Vintage Style Files

Recent additions-Vintage Dresses, Evening Gowns

admin — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 19:11:43 +0000

Have been getting seriously behind with the blog posts lately. But for good reason. It’s not like I’ve been lounging around eating bon bons all day! I’ve actually been madly cleaning, photographing and writing descriptions for a bunch of recently acquired vintage dresses and a new delivery of some stunning vintage inspired gowns.

Here’s a small sampling. Lots more to come! Click on images for more information.

50's yellow and black dotted plaid day dress-42b 32w

50s pink/red abstract print halter sundress-35b 27w

1950s ivory lace, satin and tulle classic style wedding dress-37b 29w

Elegant gown in blue/white floral chiffon with beaded bodice

Strapless plum purple beaded evening gown, prom dress

Check out the “What’s New” page of Blue Velvet Vintage to see more of our latest additions. We’ve also added lots of pretty hair flower clips that add the perfect finishing touch to vintage and retro fashions.

Spring Designer Fashions-1945

admin — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 18:16:06 +0000

For your viewing pleasure, designer spring fashions featured in the 1945 March issue of Ladies Home Journal.

This first outfit is a chic,tailored green wool suit. A Ben Reig Original designed by Omar Kiam, who was also the head costumer for all Samuel Goldwyn productions for many years.

1945 Green wool suit by Omar Kiam for Ben Reig

This next photo is amazing. I am completely smitten with this fabulously feminine dress that even has matching polka dot gloves! Designed by Rose Barrack.

1945 Polka dot dress with matching gloves by Rose Barrack.

This cowboy inspired dress suit was designed by Jo Copeland, a pioneer of the American fashion industry. During her career she was on the faculty at the Fashion Institute of Technology and won a Neiman Marcus Award for best designer. She is known for her elegant, couture quality ready to wear collections and use of unusual fabrics.

1945 Jo Copeland dress suit

Vintage Style Shoes from Dancestore.com

admin — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 20:24:15 +0000

Just got my latest newsletter from Dancestore.com and they’ve got some fab new styles of Aris Allen dance shoes. I already own several pairs in some of their other styles, so I can attest to their quality.

I’m totally smitten with these 1930s inspired T straps. They also come in white and black, with a choice of either a synthetic or suede sole. Very reasonably priced at $74.95.

Aris Allen 30s style T strap shoes

Then there are these adorable 40s inspired black velvet and mesh mary janes. A spectacular vintage look for just $69.95.

Aris Allen black velvet and mesh Mary Janes

Heck, even if not into dancing, these beauties are a perfect period correct look for anyone to wear with their vintage or retro fashions.

Turquoise-Pantone’s “It” Color for 2010

admin — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 17:36:11 +0000

Pantone, the world renowned authority on color and the provider of professional color standards for design industries, has named turquoise the “color of the year” for 2010.

Turquoise conjures images of exotic tropical destinations where sugar sand beaches meet the crystal clear blue/green sea. In color psychology it symbolizes peace and tranquility and who couldn’t use more of that?

There are many shades of turquoise from pale aqua to deep teal and I love them all. It’s difficult, at least for me, to look at anything turquoise without thinking of the 50s and early 60s, when it’s popularity was at its peak. But, thanks to Pantone, I’m hoping I’ll see much more of it this year.

So, in honor of one of my favorite retro colors, I’ve made a little collage of magazine scans from 1956 to 1959 featuring turquoise fashions and home decor for your viewing pleasure. Hope it has a nice calming effect on you today!

Turquoise fashion and home decor from the 1950's.

And from Blue Velvet Vintage,

a couple of very Mad Men-esque turquoise vintage dresses.

Click on images for more info.

Early 60's turquoise chiffon cocktail dress

Early 60s turquoise linen pencil dress

Lingerie Picks for the Valentine Vixen!

admin — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 17:44:01 +0000

On Valentine’s Day, greet that special someone at the door in one of these sexy numbers and you’ll very likely get more than flowers and a box of chocolates!

70’s sheer red nightgown with black lace trim from Dorotheas Closet

1970s Fredericks of Hollywood red hot nightgown/panty set

50’s style garter belt and bullet bra in pink w/black trim

from the Bettie Page Collection at Secrets in Lace.

Passionate pink Bettie Page retro lingerie

New Arrivals-Valentine’s Day the Vintage Way!

admin — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 20:36:44 +0000

We’ve just added a romance inspiring collection of clothing in red hot reds, passionate pinks and ravishing rose prints so you can celebrate Valentine’s Day in vintage style!

Also, we are now carrying the Classic Hardware jewelry line by Karyn Cantor. Classic Hardware designs are inspired by current art trends, rock and roll, pop culture, art nouveau and flea market finds. Worn by many celebrities, including Madonna, Paris Hilton, Eva Mendez, Christina Aguilera, Mandy Moore, Jennifer Love Hewitt and singers Lucinda Williams, Neko Case, Exene of X and Jane Wiedlin of the Go Go’s.

: Click on image to see our selection of Classic Hardware Jewelry

Here are some of the vintage and retro fashions just added to the

Blue Velvet Vintage website.

: Pretty vintage and retro style fashions for Valentine’s Day.

1. 60s novelty print shirtwaist dress-36b/28w

2. Sexy red satin halter top with peplum -size 0-8

3. Red polka dot 50’s dress with sailor collar-36b/29w

4.Flirty little red chiffon dance dress w/wrap bodice-size 4-12

5. 60’s rose print dress, seen on Mad Men-36b/30w

6. 50’s pink and white eyelet print party dress-34b/26w

7. 1950s pink princess style dress w/white polka dots-34b/25w

8. Red ruched retro party/cocktail dress w/full swing skirt-size XS-L

9. 50’s vintage pink/aqua rose print swing dress

Vintage Fashion at the 2010 Golden Globes

admin — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 20:33:04 +0000

Have finally gotten around to writing about which actresses wore authentic vintage dresses for this year’s Golden Globe awards. I’m always interested in seeing which celebrity opts for the alternative to current designer fashions.

My favorite vintage dress was worn by Rose McGowan to the InStyle/Warner Bros. Golden Globes after party. According to Hollywood Life this elegant 1950s sapphire blue strapless beauty was originally owned by Ava Gardner. And apparently Rose took her pooch out to potty while wearing it. I wonder if she had a matching pooper scooper to go with it!

Rose McGowan wears Ava Gardner's dress

My next favorite is the black vintage armani gown worn by Penelope Cruz. A few of the blogs I’ve read claimed they thought she looked matronly. Personally I thought she looked very chic, sophisticated and feminine.

Penelope Cruz in vintage Armani gown

Julia Roberts wore a basic black vintage Yves St Laurent cocktail dress, which many have criticized for not being dressy enough for such an important event. And I say, perhaps she just wanted a simple blank canvas against which to showcase that amazing citrine and diamond necklace from Van Cleef and Arpels!

Julia Roberts in vintage YSL little black dress

Julia Roberts in basic black with Van Cleef and Arpel neckace

It’s National Hat Day!

admin — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 17:07:43 +0000

That’s right. In case you didn’t know it, January 15th is National Hat Day. It’s a holiday invented by the Hatwear Association to promote hat wearing and the hat industry.

So in honor of the day I’m going to wear my favorite fedora. Though I really wish I had something more fun to wear, like this fine, feathered, fruity beauty on Carmen Miranda.

Carmen Miranda and her famous hat

Also, check out some of the pretty little chapeaus we just added to the website.

Click on images for more information.

Lilly Dache "Dachettes" Black Felt Hat

80s Black Pillbox Cocktail hat with netting and marabou

50's Black Velvet Halo Cocktail Hat w/Feathers and Veil

Pink Marabou Feather and Flower Half Hat

Label Fraud-Is that really a vintage designer dress you’re wearing?

admin — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 14:59:00 +0000

Just read an excellent blog post by Jody Steinman of Couture Allure that covers the unfortunate practice of label fraud in the vintage fashion industry. I feel it is my duty to direct anyone who is new to collecting/buying vintage clothing or knows someone who is, to read her article on fraudulent label switching for invaluable information on how to detect counterfeit designer vintage fashions.

The majority of dealers in the vintage clothing industry are very hard working, reputable people who really care about their business reputation. But vintage fashions, just like other popular collectibles, are prone to being misrepresented by the few unscrupulous sellers looking to make a quick buck or even by inexperienced sellers who have just jumped into the market without any prior education in their field .

I have witnessed this first hand and touched on it briefly in my website article, Insiders Guide to Buying and Wearing Vintage Clothing. One example that comes to mind is the dealer who tried to sell me a lovely 1950s prom dress with a Valentino label sewn into it. She claimed that it was worth the high price she was asking because it had a designer label. It had a designer label all right, but it was from the 1980s!

Another very informative buyer beware article to read on this subject was written by Hollis Jenkins Evans who owns Past Perfect Vintage.

If anyone reading this post has ever witnessed examples of label fraud please feel free to share. The more aware vintage consumers become, the less disreputable dealers will be able to get away with their shady practices!

Leopard Print Coats-An Enduring Trend

admin — Sat, 09 Jan 2010 22:15:49 +0000

Every year or so designers send models out onto the runway wearing their latest animal print collections, claiming it’s the next hottest fashion. I think by now we can all agree animal print clothing, especially leopard, is a timeless trend that is here to stay. It was actually fashion icon Jackie Kennedy who was originally responsible for making the leopard coat one of the most coveted and copied styles of the 1960s. Unfortunately it nearly caused the extinction of the leopard species.

Jackie Kennedy looking chic in her leopard coat

Luckily there are fabulous faux leopard fur coats available so one can still get that classic chic look without harming any innocent animals. Below is an authentic vintage faux leopard fur coat from the 60s that was just listed on my website. Because a leopard print coat is such a statement piece, it looks best worn with basic black pants and top or a fitted pencil skirt or dress. Red clothing is also a stunning complement to leopard.

1960s faux leopard fur wrap coat

Vintage faux leopard fur coat-M/L- $155.00

And from left to right here are photos of celebrities, Alexa Chung, Nicky Hilton and Kate Moss looking spot on in leopard!

Celebrities spotted in leopard