The White Album: July 20, 2011

Despite the extraction of the red items, my "must blog" list is only slightly diminished. We have so much ground to cover, so many fabulous garments to talk about, that we have not a moment to lose!

I'm bending my own rules for this blog post. I generally believe that wedding attire is too specialized for someone like myself to write about. I have, however, decided just this once to indulge my taste for white lace on the excuse that each garment selected (with the exception of one pair of wedding gloves) could be worn at an affair other than a wedding.

This absolutely exquisite Edwardian duster jacket is constructed of lovingly hand made Irish crochet. It's been amazingly well preserved, and waits at 1stDibs for the right woman and the right outfit. Personally, I want to see it added to someone's wedding gown to take the ensemble from beautiful to unforgettable. This jacket is too rare and gorgeous to be wasted on anything less than a Very Special Occasion.

Look at the quality of that crochet work! At first I thought the hanging acanthus leaves with attached pom-poms were bakelite, but closer inspection reveals that these were created by some magic needlework from the same yarn used on the rest of the garment.

Only rarely do I get so vested in a garment that I care who gets it, but this piece positively demands an owner who cherishes it and who has the necessary background to appreciate the special treasure that this is. Offered by The Way We Wore with a price to be disclosed only upon inquiry to the merchant.

A special occassion always calls for a special piece of jewelry, something unusual, something like..

This bridal necklace is composed of a triple strand of the finest swarovski pearls with swarovski crystal accents forming the vine. Perfect not only for a bride, but a perfect gift for a bridesmaid as well. The pearls are a gleaming white, but ivory pearls are available as well. The necklace is 17" And comes with an extender. Offered by Bridal101 for $119.00. Though vintage inspired, this is not a vintage item.

The lovely tea stained lace dress above is from what is rapidly becoming my favorite shop at Etsy, VintageOppulence. This dropped waist dress with the bow on the left hip is advertised as a wedding dress, but i think it would make a lovely garden party dress as well.

The lace has been tea stained a shade just past cream and just short of beige. A size medium, this dress has lost its label along the way, but it has retained all its charm. It would make a lovely companion for the Irish crocheted coat above. A true bargain at the price of $90.00.

This charming lace cloche hat simply took my breath away! Perfect for a wedding or any special occasion wherein you wish to be the star. Decorated on the right side in 20's fashion with a silk flower, and a second floral design of capiz shells and pearls. This is a vintage inspired hat, not an actual vintage hat, but its the perfect touch for your vintage outfits. I'm a firm believer in mixing decades and following your own personal style. I can see this with the spring collection from Alexander McQeen as well as I can see it with the lovely lace dress and the priceless Irish Crocheted coat above.

I found this lovely cloche at Etsy from Ludascrafts for $144.99.

This 1950's cream colored bubble dress with sequins is tiny, but packs quite a punch, fit for lunch at the white house or a chapel to exchange vows. The bubble hemline is as fashionable today as it was the day it hit the catwalk.

This lovely dress is available at SenseoFashion from YumYumVintage for $165.00.

And to wear with this dress? Take a look at that picture in the upper right of Coco Chanel. Notice anything in that picture? That right. Oodles and oodles of pearls. Of course, you could collect these strings of pearls one at a time over years. or...

That's right! A whole treasury of pearls, all in one fell swoop! These may be worn a strand or two at a time, or all at once ala' Coco. If you really want to imitate the way Chanel wore pearls, allow the longer strands to hang down in back as much as they do in the front. The effect is incredibly chic!

This set includes strands of pearls from 17" to a whopping 70". Included in the mix is a strand of Austrian Crystals, which were the height of chic in the late 1920's. So few of these have survived that they are highly prized today.

These are available at Etsy's from MissAnnieMays for $125.00. If this is a bit more than you wanted to bite off at once, there are smaller collections at smaller prices at Miss Annie's too.

This lace appliqued and beaded silk suit is fit for a country wedding or a formal brunch. Custom tailored of dupion silk, the notch collared short jacket has three quarter sleeves to show off an heirloom bracelet or merely your lovely arms. The blouse is cut with a low scoop neck, a dipped front, and nipped in at the waist. The skirt is cut slim through the knees then flairs out. Beautifully made by LaCostureraShop of Etsy for $1,155.45.

I was thrilled to find this graduated 8 strand pearl bracelet at Etsy. Unadorned pearl bracelets are so hard to come by, and at $25.00 this one is a steal. I love it's simplicity and it's abundance. While there are no fancy rhinestone buckles, there is nothing skimpy about an eight strand bracelet, and the pearls are perfectly graduated across the top. The perfect accompaniment to so many outfits, this bracelet is available from RockyPatch.

Famed purse maker Mary Frances designed this lovely calla lily bag. Adorned with rhinestones and pearls, this vintage inspired bag is available new with original tags on Ebay from RebeccasCollectableFinds for $220.00. The perfect bag to carry with any formal white outfit.

Another great find from the 1950's is this fabulous "illusions" dress from eBay.

This dress displays the very raison dėtre of the crinoline (which is, ironically, not included). The bodice, when properly fit, will nip in at the waist and exagerate the bust. But perhaps the greatest attribute of this fabulous sheer lace dress is that it has never lost it's lovely rhinestone edged sash. Available from Great_Lake_Outfitters for the Buy It Now Price of $198.00.

The neckline of that dress fairly begs for the right embelighment, and in my wandering through Etsy, I found this:

This gorgeous rhinestone wedding parure (earrings not shown) is by Pennino. The ribbons are formed by carefully set baguettes, the floral pieces are done by marquis and princess cut stones, and the drops are one large pear shaped stone flanked by two marquise. This fabulous set is part of the offerings of JewelsVintage for $196.00.

I'm also hopelessly enchanted with these fingerless white french lace gloves:

These lovely fingerless gloves are the perfect thing to wear in lieu of jewelry, or for any formal occassion (though naturally, especially as a bride). I love these type of gloves, and I'm especially fond of this pair. Available on Etsy from MaryandAngelika for $22.00.

And to wrap around you if you should catch a chill in the evening air?

Created of either silk or rayon this lovely shawl is crocheted in a rosette pattern and is lavish in its 15" fringe. The shawl measures 44" long with fringe by 60" minus fringe. The shawl is off-white in color and perfect for any outfit from jeans to a wedding dress.

Available at Etsy from LaMeowVintage for $89.00.

And though the following items are hardly bridal, I think you'll agree that The White Album issue of Second Hand News is the only true place for them.

Also in the white / off-white category, though definitely not bridal is this luscious vintage butter cream dress.

A retro-styled dress from the 1980's, the sash hangs asymetrically, so putting a crinoline under this is a non-starter unless you wish to completely rework the waistband. As it is, however, the dress is lovely and fresh as a spring morning. The color is the lightest yellow and the fabric is described as a satin or a light brocade. To me, the combination of satin and "light brocade" spells a moirre tafetta perhaps? Tagged as a size 9-10, the dress is offered by AdVintageous for $55.00.

I've also completely lost my heart to this nostalgic, one-of-a-kind, assemblage necklace beautifully crafted by RomancingTheBling:

Is that charming, or is that charming? This necklace is so gorgeous I'm not sure which I would look forward to more if I were to own it: wearing it; or hanging it on the wall. The framed vintsge photograph has a touch of the fairy princess to it. Above that is a beautifully rendered rhinestone bow. The frame itself is rhinestone embellished and the silvertoned floral arrangements are host to a rose quartz crystal and some ballet shoes. All this loveliness is available to you for $125.00. This is a vintage inspired item, and though it contains vintage parts, but it is not a vintage necklace.

This 1940's blouse with the lovely eyelet lace jabot has survived the past 70 years in miraculously good condition. Great for pairing with anything from a pair of jeans to a black pencil skirt for thenoffice. Its wonderfully old fashioned and feminine and you just don't find treasures like this anymore. available from DearGoldenVintage for $38.00.

And my final entry for the white / off white I submit this amazingly well preserved five piece Hollywood Regency Hand-Painted French Provencial bedroom set currently on sale at Etsy.

This set includes a twin size headboard, a lovely lingerie chest, a chest of drawers with an attached mirror and a bedside table. The seller, Rhan from Los Angeles is willing to part with the entire exquisite set for a mere $999.00.

The furniture is all a very soft yellow. The tops are not lighter than the rest, this is a photographic effect the seller was unable to correct, even with their best photo-shopping skills. There is wear to the corners of the furniture, wear which I feel only adds to its vintage charm.

It is early yet, for the 70's. I don't think these pieces will be fully appreciated artistically for another decade. Financially, of course, the set can only increase in value. I do not pretend to offer financial advice. My advice remains what it always has been: buy what you love.

And so I say goodnight, and happy shopping!

Second Hand Roze




Deep in the Heart of Uncertain Texas

Simply Red: July 18, 2011

There is an expression: "biting off more than you can chew." With this blog post, I hadn't just bitten off more than I could chew, I'd somehow managed to stuff an entire turkey into my mouth. Not only could I not chew, I could just barely breath. I'd selected so many things for this blog post that I'm afraid of writing it. I have this vision of writing without stopping. No food.  No sleep.  Calling in sick for my straight job. Just writing endlessly on this single blog post. Sort of a purgatorial sentence, except I love writing, and I don't think you get to do something you love in Purgatory.

I went ahead and collected all the photos of the items I hope to write about so that I can impose a bit of order into the chaos. I'm too afraid to count the photos, but my plan is to present an item, say a polka dot dress, and then within the same portion of the post, present the other items that would go with say, the polka dot dress. We'll see how this works. It's not my usual structure. Much more  restrictive than the usual blog post, but hopefully it will give us some structure.

All that's been on my computer for over ten days. I finally realized the only way to get this blog post out is to cut it up into pieces. This is the red piece.

Finally, I should warn you that this blog post and the posts immediately thereafter will be "Etsy Heavy". I've discovered that through following circles, Etsy is an almost never ending path. I've gotten lost in Etsy. A find leads to another find which leads to another find, etc. ad infinitum.  A lot like the way I used to when the internet was new and eBay was still experimental.

Since I've already suggested starting with the polka dots, so, by all means, lets start with the polka dots. It's worth mentioning that I adore polka dots. If you don't know what to do with that hand-me-down chest of drawers? Paint polka dots on it. Polka dots make everything better. And for a lady who generally dresses in solid black, polka dots are by far my favorite pattern. For those of you who doubt polka dots, hey, God chose them for the Ladybug, what greater proof of their divinity do you need? Polka dots are da bomb, though my neice tells me (while rolling her eyes in that special way reserved for adults shooting for cool and missing the mark) that no one uses that expression anymore.

Oh well. My cool factor went down some. I might as well let it slip. I found an actual gray hair the other day. My cool days shall soon be long behind me. It is worth mentioning that my neice likes polka dots even if she would not call them da bomb.

I decided to start with the handmade polka dot hat instead of the dress. I do not suggest wearing the hat with the dress. That would be a bit much of a good thing, but the hat is just too Cool.

Useful for all sorts of occassions, wear it jeans and a chambray shirt to spiff up that outfit a bit. Wear it with a simple red (or white) dress to give it some panache and lift the simple into the chic (especially if you have those just right shoes to pull the whole thing together. What? Not the right shoes. Relax darlings. Roze can fix that. Just hang on.)

You could also make it your gardening hat! (Saying that reminds me of the scene in Steel Magnolias where Shirley McClain shows up at the beauty shop with her basket of tomatoes proclaiming that gardening and wearing hats are requisites of Southern Womanhood. I happen to agree, and this is a hat that would do any Southern Woman proud.)

The hat is made of linen and has a slightly coarse, stiff texture, and should have considerable body to it. This is not a hat that will lose it's shape. This hat will stand up to time. You can wear the brim up or down or whatever combination of the two fits your style. The hat is offered on Etsy by BonniesKnitting for $65.00. BonniesKnitting has charming hats of all styles, varieties and vintages. Absolutely the go-to place for hats!

Anyway, I think my real point is that it's possibilities are endless, and such a hat can and should be a wardrobe staple.   And may I, for a moment, lobby for hats.  Hats and gloves particularly.  When I was a child, women did not leave home without hats and gloves.  Hats and gloves were the mark of a lady.  In the years since our gloves left our hands and our hats left our heads the world has declined considerably, and I blame it on the lack of hat and gloves. 

So next time you go marketing, put on a hat, and slip some simple white gloves on your hand.  You may take them off when needed.  They look just as chic gathered in the non-dominant hand with their empty fingers drooping in your hand.  And just see what happens.  At the very worst, this could not possibly hurt.

And besides darlings,  you will look so chic.

Now, the shoes. I promised you shoes and I always keep my promises! These killer hand painted damask shoes with red anemonies and rhinestones on the heels could transport a solid color dress with that hat to anoutfit worthy of a lady who lunches.

Even if you have no interest in the shoes,the outfit, or the idea of the outfit, you still should follow the link to these shoes. Why? You ask. Well, because the woman who writes the product descriptions for the purveyor of the shoes, NoraKaren went to great lengths of research and can and will tell you more than you ever dreamed of knowing about the history of damasks (damaskeen?) and the symbolism of red anemones than you would even dream of finding on a casual catalogue browse. One has an obligation to render such research its due. Her prose is a pleasure to read.  The words slip sweetly off the tongue, and as one writer to another, I salute her.  Also, , NoraKaren has a whole slew of shoes that are just the cats pajamas.

Imagine these shoes with a pair of black cigarette pants. Imagine them with a black 50's swing dress. Imagine them, if you will with some fine seamed black stockings, and a racy set of panties with a matching bra and garter belt. These shoes are shoes to go places in (or stay home in, in the last instance). And they can be yours for a mere $295.00, a bargain for fantasies in a box.

The shoes are not vintage (though they are vintage inspired!), and are available in medium widths in whole and half sizes from 5 - 10 and whole sizes 11 and 12. Hand painted by NoraKaren her very self.

You noticed the rhinestones on the heels and the center of the toe strap right? There! I thought you did, but I pointed them out just in case. A Blogger has certain responsibilities in such an instance, and I wish to be sure that I'm living up to mine.

Okay! At last we arrive at the much renowned polka dot dress! The possibilities of this dress just captivate me.

Wear it "as is" for a retro look and you have a lovely day dress, though I have to admit that I'm not nuts about the belt they chose. I think I'd prefer a white belt, probably one of those ridiculously wide ones. Or perhaps a lovely satin sash. Especially a long one tied in a nice big bow in the back or at the side.

But lets face it. What I really want to do with it is take in a few darts at the bodice, add a princess seem, and - what the heck - lets throw in some boning, and turn this loose puppy into a nicely tailored 50's bodice.  Take in the waist.  Shelf that bust. Them we can make a darling little bubble dress, or - naturally, I'd love to see this! - stick a crinoline under that nice full skirt. And the marvelous thing about fashion is that we'd be moving the dress simultaneously forwards and backwards through time. Suddenly we shall have a dress fresh off the catwalk and a dress to make some of us stop and smile and remember when...

In the alternative, you could take up the hem and make a mini. This is my least favorite option, but if you buy it, hey, it's your dress. But again, I don't mean to suggest that it's not fabulous just as it is. It already is a wonderful dress. And we're lucky enough that my being whelmed-over by the size of this blog post has allowed us to arrive at a time when it is on sale for a mere $30.00.

The dress is made of a rayon/acetate blend which just hangs beautifully. What it won't do, however, is stretch. The model is a size 2/4. I think it would be fine as a 4/6 as well, but this dress isn't going any larger than that. No. Not one inch.

Imagine yourself in this dress at a sidewalk cafe in Paris. Imagine it styling down the sidewalk in New York' clubbing in LA. Imagine yourself in this dress at work or at a party, but don't imagine yourself squeezing into this dress if you're a size 7 or larger. Believe me darling, I know. I feel your pain.

Also from NoraKaren are these stunning shoes with a red rose tattoo motif and pheasant feather design. These too were designed to be wedding shoes, but don't they look smashing with the cherry print dress the model is wearing?

These shoes are satin shoes and both the roses and the pheasant feathers are both carefully hand painted. They are not available in leather or patent. The roses have such a three dimensional look that i'm just shocked they're not leather!

Like the shoes above them, I think they would look stunning with the red polka dot dress, especially if you wore a crinoline over the dress. I like the introduction of the black to the Red and white color scheme, and the whole thing just screams, "Chic!"

I also think they'd look fabulous with jeans and a leather jacket, a denim mini skirt with a grunge type sleeveless shirt, or a dress in the color scheme of the cherry themed dress shown above. The possibilities are endless! Perhaps my favorite scenario is the classic Marlon Brando approach: some faded, if not ripped jeans, a white t-shirt, and a leather jacket. On my!

These shoes are available in medium widths from size 5 through 10 (including half sizes) and size 11; also available in wide widths from sizes 6 through 10. They have just killer 2 1/4" stilletto heels

Yours for a bargain $225.00.

I'd wear pearls with this classic dress. One strand. Five strands. Right at the neck, or long string(s) hanging down in front. You just can't go wrong, I haven't included any because they're ubiquitous, and because I've featured so many strings of pearls in the past. Also, if you lack the technical expertise to find a string of pearls on the internet, stop! put the mouse gently down, and return this computer to the person who owns it.

I did however, find this:

A fabulous, one of a kind, artisans pearl bracelet. Each one ordered is made specifically to fit your wrist, so no two are ever alike. Featuring real fresh water pearls with sterling and a design that is both extremely modern and absolutely timeless. You could wear this at a Ren Fair, on the set of Mad Men, and to the next opening at the Museum of Modern Art. Offered on Etsy from MythicSilver for $650.00

Since we're doing red, I'll introduce the next to-die-for garment.

This practically perfect red with leopard spot skirt showed up on Etsy and it was love at first sight. It's cut wide enough to take a crinoline, but surprisingly enough, the fabric is so lightweight, so loose, so billowy, that I'm actually nuts about it the way it is.Made of a soft chiffon with the feel of silk, this is a one-size-fits-all skirt. I'd love it with either of the pairs of shoes shown above, I also love the simple white shoes the vendor has chosen to share with the skirt. I'd love it barefoot.

Perfect for anything from the office to a night at the Opera. This lovely skirt is offered by Neerjcraft for $65.00.

This fun and flirty red watch also came from Etsy. Like the red polka dot hat, this need not be saved for strictly red outfits. I think it would look smashing with jeans and a white t-shirt, and would be fabulous with either pair of shoes I've included in this blog. It could dress up denim, or add a hint of casual fun to satin.  Wear it with a white and blue ring and go vote feeling American to the bone (or british, or even French.  Sadly, this won't work for Italian.  You Italians will have to get your own rings!)

Offered by AdornmentsbyAmber for $24.50.

On a more serious front, I found this timelessly chic dress (yes, also at Etsy. I warned you about that!):

 

This cherry red mermaid dress with the back ruffle would be a perfect opportunity to show off the fun side of that darling red watch. Made most probably from tafetta or acetate, this dress is tiny, barely a size 0. The strapless dress has a sweetheart neckline and a back metal zipper (which should place it in the 50's sometime). Wonderfully retro without looking dated, this dress is in excellent condition. Offered by Aiseirigh for a bargain $80.00.

Finally in this red post are the requisite red satin shoes:

Inspired by the tango,these shoes are vintage in spirit but modern in manufacture. Each wonderfully cut shoes is embellished with a matching red satin rose (or is that a runcula?) with a Swarovsky crystal in the center. The stiletto heels are 3 1/2" high. Offered by ParisXOX from Michigan for $142.00.

And that my darlings, concludes the red portion of this blog-post.  I shall continue with soon with white and off white.

Until then,  Happy Shopping,

Second Hand Roze

Deep in the Heart of Uncertain Texas

Delays...

An actual new post....

Coming soon to a computer near you.

Many apologies darlings,

Second Hand Roze

Catch Of The Day: Wednesday, July 6, 2011

I've done it again. Created such a monumentally huge bunch of bookmarks that I tremble at the thought of turning it into a blog. But in the interim, there is this one item at eBay for which the auction expires tomorrow. I don't want you to miss it, so here we are.



This charming silver Chinese fishing pier is an import from the late the late 19th or earliest 20th century. It is rendered in such exquisite detail, that each piece was cast separately, and then they were all combined for the charming scene above. Not only is it stunning, it's certain to make an excellent investment.

I can't help but wonder if the green yarn was originally silver chain. Were I to purchase this peice, I would replace the yarn with the chain for aesthetic reasons if not for restorational reasons.

This is one of the fine antiques placed for auction by the BubbleKing set to end in just over 21 hours and requires an opening bid of $275.00.

Wishing you the best of shopping,

Second Hand Roze



- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Location:Deep in the Heart of Uncertain Texas

Finds on the Fly: June 24, 2011

Oh goodness! I have such a great deal bookmarked, so many fine garments, that I am afraid to begin. Once begun, I shall be able to do nothing but write for days. It is written in the Tao te Ching that the journey of ten thousand miles begins with a single step, so let us that first step.

Shall we begin with this wonderful bohemian, gypsy, hippie skirt which I was fortunate enough ton find on Etsy. The skirt is described as, "made of very soft, light, sweet and colorful of Thai dye cotton. This piece is high in comfort and style."

This lovely purple shade should wear well over time, fading only slightly, and even then to a lovely shade of lilac. It simply cries out for the right price of Amethyst or Czech glass.

This is the type of garment I find most agreeable For the long hot days of summer. The loose cotton allows for the circulation of air and ease of walking. The long, many tiered skirt is one which shall never go out of fashion. This lovely skirt is being offered by FantasyClothes for a bargain $39.00.

I think this skirt would look just lovely with this 1928 Art Deco Revival Necklace currently on eBay. Not only is the etched lilac glass perfect for the skirt, the Art Deco style is timeless and would not force any limitation of wardrobe. The pendant is 1 3/4" long and includes the shown 18" gold-toned chain. Offered by MyRicky for the Buy It Now Price of $24.95.

I was fortunate enough to find this modolicious Norman Hartnell dress on eBay. It's a very period piece, very collectible, and invites the comment, "It's vintage!"

The Kelly green top is accented by the black mock turtle neck, and the stylish use of the black cord belt threaded through the metallic rings sewn into the garment. The sleeves are full length and not cut to show off any bracelet(s). I think the most appropriate piece of jewelry would be a 60's style large, low-hanging pendant.

The dress is offered for auction by McWhinnie48 for the Buy It Now Price of $63.52 Australian Dollars.

This beautiful faux emerald cross would be perfect on a long chain (at least 32") worn with the dress shown above. this cross is part of a very limited edition of similar pieces done by an artisan in Florida. It is shipped with a 20" brass chain, but this is much too short if you wish to be true to the period of the dress, and also of this type of "Carnaby Street" cross. Offered on Etsy by VictoriaCrochet for $27.50.

I found a lovely Lilli Ann Suit for us at Time Warp Vintage

Though it appears a stark white in this photo, it is actually more a light cream color. Being of 1950's vintage, this suit features many of the hallmarks of the era, including the pencil skirt and the cinched waist accomplished by beautifully executed full length princess seams.

The suit is made of a winter weight wool, and features cloth covered buttons on the jacket. The truly interesting feature of the suit is, of course, the shawl collar which ties across the front. Looking from the front, much like a sweater tied by it's sleeves around one's shoulder. From behind, it looks like this:

Ah! Few things in life are as reliable as the fine lines and good cut of a Lilli Ann Suit. This fine specimen may be purchased for the very reasonable price of $245.00. It's not unusual for a Lilli Ann on eBay to close north of $400 when put up for auction.

This lovely black gabardine dress is from the 1940's and was found for sale from Nelda's Vintage.

The bodice has a notched collar, and buttons run down the front of the dress to about hip length. The cinched waist is accomplished through a series of darts and princess seams on each side. Labeled a "Junior Sophisticates Original", the dress would be a modern size 6 and is in "Grade A" condition. It's available for purchase for $145.00. (All prices are in US dollars unless stated otherwise). I think it would look stunning with a five or six strand string of pearls.

I chose this five strand string of faux pearls from eBay because they have lovely luster and - more importantly - because they have adjustable length allowing one to wear them with many outfits. Offered at the Buy It Now Price of $34.99 by Apollos0824.

I'm simply mad for this 1950's red velvet halter swing dress. Found at SenseoFashion, this lovely, and tiny dress features an elongated waistline and a skirt full enough to wear a crinoline under it (I think the dress would be greatly improved by this addition.)

The dress is certainly not for the faint of heart, as any woman wearing it will be the center of attention. The neckline fairly begs for a four or five strand set of pearls, and below you'll find the perfect bracelet to accommodate such an outfit.

Offered for sale by perennial favorite Tilicoultry for $280.00.

This stunning pearl and rhinestone bracelet would be simply perfection if combined with a multiple-strand pearl necklace and worn with the dress above. This bracelet displays remarkable workmanship and is as fine as costume jewelry gets. Offered by LulusSplendor of Etsy for $120.00.

And for your tootsies with that magnificent red dress? I found these killer Garolina strappy sandals most likely from the 1970's.

The stiletto heels are perfectly in style. The shoes were made in Italy of all leather and are a size 7N. They are in excellent condition,though they show some wear on the bottom. Offered on Etsy by WhiteFluffyClouds for $44.00.

This gorgeous vintage lace and crochet top is available at from favorite seller VintageOppulence. This shop has so much lovely merchandise that I had to restrain myself from listing their stock en mass.

The beige vintage lace on this blouse is fully lined in beige satin and "dressed up" with heavily tea stained crochet. This is one top guaranteed to put you on the top of the Best Dressed List. Available for $50.00 and worth every penny. This is one knock-out blouse. It could dress up the simplest black (or ivory) skirt and make it into a really special outfit.

I love their use of a single medium length string of pearls. I can only say, I concur.

This lovely medium length string of pearls is from the queen of pearls, Coco Chanel. This rare vintage find was unearthed at Archive Vintage, and took my breath away. One simply does not find Chanel Accessories in the secondary market.

I chose to include this illustration because I feel the luster of the pearls show up better and the length of the necklace is more easily imagined. You can acquire these pearls and this bit of fashion history for $1,200.00.

This two-piece 50's sportswear outfit was designed by Lipman Wolfe for Caliente Sportswear. I think it's simply stunning. The moire satin jacket has rhinestone buttons, and - wonder of wonders! - still has it's self belt. It had a shirtwaist collar and bracelet length sleeves. The skirt has a 26" waist and is shown with a crinoline for fullness (not included). This lovely outfit is available at Dressing Vintage for $395.00.

This extravagantly ruffled 1950's prom dress was found at The ruffles are edged in lace, the bodice of the gown is boned and beautifully pleated. The dress closes in back with a metal zipper in the center. This is a very small dress with a 30" bust and a 23" waistline. I would strongly suggest a floor length crinoline to go with this dress and give it that true "princess" silhouette. This is another gown for which I would grab that classic multiple-strand pearl necklace. The bracelet would look lovely too, but really I picture a corsages at the wrist. (Do young men still do this for formal occasions? Bring a lady a corsage?) Offered by SLVintage for $340.00.

This gorgeous vintage 70's blouse from Halston is proof that if you hang onto it long enough, it will come back in style. The ruffled neckline at the top of this silk chiffon blouse couldn't be more today. I might have a taylor take in the sleeves a bit, and I'd tuck it in, in lieu of using the drawstring at the waist. Found at SenseoFashion, this blouse is being offered by TheKaliman for $300.00

Also from TheKaliman is this fablous 1950's Emma Domb pink and plum prom dress.

This tulle and acetate dress is marked a size 9, but fits like a modern size 2-4. There are a few pinholes in the tulle, and a somewhat larger hole by the hem, but these flaws completely get lost in the fold of the dress and are hardly worth mentioning. The bodice is boned and beautifully constructed with folds of fabric.

By far, my favorite feature of the dress is the long dark pink scarf-like feature pinned to the top of the dress with a floral brooch. This lovely dress is one of the few 50's dresses I find as lovely hanging free as it would be with a crinoline. Priced to sell at $250.00.

I simply adore this charming long bohemian skirt from the 1980's. Found at The Rusty Zipper categorized with the hippie skirts. Made of a butter yellow rayon muslin plisse with blue and pink cabbage roses. The waist is both elasticized and includes a drawstring. The ends of the drawstrings are decorated by brass bells from India at each end of the string.

This skirt would look wonderfully stylish and feminine paired with the Halston blouse shown abovel, or with the lace and crochet blouse featured earlier. I'm not certain, but this skirt looks full enough to pair with a crinoline. This could add an entirely new dimension to the skirt, and essentially give you two skirts in one. Priced at a wonderful $20.00 this skirt is simply a steal. One size fits all.

It's been a great week for 50's cocktail dresses and this one of a kind turquoise dress is certainly no exception. Beautifully hand-sewn of silk chiffon, the dress features a sewn in crinoline but is shown with an additional petticoat (available for purchase). I must admit to liking the extra fullness.

This is another dress that would have me reaching for that five strand string of pearls. Offered by Elegance50's for $225.00.

Just as their name would suggest, Elegace50's has a lovely and varied collection of dresses from the 1950's. When looking for a 50's dress, this should absolutely be your "go to" resource for dresses from this watermark fashion decade.

These amazing and colorful palazzo pants (yes, pants) were made by Dominic for Matty Talmac. The design was the 1966 Coty Award Winner. The pant suit features full length sleeves and a Nehru collar and "more colors than a rainbow.". I think it's completely modoliscious! Available for $325.00 from SwingKatsVintage. No true 60's collector should be without this garment! It's obviously a one-of-a-kind design! And so much a product of the period!

I simply fell in love with the garment shown below:

This amazing hand painted silk chiffon scarf was inspired by the traditional Japanese art of Ukiyo-E, a form of art that depicts then floating world of the Geisha. This particular scarf has been done in my favorite shade of celadon green, and when not wearing it, I would be proud to display it in my bedroom like the work of art it truly is. Made and offered for sale by Takuyo out of Hawaii. Perhaps there is something about being surrounded by that Island beauty that inspires such beautiful art. This scarf is available for $119.00, a steal for an article of clothing of this caliber.

Vintage bathing suits are so hard to find! I just about squealed with pleasure when I found this Bettie Gingham bathing suit on Etsy even though this is a reproduction and not an actual vintage piece. size S-M the suit is made of stretch cotton with an elastic waist and adjustable top. Available for $90.00 from AlexandraGrecco.

After so much from the 1950's, I thought I might present something a little more recent like this fabulous minidress from the 1980's. I just love it's body hugging design!

The back has fabulous crisscross-cross straps, and the dress is a steal at $28.00. Offered by Etsy dealer BadBabyVintage. Isn't that name adorable?

The dress below is - without a doubt - my favorite dress of this blog:

Reminiscent of a flapper's dress, this charming dress could be appropriate for so many occasions including a wedding! The deeply tea stained silk chiffon still retains a very faint floral design which has been embossed into the fabric. I love the handkerchief hemline, the silk rose just below the waistnand the sellers use of multiple long necklaces with the gown. Offered by VintageOppulence for $150.00.

I believe the dress shown above is a retro 30's reproduction. I just love it's name: Lt. Emma Lee. Hand crocheted of Egyptian Cotton, this dress is designed to honor the coast guard. Always a sucker for things nautical, this dress just stole my heart. This dress was created by and being sold by AnnieBriggs for $390.00. Because this fabulous dress is hand made, it is available in the full spectrum of sizes from XS to XL. Can you imagine the hours that would go into crocheting a work of this size and intricacy?  Ms. Briggs must never have idle hands!

The little black wiggle dress shown above does not include a photograph which reveals it's hemline, so I'm hesitant to assign a decade to it. The spaghetti strapped top is richly embroidered and features fring I would estimate at 2" long. The seller estimates the current size to be a 6/7, but as always, you are encouraged to check the measurements at the website. available for $35 from LoveSpunVintage. It could be from any time from the 40's to the 80's. The seller assures us it's in fabulous condition.

The slip dress shown above is part of the Alexanrda Grecco Spring/Summer 2011 collection on Etsy. Available in white, nude (shown) and black, this lovely dress is perfect for weathering the summer heat.

This is a new garment and is available in sizes 0 through 8. The bodice features lovely embroidery along with sexy spaghetti straps. Offered by AlexandraGrecco for $450.00.

Perfect for the dress shown above, this charming art nouveau necklace is simply stunning. Featuring antique brass findings and some lovely champagne and cream glass beads. I think it's gorgeous without being over-stated. Offered on Etsy by HemsandBustles for $35.00.

This seller has a splendid and varied selection of hats which would be truly a tragedy to miss while you're surfing in this neighborhood anyway.

 

I'll give you a moment to just soak in the beauty of this garment. This incredibly lovely strapless dress with lace shawl is an Elizabeth Arden Original from the 1950's. I must confess to finding it stunning. If not for the cultural connotations of the color black, I would dub it the perfect mother in-law dress the perfect Mother-of-the-bride-dress.

The fitted bodice is boned and features a metal zipper. The dress is fully lined. The shawl is of medium weight and feels like cotton. Available at Etsy for $550.00 from reliable favorites RedHouseVintage.

I'm obsessed with crochet these days, and my breath literally caught in my throat when I found Stunning duster on the pages of Girl On A Vines' pages at SenseoFashion. LOL! She starts her description with admitting that she, too, is having a love affair with crochet. What can I say? Our moons must be in the same house or something. The body of the duster is done in a large and loose pattern and can be worn open, buttoned, belted, or anyway your imagination desires. The sleeves are done in a much tighter weave. Not recommended for anyone over size 4. This fabulous duster is available for $198.00, a steal for a hand made garment of this quality.

Girl on a Vine consistently has hip, fabulous clothing. I wouldn't dream of letting a week pass without checking her stock. If you haven't "liked" her on FaceBook, please show your support!

To get my Mid Century Moderne fix, I submit to you this killer birch plywood chair.

This chair with these magnificent lines is on display at Design Within Reach in Houston, Texas. The chair is offered on Etsy by HarBenger2 for $350.00. Ships Flat.

This fabulous spring shirt not only has crocheted, but the dotted Muslin and the appliquéd sleeves make it a classic 70's shirt. It is exactly the kind of shirt I looked for in my long ago youth when searching out clothing for my own wardrobe. It's enough to make me want to put on the Allman Brothers Band! The seller says One Size Fits All, which I don't ever believe, but those of us who don't fit in that one size know who we are. The shirt is 100% cotton, but I would wash it on the gentle cycle to preserve the crochet and appliqué stitching. And please!  Keep it away from the dryer! This shirt is offered on Etsy by HandTaylorByArtka for $79.00.

There now. Did I tell you I had a lot to blog about or what? I must admit that for the first time since I began blogging, I am glad to have a post behind me.

I wish you all Happy Shopping!

Second Hand Roze

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Location:Deep In The Heart Of Uncertain Texas