Albuquerque swing dancer Alyx Hodges has designed several sets of Jamberry fingernails, featuring artwork from vintage jazz, swing, and jazz dance posters! You can order a set through Alyx’s Jamberry group on Facebook – essentially, you buy gift certificates through Jamberry and, because Alyx created this custom set, you have to order them through her. I’m not one to ever have my fingernails done, but the thought of having Artie Shaw or Duke Ellington on my nails is VERY tempting…
Digging the 1933 with the cinch in the back. Braces optional.
Continuing an exploration of vintage workwear and denim, I’ll thank David Lochner for directing me to Levi’s Vintage Clothing website, which features reproduction jeans with the fits, fabrics, and details of the past, based on Levi’s own archives. I think the greatest thing is the spread of photographs denim styles from 1890 to 1978, and you can see the differences and tweaks in the cut, proportions, and details just in the 501 style. The website also sets out the history of these changes, so you can read about each style’s history and design details. Unfortunately, you can’t order them directly from this website, but they do provide a list of retailers.
So, would you prefer a 1922, 1933, 1937, or 1944? 🙂
Tim Robbins and Morgan Freeman in classic workwear from the film The Shawshank Redemption.
Dressing the part for dancing doesn’t always have to be fancy dresses and a three pieces suit and, as I dig more into vintage and reproduction workwear and sportswear to supplement my wardrobe, I am finding an array of classic items in unlikely places. One such place is Prison Blues, which features classic workwear pieces such as high waisted jeans (with or without buttons for braces), striped cotton work shirts, braces, and denim jackets, all reminiscent of the clothing you’d see in the film Shawshank Redemption, which takes place between 1947 and 1966.
Here’s the kicker – these garments are made in the USA “by inmates serving time at Eastern Oregon Correctional Institute located in Pendleton [Oregon]. EOCI has created a work program that has given the inmates an opportunity to not only help out the tax payers but also, pay restitution, build a work ethic, and gain a work skill.” The workers get to keep 20% of what they earn, with bonuses, with the remainder going to the state to cover the cost of their incarceration. According to the website, this is a highly sought-after program, with a three year waiting list for inmates, where they can learn a marketable skill. The clothing the inmates make are not only sold to the public, but also clothe the inmates themselves, which was the purpose of the factory program when it was established in 1989.
I realize this may be controversial for some, so I would encourage you to read the website and decide how you feel about this particular work program. I’m still not sure how I feel about it – though I would love to see more garment industries based in the USA, the prison system in general is just a loaded topic for social issues. I do find it interesting that the garments being produced are essentially reproductions of vintage/classic garments. Here’s a selection from the website:
Work jean with suspender buttons – photograph courtesy of acecafeshop.com, for my UK readers who may want to avoid international shipping.Hickory work shirt from Prison BluesClassic denim jacket, meant to be worn with a high rise pant.
Warm weather is here and I’m always on the lookout for men’s mesh inset oxfords because I believe they are immensely practical and neat. Here’s a few pairs, ranging from reasonably priced to a bit of a hit on your wallet:
This is definitely my favorite of the bunch, size 10, BF Goodrich rubber heels.Reasonably priced, 9 1/2 CThis size 8 pair was on Boardwalk Empire.The modern version – Allen Edmonds “Strawfut” in size 9.
The fairly recently launched Charlie Stone Shoes is already working on their next swing dance shoe, utilizing the first shoe design’s low/hidden wedge, and you get to vote on what shoe they make next!  There are four adorable designs to choose from and all you have to do is go to the Charlie Stone Shoes Facebook page and tell them which shoe is your favorite: A, B, C, or D.  I love it when designers incorporate fan feedback – thanks, Charlie Stone!
In a triple whammy, I see that Re-mix Vintage Shoes has put a number of danceable shoes on sale AND has introduced two new colors for existing styles – Antique Brass Balboa and Gold Metallic Janet – AND has introduced a new style of shoe, the Playtime, a canvas 1940’s wedge in navy/white and red/white. Love love love!
The gorgeous Lena Sarong Dress in Steel Magnolias print.
It’s been a few months since I gushed about Trashy Diva and as long as they keep making superior rayon dresses I will continue to gush. The latest print, Steel Magnolias, embraces Trashy Diva’s southern roots as a nod to the film via large magnolia blooms on a silvery steel backdrop. The result is elegant, cheerful, and graceful, as the neutral of steel balances the ostentatious blooms. The print incorporates a bit of pink, purple, and what looks to be lime/chartreuse, giving this the pops of color it needs to have depth.
With this print comes a new style of dress, a classic 1940’s pinafore dress, which is a style I love and own several vintage dresses in this style. In addition to an array of classic TD styles, this collection has a lot of separates, including an intriguing pair of lounge pants. I’ll take one of each, please. 🙂
I love a pinafore dress!TD 40’s Blouse, one of the great separates from this collection.
Hot Topic is taking pre-orders now for a Marvel By Her Universe collection of vintage-inspired dresses inspired by some of your favorite Marvel characters. Some of the garments are more literal, like Black Widow’s belted jacket (pair with pencil skirt, anyone?) and others are more inspired by 1940’s-1960’s design and the characters, like the 1940’s-inspired Stark Industries bomber jacket (for all you Rosies out there) and the 1950’s-inspired halter dresses for Loki and Captain America. I would love to see some of these at dances or performances because
– Dancers already have super powers – muggles agree that people who dance are magical creatures.
– Team performance, either chorus girl or co-ed, with any of these, would get extra points for presentation and the cost of these garments is not so prohibitive.
– Solving the question of what to wear to a Halloween dance that would be fun without having to don a wig or appendages.
I could do without the wimpy tulle “crinolines” poking out from the skirts of the halter dresses, but I think these garments are a good jumping off point for some custom modifications. The Loki dress COULD be MORE Loki with some embellishments and I’m definitely going to replace “Tony” with my name on the bomber jacket. Lindy Shopper can have her own narrative. 😉
Enjoy and keep saving the world through Lindy Hop!
I was always a sucker for a sailor dress – rock the hammer applique.
‘Tis the season for horse racing and large hats and the Lindy Hop community will always be tied to “the races” by way of Whitey’s Lindy Hoppers’ appearance in the Marx Brothers’ film. What better way to celebrate than by picking up a very limited edition horse race print blouse, courtesy of Jitterbuggin’? The stylized horses and be-hatted spectators on this reproduction blouse are just perfect for a dance or your local Derby festivities. And when I say limited run, I mean she only made three of them and one of them has already sold! (Kim, please make more! <3)
I happened upon Laura Bakker’s Catalogue of Fashion website in one of those lists – THOSE lists, that purport to have links to all the repro goodness, but ultimately and eventually the links stop working as websites go out of business (which is why I won’t maintain one of THOSE lists on this website). HOWEVER, every now and again you find a true gem, still in business, with fantastic garments.
With a degree from the Art School of Maastricht in her pocket and a love of movie costumes from the 1930’s through the early 1950’s, Laura got to work making her line of unique and individualized fashions. From the website: “Everything is made by only me, the patterns, the clothes and all the applications. Every item is made only once, my little personal war against all the big productions 😉 I wish to offer all the ladies & gentlemen something special.”
The menswear offerings include great shirt and trouser basics that look comfortable for dancing. The women’s clothing is all about the details and you can see on each piece how it is unique and how Laura has left her own mark on each piece, with buttons, trim, contrasting fabrics, inset panels, and even hand-painted details.
These 1950’s cut high waisted trousers look great for spring and summer.“In the Navy” playsuit YESSSSSSSSSBlue rayon short sleeved shirt, check out that collar!Margie dress – I love the placement of the trim, to draw the eye up toward the neckline and also emphasizing the waist, moving toward the hips.High waisted pants in gray-green.Green AND a keyhole neckline!My grandmother had a dress with this hip detail in the late 1940’s – love!Hand painted panther blouse, for lovers of cats great and small 😉1940’s sports jacket
I haven’t done anything for the gents in a while, so here we go – I have found myself shopping for menswear recently, as I assemble my golf outfit for the Jazz Age Lawn Party. I was on my high school’s golf team, so this is not entirely for show, and definitely about the love for the game and the clothes. That said, I’d more likely be dancing than swinging a club at the lawn party in August, so I’ll need something that can take the sweat and reduce the heat. I asked David Lochner, my favorite sartorialist and go-to for menswear advice, where I should acquire the perfect 1920’s-style golf cap and his immediate and only response was “Monsivais.”
Damian Monsivais, in addition to crafting superb caps, is a collector of clothing and accessories from 1900 through the 1930’s. From the website, a proper introduction: “Caps where all the rage during the early years but are so difficult to find in good sizes. All men of trades owned one, from farmers to the Prince of Wales. Mostly made of wool and lined with silk. Today’s modern caps are nothing like they made in the 1920s and 1930s so I took it upon myself to make some reproductions for myself and now I offer them here to the public whom share the same liking and want a period correct look.”
Right now Monsivais Caps is transitioning from an Etsy page to an independent website, so to get a bigger picture of the business, go look at both, then order from the independent website. The fabric selections are even broader than shown, so if you are looking for something specific, as I was looking for summer-weight fabrics in specific colors, simply start a conversation. You can also supply your own fabric and have it made into a fabulous cap.
Upon consultation with Mr. Monsivais and a mailing of fabric samples, we are going with a nice cream linen with a brown check in a “simple one piece crown” that I am very excited to acquire. I will do a follow-up post once I’ve worn the cap with the golf ensemble.
In the interim, I invite you to take a gander and these gorgeous cap offerings – oh, the seaming!
The Redline – 8/4 crown cap in denimThe Cooper – 1918 Reproduction 2 piece crown Cap with 2 top box pleats and short beltThe Chamois – 1919 Reproduction 2 piece crown with 3 top pencil seams JUST GORGEOUS!The Tradesman – 1910s- 20s Reproduction 2 piece crown Cap with center inverted box pleat and short beltThe Aviate – 1920’s reproduction one piece 8 plaited cap
California-based vintage-inspired clothing company Loco Lindo has graciously offered Lindy Shopper readers a 20% discount on all regular priced items! Use the code LINDYSHOPPER2015 through December 31, 2015 to get this discount! 😀
For my newer readers, I blogged about Loco Lindo when they were a vendor at All Balboa Weekend in 2011 – since then designer Linda Marrone has been busy expanding her line of clothing to even more fun, wearable, washable garments, some which are ready to go swing era style and others that skirt the line between modern and vintage, that could go either way depending on how you accessorized the ensemble. Comfort and prints are key here, as well, with shapes that are flattering and easy to wear and prints that make you smile.
Linda and two of her Loco Lindo designs – adorable!
Did I mention that most of Loco Lindo’s garments are 100% rayon viscose crepe? Did I mention that I wear the dress I bought from them at ABW 5 years ago year-round? Did I mention that after I wear it I just throw it in the wash and don’t have to have it dry cleaned? Linda isn’t messing around – some of her priorities as a designer are flattering silhouettes, comfort, and making vintage styles wearable for every day to take you to the variety of occasions that you would encounter in your day-to-day lives.
I also like that the website spells out why their dresses are special:
• Covered Buttons •
• Soft Elastic Waistbands •
• Ruching Treatments •
• Special Shell Buttons •
• 100% Pre-Washed Soft Rayon Crepe •
Now that we’ve covered the basics of Loco Lindo, go shop with that coupon code! New summer styles and prints will be coming out soon, so be sure to check back in.
I’m having another GET IN MY CLOSET moment with this dress – I love fruit prints!
I don’t know why it took me so long to write about 20th Century Foxy, because I’ve been eyeballing things on their website for over a year and I’m firmly convinced that I just need to buy a plane ticket and go shopping in the UK with all the great vintage repro I’m seeing. With a pun-tastic name, this line of womenswear takes its inspiration from the early to mid-20th century, citing the years 1925 through 1964 as inspiration. With an obvious passion for vintage style, 20th Century Foxy also has the goal of selling “top quality clothing produced locally and in ethical circumstances and using local or regional businesses where possible.” Further, they also want to appeal to a wide range of shapes and sizes – “there is the perfect outfit for every woman of every shape and that it will make her feel like a goddess.” YES THERE IS.
In addition to solid reproduction and vintage-inspired garments, they offer style guides for the 1930’s, 40’s, and 50’s, with a bit of history, etiquette, key looks (with photos from the past paired with looks from the website), and a shopping list.
Here’s what I’d love to add to my closet from 20th Century Foxy:
GET IN MY CLOSETRayon blouse in carnelianTo go with everything!These earrings ALL DAYWe’ll file this under wishful thinking for my stature, but what a gorgeous color, shape, and that draped collar!
Lindy Shopper 