A return to Finds of the Day: March 14, 2011

The sniffles have been snuffled,  and the bulk of the move is behind me.  Would any of you happen to need about a hundred cardboard boxes?  Feel free to inquire within.

Back to the joys of life, and of course, this mean chic!

Just after I had been thumbing through Vogue and looking at the latest stiletto heels from the House of Dior (which are oddly like shoes balanced on pins,  or on one particularly notable occasion, shoes with a tree branch as a heel),  I was lucky enough to find these at Ruby Lane:

Aren't they magnificent?  

And they date from when Dior changed the fashion world in a single season with the introduction of "The New Look".  I'm simply mad for them.

Featuring a leather lining and sole,  these fabulous suede shoes from the 1950's are open on both sides and feature a wide grosgrain ribbon across the demure toes.  They look barely worn, well, in point of fact, they don't look worn at all.  I'll have to take the seller's word for it that they've been outside of their box.


So darlings, if you simply must have some of the new stiletto heels (and you must), try some of the old stiletto heels via Christian Dior and Toinette's Vintage Clothing, Jewelry, Patterns and more where you can find these size 7 lovelies for a mere $75.00.


Happy Shopping!!!


Second Hand Roze

Catch of the Day: February 17, 2011 80's Beaded Dress

Warning:  Today's Catch is only for the flawless of figure. Saddlebags? A little muffin top?  Overly endowed? Under endowed? Drooping derrière?  Crinkling décolletage? Forget it. Young, healthy, a nice rack, some nice buns, the right legs, and a flat belly? Meet your new best friend:

Oh my. Do I just adore today's dress! This lovely, timeless, figure hugging, curve loving, shimmering, slithering luscious bit of silk covered, and I do mean covered in glass beads -  from top to bottom - is just the cat's pajamas. Found on eBay, it is said to be from the 80s or the 90s, but I find it so classic, so incredibly timeless that it could be from anytime after hemlines went above the knee. This is the dress that gets all the right attention. The one that is not too loud but just a lovely whisper. It's not too short, but shows off a nice pair of gams, It's not too daring, but definitely shows off a woman's figure, and is not too adorned - despite all that beading - because the beading is not busy. By avoiding ornamentation and design in the beading, it comes in as understated. By avoiding that plunging neckline, it merely shows off your figure. By not being too short, it merely draws attention to your legs. It is...  perfect. For any "After Five" occasion.  

Take a look at it from the side:

If you have even a hint of a tummy, pass on this one. But if you have the figure for it, by all means, go for it. Because this will show all your assets while still leaving them wanting to find out all the dress has allowed them to imagine.  

And the beading I mentioned?

Just look at it! Simple silver lined glass beads. In a pattern that mimics the weave of the fabric. It's not busy at all. And if you've never worn a beaded dress, you can't imagine the lovely feeling. Beads add weight and drape to a gown. Beads make a dress drape just right. And there's really no other way to accomplish that. No other fabric does it. No sewing technique does it. Only the weight of hundreds and hundreds of hand sewn glass beads can do it. And on this dress, it is done to perfection.

As you can see from the edges of that photograph, this dress is skillfully tailored.  Darts and seams are in all the right places to give it just the right shape. And the beading blends into that tailoring flawlessly.  This is a masterpiece of craftsmanship.  

And my darlings, the starting bid for this dress is only $14.99! In all probability, you paid more than that for your coffee last week. This lovely cocktail dress is brought to us by myvintageromance1. They have lovely items, mostly from the 80's. Their buyer has a great eye for a good silhouette.  I saved them to my favorite sellers on the strength of their current listings alone.

And darlings, when the right one of you buys this dress, do an aging clothes horse a favor?  Send me a photo of you in it?  

Happy shopping my darlings,

Second Hand Roze

Catch of the Day: January 26th 2011 70's Hardy Aimes Suit

This vintage 70's Hardy Aimes Suit (size 40 R) is so Rat Pack Cool I can just hardly stand it!  It fairly jumped off the page at eBay, so perfect in it's tailoring and the presence of its pinstripes!  It has a two button jacket with a moderately sized lapel (Thank God!  Remember how ENORMOUS some of the 70's lapels were), and the buttons are these lovely metal pieces that his refined while still missing feminine and fussy.

Pin Stripes are the suit equivalent to having a high chair behind your desk.  They make you appear taller, and in your "opponents" mind give you greater stature, and thus add to your advantage in any business dealing.  They are the classic mens fabric, up there with herringbone and tweed, and are timeless and at home in any decade.

This suit is cut so perfectly, I doubt anyone would know you were wearing vintage if you were to saunter into the office wearing it!  Instead, the only comments would be, "My, isn't he a handsome man?"  Always an advantage!

The jacket still wears the original Hardy Aimes label, as well as the label of the department store which sold the suit.

Perhaps someone familiar with Hepworths would be so kind as to drop me a note and allow me the benefit of your knowledge?

The suit is in superb condition with no flaws, odors, or other issues to report.  I've only been reporting on men's clothing for a little while, and it seems that everything is a size 44.  Is size 44 the size every man actually is (like 12 for women), or the size every man aspires to be (like 6 for women)?  Inquiring minds and all that.

The suit is offered by bt_970 for the Buy-It-Now price of $199.00.

Happy Shopping Kittens!

Second Hand Roze

Catch of the day: January 15, 2011 Vtg 70's Trench Coat

This classic vintage 70's trench coat is up for bids on eBay.  With the incredibly low opening bid of $19.99. I couldn't pass up this wardrobe staple.  The trench coat is something every woman should have.  It's changed very little since Burburry first introduced them just after World War I.  Every woman wears a trench on her own way, buttoned all the way, a single button, collar up, collar down.  cinched through the D rings, tied in a knot... There are as many ways to wear the trench as the women who wear them.  Tim Gunn says this garment will take you from the grocery store to the opera,  how many coats can you say that about?  Brought to us by the fine people at The KissingTreeVintage. the auction closes on January 19, 2011 at 7 pm eBay Standard Time.  

Happy Shopping Kittens!

Second Hand Roze 

Catch of the Day: January 8, 2011 50's Dior London Tweed Suit

This smashing 1950's Christian Dior suit is up for bids on eBay as offered by 1860-1960.  Made of a heavy herringbone wool tweed, this lovely suit has a peplum skirted jacket with a large shawl collar. It secures with a hook and eye closure. The matching pencil skirt has  two front metal zipper closures.  The suit still bears it's original tag which reads: "Christian Dior Ltd. London Made in England" and a second metal tag which reads: "Harrods London".  A fine testament to a timeless designer and a timeless department store.  Approximately a ladies size 10 (modern sizes), the suit is fully lined in black silk. With 3 days left of bidding, the price is at $61.00 with the reserve not met.

Happy Shopping!

Second Hand Roze

Week of September 25 to October 1, 2010

I've been a busy girl on the net this week,  and have found some real treasures!  Could hardly wait to share them with you.

Shall we start right away?

This 60's Op Art top is so Mod it knocked my little socks off.  Can be found at eBay for a Buy It Now price of $80.00.  It's nylon,  so you know it will last forever.

From The Pink Poodle this peacock green evening dress is timeless.  It's fully lined,   and can be had for the incredible bagain price of $40.00.  A little steaming and this beauty will be good as new.

These Eisenberg earrings can make any evening special.  Found at Etsy for a mere $ 35.00, almost unheard of for genuine Eisenberg's which can sell in the thousands of dollars.

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From Monster Vintage this vintage 60's knit top is also in the So-Mod-Can-You-Stand-It? category.  Available for $ 69.99,  alas, this treasure is for the very petite and is an XS.

This fantastic 50's polka dot dress is at Dress Vintage and is - perhaps - slightly over-priced at $495.00.  Okay,  it is overpriced,  but I couldn't help gaping at it anyway.  It has the lines of an early Trigere and is just so "new look".

So Audrey Hepburn!  This brocade jacket dress is available on Ebay for a Buy It Now price of $119.00.  The "wiggle" dresses,  with or without jacket,  have been going upwards of $200.00 when going to actual bid,  so I think this price is more than fair.  In fact,  if this fit me,  I'd snatch it up!

I just love this New Old Stock nipped waist jacket suit from the 50's.  Available at Etsy's for $149.00.

Even though I disapprove of fur on principle,  I just fell in love with this vintage Hattie Carnegie suit on Ebay.  The fabric is navy with the trim done in a swell black lamb.  Price: $ 550.00.

From Dorothea's Closet,  this deep navy silk jacquard Evening Dress with the rouched side is so "new look".  A classic "wiggle" dress is ever there was one.  Available for $215.00.

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Also from Dorothea's Closet,  I couldn't quite believe this wasn't a Lilli Ann!  With all the attention to line and detail,  this lovely dress is worth every penny of it's $215.00 price tag.

I found this treasure at Plum Vintage.  This classic Napier charm bracelet has faux jade, turquois, and coral as well as gun metal.  It's decidedly asian theme could be just the thing to complete that outfit!  $95.00  (You'll have to scroll down to find it on the page,  but she has all sorts of eye candy to entertain you on the way!)

Reported to be Vintage 70's,  the hemline says 80's to me,  but this gorgeous chiffon, rose detailed one shoulder gown has limitless possibilities.  At Etsy's for $212.00.

Would you believe this Mod, Mod, Mod, necklace is available for only $22.00?  Given that Nieman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue, and Chanel have all decided Lucite is IN,  this is an incredible bargain. Available at Etsy's.

Another divine "new look" "wiggle" dress with Jacket.  Found this lovely number at Dress Vintage.  Designed by Karen Stark for Harvey Berlin in lightweight wool,  this dress would be classic in any decade.  $395.00.

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Though not vintage, this tank top is highly collectible.  One of Hard Rock Cafe's "Tattoo" tops.  Found on eBay for $130.00.

Also on eBay this classic 50's bodice top by Molly Abrahamson is timeless.  Black and white raw silk, lined with white silk,  yours for a Buy It Now price of $69.00.

The very definition of timeless and classic,  this 1990's Gianni Versace suit can be had at Madeleines for $250.00.

I am just mad for this paisley beaded and fringed evening dress.  Available at Etsy's for $65.00.  Get it while it's hot!

Vintage 60's 3 piece faille suit,  this "new look" masterpeice is in pristine condition.  RUN to eBay to view all the photos of this beauty.  Available for a Buy It Now price of $225.00.  The seller is also taking offers.*

This gorgeous Pauline Trigere dress was sold on eBay at it's Buy It Now price before I could show it to you, but I'm including it anyway.  Ms. Trigere designed all the costumes for Moon River and her sense of line and proportion is unmatched.   Couldn't you just die?

I doubt that anyone loves the wasp waist and attention to detail of a classic Lilli Ann suit more than I do,  but Posh Girl has this lovely example for sale at the unheard of price of $799.00.  Even I think that's a bit much.  C'mon Posh Girl.  Do you want to sell or collect?

Reasonably priced at Posh Girl is this vintage 60's signed Vera scarf for $99.00.  It's use of color and proportion are iconic of the era,  and helped to make Vera a name to contend with.

Finally,  I just adore these colorful pop-art inspired sunglasses.  Found on Etsy for a mere $11.00.  Someone scoop these up!  They are too adorable to stay on the shelf.

* A note on "making offers" at eBay,  I've had incredible luck with offering the most outlandish amounts.  I've gotten many items for less than half price.  So don't be shy.  The worst they can say is "No."

 

And so another week passes us by.  Happy shopping!

Second Hand Roze