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



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Location:Deep in the Heart of Uncertain Texas

Finds On The Fly or Roze Hits SenseoFashion

These days there's no telling what you'll find at the bottom of a pair shoes. At the House of Dior they're using everything from what looks like a knitting needle to the wooden (or plastic) equivalent of an ice cream cone.

These particular creations, strange as they are, actually herald from the 70s not the latest couture creation.






Look kind of like the end of a violin, don't they?







And they cut quite a profile.

I found these killer shoes at SenseoFashion. Created by Amano in the late 60s or early 70s, these leather shoes show some wear, but are absolutely in wearable condition. Sized 9.5, you can imagine what I'd give to shrink them just a tad! Offered by DorotheasCloset for $250.00, a steal for shoes with this much style.


Also from SenseoFashion is this incredible, curve hugging, electric blue, lamb suede dress from the 1980s.







A color one of my friends used to call "zapper blue"' this luscious body hugging dress was made by Firenze and is shired along the back to emphasize each curve.







The dress measures 36" 24" 36" and is 47" long. I'm especially pleased by the length of the dress, as I believe rather long dresses can create this long, lean, almost column-like appearance.

Offered by Daisy Fairbanks M 'a for $125.00.


My final find of the day from SenseoFashion is this One of a Kind Couture creation by Katharine Hamnett of London from the 1980s.







Though labeled a size L, the stretch of the fabric is such that it will fit anyone from a size 2 to a size 8. I shudder to think of a world in which a size 8 is a "large"' but I'll set that aside to focus on the timeless beauty of this dress. Made from a silk, cotton blend, the style of the dress owes an obvious debt to the undergarments of the Edwardian era. The fact that this is a dress and not a slip only adds to the sexiness of the slip-dress.






The semi-fish tale hemline adds to the timeless quality of the dress, and the adjustable shoulder straps enhances the dresses ability to fit a variety of sizes.

Offered by TheKaliman for $300.00.

And on that note, I shall wish you all Good Shopping!

Second Hand Roze



- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Location:Deep in the Heart of Uncertain Texas

Finds on the Fly March 29, 2011

One of the first things that caught my eye today were these killer "Pom Pom" shoes from eBay.





Made by MIA, these shoes are not vintage, they aren't even used, they are new and in their original box. My favorite color - bronze, but they're calling it mushroom. They can call it anything they want, it's still bronze to me. With sweet platforms, peek-a-boo toes and four inch heels, I think these shoes are the sweetest footwear I've run across in a while. Offered by molliedog80 for an opening bid of $9.99. If these weren't a size 9 they'd be on my size 8.5 feet.


The next thing to catch my eye was this absolutely to-die-for 1940's silk satin evening dress also on eBay.




My mother had a very similar gown from being a bride's maid for a cousin, and I've never forgotten the feeling of being swathed in smooth, heavy, glamorous silk and the sumptuous feeling of wearing that lovely dress. The shoulder straps really exist to facilitate hanging the gown on a hanger. Once you've got it on, let those straps disappear into the folds of the shoulder band. Then what's left to admire is the lovely gathering of the fabric along the left seam.

Offered by VintageWear for the Buy It Now price of $200.00.






The gown is the equivalent of a modern size 3, with 33" bust and a 24" waist. The skirt is full and the hips are free. Nevertheless it would be a grave disservice to the historical integrity of the gown to wear it with a crinolines even though it would easily accommodate one.





The gown is a size 3 and is in excellent vintage condition. It secures with a side metal zipper, as is usual for gowns of this period.


For hundreds of years, the rituals of mourning were governed by very strict social norms. In the immediate time period following a loss, a woman could wear only black, listen to somber music and interact only with members of her immediate family. Once this period was completed, the woman could wear black mixed with deep purple and her social circle could expand somewhat.

Following the death of Queen Victoria's beloved Prince Albert, all the rules of mourning changed. The Queen was so bereft at the loss of her consort that in some ways she went into a permanent state of deep mourning. She wore only black for the rest of her life. Though her station and duties required that she continue many social rituals, she replaced some ordinary life rituals with rituals of mourning which were mimicked by women in the British Empire, America, and indeed throughout the world.

During this time of global mourning, it became fashionable to make jewelry, or elaborate braids from the hair of the deceased. It was also customary for the widow to retain some of the flowers which had been displayed with the casket of the deceased. The frame shown below for eBay houses such a remembrance.






This particular photograph does not display the three dimensional nature of the memorial, so I tried to find a photograph which better depicts that aspect of the display.





I'm not sure of this, but the metal "At Rest" sign, may have served as a temporary grave marker for the cemetery until the final monument could be carved, completed, and placed at the gravesite.





The flowers from the gravesite and Funeral home have obviously been arranged with such care by the loved ones left behind.

At the risk of committing sacrilege, I would propose turning this into a memorial of a different type. Perhaps one might wish to display the first shoes, a silver rattle, and the Baptismal gown of a much beloved child. The flowers, an invitation, and perhaps the cork from the first bottle of champagne could memorialize a wedding. But the truth is, there are limitless possibilities for the use of such a lovely antique frame and unusual shadow box.

This fabulous artifact is offered for auction by oneofadozen and is currently priced at $103.50. I expect that price to jump considerably in the last 3 minutes of bidding. It might be quite the thing to watch. I also strongly suggest that anyone with a genuine interest in true antiques take the time to peruse their inventory. You will no doubt find it to be of interest.

And so passes another day on eBay. I hope you found something which gives you pleasure.

Happy Shopping Darlings!

Second Hand Roze



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Catch of the Day: March 18, 2011 Putting a Tiger in your Tank

I cheated on this one.  Yes. I must confess, that I found this not today, not even yesterday, but late Tuesday evening.  And I knew right away they were entirely too cool to not blog about.  It was destiny.  It was written in the stars,  it was... a lucky turn of a page in eBay.

My goodness! Aren't they magnificent?  Aren't they just the cat's frickin' pajamas?  (Cats do too wear pajamas!) I think they are so cool I can hardly stand it. They have but two flaws.  The first is they are not vintage. I find that forgivable. Ocassionally au currant designers actually come up with art worth looking at. The second flaw is slightly more sticky. They are a size 5.5.  I'm yet to find an effective means of shrinking my feet.  

The leopard covered platforms are well met with the leopard and black back zippers:'

The platform and wedge bootie are made of luxe leopard and black velvet.  They feature round toes, cushioned insoles, rear zippers and rubber soles.  It's really not been so long since my gallbladder surgery and I could put on and take off these shoes with ease.  Many people are giving them , giving them, to the movement limited. Charity need not always be ugly!  Out those ugly orthopedic things back on the shelf where they belong!

Similar (as in almost identical) shoes are currently selling for over $200.00.  These can be yours for an initial bid of $29.65 or a Buy It Now Price of $33.85.  Part of the fabulous offerings of Tambukiki, along with the following which I could simply Not leave out:

Now that, ladies and gentlemen, is how it's done!

Happy shopping to you darlings!  May your bargains be as plentiful as this stores stock!

Second Hand Roze