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.
Get Pumped
I love brightly-colored vintage pumps. I really love dead stock vintage pumps. And I really, really love brightly-colored, dead stock vintage pumps in my size. Case in point, my newest acquisition. A lovely pair of vintage electric blue pumps in like new condition.
Vintage, dead stock pumps by Proxy. Electric blue leather. Knotted bow detail on heel. Made in Spain. Purchased on etsy for $32.
And here they are on my feet. Don’t they look smashing with my white-on-white tuxedo striped pants?
During my search for these bad babies, I passed on quite a number of awesome, brightly-colored vintage pumps. Below are the some of the shoes I rejected, not because I didn’t like them, rather I’m trying to exercise restraint when it comes to shopping. My loss is your gain, so get pumped.
Click on each image below to see the full listing.
Vintage 1980s purple pumps from RaleighVintage on etsy. $18.
Vintage 1980s yellow snakeskin heels from kokorokoko on etsy. $44.
Vintage red stilletos from amberpear on etsy. $40.
Vintage 1980s Neiman Marcus hot pink leather pumps from amymcleod on etsy. $34.
Vintage royal blue leather heels from pickypickins on etsy. Made in Spain. $34.
Vintage yellow peep toe heels from maisondec on etsy. $26.50.
Raspberry satin pleated pumps from magiebelle on etsy. $30.
Vintage Wild Pair electric blue leather stilettos from oraclemuse on etsy. $27.
Vintage 1980s Bandolino red hot peep toes from sweetrefrainvintage on etsy. $25.
OK, so these aren’t brightly-colored, but they are exactly like my blue ones! Vintage 1980s ivory leather pumps by Proxy, with knotted bow detail on each heel. From myvintagelook on etsy. $25.
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.
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.
A Creamy Crop of Capes
Get a replica of Kate Middleton's Angora wedding shrug on etsy. $190.
You don’t have to be royalty to drape yourself in a creamy confection like Kate’s. On etsy, “tvkstyle” will make you a replica of the duchess formerly known as Kate Middleton’s Angora wedding shrug for a pauper’s price. Let them eat cape! Capes. Ponchos. Swing coats. Shrugs. Shawls. Crochet. Knit. Angora. Wool. Fur. Leather. Fringe. Here are some of the best in creamy cover ups from eBay and etsy this week. Click on each image to go to the listing.
Oatmeal tweed acrylic cape on etsy. $61.
Vintage swing coat with kimono sleeves on eBay. Starting bid $9.99.
Lanvin cape with neck ruff detail on eBay. $967.
Creamy crochet cape on eBay. Buy it Now for $75 or make an offer.
Vintage sheer lace poncho on eBay. Current bid $10.49.
Vintage 1920s ostrich trimmed cape on eBay. $228.
Hand knitted mohair capelet by ufer on etsy. $49.
Vintage crochet caftan on eBay. Current bid $26.
Vintage cream cape on eBay. Buy it Now for $128.45.
Ultra soft tiered capelet by fashionknitwear on etsy. $92.
Handmade, oversized scarf with pompoms by tvkstyle on etsy. Merino wool blend. $130.
Hostess to the Max
The draped, Grecian-inspired maxi dresses of the 70s conjure scenes of Studio 54 and late night Tupperware parties. Some are ethnic flavored, some are disco ready. My grandmother called them “hostess gowns,” but then, she also chugged scotch and sodas in the afternoon and worked my poor grandfather into an early grave. As every hostess knows, emotional baggage is the perfect accessory for your vintage look.
Contrary to social norms, drinking your memories back into the dark recesses from whence they came does not need to be a drab affair, devoid of style. Wallowing in self-pity is, in itself, a special occasion. The dress code is tragic. The look is effortless.
Too hungover to shop? Not to worry. I have scoured eBay for some classic 70s looks that are sure to bring a little drama to your wardrobe. Click on the images below to see each listing. And call your sponsor.
Vintage cream cotton gauze maxi dress on eBay. Huge kimono sleeves and a half sash in back. Starting bid $14.99.
Vintage peach, sheer chiffon caped dress on eBay. Current bid $16.66.
Vintage caftan with angel sleeves and an empire drawstring waist on eBay. Buy it Now $149.99.
Vintage light plum chiffon maxi with caped sleeves on eBay. Current bid $13.50.
Vintage navy blue, tiered maxi dress with caped sleeves on eBay. Current bid $10.99.
Vintage pink maxi gown with fortuny pleats and sheer cape on eBay. Starting bid $14.99.
Vintage black goddess gown with fringe on eBay. Starting bid $14.99.
Vintage hot pink and orange tropical caftan on eBay. Starting bid $9.99.
Vintage dusty rose, Grecian goddess maxi gown on eBay. Buy it Now $75.
Vintage persimmon halter maxi gown on eBay. $95.
Vintage Grecian goddess maxi on eBay. Buy it Now for $138 or make an offer.
Vintage disco halter maxi dress with matching jacket on eBay. Buy it Now for $54.99 or make an offer.
Vintage Christian Dior cream lace maxi dress on eBay. Current bid $16.49.
Vintage sheer embroidered dress on eBay. Starting bid $9.99.
Vintage bronze gown with stunning draping. Current bid $42.28 on eBay.
Vintage one-shoulder, caped maxi dress on eBay. Buy it now for $95 or best offer.
Nautical Inspired Accessories
Pair the accessories below with some high waisted flares and a bottle of Veuve Clicquot for a nautical edge that won’t go overboard. Photo credit: Patrick Demarchelier for Catherine McNeil. Vogue UK, January 2010.
Since you’re going to be busy shopping for yachts, I have taken care of the accessory shopping for you. Here are some nautical inspired pieces I found on eBay and etsy today (click on each image to go directly to the listing):
Marc Jacobs strappy sandals on eBay. Starting bid: $24.99. Auction ends in 5 days.
Ms. Smith Summer Sail loop belt on etsy. By daniellehensley. $30.
Hello Sailor jersey infinity scarf on etsy. By remixedbyjacki. $15.
Betsy Johnson anchor bangle on eBay. Starting bid $39.99. Auction ends in just over 1 day.
Navy style shoulder/tote bag by meilingsketchbook on etsy. $65.
Vintage sheer navy dress, tunic, shawl or cover up on eBay. Current bid $14.99.
This Week's Look 