Archive for the ‘Tops’ Category
Twenty-Five Terrific Tunics
Tunics are so versatile, particularly during the cooler months when you can layer them over pants or leggings as a top, or over thick, opaque tights as a mini dress. This week we have assembled for you a collection of 25 very wearable vintage (or vintage-inspired) tunics, all available on etsy and eBay as of today. Click on each image below to see the seller’s listing.
Vintage 1960s bright red tunic or mini dress on eBay. Current bid $24.99.
Vintage-inspired cotton sateen mini-dress made by seedclothing on etsy. $80.
Vintage 1960s Mondrian-ish, space-age tunic by Vera on eBay. Current bid $16.99.
Vintage 1970s Yves Saint Laurent sweater tunic from ArtifactVintage on etsy. $350.
Vintage 1960s to 1970s Pucci-esque tent tunic on eBay. Current bid $19.99.
Vintage Byblos turtleneck tunic from BlancheandEleganza on etsy. $80.
Vintage 1960s black and metallic gold tunic from aiseirigh on etsy. $88.
Unusual Anna Sui jacket, dress, or tunic – you choose – from OwlVintage on etsy. $155.
Vintage 1960s peacock blue sweater tunic on eBay. Current bid $17.98.
Vintage 1960s Mr. Dino tribal tunic on eBay. Current bid $36.
Vintage 1970s Adolfo for Saks Fifth Avenue leopard print sweater tunic on eBay. $99.
Vintage 1960s double-knit tunic on eBay. Current bid $9.
Vintage 1970s Marimekko op art tunic/dress from worldmarketproductio on etsy. $95.
Vintage 1970s so Charlie’s Angels tunic pants suit on eBay. Current bid $150.
Vintage 1970s belted disco tunic in autumn colors on eBay. Current bid $38.99.
Vintage 1980s or 1990s cotton tunic or mini dress on eBay. Current bid $9.99.
Cotton -t-shirt tunic dress with lace sleeves and Peter Pan collar. Two colors available, made by DressupComeon on etsy. $32 each.
Vintage 1970s to 1980s convertible, belted, disco tunic (can be a skirt too!) on eBay. Current bid $19.
Vintage 1960s, space age, seafoam green, high neck tunic on eBay. Current bid $68.
Vintage 1960s mod tunic or super-mini dress from LucyRayRetro on etsy. $25.
Vintage 1970s wool tunic with metallic trim from retromomo on etsy. $40.
Vintage 1960s hand made tunic from boiledegg on etsy. $120.
Vintage 1960s St. John Knits apple green tunic pants suit from Planetclairevintage on etsy. $92.
Vintage 1960s velvet tunic with bell sleeves from 4birdsvintage on etsy. $95.
Vintage Guy Laroche geometric turtleneck tunic on eBay. Current bid $39.99.
Pony Up
In the 1970s and 1980s, riding the white pony rarely involved a tack shop. Recalling the the oft labeled ‘era of excess,’ this week we have curated for you a collection of disco and post-disco-era tops for guys and gals, all with equine-themed prints: rodeo, dressage, fantasy-corn, horse and buggy, Godfather, hunt club, Native American, polo, Anheuser-Busch, Jane Austen, Shetland, whatever your horse flavor, these primarily polyester ponies are ready to ride. Click on each image below to see the seller’s listing. Happy trails to you.
Vintage horse print top with back zip and tube cuffs from LostFoundLove on etsy. $22.
Vintage 1970s men’s Givenchy Victorian-themed carriage print button down from antique on etsy. $99.
Vintage 1970s equestrian print shirt dress on eBay. Current bid is $16.50.
Vintage unisex sparkling galloping horses t-shirt from NewmanHall on etsy. $22.
Vintage 1970s red equestrian turtleneck from FASHIONRERUN on etsy. $24.
Vintage 1980s wild horses button down shirt with pearly orange buttons from SecondHandAddiction on etsy. $10.50.
Vintage 1970s polyester lucky horseshoe blouse from BGVintageMart on etsy. $22.15.
Vintage 1970s men’s creamy polyester horse and rider disco shirt from Weirdorama on etsy. $41.
Vintage 1970s stretchy polyester disco blouse with horse landscape print. $18 on eBay.
Vintage Laurel Burch horse sweatshirt with metallic gold border from vivatiger on etsy. $23.
Vintage 1970s to 1980s prancing pony print blouse on eBay. $24.
Vintage Woolrich Native American print blouse from CheekyVintageCloset on etsy. $22.
Vintage 1970s Lady Manhattan sheer castle and horses print blouse from roadtripjournal on etsy. $30.
Vintage 1970s equestrian ribbed knit vest from ProseAndPalaver on etsy. $24.
Vintage silky polyester horse head print blouse from fuzzymama on etsy. $18.
Vintage 1970s horse print blouse from AndHowCowgirl on etsy. $20.
Not disco-era, but great vintage all the same. 1960s men’s riding crop print shirt from bottleblondevintage on etsy. $25.
Vintage 1970s cave drawing horse print shirt on eBay. $26.95
Vintage 1970s men’s nylon horse and bird print shirt from Kasifoundthis on etsy. $16.80.
Vintage unisex polyester button down horse print shirt with brass buttons from sustainablewearable on etsy. $44.99.
Always in Accord
I love knife pleats and fortuny pleats, but accordion pleats are by far my favorite of the pleat varietals. And they’re going to be quite ubiquitous come spring 2012, especially in skirts. But as far as I’m concerned, they never really go out of style. Below we found a lovely selection of vintage and not-so-vintage accordion pleated pretties. Click on each image below to see the individual listing.
Accordion pleated chiffon dress with lightly fluted hem. $30.21 on eBay.
Vintage 1970s garnet maxi dress with accordion pleated skirt. Current bid on eBay is $14.99.
Sensational H&M black accordion pleated trapeze dress on eBay. Available as a “buy it now” auction for only $18.
Vintage 1970s accordion pleated, crossover secretary dress on eBay. Current bid $14.99.
Vintage accordion pleated maxi dress with sheer cape from VoxVintage on etsy. $38.
Vintage 1970s turquoise accordion pleated dress on eBay. $58 or make an offer.
Stretchy ivory satin cocoon dress with all over accordion pleats. Current bid on eBay $16.99.
Vintage 1970s cranberry red secretary dress from RustBeltThreads on etsy. $29.
Vintage 1970s Lillie Ruben accordion pleated dress with matching belt. Overpriced at $249 on eBay, but they do allow you to make an offer.
Vintage 1970s pumpkin spice accordion pleated dress from bloomstreetvintage on etsy. $36.
Vintage 1970s bright red accordion pleated skirt. $14.99 on eBay.
Vintage ivory dress blouse with accordion pleated ascot. Current bid on eBay $8.99.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
This Week's Look 