Finds On The Fly: April 7, 2011

Our first eBay find today is this stunning crushed velvet dress brought to us by Culture-Vulture-Vintage. The only thing regrettable about this lovely dress is that it's a size XS.



This wonderful, almost slouchy dress comes from the 1920's. Part of what I love about the dress is that it's so relaxed, so comfortable being itself, that it avoids the tailored, buttoned up "thoroughly modern Millie" look that so many dresses of this era have.

This dressmaker had confidence in her skills and confidence in the design of the dress which allowed her to not overly make the dress.




The dress is beautifully smocked at the hips, has an ever-so-slight poof at the sleeves and the sleeves are ever so slightly a more "brick" color than the rest of the garment.

As is typical for garments of this era, the dress secures by a series of snaps under the arm. This is not a frock one should attempt to get into or out of while alone.




I think the dress just invites Chaneled (worn midway down the back and chest) beads or pearls. Good fake pearls need not be expensive, they just need to be knotted between each bead, and if the strand is not long to fit comfortably over one's head, they should fitted with a closure befitting a strand of pearls. Think rhinestones here, and laid out in a suitably art deco design. If fitted with such a closure, the strand should appear to be an important piece of jewelry.

The Buy It Now price for this charming frock is $125.00, though the vendor is also accepting offers.



Also found on eBay, are these incredibly cool Roe platform sandals.




I love them so much that I immediately forgave them for not being vintage, and these have that greatest of all non-vintage attributes: choice of size! Available from sizes 5.5 through size 9 for a Buy It Now price of $38.63 for the next 19 hours, so run to eBay and grab these fabulous shoes. These are a wonderful braided T-strap sandal with a fabulous profile.




Aren't these amazing? And they're not real wood! They are made of all man made material, so you don't have to worry about killing a rain forest for your feet! Brought to us by Nikkis_kicks_24_7.

Finally today, I found (also on eBay) this absolutely luscious black cocktail dress from the 1950s.




Please know that the dress us a solid, inky, midnight black and the middle photograph has been artificially lightened in order for you to see the details of the garment.

This wonderful large cocktail dress was designed by Dorothy O'Hara with a killer asymmetrical ruching towards the bow at the right waist. The dress is 100% rayon with raglan sleeves and a lined bodice. It secures with a back metal zipper and two eye hooks at the top.

Offered by BombshellFrocks for a current bid of $34.99.

Darlings, I've been awake shopping for you all night, so I'll bid you adieu!

Until we speak again, Happy Shopping!

Second Hand Roze



- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Location:Deep in the Heart of Uncertain Texas

Catch of the Day: March 22, 2011 80s 1950s Styled Prom Dress

If there is a single word that will get me to look at a garment (aside from certain designer's names, of course), that would would have to be bronze.  If a garment is bronze it's almost always lame', charmeuse, sequins, or - when you are very very lucky - taffeta.  This particular bronze dress from eBay is a stunning shark skin taffeta created mostly of a bronze with a delicate black stripe and accented with a solid bronze waist. 

Made in the 1980's, the dress is decidedly of the 1950's "New Look" style created by Christian Dior.

The dress has lovely, slimming puffy sleeves, an apparent sweet heart neckline (hidden by jewelry), a great full skirt which demands a crinoline (heavy on the the starch) and - most notably - a wonderfully executed ruched waist.

Doesn't that ruching make the waist look like Scarlet O'Hara's?  And this is on a size 9!  I also adore the textured effect given by the almost pencil thin black stripes interrupted by the solid fabric.  

The dress is as gorgeous from the back as it is from the front.

The dress was designed for Misty Lane and closes at the back with a nylon zipper (the real dead give away that it is a 80's and not a 50's dress!)  

Alas, this dress does have on tiny little flaw.  A pea sized hole and smudge close to the hem.

I think the answer to this dilemma is obvious.  Take up the dress 3".  There is more than ample length.  Also, you might consider doing nothing.  It is unlikely anyone would notice a flaw so small on a skirt so voluminous.  

The dress is sized 9/10 and is of recent enough vintage for that to be true to size.  However, always read a garments measurements before buying on eBay.  EBay has no dressing rooms,  so what you buy is what you get.

The one thing about the presentation of this dress is the unfortunate use of what the photography at least made to appear very cheap imitations of pearls.  I like the idea of multiple strand necklaces for this very simple neckline,  but for them all to clasp on a single strand precludes any possibility of wearing your hair in an "up" do.  If one does go with pearls, I'd prefer to see multiple single strands, draped as much down the back as the front ala' Coco Chanel.  Or, for my own entertainment, I went shopping for the perfect necklace to go with this dress.  I believe I found it in the "Autumn Haze Torsade" at Sweet Romance Online.  

Isn't that stunning?  And take a look at a close up of this smashing clasp!

The dress is brought to us by Mocha_Chocolate_Vintage for an unbelievably low opening bid of $24.99.  The necklace is available from Sweet Romance Online for $125.00.  This line of jewelry, while not vintage, is vintage inspired, and made as true to vintage as is possible.  It is used by Hollywood and television as costume pieces, and is collected by everyone from wannabe fans like me to a veritable who's who of America's Stars.

I hope you've enjoyed today's Catch of the Day as much as I've enjoyed writing about it.

Happy Shopping Darlings,

Second Hand Roze

Actual Blog Post: February 11, 2011

Oh my goodness! Oh my soul! We have so very much to do! So much to talk about! Pour yourself a cup of coffee, grab your cigarettes (if you're of a mind to), and sit down. There's not a moment to spare. Darlings, we have things to do!

I can't think of a better place to begin that these fabulous Miu Miu shoes! These adorable Miu Miu embroidered clogs from 2005 can hardly be called vintage, though they are second hand. I don't care if they're not technically vintage. I love them. It's my blog, so in they go.

The inside of the shoe part seems to be covered in something warm and fuzzy, but Vintage Couture, the seller, doesn't say what, so I am only left to guess. Is it sheepskin? Some new micro fleece stuff? Whatever it is, isn't it inviting? 

The back of the shoes show some wear, but to me this just adds to their charm. Their former owner drives in her shoes the same way I drive in my own! (One of these days I will keep an old pair of slides in the car just for this purpose) As time goes by and that wood gets more and more marks, it will just be like a well loved teddy bear getting it's fur a wee bit matted. It's all the better for it. And the workmanship that's gone into these shoes!

Just having that much beauty near your feet is a luxury. I do beading and work with rhinestones, and while I don't embroider (this is crewel embroidery) I do know how to needlepoint, and let me tell you: these are some labor intensive shoes. Available for the unbelievable bargain price of $120.00, these shoes are waiting to be scooped up by the right fashionista with a size 36 foot (I think that's a size 7 American, but don't quote me on that, look it up for yourself to be sure). Is that you ? If so, pounce, baby pounce!

This fabulous "Sinatra" style men's fedora is waiting for the right head at Art Fire. A size 7, this vintage greenish brown felt fedora is in mint condition.  Sporting a center indentation and a great wide black hat band, the hat is just begging to sit in smoky rooms playing poker, or escorting a lady to the hot spot of the hour. The insides is lined with some sort of fabric I don't understand whose purpose it is to prevent soiling. Whatever this stuff is, it must work, because the hat is as fresh as the day it came off the rack. Brought to us by Bette's Bargains, Bette notes that this was a difficult color to capture faithfully, and that the reality is more brown and less green than the photos would suggest.  Yours for a mere $45.00, gentlemen, this is a bargain.

And while we're playing the classics, oh my goodness! Let me catch my breath! For I was quite struck breathless by the jacket dress shown above. This must be the jacket dress to end all jacket dresses! Found on Etsy, this 1950's Don Loper Couture Gown with Jacket would go seamlessly from the board room (where it would grace the Chairwoman of the Board, no doubt) to the Opera (for Wagner, of course) without skipping a beat. All one need do is adjust the jewelry and perhaps put on a hat for the evening festivities. 

Loper's clientele included most of the leading ladies of Hollywood, and he even once appeared on an episode of I Love Lucy playing himself! Naturally, his clothing is highly sought after, and after viewing this gown, can there be any wonder? 

This dress is made of a midnight blue silk faille. The jacket has an exaggerated shawl collar with a double breasted presentation. The buttons do not appear to be cloth covered, but appear to be an astonishingly well matched plastic. The bracelet length sleeves feature cuffed sleeves, though I am unable to determine from this angle if those cuffs are buttoned or not. 

Offered by Xtabayvintage, the seller has responsibly pointed out that the one flaw in the garment is that the faille has begun to rub through under the arms exposing the black underneath. This garment has been extensively and thoroughly photographed for us by Xtabayvintage, and though I studied these photographs with great care, I was unable to detect any defect in the appearance of the suit. The seller does mention that this flaw is hidden in normal use of the dress by the presence of the arm in the normal position, and I can only conclude that this camouflage of the flaw is complete.    

Once the jacket is removed, this stunning strapless gown with the perfectly modest geometric folds is revealed. This is such an amazing gown that one wonders that he went to the trouble to make a jacket to accompany it. Even by itself, this dress is a work of art! 

Alas, as is usual with a garment of this age, the original belt has been mislaid.  Xtabayvintage has done a splendid job of substituting another which is precisely the right shade of blue, and they will be happy to include this belt with your purchase.  

The suit has been sized at 4 - 6, but I implore you to read the full disclosure of dimensions before breaking out the Visa card, as the bust for this dress is only 34". For once, I am actually celebrating my small bustline!  

The presentation of this gown is a triumph within itself. Xtabayvitage has provided just the right jewelry and fluffed the gown just where it should be fluffed and smoothed it just where it should be smoothed to show it to its best advantage. I am quite impressed. I actually went to their shop with the intention of blogging another gown (which alas, will have to now wait for another blog), but I was waylaid on my journey by this show-stopper! I think you will agree with me that the gown is more than reasonably priced at $225.00. It is unlikely that the purchaser will also purchase the jewelry shown on the gown. I do beg that the lucky woman who takes up this suit also wears appropriately significant jewelry with it, for this is one gown for which the simple string of pearls - no matter how elegant - simply will not do. Then again, shopping for the right jewelry to accompany such a gown will be half the fun!

The lovely black beaded shirtwaist from 1875 was part of a museum collection until that museum, the Fashion Group International of Florida, deaccessioned the item and put it up for auction on eBay. The garment still retains the museums acquisition number and donor information.   The photo above is truly awful and out of focus. The only other photo which shows the entire garment is that of it's profile below:

This lovely blouse is made of silk faille.  The garment has extensive beading along the shoulders, bodice and hem, and no less than 18 (18!) cloth covered buttons are provided for securing the lovely blouse.

It's hard for me to image such a garment except in a tin type.  What an incredible find. Offered by the Sarah Elizabeth Gallery or Sarah0727.  This particular shirtwaist may be had for the Buy-It-Now price of $149.00. They have several garments of this quality and era, and I encourage anyone with a special interest in garments that old to be sure and view their inventory.  Of particular interest to me was the coat of a Massachusettes Militiaman's frock coat.  

This gentlemen's overcoat is a find from Shop Housing Works, my favorite charitable vintage shop. It is a size 40R and is in great vintage condition.  I think it's a most striking coat. Made by Quatro, it has a lovely notched collar, three button closure, and two slit pockets.  Each cuff closes with three buttons as well. The left collar has a buttonhole for boutonnières.

The write up says there are slit pockets at the cuffs.  At the cuffs?  Is this usual for men's coats?  And how does it work?  I've included this close up, and I've looked at it every way I could possibly imagine, but I don't see pockets there.  (Pockets!  Indeed!)

Do you see them?  Do you usually see them?

And then finally,  a shot from the back:

This fabulous overcoat can be yours for $40.00. The nice people at Shop Housing Works will help you arrange shipment with federal express.

The positively funkulous Ray Ban sunglasses are at Etsy waiting to find the right home. The white parts are a pearlescent sort of marble, and the black lines are just groovy. The glasses are in the classic cat-eye style with blackish green lenses. The lenses are in perfect, unscratched condition! There is a little gold oval at each temple, and the ear pieces are black. Offered by Pinkyagogo who has so much cool stuff, that choosing the item to write about was excruciating. The fabulous fifties sunglasses can be resting on your nose for a mere $125.00.

Like the item before this, this lovely damask evening coat from eBay is part of a retail collection so rich in vintage treasures that choosing one to write about was truly a challenge. And if you don't check out the entire inventory of VintageAlaModeSF, you will be cheating yourself out of one of life's true pleasures for any vintage hound, reviewing the treasures of a master collector.  

This lovely coat has a well defined waist. It is double breasted, features a notched collar, and has fully long sleeve (not bracelet length). It is made of a rich cream ivory damask and has two side seam pockets. The fabric is gathered at the hips for fullness, and the buttons are actually snaps. It's length is 55", so it is not for a particularly tall woman. The sellers have sized this as a medium, but I'm going to suggest that we leave this to a size small woman. Without the right figure, it could make you look thick through the middle.  

The entire garment is lined in a luscious pale pink acetate.

It's from the 1960's, and is decidedly an evening coat. Wear it while the sun shines, and I will strip it from off your back!   

This lovely coat may be yours for a Buy-It-Now Price of $169, or the merchant is accepting offers.

I have what can only be called a "strange" obsession with lighting.  Nothing drives me crazier than an ugly light fixture, and - similarly - few things please me as much as a good one.  This, incredibly good, light fixture - in all it's lucite glory - was found on 1st Dibs. Designed by Verner Panton for Louis Poulsen in Denmark in 1971. I think it is the penultimate display of mod. I'm unsure, from the wording of the seller, if this is one of a kind, or merely the only one they have to sell. I would suspect the latter. And though they describe it as "in very good" condition, I can detect a few tell-tale chips along the rim of the outer fixture.  Still, it is a magnificent piece.  And it comes apart into two ascetically pleasing parts for the changing of a bulb:

Part of the offerings of "R" Gallery, whose selections it is truly a pleasure to peruse.  This particular light fixture may be yours for $12,000.00. And while many of us may expect locomotion for an expenditure of this magnitude, I find it to be a quite reasonable price.

This breath taking Nina Ricci gown was found at Couture Allure. It dates from 1971 (ah!  It and the lighting above are classmates!) and is part of her haute boutique line. The sleeve closures and bodice are made of a rich black velvet.  The full waist and sleeves are made of silk chiffon. 

The illusion that the "vest" is a separate piece, is just that, an illusion. It's all one lovely garment. A fine gold braid edges the sleeves and "vest" including the center of the bodice, where the "vest" appears to button up. The dress is secured by a hand stitched nylon zipper up the center back. The bodice is lined in black silky rayon.

As I've written before Couture Allure is one of the few vintage clothiers who will see to it that you get a garment freshly dry cleaned. I think this should be an industry standard, but alas, they seem to be alone in extending this service to their clientele.

The dress is priced at $275.00

This incredibly modlicious and funky vest and cap are made entirely out of the pull tabs from old pop cans (aside from the leather thongs used to fasten the vest, of course). I think it's so cool I can hardly stand it, and at the same time, I can't help but think how uncomfortable such garments would be. Found on eBay (of course!), it's seller had the audacity to claim it was born of a paradigm shift of American culture!  While I think that may be laying it on a wee bit thick, it is an incredible work of art, born entirely of the pop art movement and its success in getting its viewers to see everyday objects in a different manner. Warhol would have been thrilled.  He also would have taken credit!

Here's the view from the backside:

Isn't it magnificent? Offered to us by KimVintage, who is no stranger to this blog, this lovely pair may be yours for $210.00. I think it's worthy of being a museum piece. If I were in a position to be making acquisitions for the sake of investment, I wouldn't hesitate to break open my wallet for this one.

I don't often think of "Hawaiian" and "mod" in the same category, but this dress - magnificently - manages to bridge the gap. Found at Midnight Sparkle Vintage Clothing, the garment is not dated but my instincts say late 60's, early 70's, though I won't disavow the possibility that this of recent vintage.) The tag reads, "Lauhala" (not a maker listed in the resources of the Vintage Fashion Guild). The dress is tiny with a 32" bustline and a 24" waist. It is made of cotton and has a pattern of rich green and black.

Richly and well photographed for your viewing pleasure, this dress sells for $65.00. I think it's a steal.

These fabulous Stuart Weitzman shoes were quite the find at Etsy. Made of a beautiful snake skin that is cream and cocoa, we may have found the perfect neutral shoe. I love the peak-a-boo toes and the cut of the sides.  

The back of the shoes show as well as the front with no driving damage to those lovely hourglass heels. I love that the snake skin forms an almost herringbone pattern. The shoes are a size six (naturally!) and have new heel caps. The inside of the shoes are in immaculate condition. So much so that if I hadn't seen the bottom of the shoes (which show wear, but are in no way in disrepair), I'd be wondering if these shoes had been worn at all.   

Offered by Viapapeo8 for $25.00. Viapapeo8 has some really lovely vintage items, including a maybe not-vintage grey mini that could have stepped out of a recent issue of Vogue. It's very mini, so if you're young enough to show that much leg, don't miss this opportunity to do it!

I grew up in Texas surrounded by cow hide, and even I am swooning over this fabulous 1960's cowhide swing jacket from eBay. The coat is cut with a slit on each side to add to it's swing quality, and is in wonderful vintage condition "outside of a couple of spots" (I have no idea what that means!). I think it's cool as cool can get. Offered by koko1954, this closes soon, so if you've a fancy for it, get a move on! They are asking the very reasonable Buy-It-Now price of $599.00

Blogger is starting to put my pictures in sideways, so I'm going to close this entry for now. I hope to write another substantive post soon!

Good night and good shopping!

Second Hand Roze

Catch of The Day: 50s Elegant Deep Pink Party Dress

Ah, it's February, and a young man's (not mention a young lady's) fancy turns to shades of red and pink...

This lovely deep pink (dare I say it. Schiaparelli pink) gown is just what the doctor ordered to spread a little color into the drab land-scape. Found on eBay, I'm sure I shock no one in stating my preferrance that this gown had been photographed with a crinoline. The lines would have been so much better!

The deeply fitted (boned?) bodice is one of those that enforces curvaceousness on even the most uncurvaceous young lady. The deep "v" of both the front and back almost give the gown the same silhouette as a strapless gown. Imagine it with the necklace I featured a few days ago! What a show-stopper.

The classic bow at the dropped waist serves to emphasize the femininity of this already strikingly feminine dress. The fabric is made of a smooth, beautifully draping satin which (s)he believes to be rayon.

Here's a view of the back of the dress:

A modern size 4-6, this dress is in immaculate condition. If only all 50s dress were so well preserved.

Offered by redhousevintage. It closes tomorrow and is yet to see it's opening bid of $34.99. Don't let this get away kittens! This is premium ball of mice!

Happy Shopping!

Second Hand Roze

Catch of the day February 1st, 2011 Vintage Compact

My ex-husband used to say it took a lot of accoutrements to be female. Once I saw this gorgeous Kotler and Kopit Compact on eBay, I knew he was right. Resplendant in pearls and rhinestones, this compact is ready for a night on the town. It's got style.  It's got rythmn,  Baby, this little number has bling!

The seller, 745sainthelens, is so meticulous that she actually noted that most of the powder is gone. Dear, it's okay that the powder is gone. No one buys these things for the powder!

The back is somewhat more sedate than the front, featuring a brushed gold smooth face.  I was able to detect some small flaws in this backing, but the front is impeccable.  Not a single missing or darkening stone.

This lovely compact may be your for the Buy-It-Now price of $55.00, or the seller is accepting offers.

Forgive me, constant readers, but it's been a while since we've discussed making offers, and I think it's time we did.

Making an offer is an opportunity to get an item you want at your dream price. I've been amazed at how cheaply I've been able to get some things. The trick though, is not to insult the seller. So the first thing you do is acknowledge the value of the item. It's sometimes helpful to say something like, "While I realize how wonderful ... a bit of whatever it is that you have ... really is, and I regret this is all I'm able to offer at this point. This is only if you are offering significantly less than what they are asking. If you are offering more than 2/3 the asking price, no apologizing is necessary. Be prepared for a counter offer. Or be prepared to buy at that price. NEVER begin negotiations with something you do not intend to ultimately buy. This is a waste of everyone's time. After negotiations are completed, write the seller and thank them!  Do this even if you are not able to agree on a price. You have taken up their time, and you owe them this. Be courteous and be fearless.

And with that kittens,  I shall bid you a good day,

Second Hand Roze