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.

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VPOD: Vintage 1970s Neiman Marcus Sweater & Being a KnitWit


Glorious Knits by Kaffe Fassett

While most folks define a KnitWit as someone who has a flair, knack or talent for knitting, I give the word a whole new meaning. After all, I can’t knit a stitch and yet I also can’t resist scooping up every vintage knitting book I can find. So I’m either a KnitWit or a Nitwit and I think the former label is far more flattering.

And Knitwit that I am, I found a real treasure at my local library book sale this weekend. Just take a peek at this little sampling of the oh-so-fab designs in the out-of-print book, Glorious Knits. I mean who could resist right?

glorious knits pic 3 glorious knits pic 1

glorious knits pic 4 glorious knits pic2

Then today I come across today’s VPOD, a beautiful vintage 1970s sweater from Neiman Marcus with the most amazing details.

vintage 1970s neiman marcus sweater jacket back vintage 1970s neiman marcus sweater jacket back

vintage 1970s neiman marcus sweater jacket detail 2 vintage 1970s neiman marcus sweater jacket detail

Coincidence? I think not.

I think the Fashion Gods were reminding me that while I might not be talented enough to spin yarn into gold, I don’t have to settle for boring, ho-hum, ordinary sweater choices this fall. After all, this vintage find is anything but ordinary with embroidered panels on the kimono sleeves and a very unique yarn-stitched open back.

Which, by the way, is a great little idea to incorporate into one of your own knitting projects if you happen to be one of those talented yarn-into-gold types.

And if not, then this pre-made beauty is a sure-fire way to be a Knitwit-ed vintage fashionista!

Available at Swank Vintage. | Discovered at TheFind.com.

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Pantone Announces Fashion Color Report Spring 2011


pantone fashion color report spring 2011

It’s here! The PANTONE(R) Fashion Color Report for Spring 2011.

Yes, that’s right. I said SPRING 2011.

I know most of you are still just adjusting to the fact that Fall is around the corner but fashion insiders are already looking ahead to what we’ll be wearing six months from now. And these are the Top Ten colors to put on your radar:

pantone spring2011

But don’t stop here! Download the FREE PDF report which includes designer sketches, quotes and headshots. Here’s just a peek at what you can expect to find inside:

pantone spring fashion color report 2011 page

It’s loads of fun for fashionistas!

VPOD: Vintage 1990s Todd Oldham Leopard Print Boots


vintage 1990s todd oldham leopard print boots

amur leopard

According to ISEC, the International Society for Endangered Cats, the Amur Leopard is the most critically endangered wild cat whose numbers are known. Now take a guess how many of these beautiful creatures remain in the wild today. Go ahead, guess.

Not 5,000.

Not 500.

Not even 50!

In 2007, which are the last census figures stated, only somewhere between 25 and 34 of these spotted cats were still roaming their natural habitat in a small area south of the Far East-Primorskii region of Russia.

Does anyone else find it alarming and disturbing that while we women are clamoring for the faux leopard-prints that are so trendy for fall, a few dozen Amur leopards are literally hanging on for dear life, facing extinction of their species?

While I’m not suggesting that anyone should necessarily shun wearing a gorgeous leopard print like the one adorning today’s VPOD on a pair of 1990s Todd Oldham boots, I would like to suggest that when we don our leopard-print scarves and dresses and skirts this fall that we remember (and perhaps support) ongoing conservation efforts by organizations like ISEC to keep all endangered wild cats alive and well.

That’s how you become an eco-conscious vintage fashionista!

Available at Frockology.

Image Credit: ISEC

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© Mary Kincaid 2006-2009
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