Archive for the ‘Seasonal’ Category
Lanvin’s Feminist Decade
Bustown Modern, a constant source of vintage inspiration and great finds, published an astute blog post last year called “Lanvin’s Invisible Decade,” which you can read in its entirety here. While Bustown dismisses the label’s ubiquitous shirt dresses from the 1970s, we here at This Week’s Look take a different view. Those iconic, printed shirt dresses Lanvin churned out during the disco era may not represent the pinnacle of fashion, but those stretchy, often polyester, frocks reflect a rarely seen facet of the ’70s. They offer us a rare look at what every day women were wearing to work, to the grocery store, to pick up the kids, prepare meals, to do basically everything because, while moms were working, dads still felt entitled to do less around the house. As such, fashion had to be comfortable, versatile, easy to launder, and affordable.
So this week, we pay homage to Lanvin’s Feminist Decade, which is certainly not as titillating as the glamorous disco-era fashions of the ’70s, but a fitting tribute to all those women who work hard for the money. So hard for it, honey.

Vintage 1970s Lanvin equestrian-print, shirt dress with matching neck tie and belt, purchased on eBay for $25.

Vintage 1970s silk Lanvin dress with trumpet sleeves and ruffled hem from Revolveexchange on etsy. $156.

Vintage 1970s Lanvin creamy shirt dress in a satiny print (see close up of fabric below) from verybestvintage on etsy. $62.

Close up of the above vintage 1970s Lanvin creamy shirt dress in a satiny print from verybestvintage on etsy. $62.
Harper’s Bazaar in Review
Sadly, the December 2012 / January 2013 issue of Harper’s Bazaar failed to inspire us this month. Still, we soldiered on and uncovered a few glimmers of style worth re-purposing this holiday season.
Here’s one of our favorite looks from the issue, which would work great from office to holiday party. This could’ve easily come off as a cater waiter ensemble, if not for the ultra-high waist, flared trousers, cummerbund belt with minimalist chain, and exaggerated Peter Pan collar. Easy to replicate too.
Cobalt sweater paired with cobalt, sharkskin cigarette trousers. We don’t see enough of this color in mixed monochromatic textures, so well done, Harper’s.
Monochromatic and monotextured, long and lean, this almost looks like a tailored, wool knit jumpsuit. But it’s not. Another easy to replicate look, if you have the lines to pull it off. It’s lovely to be warm and hot at the same time.
Back to School
This Week’s Look is back from summer vacation and the fall/winter shopping is already in progress. In preparation for the imminent seasonal shift, earlier this summer we scored a couple pairs of vintage, leather driving gloves and a 1970s caramel leather blazer at cheap heatwave prices. This jacket will probably top a black and white striped, long-sleeved, crew neck t-shirt and skinny jeans. But we’re getting ahead of ourselves here. There’s a heat wave presently plaguing us here in southern California, so we’re going to have to put those treasures on hold until further notice.
The rest of you, however, are already picking up on the first signs of autumn. Instagram is full of snapshots featuring falling orange leaves and light jackets. For you, this week we have curated a collection of vintage leather blazers, as seen on etsy and eBay. Click on each image below to see the individual listing.
Vintage cinnamon leather blazer with faux fur collar from silkwormvintage on etsy. $62.
Vintage fitted, caramel leather jacket from InglenookMarket on etsy. $43.
Vintage 1970s cognac kid leather blazer on eBay. $73.
Vintage whiskey stained leather, fitted cafe racer jacket on eBay. $125 or make an offer.
Vintage chestnut suede blazer from silkwormvintage on etsy. $52.
Oops. It’s sideways. Oh well. Here’s a vintage reddish brown, two-button leather blazer on eBay. $80 or make an offer.
Vintage 1970s tawny suede blazer from zorra666 on etsy. $24.99.
Style tip. Wear this 1970s black and white striped top under your caramel leather blazer. Deadstock cotton top from FrocksnFrillsVintage on etsy. $23.
Vintage 1980s A&F New York grey leather blazer from dollpartschicago on etsy. $58.
Vintage 1990s oxblood leather blazer from NakedVintage on etsy. $34.
Shopbop Sale
This week we were lured from the usual vintage scene, enticed by some serious spring deals over at shopbop.com. Use the promo code INTHEFAMILY20 at checkout to get 20% off through April 18. Shopbop also offers free 3-day shipping and returns with no minimum order. Below are some of our favorite spring-inspired looks as seen on shopbop this week.
Striped silk Tory Burch blouse with removable neck tie.
Crepe dress with draped cowl overlay by Rachel Roy.
Rachel Roy cropped yellow suit slacks.
A.L.C. viscose and silk wrap dress.
Cosabella sheer stretch-lace boy shorts with scalloped edges. Comes in four spring colors.
Halston Heritage accordion pleated dress.
Gemma inverted facet citrine studs by Marc Jacobs.
Sass and Bide one shoulder dress.
Ribbed jersey maxi dress by Rachel Pally.
Tucker slim fit silk blouse.
Marc Jacobs hot dot bangle.
Monrow crepe maxi dress.
Have a Cowl
Scarves are great, but sometimes a girl (or a guy) needs a cowl. Although, when men wear them I think they’re called gaiters.
Whatever you call them, I prefer tightly crocheted or knitted neck warmers with functional buttons because they offer more flexibility; you can go for a prim buttoned up look, a partially buttoned open collar look, or let it hang loosely down your shoulders like a capelet. Most cowls are also easy to stash in your purse or bag when not in use (depending on the size of your bag that is). One more thing, if you’re the fashionable type, definitely stay away from fleece cowls. Unless you’re going for that extreme camping look.
The absolute best place to find original, handmade cowls is etsy of course. Below are some of my favorites (there’s even one for dogs). Click on each image to see the listing.
Wool and acrylic blend gaiter in a warm curry spice. Made by gypseatree on etsy. $37. Other colors available by request.
The “Elizabeth I” crocheted neck ruff in mustard made by DesiredCrochet on etsy. $17.
Here’s a unisex, hand knitted acrylic cowl made by KYSAA on etsy. $20.
Dogs get chilly too! The Brown Barker here is a custom neck warmer/hood for dogs, made-to-order by HippiePups on etsy. $30.
Recycled, buttery soft leather and angora neck warmer from MacolieMonster on etsy. $36.
Brown, green and black ruffled acrylic scarf from Periay on etsy. $18.
Cranberry wool-blend cowl with functional buttons, handmade by WindyCityKnits on etsy. $30.
Mary Poppins would be proud to sport this ruffly cowl adorned with vintage buttons, made by CheshireFarm on etsy. $15.
Super-chunky, cable knit neck warmer made by LaimaShop on etsy. $68.
A beautifully simple and inexpensive teal cowl with vintage seashell button. Made by Witherwood on etsy. $9.
OK, I know I said no fleece, but the fleece is hidden on the inside here so it’s totally acceptable. Upcycled plaid neck warmer from OhMaudlinMe on etsy. $30.
Adjustable buttoned cowl made by Witherwood on etsy. $7.
Snuggly neck warmer reconstructed from a vintage faux mink coat, complete with black satin ties. Made by SewTrendy on etsy. $30.
Look at the versatility of this dark purple, crocheted cowl. The three functional buttons give you so many options. Made by TallentedCrafts on etsy. $12.
Perk up your drab winter with this sunshiny yellow neck warmer with orange toggle button by akphotoncrafts on etsy. $10.
Another highly versatile cowl made by wearaddiction on etsy. $17.50.
Elegant hand knitted leaf cowl made from 100% merino wool by LeafyDesign on etsy. $55.
OK, so maybe you’re not ready to commit to a cowl. Here’s one that’s a little bit cowl, a little bit scarf, complete with wood buttons. Made by FrogSong on etsy. $15.
100% cashmere, double-thick, brioche stitch, extra-tall cowl in steel blue. Made by kimbarelli on etsy. $49.95.
A striking caped cowl in 100% wool with wood toggle button. Made by lightist on etsy. $95.
Spring Forecast
Fall is the perfect season to shop for vintage spring dresses since most shoppers have their eyes fixed on cold weather attire. And with popular designers like Marc Jacobs stacking their spring 2012 collections with vintage-inspired dresses like the one below, these silhouettes will be harder to come by once the ice begins to thaw.
This look is not just reminiscent of, it’s a total copy of the disco-era dresses of the 1970s to 1980s; those swingy, polyester, wrap/faux wrap numbers your mom used to wear. Easy on, easy off. You were probably conceived in one of these frocks.
But I’m not knocking Marc Jacobs. I actually love when designers turn to vintage looks because you can get an original for a fraction of the cost of a designer redo. The trick is to stay ahead of the trends and start scanning eBay and etsy in advance. Oh wait. We already did that for you. Click on each image below to see the full listing.
A look from Marc Jacobs Spring 2012 collection.
Vintage 1970s orchid print dress on eBay. $95 or make an offer.
Vintage 1970s to 1980s red floral dress with plunging neckline. Current bid on eBay $16.
Vintage 1970s to 1980s Malibu Media of California day dress from ACollectiveNest on etsy. $30.
Vintage 1970s peacock teal swooshy disco dress from VivaChloe on etsy. $45.
Vintage 1970s dark blue wrap style floral print dress. $20 on eBay.
Vintage 1970s floral print mini dress with neck tie. $69 on eBay.
Vintage 70s blue garden print mini dress. $20 on eBay.
Vintage 1970s orange and blue print mini dress. $59 on eBay.
Vintage 1980s sheer bird and branch floral mini dress. Current bid on eBay $20.50.
Vintage 1970s pink floral print dress with cute micro pleats. $65 on eBay.
Vintage 1980s girls just wanna have fun martini print dress. Current bid on eBay $9.99.
Vintage 1960s floral print day dress. Current bid on eBay $24.
Vintage 1970s to 1980s floral border print dress on eBay. $50 or make an offer.
Vintage 1970s dead stock rose print dress on eBay. $80 (originally $95).
Vintage 1970s to 1980s robin’s egg blue disco dress from Savanteer on etsy. $25.
Vintage 1970s to 1980s pleated secretary dress. $40 on eBay.
Vintage 1970s summer party dress with matching belt on eBay. $46 or make an offer.
Vintage 1970s rainbow disco dress from farfromhere on etsy. $30.
Vintage 1970s disco dress with plunging neckline from aristlo on etsy. $33.
Vintage 1970s swingy purple floral print dress. $12 on eBay.
Vintage 1970s last dance disco dress from RadVintager on etsy. $28.