Heyday’s Christmas Countdown

tn_judy_kitten_crop2_1 — The Judy dress even comes in a holiday-ready tartan.

This post was written by Lindy Shopper.

A quick note to note that you should be following Heyday! on their Facebook page because they will be posting a different sale offer every day, from December 1 until Christmas! This advent calendar of sales is great if you’ve been eyeing something in their shop and I can’t resist stocking up on their impeccable wide leg trousers. It’s brilliant, really – it keeps you checking in every day to see what will be on sale! Today’s special: take 10 pounds (roughly $15.00) off their adorable Judy dresses.

Stacy Adams Shoes

This post was written by Lindy Shopper.

Yesterday morning, Lithuanian swing dancer Mindaugas Bikauskas reminded me about Stacy Adams shoes, as he posted on Facebook that he had just received two pairs (it IS so exciting to get a new pair of shoes). I remember a time when a brand new pair of Stacy Adams shoes was all that Dirk from Big Bad Voodoo Daddy wanted for Christmas…but I digress. 😉

‘Tis the season for giving and a lot of guys I know seem to perpetually need new dance shoes. Stacy Adams is great for providing both standard, classic colors and some non-traditional color options for shoes. If you’d like for people to notice your footwork amongst the sea of white cap toes, check out the line from Stacy Adams.

Here are some viable options from the Stacy Adams website:

00028-229 — Gah! These are gorgeous! Someone please buy them and ask me to dance. Also available in black/white combo.

00034-020 — The Madison, available in 7 colors

00616-004 — The Faith - classic cap toe in black patent leather

00026-111 — For those who have always wanted spats...available in four colors

00610-249 — The Dayton - a different take on the oxford, in four color combos

00619-600 — Festive red oxfords to go with your Santa suit. 🙂

A Holiday Dress for Each Decade

This post was written by Lindy Shopper.

I am always pleased when sellers list seasonal items during the right season – when you are in the mood for something, retailers usually respond, and right now it’s the smell of cinnamon, clothing that sparkles, and Ella Wishes You a Swinging Christmas playing overhead (how did they know?! 😉 ).

I can’t give you the cinnamon, but here’s the Ella, and some vintage dresses from each of our swinging decades that really sparkle:

111911BlkRedPktFDN — This 1950's holiday dress intrigued me - I like the clean shape of the black dress, with long sleeves, and this sort of geometric corsage/pocket/thingy adds this modern bit of excitment and pop of color

$(KGrHqJHJCEE63(UQ(EEBOzCj2uSGQ~~60_3 — I am so in love with this 1940's maroon/fuschia belted dress, with just enough detail in all the right places - oh, the embroidery and beading! *drool*

$(KGrHqZHJBUE63VVJyzwBOy-042kP!~~60_3 — What would a proper holiday dress selection be without velvet? Please ignore the crappy photography from this seller and focus on the awesomeness of the tucking, draping, and gorgeous belt buckle on this 1930's dress.

$(KGrHqVHJDEE7Bcvh8foBOy)F0fFlQ~~60_12 — A 1920's dress in my favorite holiday color, with ombre beading and beading on the belt in my size...now, where is that $220 I need to buy it...

Holiday Hair Flowers

This post was written by Lindy Shopper.

il_570xN.284194688 — Snowflake flower clip

It’s about that time – the time of the year where we don our holiday finery for holiday parties and dances, which means it’s time to start planning our outfits now. Regular hair flowers are great, but not always the right tone for a seasonal outfit. I’ve gone so far as to pick some unknown berries and leaves from my yard and put them in my hair because I wanted to look festive. I’m not sure if the berries were poisonous, so this year…safety first.

I’ll credit Philly dancer Caroline Gleeson for the tip about May Bell Creations, the Etsy store of Caroline’s friend, Mary Hadzimichalis. Mary has created some really lovely holiday hair ornaments, some that are more floral (like that elusive poinsettia I’ve been wanting) and others sparkle, and most do both. I think she’s done a fantastic job with the materials and making the pieces look festive without being kitschy. Here’s what I love:

il_570xN.286157804 — Glittering snow flower clip

il_570xN.284349849 — Shooting star on Christmas

il_570xN.284067387 — Falling leaves hair clip - perhaps just in time for Thanksgiving?

Holiday Bow Ties

This post was written by Lindy Shopper.

I heard on NPR this morning that it’s the last day to send packages that will be guaranteed delivery by December 25, so here’s your last holiday item post for the year.

I love when guys wear holiday ties that are both festive and classic at the same time. So many fall victim to the novelty tie at this time of year, but there’s a way celebrate the holidays through your wardrobe without having to don Homer Simpson in a Santa suit. I found these ties at Beau Ties Ltd. of Vermont that would look great for a holiday dance or family occasion. I think the key here is subtlety, color, and repetition of pattern. For each tie you can specify width, neck size and style (freestyle, pre-tied, or clip-on). Also, for some of these items, the store offers a matching pocket square, ascot, cummerbund, and cravat.