Vintage Diva's

Time to go shopping ??????

2011-11-04T08:57:00.000-04:00

The lovely lace dress that Audrey Hepburn wore to accept her Oscar in 1954 for Roman Holiday is up for auction.

The ivory colored now iconic lace gown that Hepburn wore when she collected her one and only Oscar which she got for Best Actress will be going on auction by the end of this month.

The piece was reportedly adapted from a version designed by Edith Head that the actress wore in the last scene of the film in 1952.

She had the bodice changed by Givenchy to make it more of an evening gown. The delicate, sleeveless and belted lace dress features a full, flounced skirt and two spaghetti straps on the back.

The vintage lace dress was then stored away in a box at the bottom of a wardrobe, until it was decided to sell it, giving it to Kerry Taylor Auctions.

The gorgeous lace dress is slated to bring between $64,101 to $96,170! The auction is scheduled for Tuesday, November 29 at 2:00 pm at La Galleria on 30 Royal Opera Arcade in Pall Mall, London.

How to shop for fabulous vintage clothes

2011-10-24T11:13:00.000-04:00

The clothing is more than something you put in the morning. Clothing represents – its values, its style and identity. There are so many different styles people choose to represent themselves. Vintage clothing is a specific style that many people are making their own. In fact, vintage clothing has set the fashion world on fire.
Not everyone understands what is vintage clothing. It is clothing that comes from an earlier era and are available in limited quantities. In fact, no two vintage clothing items are exactly alike. While there are a large number of people who appreciate vintage style, not everyone knows where to go to buy these items. It can be difficult to find quality vintage shop. Access to good fashion should be easily available to everyone.
Vintage clothes never go out of fashion. To find great fashionable vintage pieces you need to have a good eye and a plan. Before you go vintage shopping, you need to access your existing wardrobe. Look at your skirts, slacks, and favorite jeans especially. One of the easiest ways to put together a great vintage outfit is to pair a vintage piece with a modern piece you already own. This will make shopping easier on you and your checking account. So remember to pair with the basics that you already have.
Know what you love because vintage clothing shopping, it can be overwhelming. When shopping on line and the web site may haves more pictures than you can process. The sellers on line are trying to help you see the clothing from all angles plus any flaws that that the clothing may have. Take your time. Always ask for help by emailing the web site when you find that vintage piece that you are thinking about buying and ask questions.
Find styles, or time periods that you really love and fit your body style. Always do research on vintage clothing before starting to collect and wear vintage.
You need to know about the sizing of vintage clothing. A size 6 today is NOT the same as a size 6 from 50 years ago. Vintage clothing is generally 1-2 sizes smaller than they are today. Sizing has changed with each decade, so the truth is that although you might wear a size 4 in 2011, you could be a 6 or 8 in 1940s-era clothing. When shopping online, most vintage seller measure the garments flat. Check the site’s sizing charts or measuring policy of the web site that you are shopping.

2011

2011-08-19T15:11:00.002-04:00

2011 by vintagediva featuring a scoop neck tee

Scoop neck tee
$25 - shopbop.com

Rupert Sanderson mary jane high heels
$505 - rupertsanderson.com

epearl

2011-08-19T13:20:00.002-04:00

epearl by vintagediva on Polyvore.com

DRESSING IN THE 1930'S

2011-04-28T08:21:00.001-04:00

Women in the 1930 had style but not a lot of clothes. Style comes from wearing a hat cocked just right and shoes that are shined, and putting yourself together before leaving the house.

The 1930s had terrific dresses, sensible yet feminine shoes, and cloches. To get the look right by starting with the right foundations. Back then, women wore girdles, and stockings hooked onto garters. The bras have to be right, and slips are worn.

For those who want to check online for the correct underpinnings, try GirdleShop . While some vintage girdles are available on other sites but remember girdle fabric doesn't hold up to the decades.

Also , you need to have the right shoes.

The dresses for the 1930s, you need to look for dresses with no back zippers. The dresses had side zippers. And while we're talking about the genuine silhouette of a dress then - no shoulder pads and from rayon print material.

All I need to know I learned from the Easter Bunny

2011-04-22T07:59:00.004-04:00

• Don't put all your eggs in one basket.
• Everyone needs a friend who is all ears.
• There's no such thing as too much candy.
• All work and no play can make you a basket case.
• A cute tail attracts a lot of attention.
• Everyone is entitled to a bad hare day.
• Let happy thoughts multiply like rabbits.
• Some body parts should be floppy.
• Keep your paws off of other people's jelly beans.
• Good things come in small, sugar coated packages.

Laver's Law of Fashion

2011-04-18T12:19:00.000-04:00

I stumbled upon an interesting way to measure if you are appropriate in your dress, it is Laver’s Law. James Laver (1899-1975) who was an author, art historian, and museum curator who acted as Keeper of Prints, Drawings and Paintings for the Victoria and Albert Museum between 1938 and 1959 created Laver’s Law. It was his attempt to compress the complex cycle of fashion change and the general attitude towards any certain style or period into a simple timeline. It first appeared in Taste and Fashion (1937):

Indecent 10 years before its time

Shameless 5 years before its time

Outré (Daring) 1 year before its time

Smart 'Current Fashion'

Dowdy 1 year after its time

Hideous 10 years after its time

Ridiculous 20 years after its time

Amusing 30 years after its time

Quaint 50 years after its time

Charming 70 years after its time

Romantic 100 years after its time

Beautiful 150 years after its time

He was also an important and pioneering fashion historian described as "the man in England who made the study of costume respectable. Why not check your wardrobe now and eliminate dowdy, hideous or ridiculous items. Perhaps anything older has a certain museum quality or will come in handy for those 70's revival nights. Seriously if it is older than 20 years and it has a good label and in good condition it may be valuable - ONE DAY - it is almost certainly already being collected by someone somewhere in the world and is described as vintage.

Stanley Marcus, the former president of Neiman Marcus, recounts in his memoir Minding the Store how Laver’s Law was used by Neiman Marcus clothes buyers in the late 60’s. There was a heated internal debate on whether the trend for that next year would still be the mini skirt (which was the current fashion) or the longer midi skirt. Marcus asked Laver point blank if the mini skirt was dead. Laver told him that the mini skirt had at least another 2 years to go — against expert opinion at the time. His forecast was right, the midi was a complete flop, many women continued to wear the miniskirt, and those who couldn’t or wouldn’t make up their minds went into the pants suit. Pants were bound to come, but the skirt-length controversy made pants acceptable at an accelerated rate.

Do you think it applies today in the average person dressing plan? If you walk the street in your town, you will find an array of dressing styles from the sedate (ladies with proper teas dresses) to the tough and wild (biker babes in Ed hardy and Harley Davidson covered in tats). Just look around at your local mall or shopping center. Just remember that in a few years it’ll start to look bad. In 10 years it’ll look REALLY bad. Then, after some time, it will be appreciated — or even revered — again.

vogue flapper

2011-04-12T10:10:00.002-04:00

Hats of Bill Cunningham from the New York Times

2011-03-30T09:36:00.000-04:00

What a surprise I had when I was reading the New York Times this morning and found out that their writer Bill Cunningham had created some marvelous hats starting in the 1950’s . His colleagues in The Times’s photo got him to share photographs of the hats he had concocted decades ago as an aspiring — and very imaginative — young milliner.

Mr. Cunningham designed his first hat for his mother to wear to the World’s Fair of 1939 and she decided not to wear it. He continued working as a milliner under the name William J. because he did not used his last name because his family was embarrassed until the late 1950s.

Mr. Cunningham’s inspirations came from nature. He enjoyed working with feathers. His hats were different but stylish. In the New York Times article he said that he did not make a living off of his designs but they paid for themselves. He said that he didn't think that many sold because he created exotic hats.

I would love to be able to wear one of his little cocktail hats. I think his hats would be such fun to wear.

Please go to this link and see the wonderful hats that he created.

http://lens.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/03/29/bill-cunningham-a-rare-birds-feathers/?ref=fashion

Goodbye! Elizabeth

2011-03-23T16:40:00.000-04:00

Things to remember

2011-03-10T16:19:00.004-05:00

Today was not a good day so these are things that I need to remember. The next posts will be more on vintage clothing. Take care.

Love,
Vintage Diva

VINTAGE SUMMER

2011-03-02T15:58:00.002-05:00

vINTAGE sUMMER by vintage diva featuring an esther williams swimwear

It's time to start looking for that vintage swimsuit to show off your curves.

Katherine Hepburn

2011-02-15T16:46:00.002-05:00

Untitled by vintage diva on Polyvore.com

2011-02-11T14:01:00.003-05:00

On the runways of the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in NYC, there was short dresses in bright colors and bead embellishments, sleek pants, and high teased hair were retro-inspired looks many designers incorporated into their Spring lines.
The 70s Bohemian vibe has been around for quite some time now, but is it back as embellishment on steroids. You will see tassels, lace, crochet, and beaded embellishments make their way onto many Spring 2011 tresses. This trend doesn’t stop there— wide leg pants, wooden clogs, and retro inspired floral prints are back and ready for Spring 2011.
A new trend that has evolved from the “motorcycle chic” trend, is the “80s punk” trend. This look includes lots of studs, heavy boots, safety pins and leather pants.
Looks like it’s time to go vintage shopping again ............................................

A Sparkling Zipper

2011-02-09T12:15:00.001-05:00

Most women wrestle with zipper through their lives. Those zippers are on dresses, slacks or jeans. I found this zipper while I was doing the required reading of what was going on in the world and I stumbled upon a zipper that I would not mind having to struggle. The well known fashion writer for the Washington Post and the New York times gave us this sparkling news about a zipper from Van Cleef & Arpels.

“The white gold teeth clench and then slide open — the zipper reveals throat and then breastbone, as a diamond tassel quivers in the cleavage.

Van Cleef & Arpels’s zipper necklace

The zipper necklace, set as a cluster of geometric gem stones, is a marvel of workmanship. And its history at Van Cleef & Arpels goes way back — to when a special client in 1939 asked the Paris jeweler for a diamond-encrusted working zipper.
This feat of technology for a madcap jewel was not achieved until 1951. By then, the client, Wallis Simpson, had become the duchess of Windsor, and she never did have a diamond zipper to close the back of her little black dress, as Elsa Schiaparelli, the surrealist designer, had suggested to her.
The sartorial link between dressmaker’s zipper and couture clothing is not a coincidence. The Van Cleef archives are rich with lace “collars” and gem-set cords that have linked the jeweler to fashion. “The zipper shows jewelry’s capacity for transformation — in its function and its ability to make the ephemeral eternal,” said Stanislas de Quercize, the chief executive of Van Cleef & Arpels. ”

This is an except from an article entitled Jewelry: Unzip the Bling By SUZY MENKES,Published: January 31, 2011 in the New York Times and a version of this article appeared in print on February 1, 2011, in The International Herald Tribune.

The Secret Lives of Dresses Blog has become a book!!!

2011-02-05T10:13:00.001-05:00

Google alert just let me know that a wonderful new book is being launched on February 10,2011 by a member of the Vintage Fashion Guild,Erin McKean. She will be at the San Francisco vintage clothing store Ver Unica to launch her very first book - The Secret Lives of Dresses (inspired by her blog, www.adressaday.com).

The Secret Lives of Dresses tells the story of Dora, a college student who decides to run her ailing grandmother's vintage clothing store.

The Secret Lives of Dresses Book Launch. Thursday February 10, 2011, 6-9pm at Ver Unica, 526 Hayes St., SF.

Happy News Year's a little late!!!!

2011-01-04T13:25:00.002-05:00

2010-12-20T12:02:00.000-05:00

First lady Michelle Obama, in a 1950 Norman Norell , and her mother, Marian Robinson, joined some Santa's helpers (Manuel Balce Centa)

The Huffington Post on 12/20/2010 report that our First Lady made Fashion headlines by wearing a vintage cocktail gown to the "Christmas in Washington" Concert which aired on TNT on 12/20/2010. It is believed to be the first time that a first lady has appeared in a vintage gown.

The 1950's black lace dress had a square neckline,sweeping full skirt and was created by Norman Norell, a top American Fashion designer who died in 1972. Ms. Obama purchased the gown from New York Vintage in Manhattan, a high-end store for couture clothing.

Audrey Hepburn: an elegant spirit

2010-11-09T16:26:00.001-05:00

There is a new book out about Audrey Hepburn: an elegant spirit by Sean Hepburn Ferrer.
Mr ferrer is Audrey Hepburn's son with actor Mel Ferrer. There are 100 photo of Audrey that has not been seen before by her admirers. There are movie-related photos, family pictures and the children she met in her work with UNICEF. Ferrer will contribute proceeds from the book to the Audrey Hepburn Children's Fund.

Fall’s Best Looks

2010-08-26T17:38:00.000-04:00

Now is the time to check out your vintage closet, favorite vintage on-line store, or your favorite vintage shop in your home town to find the best looks for fall. The runway designers are bringing back the tried and true looks for this fall. So it’s time to go vintage hunting!

Look for

A camel coat
Trouser suit
The new grey is army-issue khaki
Feathers and lace
Understated suits, sweaters and simple cover-ups
Tabards
A-line tunics
Stripped-down leathers
1950s skirts that emphasize the waists of their wearers and ladylike skirts worn by June Cleaver
Long hair fur stoles, jackets and vests. The good news for those who prefer not to wear the real thing is that fake furs are just as hot as vest, short jackets and long coats for this season. If just a hint of fur will satisfy you, there are chunky knit sweaters with fur or a scarf edged in fur.

Items lurking in your closet that just gotta go……………………

2010-08-25T16:27:00.001-04:00

No matter how much you think that love any of these things; it is time to part company. They make you look frumpy. And forget about keeping them for stay at home time. This is a new fashion season and it is time to examine what’s hiding in your closet. Do you have a fashion mistake lurking in the dark waiting to come out and snicker at you? Do you have horribly dated items in the closet that need to go and I am not talking about true vintage items? Do you just need more space for this season? It’s time to purge.

Do you have?

Holiday sweaters with the cutest bears, reindeers or Santas, pumpkins, bumblebees or bunnies? Out, Out, they go…
Grandma necklaces showing everyone how many grandchildren you have. It not a fashion statement, your grand children are not jewelry.
Did you go on vacation and came back with the souvenir T-shirt? Or do you have T-Shirts with funny sayings. Shame on you for wasting your money.
Overalls. Have your started farming?? If not then out they go!
Jeans that don’t fit are painful to wear, acid washed or ripped. Their time is at the end.
Muumuus. Unless you are living in the South Seas, Muumuus are not fashionable. Donate them to Goodwill.
Penny loafers. Keep if you are still in elementary school then think twice before keeping the penny loafers. Otherwise let them walk out of your life
Oversized blazers. Get rid of them they make you look overweight.
Mommy Robes. If you have more them one then toss them. It is okay to keep one for when you want to frump out in private.
Granny undies. You know the ones that are stretched out and baggy. Remember what your mother always wear clean underwear in case of an accident. But add to your Mom’s statement always wear clean sexy underwear.
Short shorts. Oh please unless you are a size zero and gloriously tanned, and young, give it up.
Cargo pants. No one needs that many pockets. That is why the fashion goddess made handbags.
Stockings with reinforced toes. Have a pampering pedicure and get the sheer stockings.
3 piece suits with vests. I know the 80’s are back in style but it was not the greatest fashion statement in the 80’s. A woman needs to look feminine not corporate.
Backpacks. No woman should wear a backpack during a regular day. The only time you should use a backpack is when you are hiking, camping, or mountain climbing. Ditch them for everyday.

So how fast can you get them out of your dresser draws and closets and on their way to Salvation Army, Goodwill, or any local Charity thrift store? Oh, don’t forget to get a receipt for tax purposes.

Yves Saint Laurent Exhibition: Where Genius meets Haute Couture

2010-07-29T13:39:00.001-04:00

Thanks to France’s first lady and former model, Madame Carla Bruni-Sarkozy, and in association with the Foundation Pierre Bergé-Yves Saint Laurent; the YSL exhibition ( http://www.yslretrospective.com/) is the first retrospective of Yves Saint Laurent’s 44-year long reign in fashion.

The exhibit consists of over 300 haute couture and prêt-à-porter models, with a selection of unique pictures, sketches, and films making this one of the finest the exhibition in fashion history. The exhibition takes you through forty years of wearable art that empowered women with bold, self-confidence and an unapologetic sense of sensual freedom. He was known as the “Prince of Fashion,” but he was the king when it came to haute couture.

The exhibit opened in March, but there is a two-and-a-half hour wait even if you have your ticket. The exhibit will be there until August if you care to jet over to Paris to see it. Whether you’re a lover of fashion, film, or art, or whether you just appreciate the beautiful things in life; Yves Saint Laurent was able to inspire, ignite, and titillate for over 40 years through his unique and masterful fashion creations.

Bruni-Sarkozy, who wore and modeled his creations wrote, “He created an inspired, vivid universe that overturned conventions and conformity. With Saint Laurent, art became fashion — and fashion an art.”

The exhibit begins with his career with Dior in 1958, where in his first year as art director, he was able to make Dior’s iconic “new look” appear old fashioned by contrast with his liberating “Trapeze” collection. A replica of his studio is there with original furniture on loan. It is here you see his love affair with art and the mutually beneficial relationship they shared: He took inspiration from the great masters of art, while giving back masterpieces of his own art to the world.

Mondrian, Picasso, Matisse, Van Gogh, were not his only inspirations. His bold exotic collections inspired by faraway lands turns the exhibit into a section from a museum of the ages. The famous Mondrian shift dress that was featured on the cover of Vogue in 1965 and on the wish lists of girls from Paris to India, stands in the corner of this haute couture room, next to his first African collection (1967) and his “Lalanne” dresses that are abayas with head scarves, embellished with a bust and waist sculpture of galvanized copper (1969) and inspired by his favorite vacation spot, Morocco.

Saint Laurent was able to change fashion and set trends. For Fall-Winter 1965 Saint Laurent created a line of Piet Mondrian and Poliakoff inspired dresses. In an interview regarding his collection, the designer said he was flipping through a book of Mondrian when he predicted 1965 fashion. “I suddenly realized that dresses should no longer be composed of lines, but of colors. I realized that we had to stop conceiving of a garment as sculpture and that, on the contrary, we had to view it as mobile,” said Saint Laurent.

This ability to revolutionize fashion was apparent in his Le Smoking collection. This collection takes the male tuxedo and reinterprets it for the female form. This forever altered the conventions of formal eveningwear by introducing pants into the female wardrobe and blurring the lines of gender. . Saint Laurent often played with the male evening suit and his iconic safari jacket of 1966 that was seductively redesigned from classic safari attire.

One section of the exhibit is devoted to the wardrobe of actress Catherine Deneuve, who wore Yves Saint Laurent religiously, both on and off screen. Deneuve was even the face of his perfume, “Opium”. Luis Bruñel’s provocative film, “Belle de Jour,” (1966) showcased his flair for sophisticated bourgeois fashion with the precise tailoring of his envy-inducing black ciré trench coat.
You will see ornate evening gowns that range all the way to his last collection in 2002 showing his muses of Hollywood glamour (Marylyn Monroe), European sophistication (Duchess of Windsor) and American androgyny (Marlene Dietrich and Lauren Bacall).

All of his creations come alive and the movement is apparent on the still, white mannequins. By the end of the fifteen-room exhibition, you will become enchanted by opulent craftsmanship and innovative foresight of probably one of the most talented designer/artist who has ever lived. From tunics and pea coats, to jumpsuits and tuxedos, he is the man behind every cut or sketch in fashion. Yves Saint-Laurent once famously stated, “I’ve always had the highest of respect for this profession, which isn’t an art form per se, but which needs an artist in order for it to exist.”

Please visit http://www.yslretrospective.com/ to soak up all of the vintage glamour if you can’t jump on the next jet to Paris. It is a trip that you will not want to miss if you love vintage clothing and excellent craftsmanship and innovative vision

The Vintage Bride

2010-06-18T14:52:00.001-04:00

Unlike a good cocktail dress, which is designed to be a workhorse in a woman’s wardrobe, a white or cream-colored wedding dress need only dazzle its audience one time only unless, it's a pre-owned wedding dress, either passed down from a beloved relative or picked up at auction or from a favorite vintage shop.

At the beginning of the 20th century, with the Belle Epoque in full swing, Edwardian brides were synced into tight corsets, which were covered with wedding dresses made out of chiffon, lace, and taffeta. But by World War I, the practice of squeezing women into hourglass shapes was giving way to more natural looks. After the war, wedding dress hemlines had crept far enough off the ground to reveal a bride’s ankle.

Hemlines continued to rise throughout the 1920s, producing wedding dresses that were relatively revealing in the front with a flowing train in the back. Dresses got long again in the ’30s, were generally straight, and for the first time were equipped with a detachable train, which allowed a bride to take her solemn walk down the aisle but then cut a rug on the dance floor after.

The 1940s was a crazy decade when it came to fashion, and wedding dresses were no exception. During the war years, wedding gowns followed the overall trend of boxy, broad shouldered, military silhouettes. By the late ’40s, though, all bets were off as miles of previously rationed fabrics were lavished on wedding dresses and gowns. In some cases, wedding dresses were even made from silk salvaged from surplus parachutes.

Wedding dresses returned to full femininity again in the 1950s, with tight waists and full skirts below. Sleeve styles ranged from full length to almost none at all, while necks could be left open or collared. These varied looks remained consistent into the next decade, except for those adventurous brides who chose to be married in short numbers that ended well above their knees. By the 1970s, some women dispensed with the wedding dress altogether, trading tradition for the sophisticated look of an Yves Saint Laurent white tuxedo-jacket suit.

After the restrained outlines of the previous decade, every bride now wanted a fairytale crinoline and tiara. So 1980s ushered in a jumble of styles, as brides moved on from the decade just past. Gone was the structural support of petticoats, replaced by skirts that fell freely around the feet. After Princess Diana's wedding, every bride had to have full skirts gathered to the waist, and big sleeves to the elbow, with flounces and bows and lace embellishments. There was a surge in popularity for taffeta and silk with detailed hand-stitching, puffy sleeves and shoulder pads playing off the big-haired girlygirl glamour of the day. Shoulders eventually softened, and features such as keyhole backs closed with pearl strands and drop dangles added drama.

Her flowers signaled a return of the big bouquet, with trailing greenery. Then the next royal wedding modified the look to suit a fuller figure, with a low waistline, pointed at front and back, and flare as well as gather in her satin skirts, other brides soon followed her, and set the style that was to prevail for the next few years.

1990s

Moving beyond the ornate ostentation's look of the ‘80s, brides embraced the understated, less-is-more styles of Vera Wang and her ilk. Rich brocade fabrics in intricate, scrolling patterns and applied embroidery and beading,on a fairly stiffly sculpted satin corseted bodice were popular throughout the decade. As the decade progressed, a variety of skirt choices became available. The wide skirt stayed popular, but then a variant which had a very dropped waist, to below the hip, and then flared, was often seen. Gradually, more fluid materials began to appear alongside the stiffly appliqued fabrics, and narrower profiles returned. As the nineties progressed, shift dresses were introduced in day wear fashions, often made by layering a fine fabric over a lining for an ethereal effect, and this trend soon appeared on the bridal scene too.

2001 and beyond

Modern brides said good-bye to tradition and walked down the aisle in wedding gowns that reflect their own particular passion, vision, and personality - from ornate designer dresses to a something informal. As wedding fashion continues to evolve separately from the general vogue, brides have felt freer to allow full rein for their imaginations, and some wedding parties are not so much in "best" dress as fancy dress, as themed and fantasy costumes are the order of the day. Brides have gone black or gold, cocktail or sundress, traditional or even trouser suit. The modern bride wears what they want to look beautiful and feel comfortable on their big day.

The white wedding gown is more tradition than virtue, though even these traditions are blurring with the rise of the global community. With women marrying later and more independent, the 21st century bride is eclectically assuming her own custom look and feel. The color of the wedding gowns are still mostly white, eggshell, ecru and ivory,but colored wedding gowns are making a comeback.

Style, Glamour & Elegance

2010-06-09T16:14:00.000-04:00

Whatever happened to style?

Where has glamour gone?

What happened to elegance?

It was not long ago that American women had it all!

They looked like a million bucks.

It was expected and people noticed you.

You turned heads. You had cachet.

It is now the time to do it again.

We need to wear the same designs that put the American woman in the spotlight.

It is time to turn the sidewalks and office aisles into our own personal runway.

The goal is to wear the things that are timeless, functional, and beautiful.

To rediscover what it feels like to walk down the street and have heads turn

And to have eyes follow you’re every movement as you walk

Confidence, pride and style is every woman’s right.

It is time once again to walk in style.

Be the woman that you were met to be.

So shop vintage!

What is Vintage? What is Couture? What is vintage inspired? What is retro?

2010-03-18T14:35:00.000-04:00

The terms - vintage and couture has become diluted over the years especially since the dawn of internet selling and the recent popularity of vintage clothing.

So let’s define what these terms really mean...
Vintage Clothing is clothing that is at least 25 years old. So in the 2010 for clothing to vintage is must have been manufactured before 1985. Anything garment manufactured after 1985 is pre-owned, pre-loved or just plain used. Not all old clothing needs to be sold as vintage.
Couture was once applied only to the haute couture items created under the strict rules of the Chambre Syndicale de la Haute Couture in Paris. The requirements stated that couture must be made-to-order for a private client and include several fittings.

One of the modern uses of the term couture is when reputable vintage dealers use it as a way to highlight items that have been constructed (usually by hand) with meticulous quality and detail. When buying vintage couture or couture, remember that fashion designers have lines of clothing that are manufactured as ready to wear (RTW). The vintage couture designer RTW is still a valuable garment and something to be proud to own. Most of the vintage couture listed on vintage clothing websites are vintage RTW.

Currently, the label “Vintage” is now being applied to brand new merchandise in many retail stores. Fashion brands are incorporating the word into their names even though their items aren't authentic vintage, just vintage-inspired.

Retro Clothing is the wearing of styles in the past. This way of dressing includes garments and accessories that are characteristic of the past. The garments are generally made new with vintage patterns. Also, retro clothing can be used in an exaggerated way such as rockabilly style or pinup girl style of dressing.

2010-03-11T14:21:00.000-05:00

Spring fashion is beginning to roll in with the spring weather. Designers recently took to the runways to display their visions of trendy for the upcoming months. The prominent theme of Spring 2010: Classic Femininity.

This spring is a return to simple, clean lines and classic shapes. Fashion designers are blending the best of the ‘50s with the boldest of the ‘80s therefore creating some striking silhouettes.

Neutrals are taking center-stage, and the styling looks simple at first glance but the subtle details are going to make all the difference. The Structure is key. White jean shorts are out, but white shorts with a hem or button detail are perfect when topped off with creams, light grays, or beige button-downs and checked patterns floated down the runways with white skirts and simple cardigans.

This spring...girly is the way to go. Even masculine pieces such as military-style jackets are paired with flirty skirts or tailored pants. The ripped jeans and textured tights of last year are out of style. Timeless fashion pieces that your grandmother would have been proud of. If classic is not your preference then try bold prints, intricate fabrics and blazingly bright colors to brighten the most austere outfits.

The new trends have the incredible versatility for bold tops can be made more demure by pairing with a simple skirt; structured jackets are softened by organic inspired shirts and simple jeans. The best news, thanks to a few vintage treasures that you find from a vintage clothing shop or your favorite vintage clothing web site can make your entire spring wardrobe is financially feasible.. Be amazed at how easy it can be to piece together astonishingly cutting-edge outfits that express their individual styles with the members of VFG(Vintage Fashion Guild).

Collage of Mannequins

2010-02-18T08:47:00.000-05:00

I collect mannequins for my vintage clothing display. Yesterday, I was playing around with polyvore and came up with this collage of digiial images about mannequins. Collecting virtual mannequins does really cut down on the need for physical storage space. Unfortunately it does nothing for the visual and tacile experience.But is was fun doing the collage.

Take the vintage challenge and do it well!

2010-02-16T13:48:00.002-05:00

Those who opt for the vintage style should be ready for the astonished eyes. Many people believe that the use of vintage clothing requires courage but I believe it is only a matter of attitude. You can include vintage items in your everyday wardrobe and add elegance to your daily appearance.

To begin enjoyable and successful, try to make small changes to your wardrobe so you do not look like a time machine. You can wear vintage clothing in a contemporary style. The selection of your look can be the best part and can become your true art. A combination of modern and ancient can be very elegant. There are many vintage clothes and accessories to choose from.

By focusing your image in general, you can adopt a certain style. Know the characteristics of the vintage style that you want to wear. If you do not feel knowledgeable about the style do research. Look at old movies in the era that you favor or visit www.vintagefashion guild.org on the web. Be inspired by fashion icons and those who are already "pro" vintage fashion like Kate Moss and Sandra Bullock. Remember current fashion designers use the vintage designer such as Chanel, Poiret, and Vionnet as inspiration

However, you can combine your personal style with some real chic accessories such as handbags, belts and scarves. Try a pair of jeans or trousers with a bow blouse or dress with a modern vintage leather belt can be a good option. When pairing these items correctly; a colorful dress can be used successfully with a pair of this year's gladiator sandals.

The final step is to find that vintage piece to purchase. This is probably the most exciting process. You can shop your grandmother's attic, a local vintage shop in your area, or with any of the vintage clothing internet dealers that are members of the Vintage Fashion Guild.

Remember these garments know history so use them as pieces of your history. Good luck Vintage Hunter!

Love,

Vintage Diva

FORTIES LOVE

2010-02-02T13:42:00.000-05:00

This is a great fashion season this winter. I love anything to do with the 1940’s – big shoulders, pencil skirts, crêpe dresses, floor-length Adrian gowns, platform shoes, and costume jewelry.
It suits me since fashion has given full rein to the “retro” look this year. If you’re in the vintage age bracket and know what I’m talking about, start smiling because the 1940’s are back – and favoring grown-ups before girls.
In the 1940’s, Hollywood and fashion designers knew that they had to keep confidence of a woman who had the responsibilities of working, single-handedly providing for children while men served their country overseas, and who still cared about looking groomed and beautiful.
Look to the design houses of Lanvin, Prada, Dries Van Noten, and Hermès. Between them, they cover all the screen-siren possibilities, from tailored, tweedy or hounds tooth suits and coats to glamorous evening gowns that the movies goddesses like Rita Hayworth and Ingrid Bergman would have worn.
Some the designs are almost identical to the originals which gives us license to rummage in the attic for the stashed-away Forties fashions of our mothers and grandmothers. There are many ways of reviving pencil skirts with a satin blouse dressed up with ropes of pearls and sheer black stockings rather than opaque, or with a tight-fitting sweater and matching cuffs on either wrist.
Under a jacket or a trench coat, with platform shoes, leather gloves, a pair of Forties-style sunglasses, and a slick of red lipstick. This look delivers a zinging adult retort to clothing that young girls are wearing from the local shopping mall. So when fashion veers your way once in a blue moon, grab it with both hands.

Vintage Stores on Etsy

2010-01-13T14:20:00.000-05:00

Don't forget to shop at vintage clothing sellers on ETSY.
Neldas
Fashion Chic Clothing
Salvation
Bliss Vintage
Vintage Land
Wizard Clothing
Thrift Store Mafia
Spectacle Vintage
GoodEye
Latte Kitty
One Girl's Trash
Krishenka
iSpyVintage
Magoo Vintage
Vintage Mafia
Foo Foo Vintage
Fancy Pants and More

Fight Vintage Funk & Stuck Zippers

2010-01-13T13:58:00.000-05:00

Buying vintage clothes is one of the best ways to find pieces with style and quality for far less than you'd pay today. But often they have that tell-tale smell emitting from them. The fix for that vintage funk is a lot closer than you think. "All you have to do is mix one part vodka with two parts water in a spray bottle," says Janie Bryant, the costume designer for Mad Men. "It works every time—that's the power of vodka for you." From www.valetmag.com

A stuck zipper will cause you unnecessary frustration with vintage clothes. Take some lip balm and run it along the teeth, above and below the slider. Then pull it up and quickly down. No Chapstick? Rub the tip of a No.2 pencil on the track.
From www.valetmag.com

Fashion Top 7 Vintage Dress Tips for 2010

2010-01-07T11:44:00.000-05:00

No 1. Every woman should have a fabulous cocktail dress on hand.
This Cocktail Dress is Indispensable Ninety Years Later. This Dress very fashionable and Flappers formal-casual outfit wear.
No 2. Use inexpensive costume jewelry to elevate an outfit.
Coco Chanel & her rival Elsa Schiaparelli both introduced lines of ornate, affordable faux baubles at the start of the decade. This vivid array of bangles can add a fashionable spark of personality to your closet basics.
No 3. A strong shoulder begets a smaller waistline.
The padded shoulders and puff sleeves favored by movie star Joan Crawford, and years later by Dynasty’s Joan Collins.
No 4. Invest in a structured, ladylike handbag.
Grace Kelly was photographed carrying the boxy style to shield her pregnancy from the paparazzi, sparking a craze for the newly christened “Kelly bag.”
No 5. Recharge your look with bold prints.
The Age of Aquarius was all about rebelling against the prim and pastel styles of the 50s. Psychedelic music, free love, and pop art went hand in hand with the graphic patterns and far-out colors of the time.
No 6. Give yourself a vertical―yet manageable―boost with a platform shoe.
The platform was around in the 30s and 40s, but it wasn’t until decades later that this style, characterized by a thick sole that offers height without the discomfort of spike heels, became the symbol of an era.
No 7. Leggings aren’t just for dance class.
Movies such as Flash dance and Fame glorified the lives of dancers and prompted a fad to get physical.

That wonderful LBD!!!

2009-12-21T12:25:00.000-05:00

Oh! the Little black dress. It can be safe or sexy… formal or fun. It's appropriate at work, a funeral, or a party, depending on what else you are wearing with it.. It's been a staple in a well-dressed woman's wardrobe for more than eighty years.

The little black dress, so much a part of the fashion vocabulary that people today simply refer to it as an LBD. Gabrielle "Coco" Chanel gets most of the credit for "inventing" the little black dress in 1926.

Coco’s famous design debuted to the world of fashion in 1926. Vogue magazine has called it fashion's Model T by Vogue, debuted in 1926.

The LBD reigned during the 1930s and '40s, but the version that perhaps best known LBD was the simple sheath Hubert de Givenchy created for Audrey Hepburn to wear in 1961's Breakfast at Tiffany's. Hepburn wore it in several scenes in the movie and looked chic and charming throughout. The ides behind the LBD is that it can be worn for a variety of occasions from one season to the next. It is the uniform that goes everywhere with a touch of demure sophistication."

The general appeal of black is that the clothes can be changed depending on whether you are having a wallflower day or a “Here I am” day. When you invest in a LBD is will be versatile enough to go from day to night, with a change of accessories such as:

- Swap the oversized handbag for a simple clutch.
- Replace the casual jacket or cardigan with a cropped tuxedo jacket.
- Take the wide scarf wrapped around your neck during the day and drop it down around your shoulders to use it as a wrap at night.
- Replace your daytime suede heels or flats with metallic, patent or colorful heels.
- Add embellished headbands and hair clips.
- Wear a faux fur wrap or scarf for a more dramatic look.
- Accessorize with chunky multi-colored beads for a BOHO look
- Try another jewelry change by ditching the gold jewelry and changing to stick to silver.
- Remember to follow the one-accessory rule at all times so not to look overdone. If you are wearing chunky jewelry, keep the footwear and clutch subtle.

It's snowing

2009-12-09T13:56:00.001-05:00

Restyled BIba from the 60's & 70's

2009-11-19T18:18:00.001-05:00

House of Fraser will introduce Biba to 30 department stores and online for autumn 2010 in Great Britian. The collection will also include accessories, jewelry, footwear, house wares and fragrances. Their design team will find inspiration from Biba’s archives but will update the products. The House of Fraser said “We will be making it a lot more appropriate for today and picking up an essence of Biba with flamboyant, sexy prints in silks, knits and dark denims with soft washes.” Wonder how this will turn out with the creator of Biba--: Barbara Hulanicki

Ladylike

2009-11-12T12:58:00.000-05:00

As a child many of us heard the word, ladylike and our teeth started to grind. Times have changed and it is important not to look like a party girl. Today’s style of dressing is with quiet elegance. Being ladylike is a sign of respect and responsibility in these difficult times.

How do you pull off the look? Dressing in clothes that have timeless appeal with a secret sensuality in fabrics and textures— with the feel of silk, fur and tweed will convey the ladylike feel. Use vintage fashions that are timeless — the classic pump, a pencil skirt, and a classic silk blouse. Certain materials will whisper elegant exotic skins like crocodile (vintage real or faux), fabric like brocade, velvet, and silk with things that sparkle.

How to look to the manor born without mortgaging the manor? First you need to know a classic design when you see one. Study the photos of Jackie O, Audrey Hepburn, Katherine Hepburn, and Grace Kelly. They are icons of ladylike fashions. Remember you do not have to spend a fortune on your clothes...shop for vintage on-line at Etsy, Ebay or at any of the members of the VFG (Vintage Fashion Guild). To keep your look from being boring add some zing with an awesome necklace or a great handbag.

Remember a lady never reveals what she paid for something no matter how great of deal it was.

Vintage Rockabilly & Pinup for your Halloween Costume

2009-10-28T18:48:00.000-04:00

Flappers in the 1920's

2009-10-15T15:38:00.000-04:00

Art Deco was the look of the 1920’s jazz age woman. She smoked and drank like one of the boys, danced the night away to big jazz bands, and voted. Liberated and headstrong, the new woman emerged and exercised all her newfound freedoms. Fashion transitioned from the Gibson girl’s defined feminine silhouette to the more boyish flapper look of dropped waistlines, loose shapes, and knee-length skirts and dresses. To achieve the popular boyish figure, some women bandaged their breasts while others wore long corsets all in the name of fashion.

She even had her own slang…..

A Miniature Guide to Flapper Slang
An alibi- a box of flowers
Baby Vamp- an attractive woman
Baloney- nonsense
Bearcat- a hot-blooded or fiery girl
Cash or check? – Do we kiss now or later?
Corn-shredder- young man who dances on lady’s feet
Dapper- a flapper’s feather
Dolled up- dressed up
Handcuff- engagement ring
Kisser- mouth
Urban set- a new gown
Whangdoodle- Jazz band

Vintage Expo in Calfornia

2009-10-14T18:42:00.003-04:00

So: will you buy new vintage this winter or buying the real thing actual vintage?

2009-09-23T11:23:00.003-04:00

Yves Saint Laurent unveiled "New Vintage," an eco-friendly capsule collection using recycled remnant fabric from past YSL collections in June 2009.
Sometimes, you just have to stick with what works. Yves Saint Laurent recut some of its iconic pieces for Barneys New York in June.. The New Vintage" collection started with dip-dyed bustier dresses, embroidered trench coats, and separates in plasticized cotton—all strictly limited edition, numbered, and unique. Using (using leftover cotton drill fabric), and the collection promptly sold out in days.Does that mean safari jackets made from Yves’ original left over fabrics or a reconstructed le smoking jacket made from pieces he actually sewed?

Now Pilati is now doing new vintage, the remix, in larger quantities for holiday shopping season. The YSL Edition New Vintage range will include styles from the archive and will be made from a several fabrics from company inventory, according to WWD. Styles will go out to flagship stores in Paris, London, Milan, New York and Hong Kong in early December. If you are worried about the environment, you can take heart that the new-vintage styles will continue to reuse YSL leftovers.
What do you think about "new" vintage? I don't just mean the Yves Saint Laurent collection but the concept as a whole. Would you rather buy something that is really actually vintage, or a new item that is just dubbed as vintage? Recycling old materials into new pieces is a great move for the luxury brand. I applaud Yves Saint Laurent for recycling but I do love the hunt for true

vintage items.

Twiggy in this Decade

2009-08-20T12:05:00.001-04:00

In 2001, Twiggy was honoured by Cosmetic Executive Women UK. She is pictured at the event's reception posing with two photographs of herself. Left: A photo by Barry Lategan. Right: An image by Brian Aris. Shown in 8/20/2009 on www.Telegraph.co.uk

DO YOU UNDERSTAND VINTAGE SHOPPING?

2009-08-14T16:29:00.003-04:00

If you deck yourself out in head to toe in any era does not mean you understand vintage shopping. A vintage mistake is just as bad as any other fashion mistake. You need to do research on the eras that you like before buying. Vintage fashion will be around for a long time because it offers unique clothing with the kind of quality that only top end designers provide today. Vintage tends to be a lot cheaper.

So what exactly is vintage? Well it’s certainly not an item of clothing made in the last 15 years, despite what all those 80’s and 90’s groupies might think. But it’s still a fairly broad category, covering everything under 100 years old. Years ago vintage clothing was either old clothing or simply second hand. It was looked down upon by the fashion conscious folks.. Vintage is now so popular that it has become a mini-industry in itself. There are numerous vintage fashion boutiques around the country and even in Europe and Asia. The top end designers are resurrecting earlier creations of their design salons.

Now you can go to regular vintage fashion events like Manhattan Vintage Show in New York or Vintage Fashion Expo in San Francisco. These types of events that are worth writing on your calendar so you will remember to go to them. These shows have so much vintage available and the shows are so big that it is easy to become overwhelmed and you end up buying nothing.

The real advantage of buying vintage is not the price, or even the much vaunted uniqueness of the pieces, but the cut and the fabrics. Vintage clothing was built to last, and limited budgets plus expensive manufacturing processes meant that good quality clothes were treasured. Vintage clothing is cut to fit so forget skinny actresses that you see in Vogue and Elle. The ideal vintage buyer is a curvier woman. Remember that vintage sizes may be smaller than today’s sizing guidelines that manufacturer follow. Clothing from earlier eras does fit a woman that has hips, bums and busts. You just need to try the clothes on.

To stay a step ahead of the crowd, shop outside of the season. Right now is the best time to hunt for some winter clothing. A good vintage fur coat is great for the winter in New York and works equally well if you are lucky to travel in Europe. A brand new fur coat is extremely politically incorrect. A vintage fur is a bit more ethical. But, if your conscience demands something a more ethical but you still want the fur look, you can try a vintage faux fur.

Now is the time that you should look for vintage cocktail dresses that can be shortened to bring them up to date for the holidays. 1940’s fashion is great for a slightly gentler take on the big shoulder that has dominated the 2009 Designer catwalks. The more unpopular something has been in recent years, the easier it is to find a vintage steal. Velvet is about to have a massive comeback having appeared on the Dolce & Gabbana, Prada, Lanvin and Chloe catwalks and is great for injecting a bit of feel good glamour to your winter wardrobe. Look out for rich, dark colors and a fine pile to the fabric.

So where do you find the best vintage for the dollar?

Serious devotees buy at auctions and estate sales. This will are more likely to find a real treasure but these tend to take place during working office hours making them fairly inaccessible to most shoppers. The next best places are the websites of the members of the www.VintageFashionGuild.

Other things to remember when shopping vintage stores:

Don’t worry too much if there are buttons missing, these can always be replaced by your drycleaner, tailor or yourself if you are handy with a needle and thread.

Rips and tears are harder to deal with, especially if they’re not on the seam or the fabric is very delicate, so check carefully before you buy.

Avoid anything with stains under the arms – this cannot be fixed and is very hard to cover up.

Check carefully for moth holes as there is nothing worse than bringing home a lovely dress that ends up not being wearable.

Don’t be afraid to bargain, it doesn’t hurt to ask and vintage sellers are usually in the business because they truly love the clothes, so if they think it’s going to a good home they may be willing to chop the price.

Other things to remember when shopping vintage on web sites:

Read the descriptions carefully. Descriptions will tell you if there are any rips, tears or stains.

If you have any questions about the vintage garment you like then email the online vintage seller.

Remember Internet vintage seller measures the garments flat. So measure a garment that you own flat that is similar to the garment that you plan on buying.

Remember the online seller’s terms and condition for the sale and return policy.

Be sure that you want to buy the garment before ordering.

If you have to return the garment make sure that you can return the garment in the same condition as you received it. Also email the seller within 24 hours of receipts if you need to return it.

Don’t be afraid to wear your vintage buy! There’s no point in buying a gorgeous embroidered 50’s ball gown if it’s just going to sit at the back of your wardrobe. As long as you don’t treat them badly, your vintage clothes are more resilient than they seem. Take care of your vintage as you would any fine garment. Enjoy!

2009-07-24T12:25:00.002-04:00

Take a tour of vintage jewelry designers. Chanel, Carnegie, Boucher, KJ Lane, Haskell, Florenza, Hobe, Vendome, Trifari, Josef, Eisenberg, Weiss, Schiaparelli, Mazer, Hagler, Regency, Renoir,…

The must have—A Vintage Handbag

2009-06-08T12:57:00.002-04:00

Chanel Quilted Lambskin Leather Shoulder Bag - Navy Blue With Certificate Of Authenticity - French Designer Signed AccessoriesIn addition to the beautiful CHANEL vintage costume jewelry I have listed I also have two CHANEL leather bags to list too from the late 1980's from Sweetie’s Memorable Gemz at Rubylane.com

Handbags are practical jewelry - an accessory that you can use. If a woman wants to have a dramatic flare, there's only one way for her to go…..that is a Vintage bag! Vintage bags have been a fashion treasure for decades. Women loved these bags way back when and today, we are searching for them even more. They are the must-have trend of today , they are seen on the fashion catwalks and fashion magazines, side by side with vintage clothing and accessories, with "vintage" meaning dating anywhere from the 1920s to 1980s.

Julia Roberts, Kate Moss, and Sienna Miller are among the celebrities who have helped spread vintage fever. Now this fever has the old fashion houses scrambling to reproduce their own vintage collections, including handbags, while new designers are launching their vintage-inspired lines.

Vintage bags are everlasting and unique. They fit and look beautiful when you carry them, whatever the occasion. Vintage bags are not just mere items to be worn, but are more like family heirlooms, which can be passed on from one generation to another. Remember when you buy a vintage bag you don't simply buy a handbag: You buy a work of art. Handbags of the 1920s to 1940s were covered with beads and sparkles, embroidery, combined with fine fabrics such as satin, silk, fur and lace. Other popular handbags during the 1940s were made from wood and plastic because metal was saved for the World War II artillery supplies.

In the 1950s, the trend was leather handbags. Popular handbag designers from fashion houses such as Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Hermes, Gucci, Prada, Gianni Versace, Judith Leiber, and Balenciaga created designs that are described today as "classic". An example of a classic handbag is the popular Hermes Kelly Bag that was named after actress and Monaco princess Grace Kelly. It was given the limelight in 1956, and has been an iconic handbag ever since.

During the 1960s and 1970s - bags were bright neon colors and patterns like bubbles. In the 1980s, there was a craze for clutch handbags because of the compact design that was great for carrying the essential women stuff for the fancy evening party and the elegant dinner party. The clutch of those days came in various colors worn to match the shoes. The popularity of the vintage handbag is because of their original designs and high quality, plus their potential as a collectible item. Vintage and classic designer handbags are forever, they never go out of fashion. Most vintage handbags are made from fine materials, such as high-quality fabrics that are no longer manufactured, or too expensive. Their details such as the buttons, beads or other ornaments are rare and lovely. No wonder collectors are hunting down these vintage handbags, whether for investment or because of their appreciation of history, especially for the roles and skills of previous generations, including respected designers. And being a part of this "generation-to-generation" history is what you get when you own and wear. Vintage handbags have higher or relatively more stable prices than contemporary ones. This means it's more profitable if you want to sell those vintage bags again. So the vintage bag is a marvelous green item for your wardrobe.

1980s Judith Leiber Alligator Clutchavailable at Decades Inc.

From morninggloriousvintage.com

The Fall Season Jewelry Trend

2009-05-26T16:14:00.002-04:00

Costume jewelry is the easiest way to add charm, style and elegance. It is also the most economic fashion investment available in tough times.

The Fall "bling bling" trends are vintage styles mixed with a touch of romantic rock 'n' roll spirit.

Look for statement sizes and gold plate tones like antique gold and burnished gold. And don't be afraid to put layers upon layers, and enjoy the mix-and-match fun.

Vintage glamour is evoked in the multiple-strand tassel necklace featured above with rich texture in its mixed golden metal finishes and intricate braidings. The fringe treatments help add fluidity.

Big, bold romantic rock 'n' roll pieces, are must-have fashion pieces throughout 2009.

So rock on this fall

Incorporating vintage pieces into your modern wardrobe

2009-05-12T18:57:00.000-04:00

Now that you have found the greatest piece of vintage clothing, so how do you wear it?

You might think of your vintage clothing as the focal-point in your outfit. The rest of the outfit should compliment it, by shape and color. You pretty much follow the rules as modern fashion goes, but throw in some unique elements of vintage to replace some major parts. Vintage dresses are the are the easiest to incorporate but some ways to modernize them are by simply wearing tights, a modern cardigan, shoes(such as ballet flats) or even just by the way you do your hair. It's up to the wearer to decide how "modern" she(or he!) wants to look, so by adding just a few or all of these things can determine if you look like you are even from this decade!

2009-05-01T12:03:00.003-04:00

Buying Future Vintage

Buying vintage needs a discerning eye is required to ensure maximum returns. Buy a good designer at their peak if the label says Dior, you want it to be by Christian himself rather than by Marc Bohan, who took over in 1962. If the piece of clothing is by Yves Saint Laurent, it's haute couture that will accrue the most value in years to come, not Rive Gauche (from the Seventies and Eighties), or Variations (from the Nineties) – both are still too recent to hold the same cache. And even if those criteria are fulfilled, avoid anything that has serious staining or alterations, which seriously decrease the value. Store the pieces out of sunlight (fading is a no-no), and start to get paranoid about moths, damp and mildew.

As far as jeweler goes, wisdom is that signature pieces are key: whereas clothing requires a famous label, stylistically strong pieces from the 1920s and 1930s don't have to be Cartier to be of value. "Rather than the value of the stones, it's the dynamism of the design is the key. Remember that jewelry is very much part of high fashion.

If your investment potential doesn't stretch to haute couture, there is still much to be said for starting small. This theory of demand for exclusivity filters down on to the regular department stores, too, if your budget is a little more limited in this economy. So if you pick up some of-the-moment high-demand fashions – such as the collaborations that some named stores do with big-name designers such as Stella McCartney or Vera Wang for instance – you are almost guaranteed a return for your money.

As the outlay is not as great as that in high fashion, it makes sense that the profit margins won't be as high, but it also makes sense to start somewhere, accruing capital that you can then put into more expensive wares. A sharp eye for detail, the knowledge of what name counts on a label, and a great deal of patience are required if you want to start making fashion work for your bank balance. Shopping to make money necessitates something of a mental shift, it's true, but if you can bear to buy fashion that you will never wear, a potential goldmine awaits.

Vogue Fashion Fantasies

2009-03-16T10:30:00.000-04:00

Try Vintage for the working women trying to live out their Vogue fashion fantasies on Target budgets, vintage clothing offers may possibilities.

THE NECESSARY ACCESSORIES
Scarves have been the number one accessory to update your look. For spring, wear a lightweight scarf tied in a traditional knot or wrapped casually around your neck. For summer, wrap one around your head like a headband for a retro look. Look on the vintage clothing sites for vintage scarves.
Try a brooch. Wear brooches in clusters with a black dress or cardigan in place of a necklace for an elegant look during the day. Bringing out the rhinestone brooches in the evening up jazz up the office dress for a wonderful evening out. Attach a brooch to a ribbon to create a necklace. A matching set of brooches can serve as shoe clips.
Then there is a statement necklace that can stand on its own. Wear one for daytime with a T-shirt and jacket. For evening, pair it with a little black dress. Create your own statement necklace by layering two or three necklaces for a multi-strand look.

VINTAGE SHOPPING TIPS
•Have fun. Take photos. (Hey, when are you going to be caught in a black pillbox hat with a mini veil again?) Don't be discouraged by the chaos you'll likely encounter – digging for that polyester jumpsuit is half the fun!
•Think before you buy. Some clothing may be difficult to alter. Ask yourself, "Is the price worth the wear?"
•Be flexible on your size. Clothing sizes were different 30 or 40 years ago.
•Be brave and occasionally try on styles that might seem downright odd or take some brainpower to figure out on the hanger. It could be your next favorite outfit.

2009-02-26T15:23:00.004-05:00

AnitaColby

Recession aware Fashion Week spotlights the Power '80s or Classic looks

2009-02-24T11:14:00.002-05:00

For fall 2009, the 1980’s are back and so is vintage dressing. Women can look forward to wearing shoulder pads, bright colors and grays for the serious minded plus power suits. This runway season have designers bringing us the empowered female silhouette of the 1980s in classic designs to New York Fashion Week.
Hitting the right look at the right price will be important to today’s fashion conscious woman who will be either going with the classic or something really special and unique looks.
Some of this years looks are shorter lengths, bold colors, wide shoulders, practical wool plaid, wrap dresses and draped collars. This season, dressing has abandoned frills in favor of textured surfaces with firm, slim architectural lines, that is focused on the waist. There are like pine green, slate gray and copper. There was also there is a reminder of earlier era of hard times: small jackets, skirts over the knees and even cocktail hats, reminiscent of women in the 1930s Depression years in some designer’s collections.
There are many vintage clothing sites that the cost conscious woman can draw from for the look from the runways without that runway price. Now is the time to let your fingers do the browsing through the vintage clothing folks at VFG and Babylon Mall.
Runway looks from the Ralph Lauren fall 2009 show. (Chris Moore/Karl Prouse)

See my items at the great VBOE Sale!!

2008-02-07T11:30:00.001-05:00

Dressing like the 1940's

2007-10-28T15:00:00.000-04:00

The glamorous, dynamic 1940s may be gone, but that decade's fashion ethos is around. Stars like Gwen Stefani have added '40s style touches to their wardrobe and Scarlett Johansen named the decade as her favorite fashion era. Vanity Fair glamorized the era with a gorgeous noir photo shoot featuring some of most well known celebrities.
It is just one of the eras that influence fashion designers. The fashion industry goes from one era to the other getting inspiration. Actually they mix all the eras to get ideas.
Platforms, which originated in the 1940s, are coming back into vogue and so are other trends
Late '30s, early '40s clothing has become very popular with many women. Shorter skirts are a characteristic of the 1940s because of fabric rationing during World War II. Shirts became short and straight and jackets got shorter to conserve precious fabric; women made suits for themselves out of their husbands' suits, since they were away at war.
Seamed silk stockings were very popular but soon disappeared with the rationing of silk, which was used to make parachutes; women painted seams on their legs to give the illusion of stockings.
Costume jewelry became bigger, flashier and the hats got wilder. Hats were small with big exotic flowers giving that very feminine touch.
If you want that classic, glamorous 1940s look, you will need to wear
For clothing:
 Non-natural fibers like rayon,
 Shorter skirts than previous decades, but not too high above the knee
 Women's suits
 Padded shoulders in just about everything
 Swing dresses
 Evening gowns

For Makeup:
 Red lipstick
 Well groomed, often, dark eyebrows
For Hair:
 Fingerwaves
 Pincurls
 Trademark rolls around the crown of the head.
For Accessories:
 Platform shoes
 Chunky heels with round toes
 Big costume jewelry

Vintage Fashion Guild: VFG Blog

2007-09-17T13:51:00.000-04:00

Vintage Fashion Guild: VFG Blog

Zandria Rhodes is back!!

2007-09-06T08:29:00.000-04:00

Please met a wonderful fashion artist from the 1970’s who is still creating. She is queen of British haute punk. She is famous for her personal eccentricity as for the clashing colors and vividly exotic prints she has shown on the runway since the 1970s. Recently, her talents are once again being appreciated. She has introduced a flamboyant makeup collection for M.A.C., furs for Pologeorgis and a jewelry line. In New York last week she fluttered about in a squiggle-patterned jumpsuit with butterfly sleeves, a look from her spring collection for Topshop, the fast-fashion chain based in London. She was here to talk up her latest venture: a line of lambskin handbags patterned with her exuberant prints. The latest designs represent her design identity that mixes the ethereal and the raw with motifs inspired by Native American, Egyptian or Chinese culture.

Comeback color---1980's Electric Blue!!!

2007-08-22T16:51:00.001-04:00

1980’s electric blue is making a comeback. Fashion experts say there's a new way to wear it. Electric blue looks best when paired with minimalist accessories. You can't do too much or then you're the bad '80s comeback but if it’s a simple style, cut and pattern, it will work. You wouldn't want to do the handbag, earrings, dress, and eye shadow together. There's been resurgence in metallic look and we have bags in light silver and gray that is a good accent with blue. Delicate silver jewelry and a crisp white handbag looks great, and chartreuse also goes really well with that peppy blue.
One reason it's so popular right now is that the color is surprisingly flattering on just about everyone. It works on so many different skin tones and is beautiful against sun-kissed skin and will make you stand out in a crowd."
The good news is that the trend is here to stay -- at least for the next year or so. In New York, bright blue is going to continue throughout spring next year so just pair that summer dress with high or low boots and you're good for fall. It's one of the best transition things you can do."

2007-08-22T16:39:00.000-04:00

Vintage Fashion Guild: VFG Blog

2007-08-20T12:22:00.000-04:00

Vintage Fashion Guild: VFG Blog

Happy IVGLDSW Day!

2007-08-17T09:53:00.001-04:00

Today is International Very Good Looking, Damn Smart Woman's Day.

Always remember this motto to live by: Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, chocolate in one hand, wine in the other, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming "WOO HOO what a ride!"

It's Glitters!!!

2007-08-16T16:49:00.000-04:00

Soon... all that glitters will be on my ebay store--It's Vintage Divas, at Specialist Auctions as Vintage Divas and on my web site www.vintage-diva.com. It the time to start gathering the sparkling dresses for the Christmas and New Year’s parties because there are only 131 shopping days to Christmas and 137 days to the New Year.

The hustle and bustle of getting ready will soon be around the corner so make sure that you will be relaxed and glamorous with sparkle.

CLOTHES CONNOISSEUR

2007-08-07T14:39:00.000-04:00

Love the idea of beautiful clothes and don’t want to settle for cheaply made stuff but finances are tight. So skip the cheap stuff and go “Vintage”.

You will be astonished that you can buy a beautiful, well made silk blouse for less than off the mall rack and that will open your eyes to the world of Vintage clothing. Once it is may have been a necessity because of the price but will eventually become a passion.And passion will ooze once you see the vintage pieces with elaborate details, richly beautiful fabric textures with great color and cut. You will begin to see beyond a piece of clothing draped on a hanger.

Vintage style - it's become the ultimate fashion statement.
Become a trend-setting expert at mixing the old with the new. Whether you're short of cash or just revel in the idea of finding fashion gems from the past, Vintage chic is every fashion follower's passport to unique style. Vintage is for people who want something different and not just the latest looks plucked straight from the Autumn fashion runways.Face it, anyone can walk down the street, spend some money and get a fairly fashionable look but, why settle? Try for something more. An outfit that suggests hidden depths, imagination, allure. You can renew yourself with breathtaking garments others were naïve enough to let go.

SHOP FOR STYLE ON LINE
Vintage chic isn't necessarily about tapping into the catwalk's latest looks. "If you know what the trends are, you can shop specifically for those shapes, prints or colors. Take steps today for vintage in the future by holding on to existing pieces in your closet that are favorites, classics or simply hold sentimental value - you'll find that in a few years time, what goes around does indeed come around.I

The top ten classics always worth searching the Vintage Shops for...Monochrome, clean-lined trouser suits in impeccable lightweight wool, Hand stitched, slip-on shoes, Little black dress (as simple as possible, but in deluxe fabric) , White button-down blouse(in Egyptian cotton or silk), Wool dress trousers for winter, Linen blend trouser for summer, Dark wool skirt( hemmed to flatter your legs best), Cashmere sweaters, Beautifully made trench coat, and a Great, classic handbag.

http://www.vintage-diva.com

2007-07-27T15:04:00.000-04:00

Please take a look at my web-site. Vintage-Diva's is selling retro and vintage ladies clothing. We will be changing and adding to the site regularly. There are will be:

coats, jackets, sweaters & furs
cocktail dresses, long gowns & dressy dresses
suits
hats, gloves, shoes & handbags
costume jewelry

Most of the items will be retro or vintage. The years that I want to cover is the late 1940's to the 1970's. Occasionally, I will have some add some 1980's. I am a fan of shoulder pads(everyone has lapses).

There occasionally will be some new items but they will be clearly marked as "new" and they were only be items that compliment the vintage look.

I will be adding vintage patterns when I can find patterns that have not been cut.

I hope that you will visit my site soon!!!

2007-01-14T15:54:00.000-05:00