Finds on the Fly: February 7, 2012

I don't think I can blog without blogging some more about coats.  I love coats so much, and the season for selling them is almost over.  There are some tremendous bargains out there, and some absolutely breath-taking coats.


The first coat I'll talk about today is a reproduction "Justacorps" (french for body fitting) men's coat from the early 18th Century. 

I don't normally blog reproductions, but lets face it,  there's not a lot out there from the 1700's, and what there is, is hardly in wearable condition.  I love the raspberry color of this coat which is formed by a thick napped fabric believed to be loden. I love it's cut, the way it flares out at the waist and the over-sized cuffs of the sleeves. The coat is lined along the edges with a thick black braid, and comes with an over-abundance of black covered buttons, of which only every other button is functional. The Vintage Fashion Guild was consulted in the construction of the coat, a thing which I find to be markedly in it's favour. 

There is some slight wear to the buttons, but otherwise the coat is in near mint condition.
 

Note to international buyers:  due to the weight of the garment, shipping will be a considerable financial consideration.  Contact the seller for an estimate before you take the plunge.  Available at Etsy from SoulManVintage for $295.00.

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The next coat is also from Etsy, though is much more feminine of nature.  This stunning Red-Velvet Swing Coat is simply gorgeous.  Found with no buttons,  two wonderful black glass buttons were added (to match the lining), and a beauty was born! 

I just adore the tie collar, as well as the black lining and that wonderful swing silhouette! Coats like this are timeless.  As lovely and eye-catching today as it was 60 years ago!  

  

In addition to that lovely shawl collar, the coat has two angled side pockets and a flawless black lining.  Alas, there is no label, so the manufacturer is a mystery.  The sleeves have nice wide cuffs that add to the sense of luxury and sumptuousness of this lovely coat.

Offered by fifisfinds for $189.00.  Among Fififinds is a red velvet swing dress that would be just the thing to wear with this coat.  Do yourself a favor and look through this shop's offerings. 

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Our next coat is a find among finds.  With prices that usually exceed at least $500.00,  I was shocked to find this Schiaparelli Lambs Fur Coat with Mink Collar for only $381.65.

Medium length and sized medium to large, this timeless coat is up for sale for only 3 more days.  The coat is fully lined, though the lining is beginning to shatter.  I strongly recommend replacing it, though if it were I, I would save the panel which has Schiaparelli's signature.  The signature of a genius is not to be tossed out with the trash! Both wrists are slightly frayed, something which can be fixed by an competent seamstress, and there is a slight moth hole which even I could fix in lamb's fur as it's so forgiving.  The problems of this coat are minimal compared to the chic factor of having a lamb's fur coat done by Schiaparelli!  

The coat can be worn with it's collar open, or secured with a button and loop closure towards the top.

While the coat looks lovely and even appropriate with jeans, it will also see you stylishly to the opera.  The cost of the minor repairs are easily offset by the years of wear you can expect from it provided you store it well.

Offered by In_Love_With_Fashion for the Buy-It-Now price of $381.65.  In_Love_With_Fashion has several lovely items right now, including a purple label Ralph Lauren Skirt I'd love to get my own hands on.  Do yourself the favor of perusing her merchandise before you move on.

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Also on eBay, I found an 80's vintage Szato Satin Coat with a charming Oriental Woman appliqued onto the back of the coat.

Done in the classic style of Japanese Ukiyo-e Woodblock Prints, I believe the woman depicted is a geisha, which means art person.  To attain the status of Geisha, a woman must devote her life to the practice and mastery of certain forms of dance, music, as well as the art of tea ceremony and conversation.  A true Geisha will make her guest feel cherished at all times.

From the front, the coat presents as a simple off-white satin coat with a sweater type closure to the wrists and neck.  There may be a slight discoloration on the right shoulder, but my closest inspection was unable to detect it.

I love Art-To-Wear, and certainly find this coat to be a fine example.  While not for the faint of heart, this coat will bring you attention where ever you may chose to wear it.

Offered for sale by fancyvintage for the Buy-It-Now price of $148.95, this sale closes tomorrow!  Run to your keyboard to claim this for your closet.  It is a size medium.

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Timeless and appropriate to almost any occasion (please don't wear it to the opera or a funeral), this  rare Lilli Ann Western Le Suede Fringe Jacket is up for sale on eBay. 

While these jackets were iconic of their era (1960 - 1970), please bear in mind Lilli Ann was a very high end name, and this jacket was made of the finest suede.  The jacket is fully lined, and is very light weight,  almost more a shirt weight than a jacket weight.  

The jacket runs on the slim side but should fit small to medium.  (As always, I implore you to see the specifications published on the sales site.)  

Offered for sale by Iheartdangervintage for the amazingly low price of $135.00,  if you want this pussycat, pounce on it!  It is not likely to grace the pages of eBay long.

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I was also lucky enough to find the following at eBay:  a 100% Cashmere Maxi Coat from Bergdorf Goodman in Chocolate Brown.

Is that yummy or is that yummy?  This decadent rich chocolate brown 100% Cashmere coat i by Bergdorf Goodman on the plaza, and it has been immaculately taken care of.  No wear. No stains. No Tears.  Just 100% Cashmere goodness to wrap yourself in against the winter wind.  

This double breasted beauty sports horn buttons through the waist, and then again at the closure of the neck.  There are pickets on the seems, and a back vent make walking in this beauty a breeze.  One can button the collar all the way up, or lay it down to a notched lapel.  Nice and long against even the most dreadful of weather this coat is a find! And in Mint Condition!

I would estimate the size of the coat at an 8-10, but as always, please check the measurements against a garment which fits you well.  

This splendid coat is being offered for sale by urbananthropologie at the Buy-It-Now Price of $149.00.  Mint 100% Cashmere coats of this quality hardly grow on trees.  Catch this baby quick before she's in the loving arms of someone else!

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Back at Etsy, I was lucky enough to find a gorgeous vintage black beaded wool coat (pre-new look).  

Made by Princess Models of New York, the lines of this coat are to die for! And the beading along the lapel is immaculately done.  Made of wool crepe this coat sports a fitted single button wasp waist and turned back cuffs.  The skirt is cut on the bias and beautifully flared, and narrows to a box pleat in the back.  The coat is fully lined, and beautifully made.  

Someone has truly loved this coat, because it is in excellent condition.   There are three tiny holes which could be easily mended and are so tiny I was unable to make them out in the photos illustrating them.  

Offered by StarletVintage for a mere $325.00.  This store has a truly lovely inventory spanning from the 40's through the 90's, and has lots of red items for the coming holiday.  Pick yourself out a little treat here!  You'll be so glad you did.

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I've saved the best for last.  There.  Hiding in the jungle that is eBay is this gorgeous cape by Valentino.

Would you look at the lines of this garment?  That is one beautiful opera coat.  From the long flowing hemline to the carefully seamed shoulders this opera cape cries couture.  The unlined fabric is a velvet formed of a wool blend that's 53% wool and 47% acrylic.  The cape is formed from a full circle of fabric. The buttons extend only to where the hands would naturally be free of the garment.  The neck measurements are 15 1/2" fully buttoned.

Offered for sale by foxy_couture for the unbelievably low price of $795.00.

And on that note kittens, I'm calling it a night.  How could we possibly top that?

Until we meet again, Happy Shopping!

Second Hand Roze

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

Finds On The Fly: April 13, 2011

The first find today is so fabulous, so incredible, and - dare I say it - so rare that I'm rushing this issue out before this sweet baby is sold! What could be so urgent?




Shall I allow you a few minutes to just stare at it?

Only a complete anodized colored aluminum Tea Set. Every once in a while I'll see a set, or partial set, of tumblers. Maybe even with the set of coasters. But never, not in all my eBay scanning, estate sale climbing, net crawling days, have I ever run across a complete set with sugar and creamer (if creamer it is, you decide). I found this treasure on Etsy. Offered by tightsweaterloretta for $100.00, and worth every dime. Someone's mid-century modern kitchen is just dying for this! Get it while it's hot darlings. This won't last long.

This next item from SenseoFashion was originally meant to be a swimming suit coverup in the 1960s. I think it would be a killer top over leggings.




The top has a black background and features flowers of blue, yellow orange, and a touch of purple. It's made of polyester and has something of a metallic sheen to it, which makes it so today. The garment has both short sleeves and a halter sort of tie. I don't really understand the redundancy, but if it were mine, I'd just cut off the halter ties.

The top would fit a modern size 6. This is offered by tilicoultry for $45.00.




I am just in love with this 5" brass enlightened Buddha I found thumbing through Etsy. You can truly see Nirvana in the Buddhas expression. This wonderful reminder of mindfulness is being offered by fabulousmess, a veritable treasure trove of brass figurines, Hollywood regency finds, and Art Moderne pieces that I simply drool over. The Buddha may be yours for $30.00.




This to-die-for jacket has recently celebrated it's 100th birthday, as it comes from around 1910. Found on eBay I just adore the cut of it, from it's slightly poorer shoulders, to it's turned back cuffs, to it's flared waist. Though its hard to tell from the photographs, it's actually made from a pin striped "men's wear" type fabric. While i don't have any objections to the coat on a man, I think it would look smashing on a woman. Dare I say one with black lipstick and entirely too much eyeliner? It's trimmed in velvet and ribbons and lined throughout. Alas, the lining has been touched by the ravages of time, but the seller assures us it is all repairable, and it is, after all, a lining. The dimensions suggest that it could fit up to a size 10. I always like my coats just a wee bit oversized, so I'd suggest it for a size 8, your choice. Just remember, this is eBay and all sales are final.

The coat could be yours for the Buy It Now price of $225.00, or the best offer. Please see back issues of Second Hand News for pointers on making an offer.

And that my darling chickadees is that for today.

Until them Happy Shopping!

Second Hand Roze

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Location:Deep In The Heart Of Uncertain Texas