Don’t Forget to Bid! The Carolina Fascinators’ Silent Auction

This post was written by Lindy Shopper.

Just a reminder that we are still conducting a silent auction for this wonderful 1940’s reproduction jumper and cherries print blouse to raise money for The Carolina Fascinators – bidding ends tomorrow at 11:00 p.m. All the auction details and the auction itself are in the LS post from Monday. The bidding is only up to $45.00 – less than the value of just the blouse itself!

Did I mention this outfit is one of a kind? And that, by wearing it, you’ll reach an astronomic level of cuteness?

Red and Green for Spring

This post was written by Lindy Shopper.

I am in love with two dresses on eBay this week, made in vastly different sizes, but both equals in adorable-ness and wearable-ness – both are cotton and look sturdy enough to withstand the dance floor. I am itching for spring – these dresses would be perfect for an upcoming dance in warmer weather!

The first dress is a late 1930’s/early 1940’s cotton dress in a green and white print, with lovely puff sleeves, carved buttons, and this fantastic smocking/stitching detail on the shoulder. The bust/waist/hip measurement on this dress is 48/38/52. It is missing the belt, but it looks like there’s enough fabric in the hem to fashion one, or add a green or white ribbon to finish the outfit.

The next dress is another recurring theme in my wardrobe, candy stripes, this time in seersucker cotton in this lovely 1930’s dress. Within this dress there are three stripe directions – horizontal on the buttons and neckline, vertical on the torso, and chevron stripes on the skirt. The slit pockets are perpendicular to the chevron stripes. The bust/waist/hip on this is 34/26/35. The puff sleeves, a bow sash, and giant buttons – how cute is this?!

Someone please buy these dresses!

1940’s Reproduction Jumper and Cherries Blouse – Fundraiser for The Carolina Fascinators!

This post was written by Lindy Shopper.

One of my favorite Etsy sellers, Time Machine Vintage, has generously donated this lovely reproduction 1940’s jumper and cherries blouse to The Carolina Fascinators‘ fundraising efforts. I will be conducting a silent auction on this blog for the jumper and blouse set – simply place your bid in the comments section and whoever has the highest bid at 11:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 12, 2011 will be the winner. The jumper and blouse will be on display at the Triangle Swing Dance Society Dance on March 12 at the Carrboro Century Center and The Carolina Fascinators will be taking bids at the dance as well (with updates posted here during the dance, in case you are not local and want to bid at the end).

The jumper and blouse were made to fit a modern size 6-8. The waist on the skirt is approximately 27 inches, but might fit a 28, as there’s some room to move the fasteners over. The amount of space in the hip area is generous and will drape nicely to fit. The blouse will fit up to a 36C bust and around a 34 bust, with the waist in the blouse being more generous than the skirt. If you have any questions about measurements, please let me know and I’ll be happy to measure the garments. The outfit looks even more adorable in person, I’d bid on it myself if it was my size. I love the contrast collar, the big buttons on the jumper, and that the jumper straps cross in the back. The jumper has 8 gores in the skirt, which means maximum twirly-ness and dreaminess!

Who are The Carolina Fascinators, you ask? TCF are a ladies jazz dance performance troupe based out of Raleigh and Durham, North Carolina, specializing in routines inspired by the vintage dances of the 1920’s, 30’s, and 40’s. We have hit the ground running, but are still a very new organization and need funding for travel, costumes, and practice space. The local dance community has been very generous thus far at our bake sales and we hope that you will help us out in this latest fundraising endeavor!

I’ll add that Time Machine Vintage is also making The Carolina Fascinators’ next costume and she has been so wonderful to work with during the process of costuming five gals.

The fine print: If you are bidding online, we will accept payment only through PayPal. Shipping in the U.S. will be $8.50, please email me for an international shipping quote at caab241@gmail.com. Payment due within two days of the auction ending.

Beggars and Choosers Sale – 50% Off

This post was written by Lindy Shopper.

ATTENTION: This post formerly advertised a sale where if you wear it out of the store, it’s yours for free. I went to Beggars and Choosers today and they were very embarrassed that their printer and local media had mis-advertised the sale – the free sale was only for Thursday and only for clearance items from the basement. So sorry for the confusion! That said, there were still tons of great vintage items on sale for 50% off – my friend George Knott left with a $7 sportcoat and I left with a $15 1930’s hat.

Here are the contents of the old post:

File this under local news for Raleigh/Durham/Chapel Hill: Beggars and Choosers in Pittsboro, NC is having a sale this Friday, Saturday, and Sunday where if you find an outfit at the store and wear it out of the store, you get the outfit for free! This is the only vintage store conceivably near the Triangle that has actual swing era vintage clothing and a great section of menswear as well – definitely worth the trip to come get a free outfit!

If you are interested, I know their hours have changed since my last blog post on this shop, so call and confirm the hours they will be open. If you are planning on coming to Pittsboro’s Mardi Gras Carnival on Saturday (to dance to the Atomic Rhythm All-Stars! yeah!), consider coming a bit early to catch the sale.

Beggars and Choosers
38 Hillsboro Street
Pittsboro, NC 27312
(919) 542-5884

1930’s Invizo Bow Tie with Original Box

This post was written by Lindy Shopper.

This Invizo black bow tie caught my eye on eBay today, not only because it looked sharp, but also because of its packaging – I love it when things come in their original boxes. It’s like opening a time capsule – without the box, it might look period or old, but with the box you’re looking at how it came to its original owner, a nice bonus for vintage shoppers.

This particular bow tie has some nice features, such as the lovely silk faille fabric, it’s “hand tied” yet adjustable, and I love that it points on the ends, giving a backdrop to the bow. The serial number dates this tie to 1936 and the auction says it is in excellent condition, possibly never worn. Adjustable to sizes 14 3/4″ to 14 1/2″. Perhaps the best part – buy it now for $14.99!

I was going to stop there, but the seller, hpainting4u2, has two other bow ties from the 1940’s made by Arrow, made of satin, with the pointed ends, size M, also for $14.99. Click here and here.

Plaid + Polka Dots = Bliss

This post was written by Lindy Shopper.

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.

1940’s Plaid Skirt and Vest

This post was written by Lindy Shopper.

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!

Adorable 1940’s Dresses on eBay

This post was written by Lindy Shopper.

There was an overabundance of adorable-ness in my 1940’s dress eBay searches yesterday – too much not to share!

VLUU L200 / Samsung L200 — Two tone gray and yellow dress with Peter Pan collar and contrast trim on giant pockets = LOVE

PInkPinafo2 — Plaid pinafore dress with sash, ruffle sleeves, and buttons down the back

!CFPDiDg!2k~$(KGrHqV,!jcE1J,Uht,3BNUbp0IMUg~~_1 — Rayon dress in a lovely shade of green

gset1 — This 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? 😦

8E7A3CDB31E4458AB636594A5682FD76 — Gorgeous rayon print dress with blue sash

D826EECAECEC4B07BBE4DA5FEF5B947D — Red gingham dress with white contrast color and pocket detail

salmon3 — Coral print dress with contrast collar and cuffs and double buttons down the front

DanRiver3 — Candy colored plaid dress with a single giant pocket

More Colors! Aris Allen 1940’s Velvet and Mesh Mary Jane

This post was written by Lindy Shopper.

I can’t believe I missed this (how long have these been out?), but Dancestore.com has come out with three new colors of the Aris Allen velvet and mesh Mary Jane – black with white mesh, indigo with white mesh, and brown with white mesh. I have been admiring the black velvet and black mesh Mary Jane for a while, as I find that shoes made with mesh let your feet breathe while dancing. They are all so lovely, deciding which pair to order will be difficult!

Men’s Art Deco Watches

This post was written by Lindy Shopper.

!CC7Rg!wBmk~$(KGrHqZ,!mIEz+82yb1yBNM1(FPI3Q~~_12 — 1940's Buren Watch

What time is it? While it’s not Lindy Focus time for a long while, it is nice to know what time it is during a dance or to make sure you’re not late for one. For men, getting the vintage look is all in the details, and a watch is can be a stylish and useful item to add to your look, for both dances and every day.

There are tons of watches on eBay, but I’m going to give a special shout out to Bulova, who not only makes great watches, but also sold their watches in these amazing Art Deco watch boxes during the Art Deco period. I have a 1930’s Bulova watch with one of these crazy cases and I leave it out on the dresser because it is the coolest thing in the room – it was worth the $20 for the watch just to get the case. 🙂

Here are some of my favorite watches for men on eBay right now:

!CDQvrEgB2k~$(KGrHqR,!hYE0e35PrTFBNN8C4!RcQ~~_3 — Check out this Bulova case!

!CDOTVNwEGk~$(KGrHqIOKo8E0UePRT07BNN0JjIpK!~~_12 — 1930's Marmon Watch

!CDJeZb!!mk~$(KGrHqZ,!jgE0vLevnN-BNNjpSsdU!~~_12 — Bulova watch with hinged case

!CDH5(ewBWk~$(KGrHqYOKo0E0fjsyVbEBNNff(n-dw~~_12 — Elgin hexagonal watch

!CDG5s8g!2k~$(KGrHqR,!h!E0fgDjE7jBNNdeKNZl!~~_12 — Tavannes Art Deco Watch

1940’s Reproduction Hollywood High Waist Pants

This post was written by Lindy Shopper.

The seller of these 1940’s reproduction Hollywood style high waist pants proudly displays them in this eBay auction and reports that he/she made these pants from a real 1940’s pair with the same specs. Very cool! It’s always nice when clothes are worn by someone, rather than a mannequin, and these pants look pretty sharp on the model. The seller, johnny-jays-vintage, reports that they are made from a lightweight gray wool and are lined in black cotton. It also looks like there’s room for alteration, so these pants could fit a range of sizes. A great basic to add to your wardrobe!

Cruisin Australia: 1940’s and 1950’s Reproduction Shoes for Men and Women

veronica_display — Veronica wedge - comes in 5 colors...drool...

This post was written by Lindy Shopper.

While I was going through my inbox yesterday, deleting old emails, I came upon an email I sent to myself in April of 2005 titled “More wedges!” In the message was a link to Cruisin Australia, an online retailer of obvious origin who carries some really fantastic reproduction 1940’s and 1950’s shoes. I’m fairly determined to bring back the saddle shoe and this could be the supplier, with 3 different color schemes for men and 7 different color schemes for women. Cruisin Australia has a great selection of wedges and low heels for women, including a pair with leather perforations, which let those hot dancing feet breathe! The menswear line has a classic selection, including wingtips, captoes, suedes, and bucks.

Here are my favorites from the site:

saddle_display — Saddle shoes for men and women

jayne_display — Jayne wedge - available in 6 colors

captoe_display — Captoes - available in brown and white, black and white, and all black

15% Off All Remix Vintage Shoes

This post was written by Lindy Shopper.

Remix Vintage Shoes is having a sale, which is a rare occurrence! Get 15% off ALL Remix shoes now through December 29, just in time to spend your Christmas cash or get a pair for New Year’s Eve. As an added bonus, all domestic orders over $150 will receive free shipping through December 29. Cheers to Remix for making gorgeous reproduction footwear and offering a holiday discount!

In addition to the holiday sale, the Bauhaus shoe is available for the special price of $98.00. This is a great crossover shoe for Lindy and Balboa, with a 2 inch heel.

BAUHAUS-72-black-pair-1150 — Bauhaus - comes in black and brown

Black Suede 1940’s Oxfords

This post was written by Lindy Shopper.

Black is a staple color and I’m sure most of you have a pair of basic black dance shoes, but there was something about this particular pair of black oxfords, offered by Etsy seller Raleigh Vintage, that caught my eye and made me wish I could make this pair mine. They have a graceful shape and this lovely “stitched” detail throughout, which gives the appearance of either large stitches or a thread of ribbon running through cutouts in the shoe. At a size 6, they are small, but not so narrow, as the shoe width comes in at 3 inches.

My Baby Jo

This post was written by Lindy Shopper.

My Baby Jo has a little bit of everything to help you embrace your inner pin-up girl, and some essential menswear clothing and accessories for the swing era gent. My Baby Jo has a retail store in Los Angeles, CA, but thankfully they also offer their excellent 1940’s and 1950’s-inspired clothing, shoes, and accessories online.

The website has a great selection of women’s dresses, swimwear, undergarments, hair flowers, jewelry, shoes, handbags, cosmetics and men’s jackets, shirts, pants, shoes, hats, pomade, ties, and vintage watches. The vintage men’s watches are especially good, with watches from the 1920’s through the 1950’s that look like they are in sturdy, wearable condition. Their swimwear selections feature the best of Esther Williams’ swimwear line. The site also offers some fun pieces that may fill gaps in your wardrobe or Halloween costume (like that Rosie the Riveter jumpsuit – where else do you find that?). They also have an extensive selection of men’s hats and hat-care items, including brushes and felt cleaner.

There’s so much goodness here, I’ll try to narrow down my favorites: