Tales From A Vintage Wardrobe

The Perfect Shoes & Arthritis

Half asleep, coffee in one hand, remote in the other and my laptop teetering precariously on my knees as I settle in for my morning routine (well, now you know.)  "If only Anderson Cooper were on CNN in the morning" I think to myself for the one millionth time, waiting for my Yahoo reader to load.

"Daily Blog Check" tab shows a metropolitan ex~housewife has dyed her hair red again, men in Paris are wearing long scarves, Seth Aaron Henderson is coming to RI, Hollister Hovey made the pages of ELLE Decoration UK (congrats!), and The Trad is asking about sweaters....I click.

The sweaters, I concur, are hideous.  But what about that lovely pair of red velvet shoes?   I'm certain he snapped this photo just for me!   Could they still be there?  Where exactly is he shopping?  I read on. 

The Arthritis Thrift Shop
1383 3rd Ave
between 78 & 79th

I giggle...The Trad at The Arthritis Foundation...must be the cold weather...I laugh out loud.  The twinge in my right knee reminds me I'm not that far behind. 

I Google TATS and find a phone number.  I call the number.  A nice guy answers the phone and actually goes looking through the store for the shoes (who says New Yorkers aren't friendly?!)  The painting (which is $750) he finds...the shoes he does not.   I thank him profusely and hang up the phone.

I can practically hear my knee laughing at me, saying "That's what you get!"....

Congrats to whoever beat me to them, let me know if they don't fit....

(photo credit: The Trad)

WARDROBE STAPLE: THE SPECTATOR

 

 

My new spring shoe purchase (see yesterday's post ) has brought to mind a vintage shoe staple I am determined to add to my wardrobe this spring. 
The classic  Spectator Shoe.  
Preferably in navy & white . . .

(photo courtesy of Fashion Preserve )

 

While the original spectator style was pretty basic, today's modern designers have put quite a spin on them:

 

I found this lovely pair over at The Preppy Princess but no further information was to be found . . .

 

This delightful pair is already in the closet of some gal with fabulous taste . . . from Dear Golden Vintage .

This jazzy pair is from designer D&G  ~~ The Lucy T Strap for a mere $499.00 . . .

 

 

A lovely offering from the tasteful Marc Jacobs, coming in at $470.00 . . .

 

The epitome of the perfect summer high heel, in my humble opinion . . . while open toe is generally frowned upon, this manages to be elegant & refined ~~ perfect pedicure required . . .   the Nami Air OT Pump on Canvas/Anthracite by NIKE AIR (???!!!)   $295.00 isn't bad if they offer the comfort of a running shoe . . .

From Shoes and Your Mom. . .Salvatore Ferragamos  in the classic style . . . worn once . . . $300.00

 

While the modern offerings are intriguing, this beautiful 1940s Johansen vintage pair has won my heart ~~ but not my foot ~~ they're too small.  Available at Max & Chloe Vintage 
for a mere $32.00!!! 

 

(photo courtesy of A Suitable Wardrobe)

 

And yes, we love to see the gentlemen sport them . . .
" 'Cause every girls crazy 'bout a sharp dressed man . . ."

 

TREASURE HUNTING 101 ~ ELAINE TURNER & LAURA ASHLEY

It's a bit early for spring shoes, but I found this lovely pair of Elaine Turner Ballet Flats yesterday and couldn't resist.

The enclosure card in the box reads:
"Tropical getaways, Luxurious escapes, Playful encounters . . .let us take you there"
Just let me grab my passport . . .

 

Bamboo & Black Patent Leather ~ "Marlie" style, says the box.

Which also says this:

$225.00

But I paid this:

They were also available in patent leather pink, gold & silver.  I may just have to have a pair in every color at this price.

 

Ever on the search for warm, cozy cardigans, I snatched up this beautiful Laura Ashley Country Collection sweater at a local thrift store for under $10.00.

Where I also found this little treasure ~~ A Queen Touring Kit. 
Contents:  Pure-vegetable base bar and pocket-sized body mist in Queen’s popular rose/gardenia scent, plus a 32-page Royal Decree Tablet for issuing edicts and compliments to one’s loyal subjects. Fit for a King (but a dream for a Queen). 
You can find them here.

 

And, practically speaking, the best find of the day:

 Fetish Shoe Care  ~ no longer a dirty little secret.

 

 

 

FOR MY LITTLE EQUESTRIAN

Well, at least someone around here has a pair that fits . . .scored this lovely pair of girl's riding boots which were made in Portugal at a thrift shop this week . . .she loves them.

(btw, that's why I need the umbrella stand)

TREASURE HUNTING 101: VINTAGE RALPH LAUREN RIDING BOOTS

Having grown up on a beautiful old New England estate surrounded by close to 200 acres of beautiful farmland and woods to explore on horseback,
anything "equestrian-related" is close to my heart. 

My sisters and I used to spend hours first trying to find our horses, as my grandfather (the dairy farmer) seemed to feel it was the loving thing to do to let them roam free on said 200 acres.  This part of the day could take hours, and my older sister was most devoted to this task.  I would start out on the search party, but my stamina would soon weaken at the thought of the long walk back to the farm, and she would say "Oh, go back and read your dumb book, I'll come get you when I'm back in the stable with them!!" 

This was, secretly, what I wanted, to be able to finish my Trixie Belden book and still be able to go riding and have the picnic my dear grandmother was packing up for us at that very moment.

This scenario plays out so often in my childhood memories that, at times, it seems like it was one long, lazy summer day of reading, riding and roaming around the farm in my beloved riding boots.  It is one of my most cherished memories...it was the happiest time of my life...

So, when I was out "treasure hunting" a few weeks ago, you can imagine my delight when I made this amazing discovery:

Be-still my beating heart...I opened the shaft of the boot and saw RL 7 1/2 B...can this be possible?
I tear off my right shoe, close my eyes, take a deep breath and slip my foot into the boot...
and suddenly,
I knew what it was like
to be...

 

no, not Cinderella...

More like one of her wicked step~sisters!

They did not fit!
 Well, not properly anyway.  I managed to squeeze my foot into the boot, but knew I would not wear them with that same comfort and casual nonchalance as I did back on the farm. 

Deeply saddened, I set them down...

Goodbye, lovely vintage Ralph Lauren riding boots...

 

"Wait a minute, are you crazy????  Put those in your basket before someone else grabs them!!!" 
I thought to myself.  I brought them home, stared at them for weeks, tried them on a few more times before coming to terms with my grief.

I went through the seven stages, ending up at Acceptance & Hope...

Acceptance of the sad fact these boots just don't fit me no matter how much I love them
&
Hope that someone out there will love them just as much as I do and find them a new home!

You can find them HERE.

(Painting by the talented Hollister H. Hovey) 

 

Take a peek at my Etsy Treasury for more lovely Equine treasures...

Now, back to my treasure hunting...

 

 

FABULOUS VINTAGE SHOES @ ETSY...

Vintage 1940s Chocolate Suede Pumps Red Lucite Detail
DeLiso Debs Designed by Palter DeLiso
Available here

 

Emerald Green Pin Up Shoes
available here

 

 Pretty Pale Pink Town and Country Leather Pumps
available here

 

1960's Faux Python Shoes
available here

Brown leather pumps with black velvet bow detail
available here

 

THE (ULTIMATE) RED VELVET SHOE

Wow.

I think I found my boutique's namesake. . .

Leave it to Chanel!

 

A GAL CAN NEVER HAVE TOO MANY SHOES

(Photo Credit: My Sweet Savannah)

Don't you agree?  I mean, can you really ever say you have enough shoes?  Can you ever walk by a shoe store that says "SALE" and not go in, just to take a quick peek?

 

(Photo credit:  Chateau de Lu)

I mean, even Barbie has a closet full of shoes!

 

I guess we start young. . .

 

 

(Photo credit:  reproductionvintageshoes.com)

and it never, ever, gets old!

Why is that?

Perhaps because of gorgeous shoes like this:

 

Stunning black suede platform pumps by famed French designer Charles Jourdan. . .

and for all you ladies with tiny little feet

They are a SIZE 4!!

I just added them to my boutique today and thought I'd show you "What's New In The Shoe".

Have a wonderful weekend!

 

 

 

VINTAGE SHOPPING WITH JAMES BOND

Just thought I'd show you some great new things I found on my trip to Denver~~another reason I was thinking very bad thoughts about airport security (I know, it's not their fault!)  and wishing just for once (well, maybe I've wished it more than once) that I was in my own private jet ( sort of like James Bond but on a Vintage Clothing Mission?)

Can you imagine?  James Bond on a vintage clothing shopping spree!  Plenty of room for luggage here!

  Of course, there would be martini's. . .

 

(Hey, they forgot my husband's picture!)

Now that would make a great James Bond movie, don't you think?

 

 Anyway, before I get off on some tangent (again!) let me show you what I did manage to stuff into my teeny, tiny sad excuse for a suitcase:

 Gorgeous vintage bridal shoes. . .just in time for an early summer bride. . .

  Amazing Platinum Gray cut~out loafers with just a dash of a heel~~a great relaxed shoe with tons of vintage appeal!  (And they are Size 9~~quite rare for vintage shoes!)

 

 Wait, did I just see "That Girl" go running by?  A fantastic vintage shoe, and it just goes to prove they only wore white after Memorial Day and, even then, not very often, because they are immaculate!

All available at my boutique. . .thanks for visiting!  And a big hug to all of you who have voted for The Red Velvet Shoe for the People's Choice Top Ten Vintage Websites, the response has been truly overwhelming and I am truly touched by this "Shout Out" on my behalf~~your support is a great inspiration to press on and share all these lovely vintage treasures. . .another great way to use what we already have and raise the bar by dressing up!

 

xxMichelle

 

 

WHICH PAIR?

If you read through the comments left on my post about visiting Disney with my family, you will see that my dear friend Lisa joked about the fact that I wore sneakers while there.  The reason she would pick up on this seemingly "what's the big deal" matter is that we share a similar opinion about said footwear.

I walk almost daily for the fresh air & exercise and yes, almost 99% of the time I wear my sneakers.  I don't care if they get muddy or wet, and I would venture to say they probably have the best traction of any shoe in my closet. (They also are the one of the few shoes I own that are not heels.)   However, 99% of the time they are removed at the door and sit there beside my wellies & loafers waiting for the next time the sun peeks out and I venture out again. 

The dilemma for this Vintage~Fashion~Style~Lover when I discovered Disney was Le Destination for our winter vacation was:  What in the world am I going to wear while traipsing all around Amusement Parks for a week?  Most citizens of the US would without a doubt answer:

SNEAKERS! 

But what if you generally don't wear sneakers?  Ever?  Unless you are doing your daily walk?  What if you try to bomb around in sneakers like so many who live here and just find yourself feeling frumpy, untidy, lazy, like you've given up?  I am not saying wearing sneakers means that.  I am simply saying that when I wear them other than when I am exercising that I feel like that.  Maybe I've read too much about proper dress & style, maybe a bit too much about why French woman always looks fantastic, maybe it's all the beautiful books & photographs I have acquired on vintage fashion when ladies dressed to the nines and looked amazing!  Maybe I just like to feel put together and for whatever bizarre reason in my DNA I just don't feel it when I am in sneakers. Maybe I just love pretty shoes?!

To make a long story short, I buckled under marital pressure (see my Disney post) and brought & wore sneakers for the entire week I was there.  Was I comfortable?  Physically, yes.  I pounded the pavement without a single complaint of discomfort.  But mentally, I could not seem to feel comfortable in my sneakers.  To the point I could say it sort of detracted from my trip.  Now, if you are a sneaker lover you probably think I am the most shallow person on the planet.  However, if you love style & fashion, especially vintage fashion, perhaps you will understand how much I wanted to wear something a bit more. . .I don't know. . .feminine?   Romantic?   Stylish?  Pretty?

So after looking through some travel photos both modern & vintage I decided to do a bit of Internet research on:

WHAT TO WEAR WHEN TRAVELING

and thought I would share a few of the interesting links I found with you:

1)  A great selection of shoes that look great & are comfortable, too!

2)This website will practically pack your suitcase for you!

3)  A bit of European advice

I guess in the end it depends where  your destination is and finding out as much as you can about the culture, climate and what you will be doing while you are visiting.  Actually, my sneakers fit right in in Disney.  .  .but, WHICH PAIR would you choose?

It is important to remember what Shakespeare said:  "To thine own self be true".  .  .next time I'll pick a different pair!

Michelle