It seems that every clothing source I obsess over is doing something wonderful this week – Leluxe samples, 70% off at Mod Cloth, and – to put the cherry on my week-long clothing smorgasbord sundae – Trashy Diva has posted new dresses and some reissues of some of my favorite dresses, all in period-perfect, dance-perfect rayon prints. The pièce de résistance is one of their new fabrics, a charming fan print in Mardi Gras colors!
Love, love, love…and there’s many more than these styles on the website!
Bustle Betty Dress in the Mardi Gras printSadie Ruffle Dress in a tropical printReissue of the cherry print Sweetie Dress
This is another rare skirt and top set from the 1940’s, this time with a clever mixing of two patterns – a cheerful plaid and a clustered polka dot pattern. I adore this set for the peplum effect of the top, the gathering around the neckline, the contrast hem and sleeves, the simple pattern made so interesting by the mix of fabrics, and arm holes big enough to allow for unconfined movement. This would be perfect for a spring dance or the battle of the bands at DCLX (Excited!).
Perhaps the best part of this two piece set? You’ll never have to worry about your shirt coming untucked, but you’ll still look tidy with that great peplum.
I’m having palpitations because several dresses I have been eyeballing, as well has hundreds of other items, are now 70% off at Mod Cloth’s Cabin Fever Sale. As I am placing things into my shopping cart they are flying off the website – literally! One dress in my cart went out of stock before I could check out. Here are some of my favorites from the sale:
Gala Life Dress, now $72.99 (was $244.99)Fiery Personality Frock for $20.99Releve Dress for $22.99That's Amore Dress for $21.99Beach Picnic Dress for $29.99Know-how Romper in Grace for $14.99
One of my favorite retailers, Leluxe Clothing Co., has listed some sample dresses on eBay, lovely reproductions of 1920’s dresses that were produced once. Will they become part of the Leluxe lineup of dazzling dresses? I don’t have the answer to that, but I do know they are lovely and you can have first, and perhaps only, dibs on wearing these gilded models for 2011.
Honeycomb dressAnother variation on the honeycombEgyptian-inspired dress
My Valentine’s Day debacle could be your new treasure – I bought this great reproduction vest on eBay for my husband, but when I gave it to him on Valentine’s Day it turned out to be too small. I was so disappointed because I had searched a long time to find the perfect vest – something that could be paired with grays, blacks, and any color tie; something that had a subdued pattern; and something that either was vintage or looked vintage that could withstand the wear and tear my husband would put it through (i.e. Lindy Shopper carefully hangs and launders her vintage, while the Boy leaves his clothes in a mound on the floor, which doubles as a cat bed). THIS was that vest.
If this all sounds like your life and fulfills your needs, consider placing a bid on my eBay auction. I love the tiny dot pattern, all the wonderful buttons, and the shape of the front of the vest. This fabric is durable and new, but looks like it could have stepped out of another decade. Estimated at a size 40 chest by the previous seller, and confirmed by the 2 inch gap in the front when the Boy tried it on.
Etsy seller Raleigh Vintage has an adorable matching plaid skirt and vest set from the 1940’s. While I’ve been pining for spring, let’s be realistic – it’s going to be cold for at least another month, which should give you plenty of time to get in a couple of wearings of this adorable set. I love the rhinestone-studded buttons, the pleats in the skirt, and the scoop neck on the vest. Pair with a pretty blouse and some wedges and you’re set for the dance!
A couple of pre-owned Remix shoes popped up on eBay at a good price. First, a solid wedge, the Open Toe Spectator in black on black, with only two bids and current bidding at $41.00. Second, my absolute favorite pair of arrival sandals (due to their supreme comfort for after the dance), the Dara, in a smashing shade of red, with the bidding at $31.00.
Either technology or eBay is being uncooperative today, so the only photo I can share with you is of a pair of new red Dara shoes from the Remix website…but you should still check out the auctions if you are a size 9!
One of the few Etsy shops I revisit regularly is Flapper Flock, an Etsy store focused solely on 1920’s and 1930’s clothing, accessories, and other odds and ends from the jazz era. Flapper Flock is a division of the seller’s brick-and-mortar store in Redlands, California called Hobo’s Vintage. While her selection is usually small, there are always one or two really choice items to fall in love with.
Couple of distinct things about Flapper Flock 1) all prices include the cost of shipping, so what you see is the total cost you will pay for that item and 2) the seller will sometimes include “throwback” items, like a 1960’s does 1920’s drop waist dress. Other sellers try to do this and fail miserably, but with the items I have seen her post in this fashion it really is hard to tell, at least from the photos. I don’t see any throwback items listed right now.
Right now, Flapper Flock has some most excellent vintage shoes and some other odds and ends:
Navy 1930's dead stock shoes, size 6.5 Glorious pair of 1920's dead stock oxfords, size 6.5White perforated leather dead stock 1930's oxfords, size 6.51920's beaded drawstring purse1930's black camisole - in my opinion, older slips are almost always more beautiful than the ones you find being made today
My friend and fellow dancer Matthew Glassman forwarded me the link to this silk sportcoat on the Jos A. Bank website, on sale for $69.00, and I thought it was good enough to repost. Much like your wardrobe’s MVP, the blue sportcoat, you can add one of these lovely silk jackets to jeans or slacks if you aren’t in the market for an entire suit and want a more versatile piece…or maybe you just like sportcoats. 🙂
The jacket is 100% silk fabric in a great check pattern – subtle, yet interesting. Available in two colors, light olive and black/tan, with a center vent in the back. This coat retailed at $350.00, so at $69.00 this is an amazing deal.
There was an overabundance of adorable-ness in my 1940’s dress eBay searches yesterday – too much not to share!
Two tone gray and yellow dress with Peter Pan collar and contrast trim on giant pockets = LOVEPlaid pinafore dress with sash, ruffle sleeves, and buttons down the backRayon dress in a lovely shade of greenThis is technically separates, but this green cardigan and swing skirt with lots of goring were meant to be together! Why is all the green stuff not in my size? 😦Gorgeous rayon print dress with blue sashRed gingham dress with white contrast color and pocket detailCoral print dress with contrast collar and cuffs and double buttons down the frontCandy colored plaid dress with a single giant pocket
The catalogs keep coming in the mail and, while the title says early spring, the Urban Outfitters pictorial actually wants to whisk you away to a tropical locale, not unlike the newest Shabby Apple collection. Urban Outfitters gives vintage a twist, of course, pairing new with old and doing some great reproduction basic accessories to enhance your dance, vintage, or vintage-inspired wardrobe.
For the ladies, I am loving the shoe selection, which features an array of awesome oxfords just begging for some heel slides, as well as some more practical Keds style sneaks for sueding. A pair of high waisted sailor shorts (pictured at right) might have to make a home in my closet, as well as a pair of their chunky wedges and a wonderful floppy, wide brim straw hat (to keep the sun off my face at the DCLX Dupont Circle dance!)
Note: The pair of oxfords I really love are not available online yet, but keep your eyes peeled for tone on tone brown leather and straw oxfords, as well as some strawberry print Vans (SO CUTE). C’mon Urban, get this stuff up and available!
Here are the goods:
Add a ribbon or flower to gussy it up a bit, or wear plain - available in four colorsLaser cutout oxfords, in three colors - cutouts mean sweaty feed can breathe!I like this skirt's subtle nod to Art DecoA sturdy arrival wedge to pair with a lovely sundress - available in three colorsStrike a pinup pose in these round sunglasses that are a nod to 1930's sunglasses
The more I see of Shabby Apple, the more I think that these girls are swing dancers. Who are you? I’m very intrigued. The latest Shabby Apple collection has us looking past spring, into a tropical and summery climate. The South Pacific collection is another vintage inspired collection of lovely dresses, with vibrant colors and patterns, flattering necklines, flowers to add to your Floweruary celebration, and breathable, danceable fabrics. I am smitten with the following dresses:
Pina Colada Dress - a lovely shirtdress with buttons and pipingGarden Isle Dress - love the print and the dress pattern, contemplating this one for myselfNorth Shore Dress - with flowers!Pineapple Princess Dress - peplum!
Fortunately for men, it’s relatively easy to put together a versatile wardrobe. Once you own several pairs well-fitting “basics,” you can mix and match shirts, pants, jackets and accessories into numerous permutations of outfits/looks.
A great, navy sportcoat or blazer (or jacket from a navy suit) is the Swiss Army knife of your wardrobe; it goes with everything. Wear it with pressed dress pants and a crisp dress shirt (tie or not) and you’re clear for dinner at a nice restaurant. It goes great with jeans on a night out in town. Basically, it will elevate most any outfit you can throw at it. Needless to say, this is an invaluable attribute when you’re short on space, packing for a weekend of dancing.
You’ve got lots of choices here:
the gilt buttons of a blazer or the dark buttons of a sportcoat
center vent or side-vented (i.e. single or double)
hacking (angled) and/or a ticket pocket (the small pocket above the right one).
Darted or undarted
pick stitching or not
I recommend a solid, Navy jacket, but some striped jackets can work if the stripes are are thin or more subdued. Here’s an excellent example (click the photo for the auction):
RALPH LAUREN PURPLE LABEL WOOL BLAZERJACKET 150's SZ 44, starting at $49
This jacket would typically start at several hundreds of dollars. Why? In general, it’s made in a better way (which often means more difficult and more expensive). It’s made with high quality fabrics (Super 150’s wool). It’s probably a fully canvassed jacket (vs. fused). Plus, Purple Label is Ralph Lauren’s premier brand.
Happy hunting!
(Do yourself a favor and only button the top button of a 2-button jacket, never the bottom button If you’re wearing a 3-button jacket, button either the middle or the middle and top buttons. Again, never button the bottom button).
What if we all wore flowers every day, even in the middle of winter? Philadelphia dancer and instructor Kerry Genese had the brilliant idea to challenge friends and dancers everywhere to “Wear a hair flower every day for the (coincidentally short) month of February. The Result: General awesomeness.”
Brilliant? Brilliant!
From the Facebook event page: “A few, a brave few, are ready to face this challenge head-on. Are you strong enough? Do you have what it takes? Look at Billie over there, she is certified, B.A. Get your pants on, we’ve got some hair to do.”
I encourage all of you ladies, and even gents (I believe Lindy Dandy is working on some lapel flowers), to embrace Floweruary and participate in this momentous month! You can document your participation in Floweruary by uploading photos of you and your flowers at http://floweruary.tumblr.com/.
Just in case you need to stock up on provisions for the month, Etsy has some choice blooms. Here are a few selections, or you can check out my previous post about hair flowers:
Island Red Hair FlowerYellow flowers of felt and buttonsA soft, purple bloomThis orange bloom looks even better with purple hairThis one looks dreamyWhite orchids are my favorite!
Lindy Shopper 