My eBay searches this week have been filled with good things and most of the items I have clicked on turn out to be really good reproductions from eBay seller portlandcostumes, who simply states the following: “Liquidating costume stock. I started in Ancient Greece and have finally worked my way up to the 20th century.” Some of these great dresses have zero bids and are starting the bidding at $20! Some have never been worn! I can’t even post all the awesomeness because I’d be posting everything, go (quickly!) check out this seller’s store:
1930’s repro in cream burnout velvet NEVER WORN40’s repro in green cotton printSilk plaid 1930’s repro with adorable collar and cuffs30’s repro in white linen – how sweet is this?30’s repro and it has a matching jacket!50’s repro – $12!!!No words…
Classic men’s jeans – high waist, straight leg, cuff or hem. Looks good to me!
This post was written by Lindy Shopper.
I’ve been hearing a lot about Freddie’s of Pinewood lately, usually coming up in conversations about vintage or reproduction jeans. This UK-based company has taken a practical approach to dressing vintage, providing reproduction clothing you’d mostly wear just out and about, rather than getting gussied up – lots of great separates, shirts, jackets, and denim. While I generally dislike denim, I understand that most of you live in jeans – perhaps Freddie’s could be a gateway to a more vintage, casual look? There are a lot of versatile pieces on this site, to either dress up or dress down (or both), so take a gander!
Here’s what I’m loving on the website:
High waisted denim with buttons down the side, just the way I like ’em!Lovelovelove a men’s knit pullover“Saddle” sweater – can I please have one of these in every color?Because dudes need this classic stripe tee shirt X 3 to make it through a danceThese red denim capri pants are super sassy!
I’m presently in adoration of this 1940’s dress with the most adorable peach printed fabric, as such that I will now be on the lookout for adorable peach printed fabric so that I may have one of my own! The bidding is at $20 for those of you with a 26 inch waist…
In case you missed it in person or on the live stream, Frankie 100 in New York played host to a fashion show during the Sunday night festivities! Take a gander at some of your favorite swing dancers modeling some truly spectacular vintage fashions from the 1920’s, 30’s, and 40’s, both ladies and gents, starting at 46:20 mark on the video – a really gorgeous collection of everything from swimwear to eveningwear, Mutsumi Gee’s lovely reproductions, the vintage-inspired designs of Nicole Lenzen, the tailored menswear of Chloe Hong, even a segment devoted to the 1939 World’s Fair in New York! Special thanks to Voon Chew and Lainey Silver for their efforts in putting this together!
I am a sucker for a keyhole neckline and a sucker for appliques and an even bigger sucker for a green dress, which is why I was basically devastated when this adorable 1940’s dress with all of these things was not in my size. Someone please buy it so I can adore it on you, in person! 😉
Not all artificial flowers are created equal. Even more stunning than modern artificial blooms are those of yesteryear, reserved for hats and millinery, created with such detail and hues that can only come from the past or be made by hand. Jamie Sturdevant, the mastermind behind the Etsy shop Chatterblossom, has acquired stacks of boxes full of vintage millinery flowers and is using them to create floral clusters, headpieces, and fascinators for her shop. The results are stunning and perfect for pairing with your vintage dresses – like vintage fabric cut into a new dress, these unworn, unused flowers are just like getting a brand new hairpiece from the past. Even better, Jamie does custom work and can work with you to create a custom piece to go with one of your vintage ensembles. Here are some glorious pieces from her shop:
Seriously, this is A. MA. ZING.A gorgeously detailed rose.Marigolds, tiny yellow flowers, and straw on a hair combGray and lavender velvet leavesGood blue flowers are hard to find!
Twin strap slingback, available in sizes 6, 8, and 10 (sizes 7 and 9 already sold!) – links at left
This post was written by Lindy Shopper.
It’s been a few years since I saw multiple sizes of the same shoe, new in box, offered for discounted prices on eBay, but this must be a lucky day! There are also a few lovely used pairs and single pairs. If you’ve ever wanted a pair of Re-Mix Vintage Shoes wedges, check out these links:
Re-mix Meadow wedge in sizes 9, 10, and 11 (same link)Re-mix Patio wedge, size 11, $91.00Brown Savoy heels, used, size 9.5, $29.99 starting bidRe-mix Ginger heels in ivory, size 9, worn once, $165.00 starting bid – still a bit pricey for used shoes, but maybe the seller will consider lower offers?
I love patterned fabrics and have been hoping to find something as lovely at this vintage dress with a fan print, which the seller lists as 1940’s. I love the cut, with the nod to kimono in the sleeves and the ruched edge at the top bringing the eye up, the way the fabric lays, the shawl collar…and, of course, the print is amazing on this sassy and elegant dress.
I ran across Kim Stewart’s Etsy shop, Nudeedudee, a few years ago when she was doing custom reproduction garments – at the time, she was one of the very few people with any 1930’s listings. I decided not to blog about her shop at the time because I try to keep the things I post on this blog under $200, but upon revisiting her blog I see that she is doing ready to wear in limited runs at great prices for reproduction garments made and sourced from materials in the USA.
You should definitely give her shop a once-over, then a twice-over – I feel transported looking at all her wonderful tropical prints in the middle of NC’s Polar Vortex/Snowmageddon/Hoth shutdown. I can pretend I’m in sunny California, shopping for vintage reproductions made from deadstock fabric…from the comfort of my laptop.
According to the shop description, the ready to wear is only temporary, as Kim needs “to switch gears to ready to wear in order to care for this little darling baby.” Get to shopping the goods while they last! Ethical bonus: “I donate a portion of the proceeds from this shop to humanitarian and environmental issues.”
Here are some of my faves:
It is almost impossible to find a good white button-down with puff short sleeves – yet here it is. Motorcycle not included. 😉Ridiculously cute overallsWide leg trousersNautical halter dress with smocked back
Etsy vintage seller Fab Gabs recently posted a number of amazing vintage shoes in a range of sizes. Check out her Etsy page for the full story, but here are my faves:
The only time I’ve ever wished for a larger foot – woven 50’s heels, size 8/8.5Stars! 1940’s slingbacks, 7.5N1930’s burgundy heels, size 8AA1930’s t-straps, size 4.5 – I know you tiny feet girls are out there and you want something more than a Mary Jane! There’s another pair of satin wedding shoes in this size from the 30’s…
1940’s double breasted suit and expertly paired accessories
This post was written by Lindy Shopper.
I ran across Richard’s Fabulous Finds on the OcTieBer group on Facebook – he had posted a few suits of interest, so I bit. Clicking through to his Etsy page, I was struck by the presentation – everything looked cool, wearable, and pulled together. On closer inspection, it wasn’t just the goods, it was the presentation. A model (perhaps Richard himself?) had on most of the suits, and each suit was fully presented, with shirt, necktie, pocket square, possibly a boutonniere, so that the suit wasn’t JUST a suit, you could see it as an ensemble. I know a lot of men struggle with color and pairings and Richard has done the work for you, at least for starters. Here’s what I’m loving from his Etsy shop:
Tweedy hatThree piece plaid suit – 70’s, but nobody has to know… 😉Vintage yin-yang pocket squareBelt-back blazer
I’m still in holiday dress mode – would love to own something like this 1940’s green satin dress, maybe with the skirt a bit wider for dancing. The shape, color, and fabric are so lovely here, but the kicker is the draping in the back – this is definitely a NYE-worthy dress… *drools*
With the holidays fast approaching, it’s time to think about what to wear to those holiday dances or, perhaps, Lindy Focus or Snowball for New Year’s Eve. I am in love with this 1940’s dress in fuschia – an unexpected color, but close-to-red and festively bright, with trimmings of sequins in the shape of…macaw? It looks like an eighth note at a distance…regardless, this dress would be the topic of conversation at any fête. It’s 20% off until the end of today when Fab Gabs’ sale ends!
The Eastern Balboa Championships, in its final year, brought out the best in everyone who attended – there was so much positive energy at this event, plus the usual shenanigans, that it was radiant with awesome. Way to go out with a bang!
The vendors added to the shine, as the vendor area showcase several local businesses with a serious fan base. Creations by Crawford has become a staple of swing dance events in the southeast and beyond, known for her custom hair pieces, but perhaps most brilliantly for her lapel art, which elevates and distinguishes the lapels of men’s jackets, with metal, feathers, fabric, and touches that are elegant without being femme. Sharon had a truly delicious selection of jewels to choose from, as the basis for her designs.
Raleigh Vintage, whose online fan base has reached international proportions, returned, with a large vendor space filled with 1930’s and 40’s dresses, separates, menswear, accessories, shoes, and a 1933 World’s Fair tie clip for everyone. They always curate a superbly appropriate collection to bring to EBC, with an eye for durable vintage to withstand the tests of the dance floor. Of particular note was a collection of men’s socks with fantastic colors and details. This year’s display also featured a sale rack of items with minor flaws and majorly discounted prices. And there was much rejoicing.
Chatterblossom made its EBC debut this year, with a collection of hand crafted hair accessories and jewelry, with a vintage-inspired aesthetic. With a welcoming and eye-catching display, it was hard to resist the rings, necklaces, blooms, and flapper head bands in the collection. Already a successful blog and Etsy shop, I hope to see Chatterblossom at future swing dance events, well stocked with tons of goodies, especially red flowers (there are never enough in red!).
Here’s a glimpse of what you missed:
Part of Chatterblossom’s vendor areaIf your name is George, this is your lucky day – at ChatterblossomEarrings made from cute buttons, by ChatterblossomRidiculous socks at Raleigh VintageAdorable dress at Raleigh VintageTies at Raleigh VintageRaleigh Vintage always has a few good sweater vests!This neckline! At Raleigh VintageYellow men’s shirt with top stitching, at Raleigh VintageMiss Sharon Crawford, busy with a custom piece.A box of jewels, which can become the basis for a Creation by Crawford.
I may be the worst model ever – is the photo over yet? But check out this dress!
After I blogged about Petrunia’s lovely reproduction dresses, I was contacted by the sales manager this line of clothing, Lucy Carey, about reviewing one of their lovely dresses! I happily selected the initial dress that had caught my eye in Bygones, the Diamond Dot Annie dress, and it was shipped to my doorstep.
I saved the dress so I could wear it this past weekend at Jammin on the James, a Lindy Hop workshop weekend in Richmond, Virginia, so that I could give it the full dance treatment of wearing it to dinner, social dancing, competing, and singing with the Blue Crescent Syncopators. It survived all of these activities without incident and remained fresh, from late afternoon through the late night dance with Naomi and her Handsome Devils.
The fabric is rayon, which has that wonderful “cold,” silky feel, with a bit of a textured sheen. The color is rich and the dot pattern on the fabric provides just enough decoration that it doesn’t compete with the little details in this dress that make it pop, like the wide collar and the pleating on the bodice. The dress zips up the side with a metal zipper (bonus vintage points!) and the skirt is cut on the bias, so it will lay nicely on the hips without hugging or bagging. My only complaint would be that the arm holes were a little low on me, but this is a common problem I have with garments – someone taller than my 5’2.5″ will be fine – and it didn’t noticeably inhibit my movement while dancing. I finished the look with Re-mix wedges and a fakelite rose pin to complete the repro ensemble.
I hope this Ithaca-based shop will continue to create reproductions, in addition to tending their vintage clothing shop – years of being around vintage clothing will make you want to re-create it and Petrunia has done so with all the right details.
Lindy Shopper 