Archive for the ‘1970s’ Category
Don’t Call It a Statement
Fashion critics are so in love with “statement” pieces these days (eye roll). It’s not that I don’t believe a hat or a piece of jewelry can make a statement, but putting the word “statement” in front of a noun has become so ubiquitous in fashion magazines and on TV shows that it often refers to a wide range of gaudy sins.
This Fall, don’t try to make a statement with your fashion. Instead, just be yourself and wear what you think is fun and cool. You know what I think is fun and cool? Vintage pendants and necklaces from the 1970s. I particularly covet Lanvin’s lucite pendants from that era. I also love Trifari, Sarah Coventry, Coro, Avon, Miriam Haskell, Napier, Whiting and Davis. Yes, many of the necklaces from this era are chunky, but don’t call it a statement. Don’t call it anything. Just wear it, and when someone begs to know where you got it, that’s when you can make your official statement.
Unfortunately, my jewelry armoire is at capacity at the moment. However, just because I can’t acquire anything new doesn’t mean you have to go without. Here are some of the 1970s-era necklaces I would buy today if I had the storage space. Click on each image below to see the full listing.
Vintage Lanvin signed necklace and earring set from ChicDeuxChic on etsy. $595.
Vintage 1970s “key party” pendant from Elsewind on etsy. $24.
Vintage 1977 Givenchy necklace with geometric pendant from gathersalot on etsy. $147.
Vintage Trifari white lucite necklace from mooivintage on etsy. $79.
Vintage 1970s egg shaped pendant necklace from lapoubellevintage on etsy. $24.
Vintage Trifari cream and green spinner necklace from mooivintage on etsy. $225.
Vintage 1970s Napier lucite choker from PRELOVEVINTAGE on etsy. $39.99.
Vintage Trifari black and silver enamel necklace from mooivintage on etsy. $59.
Vintage 1970s Avon Town and Country (I love that name) tortoise shell pendant by nickandnessies on etsy. $24.
Vintage Trifari modernist necklace and earrings from mooivintage on etsy. $99.
Vintage 1970s Whiting & Davis gold mesh bib necklace from stilettogirl on etsy. $62.
Vintage Egyptian revival enamel pendant from theCollectedCollage on etsy. $55.
Leos! Vintage 1970s lion head pendant with amber foiled cabochons for eyes from twinheartsvintage on etsy. $46.
Vintage (unsigned) 1970s Egyptian-inspired choker from bigyellowtaxivintage on etsy. $45.
Vintage 1970s white enamel and gold tone modernist pendant from fmvintage on etsy. $22.
Vintage Crown Trifari “waterfall” necklace. Same necklace (different color) Meryl Streep wore in The Devil Wears Prada. $39 on eBay.
The Long View
Here on the blog, we like our handbags long and strong and we’re down to get the friction on (apologies to Sir Mix-a-Lot).
Sometimes, a handbag is just a handbag. Nothing more than a utilitarian vessel for your crap. Sometimes they are status symbols, carried by it girls and celebrities and coveted by the middle class. Then there are the rare ones. So astonishing on their own, they become part of the outfit.
I own such a handbag.
At an imposing 22 inches in length, my vintage black leather clutch, with its brass frame and sleek, single compartment, is the first to arrive at the party and the last to leave. One does not take this purse out on the town, the purse takes you.
It’s not easy to find an impressive specimen like mine on the Internet. If you’re in the market for an extra long purse that will command a room, you can’t really search for purses by length, it’s tedious. And length is not just important here. It’s everything. The handbags you browse must be 14 inches or longer. 16 to 18 inches is ideal. For maximum drama, 20+ inches is the holy grail. And rare. If you find one, buy it. Immediately. You’re not searching for shoulder bags here. You want clutches, envelope purses, baguettes. Vintage categories will produce better results.
To help you along on your quest, below I have assembled the results of my latest extra-long handbag search. Click on each image to see the full listing.
22 inches! Incredible vintage burgundy clutch on eBay. A rare find. $99.
19 inches! Vintage black patent super long clutch from NanasMercantile on etsy. $47.50.
18.5 inches. Vintage tapestry clutch on eBay. $45.
16 inches. Vintage 1960s exquisite white clutch from ayek8 on etsy. $24.
17 inches. Vintage 1970s extra-long silver clutch with purple lining on eBay. $16.95.
16 inches. Vintage 1950s to 1960s Cadillac clutch from gokittengo77 on etsy. $24.
18 inches. Vintage, light yellow, woven (possibly silk) purse with plaid interior from dancingwindcreations on etsy. $40.
15 inches. Vintage 1950s dark brown elongated clutch from theswankyfox on etsy. $18.
14.5 inches. 1970s beige foldover clutch from rockthisvintage on etsy. $20.
14 inches. Vintage 1960s black patent leather zippered envelope by anewlife on etsy. $28.
14.5 inches. Vintage 1960s white clutch from charlialana on etsy. $16.
14 inches. Vintage 1960s brown vinyl handbag from newtovous on etsy. $34.99.
16 inches. Vintage 1950s oversized clutch from shhbang on etsy. $60.
18 inches. Vintage extra-long carpetbagger clutch from diddle47 on etsy. $35.
Make a Spectacle of Yourself
I scored an impeccable pair of vintage Missoni sunglasses this week, but first I had to wade through an online sea of new old stock/dead stock (vintage, never used), gently used and vintage knock-off sunglasses on eBay and etsy.
As you can imagine, there’s a lot of junk out there.
To save you the pain of replicating my exhaustive search, below I have assembled a collection of some of the more interesting, original vintage sunnies I found on eBay and etsy this week. Click on each image below to view the entire listing.
Vintage (new old stock) Miss Dior sunglasses on eBay. Starting bid $99.
Vintage (60s dead stock) mid-century, electric orange sunglasses with super thick plastic frames. $67.50 on etsy.
Vintage (used) 70s Christian Dior oversized square sunglasses with shades of butterscotch to dark taupe. $188 on etsy.
Vintage (dead stock) 70s funky mint sunglasses made in Germany. $59.99 om etsy.
Vintage (new old stock, never used) brown aviators on etsy. $6.75.
Vintage (deadstock) 60s mod, navy blue square framed sunnies on etsy. $67.50.
Vintage (used) tiger striped amber blockers with smokey gradient lens and side panels. Made in Italy. $16 on etsy.
Vintage (used) Diane von Furstenburg tan, black and orange sunglasses on eBay. $150.
Vintage (used) 70s sunglasses made in France with unique, geometric arms. $44.40 on etsy.
Vintage (barely used) 70s Ski Optics Japan red, white and blue sunglasses/ski glasses. $30 on etsy.
Vintage (used) mirrored sunnies, made in France. $9.99 on etsy.
Vintage (used) gold plastic aviators with green plastic lenses. $7 on etsy.
Vintage (new old stock) Christian Dior sunglasses from the 70s. $225 on etsy.
Vintage (dead stock) brown sunglasses with glass lenses and metal arms and bridge. $9.98 on etsy.
Vintage (new old stock) 70s nose guard sunglasses by Bollé on eBay. $299.
Vintage (used) 70’s frosted sunglasses with lightweight metal frame and light brown tinted glass lenses. $8 on etsy.
Vintage (dead stock) 70s Emilio Pucci amber shades on etsy. $189.
Vintage (used) 60s pastel yellow sunglasses on etsy. Very mod. $35.
Vintage 70s round sunglasses with clear frames and blue lenses on eBay. $99.
Vintage (appear unworn) 70s Valentino sunglasses on eBay. $89.
Vintage 70s ski aviators with red metal frame on eBay. $7.99.
Vintage (new old stock) 70s Playgirl butterfly sunglasses on eBay. Buy it Now for $69 or make an offer.
Mod. Pants. Suit.
I’ll never forget the first time I gazed upon this mod pants suit. All at once I knew I had to have it, and at the same time, I knew that it could never be.
Mod. Pants. Suit.
An ivory, wool knit pants suit adorned with gold paillettes. Immaculate vintage condition.
Mod. Pants. Suit.
There’s a moment in every girl’s life when she asks herself, “can I pull this off?” It is in that very moment that a girl becomes a woman.
Mod. Pants. Suit. $40 on etsy. Click on the image above, if you dare.
Fashion Files: The Golden Age of the Secretary
After several notorious decades of stenography and coffee fetching, the office secretary eventually became extinct after the 1980s, replaced by administrative assistants and executive assistants. The title of secretary has since been relegated to condo association boards and official cabinet positions like Defense Secretary. Yawn.
To honor our fallen foremothers, today we revisit the Golden Age of the Secretary, from the wiggle skirts of the 1950s to the puffy sleeves of the 1980s. Click on each image below to see the listing. And hold my calls.
50s-era embellished brocade satin dress on eBay. Starting bid $112.
50s-era emerald green wiggle dress in raw silk on eBay. Starting bid $19.99.
50s-era bronze and black plaid secretary dress on eBay. Buy it Now for $24.95.
50s to 60s double-breasted secretary dress in lime green on eBay. Starting bid $16.12.
50s to 60s atomic knit secretary top and skirt on eBay. Starting bid $19.99.
60s orange ruffled secretary dress on eBay. Starting bid $14.99.
60s secretary dress with scarf on eBay. Buy it Now $49.99.
60s silver floral brocade dress on eBay. Starting bid $14.99.
60s two piece secretary suit on eBay. Buy it Now $15.99.
60s to 70s secretary mini dress with ascot and pleats on eBay. Starting bid $9.99.
70s floral peaches and cream secretary dress with tuxedo trim on eBay. Starting bid $9.99.
70s striped secretary blouse on eBay. Starting bid $9.95.
70s stripey secretary dress with pussy bow on eBay. Starting bid $9.99. Buy it Now for $18.
70s accordion secretary dress with ascot tie on eBay. Starting bid $13.99.
70s to early 80s blue and white striped secretary dress on eBay. Current bid $8.05.
80s sheer navy blue secretary dress with Peter Pan collar and cuffs on eBay. Starting bid $19.99.
80s light pink tuxedo secretary dress with wide cuffs on eBay. Starting bid $9.99.
80s purple tiger print peplum secretary dress on eBay. Starting bid $14.99.
80s secretary polka dot blouse with ascot tie on eBay. Buy it Now for $32.50.
80s champagne secretary dress with ascot on eBay. Starting bid .99 cents.
A Creamy Crop of Capes
Get a replica of Kate Middleton's Angora wedding shrug on etsy. $190.
You don’t have to be royalty to drape yourself in a creamy confection like Kate’s. On etsy, “tvkstyle” will make you a replica of the duchess formerly known as Kate Middleton’s Angora wedding shrug for a pauper’s price. Let them eat cape! Capes. Ponchos. Swing coats. Shrugs. Shawls. Crochet. Knit. Angora. Wool. Fur. Leather. Fringe. Here are some of the best in creamy cover ups from eBay and etsy this week. Click on each image to go to the listing.
Oatmeal tweed acrylic cape on etsy. $61.
Vintage swing coat with kimono sleeves on eBay. Starting bid $9.99.
Lanvin cape with neck ruff detail on eBay. $967.
Creamy crochet cape on eBay. Buy it Now for $75 or make an offer.
Vintage sheer lace poncho on eBay. Current bid $10.49.
Vintage 1920s ostrich trimmed cape on eBay. $228.
Hand knitted mohair capelet by ufer on etsy. $49.
Vintage crochet caftan on eBay. Current bid $26.
Vintage cream cape on eBay. Buy it Now for $128.45.
Ultra soft tiered capelet by fashionknitwear on etsy. $92.
Handmade, oversized scarf with pompoms by tvkstyle on etsy. Merino wool blend. $130.
Hostess to the Max
The draped, Grecian-inspired maxi dresses of the 70s conjure scenes of Studio 54 and late night Tupperware parties. Some are ethnic flavored, some are disco ready. My grandmother called them “hostess gowns,” but then, she also chugged scotch and sodas in the afternoon and worked my poor grandfather into an early grave. As every hostess knows, emotional baggage is the perfect accessory for your vintage look.
Contrary to social norms, drinking your memories back into the dark recesses from whence they came does not need to be a drab affair, devoid of style. Wallowing in self-pity is, in itself, a special occasion. The dress code is tragic. The look is effortless.
Too hungover to shop? Not to worry. I have scoured eBay for some classic 70s looks that are sure to bring a little drama to your wardrobe. Click on the images below to see each listing. And call your sponsor.
Vintage cream cotton gauze maxi dress on eBay. Huge kimono sleeves and a half sash in back. Starting bid $14.99.
Vintage peach, sheer chiffon caped dress on eBay. Current bid $16.66.
Vintage caftan with angel sleeves and an empire drawstring waist on eBay. Buy it Now $149.99.
Vintage light plum chiffon maxi with caped sleeves on eBay. Current bid $13.50.
Vintage navy blue, tiered maxi dress with caped sleeves on eBay. Current bid $10.99.
Vintage pink maxi gown with fortuny pleats and sheer cape on eBay. Starting bid $14.99.
Vintage black goddess gown with fringe on eBay. Starting bid $14.99.
Vintage hot pink and orange tropical caftan on eBay. Starting bid $9.99.
Vintage dusty rose, Grecian goddess maxi gown on eBay. Buy it Now $75.
Vintage persimmon halter maxi gown on eBay. $95.
Vintage Grecian goddess maxi on eBay. Buy it Now for $138 or make an offer.
Vintage disco halter maxi dress with matching jacket on eBay. Buy it Now for $54.99 or make an offer.
Vintage Christian Dior cream lace maxi dress on eBay. Current bid $16.49.
Vintage sheer embroidered dress on eBay. Starting bid $9.99.
Vintage bronze gown with stunning draping. Current bid $42.28 on eBay.
Vintage one-shoulder, caped maxi dress on eBay. Buy it now for $95 or best offer.
Get This Fall Look For Less
Sure, you could max out your platinum card on this Gucci jumpsuit ($1995) and fedora ($450) on gucci.com, or you could get the same look for less than a sushi dinner. Just click your gel polished index finger on my fancy images below. Now give your personal shopper some brown sugar. Photo credit: Sofia Sanchez and Mauro Mongiello for WSJ Magazine.
Dark cherry wool felt fedora on etsy. $25.
Vintage military style jumpsuit on eBay. $36.
Camel fedora with buckle on etsy. $29.
Vintage Liz Claiborne jumpsuit on eBay. With belt. $16.
Put a feather in your cap. $9.99 for 10 feathers and hat pins. eBay.
Fall 2011: Season of the Jagburn
The long, lean and glam looks of the 70s are back this fall, reminiscent of the golden age of Halston, Lanvin and Pucci. This look is less disco and more 1970s does 1940s Katharine Hepburn. Above photo credit: Sofia Sanchez and Mauro Mongiello for WSJ Magazine. Dolce & Gabbana fox fur jacket (price upon request), Giorgio Armani trousers ($1,050) and blouse ($1050), Missoni platform sandals ($880), Charvet scarf (price upon request).
You too can channel your inner Bianca Jagger or Katharine Hepburn or “Jagburn” this fall with men’s suit inspired pieces, a mile long scarf, high waisted trousers with pleats and a faux fur topper. Below are some 70s/40s inspired looks to get you started on your new fall wardrobe. Click on each image to see the listing.
Vintage pin striped jacket by Christian Dior on eBay. $150.
Vintage polyester suit on eBay. Starting bid $9.99.
Plaid chiffon scarf by WhiteMoth on etsy. $12.
Vintage wool trousers by ledoubleve on etsy. $40.
Vintage aqua draped evening gown by Miss Elliette on eBay. $39.
Vintage silver unicorn fur coat by xoUda on etsy. $38.
This Week's Look 