Tag: blue

Saint Savoy Riviera – My New Favorite Dance Shoe

This post was written by Lindy Shopper.

The regal profile of a perfect pair of dance heels.
The regal profile of a perfect pair of dance heels.

I swear I’m not saying this because they are the juiciest shade of green this side of a Granny Smith apple, I’m saying this because they are all of the things I am looking for in a dance shoe. The new Saint Savoy Riviera, a gorgeous t-strap dance shoe, is all of these things and more: something low enough that I can Lindy Hop all night, but high enough that I can benefit from a heel for Balboa; something that I can dance in all night without hurting the balls of my feet or causing blisters (on the first night of dancing, no less! No blisters!); soft, flexible leather, yet with enough support to withstand the stress of the dance; did I mention the perfect heel height (3.5 cm, which is about 1.4 inches)? And the soft sueded sole? And the pristine finishing on the shoe? And the divine two tone color? And the cutouts allowing for even more movement? And the sweet vintage styling? I haven’t been this excited about a pair of dance shoes since my first pair of Remixes 8 years ago, I’m in love…

The Riviera is so new that it’s not even on the Saint Savoy website yet, but will be in late November, just in time for the gifting season. They are taking orders, though, so contact them about placing your order. The green Rivieras are almost sold out already (I’m looking at you, Castle Camp)! Also available in light blue, brown, and a sassy tan/red color combo.

Here’s a collection of photos of my love affair with this dance shoe:

Top view
Top view – I can neither confirm nor deny that they are the same color as my ’64 Vespa 90. 😉
Side view
Side view – can my entire life be this technicolor? It’s always good to have goals.
Rear view
Rear view
Inside view
Inside view
Casual view, aka recovering asthmatic view.
Casual view, aka recovering asthmatic view.

Winter Action Backs

This post was written by Lindy Shopper.

This, the coldest winter I’ve experienced in my life living in North Carolina, just won’t go away – Mother Nature teased us with 60 degrees today, followed by a forecast of snow tomorrow. Since I’m still digging around for more woolens to wear, here are a couple of cozy Norfolk/action back jackets on eBay for the gents to bundle up with until these winter storms pass:

Seriously gorgeous brown wool with colored flecks jacket, dated November 19, 1941, bidding around $100 right now...
Seriously gorgeous brown wool with colored flecks jacket, dated November 19, 1941, bidding around $100 right now…
This blue action back is part of a three piece suit and the jacket is double breasted
This blue action back is part of a three piece suit and the jacket is double breasted

It’s Not a Trumpet Skirt, But…

This post was written by Lindy Shopper.

In the middle of my Trumpet Skirt Crusade I stopped by the Shabby Apple website to check out their new collection called “The Block.” Lots of bright, cheerful colors in this collection of dresses, tops, and skirts, including this wonderful pleated skirt that flares out at the bottom, creating a bit of that that trumpet skirt shape. Available in blue (Cityscape Skirt), red (Streetcar Skirt), and yellow (Taxicab Skirt).

Dear Golden Vintage on Etsy

This post was written by Lindy Shopper.

1930's perforated peep-toe oxfords - only $58!

There are vintage stores that seem like they have everything but the kitchen sink; then, there are vintage stores that are “curated,” full of carefully selected items that may evoke an era or perhaps only carry the choicest items. I could tell that Dear Golden Vintage on Etsy was one of these stores, even before I read the store description – the collection of items in this Etsy store is truly choice, and selection of things more lovely than the last.

Dear Golden Vintage sets a beautiful scene with clothing and accessories and you should definitely peruse all the online offerings, but here are my favorites:

Blue 1920's cloche
1920's silk chemise
1940's chocolate curl heels - WANT
Blue suede and brown leather two-tone shoes
Cotton eyelet 1930's dress
I'm a sucker for a chevron dress
Adorable plaid 1940's dress
Blue peplum dress with cutouts - HOTTTTT
1950's party dress with giant pockets

Jumper and Blouse Bliss

This post was written by Lindy Shopper.

I’ve highlighted the adorable reproductions made by Etsy seller Jitterbuggin in the past, but I think she’s really hit her stride with these new (since my last post) matching 1940’s jumper and blouse sets in blue and green. I’m linking to the jumpers, as the blouse must be purchased separately, and all are available in multiple sizes.

Everything about the sets is just fantastic, the pocket details on the jumpers, the line of the skirts, the fabric choices for both the jumpers and the blouses (especially the airplanes!), and the contrast collar and sleeve bands on the green blouse. On top of that, Jitterbuggin shows you how to wear it by styling her models to the hilt, with period hair, hosiery, shoes, red lips, hair flowers, and bakelite accessories. Very Groovie Movie!

Jos. A. Bank Seersucker Suit for $129 – Today Only!

This post was written by Lindy Shopper.

Embrace your inner southern gentleman by purchasing one of Jos. A. Bank’s deeply discounted seersucker suits in blue, tan, or taupe – only $129.00 if you buy it today, marked down from $395.00. That’s right, you’d save $266.00. 🙂 Where would you wear it? Where wouldn’t you wear it! Seersucker is a lightweight cotton fabric, perfect for summer dances, outdoor events, weddings, and courthouses. I love, love, love that they have it in tan and taupe – one of the most beautiful color combinations I have seen is a tan seersucker suit with a coral shirt, brightly printed tie in coral and blue, and leather and linen oxfords. You can do this, gentlemen!

To get the $129.00 price, you have to purchase via Brad’s Deals, so use this link: http://www.bradsdeals.com/deals/jos-a-bank-seersucker-suit-129-p72957.html#instructions

Walk on Water Dress

This post was written by Lindy Shopper.

After posting these shoes I thought long and hard about what you might wear with them – a solid dress, separates with those colors, but I never thought I’d come across a vintage dress with this same color wave. I was pleasantly surprised to discover this late 1930’s/early 1940’s dress on eBay with those lovely blues detailing the neckline. Finding matching pieces in vintage is already difficult, if not impossible. So disappointed that this is also not in my size. Surely there is someone out there to fit into this 28 inch waist dress AND wear a size 6.5/7 slightly narrow shoe!

My Heinies, Part Deux

This post was written by Lindy Shopper.

I noticed yesterday that the My Heinies website has officially expanded their line of dancewear to include the shoes, hosiery, and hair flowers I mentioned in my previous post on My Heinies and their creator, New York dancer and instructor Carol Fraser. This certainly calls for another post highlighting these goodies, because now we have pictures. 🙂

Before we get to the goods, I want to point out that Carol does her homework. At week one of the Balboa Experiment, Carol brought in samples of everything and held a focus group to talk about what Balboa dancers look for in a shoe – heel shape, heel height, colors, styles, straps, where the shoe falls on the top of your foot, suede v. hard leather, and everything in between. The shoes now available on the My Heinies website represent the results of this group discussion, most of which Carol had overnighted to the Experiment house so that we could try them on in person, give further feedback, and have the option to purchase. The sample shoes remained at the Experiment house for weeks 2 and 3 to try out as well, and I’m sure she’s solicited feedback from a number of other dancers. Another great thing about using the Experiment as a testing ground was that it gave Carol an international perspective on what dancers would want to wear, not just dancers in the U.S.

Here’s what I love from My Heinies’ new selections of shoes, hosiery, and hair flowers (and don’t forget to check out the bloomers, I think Carol’s ordering a new batch very soon):

I'll start with my favorite shoe, which I helped create during the focus group - Melina in Pure Pewter with a 2 inch heel. 2 inches means comfortable Lindy Hop height for me and being able to Balboa for longer periods of time; pewter color means it goes with everything
This shoe encapsulates the elements that spoke for the majority - solid pair of basic black shoes, t-straps, slightly open toed, slightly lower heel, with pretty detailing - you've seen this shoe before, from Tara Tango, but this model has a 2.5 inch heel instead of 3 inch
Sonrisa in Vanilla Biscotti - this was a really popular shoe with lovely two tone details
Mirage in Fresca Blue - one of the colors that came up was purple and I love this bluish purple - knowing Carol, there is more purple to be had, so stay tuned
Love these nude fishnets with a contrast seam
Sheer hosier with seams, bows and tassels...I am intrigued
Sheer hosiery with seams, bows and tassels - I am intrigued
Petite gardenias
A pair of lovely green orchids

Walk on Water

This post was written by Lindy Shopper.

Raleigh Vintage on Etsy has delivered another winner, this time in the form of these gorgeous 1940’s shoes with a blue swirl/wave across the toes. This is such a unique pair of shoes that they almost look too modern – but for the shape of the shoes I’d claim they were a remnant of Miu Miu’s 2008 suede shoe collection. Estimated at a size 6.5/7, but check the listing for actual measurements. If they were in my size I would plan an entire outfit around them…

Gentlemen, start your engines…

Yes, I know I have neglected the gentlemen on my blog thus far, but I was waiting for a superior item to post and here it is. Check out this 1930’s navy blue pin-stripe three piece suit for sale on eBay – the suit even makes the scruffy male model in the pictures look sharp!

Note that the suit is custom tailored and “the pants and jacket both have plenty of room to be let out,” in case this suit is almost your size.