Vintage Style Files

Posts Tagged ‘vintage clothing’

In Hot Pursuit of Fabulous Vintage Fashions

Monday, July 19th, 2010

That’s right, vintage loving fashionistas.   The reason this blog has been neglected for a couple of weeks is because I’m on my summer buying trip where I search high and low to find  fabulous vintage clothing for my classy clientele.

Every year it gets tougher to ferret out the best condition, really stylish stuff. But I’m happy to say I was still able to amass quite an impressive collection. And I’m anxious to get back and start getting it all ready to list on the website. There is some amazing stuff I can’t wait for you to see!

In the meantime, here are some items that were recently listed on the site.  I do have  the dames  back at the office handling the shipping and customer service while I’m away.  So orders are processed as usual.   Also, in case you didn’t know, there is FREE PRIORITY SHIPPING on all US orders over 100.00 for the month of July.

New Arrivals at Blue Velvet Vintage

New Arrivals at Blue Velvet Vintage

1.Our own “coquette” 50s inspired swing dress in an ivory/red hawaiian print-small-Xlarge

2. Pretty floral voile 60s Abe Schrader fitted sheath dress-36/27

3.50s/60s  pink chiffon party dress w/lace jacket-35/26

4. 1950s pink full skirt shirtwaist dress-36/26

5.Bettie Page navy blue bow print Lucy blouse and navy blue sailor shorts-S-XL

6. 60s stunning white beaded crepe cocktail dress-35/28

7.  1960’s mod floral stripe Alex Colman day dress-40/38

8. Blue Velvet Vintage exclusive 50s style black hawaiian floral halter dress-S-XL

9. Sweet 40s/50’s pink cotton day dress-34/26

New Arrivals-Valentine’s Day the Vintage Way!

Monday, February 1st, 2010

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.

Retro romantic Classic Hardware Jewelry
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 dresses for Valentine's Day.
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

In Vogue-November 1963-At Home Fashions

Friday, November 20th, 2009

Here’s my second post featuring fashion highlights from Vogue Magazine in November  1963 and it’s focus is on  loungewear.   Clothing for entertaining at home was very much in style.  The fashion conscious woman’s wardrobe included chic  hostess gowns, dinner  pajamas and peignoir sets.  Lingerie blurred the line between sleepwear and cocktail wear.  Take a look at the casually elegant designer  lounging outfits below. What I like about them is they’re informal and comfortable, while still managing to look glamorous.   A much classier look for hanging around the house than the sweat pants and T-shirts commonly worn today!

A bold floral print empire gown by Jane Derby with floating back panels.

1960s hostess gown by Jane Derby

Hostess gown by Jane Derby

Robe de soir by James Galanos in a hand screened  blue abstract print.

Peignoir set by James Galanos.

Peignoir set by James Galanos.

Floral print coulotte jumpsuit by Jean Louis.

Jumpsuit by Jean Louis

Jumpsuit by Jean Louis

Recent Additions-Vintage Dresses

Monday, October 5th, 2009

Below are vintage dresses from the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s,  just added to the site over the weekend.

Vintage Dresses just added to Blue Velvet Vintage website.

Vintage Dresses just added to Blue Velvet Vintage website.

1. Ladylike 50s lace dress with matching bolero-s/m

2.  Red floral 70s jersey knit dress w/flutter sleeves-s

3.  50’s black/white gingham check dress-s

4. Black eyelet full dress w/bow accent-s/m

5. Floaty 50s coral pink chiffon prom/wedding dress-s

6. 50’s black chiffon party dress w/full skirt-s/m

To see more recently added vintage dresses and vintage costume jewelry

please visit our “What’s New” page.

The Must Have Vintage Shopping Guide

Sunday, September 20th, 2009
Vintage Shopping Guide by Melody Fortier

Vintage Shopping Guide by Melody Fortier

Wearing vintage clothing is becoming increasingly popular. With so many new collectors entering the market it was high time someone came out with a shopping guide to help demystify the whole process.

Fellow Vintage Fashion Guild member and owner of the fabulous Tangerine Boutique, Melody Fortier,  has just published a brilliant little book called “The Little Guide to Vintage Shopping”.  I know Melody personally, and can unequivocally vouch for her professionalism and extensive knowledge in the field of vintage fashion.

Her book covers shopping tips for vintage clothing and accessories, how to spot the really good stuff, sizing, care and cleaning information,  how to indentify the styles of certain eras,  online shopping, lists of brick and mortar stores worldwide and creative ways to wear and even repurpose vintage clothes.

This is a must have for lovers of vintage fashion who want to become  more educated vintage consumers!

Recently Added-Vintage Party Dresses & Day Dresses

Sunday, September 6th, 2009

Below are some of the vintage dresses we recently added to the  Blue Velvet Vintage site.  The season for holiday parties, homecomings and proms is upon us , so we’ve got a great selection of glamorous vintage and retro  gowns and chic cocktail dresses that we’ll be adding every week. For day we’ve got fabulous 40s dresses in unique fabrics and Mad Men style dresses from the 50s and 60s.

Our recent additions of vintage evening and day dresses.

Our recent additions of vintage evening and day dresses.

1. Groovy black hot  pants  disco dress from the late 60’s, early 70’s.-M

2. Curvy black knit wiggle dress with gold beading from the 1980s.-S

3. Hepburn chic 1960s black crepe column gown w/brocade bodice-M

4.Navy and white taffeta w/white tulle strapless 50s tea length dress-XS

5. New/old stock 60s Mad Men style dress inblack and blue plaid check.-S

6.70’s Paganne by Gene Berk  leopard cat print maxi dress-L

7. New/old stock 1940s gabardine dress w/rhinestone studded collar-S

8.  80’s glam strapless black sequined mermaid dress-XS

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

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.

Woodstock Era Fashions

Saturday, August 15th, 2009

This week marks the 40th anniversary of the legendary music festival that took place at Yasgur’s Farm in New York.   Woodstock  has become the ultimate symbol of the  counterculture of the 60s,  the peace and love generation, hippies,  flower power,  psychedelic drugs and the anti Vietnam War movement.

There is an iconic style that also defines that time period.   I never adopted the hippie lifestyle, mainly because my parents would have kicked my butt!  But I did enjoy wearing hippie inspired fashions. 

I loved the long flowing dresses and bell bottom jeans that my friends and I would embroider and embellish with peace symbol patches.  Love beads hung around our necks and headbands were worn across the forehead, Native American style.  I remember the tiny floral “granny” prints,  op art and tie dye patterns. There was lots of texture in fabrics, tapestries, velvets and anything fringed, feathered, or crocheted.  Much of the clothing had  Edwardian, Victorian, ethnic and bohemian influences.

It was a great era for experimentation and creativity in fashion. Malls, with their cookie cutter merchandise,  didn’t clutter the landscape back then.  Unique little boutiques selling  funky, eclectic fashions were more common, making shopping so much more fun than it is today.  

Below are some hippie inspired 60’s fashions that are guaranteed to keep you looking and feeling groovy, baby!

Adorable Tina Leser 1960s  maxi dress in a green and white striped floral print with matching shawl. For sale at Kitty Girl Vintage.

Tina Leser 60's dress-34/26

Tina Leser 60's dress-34/26

 Embroidered gauze hippie shirt. For sale at Ballyhoo Vintage.

1960s embroidered gauze shirt.

1960s embroidered gauze shirt.

1960s scarf print dress offered at Posh Girl Vintage.
Silky 60's scarf print dress. M/L

Silky 60's scarf print dress. M/L

Fab 60’s hand tooled leather handbag with butterflies.  For sale at Light Years Vintage.

1960s hand tooled leather bag with butterfly design.

1960s hand tooled leather bag with butterfly design.

Halter style 60’s mini dress in pink and black floral stripe.  For sale at Blue Velvet Vintage-34/27

Hippie chic 60's floral stripe halter style mini dress.

Hippie chic 60's floral stripe halter style mini dress.

 

Vintage dresses just added at Blue Velvet Vintage

Saturday, July 25th, 2009

Just added some pretty vintage party dresses to the Blue Velvet Vintage website.

Vintage dresses now available at Blue Velvet Vintage

Vintage dresses now available at Blue Velvet Vintage

1. 50s/60s blue floral chiffon and taffeta vintage party dress-34/26

2. 50’s silk floral full skirt party dress-36/26

3. Strapless 50s prom/wedding dress in white lace over sage green taffeta-38/27

4. 60’s Mad Men style eyelet pencil dress-34/26

5. 1970s romantic bohemian maxi dress-34/36

6. 1950s vintage aqua/ teal floral silk full skirt dress-34/26

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

Encore-Vintage Clothing in Portland Maine

Friday, July 24th, 2009
Just spent a couple of days in Portland, Maine, one of my favorite stops when in New England. A city full of character,with many historic buildings, a bustling waterfront with many great ethnic and gourmet restaurants, the most delectable fresh seafood and fabulously unique boutiques. Can’t forget to mention the amazing smell of the ocean here as well!

On the top of my list of stores to shop in when I visit the area is Encore, a vintage clothing and designer resale shop at 521 Congress St. Owner, Rita Prout-Farley has been at this location for eighteen years and has amassed an astounding collection of high end designer clothing, vintage fashions and accessories. On this recent visit I spotted outfits by Yves St. Laurent, Armani, Givenchy, Oleg Cassini, Versace and Lanvin.

Boston Magazine has voted her store best vintage clothing shop in New England three years in a row and Travel and Leisure Magazine has included her in their list of top vintage clothing stores in the world! If you’re fortunate enought to visit, you’ll see why.

Racks of vintage and designer fashions at Encore.

Racks of vintage and designer fashions at Encore.

The building that houses her treasures is one of Portland’s historic landmarks, owned by the Maine Charitable Mechanics Association, a craft guild originally founded in 1815. And for 70 years it was the home of Carter Brothers, an upscale jewelry store. The beautiful original oak display drawers and cabinets that surround the perimeter are are still intact, perfect for showcasing her stunning stock of vintage hats, jewelry and shoes.

In the center of the store there are racks full of stylish vintage and contemporary designer dresses, evening gowns, separates, coats, etc. I’m not exaggerating when I say it’s quite easy to spend several hours here shopping, there is so much cool stuff to look at and and try on.

Below are some additional shots to give you an idea of the tremendous amount of inventory Rita carries. Definitely a dream destination for any vintage stylista!

 

Vintage purses galore!

Vintage purses galore!

Thousands of pieces of vintage jewelry, including a nice selection of bakelite.

Thousands of pieces of vintage jewelry, including a nice selection of bakelite.

 

Just a small sampling of the vintage shoes available.

Just a small sampling of the vintage shoes available.

Enough vintage hats to make your head spin!

Enough vintage hats to make your head spin!

 

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