This post was written by Lindy Shopper.
I do love 40’s style tropical fabrics and this dress, regardless of what decade it hails from, is as hot as a tropical heat wave. Check out the lines on the bust, the smocking in the back for a custom fit, a little draping and slit in the front, and, to top it all off, it looks like you can wear it either strapless or as a halter. Give Carmen Miranda a run for her money, sans the fruit basket hat! Starting price: $9.95.
This post was written by Lindy Dandy.
What a fortuitous discovery after yesterday’s discussion of summer suiting!
The gents over at Prepidemic have extended their blog brand to their “house label,” Bocca al Lupo, and put out some nice pocket squares appropriate for Spring and Summer. (as pointed out here and here).
They’ve got all their bases covered: seersucker, madras and denim. All made from American and Italian fabrics, then lovingly crafted in New York. The best part? They’re $15! That’s a steal compared to other stores that I’ve seen sell pocket squares for 3 and 4 times as much. (Some of those were silk, but still, that’s just unaffordable).
According to Prepidemic, “The brand was formed as a reaction to the outrageous markups we saw in stores, especially on the simplest of accessories. So we decided to go out and hunt for fabric and then track down the best manufacturer to produce a collection that we would sell at a reasonable price.”
If I had to pick one, I’d definitely go for the green seersucker square, but I’d love to have any of these peeking out of a blazer or sportcoat this (and every future) summer.
Bravo, gents!
By the way, if you haven’t seen the blog, it’s a good read with (mostly) good recommendations, interviews, and guides.
This post was written by Lindy Shopper.
This pair of Remix “Kate” shoes have serious heels and serious platforms. Size 8, buy on eBay for $99.99 or best offer, or the Remix website for $198. Half price!
This is a serious pair of shoes in a different way…seriously granny with some serious detailing on the sides. They look like they’d be nice and broken in for dancing. Black oxfords, size 8 or 9, $14.99 starting price.
This post was written by Lindy Dandy.
If you’re convinced that wearing a suit to a dance is a hot, stuffy affair, then you’ll have a hard time believing that you can wear a suit in the summer, but it can be done. How?
It’s a matter of fabric. If you wear a typical 3-season weight (Fall/Winter/Spring) wool suit, you will melt. Chances are it’s a dark suit, which makes it extra hot and not appropriate for the season anyway. What you want is a lighter weight, breathable fabric like cotton or linen.
Tom Wolfe: good. Don Johnson: not as good.
This post was written by Lindy Shopper.
First things first – there’s nothing trashy about Trashy Diva. This New Orleans-based outfit carries classy goods for ladies, from shoes to clothes to accessories. I know I already mentioned Trashy Diva in my blog entry for Atomic Ballroom, but I want to shout it from the hills how amazing their dresses are now that I own one!
One of my favorite concepts is for retailers to take vintage patterns and make them into current clothing (this will definitely be a recurrent theme on lindyshopper.com). This solves two problems:
1) My need to look like a vintage doll at swing dances; and
2) My need for durable, danceable clothing that doesn’t inhibit movement and won’t disintegrate if I sweat in it.
My mother, who grew up sewing her own clothes with the clean lines of 1960’s clothing, has made me a few dresses from vintage patterns, but after seeing her worry about messing them up and fretting over the tucks and gathering (they came out beautifully, Mom!), I have been able to give her a bit of a break, thanks to retailers and dressmakers like Trashy Diva. I should also mention that finding suitable fabric to make these clothes is very difficult, if not impossible in North Carolina. That Trashy Diva is able to find such wonderful fabrics for these dresses is truly amazing to someone who doesn’t live near Mood or some other purveyor of fine fabrics.
The fit on these dresses is impeccable. I know my measurements and Trashy Diva delivered to my doorstep a comfortable dress that required no alteration. I purchased one of their rayon dresses and the pattern on the fabric and texture were spot on. My only complaint is that the garment must be dry cleaned, which may not be required for some of their other fabrics.
The Trashy Diva website mimics the real life Trashy Diva store, which I have heard (but not actually witnessed – one day!) are actually three stores in New Orleans, one carrying dresses, one with lingerie, and another with shoes, accessories, etc. You should take your time and explore this website, as there are wonderful surprises at every click.
Unfortunately, the website is set up to where I can’t link you to individual items, but here are some of my favorites, if you’d like a scavenger hunt:
This post was written by Lindy Dandy.
Most of these have leather soles (and you could get a cobbler to resole the others), but I say they’d serve you better getting to and from the dance. These auctions are all currently less than $15 (except for the black captoes, with some starting as low as $1).
Happy hunting!
This post was written by Lindy Dandy.
Have you ever danced with a follow wearing an unsecured ponytail? Remember how you had to bob and weave to avoid getting smacked in the face? Annoying, yes?
You’ll be the male equivalent if you don’t have a way to secure your tie.
Now, there are a couple ways to do this:
Many swing dancers wear vests, but today, we’re talking tie clips.
Tie clips aren’t just functional. From simple and formal to ornate and silly, they’re an opportunity to express your personality and share your interests. They were the billboards of yesteryear, so you can even promote clubs and products with them. (I’ve seen tie clips shaped like weapons, animals, and vehicles). A plain silver rectangle works too. Besides protecting your follow, they also keep your tie out of your soup.
Here are a couple I found on ebay:
I prefer mine on the short side (around 1″), but I have a few longer ones.
Wear them anywhere between a 1/3rd and a 1/2 way down your tie from your collar. Match the metal of your other accessories (belt/ring/watch/cufflinks). Wearing it horizontally is more conservative. Angled down (my preference) is a tad rakish. As Frank Sinatra said, “Cock your hat – angles are attitudes.”
Do yourself a favor. Wear a tie. Do the ladies a favor and secure your ties with a tie clip.
This post was written by Lindy Shopper.
I am pleased to announce that Lindy Dandy will be a contributing author to the Lindy Shopper blog! I am very excited to have help with the menswear side of things. Lindy Dandy always has great personal style and I am looking forward to his contributions to the blog and to Lindy shoppers everywhere! 🙂
A pair of black and white spat style wingtips, size 9.5, and a pair of white mesh oxfords, size 10. Go!
Here’s another pair of divine Remix shoes on eBay, this time in a red wedge!
I think these socks rock and are quite a rare find, not only because they are such old socks that have never been worn, but also because they are vertical striped yellow and white with blue toes, heels, and top. Fantastic!
…and sink into a wicker chair in this lovely 1930’s flowered day dress on eBay. I love everything about this dress – the cut, the draping, the flutter sleeves, the sweet print, and with the starting price at $9.99 this could be a pretty sweet deal!
When it rains it pours, and it seems that eBay is pouring Remix Vintage Shoes. Today’s searches yielded a red pair of “Claudette” heels, size 7.5, and two pair of “Ginger” heels in sizes 8 and 9.
This dress is bright green. BRIGHT GREEN. I think it’s awesome, but then I love anything green. 🙂 I love the bead work that goes into these dresses, and that the detail on the under-slip is so complimentary to the dress (and meant to be seen, but not seen). Perhaps you are looking for a dress to wear to the Jazz Age Lawn Party on Governor’s Island or a dress to wear on New Year’s Eve at Lindy Focus? The bidding is only at $36 right now, but if you get this dress for under $100 it will be a steal!
This time in black, size 6/6.5, $18.00 starting price – go eBay!
Lindy Shopper 
