now in Michigan so cozy food is a must! Breakfast at the Northside Grill then walk into town, hit up The kerrytown shops like Malofta – my fav lit spot in there for vintage housewares. Then walk down fourth hitup Encore Records, Dear Golden, Olympia Skate shop, Today clothing, Literati books, then off to the Vault of midnight for a cutie blind box and comics! Scoot over to Ypsilanti for dinner at Bellflower ( im obsessed ) and more shopping down Michigan Ave. I like to be busy the first day, then Saturday we take a long morning hike, smell those fall leaves and forage some mushrooms, pick up food at Sparrow Market to cook a yummy meal then catch up and get cozy! Sunday gotta go see some pumpkins and drink some cider in classic Michigan fashion!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My parents are all badass, brilliant, creative and kind humans who I am so grateful to have in this world.

Website: getupvintage.com

Instagram: TheGetupVintage

Facebook: The Getup Vintage