Archive for the ‘Fashion’ Category
Redux on the Runway
Prada debuted some fantastic 1960s inspired dresses for the label’s Fall 2011 collection. This little number below is one of my favorites; a dropped waist, almost schoolgirl frock, with a crisp, pleated skirt and low slung belt. I especially love the high, rounded neck and oversized buttons. I’m not crazy about how they styled the dress with those snakeskin boots. I would’ve chosen sleek, white mid-calf boots with a square toe instead, but then Prada surely would’ve been accused of copying André Courrèges.
A drop-waisted shift dress is a classic wardrobe staple and you can always find some excellent vintage pieces on eBay and etsy in every price range. Below are some similar silhouettes we found this week. Click on each image to see the full listing.
Vintage 1960s pea coat dress with chinchilla collar on eBay. Buy it now for $599 or make an offer.
Vintage 1960s pink plaid scooter dress from MissTurnstyles on etsy. $50.
Vintage 1960s black and brown checkered dress set from theparaders on etsy. $56.
Vintage 1960s St. John drop-waisted dress from tripoutvintage on etsy. $59.
Vintage 1960s pleated shift dress by R&K Originals on eBay. Current bid $19.99.
Vintage 1960s preppy shift dress with pleats from OurLadyVintage on etsy. $28.
Vintage 1960s plaid mini dress. Buy it now for $112 or make an offer.
Vintage 1960s drop-waisted dress from Veramode on etsy. $38.
Vintage 1960s nautical shift dress from LaRobedeMesReves on etsy. $34.
vintage 1960s sunshine shift dress from ManicVintage on etsy. $28.
Vintage 1960s color block shift dress on eBay. Buy it now for $28.
Vintage 1960s Sherry Kent drop-waisted dress on eBay. Buy it now for $100.
Vintage 1960s navy pleated shift dress from PopFizzVintage on etsy. $27.
Vintage 1960s striped scooter dress from redangora on etsy. $24.
Vintage floral, belted shift dress on eBay. Buy it now for $90.
Vintage 1960s sleeveless shift dress from snapitupvintage on etsy. $15.
Vintage 1960s dress with tiny houndstooth print. Buy it now on eBay for $49.
Vintage 1960s Fred Rothschild dress on eBay. Buy it now for $100.
Vintage 1960s lavender shift dress on eBay. Buy it now for $90.
Vintage 1960s drop-waisted dress on eBay. Buy it now for $32 or make an offer.
Vintage 1960s chiffon and lace mini dress on eBay. Buy it now for $118.
Vintage watercolor floral shift on eBay. Buy it now for $130.
Vintage 1960s paisley drop-waisted, pleated dress on eBay. Buy it now for $120.
Vintage yellow and navy plaid dress from TheOliveSlip on etsy. $35.
Vintage 1960s Jean Patou wool dress on eBay. Buy it now for $349.
Bohemian Wedding
I’m coveting this vintage, fringed maxi dress I saw on eBay today. You could wear it to your own weird hippie wedding in the forest, as a Halloween costume, to a dinner party, lounging on the sofa, whatever. This dress will find a reason to be seen. Current bid $56. Auction ends 9/8. Click on the images below to see the full listing.
Spotted at Target
Spotted at Target yesterday, some decent vintage-style cloches for $16. Not bad, Target, no bad. Unfortunately, they only come in one size and my head is on the small side. But hey, it’s what’s inside that counts, yeah? If you love this style, I recently found a nice crop of them on eBay and etsy. Click here to see them all.
Good Mourning
It’s a dreary Labor Day holiday weekend here on the blog. My Harold returned to France and I stayed here in Self Pity City. Anyway, I didn’t feel much like shopping, so I found some exquisite mourning gowns on eBay instead. Click on each image to see the full listing.
New with tags black silk Chanel gown on eBay. $1,999.
Vintage Halston one shoulder gown. $594 on eBay.
Black Halston one shoulder gown on eBay. $1,249.
Black Imitation of Christ beaded silk gown on eBay. $600.
Black Jil Sander evening gown on eBay. $833.33.
Vintage black and gold, one shoulder evening gown on eBay. So Sharon Stone in Casino. Starting bid $799.
BCBG black tulle, one shoulder ball gown on eBay. $415 or make an offer.
Vintage 1960s “Jane Justin for Don Sophisticates” black wool day dress. $300 on eBay, or make an offer.
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.
1960s Blazer for Men Only $12
I saw this today and swooned. And it’s only $12! Vintage 1960s navy blue and gray plaid blazer from lacasadetita on etsy. Click the image 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.
One Wardrobe Essential
Earlier this month, Banana Republic and AMC debuted a Mad Men-inspired collection in collaboration with the show’s Emmy-winning costume designer Janie Bryant. The collection offers a modern take on 1960s style for both men and women.
With or without Janie Bryant’s help, a 1960s look is easy to pull off with a few basic pieces. One of the main staples of this look is a tailored lace shell, as pictured above left. Pair it with a pencil skirt or cropped cigarette trousers, throw a jacket over it for the office or dress it up with rhinestones for cocktails. Trust me, you will get a lot of mileage out of this piece.
You can go straight to Banana Republic’s website right now and buy this remake of a 1960s lace shell for $50, or you can pick up an original for much less. Below are some vintage and newer lace tops we found on etsy and ModCloth this week. Click on each image to see the full listing.
The Mad Men® Collection lace shell in cafe au lait from Banana Republic. $49.50.
New “Tank You So Much” top from ModCloth.com. $32.99.
Vintage black scalloped tank from ANNAKARINASCLOSET on etsy. $16.
Vintage 1960s sleeveless pink lace top from UpscaleVintage on etsy. $20.
Vintage 1960s sleeveless pointelle top from luxedebrisvintage on etsy. $16.
Vintage mint lace shell from thebagbasement on etsy. $24.
Vintage 1960s blush lace shell from sparvintheieletree on etsy. $24.
Vintage 1960s black lace shell from hipandvintage on etsy. $10.
Hand crocheted shell with matching cardigan from ragdollady55 on etsy. $20.
Vintage 1960s green lace shell from momodeluxevintage on etsy. $24.
Rear view, love the back zipper. Vintage crocheted shell from SoulshineVintage on etsy. $20.
Vintage white lace tank from heightofvintage on etsy. $18.
Vintage black lace top from bloomingleopold on etsy. $15.
Vintage 1960s hand made yellow lace top from JezebelsGypsyThread on etsy. $9.99.
Vintage cream floral lace shell from feedyourhead027 on etsy. $8.
This Week's Look 