A Return to Arms: January 31, 2012

Oh blog!  Oh dear, neglected, much loved blog!  

I had surgery.  I'm fine.  Really.  But recovering took much more, in terms of both time and personal resources, than I had ever imagined.

And now,  being almost whole again,  let us commence to returning to the subject at hand.  As the last breezes of winter blow through our attics and we wait for the groundhog to tell us how much of winter we have left, I am going to seize this opportunity to talk about coats.  I love coats.  I would have an entire closet devoted to my forty some-odd coats if I could.  I would have a coat of every weight and color, of every fabric, for every occasion and in every style.

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Let's begin with something sumptuous, almost decadent.  Every girls dream.  The thing that makes you the center of attention the moment you walk in the room.  What could I be talking about?  Why a mink stole of course!

Isn't it lovely?  Isn't it sumptuous?  Isn't it elegant?  Imagine yourself with the softness of mink wrapped around your shoulders.  Imagine snuggling a bit deeper into it in a moment where the wind picks up a bit.  Imagine the admiring glances,  the outright envy,  the whispers as you make your way to the table.  A mink stole is the very essence of luxury.  And you can wear it with anything (though I don't think I'd wear it with jeans.  But you could if you wanted!). 

Like all quality furs, this stole is lined in 

a wonderfully smooth silk satin, so the whole experience of wearing it is one of softness, of comfort, of luxury.  

I chose this stole, because I believe it is a universal color.  It would be flattering on the brunette with the slightest auburn tinge to her highlights.  It would look marvelous on a redhead.  It would be stunning on a blonde.  And ladies,  everything goes with silver!  

Currently one of several furs being offered by MonDesirVintage for the unbelievably low price of $ 74.00,  a steal in anyone's book!

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Also offered from MonDesirVintage is a classic boyfriend jacket for the not-too-long-of-waist.  

Just imagine this jacket with it's sleeves pushed up a bit, or even cuffed!  Made of brown herringbone tweed this boxy jacket features a black velvet panel at it's nehru neckline and and slight puffs to the sleeves.

Made by J.G. Hook in the 80's,  the jacket is marked a size 8,  but I would recommend it for a size 6 or smaller.  There's nothing more obvious than a jacket that's too small,  and for a boyfriend jacket,  too large is flattering.

This lovely jacket is available for the bargain price of $34.00.

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The New York Times recently published a peice about the reappearance of hats in fashionable women's wardrobes,  most predominately cloche type hats and fedoras.  I couldn't stop myself from mentioning this absolutely gorgeous (but alas, not vintage) cloche hat I found on Etsy.

These felt hats are made to order, so you can get one that is the perfect color to compliment that outfit that needs just a touch of chic.  I adore the mabe pearl accessorizing this hat, as well as the way the hat seems to unfold like an upside down flower on your head. 

Hats take approximately three weeks from the time of order and are offered by YellowField7.  $350.00.  She is quite the milliner, and you would be cheating yourself not to peruse her entire selection. 

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One of the more fun coat finds I made is this wonderful and somewhat whimsical purple duster from the 90's.

I think purple is such a fun color,  and it is used so well on this duster that it becomes the new navy blue!  The duster has a wonderful shawl neck which you can wear up or down (I like the drama of wearing it up), and has two pockets, placed at an angle on each side.

Alas,  the seller did not give us any information on the fabric content, but if you have concerns, I'm sure she'd be happy to answer any inquiry.  

The duster is sized for a medium to large woman, and has a timeless quality which should set it as a go-to item for years to come.

Offered by Beautifulshyt for the bargain price of $68.00.

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While doing the cyber equivalent of thumbing through eBay, I ran across this amazing 30's black velvet opera coat,  perhaps the most elegant coat I'm featuring today.

The silk velvet of this coat is a nice inky black, and seems unfaded even after all these years.  The coat is full length, features a wonderfully smocked collar and the sleeves taper from narrow at the shoulder to full and generous at the wrist.  The satin ivory lining has been professionally replaced and  is so immaculate that you can wear the cloak inside out for a change of style, and not worry about under-arm staining!

This coat is not for a wall flower.  Wear this and people will notice!  This coat is only for a woman of confidence and poise;  one who is used to being the center of attention and knows how to handle that attention well.  

Offered by the SelvegeYard for the Buy-It-Now price of  $495.00.  This is an investment piece,  Handle it well and it will only appreciate in value, and it will add huge dimension to your wardrobe. 

When I stopped for the perfunctory viewing of the SelvegeYard's offerings, I literally wanted to blog their entire stock.  Bookmark this seller!  S/he has an eye for items which are both chic and which are perfect reflections of the times from which they sprang.  Don't cheat yourself and not browse their listings,  though you may want to hide your credit cards from yourself before you peek!

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Another one of my finds at Etsy is this incredibly fashionable "Denauve" Camel Cape.

From the Alexandra Grecco Autumn 11 collection and styled after the 1960's,  I love just about everything about this cape.  The camel color will, of course, go with anything.  The swing styling is as fashionable today as it was the day it was when JFK was President.  The bow is lovely without being cute, and the black buttons add just enough weight to the coat for a woman to be taken seriously in it.

The coat features a shawl collar and is 100% wool.  It is cut in such a way that one size should fit anyone from size 0 - 10, though I wouldn't go over 10 with it.  When your friends ask you where you find it,  smile mysteriously and say, "It's vintage."  They'll be green with envy, and picture you climbing through mountains of clothing at Good Will to find this treasure.

Offered by AlexandraGrecco for $330.00.

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Also not vintage, but definitely vintage styled is this incredibly elegant brocade steampunk jacket from eBay.

The rose motif brocade on this coat is some of the most gorgeous fabric I've ever laid eyes on.  The front is crossed with four lines of military type buttons, and the hems of both the jacket and the sleeves feature first a gathered lace, and then a pleated satin.

The styling and cut of the jacket are unmistakably Edwardian, and I applaud the researcher who designed this fabulous jacket with such historical detail.  It is styled in such a way as to be able to see you from the laundramat to the office to the opera without skipping a beat.  Truly a work of art.

Offered by SirensandStarlets for 47.39 British Pounds, or approximately $58.79 American Dollars.  This seller has an absolutely incredible set of offerings of vintage styled goods.  Please see them all, and mark SirensandStarlets as one of your favorite sellers so you can keep up with their goods.

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The next coat is from the most fun shop I've seen in a long time,  denisebrain.  While browsing her offerings, I was shocked to find this lovely 1980's Pauling Trigere Coat!

Would you believe this gorgeous coat is being offered for only $31.00!  Hello?  This is a Pauline Trigere.  It should cost you that much to say her name!  While unsure of it's provenance, the seller believes this is a 1980's does 1940's coat, though it's not out of the realm of possibility that it truly is from the 1940's.

The coat is made of winter weight 100% black wool and lined with black satin.  It closes with a single button at the neck then has hidden snaps down the front of the coat.  The coat is cut to accomodate "new look" gowns, and there is a deep pleat in the center back for ease of walking.

The coat is labeled a size 8, but both the seller and I believe it could handle a size 10.  This, as much as anything, would seem to make this an 80's coat and NOT alas, a 40's coat.

I've had occasion to email the seller, and she is truly charming, and a pleasure to do business with.

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Also from DeniseBrain is this wonderful lipstick red coat from the 1960's.

This lovely double breasted coat is made of soft 100% wool with a pronounced horizontal rib texture.  Interestingly,  the back of the coat's notched collar is doubled over, and left open at the end.  Perhaps this is to run a scarf through?  

The coat is missing a button at top, but as you can see from the pictures, this really doesn't show and shouldn't affect the coats appearance.  There are also some small marks on the coat which should come out with a good dry cleaning.  

Offered for an amazing $29.00.  At prices like this, you could afford to have a different colored coat for at least every day of the week, and quite possibly each day of the month!

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Next, I'm going to close this evening with a lovely irridescent coat by Lilli Doll available at eBay. 

This gorgeous coat is made of a lightweight polyester olive-bronze iridescent fabric which in the right light will show hints of teal, purple, and all the hues of a peacock.  I just adore this type of fabric,  it allows such a great latitude of accompaniment;  almost anything will go with it.

The coat features a balloon neckline and three button closure in the front.  Made in Macau, this coat has been loved and well cared for.  Handwashing is suggested, and I would steam, rather than iron, the wrinkles out of this garment.

Offered by dmlz1965 for the unbelievable price of $26.00.  If that's not a bargain, I've never seen a bargain.

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Finally,  I wish to thank all of you who have returned to my blog, found my blog, or whatever road led you hear.  After such a long absence I am so grateful to have an audience.

I'll be blogging again soon, and until then,

Happy Shopping!

Second Hand Roze

Deep in the Heart of Uncertain Texas

October 13

If you enter the words, "Hattie Carnegie" in the search engineat eBay,you are likely to get hundreds of peicesbof jewelry, yet very few clothes. Hattie Carnegies couturier was and is treasured by those lucky enough to own articles of her clothing, and these garments don't change hands very often. Zippered throughout the back and fully lined, this lovely Hattie Canegie suit dress flares so at the hips from a nipped 30" waist creates the illusion of an hour glass figure for women like myself who don't have one!

This garment has but two notable flaws: two tiny flea bites, one to the back of the left sleeve and one two the front of the skirt. I am unable to discern either of them. I wouldn't give a second thought about the flea bites, but the seller reports there is an area of the bodice showing wear. This is a very respectable seller who is probably going the extra yard of full disclosure, still, I might ask for a photo of that area before committing to money changing hands.

Offered by Maria92001 for the Buy It Now price of $399.00, provided the area of "wear"on the boddice of this dress can be assured a quality garment which will be the certain source of pleasure and pride for years to come, if not for decades.

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I never list a garment without seeing a seller's other goods. This allows me to know if I am dealing with a non-professional who got lucky, or if I have been fortunate enoughto stumble upon a seller who truly has "the eye". Marie92001 has been on my saved sellers list for quite some time, and I'm never surprised to find that zi've fallen for a garment of hers, nor do I ever hesitate to go to her for source material if my blog is lacking for merchandise.

Today when I checked her other items for sale, there were the usual great party dresses to fall in love with. The superbly cut suits, and my-oh-my an opera coat from the 20's that simply took my breath away!

Oh my! Look at it! Aren't those lines heavenly! Made of a heavy rich black velvet (the heavy is my contribution. It's important you know Marie did not say that! But look how this beauty hangs. That velvet must be heavy!), this coat is fully lined and the seller does report some stains to the lining. I can't imagine caring if, after almost 100 years, the lining is still pristine, but if you are one of those that do, well, this is not your coat.

This coat is kind of ananachronism. Clothing in the 20's had a tendency to hide a woman's curves. In fact, it may well be the only time in history where being small chested was a desirable thing. Yet this coat clings to and celebrates the curves of the feminine silhouette. I won't try to figure out why it was an exception (maybe the woman who ordered it had a bombshell body?). I shall just appreciate it for the garment it is.

Available for a stunning $278.00 or best offer, this amazing coat is waiting to hang in your size medim closet.

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This lovely, and especially feminine necklace and earring set was made by Coro probably in the mid to late 50's. It features cotton candy pink aurora borealis beads with clear crystal spacer beads in between.  The perfect thing to tone down a red dress,  to add some color to a white outfit,  or to wear with that pink tweed Chanel suit of the same vintage,  these lovely beads can be found at Etsy from Zephyrvintage,  a seller with whom I have had the pleasure of doing business and in whom I would not hesitate to place the utmost faith.  One can hardly afford not to buy these lovelies as they are on sale for an amazing $19.00,  probably less than they cost when new!  They are assured of growing in value, and their beauty is self evident.  Run, do not walk to Etsy to order these lovely beads for your neck.  Do it quickly because I'm thinking I may have to have these myself.

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The lovely cocktail / party dress above is a triumph of design by Ceil Chapman, Elizabeth Taylor's favorite designer.  Ms. Chapman's grasp on how to make fabric do exactly what she wanted, and her talent to wish it to do the right things is almost unparalleled.  The dress is weighted in the bodice and has boning around the bust-line.  It is made of a deep midnight blue satin crepe and is in fabulous condition. Ceil Chapman gowns in this condition don't just come along every day. Mostly, such gowns are kept within a very small community in Hollywood who keeps the best vintage garments for the stars.

The shape of the bodice is formed by a deep "V" created by twisting the fabric over at the waist.  The result is stunning:

This trick also creates a lovely swag of material on the left hip.  The resulting asymmetric profile of the dress makes for a stunning garment with tremendous presence.  Measuring 36" at the bust and a mere 23" at the waist,  be sure you are right for the dress before hitting that "Buy-It-Now" button.  Seller, Retrochicvintage is justifiably asking $899.99 for the dress.  Even at that price, I don't expect to see it on the market long. 

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The stunning dress shown above is a 50's bombshell from a designer I'm not familiar with:  Jonathan Logan.  Familiar or not,  it's obvious the man can make a dress.  I just adore this simple presentation of the Basic Little Black Dress,  and with the right accessories, this dress could be a man killer.  The dress features double spaghetti straps on each shoulder (which I suspect could be tucked in if you wished to go "strapless"), has a two layer skirt (though you should note that it is shown, and should be worn with an additional, not included, crinoline), and the dress secures with a metal zipper up the back.  It is as lovely in profile as it is straight on:

The seller, Etsy's Aiseirigh, reports the dress to be in excellent vintage condition.  It is a size small,  with a 36" bust and a 26" waist.  

If you're looking for a place to do some one stop shopping, you could do no better than Aiseirigh.  This is one seller who definitely has "the eye", and you're bound to find tons of things that catch your fancy.

As with anything black and low cut,  what you wear at your neck is crucial.   You can go a lot of directions. A simple ribbon with a cameo or a flower pinned to it would be lovely.  Pearls are always a good choice. The better the pearls, the better the choice.  If you have pockets deep enough, you could chose these Chanel pearls with their incredibly mother of pearl camellia pendant.

Cut and presented with all the perfection one would expect from the house of Chanel, this lovely necklace is certain to make all eyes centered on you!  The pearls themselves are enormous,  each measuring around 7/8" x 5/8".  The necklace closes with a small line of smaller pearls, and an extra is included in the box.  

The Camellia is a work of art,  a true mark of the house of Chanel.  It can be worn with this chain or pearls, or on a chain, as shown below,  or even on a simple black ribbon.

Even on the simplest of gold chains, it's stunning, isn't it?  Offered for sale on eBay by ilovemygirls3 for the Buy-It-Now-Price of $1,500.00.  Of course, this isn't a simple piece of jewelry.  This is an investment, a stake as it were, in the history, the glamour, the chic, that is Chanel.

And now kittens,  if you'll forgive me for a short post, I am recovering from surgery.  And while I've had little to do but lie about and look at lovely things for you,  it does take a bit of energy to tell you about them.

I promise to bring you more soon.  Until then...

Happy Shopping!

Second Hand Roze

Deep in the Heart of Uncertain Texas

Finds on the Fly: September 19, 2011

I've done it again. I've accumulated an impossibly large set of things to blog about, and well, we shall just have to muddle through as best we can. In the immortal words of Bette Davis, "Fasten your seat-belts. We're in for a bumpy ride."

In addition to shopping my poor little self to death for you, I've also been reviewing this falls designer collections for the fall. In my notes for one particularly striking Prada suit, I wrote in my notes that I wanted those stilleto heeled pumps, but I wasn't willing to pay a Prada price for them. Good black pumps can be found everywhere, and the discerning vintage shopper can fing great black pumps, complete with dizzying stilletto heels, for much less than the Prada price (which I didn't even look at, but I can almost imagine without fainting). Well, here are some great, I mean really spectacular vintage stilletto pumps:

A current size 7A, these shoes are from the 1950's, and though there is obvious wear to the insoles and the bottoms, the outsides are all buttoned up and ready to dance! I just adore the fanned leather (or is it satin?) design across the toes, and the shoes sport a healthy height to their stilletto heels too!

Found at Etsy from vendor Schmoo1515 for a mere $ 52.00. A price I'm sure Prada would faint before considering meeting.


Schmo1515 is new to me, but she's got quite the eye for a good blouse or take a look at this pencil skirt!  Now, I could love me some of that! 

With those body hugging curves and the timeless window pane plaid.  She says this is more of a dark grey than a black.  The skirt has pockets, zips up the back, and has a pencil skirt, so you can have that curve hugging appeal and still be able to walk.  It would best fit about a size 12. At Schmoo15's shop in Etsy,  this could be yours for a mere $32.00.

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These "psych out" (faux) thigh high leggings delight me in their practicality; all of the sexiness with none of the constant pulling up. I think they are simply wonderfully chic. While obviously not vintage, they do have that vintage appeal and will do your vintage wardrobe proud -- especially those 60's and 80's mini skirts! Not only are these leggings sewn into a sort of nude pantyhose material, they feature black bamboo/jersey short shorts! If the wind catches that miniskirt, or if you forget yourself and bend over, you may weather these mishaps with dignity intact! Offered at Etsy from Iheartnorwegianwood for $69.00.

This shop offers everything from leggings to jewelry, to recycled clothing, to new clothing in the minimalist, eco-friendly style of what I've come to think of as "Etsy Chic". This includes environmentally friendly fabrics in simple, yet elegant garments such as this black column skirt($59.00):

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I just adore the handmade twenties velvet and lace dress shown above. Featuring a fabulous "vintage bling" belt, don't you know this was the pride of some girls wardrobe?

I'm unsure if the lace has darkened with age or was always this color, but it is a soft ecru bordering on beige color which adds to the vintage charm of the garment.

Offered by Etsy favorite Vera Vague, this gorgeous bit of history coulf be yours for a mere $360.00 -- an absolute bargain for a peice of clothing of this quality.

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This wonderfully feminine peach linen jacket from the early 1990's is one of Karl Lagerfield's creations.  With it's tie closures and fabulous ruffles, I think it has endless possibilities for any woman's wardrobe, my favorite of which is to throw it over a dark-wash pair of jeans.  It would be timeless and chic over any long light colored linen skirt, or... well, the possibilities are as great as the woman's style and imagination.  Found on Etsy at Violent Vintage,  this lovely jacket could be yours for $108.00.

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This incredibly modoliscious scooter / stewardess dress in lipstick dress is being offered on eBay by lovespyvintage.  I love the mod hair style of their model! Perfect for the coming cold weather,  this gorgeous dress is made of a heavy weight wool or wool blend knit.  That lovely belt is none other than Persian lamb! Sized medium to large (and please, please, please compare the garments measurements to something to fits you well), this luscious gown can be your for $94.99 or the best offer.

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We haven't talked about making offers in a long time, so I'm going to repeat my spiel about making offers. Those of you who have heard all this before, skip on down to the next vintage item, but if you're new to vintage shopping, bargaining skills can prove essential to the acquisition of good vintage items at sometimes bargain basement prices. Making an offer is a little like a box of chocolates: you never know what you're going to get. I've had offers for less than half the asking price be accepted, and recently made an offer for $5.00 short of the asking price of an item that's been on eBay for a year rejected! The most important thing to remember is that you never want to insult the merchandise or the vendor! That dress you're offering a buying price for may have belonged to the seller's beloved grandmother! Never try to justify a low offer by suggesting the item is less valuable than the seller thinks. I've found it best to take the approach of being absolutely in love with an item, but unable to pay more than $x.xx right now. Still, never be shy about asking for a garment at your dream price! A seller willing to accept offers is giving you a tremendous opportunity. Start with your dream price, and have a clear idea of just how far you're willing to negotiate before you walk away. The seller will likely sense your resolve and take that into consideration when they are trying to balance their desire to get a good price with the need to move merchandise.

On rare occassions, I've had offers accepted on eBay by sellers who were not listing their willingness to entertain offers. This is rare and really a gamble. That blouse I offered $5.00 short of the asking price was from a sale with a firm Buy It Now price. It's possible I offended the dealer by offering less when she had not indicated a willingness to entertain offers, and in retrospect, I regret making the offer. However, on Etsy, there is no formal protocol for making offers, and that situation is more fluid. I've written dealers just to tell them how much I admired an item, and had them offer me a reduced price. Beyond that, I've never made a "below list price" offer to an Etsy vendor, but I know it is done, and probably often done successfully. Remember, provided you don't alienate the seller, the worst you risk is a polite email explaining, "I really couldn't let this go for that price." If they offer you an alternate price, begin negotiating. If all they do is decline your offer, it's best to make a choice between paying list price and simply walking away. An email wishing them a succesful sale is always a kind gesture if you have reached the end of your willingness to negotiate.

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From the 1920s,  these Art Deco gold lame Mary Jane shoes feature a button closure on each side.  I think I actually squealed when I fell across them.  They are so much the perfect thing to wear with your flapper dresses!  I bet my grandmother had a pair rather like them!  I just love the triangular holes created by the closures.  The shoes are 10 1/2" long and 2 3/4" wide with 3" Louis XV heels.  They are in remarkable vintage condition, with a bit of tarnish in their patina.  Available at 1860-1960 for $125. 

Also from 1860 - 1960 is this incredibly well preserved Titanic Era ladies hat:

Okay, so the flower droops a little.  Cut off the flower and add a new one.  They sell tons of them on Etsy, and I featured a great one just days ago.  This fabulous women's hat is made of a plush velvet fabric, and is lined with polished cotton.  It's upturned brim was made in anticipation of sitting atop a high Gibson Girl hairdo.  Let your imagination run wild with how you could wear your hear with it today!  It's lines are just splendid as this side view will testify.

(You can see how badly the flower droops, but this is so easily fixed!!!)  Hats were large in those days, and this one measures an astonishing 42" in circumference. This treasure is available from 1860-1960 for $150.00.

As luck would have it,  I stumbled upon that hat just moments after discovering this fabulous forest green tulle party dress at Etsy:

Made for a very special evening, this 1950's cocktail dress has a matching scarf/shawl and even includes the flower at the waist.  The tight fitting bodice is sequined and scalloped and includes a lettuce edged floral motif throughout.  Perhaps you could move the flower to the hat and have one fabulous vintage outfit!  The tulle skirt is so full one doesn't even need a crinoline in order to keep that wasp figure!  Offered by Petrune for $350.00.

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This fabulous avant garde black heavily rouched cocktail dress from the late 50's is in such good condition it could almost have just come off the racks. Oozing Hollywood glamour, there is something about this dress that reminds me of Wynona Ryder;  maybe it's just that this neckline would be so appealing with her jawline.  

This fully lined dress feels like silk.  The buyer is not going to do a burn test because the dress is too pristine to mar. (I completely agree).  While there is no label,  it's current size would be approximately a 6/8.  It's being offered by Aiseirigh for $410.00.

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Also from Aiseirigh is this "lovely lush" black cocktail dress from the 50's.

I'm afraid the model is just a tiny bit small for this dress, so don't think it's badly made,  it's just made for more of a Jane Russell type.

The sweetheart neckline is embellished with beads and rhinestones.  The dress features a side metal zipper, a shelf bust, and what should be a tight fitting bodice.  It also has a full circle skirt, so girls break out those crinolines!  The fabric is something of a mystery.  I would have guessed taffeta, but the seller says it makes no rustling sounds.  Nonetheless it is a full bodied fabric, smooth to the touch, and with a matte sheen (faile maybe?).  Yours for $403.00.

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If you enter the word "stratton" into an Etsy search engine right now, you'll get a whole slew of matches in the compact department.  I think this one is the crown jewel of the bunch: 

The beautifully executed, enameled top of this jeweled compact is exquisitely rendered. There is even a bit of powder left in the compact!  I love vintage accessories like this.  There is nothing in modern life that caters to a woman's femininity the way a compact, or perhaps a cigarette case did in the time period from 1920 through 1960.  I look at these and I see genteel dressing tables with silver comb, brush and mirror sets, and women who brush their hair 100 strokes before bed each and every night of their lives.  These items are imminently collectible.   Offered by Simplysuzula for only $14.00.

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These fabulous and timeless Ferragamo mules have actually never been worn!  You can be the first to slip your feet into these black silk slippers with the low heels and the beautifully executed Ferragamo bow.

Ah!  Look at that stitching.  That's Ferragamo.  I'm simply in love with these shoes, and if I could only shink my foot a size and a half, you wouldn't be getting this opportunity.  As it is,  you can get these at Archive Vintage for the bargain price of $175.00.  Run, darlings, run!  

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While I'm in black dress mode,  I just couldn't stop myself from including this fabulous striped sheer ribbon net cocktail dress from the 50's.  Take a look at the close up of this bodice:

Is that a bombshell dress?  Or is that a bombshell dress?  This sheer overlay of illusion netting intermixed with stripes of grosgrain ribbon is rare and gorgeous!  A completely red carpet ready dress.  To keep that lovely fullness,  this dress actually has four layers!  The seller warns it's quite heavy to wear, but completely worth the effort.  Aside from a slight repair to the metal zipper, this dress is in excellent vintage condition and ready for it's next night out. Unfortunately,  the belt is not included with the dress,  but darlings,  the world is full of black belts,  there's only one of this dress!  


Found at Etsy, this dress is offered from SpoonbreadVintedge for the amazing price of only $325.00.

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This amazing tomato red silk wiggle dress is made of raw silk.  It features a scalloped V Neck and wide shoulders to hide those torpedo bra  shoulder straps  To aid wiggling,  their is a 4" slit in the back and a back metal zipper.  There are even pockets at each side to add to the illusion of full hips and a wasp waist line.  Can't you just see Joan Holloway in this dress?  The matching red silk belt is decorated with a bow and backed in leather.  We are so lucky it survives!  So often belts are lost along the way!  With the exception of some very slight underarm discoloration (which I never worry about,  who's going to be lifting your arms to inspect your dress?) this dress is in great vintage condition.  

As the owner of several silk dresses of this age,  I feel I must warn you that you should be sure this dress will fit you before you even try it on!  Old silk is fragile, and can't take tugging!  So please, please, please read the dimensions at the website!  

Offered at Etsy by SeaHoney1 for only $50.00,  this may be the real steal of this blog issue!

And to wear with this lovely dress?  Just so happens I've found some killer, and I do mean killer ruffled up and looking current red shoes!

I think these are so adorable I'm considering having my feet altered to a size 8.5.  These 1980's shoes are 100% suede (except the sole of course) and it's nap is all in good condition, and those little ruffley rosette things are so cute I could just die.

Here's a look-see from the back:

I tell you!  They're perfect!  Well, okay, so in 30 years they've gotten some  minor scuffs, but they are so perfect the scuffs don't matter!  

Found also at Etsy, you can be styling in these for only $30.00 thanks to DearGoldenVintage.

And on that beautiful note,  I'm going to wish you farewell and good shopping!  

I'm having major surgery next week, so I'm not sure when I'll get back to you, but I will be back.  If I'm not too goofy from the hospital and they let me have my modem,  I may just post from my hospital bed!

Take care darlings!

Second Hand Roze