Archive for the ‘Accessories’ Category
1940s Style: The Factory Girl to The New Look
Los Angeles Confidential Magazine recently featured a spread on an updated 1940s look for Fall, which sparked today’s post. But before we get into all of the amazing vintage pieces we found on etsy and eBay this week, we have a mini fashion history lesson.
Women joined the workforce en masse in the early 1940s as all the men went off to fight in the War. From the kitchen to the factory, from making pies to welding ships, women did it all.
During the War years (1939 – 1945), women’s apparel emphasized broad, square shoulders and a trim, fitted waist. Above the waist, tops featured rounded necklines and shorter collars. Below the waist, high waisted trousers, flared shorts and knee-length skirts. Below the knees, oxfords and pumps. Sadly, nylon stockings were rationed for parachutes.
Pictured above: Miss Anna Bland, a burner at the Richmond Shipyards, works on the S.S. George Washington Carver. Circa 1943.
Pictured above: Woman drills on Liberator Bomber, Consolidated Aircraft Corp., Fort Worth, Texas. Photo by Howard R. Hollem. October 1942.
Post-War, factory girls retired their dungarees and took on a softer, more feminine look. Christian Dior’s debut haute couture collection, released in February 1947, signaled a triumphant return to glamour, with its sloping shoulders, cinched waist, accentuated bust and wide hips. Skirts were significantly longer and fuller than the War years. The stunning clothes, cut to emphasize the female form and made out of seemingly endless yards of luxurious fabric, were revolutionary. Dior’s collection was pronounced “The New Look” and made him a star.
Pictured above: A look from Christian Dior’s debut haute couture collection, 1947.
And now, here’s what we found on eBay and etsy this week. Click on each image below to see the full listing.
1940s style Ida trousers in red polyester from fortiesfrocks on etsy. $95.
Vintage 1940s hourglass skirt suit. $95 on eBay.
Vintage 1940s blue sheer nylon blouse. $82.99 on eBay.
Vintage 1940s rayon crepe beaded party dress on eBay. Buy it now for $329, or make an offer.
Vintage 1940s brown alligator pumps, size 8, from PsychicHeart on etsy. $62.
Vintage 1940s 3 piece cotton “Originals By Maison France” dress on eBay. $369.
1940s style hand-knitted hair tidy from thebritishhomefront on etsy. $8.
Vintage 1940s navy windowpane skirt suit from the New Look-era. Buy it now on eBay for $249.
Vintage 1940s cream ribbon knit dress on eBay. Buy it now for $249, or make an offer.
Vintage 1940s day dress on eBay. $150.
Vintage 1940s pumps, size 39. $90 on eBay.
Vintage 40s Betty Hartford suit on eBay. $75.
Vintage 1940s iridescent pink silk taffeta dress with fur trim from sazzvintage on etsy. $250.
Vintage 1940s Hattie Carnegie suit from Marshall Field Company. Buy it now on eBay for $284, or make an offer.
1940s repro playsuit made from vintage pattern and fabrics (you choose!) from nudeedudee on etsy. $185.
Vintage 1940s lace beaded gown. $112.50 on eBay.
Vintage 1940s purple blouse from wildfellhallvintage on etsy. $30.
Vintage 1940s WWII high waist flared shorts on eBay. $125.
Vintage 1940s chartreuse gabardine skirt suit on eBay. $349.
WWII era repro cotton day dress from timemachinevintage on etsy. Made from an orginal, vintage pattern. $115.
Marlene pants from VeconaVintage on etsy. $250.
1940s repro 3-piece playsuit from jacksdaughter on etsy. Made from a 1947 Simpicity pattern. $173.
New 1940s-inspired wool fedora, made to order by buygail on etsy. $75.
Vintage 1940s WWII wool plaid peplum dress on eBay. Current bid $9.99.
Vintage 1940s pinafore skirt with removeable straps from KookieKittie on etsy. $110.
Vintage 1940s wool fedora from wildfellhallvintage on etsy. $42.
Cashmere sweater ($1,235) and pencil skirt ($950) by Nina Ricci. Maxi leather shoes by Brian Atwood ($939). Photo courtesy of LA Confidential Magazine.
Vintage original “New Look” era 1940s Christian Dior dress on eBay. Buy it now for $795 or make an offer.
Vintage 1940s silk wiggle dress. Current bid $17.50.
Vintage 1940s bombshell dress with huge tortoise shell buttons on eBay. $108.75.
Vintage 1940s belted wool coat on eBay. $110.
Go Fetch
Red Rover, Red Rover, send some fantastic dog apparel right over. Click on each image below to see the full listing.
“The Skipper” peacoat by RoverDog on etsy. $70.
Who doesn’t want a little Yoda running around the house? Yoda hat made to order by Sweethoots on etsy. $16.
“The Rover” necktie (shirt sold separately) from RoverDog on etsy. $15.
Great Dane plaid coat from TheElegantBeast on etsy. $135.
El Mariachi. It’s a sombrero. On a chihuahua. Ahem. From ToScarboroughFair on etsy. $33.
Classic yellow rain slicker from Designed4Paws on etsy. $65.
Baby blue or pink sweater vest from dlee1009 on etsy. $87.
Mod striped rain coat from TreeParlor on etsy. $74.
Knitted sweater in mustard from mailo on etsy. $35.
Mad Men-inspired pea coat with detachable fur collar from polkadotpoodle on etsy. $375.
Vintage Leopard Vanity Case & Matching Scarf
Another great find. Vintage leopard print vanity case with matching silk scarf. Current bid $4.93 on eBay. Click the images below to see the full listing.
Mad Men Style: 1960s Fedoras
Today on This Week’s Look, we are sipping afternoon mimosas on the lanai and talking men’s hats. Specifically, vintage 1960s stingy brimmed fedoras, trilbys and Homburgs. Think Leonardo DiCaprio in “Catch Me if You Can.” Sammy and Frank vacationing in Palm Springs.
But enough about Leo, Sammy and Frank, let’s talk about my amazing Harold. He is a hat man. Correction: He is THE hat man. Among other things. And I am, of course, a hat woman, so it is only natural that I should fall in love with a man who can pull off a hat every day of the week. In fact, he is such a natural, I suspect the nurses put a wool felt fedora on him when he was born rather than one of those snuggly newborn skull caps. He is French after all, so one can never be sure what goes on over there. Harold’s hat collection isn’t necessarily staggering. That is to say, his collection will never rival mine in sheer numbers, but it is robust enough to provide a hat for just about any occasion.
Back to my original thought. 1960s trilbys. These short-brimmed hats are destined to become ubiquitous once the new season of Mad Men premieres next year, so if you’re in the market for one, I would do my shopping now before the rise in demand and prices follow. There are some amazing, original 1960s toppers out there right now, and we have selected some of the best for our readers. Click on each image below to see the full listing.
Vintage 1960’s Alexander wood tweed trilby, size 7, on eBay. Current bid $29.43.
Vintage 1960s mustard wool felt stingy brim fedora. Buy it Now for $53.85 on eBay, or make an offer.
Vintage 1960s, never worn, light blue and taupe houndstooth hat by Dobbs. Size 7 1/4 – 7 3/8. Buy it Now for $54.99 on eBay, or make an offer.
Vintage straw topper, size 7 1/8, from HartsCloset on etsy. $44.99.
Vintage 1960s fine fur or cashmere dark charcoal trilby from StyleStash on etsy, size 7 1/8. $160.
Vintage 1960s The Stetson “Playboy” in delicious fur with ridiculously cool gold ornament on the band. Size 7. Buy it Now for $132 on eBay, or make an offer.
Vintage 1960s “pocket fedora” by Knox, size 7 1/8. This dark green pocket hat is a straightforward business. Fold it up, stick it in your pocket and it will hold its shape brilliantly. Matching nylon hat band adorned with bright red feather. $79 on eBay.
Rare raw silk stingy brim fedora from NorthStarAtelier on etsy. $75.
They call this Alpine enthusiast “The Tyrolean.” Vintage 1960s brown wool felt hat made exclusively for The Swiss Cheese Shop of Monroe Wisconsin. Black silky lining and silver pendant with horsehair florette on a dark brown headband. Current bid $45 on eBay.
Vintage Pendleton virgin wool trilby, made in Portland, Oregon. Buy It Now for $26.95 on eBay.
Take the Rat Pack to Palm Springs with the top down and this vintage 1960s light blue straw fedora with striped ribbon hat band, size large. Buy it Now for $26.91 on eBay, or make an offer.
Vintage 1960s Stevens beaver blend Homburg-style hat in original box. Size 6 3/4. $59.99 on eBay.
Vintage Dobbs Fifth Avenue New York stingy brim fedora, size 7. Buy It Now on eBay for $19.99.
Vintage 1960s Churchill fedora in original box. I want to rub myself all over this unbelievable red topper. Just look at that nautical rope band. The hat is a masterpiece. Size 6 7/8. $49.99 on eBay.
Dr. Keys loved this hat so much he had his name monogrammed inside. Vintage 1960s crushable wool trilby, size 7 3/8. $25 on eBay.
Vintage black and white wool tweed trilby, made in Italy, size medium to large. Buy it Now for $24.99 on eBay, or make an offer.
Vintage 1960s Dobbs mossy green fur felt short-brimmed fedora, size 7. Buy It Now for $30 on eBay.
Vintage “Golden Coach” by Dobbs New York fedora. Rich grey fur felt, size 7 1/2. Current bid $54.99 on eBay.
Vintage “House of Tweed” wool down brim fedora, size large. Current bid $34.99 on eBay.
Vintage 1960s olive tweed trilby from VeraVague on etsy. $60.
Vintage Knox New York classic plaid trilby, size 6 3/4, with hat box from ValsVintageFinds on etsy. $48.
Vintage late 1950s to early 1960s Homburg-style hat, size 7 1/8, from RaleighVintage on etsy. $48.
Vintage 1960s plaid trilby with feather from ReverieMerchants on etsy. $40.
The Eton Crop and the Cloche
It was the 1920s. The Great War was over, women won the vote, and the music of the Jazz Age empowered us to bebop our way through a period of sustained prosperity. Of course, women still had it tough, but we were beginning to assert our independence and break free from many sartorial and social restrictions. Indeed, our fashions reflected this new-found freedom. We wore looser, shorter clothes, bobbed our hair and discovered that make up isn’t just for prostitutes.
It was also during this time that the hairstyle known as the Eton crop (the short, slicked-down cut worn by Josephine Baker) became so popular. It is said that the Eton crop emerged during this time because it was the best hairstyle to show off the trendiest hat of the era, the cloche.
A cloche is a fitted, bell-shaped hat (originally invented by milliner Caroline Reboux in 1908), typically worn very low on the forehead. This style of hat peaked in popularity in the 1920s and continued to be seen until about 1933.
These days, whether vintage or new, cloche hats continue to represent feminism, independence and the height of style. Below we have gathered a selection of vintage, new and custom made cloche-style hats found on etsy this week. Click on each image below to see the full listing.
Hand made royal blue cloche with vintage button from yellowfield7 on etsy. $380.
Hand made fedora in dusty pink and gray fur felt from TheMillineryShop on etsy. $265.
Hand made beige cloche with buttons from RetroReproHandmade on etsy. $69.
Made-to-order felt cloche (modified from vintage pattern) with bow and chains from FeltFancy on etsy. $30.95.
Vintage teal wool cloche from alleycatsvintage on etsy. $38.
Hand blocked cherry red cloche from Steambobbin on etsy. $105.
Dark gray felt cloche with feathers from ohmama on etsy. $175.
One of a kind, hand made slate and pheasant cloche from KelseyPitney on etsy. $40.
Hand blocked gold wool cloche with taffeta ribbon from neworleansmagpie on etsy. $58.
Custom made 1920s-style cloche with red wooden buckle from bonniesknitting on etsy. $85.
Vintage 1970s furry felt cloche from jackiedretroboutique on etsy. $28.
Add a pop of color to your ensemble with this vintage peacock blue felt wool cloche from misswonderful1950 on etsy. $26.
Custom made wool felt cloche with side draped pleats from LuminataCo on etsy. $125.
Vintage brushed wool cloche with wide leather band from IKAHN on etsy. $34.
Vintage mossy green brushed felt cloche from yellowfeathr on etsy. $24.
Vintage brown cloche with sleek black patent trim from SparrowGardens on etsy. $30.
Simple cream cloche with bow from BlancheandEleganza on etsy. $40.
Great Gatsby! Clementine light gray cloche with orange trim from yellowfield7 on etsy. $385.
Fashion Files: André Courrèges
André Courrèges, self-proclaimed inventor of the mini-skirt, launched his ultra-modern ‘Space Age’ collection in 1964 and went on to become one of the most copied fashion designers of all time. A former civil engineer, Courrèges’ clothes were sharp, angular and mathematically designed. His clean-cut collection included trouser suits with immaculately cut straight legs and streamlined jackets. The look was created using heavyweight gabardines and other heavy fabrics to maintain a rigid structure. He also employed PVC, metal and plastic in many of his designs.
Today, vintage Courrèges pieces from the 1960s are rare and can sell for hundreds of dollars. Below are some vintage Courrèges items found on eBay and etsy this week. Click on each image to see the full listing.
Courrèges red wool gabardine mini-dress, 1964. Photo credit: Victoria & Albert Museum. Dress donated by Stavros Niarchos.
Vintage Courrèges “Eskimo” sunglasses. Current bid $162.47 on eBay.
Vintage 1960s Courrèges Sunkist orange PVC jacket from TimelessVixenVintage on etsy. $550.
Vintage Courrèges cap toe patent gogo boots from pamcoco on etsy. $335.
Vintage Courrèges lavender a-line dress from vintagedresscloset on etsy. $395.
Vintage Courrèges purple PVC vest by pamcoco on etsy. $525.
Vintage Courrèges dress with mesh back from violentvintage on etsy. $390.
Vintage 1960s Courrèges structured jacket from EndlessAlley on etsy. $110.
Mod Courrèges orange vinyl wallet from snapitupvintage on etsy. $175.
Vintage Courrèges modernist earrings from popgoesmyvintage on etsy. $40.
Vintage Courrèges black vinyl purse from snapitupvintage on etsy. $285.
Vintage Courrèges “Futur Couture” dress. $690 on eBay.
Vintage 1970s Courrèges ivory wool and mohair dress from thriffany on etsy. Also available in black. $250.
Vintage 1960s Courrèges navy blue handbag from TheMysteryDrawer on etsy. $150.
Vintage Courrèges stamped enamel necklace. $95 on eBay.
Vintage Courrèges sheer sweater from violentvintage on etsy. $120.
Vintage Courrèges sweater with drawstring waist. $109.99 on eBay.
Vintage 1970s Courrèges silk scarf. $160 on eBay.
Vintage Courrèges “Sport Futur” dress. $213.34 on eBay.
Vintage Courrèges sunglasses frames on eBay. $85.
Vintage Courrèges Hyperbole wool jacket. $699.95 on eBay.
Vintage Courrèges sculptural sunglasses. $980 on eBay.
Vintage 1970s Courrèges cashmere blend turtleneck sweater. $70 on eBay.
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.
Egyptian Revival
Earlier this year, after a violent revolution that lasted 18 days, Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak finally stepped down, ending three decades of mostly unchallenged rule.
To celebrate the tenacity and courage of the citizens of Egypt, we are having an Egyptian revival here on the blog, featuring a collection of vintage (or vintage-y) Egyptian-inspired artifacts our fashion archeologists dug up on etsy and eBay this week. Think of this as ammo for your one-person fashion revolution. Click on each image below to see the full listing.
Vintage 1960s/1970s goddess dress with screen printed hieroglyphs, gorgeous pleats and a matching belt, by Alfred Shaheen. $149 on eBay.
Vintage Egyptian revival necklace on eBay. Starting bid $8.99.
Vintage geometric Egyptian-inspired top from SpunSugarVintage on etsy. $22.
Pharaoh head earrings by sheilabjewels on etsy. $35.
Vintage robe with Egyptian motif from FabFoundFrocks on etsy. $64.
Vintage 1980s Egyptian print maillot on eBay. $24.99.
Vintage hieroglyphs dress from AfternoonShowers on etsy. $43.
Vintage Egyptian revival cufflinks on eBay. Starting bid $4.99.
Vintage 1970s disco shirt with camels and pyramids from Flashbax on etsy. $10.
Vintage Egyptian twins leather handbag from LuckyRabbitShoppe on etsy. $25.
Vintage 1960s maillot from pineapplemint on etsy. $19.20.
Egyptian king earrings by irenebreeden on etsy. $8.
Vintage 1970s Egyptian embroidered tunic from lusciousvintage on etsy. $38.
Vintage 1970s Egyptian sphinx top from SallyJaneVintage on etsy. $26.
Vintage 1980s Egyptian Queen Nefertiti skirt from streeturchinvintage on etsy. $33.
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.
This Week's Look 