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Vintage Shopping Guide for sale at Blue Velvet Vintage

Wednesday, October 28th, 2009

A few weeks back I wrote a review on Melody Fortier’s “Little Guide to Vintage Shopping.”

Since I found this little book to be a such great resource, particularly for the beginning vintage clothing collector, I felt it was my duty to make it available on my website. There are so many things in this guide that are helpful for all you girls  new to the world of vintage fashion.

I’m also offering it with free shipping! Will make a great holiday or birthday gift for the vintage lover in your life.  Click on photo to purchase.

Guide to Vintage Shopping

Guide to Vintage Shopping

Designer Evening Dresses-1959

Saturday, September 26th, 2009

Below are scans of designer evening fashions  from my  September 1959 issue of  French  luxury fashion magazine,  L’Officiel.  Now just for a moment imagine if you were lucky enough to find one of these timeless beauties in your size and at an affordable price.  I know, that’s a stretch. But it doesn’t hurt to dream, right?   Which one of these dresses would you choose to wear to your next fancy shmancy party?

Fringed Dior Dress

Christian Dior

Jean Desses draped chiffon dress

Jean Desses

Pierre Balmain satin dress

Pierre Balmain

Christian Dior

Christian Dior

Just added-Bettie Page Dresses and Vintage Sweaters

Friday, August 28th, 2009

We’re really excited about the  new vintage inspired dresses from Bettie Page Clothing that we just added to Blue Velvet Vintage. There are some really cute new styles.

Also, we’ve added several vintage sweaters from the 50s and 60s.  Luxe cardigans in lambswool/angora and cashmere with  fur collars, beading and sequins. Great looks for the fall/winter season.

Bettie Page Ella and Shipmate Dresses

Bettie Page Shipmate and Ella Dresses

The first two is their “Shipmate” style.  Adorable nautical inspired dresses  available in both a form fitting pencil dress and with a full swing skirt.

The “Ella” style is next, a classic 50’s bombshell “wiggle” dress that moulds to every curve.   Available in blue and red.

All these vintage style dresses are available in small to XXL.

Fancy vintage sweaters for fall/winter.

Fancy vintage sweaters for fall/winter.

1.  Ballantyne of Scotland ivory cashmere sweater with white mink collar.-36

2. Beige orlon cardigan sweater with ivory and gold lace overlay-38

3. Black cashmere sweater with fox fur collar and rhinestone closure.-38

4. Black lambswool/angora sweater with gold beading and sequins-40

5. Black lambswool/angora sweater with bronze beading.-36S

See our What’s New page for more recently added vintage clothing and retro fashions.

Aerosoles Retro Style Shoes for Fall

Monday, October 6th, 2008

Aerosoles shoes have a reputation for being very comfortable to wear.  And I notice they've been coming out with some fabulous retro looks lately.  Just received their fall catalog in the mail and below are some of my favorites.   You can purchase them online as well.

Slip on wedgies with leopard and zebra accent    $69.00

Aerosoles1
 

Patent leather and suede Mary Janes       $89.00

ROLEPLAY_LG

Lace up suede oxfords                   $89.00

Aerosoles3

Brass studded leather lace up oxfords         $99.00

BOOKMARK_PD

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Thursday, September 11th, 2008

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Fudgy Chocolate Sauce Recipe from May 61 Woman’s Day

Wednesday, September 10th, 2008

A reader wrote in that she'd like the recipe for the fudgy chocolate sauce shown in the Westinghouse Buffet Fry Pan in my Woman's Day post. So here it is.

Preheat Westinghouse Immerse-A-Matic (love that name!)  Fry Pan to 300 degrees.

When light goes off, turn heat indicator to "off."

Melt 1/4 cup butter in fry pan.
Stir in 1 cup chopped California walnuts.
Add one 6oz package (1 cup) Nestle's Semi-Sweet Chocolate Morsels
Stir till melted and smooth.
Serve warm over ice cream on cake.

If you don't have a Westinghouse Fry Pan,  you can always heat the chocolate in the microwave or in a regular pan on the stove at a very low temperature.

But for true authenticity here's a link to a vintage Westinghouse skillet. 

Westinghouse electric fry pan

After doing an extensive Google search, I discovered this brand of fry pan is scarcer than hen's teeth!  If you want one, I suggest you snap this one up right away.  It's only $20.00.

Fantastic Plastic- Vintage Lucite Jewelry

Sunday, August 3rd, 2008

One of my favorite things to collect is vintage lucite costume jewelry.  Many people think of lucite as being clear, but it actually can be tinted many different shades.  I especially love all the various colors and shapes because they remind me of candy!  Except for pieces like the highly collectible “Jelly Bellies”, it’s still somewhat plentiful and not anywhere near as pricey as bakelite.

After doing a little research I discovered Lucite was invented by the Dupont Company around 1936.  It was used extensively by the military during World War II.  After that it was marketed strictly for decorative purposes.It’s a type of acrylic resin referred to as a ”thermoset plastic”, which means, like bakelite, it cures irreversibly into a stronger form once it has been heated and molded.

Below are a couple of sets I picked up recently. These fun pieces look quite fabulous with vintage sundresses.  But this type of jewelry would also add an interesting and whimsical touch to a contemporary outfit.

Red thermoset

Pink thermoset 2

Here’s an unusual pink lucite bracelet with flamingoes. Offered by Bitz of Glitz  for   $75.99

Lucite flamingo bracelet-1

Blue moonstone lucite and rhinestone grape brooch from Milky Way Jewels  $36.00

Blue moonstone lucite pin

Laminated multi color lucite cuff bracelet. For sale at Loukie’s World   $75.00

Lucite cuff bracelet

Cherry red lucite and silvertone necklace from Deja Vu Collectible Jewelry    $35.00

Cherry red thermoset necklace

The Latest Besame Cosmetics Giveaway

Friday, May 16th, 2008

Eye_1930s_mascara_img
Just received my latest Besame Cosmetics newsletter.  They’re including a free gift of their 1930’s Mascara with every purchase until May 31st.  The formula is waterproof,   paraben free, and allergy tested.

A description of the product from their site-
"Originally developed in the 30s, contains only 8 simple ingredients to
give you gorgeous, defined, healthy lashes. The rich black shade comes
from food grade colorants and provides a subtle glossiness to the
lashes, simple and effective."

Definitely an excellent excuse for making a purchase from this fine quality,  beautifully packaged cosmetic line.

Blue Velvet Vintage-Sneak Previews

Wednesday, January 2nd, 2008

Happy New Year, everyone!  Hope you all had a great holiday season and are ready for some fabulous new vintage oufits for the new year.  I’m sooo excited that dresses are still going to be a big trend in 2008, especially lacey and ruffled feminine looks, bright floral prints and maxi styles.  Of course, all of us vintage loving gals never tire of dresses and looking like a lady, no matter what the current fashion!  We’ll just have more choices this year, as beautiful vintage inspired dresses for spring/summer 08 were all over the runways.

So now that all of the holiday madness is behind us,  I’ve been working fast and furiously photographing tons of pretty vintage dresses that will be perfect for next season.   Here’s a sneak preview of a small sampling of the ladylike lovelies that will be going up on the site shortly. 

Sneakpreview

1. 80′S white tiered lace gown with sequinned bodice

2. 50’s black and white print dress with surplice wrap bodice and cummerbund waistband

3. Early 60’s pouffy pink chiffon party/prom dress with cummerbund waistband

4. 50’s full skirt day dress in a fabulous atomic print with pink piping trim

5.  Pale blue tulle over lavender taffeta strapless 50s gown with lace bodice and satin waistband

6. 70s slinky ribbed knit halter dress with assymetrical Missoni like stripes

7. 70’s spectacular Hanae Mori silk print column dress with sheer printed chiffon kaftan overlay

8. 70’s Ursula of Switzerland print chiffon dress with ruffled neckline

9. 50’s ivory lace full skirted dress with white satin  piping trim and cummerbund waistband

Vintage Glamour Alert-Gorgeous green 40’s jacket

Monday, November 19th, 2007

I love green,  pretty much all shades too. Next to red, it’s my favorite color. So it’s no wonder I fell in love with this very cool 40’s fitted jacket. Not only does it have that great 1940s style,  nice tailoring and those cute decorative flaps,  but it’s in the most beautiful deep grass green color.  If you paired this with a slim fitting black velvet pencil skirt, added black seamed stockings and peep toe slingback pumps you’d have yourself a merry little cocktail outfit. Offered by Damn Good Vintage for a mere $75.00.

40s_green_jacket_3

For a more festive look, add these cute poinsettia and ribbon pins to the lapel.  From  Michelle’s Vintage Jewelry .  $35.00 for the pair.

Pointsetta_pins_2

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