Spring cleaning

This post was written by Lindy Shopper.

It’s that time of year where some of us (myself included) feel compelled to rid ourselves of the trappings of winter, of items that don’t fit anymore, or items that are simply not being worn. In that vein, my pal and swing dance Wonder Woman Kristy Milliken (seller ID rhythm.is.my.business – indeed!) is selling some stylish castoffs from her closet on eBay, all with free shipping so you don’t have to do that extra calculation in your head. Here’s what she’s listed:

!Bt5pHFQBGk~$(KGrHqMOKiUEvPMddQfOBL-!ei3tBg~~_12 — Stop Staring! black and pink dress

!Bt5T(MwBWk~$(KGrHqEH-CkEvqeQw456BL9+!z,kVg~~0_12 — Keds champion slip-ons, size 8 - new in box!

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.

Trashy Diva

This post was written by Lindy Shopper.

First things first – there’s nothing trashy about Trashy Diva. This New Orleans-based outfit carries classy goods for ladies, from shoes to clothes to accessories. I know I already mentioned Trashy Diva in my blog entry for Atomic Ballroom, but I want to shout it from the hills how amazing their dresses are now that I own one!

One of my favorite concepts is for retailers to take vintage patterns and make them into current clothing (this will definitely be a recurrent theme on lindyshopper.com). This solves two problems:

1) My need to look like a vintage doll at swing dances; and

2) My need for durable, danceable clothing that doesn’t inhibit movement and won’t disintegrate if I sweat in it.

My mother, who grew up sewing her own clothes with the clean lines of 1960’s clothing, has made me a few dresses from vintage patterns, but after seeing her worry about messing them up and fretting over the tucks and gathering (they came out beautifully, Mom!), I have been able to give her a bit of a break, thanks to retailers and dressmakers like Trashy Diva. I should also mention that finding suitable fabric to make these clothes is very difficult, if not impossible in North Carolina. That Trashy Diva is able to find such wonderful fabrics for these dresses is truly amazing to someone who doesn’t live near Mood or some other purveyor of fine fabrics.

The fit on these dresses is impeccable. I know my measurements and Trashy Diva delivered to my doorstep a comfortable dress that required no alteration. I purchased one of their rayon dresses and the pattern on the fabric and texture were spot on. My only complaint is that the garment must be dry cleaned, which may not be required for some of their other fabrics.

The Trashy Diva website mimics the real life Trashy Diva store, which I have heard (but not actually witnessed – one day!) are actually three stores in New Orleans, one carrying dresses, one with lingerie, and another with shoes, accessories, etc. You should take your time and explore this website, as there are wonderful surprises at every click.

Unfortunately, the website is set up to where I can’t link you to individual items, but here are some of my favorites, if you’d like a scavenger hunt:

Get your mint julep and head to the porch…

…and sink into a wicker chair in this lovely 1930’s flowered day dress on eBay. I love everything about this dress – the cut, the draping, the flutter sleeves, the sweet print, and with the starting price at $9.99 this could be a pretty sweet deal!

Green flapper dress

This dress is bright green. BRIGHT GREEN. I think it’s awesome, but then I love anything green. 🙂 I love the bead work that goes into these dresses, and that the detail on the under-slip is so complimentary to the dress (and meant to be seen, but not seen). Perhaps you are looking for a dress to wear to the Jazz Age Lawn Party on Governor’s Island or a dress to wear on New Year’s Eve at Lindy Focus? The bidding is only at $36 right now, but if you get this dress for under $100 it will be a steal!

Anthropologie cherries dress

Oh, this dress! It is a truly exquisite piece from Anthropologie – the little cherries are made with wonderful embroidery techniques, the skirt is twirly with an additional layer of flounce at the green gingham on the bottom, it is made of a wonderful lightweight cotton, there is elastic smocking in the back for a more custom fit, the gingham has green piping, and there is a wonderful fabric covered button front and center on the chest.

I purchased this dress in 2002 from eBay, after pining over it in the Anthropologie catalog, and wore it for years until it no longer fit. There are so many happy memories of the ECU Swing Dance Club and dances at the Durham Armory in this dress! Once it was time to say goodbye, I listed it on eBay and it promptly sold for more than I had paid for it – not only is it gorgeous, it’s a sound clothing investment.

I am showing a picture of me wearing this dress, circa 2003, because the dress form in the eBay auction picture doesn’t really fill out the dress and it’s always better to see it on real person. If I hadn’t sworn off halter dresses, I’d keep this auction to myself. 😉

Urban Outfitters, May 2010 Catalog

I got the Urban Outfitters catalog in the mail yesterday and was pleasantly surprised at the offerings. Lately I felt like Urban had gone astray, focusing on clothing items that look like something I could find at Goodwill and would never wear (as opposed to items I could find at Goodwill and would definitely wear) or it was just more of the same hipster garb I already had in my closet. However, they appear to be coming out of this sort of ratty, gross phase and are offering some really interesting pieces, including clothing and shoes that appear to be dance-worthy. I began dog-earring the pages of my catalog immediately and, upon closer inspection of the website there are even more pretty things for guys and gals, more than I am posting here. Here’s what I liked:

17810813_001_b — The catalog showed these shoes in black, with black fishnets and painted toes - very hot! They come in a hot pink, too. 😉

17314527_052_b — Chiffon lady dress - maybe to go with those pink t-straps? Also comes in blue and gray.

18004556_040_b — Loving all this chiffon - this one comes in a berry stripe, too!

18237115_011_b — Nice detailing on the puff sleeve - comes in several prints.

17728510_016_a — For the guys, I liked these sneakers with a sort of cross-hatch fabric.

17899063_010_a — An interesting take on the saddle shoe, for men.

18037184_001_a — Classic Bass saddle shoe

17213794_004_a — Stripey socks! They also have argyle and plaid.

14711824_013_a — Straw fedora, comes in four colors.

This week’s lovelies from eBay

Another bevy of beautiful garments, courtesy of my favorite shopping website:

_451135624_large_8148 — Let's start things off with this lovely red and white striped 1940's blouse.

_156002179_large_1190 — This yellow sleeveless 1940's dress is perfect for spring and, from the looks of it, that skirt has some twirl potential.

!BscTwZgCWk~$(KGrHqQH-CoEvEWnjeLFBL31pII4u!~~_12 — This confection in pale pink crepe not only has a peplum, brooch, and matching belt and buckle, but also comes with a blue jacket and matching pink stockings. This auction is loaded with goodies!

268638248_o — I am intrigued by this dress, as it somehow manages to be both girly and intimidating. Black + ruffles/rickrack = sinister pinup?

!BsmgiN!EWk~$(KGrHqIH-CgEvC1QzRZrBL4hfs8GDQ~~_12 — I love this 1940's coral color and the beading on the bodice of this dress is gorgeous.

370835466_o — A sweet 1930's linen dress.

!Bsourq!BWk~$(KGrHqQH-EYEvEzTzBREBL4t7qQUYQ~~_12 — I can't resist a gingham dress with pockets!

Anna Sui Deco Tree dress

Is there something about this dress, upon closer inspection…is that…is that a peplum? I believe it is. Anna Sui’s Deco Tree dress sports a retro print and a serious peplum that originates in the front in two pieces and continues to the back, cascading all the way to the hem. At $186, on sale at that, it’s out of the price range I like to post, but I couldn’t resist showing a modern peplum dress on the blog. My guess is the Forever 21 knockoff isn’t far behind…

Miss Selfridge

From the UK purveyor of youthful fashion comes these lovely, danceable dresses, rompers, and accessories, available online through the Miss Selfridge website.

34D10EMUL_large — This cream tiered dress nods to the 1920's.

12Y07EWHT_large — This striped dress sort of reminds me of vintage beachwear.

26D03FGRY_large — Gray and black polka dot dress with sweetheart neckline, belt optional.

15D42EBLK_large — Navy bow dress with an adorable collar.

15D36EMUL_large — Purple print dress with floaty sleeves and wrap dress detailing.

12U03DBLK_large — Bodysuit - shirt and bloomers in one?

Liquid gold

I know this dress isn’t danceable, but surely Lindy Hoppers go to formal events sometimes, right? And when they do, I’d like to envision them wearing something like this gorgeous liquid gold dress on eBay…it was too good not to post!

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!

Green gingham dress!

When the perfect article of clothing for me comes along I get this feeling in my gut and I know it’s right and I should own this piece of clothing – I got that feeling when I looked at this green gingham dress this morning from the Raleigh Vintage Etsy store. I’m trying to contain myself in describing how perfectly cute it is and how awesome I think it would look on me…if only it were in my size. 😦 😦 😦

Someone please buy this dress so I can enjoy it on someone I know or may encounter at a dance event – you would have my infinite admiration and adoration!

Zac Posen for Target

I have been in love with Zac Posen‘s clothing since Natalie Portman wore his Empire Dress to the Star Wars Episode I premiere (Pictured here – I still love this dress!). I have followed his work over the years, but lack a movie star budget, so I have admired his work from afar…until today.

Target‘s GO! Designer series has done an excellent job of bringing edgy, creative, and up-and-coming designers to the masses. In the past I’ve picked up a few things to wear to dances from this clothing line at Target, including a black Anna Sui flapper dress, an off-white Libertine 20’s-inspired slip dress, and a blouse and vest by Alice Temperley.

I went to Target this morning to check out the collection, which was surprisingly not picked over yet. The collection was youthful, colorful, and a bit more luxurious and detailed than some previous GO! collections I have seen. I’ll add that Zac Posen knows how to make a lady look good and, where the fit in previous collections has been sub-par, everything I tried on from this collection had an excellent fit. Here are some of my favorite looks from the collection that have swing dance potential:

41gM6xageUL._AA260_ — This dress is adorable and, unfortunately, was not at my local Target. Check out the twirl of the skirt on the model!

31V0W54XGGL._AA260_ — These tuxedo pants were well-tailored. Matching jacket optional.

41qNbX2ueuL._AA260_ — The model doesn't do this retro-inspired bathing suit justice - add curves to make this gold swimwear a vintage piece.

41SHaPwkbpL._AA260_ — This dress fit like a dream, but after yesterday's shopping trip to Winston-Salem, it could not come home with me. The photo does not do this dress justice, it is more vibrant in color and has gold threads running throughout. Wear this at the next Swing and Soul and you'll look gorgeous, like one of the Supremes.

41WZNsnryRL._AA260_ — This skirt was not at my Target location, but given the flirtiness of skirts present in the collection, I'd say this has definite swing potential.

41WkX4gn2PL._AA260_ — This tiger print dress flows beautifully and, upon closer inspection, has details that you would normally not see in clothing sold at Target.

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.