PRINTS CHARMING

Vintage or Bust!~ Wednesday Blog Tag~Prints Charming
April 30th, 2008
Its time for Wednesday blog tag again! The fashion magazines are predicting that prints will be hot for summer…large florals, bold brushstrokes, graphic designs.

I've been tagged by Figure 8 Studio's blog Diary of a Mad Vintage Addict

Lets talk prints!

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PRINT OFFERED IN YOUR INVENTORY?

I love the vivid unusual colorway and atomic bursts in this polished cotton apron dress.

WHAT IS YOUR DEFINITION OF NOVELTY PRINT?

A novelty print has to be something other than your typical floral. Themes, cute, unusual or kitsch. Here is an example of a novelty print on a Hawaiian shirt we currently have in our inventory. Bold orange with pink beach hats, drums and tiki's.

MOST AMAZING NOVELTY PRINT YOU’VE EVER SEEN?

Hard to pick just one. I do love this great vintage pin-up girl fabric recently sold on Ebay by kizmets, note how she's working in style with platform heels!

SIZE MATTERS….WHEN WEARING PRINTS, DO YOU PREFER BIG OR SMALL?
Esthetically I am drawn to bold colors and big prints, but it's a lot easier to wear a small print, especially if you are not tall.

COLOR OR BLACK AND WHITE? I love the pure graphic drama of deep black and white.
This Lanvin blouse is something that would be easy to wear.

WHAT DESIGNER DOES YOUR FAVORITE PRINTS?

Definitely Pucci! Absolutely distinctive. Often copied but never duplicated. I especially love the lingerie line he did with Formfit Rogers. Imagine wearing this wild girdle panty under your business suit! Courtesy of Renee-goodies on Ebay.

To follow this BLOG TAG go on over to Fast Eddies Retro Rags blog The Girl Can't Help It

eVintage Blog Tag : MAXED OUT!

This week The Vintage Society is talking about maxi dresses. I've been tagged by Figure 8 Studios' blog Diary of a Mad Vintage Addict.

MAXI OR PATIO DRESS, AND WHY?

Although current designers seem to be using the terms interchangeably, most vintage sellers define maxis and patio dresses differently:

The term Maxi dress, to me, evokes images of the early 70s extra long dresses which were often worn as evening wear as an alternative to the mini skirt. Usually vividly patterned in bright floral or ethnic prints, these dresses were sexy, fun and usually vibrant.

When I think of patio dresses I imagine 50s Squaw dresses with full circle skirts in festive prints.

FAVORITE MAXI DRESS IN YOUR INVENTORY?

Hard to choose. I always carry a selection of vintage Maxi's in different styles, so here are two very different versions from my inventory:



AS A TREND, WILL IT BE A HIT OR A MISS?

Maxi dresses, especially the mod and Hawaiian print dresses have always been a good seller for me. In the past many buyers cut the skirts to mini length, but now I am seeing more women wearing them long as they were intended. We have been seeing Celebrities wearing maxis which should bring them more into the mainstream this season.


DO YOU WEAR MAXI DRESSES OR SKIRTS?
I do, but I am only 5'4", so I tend to wear maxis with less vivid prints or in solid colors. The black one above is something I would wear.


PROS AND CONS?
Maxis with big and colorful prints are best suited for tall slims girls. The sheer volume of fabric can be overwhelming, so it's easier for shorter women to choose less voluminous maxis in more subdued colorways. Maxis can be suprisingly cool and comfortable to wear and can hide figure flaws with a great design and fit.


To follow this blog tag head on over to Penelopepup's Vintage Blog

Vintage Hostess Aprons

Flashback to the 1950s...

You are hosting a diner party and wearing a fab little cocktail dress. What you need now to finish your entertaining ensemble is a chiffon or organza hostess apron.

Far from utilitarian, cocktail aprons are more whimsy and style than actual function. Often made from sheer chiffon or organza they likely wouldn't have offered much protection for the dress. But oh what fun to wear a frilly, sexy and lavishly embellished apron over your cocktail dress! A quick search of the net and you can easily find a large selection of fancy half aprons in every color. Most are still very reasonably priced considering the workmanship and embellishments. They offer exceptional value, however due to increasing pospularity for vintage fashion we are seeing prices for hostess aprons going up.

50s novelty print fabric showing idealized homemakers wearing aprons - courtesy of The Dorothy Prudie Company on Ebay

Naughty Vargas pin-up girl wearing a sheer apron

To see a fantastic collection of vintage aprons check out http://www.apronthreads.com/

An awesome novelty print apron with Pin-up Girl courtesy of Ballyhoovintage

I love this Kay Shannon apron in pink net with gold glitter -so perfect over a little black dress. Currently on Ebay auction from 1609emily

An finally a 60s Pucci-esque apron from our own Ebay store Empress Jade Vintage

Mad Men or Mod?

The eVintage Society Blog Tag Wednesday ~Mad Men or Mod?~
April 9th, 2008
Its Wednesday blog tag time and I've been tagged by "Diary of a Mad Vintage Addict" Today’s theme…..the 60’s. Are you a MAD MEN kinda gal (ritzy cocktail dresses, wiggle silhouette, draped and ruched silk chiffon, pointy toe stilettos, a cigarette and martini) or a MOD dolly (sleek lines, go go boots, oversize sunglasses, pilgrim buckle square toe shoes, paper dresses, micro mini skirts, patterened tights, white lipstick and fake lashes)? Do tell.

MOD OR MAD MEN?
Oh this is hard to choose because I love the sleek sophistication of the Mad Men look, but I've got to admit to loving the BOLD AND FUN approach to fashion that 60s Mod is all about.

FAVE PIECE IN YOUR INVENTORY FITTING THE BILL?
Here is a unusual A-line 60s cocktail dress with attached scarf in an exotic metallic print, allthough it would need to be shortened to be truly mod, available in our ETSY STORE

These aren't mine, but I love these lavishly embroidered go-go boots from Ebay seller MVIPgirlvintage

ICONIC EARLY 60s STARLET?

Brigitte Bardot of course, she was simply stunning.

LATE 60’s?

Since we're talking MOD style I have to choose Twiggy, the 90 pound super model named the "Face of 1966" by the Daily Express.

SINATRA OR THE SWINGIN’ 60s SCENE?

Swingin' 60s, preferably in London

To follow this blog tag head on over to Penelopepupsvintage

READY FOR ROCKABILLY? Viva Las Vegas

It's time for the E Vintage Society's Blog Tag and I've been tagged by Figure 8 Studio's Blog: Diary of a Fashion Addict

Ready for rockabilly? The rockabilly music and fashion themed weekender event called VIVA LAS VEGAS is coming up soon! Lots of vintage out there to be had in time to wear….what are your thoughts?

FAVORITE ROCKABILLY LOOK PIECE IN YOUR INVENTORY?

Even though this flocked velvet dress has some issues I still love the flocked design on the full flirty skirt. Currently available in our Etsy Store.


DO YOU WEAR THE ROCKABILLY LOOK AT ALL?

Occaisionally for a party I will wear a rockabilly style dress, but I prefer the glam styles of the 30's and 40's.



CRUCIAL ROCKABILLY VINTAGE ACCESSORY FOR GIRLS?

A large vintage silk rose to wear in your hair, on your waist, or even on a ribbon around your neck.




PERSONAL STYLE. SANDY OR RIZZO?

Definitely RIZZO, Pink Ladies rule!

AGE OLD QUESTION….ELVIS OR THE BEATLES?

Young Elvis, but not fat Elvis. I also love the Beatles, so depends on my mood. To follow this Blog Tag head on over to Penelopepup's Vintage Blog

ASIAN BOMBSHELL - Love for a Vintage Cheongsam

I've long been an admirer of the Asian cheongsam, also called a mandarin gown. The modern cheongsam is based on a classic Chinese dress called a qípáo, which had a much looser silhouette than the ultra tight dress that we know. Around 1900 the qípáo was modernized to the form fitted, hour glass shape that we associate with a cheongsam. These are ULTRA TIGHT, so you definitely WIGGLE when you wear one of these. The best are made from luxurious silk or rayon and often have detailed embroidery, metallic threads and elaborate embellishments.

A Metallic Green Rayon Cheongsam in Golden Dragon Brocade (1960s), currently in our Etsy store

Here is a gorgeous Rhinestone Studded SEAFOAM Silk Satin Damask Cheongsam (1950s) - courtesy of Blue Velvet Vintage

Teal Blue embroidered Cheongsam (1940s) - courtesy of Tialey Vintage

In general when dating vintage, when we see a metal side zipper we might assume the dress is 1950s or earlier, but some high quality Asian tailors still use metal zippers and metal snaps today. In fact if you are lucky enough to make a trip to Thailand or China you can have custom fitted, high quality silk garments made to order, and the better tailors still sometimes use sewing techniques that we would normally associate with a vintage garment. Since the general style of the cheongsam has remained virtually unchanged for decades it makes dating these vintage pieces a challenge.

XOXO Empress Jade Vintage