Vintage Deal of the Day: November 28, 2009

{If I’m not meandering through the endless pages of etsy, I’m probably checking out the ever-changing selection of items on eBay (sound familiar? ;D). One of my neatest finds this week was a vintage full felt skirt in a chipper bright green hue covered with various Christmas motifs. Though this wonderful skirt, which fits up to a size 33.5 inch waist, does have a few small marks on it (why not cover them with more appliqués?), it’s still entirely wearable and absolutely adorable! This festive piece is being offered by eBay seller madamenllie (who will ship internationally), its auction is on for about three more days, and the current price is $6.95 (US).}


Thank you so much to everyone who has entered (and blogged about) Chronically Vintage’s Jessie Willcox Smith art print giveaway, the response to this contest has been amazing!

If you haven’t posted a comment yet for your chance to win, fear not, this giveaway is open until 11:59 (EST) Monday night (the 30th). If you’d like to possibly win a beautiful set of eight vintage prints strung on elegant ribbons, please be sure you enter the giveaway before it’s too late! One lucky winner will be drawn on Monday and announced in a blog post that very same day.

Wishing all of you the best of luck with the giveaway, and a splendidly fun Saturday!

Vintage fashion is going to the birds :)

Undoubtedly one of the most common search terms I plug into etsy each week is “1950s dresses” (1940s dresses and 1950s skirts follow close behind). By and large I do this both out of personal interest and in the hopes of discovering finds that I think my readers will enjoy.

One such recent search brought up not one, not two, but three frocks all sporting a bird theme, which somehow seemed rather fitting for this time of the year (I’ve noticed “momentary trends” like this before within the scope of broad search terms and am always intrigued when such things occur). Further digging unearthed even more delightful vintage items of clothing and jewelry with avian themes to them, all of which are worth chirping about! :)

As a society we often associate birds with autumn in general (think of inky hued ravens, crackling crows, sagely owls, migrating geese, and Thanksgiving turkeys), so I thought that on this first day of October I would share my recent ornithological themed finds with you all. (Please not all items are from etsy and all prices are in US dollars.)






{While at first glance this prettily cut dress looks as though its covered in a white and orange geometric pattern, it is in fact splashed with a roaster motif! The colours in this cute farm animal themed frock would make for the perfect dress to wear all through the Halloween season, don’t you think? Vintage 1950s cotton dress, fits a 26/28” waist/36” bust, $145.00 from Land of 1000 Dresses.}



{A preciously sweet little pair of blue birds stair lovingly into one another’s eyes in this metal, enamel and rhinestone brooch, which measures an inch long by an inch and a quarter wide. $6.50 from Chimeriwish.}



{Long revered for its regal beauty (and much sought after for its plumage), peacocks have been a popular bird for centuries. Here they appear on a lovely cardigan in shades of blue, green and red, creating a colour pallet that would work well with other pieces in numerous hues. 1950s wool/wool blend cardigan, fits a 31” waist/36” bust, $58.00 from Dusty Rose Vintage.}



{A muted pallet of earth tones cover this full skirt; a closer look reveals an ethnic inspired pattern of birds, bugs, suns, shapes, and wavy squiggles. Vintage late 50s or early 60s skirt with original black woven belt, fits a 28” waist/free hips, $36.00 from The Church of Vintage.}



{A quaint little pair of red cardinal grace these resin, kidney wire back earrings from the 1950s. I think these earrings would look wonderful with everything from shirtwaist dresses to winter sweaters, their timeless motif almost appearing to sing into your ear. Vintage metal costume jewelry earrings, $12.00 from Glamaroni.}



{While at first glance you might just think this pretty candy apple red dress – with its utterly adorable off-centre row of buttons down the front – is covered in flowers, however woven between those tiny blooms are darling pairs of kissing hummingbirds. Vintage 1950s sleeveless dress, fits a 26” waist/32.5” bust, $75.00 from Freestyle Vintage Co..}



{There is something so country chic about this navy blue and white 1950s day dress done up in a large gingham-esque pattern with images of birds and horns adorning some of its squares. Rick-rack accented vintage dress, fits 44” waist/40” bust, $30.50 from Green Dragon Lady.}



{Zoom in close on this short sleeved, light weight button down blouse and you’ll discover a wonderfully pretty pattern of dusty blue birds jetting every which way. 1950s cotton blouse, fits a 42” bust/waist not specified, $22.00 from Cats and Crickets.}



{Whimsy and beauty swirl across this generously full skirt, which features an adorable pattern of clocks, flowers, fruit, and birds in birdcages all in shades of pink, green and white set atop a solid black background. Vintage 1950s novelty print skirt, fits a 25 to 30” waist/free hips, $74.99 from Jumblelaya.}



{Graceful miniature swans in hues of yellow, green, turquoise, purple and white seem to almost float atop a sea of black in this lovely short-sleeved 1950s dress, complete with nehru collar and full skirt. Vintage novelty print dress, fits a 25” waist/34” bust, $85.00 from Land of 1000 Dresses.}


I that know that not everyone is a fan of “real world” birds (perhaps we have Messieurs Poe and Hitchcock to thank/blame in part for that), but when adorning such delightful vintage pieces as the ones above, it’s hard not to carve out a soft spot in your heart (and closest) for items sporting images of our feathered friends.

Do you own any pieces that feature birds, or would you wear a bird bedecked outfit? Aside from a beloved pair of earrings with swallows on them, I don’t have much in the way of bird themed items in my wardrobe, but I think, much to my cat’s delight, that I wouldn’t hesitate to swoop down on more if the situation to do presented itself. (Must resist making a joke about how “a bird themed dress in the hand is worth two online” ;D)

20 “summer into autumn” appropriate vintage dresses

One day the sun has you reaching for the shade a parasol provides, the next nippy winds and spitting rain have you diving under your umbrella. Capris seem appropriate one moment, yet seconds later you’re wishing for flannel lined jeans. Not entirely summer, but not quite full on autumn either. Eager to get a precocious start out of the gate, signs of fall sometimes appear as early as late August or the start of September, yet it generally takes a few more weeks for all elements of summer to vanish entirely.

During this indecisive time it can be tricky to select what to wear each morning. Too light an outfit and you risk freezing both indoors and out (especially if you’re in a highly air conditioned building), too heavy and you might suddenly feel like it’s July again. The key to dressing for this “in between” season is to pick medium weight fabrics, pieces that layer easily (cardigans, twin sets, etc), light to medium weight hosiery, pieces with elbow length or longer sleeves, and dresses with more substance to them than summer frocks but not so much bulk that they could keep January’s chill entirely at bay.

Loving dresses as passionately as I do, this post is going to focus on end of summer-slash-start of autumn appropriate frocks. Naturally the weather and climate of your own part of the world will factor into what kinds of clothing choices work best for you during this fickle time of the year, but in general I find that for the unpredictable nature of a Canadian climate (where snow in October is certainly not an unheard of occurrence), the following kinds of dresses can really work well throughout September and into early October.

The selection of frocks below are all either genuinely vintage or contain elements that lend them a telltale sense of vintage style. When looking for such types of dresses yourself, be sure to hit vintage stores, thrift shops, and consignment boutiques at this time of year, as autumn appropriate wear begins to be cycled into such stores stock. The sooner you start your hunt, the more likely you are to find great dresses before the masses have begun yearning for autumnal pieces, too.


♥ ♥ ♥



{Move over summer, autumn might just be the new hottest season in town with sultry body hugging frocks such as this sweet-as-chocolate brown number! “Heartbreaker Fashion Brown Knit Super Spy Dress”, currently available in sizes XS and XL, $59.95 (US) from Babygirl Boutique.}



{This long sleeved dress looks immensely contemporary, yet, according to the seller, hails from the late 1930s or early 40s. Sporting a cheekily fun pattern of leaping deer and flowers, this olive and purple hued silk frock could easily be worn on its own or paired with tights and a light coat to take you into the cooler days of fall. Silk print, keyhole neck dress vintage dress, fits up to a 29” waist/34-36” bust, $125.00 (US) from Viva Vintage Clothing.}



{With its built-in capelet and knee length A-line skirt, this classy and classic 1940s inspired dress would be wonderful for a diner date, night out on the town, or cocktail party. Black “Eva Bow Dress”, available in sizes small through to 3X, $138.00 (US) from Unique Vintage.}



{During the 1940s and into the 50s, a popular style of dress that was often seen in catalogues (think Sears) and fashion magazines was the coat dress. Styled like a fitted ladies coat, but made from lighter fabrics and intended to be worn on its own or under a coat, this style was both feminine and often a lovely way to stay warm on breezy fall days. This slate grey vintage coat dress is made of a lightweight wool, fits up to a 32” waist/41” bust, and is adorned with two decorative silver hued buttons near the lapel. I adore this style of frock and could just image how lovely a piece this would be to wear all autumn long. $135 (US) from Vintageous.com.}



{Cute as a button! This longer length dress with built in bolero style sleeves and ruffled hem is so sweetly beautiful. It’s cheery red pallet instantly calls to mind thoughts of candy apples and crisp maple leaves blowing down the sidewalk. “Red Plaid Belted Lucy Dress” available in sizes 36 to 46 (which are akin to 4-6 through to 18, according to the site’s sizing chart), $39.95 (US) from Chic Star (note, this same style of dress is also available in a black and white version).}



{A tranquil pallet of wonderfully autumnal hues adorn this classic 1950s shirtwaist dress, making it so easy for you to pull colours from this pattern for use with shoes, cardigans, handbags or accessories. Vintage striped “Toni Todd” dress, fits a 28” waist/38” bust, $65.00 (US) from etsy seller Timon Michelle.}



{This dark blue and green dress, simple as it may appear at first glance, is in fact captivatingly beautiful and ripe with wonderful details such as buttons all the way up the front and feminine tailoring. Vintage 50s “Lucy Plaid” dress, fits 26” waist/36” bust, $89.00 (US) from Planet Claire Vintage.}



{Classic tailoring (that calls to mind many 1940s styles) and figure flattering ruching combined with the rich coffee brown hue of this ¾ length sleeve dress add up to create the sort of frock you’ll happily reach for year after year. “Julian Taylor Ruche Waist Dress”, currently available sizes 6, 8 and 14, $57.77 (CND) from Overstock.com.}



{A strikingly lovely rust-meets-pumpkin hue colours this long sleeved, full skirted, button front frock in the perfect shade for September, October and November. Vintage faille shirtwaist dress, fits 28” waist/38” bust, $145.00 (US) from Couture Allure.}



{Shades of purple and green take on a muted tone in this classic long sleeved shirtwaist style dress. I could easily imagine pairing this frock with cardis and coats in shades of cream, brown, green, purple, and camel for days when you needed a hint more warmth. Vintage 1950s dress, waist 26”/bust 36”, $52.00 (US) from etsy seller Jewels 4 Pandas.}



{A wonderfully classic cap-sleeve, fully lined sheath style meets an autumnally appropriate shade of crimson in this lovely dress, which would be great for everyplace from the office to a candlelit supper just for two! “Jessica Belted Dress” available in sizes 6 to 18 (in petite and average sizes), $69.99 (CND) from Sears.ca (same style also available in black).}



{Looking fantastically like a piece that could have come right off the stage of Mad Men (not to mention this season’s catwalks where houndstooth is currently in vogue again), this vintage black and tan dress is unlined, but could easily be worn with a slip beneath and a cardigan or lightweight coat over top. Early 1960s cotton houndstooth dress, fits a 38-40” waist/44 to 46” bust, $50.00 (US) from Viva Vintage Clothing.}



{Two classic hues comprise this charming lightweight corduroy 1950s dress that sports generously sized pockets, a stand-up collar (which can be worn flat, too), and a cute little matching slim width belt. Red and navy blue corduroy dress that fits a 29” waist/37” bust, $89.00 (US) from Vintageous.com.}



{A little alluring, wonderfully timeless and entirely gorgeous, this dress looks as though it could have been worn on the back of a 30s or 40s Hollywood starlet, yet is a modern frock with a hint of stretch to ensure it hugs your figure just right. “Curves Ahead” dress available in sizes XS to XL, $137.99 (US) from ModCloth.com.}



{A pattern of quintessentially fall foliage adorns this lovely tie waist, button front dress complete with a swooping fully skirt and shirtwaist style tailoring. Vintage “Autumn in Paris” dress, waist 32 to 36”/bust 42”, $34.00 (US) from etsy seller Nod to Mod Vintage.}



{Imagine that this pretty model isn’t wearing gladiator-esque shoes, but rather t-strap or d’Orsay pumps and the 1950s bombshell (think Marilyn or Jane) appeal of this light grey dress instantly jumps out at you as being a great early autumn piece (thanks to its longer sleeves and becoming pleated hemline). Fully lined “Paloma Belted Dress” available in sizes 14 to 30, $128.00 (US) from Igigi.com.}



{A subdued, classic plaid pattern in blue and grey covers this schoolgirl inspired dress, which features dolman sleeves and four large buttons up the front. 1950s “Prep School” dress, waist 28”/bust up to 40”, $42.00 (US) from etsy seller The Greedy Seagull.}



{Called the “Joan” and looking every bit as though it could have come from this stylish Mad Men vixen’s closet, this brown herringbone plaid dress with matching belt would hug all your curves yet still be office appropriate all autumn long. “Joan Dress in Profession”, available in sizes 0 to 12 (though at the time of writing, only size 2 is in stock), $89.99 (US) from ModCloth.com.}



{The moment you spy this two tone frock, you’re stuck by the fact that it clearly telegraphs a distinctly vintage vibe befitting a woman who loves styles from the mid-twentieth century. Grey and black “Diamonique” crepe dress available in sizes extra small and small (it’s currently on clearance, so hence the lack of a greater selection of sizes), $86.70 (US) from Plasticland.}



{A rich array of green and brown autumn inspired hues adorn this beautiful 1950s wiggle dress, whose long skirt, elbow length sleeves, and conservative neckline would make it perfect for those cooler fall mornings when you want to feel covered up but aren’t quite ready to dig out the winter coat yet. Vintage “novelty print” dress, 35” waist/43” bust, $34.00 (US) from etsy seller Timon Michelle.}


When selecting dresses for this time of the year, as the examples above help to illustrate, it’s wise to look for pieces that have at least one element (lining, longer skirt and/or sleeve length, heavier fabric, higher necklines, etc) that sets them apart from sun dresses, so that they’ll be able to help carry your wardrobe from autumn into winter (and/or be appropriate for spring weather as well).

However that said, do keep in mind that some summer frocks can still work into the fall if you layer other pieces under (turtle necks, button down skirts, blouses, etc) or over them (such as cardigans, boleros, shawls, shrugs, stoles, and lightweight coats). I personally find that if I have to opt between being a little chilly or being a tad warm, I’d take warm anytime. It’s easier to fan yourself with your pocketbook while waiting for the bus than it is to have to stomp your feet and shuffle from foot to foot (all the while blowing hot air onto your hands to keep them from turning blue) in an attempt to warm up.

Always more of a fan of cool weather dressing than summer styles (gorgeous as many summer looks can be), I for one am tickled pink about the arrival of September and the need for “in between” season dresses and pieces of all sorts. I’ll be keeping my eyes peeled for bargains on dresses that fit into this category over the next few weeks, while toping my existing frocks with cardigans and pairing some styles with blouses and turtlenecks underneath.

What kinds of dresses and other types of wardrobe items do you love to sport during these lovely weeks when summer gives way to autumn’s arrival?

Dog Days of Summer

Caniculares dies, said the ancient Romans of the hottest and seemingly longest, most drawn out days of the year, in their Latin tongue. The term for these scorching days hailing from the presence of Sirus, the “dog star”, which is most visible in the night sky during the summer. Clearly humanity has been labelling the high noon phase of summer for ages; we now know such times of the year as dog days. They are those days that become drowsy weeks of perpetual warmth, the longing for autumn, winter – anything but the present heat consuming one’s mind.

There is a beauty to such sweltering days, as I’ve touched on before on the pages of this blog, singing the praises of the wondrous elements of summer that really cannot be replicated anytime else (for those who live in four season climate). Something else besides beauty and nostalgia lives in such languid, boiling hot days, too, or more aptly perhaps, in their name: inspiration.

In this case, the inspiration behind this post is a merging of the last few immensely sizzling days (or weeks, depending on where you live) or summer mixed with vintage images and items featuring the term's namesake, dogs!

Yes, puppies of all sorts are on the agenda for this post, so prepare yourself for an onslaught of cuteness, an overload of adorableness and more doggies than you can shake a stick at (which of course said pups would want to go fetch, anyways!).

Flickr yielded up a pack of both fashionable (such as magazine spreads and the perpetually lovely Audrey Hepburn) and cuddly dog themed images from the 40s and 50s, some of which I compiled into the following inspiration mosaic.



{1. Audrey Hepburn, 2. Vintage Coloring Book Puppy Dogs, 3. 1950's fashion, 4. dog apron, 5. A Girl and her dog, 6. Ken-L-Ration ad, 1950's, 7. Puppies! Book cover, 8. lots of dogs " Mister Dog ", 9. two dogs and a lead, 1930s, 10. Junior Bazaar Cover 1954, 11. Dog on the swing about 1959, 12. pooch, 13. Rummaging through the American Fantasy.}


While the poodle may reign supreme when it comes to the most popular pup of the 50s, the truth is that, then as in now, a bounty of dogs adorned all manner of things during the mid-twentieth century. Below is a selection of such items ( please note, all prices are in US dollars) which are sure to have you sitting at attention, ready to go retrieve any one of them for your own collection :D





{As if spun from fine sugar, this delicate looking gold toned poodle brooch would look so fantastic on array of sweaters, cardigans, blouses and coats. $22.00 from etsy seller Paleorama.}



{A snugly pair of spaniel pups poking out of hat boxes grace this beautiful red vintage apron. Each of the dogs has a bead and a sequin on its eyes for an extra dose of whimsical charm and sparkle. $34.00 from etsy seller Maiden Rapture Vintage.}



{“What happened, Lassie? Did Timmy fall in a well again?” Where would the 50s and 60s – not to mention poor Timmy - be without the world’s most famous collie? Add a dose of Lassie’s timeless heroism and gentle nature to your bookshelf with this classic Little Golden children’s book from 1956. $7.00 from etsy seller The Bakers Daughter Too.}



{Take one look into those immensely soulful eyes and tell me this isn’t just about the cutest piece of cocker spaniel pottery you’ve ever seen in your life! Made in Japan and hailing from the 50s, this pair of pups is actually a plant holder, but you could certainly use it on its own as a decoration or fill it with anything you fancy. $25.00 from etsy seller Anne’s Accumulations.}



{A spunky trio of red terriers top this vintage celluloid pin, reminding me ever-so-adorably of the famous children’s storybook character, Clifford the Big Red Dog. $16.00 from etsy seller Carmen and Ginger.}



{Scottie dogs were another extremely popular breed of pup during the 40s and 50s, both as pets and on all manner of fashion and decor items, such as this folksy pair of wonderfully cute wooden bookends. $28.00 (for the pair) from etsy seller Dovely Sells.}



{Sitting atop a backdrop of wheat hued gingham, oodles of adorable golden cocker spaniels call this vintage “semi-circle” skirt home. $46.00 from etsy seller Maiden Rapture Vintage.}



{Cocker spaniels also seem to abound on items from the middle of the twentieth century, the apron above and this charmingly sweet pin-up print from a vintage calendar (entitled “triple threat”), both feature these playful, friendly pups. $15.00 for etsy seller Paprchas}



{The focus is on Lady in this colourfully and prettily illustrated 1954 Disney children’s book featuring on the most beloved cartoon dogs of all time. $4.25 from etsy seller Vintage Vice’s Paper Emporium.}



{This sweet little pup looks as though she could be anything from a golden retriever to a cocker spaniel, something about the shape of the ears even reminds me of an Irish setter. Whatever breed she’s supposed to be, she is cute as can be would make such a nice little decorative figurine anywhere around your home. $5.99 from etsy seller Vintage Delights for U.}



{Where would a roundup of vintage doggy themed pieces be without an authentic, straight from the 1950s poodle skirt? This beauty features a white poodle on a gold leash set atop a solid navy blue background of lightweight denim, and would be absolutely perfect for any lover of full, circle or poodle skirts! $45.00 from etsy seller Sally Marie.}



{While at first glance this wonderfully illustrated vintage tin looks like a can of dog food, it is in fact a coin bank! So novel and fun – and in pretty good condition, considering its age, from the look of things. $18.00 from etsy seller Souvenir.}



{Puppy themed pins were clearly quite in vogue during the 40s and 50s, in putting together this post I came across at least 10 on etsy alone, and am sure that eBay and other vintage jewely sellers would yield plenty more. Up for grabs here is a trio of silver and red hued poodle brooches that would take best in fashion show any day! :D $28.00 from Planet Claire Vintage.}



{The cuteness factor that's present in this delightful pair of vintage salt and pepper shakers is through the roof! Seriously, I don’t think I’ve ever seen cuter puppy themed S&P containers in all my days. $19.99 (for the pair) from etsy seller The Toad House.}



{Cheerful silver-grey poodles sporting adorable red bows adorn this vintage linen tea towel, which the seller describes as being in very good shape. I don’t think I could bring myself to use this as an actual towel (it’s survived this long, why tatter it up now?), but I would be happy to hang it in my kitchen as a decoration. $22.00 from etsy seller Call Me Jasper.}



{A second puppy themed, tie-waist apron – this one sporting beautifully hand cross stitched poodles – rounds out our trove of vintage dog themed items. $10.00 from etsy seller Vintage Paper Girl.}


Dogs have always been a perennial favourite theme, they appear in scads of classic (and modern) paintings, play lead or supporting roles in movies, books, and TV shows; and have truly been one of man's - and woman's – best friends for countless years. The star Sirus inspired the ancients to call the toastiest days of summer “dog days”, but there’s no reason why an adorable vintage pup can’t find its way into your wardrobe or decor all year round.

Whether you have a lifetime of treasured pups to recall fondly, are a first time dog owner, or simply adore animals of all sorts, it’s handy to know that vintage pieces bedecked with pups (often at very reasonable prices) are easy to chase down and even easier to fall in love with – just like a real dog!