Tales From A Vintage Wardrobe

Harvard Crimson Crush

You can't get any more "Ivy Style" than this...find it here.

The Ivy Style (Preppy) Collection

Vintage Foster Grants

Vintage Navy Blue, Pink & White Leather Wallet Horse Bit Buckle Closure

Mid-Century Aqua, Pink, Olive & White Twill Striped Scarf

Vintage Bullet Bra Pink & Green Floral Swimsuit

Introducing "The Ivy Style (aka Preppy) Collection" at The Red Velvet Shoe on Etsy.  Hey, everyone else is jumping on the bandwagon, so why not? 

 

 

Aubrey Beardsley~Let The Bidding Begin...

Vintage late 1960s-early 1970s Aubrey Beardsley "The Peacock Skirt" print dress
Live Auction 30 November-5 December
View Auction Listing

Please Pardon My Error

It has been brought to my attention from a fellow vintage fashion aficionada that the print on the dress in my last post, although Poiret~ish, is actually an Aubrey Beardsley illustration produced for the first English edition of Oscar Wilde's play "Salome" in 1894...It's called "The Peacock Skirt".   Please allow me to properly introduce to you "The Peacock Skirt Dress".  

 

 

Posh Poiret Print?

This stunning vintage dress was the result of a last minute, unplanned 10 minute treasure hunting expedition. I was avoiding doing things I didn't feel like doing and popped into one of the shops I frequent and there she was, waiting for me. Don't you just love when that happens? Serendipity, once again.

I was bit stumped as to how to describe the print on this dress at first.  But I keep going back to Paul Poiret, when his work took on the influence of orientalism. 

It's about a size 4/6...not a tag or label to be seen, so off to do some research.  Look for it soon in The Shoe.

(Addendum~4:00pm EST 23 November 2011: In the six hours that have lapsed since this post, I have been provided with updated information about the print on this dress.  Please visit here for more information.)

Halston & Karan...They Go Way Back

 
(quote borrowed from "The Berg Companion to Fashion" by Valerie Steele)
 
This 1970s Halston 3-piece khaki wool suit is on it's way to The Shoe.  Everyone knows menswear inspired suits are "in" for fall, but I also found it interesting how boxy the jacket is on this suit, another very fashion-forward current trend.  I also remembered reading this quote by Donna Karan about how much Halston inspired her work as a designer.  I finally found it again and realized that although the suit pictured above from her fall collection (far right) is different in many ways, the "simplicity, fit and the importance of uniform" is there and the same. 

Update:  You can find the suit here.

The Dress Has Many Faces: Anne Fogarty

 

Thought I'd share a sneak peek of this amazing Anne Fogarty dress coming to The Shoe later today.  The belt gave me a way to go....so here are just four of many looks I came up with for it.  It even looks great sans belt.  But the best part?  French cuffs and turtle cuff links...how cute is that?  

Update: just listed it, you can find it here!

Fit For Royalty

 

I found this amazing suit at an Estate sale earlier this year.  It's stunning.  I know I always say that about the suits I find, but this one is, well, stellar.  The only label, aside from the Union tag, is "Betty of Providence".  Not much info out there about who Betty was, except that there was a boutique with this name on the East Side of Providence in the rather exclusive Wayland Square neighborhood a long time ago.  It's still one of the few places you can actually stroll and shop in fine boutiques, pick up some really good cheese and wine, and have a wonderful lunch or dinner.  I've always said if we ever "downsize" I want to live a condo in one of those great old houses in Wayland Square.  Maybe someone around there remembers Betty.  I'll have to go snoop around. 

Back to the suit...it's divine.  It has the weight of a fine, almost couture garment, and the design, cut and workmanship are superior.  I venture to say, given her penchant for fabulous suits and dresses in all shades of blue, that even the Duchess of Cambridge would approve.  Too bad it's not her size.   Find it here.

The French Maid

 

 

 

Find her here.
 

The Only Thing To Wear In Weather Like This

 

In our Etsy Shop.