Category Archives: Sundresses

VPOD: Vintage 1970s Khaki Sundress


vintage 1970s khaki sundress

In the short-lived series Arrested Development, David Cross humorously portrayed a character who was a “never-nude,” a person suffering from the real-life affliction known as gymnophobia, or fear of nudity.

And while this condition may be quite rare, I’m willing to bet that it has a corresponding fashion version because I know lots of women who haven’t a single nude-colored item in their closet. And maybe that’s because wearing nude colors can be kind of tricky.

I mean the whole idea behind wearing nude colors is their ability to give the illusion of nakedness even though you’re clothed. Which means they can be quite fun to play with.

Take today’s VPOD for instance. This vintage 1970s sundress in a pale khaki has an easy-breezy fit and huge patch pockets. Sure to become a go-to summer dress, you can pull this gem into fall with a little simple layering.

And you already have something in your closet to throw on top of it because its neutral shade will pair with everything from pink to red, from blue to brown, from black to jewel tones. Today it’s loose, tomorrow it’s belted. This week it’s the socks and sandals shown here, next week it’s your favorite pair of boots.

That’s a whole lot of stylin’ fun for a dress that costs under $50!

And that makes it a wonderful find for a vintage fashionista!

Available at Ramona West.

VPOD: Vintage Karim Bonnet Hand-Painted Sundress


Marilyn-style-hand-painted-dress-product

Are you a Vintage Purist? Do you only wear true authentic vintage?

If your answer is a resounding “Yes!” then what qualifies an item as true, authentic vintage?

On Etsy, to be considered “vintage” an item has to be at least 20 years old. And if you listen to some folks on Twitter, then you shouldn’t dare call anything younger than 20 years old “vintage” because that would make it “Retro.” Not “vintage.” Retro.

And then you have antique clothing, widely considered to be anything over 100 years old. Are these items also considered true authentic vintage?

I guess the point I’m trying to make is that each fashionista probably has her own idea of what vintage means to her. And while conventions in the industry are nice, there are a lot of young ladies out there who consider anything they buy in a thrift store, consignment boutique or Goodwill to be, well…you guessed it, vintage. And yes, that means even clothes just manufactured last season.

I suppose one can be a Vintage Purist and limit oneself to let’s see…as of today…only garments manufactured prior to September 9, 1990. But that could keep a girl from purchasing some mighty great finds!

For instance, since Karim Bonnet moved to a fashion college in Bastille in 1989, all of this designer’s beautiful Impasse de la Defense hand-painted dresses, including today’s halter-style VPOD, don’t qualify as pure “vintage.” Well, not yet anyway. But only time will tell if this man’s talent will become as collectible as other vintage designers that we covet today.

In the investment world, the mantra is “Buy Low, Sell High.” That’s good advice for the vintage clothing world, too, but I’d add a second mantra: “Buy Early, Sell High.”

And that means you may want to indulge in some not-quite-yet-vintage finds and sit back to hopefully watch all the Vintage Purists clamor for them in another decade.

It’s a strategic way to shop for a vintage fashionista!

Available at Shop Curious.

P.S. I’d love to hear how you define “vintage.” Please leave me a comment below.

(To receive the VPOD via email along with detailed size, price and purchase information, sign up for my growing email mailing list here. Your information will never be sold or shared and you can easily unsubscribe at any time.)

VPOD: Vintage Pastel Striped Sundress


vintage Pastel striped sundress

I was driving a good friend to the mechanic’s yesterday to pick up his car and moaning about how my sunroof wasn’t working. And as I was punching the button to show him the problem he said, “That’s cute. You’re trying to open the sunroof by pressing the garage door opener.”

So clearly my issue was no more serious than operator stupidity! Of greater concern to me, however, was his use of the word cute.

Cute?! No way!

I can think of plenty of words to describe me—some quite unflattering—but I outgrew cute at least two decades ago. It’s a compliment that should never be paid to women but only to adorable little lovelies like today’s VPOD.

This vintage cotton sundress with its summer-y pastel stripes and deep pockets also reveals plenty of tanned back—and all at a price that won’t break your wallet.

It’s a super-cute find for a young vintage fashionista!

Available from Ikahn Vintage.

(To receive the VPOD via email with detailed size, price and purchase information, sign up for my growing email mailing list here. Your information will never be sold or shared and you can easily unsubscribe at any time.)

VPOD: Vintage 1950s Roses Halter Sundress


sarah jessica parker in vintage halter dress vintage 1950s halter dress

The highlight of my week was the purchase of a vintage velvet gown made for Lana Turner. I’m not sure yet what film the actress wore the dress in, but you can imagine my glee when I spied the studio label with “Lana Turner” written clear as day.

Of course, any vintage piece from the 1930s or 1940s in this condition would have value, but that value is often escalated considerably when there is proof that a dress was worn by a celebrity or other historical person.

Then, of course, you have your “as seen in” or “as worn by” pieces. While the celebrity didn’t actually wear the piece that’s for sale, it is identical to a piece worn on a television show, in a movie, on a magazine cover, or on the red carpet.

Today’s VPOD, for instance, is an identical version of the 1950s rose print halter sundress worn by Sarah Jessica Parker as Carrie Bradshaw in Sex and the City. (By the way, note how Patricia Field tied the straps to create a more flattering decolettage for SJP. That is a styling genius at work!)

It’s a sweet little collectible find for a vintage fashionista!

Available at Redbox Vintage.

(To receive the VPOD via email with detailed size, price and purchase information, sign up for my growing email mailing list here. Your information will never be sold or shared and you can easily unsubscribe at any time. | Zuburbia is a member of the eBay Partner Network.)

eBAY ROUNDUP of Vintage Clothing Finds


vintage 1930s draped and beaded evening gownvintage maurice turquoise print dressvintage 1960s woven wicker handbag pursevintage 1990s versace cocktail dress

vintage hattie carnegie rhinestone floral earringsvintage paco rabanne nautical skirt and halter setvintage 1910 edwardian coatvintage 1930s satin and lace wedding dressing gown

vintage 1940s grey and chartreuse dressvintage limited edition yves saint laurent necklacevintage 1980s khaki safari jumpsuitvintage 1950s shaheen sarong sundress

vintage 1970s ethnic gauze and sequin tent dressvintage 1960s pink jackie o dress and coatvintage 1950s pin tuck and lace mexican dressvintage 1950s ruffled lace prom dress

GET READY, GET SET, BID!!!

CLICK IMAGE FOR MORE INFORMATION

Vintage 1930s Draped and Beaded Evening Gown (redhousevintage) | Vintage Turquoise Print Maurice Dress (cork123) | Vintage 1960s Woven Wicker Handbag (citrinedream) | Vintage 1990s Versace Couture Cocktail Dress (betz6358) | Vintage Hattie Carnegie Rhinestone Floral Earrings (hawaiibeads) | Vintage Paco Rabanne Nautical Skirt and Halter Set (koko1954) | Vintage Edwardian Coat (those12days) | Vintage 1930s Satin Wedding Lounging Gown (mynoble) | Vintage 1940s Grey and Chartreuse Day Dress (cheapthrillsvintage) | Vintage Limited Edition Yves Saint Laurent Necklace (remark16) | Vintage 1980s Khaki Safari Jumpsuit (thriftwares) | Vintage 1950s Alfred Shaheen Sarong Sundress (venusdjangoanddot) | Vintage 1970s Ethnic Gauze and Sequin Tent Dress (lacedwithromance) | Vintage 1960s Jackie O Dress and Coat Set (booboopeedoo) | Vintage 1950s Mexican Dress (gambinica) | Vintage 1950s Lace Ruffled Prom Dress (tangleofthorns) | (Disclosure: Editorial selections are made by Zuburbia with no direct promotional consideration from Bay sellers. Zuburbia is, however, a member of the eBay Partner Network).

(To receive the eBay Roundup via email, sign up for the growing email mailing list here. Your information will never be sold or shared and you can easily unsubscribe at any time.)


© Mary Kincaid 2006-2009
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