This post was written by Lindy Shopper.
The latest batch of eBay offerings are as sweet as refined sugar, with florals and pastels in abundance.
Ain’t she sweet
Tag: 1940’s
A tropical heat wave
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.
30’s/40’s socks for men, NWT
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!
1940’s green reptile pumps
My heart aches because these are a half size too small for me – this gorgeous pair of 1940’s green reptile pumps are a size 6.5. They are also dead stock, which means these beauties have never been worn. The Buy-It-Now price is $95.00, but I’ll admit, I’d pay it and they’d be worth every cent… 😉
This week’s lovelies from eBay
Another bevy of beautiful garments, courtesy of my favorite shopping website:
Three piece linen suit, replica 1943 pattern
My heart be still…any man who dons this gorgeous three piece linen suit and asks me to dance will definitely get a spin on the dance floor. At $325 it’s as much as you’d pay for a new suit, but definitely less than this version in Irish linen from Brooks Brothers for $598…
1940’s alligator shoes, never worn
This is one classy looking pair of alligator shoes that have never been worn, courtesy of a UK eBay seller who is reluctantly selling this beautiful pair because they do not fit. Oh, I have been there…it’s better to just let them go. 😉 Check your foot measurements, ladies, because this pair is awesome!
More lovely dresses from eBay
They just keeping coming and I feel compelled to post them:
This sheer black 30’s/40’s dress has some lovely detailing on it. Sheer dresses can be tricky, though, because then you have to find a full slip to go underneath it. I’m a big fan of this slip from J.C. Penney because you can simply cut the slip at the different lace points to alter the length of the slip (no hemming!) and the straps are adjustable.
This dead stock 1940’s flowered day dress is new, with tags on! When I find these dead stock dresses it just seems wild – there must be an interesting story on where the garment came from and why it was never worn.
This black 30’s/40’s dress with scalloped sweetheart neckline is adorable, with asymmetrical buttons going up the front (very similar to the white dress from Putting on the Ritz in this post).
Delicious green satin dress (40’s/50’s?) – check out the embroidery! This would be wonderful at Christmas…
Purple striped cotton dress – I’m loving the collar, the sweetheart neckline, and those GIANT pockets!
Granny shoes
The heeled oxford can be an elegant shoe and this collection of “granny shoes” on eBay is a prime example of oxfords done well. Most of these shoes are narrow in width, so check the measurements carefully or pick up a shoe stretcher. There are so many of them, maybe a few of you could go in together on the auction…
Special thanks to Milda Matilda for posting the auction and to Heidi Rosenau for suggesting that narrow shoe issues can be solved with a stretcher. 🙂
Pretty frocks to cure your case of the Mondays
On Mondays the eBay sellers get back to work with fresh vintage auctions for the week. Here’s what today’s listing had to offer:
Adorable blue gingham dress with bows on the shoulders and buttons up the side.
Colorful feedsack print dress.
Aqua patterned 40’s day dress with puffed sleeves and rickrack.
Black crepe cocktail dress with beading detail.
Field trip: Putting on the Ritz, Winston-Salem, NC
Run, don’t walk, to Winston-Salem, NC to experience the gorgeous vintage clothing and treasures at Putting on the Ritz. The store owner Hans Hauser has a lifelong passion for vintage clothing and accessories and it shows in every square inch of the house he has converted into a vintage clothing store. Through his vintage consignment sources, friendships with vintage collectors, and his own efforts to retrieve specific pieces from faraway locations, Hans has collected one of the best, if not the best, vintage clothing and accessories collection for sale in the state.
I met Hans about 5 years ago when my friend Sharon Ferris directed me to this treasure trove. I purchased a 1940’s bathing suit that I wore to VBLX that year for the battleship dance. Even though I had not seen him in 5 years, he knew immediately who I was today and pulled out the picture I sent him of me in the bathing suit from behind the countertop. My friend Laura Boyes and I ended up exploring the shop and chatting with Hans for about 3 1/2 hours – excellent company and excellent vintage!
The shop is jam packed full of a mix of vintage, designer consignment, and glitzy clothing. The list of notables is long: straw boaters, men’s 50’s hats, Yves Saint Laurent black satin pumps, a white fur capelet, 50’s prom and day dresses (some with matching jackets), 30’s and 40’s gowns worthy of an MGM movie, flowered 40’s day dresses, a velvet trimmed 40’s suit, wide brim ladies hats, art deco costume jewelry, wedding dresses from the Victorian era through the 50’s, delicious 40’s platforms, bias cut lingerie, and a burnout velvet 20’s dress that came home with me.
If you are interested in any of the clothing items I have posted or would like to know more, please contact Hans Hauser at (336) 659-9944. He is happy to work out arrangements over the phone and he also does layaway.
Putting on the Ritz
304 Harvey Street
Winston-Salem, NC
The shop is open Tuesday through Friday, noon to 6:00 p.m. and on Saturday from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
P.S. Pardon my unmade face – I think it’s easier on the clothes if I don’t wear makeup when I try on vintage clothing.
Vintage picks of the day
It was a banner day for listing dresses of the swing era on eBay! Let’s get started:
I am not usually accepting of lace clothing, but for this dress I overcame my stigma about lace looking matronly or overdone. The color is cheerful, the cut impeccable, and it comes in a wearable size. Just look at the goring on that skirt! I bet it twirls like a dream…
This yellow crochet knit belted sweater with black crepe swing skirt is just too adorable for words! Someone please buy this and let me know when you are wearing it so I can come inspect its adorableness.
This formal gown is definitely not danceable, but was too gorgeous not to post – love this!
Beach pajamas! Classic wide-leg, high waisted style in one colorful piece.
I love chevrons! This chevron dress has summer dance written all over it.
Small Shoes
If you wear a size 5 or 6, this could be your lucky day – I’ve found a pair of Remix shoes and some other lovely vintage shoes on eBay in your size!
Remix Vintage Shoes “Coco,” red, size 6.
Striped heels with matching handbag (!!!).
Purple 1940’s style shoes, UK size 5.5
Art Deco era goodness from eBay
I am a Deco-holic, on top of my other addictions. I am always looking for Art Deco jewelry online and in antique shops and, of course, vintage clothing from this era. Here are some of today’s Art Deco goodies from eBay.
A gorgeous brooch that separates to become two separate dress clips – brilliant! And if you think you won’t wear this, it seriously comes in handy and is a really versatile piece – I have one and have worn it as a jacket pin, capelet pin, dress pin both at the waist/belt and at the bottom of a V-neck, and have strung it on a chain and worn as a very impressive pendant.
While we are talking jewels, check out these lovely dress clips! Oooh, and these!
I am also in love with this dress and would hem it to knee length and hem the sleeves for dances if it were my size.
Note: Don’t be constrained by measurements and length! Vintage clothing can usually be altered by someone with experience. If you are in the Raleigh/Durham/Chapel Hill area, I have someone I can refer you to.
WAC, WAVE, and WWII Nurse uniforms
I’ve been looking for WWII uniforms and contemplating getting something similar to these for the Greenville Lindy Hoppers’ G.I. Jive, June 18-19, 2010 in Greenville, SC (Atomic Rhythm All-Stars are playing the Friday night dance! *shameless plug*). If you were thinking about heading to the Virginia Beach Lindy Exchange that same weekend, you could sport one of these looks on the U.S.S. Wisconsin battleship dance.
I couldn’t get a picture to load for the Nurse’s Uniform, but if you hold your mouse over the link, it should give you a preview of the eBay auction page. Or you could just click on it. 🙂
Lindy Shopper 
