The Sailor Dress

I picked up this sailor dress on Etsy, and I have to admit that I was afraid it would be a little too Lolita for me, but I just loved the buttons and the sailor-neck detail and had to give it a chance. I am surprised at how light it actually is. The material is velvet-like, but thin; stiff, but twirly. It's not really all that warm where I am today. Unusual, but it made putting on this vintage dolly, sailor, dress rather comfortable.

Etsy Shop Update: Summer State of Mind

I fell behind in posting items in the shop this week. Here's a few of the items that have just been put up!

Vintage Purple Silk Nipped Waist Wiggle Dress

Blossom Print Green Silk Bombshell Dress

Plaid Lanz Jumper Dress

Bouquet Print Summer Romper Dress

Vintage Gauzy White Secretary Day Dress

Prairie Dress Reform Pt.1

I know what you're thinking, "Part One?" My answer, "Totally!" What you read is true, this is part one in a series of prairie dress reform posts. You may have read in an earlier post about how a color scheme seemed to snowball it's way into my wardrobe and hasn't stopped. Well it seems the compulsion has struck again, only now instead of colors, it's a prairie theme. This should be nothing new to those of you who've seen me lately, but it all started last summer when I impulsively bought a country dance circle skirt on ebay (verily the most comfortable skirt in the entire universe, and twirly-fabulous, too!). I quickly ramped up in courage and started buying things with big ruffled collars and yards of fabric, most homemade, or easily alterable if needed. I'm not claiming to be a skilled seamstress or anything, but I have made a fair share of adjustments to my own vintage wardrobe, knowing full well that these items could get an awesome second-life out of me if I could personalize them to my tastes a bit more. I know a lot of gals have an aversion to compromising the original integrity of their one-of-a-kind steals, but you'll get more lovin' out of the piece if you really like it, so be brave and personalize it!
For this cutie, I snipped off some length and removed a pair of dowdy old billowing sleeves (yes, there were sleeves beneath those arm ruffles, very generous sleeves at that) and voila! She looks like a completely different number than she was before. I tried to find photos of her from 'before,' *sigh* none to be found, you'll just have to trust me on this one!

Floppy Hats and Seventies Dresses

Like every girl I know, I've been on the perennial hunt for a decent, wide-brim, floppy hat. You'd think it would be an easy find, seeing as they are pretty much in every retail store these days, but much to my chagrin I always seem to find something about them a little off. I had pretty much abandoned my search until this weekend, when I wasn't even on the hunt (you know the story), and I found this vintage one. It had that authenticity I had been looking for: not too big, certainly not too small, and even a bit Spy vs. Spy. I love it!
I've got to mention the dress while I'm at it, as it is pretty sensational and Seventies, too. I couldn't resist its electric blue allure, and as you've probably ascertained, I have a thing for flowy, comfortable, day-to-day dresses (secretary dresses or not, I dare say!). And the boots? Heck, you know I'll be living in them for as long into the summer as I can!

Etsy Shop Update: California Girl

California has completely influenced my view on clothing, fashion, and certainly my vintage picks. For as long as I can remember, I've been drawn to shapes, colors and textures that are hippie at heart- I can't help it! I've always loved the freedom of expression, if not by color, then by hemline, darned it! These dresses are bright, and just the thing I love about owning a one-of-a-kind piece!

60's Pink Paisley Mini-Dress

60's Pastel Psychedelic Shift Dress

60's Orange Cotton Polka-Dot Dropwaist Dress

60's Green Poly Day Dress

60's Watercolor Print Wiggle Dress

Etsy Shop Sneak Preview: Dress Details

This week I'm breaking the Etsy shop postings into two parts for a bit of cohesiveness. This group of darling dresses all have different silhouettes, but share one familiar trait: details! Here's a sneak preview of a few of the dresses that are going up in the shop over the next few days.

Vintage Emma Domb Multicolored Ethnic Print Day Dress

1950's 1960's Lace Wiggle Dress with Lace Vest Capelet

1950's Geometric Print Day Dress


1950's Wiggle Dress with Rainbow Brocade Cuffs and Collar Detail (see close up!)


Vintage 1970's Polyester Dress with Intricately Sequined Collar

90's Nostalgia and the "Goes With Everything" Tie-Waist Coat

I've been listening to a grunge mix that I came up with for my best girlfriend's road-trip, and it has been influencing everything from my wardrobe choices, to Etsy shop updates (if you don't believe me, check out the Moschino Dress, the Adrienne Vittadini Dress, and of course the Floral mini-dress, which someone may have just bought!). Something about this velvety, brown, Marc Jacobs dress reminds me of the 90's. Maybe it's the cut, the fabric, and the slip-showing hemline. I've only ever worn the dress with heels, which I think I like more, but when I pulled it out of the closet today, I wondered if I could wear it with some tall boots. After all, babydoll mini-dresses, combat boots, and fishnet tights were the quintessential 90's grunge look, right?
P.S. Remember that perfect, tie-waist, wrap coat that I was searching for? Here it is in action!

Favorite Secretary Dress

Sometimes a loose fitting secretary dress is better than even jeans and a slub-tee. Do you ever get into a color phase where everything you buy tends to follow in suit? My last phase has been going over a year strong now and it all started with a handbag the same color as those boots, then this secretary dress came along, and I'm actually quite surprised how much bang it has gotten for it's buck. It's very comfy and light- nothing too fancy, but most surprisingly it has made the transition from autumn to winter, and now spring! I think it's funny sometimes how an impulse buy can rapidly become an old favorite. I tried to get a close-up of the yoke detail for you, it's got this 70's vibe going with the ascot tie and all, and I think you just might get a kick out of the funky little leaf appliques.

Etsy Shop Sneak Preview: Summer Dresses and Weekend Wear

More going up tomorrow!

90's does 40's Moschino Accordion Pleat Dress

60's Lavender Textured Poly Day Dress

50's, 60's Canary Yellow I. Magnin Cashmere Cardigan

Navy and Green Print Cinched Waist Dress

50's, 60's Tapestry Swing Coat

Weekender Button-Back Tunic Top

70's Summer Skirt