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.
Vintage Clampers
I have a predilection for vintage clampers, those hinged bracelets that rely on the tension from the hinge to stay closed (although some have clasps as well). Vintage clampers can be found in just about every material imaginable: Bakelite, Lucite, plastic, silvertone, enamel, celluloid. Some are abstract, Art Deco, or Art Nouveau, some even come in animal shapes. Some are flashy and rhinestone encrusted and some are mod and minimalist. I love them all.
As one can imagine, there are hundreds of vintage clampers on eBay and etsy, but we saved you the trouble of wading through all the junk. Below are some of the best clamper bracelets we found this week. Click on each image to see the listing.
Vintage 1950s pink Lucite clamper from griffincat on etsy. $6.99.
One of my favorite vintage jewelry makers. A very collectible, signed Sarah Coventry silvertone clamper bracelet. Current bid on eBay $9.99.
Huge rhinestone encrusted leopard head clamper from TheVintageAngel on etsy. $54.40.
Vintage 1980s red enamel and gold metal clamper from popgoesmyvintage on etsy. $25.
Vintage silver plated crystal rhinestone hinged bracelet from VermontJewelryShop on etsy. $22.
Another one of my favorite vintage jewelry makers. A vintage Trifari clamper in a creamy enamel and goldtone from GillyLynn on etsy. $18.
Vintage 1970s Givenchy lucite clamper bracelet. Current bid on eBay $74.99.
Vintage aurora borealis rhinestone and faux pearl buckle clamper. Current bid on eBay $34.95.
Vintage 1960s two-tone Lucite clamper bangles. This auction is for the blue one, but the seller has more. These are new old stock. Very mod. Current bid on eBay $20.72.
Vintage figural cat bracelet in blue enamel with rhinestones and glass eyes. Signed “Ciner.” Current bid on eBay $104.99.
Vintage black Bakelite clamper with large rhinestones. Current bid on eBay $9.99.
Vintage Trifari brushed gold leaf clamper from VintageGypsies on etsy. $32.
Very wide and striking green and goldtone clamper bangle from duSayeJewelry on etsy. $35.
Vintage 1940s to 1950s thermoplastic with pave set rhinestones clamper bracelet and matching clip-on earrings. Signed by Weiss, highly collectible. Current bid on eBay $150.
Vintage embossed brass buckle clamper from terrasouljewelry on etsy. $59.
Vintage 1950s black Lucite clamper bangle from ANTIQUEANDVINTAGE on etsy. $24.97.
Vintage goldtone clamper from EyeCandyAntiques on etsy. $18.
Vintage chunky cabochon, multi-hinged, brass filigreed clamper from PattycakesPlunder on etsy. $65.
Vintage modernist geometric design clamper from Moderra on etsy. $5.
Vintage chunky and super shiny red orange clamper bracelet from mooivintage on etsy. $32.
Raspberry Topping
Raspberry berets are so over, but you could never go wrong with this vintage, raspberry mohair, cloche-style fedora, made in Germany. $27 on eBay. Click on the image to see the listing.
Prêt-à-Cocktail Party
Elegant Prada black silk blend cocktail dress with deep scoop neck and back. Empire waist and pleated detail at hem. $299 on eBay. Click on the above images to see the full listing.
Costumed Courtesan
My Halloween costume this year. Special thanks to Andrew Yoon for donating his time and photography skills to the evening. Click on the above images to see the entire set from the party.
Fascinate Her
Amazing vintage 1950s Frank Olive Private Collection beaded, rhinestone velvet cap. Attached fascinator combs on each side. $175 on eBay. Click the image to see the full listing.
Shake the Disease
Pastels and veiled hats are going to be very, very, very this spring; this veiled beanie from Jil Sander’s Spring 2012 collection is a stunning example. I am so excited about the coming season that I just acquired the lavender, veiled headband below for just $10 on eBay. I know, right? I have a disease.
Full Tilt
Vintage 1940s ruched tilt hat with black veil. Current bid on eBay $24.99. Click on the above images to see the full listing.
Beau Chapeau
If my head wasn’t so small I would be buying this enchanting hat instead of sharing it with you fine people. Vintage 1960s velvet cloche in midnight blue. Union made with grosgrain ribbon around the brim and midnight blue netting. $39.99 on eBay. Click on the above images to see the full listing.
Bride of Peacock
Some questions. First, what the hell is going on here? Second, why would you spend nearly $8k on a wedding gown and then let a giant peacock sit on your lap? Third, is she marrying the bird? Fourth, is it a stuffed peacock worn as an accessory, like a brooch?
Also, that hair. No. Just no. No to everything here.
Three-piece bridal set by Lela Rose. Tiered skirt ($5,995), organza bustier ($995), and metal sunburst belt ($595). Photo by Cleo Sullivan for BRIDES Magazine.
This Week's Look 