I LOVE...

...velvet shoes- a nice alternative to leathers and suedes that will add a textural element to any ensemble.

C'mon cold weather!

Busy, busy, busy this month- getting into the depths of the closets and doing my end 'o' summer rehaul. Loads of vintage outerwear will be up for sale this fall so stay tuned! Just a "mini preview" of some of the goodies coming your way this season...slick leathers, fab furs, wickedly stylish wools and knits with some to-die-for designer thrown in.

I LOVE...

...classic Chanel style- crisp black and white, loads of pearls, gold chains galore.

Red Bandana Beauties on Etsy

What a nice surprise today...a vintage 1970's Pappagallo purse of mine has been added to a treasury on Etsy! Everything in the treasury is red bandana print...how cute and summery and yes, I want everything.

Red Bandana Beauties by cjBlue on Etsy

Vintage Summer Style

A selection of vintage pieces to inspire this summer...perfect for a garden party, picnic dates and weekend getaways...Enjoy! Vintage 1980's Judy Hornby Couture- pale smokey grey chiffon with a mixed metallic lame floral pattern...such beautiful lightweight material, great when worn someplace breezy to get that full-on fluttery, shimmery effect.

Vintage 1970's Albert Capraro cotton gown- folksy at its finest! Love the vivid, fresh floral set against crisp black and white with lace print details...garden party darling!

Vintage 1980's Dominic Rompollo silk dress- peasant girl chic in a vivacious shade of emerald green with dainty floral sprays woven into the fabric. This flows beautifully and can be shortened if desired.

Vintage 1960's Sabina of India silk gown- the print is amazing on this all silk creation in an offbeat color combination that really makes a statement. Constructed with the expertly detailed
craftsmanship that you can only find in vintage and today's high dollar designer pieces.

Vintage 1970's Malcolm Starr mini dress- so simple and so, so chic! The perfect LBD for summer can be accessorized a million different ways and seriously, will this silhouette ever go out of style? I think not.

Vintage 1970's halter gown- a hot weather fave, sleek and sexy with a little rock 'n' roll/Elvis flavor thrown in from the denim-esque material and silver studded embellishments.

Vintage 1970's Young Edwardians sundress- hard to find black sundress gets a touch of prairie girl sweetness from icy blue satin ribbon trim and sheer floral ruffles. Go casual with cowboy boots or vamp it up in strappy sky-high platforms.

Vintage 1960's Shaheen sundress- light and sweet (without being overly juvenile), in a flattering coral polished cotton with paisley print in dark gold and white. Isn't this just summertime defined in a dress?

Vintage 1970's Carole Little for Saint-Tropez West silk dress- another frock that flows and flutters so beautifully due the lightweight 100% silk material, spectacular floral print both dainty and bold at the hem. The bodice is a dream with its perfect puff sleeves and drawstring neckline.

HEAVY METAL

Please keep your dainty diamond studs and fragile 14k gold chains and give me costume jewelry instead... gaudy goldtone things, chunky chains, flashy brass, exotic figural pieces, poor man's silver that will never tarnish. Underneath it all, it's just...metal. But costume jewelry gets to be big and bold, dramatic, sophisticated and unusual, fun, wild, weird, whatever. That $2000 tennis bracelet usually doesn't get a second look but that crazy gold choker with the parade of elephants with "ruby" eyes and dangling chains and charms, well...that's a different story.

Here's a few pieces to have fun with this summer that will inspire many wonderful ensembles (and stories of your own!)... Enjoy!





Vintage 1970's owl necklace- a charming little guy with his big, glowing eyes and dangling white glass charm "feathers". He'll look fab set against that mid-summer tan.

Vintage 1970's Original by Robert pin/pendant necklace- this piece is insane... the pendant is the size of a piece of toast (I hope you like rhinestones with your toast- less calories that way). Definately some runway fabulousness going on here...

Vintage 1960's silvertone shell charm necklace- these are beach ready with denim cut-offs and a plain white tank top. Charms are a perennial fave and these are so realistic looking that you can almost hear the ocean if you hold it up to your ear.

Vintage 1970's goldtone amulets- a great piece to play around with and layer with others of course. Weighty with nice detail, plus protection from evil perhaps?

Vintage 1980's brass and wire "web" necklace- I absolutely looooove these bold statement necklaces from the 80's. A beautiful example of intricate metal crafting and the mix of three different colors is especially eyecatching- a must-have for those of you that love unusual pieces.

Vintage 1980's Thierry Mugler silvertone star pin- still fresh and modern after all these years. A basic black jacket is the perfect backdrop for this one.

Vintage Castlecliff goldtone snake pin- snakes: exotic, pretty and dangerous (but so much nicer in jewelry form!) Weave this through a silk ribbon for a dramatic headband or pin it on to a jewel tone purse or clutch for some added shine.

Vintage 1980's Givenchy goldtone earrings- just what the 80's were all about: big, gold and flashy...LOVE IT!

I LOVE...

...bright, colorful leather. Makes me feel like a super hero or a mega bitch (red only!)These are all vintage pieces from the 80's, the heyday of leather garments in all sorts of unconventional and shockingly vivid hues.

Vintage 1970's Pauline Trigere Floral Chiffon Gown

Vintage 1970's Pauline Trigere Floral Chiffon Gown...At first glance, the silhouette is stately, elegant and conservative, then someone turns on the light in the hallway and you're met with an explosion of color, shimmering gold thread accents and a wild, quasi-psychadelic flower print (actually floral chiffon layered over scarlet material for a stunningly bold effect). While this type of dress usually falls into that "collectible" (examine and analyze me but don't wear me) category- you know, packed away in the archives or showcased in a book or exhibit, I think it's time it got out and mingled, had a few drinks and was the last one to leave the party. This gown would like to spend a night out on the town with a fantastically, gigantic cocktail ring, a gold clutch and Jimmy Choo.

Coming to my Ebay store soon!

Vintage 1970's Diane Von Furstenberg Wrap Dress

Vintage 1970's Diane Von Furstenberg Wrap Dress...hands down, one of my all time favorites in the realm of vintage clothing...if you do not own one, you must get one (vintage or new, DVF has so many variations of her 70's era classic- there's something for everybody)...this works for a wide array of body types and will have you looking feminine and polished in a snap...I've seen this on so many different types of women, from indie rockers to pinup girls to socialites and soccer moms, and they have all rocked it and loved how they looked in it. This 70's era find has a dainty rose print against a black background which can work all year round and of course, that signature curve-huggin' fit.

Coming to my Ebay store soon!

Vintage 1980's Mary McFadden Pleated Gown

Vintage 1980's Mary McFadden pleated gown...simple and easy to wear- perfect for the summer, when one is too busy enjoying the warm weather and having fun to worry about coordinating outfits...the color pallette of yellow, aqua, lavender and white is especially refreshing and you gotta love the bold leaf print. This makes for a great vacation dress, too- packs nicely and can go from beach to dinner in a snap. I threw on a strand of deco glass beads as an impromtu belt for this shot, btw.

Coming to my Ebay store soon!

Vintage Koos Couture Gown

Vintage Koos Couture bias cut gown, brilliantly constructed- the angled strips of fabric work to elongate the body and the mix of fabrics is eyecatching (floral chiffon layered over polka dot silk, bold geometric, striped taffeta, white floral lace trim)...so romantic and pretty and really unique for those of you that seek something different...perfect for an elegant summer wedding (be warned that you might outshine the bride in this one!)

Coming to my Ebay store soon!

I LOVE...

...vintage platform heels! The higher the heel, the closer to God.

In the works...Prom dresses!

COMING SOON...rows of ruffles and lace and poufy party awesomeness, glittering lame and 80's over-the-top,girly goodness...can't wait!

The Lady Dandy by Givenchy

Vintage 70's era Givenchy Sport- a find that I came across while visiting Las Vegas a few years back. A three piece suit (jacket, vest and trousers) in white with green pinstripes. This set has possibilities and could be absolutely brilliant...

Flower Power

A little collection of vintage 80's pieces- all florals with black backgrounds, ranging from fun and frivolous to chic and sophisticated.

This Spring, think vintage Bonnie Cashin

This spring, the forecast calls for vintage Bonnie Cashin. This is the perfect "inbetween" coat for those of you in cooler climes (think Stockholm, London, San Francisco). Constructed of a wool blend boucle, this vintage (circa late 60's) piece is a must-have for that early spring/early fall chill. Add to that, the bold plaid in an offbeat color combo paired with the unique design details that put Bonnie Cashin on the map, and you have a piece that will hold its own for many, many years to come. Yes, there's a reason her clothing can be found in museums and important fashion collections and yes, there's a reason why style setters are still wearing her pieces out and about today. Brilliance never goes out of style.

VINTAGE FASHION FAUX PAS #2- Acid wash / stonewash denim anything

Truth be told, only about 99.9999998475% of people that wear clothing can actually rock this and make it look cool and fashion forward. And those of you who can have been blessed by a higher power. This short-lived 80's trend reeks of mallrats and Bon Jovi, moussed perms and frosted eyeshadow. It keeps coming back in all sorts of reinvented forms but I don't know who the denim industry is fooling- it's still just... so wrong. If you must indulge in acid wash/stonewash denim anything, let's keep it confined to 80's parties or maybe like, heavy metal karaoke night, o.k.?
Follow this link if you want to learn more about acid wash/stonewash denim:




Retroland | Acid wash / stonewash / distressed denim

CASADEI vs. VICKY TIEL: 80's does 40's Battle

While digging out several new items to put up for sale this past week, I came across these two vintage gems that fall into one of my favorite genres of vintage, the 80's does 40's. I love the fact that while the 40's-inspired design and silhouette is so similar in both of these dresses, they are in fact so radically different.
First off, the raspberry colored number is by Casadei. At first glance, this can almost pass itself off as the real WWII era deal. But then there are the little details that are so indicitive of 80's obsession with all things glam/sexy/excessive. The sheer, nude insert at the bust embellished with beading and sequins, the semi-sheer fabric in vivid raspberry (just not the same as that dusty mauve from the 40's), the very bare back. Wow, very sexy and sophisticated.
Next, is a vintage Vicky Tiel. Maybe a black and white photo of this dress paired with period correct hair/make-up/accessories could possibly pull off a retro 40's feel, but in person- no way! The gathering at the waist, the form-fitting wiggle factor and the the simple neckline are really the only 40's inspiration to be found. It's all about the print, though- abstract, energetic, happy graffiti in basic black on white with little accents of bright, bold color make this dress look very "now".
It just goes to show that vintage has a little bit of something for everyone...