New items now available! 

Have a great weekend everyone!

1950s Nat Kaplan Blue Lace Dress $135

 1950s Seafoam Green Organza Dress $85

1960s Blue Chiffon Winged Dress, Zou Bisou Bisou $65

1960s Black Polka Dot & Marabou Trimmed Dress $105

1960s Striped Dress with Matching Shawl by Ruth Dukas $125

Dear Vintage Goddess...

Here is an interesting and thought provoking letter from a reader.

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Dear Vintage Goddess,

Television shows like "Mad Men" are so popular these days.  Do you think that retro 1960's clothing has become more popular because of our love of retro pop culture?

Thanks!
Maggie K.

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Dear Maggie K,

I love your question.  It would be naive (but nice) for us to think that clothing fashions rule the world and the earth revolves around vintage and retro clothing.  Although, I have to say that you are partly correct.

Traditionally runway fashions have always influenced home design 2 years after the fact.  But what does that have to do with clothing from a past era?  With the incredible resurgence of 1960's inspired designs, the entertainment and home decor industries have followed suit and joined the bandwagon, so to speak. 

Now it has become a chicken and the egg scenario.  Retro clothing influenced television.  Then television influenced retro "inspired" clothing and interior design.

Ursula Andress looking gorgeous

Some naysayers are saying that this is all going to come to a crashing end sooner than later.  The copycats will certainly see an end to their reign but true retro and vintage clothing will always have a great fan base.  That's because the real McCoys are not dependent on passing trends, but rather hold their values on different levels such as historical significance, sentimentality and the desire for individuality.

Carol

Off The Rack Mad Men Style

Banana Republic have collaborated with Mad Men's costume designer Janie Bryant to create a collection reminiscent of the 1950s & 1960s. Mad Men has influenced fashion in such a huge way and in such a positive way for the vintage clothing industry. I can only embrace this as a good thing.

It's always nice to have an option. Go true vintage or add vintage inspired pieces to your wardrobe. There are still those that are uncomfortable with second hand clothes and this gives those folks the opportunity to purchase new. This vintage seller sees this as a positive step. Those who did not want to foray into vintage just may make that journey - now that vintage is in the mainstream.

1960s tangerine & pink silk dress

1950s black fitted secretary dress

1950s Joan style secretary dress with side ruching

One Man's Pan Am Collection Came in Handy!

 The Real Pan Am Flight Attendants (who were called stewardesses then...political correctness was not necessarily practiced )

Imagine being a collector. Now imagine your collection enjoys the benefits of being part of a television series. Imagine that television series is Pan Am.

Despite being cancelled, the lead up to this show generated much positive buzz in the industry. Hoping to cash in on the Mad Men retro vibe, the opening episodes did well, but unfortunately did not 'fly'. Get it? Fly? hahaha. sorry, bad joke.

Anyway, Kelly Cusack who worked for Pan Am during it's last decade has managed to collect more than 10 000 pieces of memorabilia and has the largest collection known. Many of his pieces were used in the show - talk about authentic!

Collector's Weekly has a great interview with Mr. Cusack. Have a read, it's very interesting!

Pan Am Explorer Travel Bag

Pan Am Secret Agent Shoulder Bag

Glamour and Turbulence: I Remember Pan Am, 1966-91

It's a MAD, MAD Invasion!

Now that we are into September, I'm thinking about the exciting new television shows for the fall season.  In the midst of our current "Mad Men" craze, the networks have created 2 more 1960's era shows called "Pan Am" and "The Playboy Club".  Critics are skeptical of their success as viewership is currently ruled by the under 25 demographic who may not be really interested in "the old days".



"Pan Am"
msnbc.msn.com

 "Pan Am" is a one hour drama based on the 1960's heyday of this airline and the lives of its pilots and flight attendants.  Pan Am was a very glamorous way to fly back in those retro days.  Travelling was a lot more exotic than what it is today.



"The Playboy Club"
wikipedia.org

 "The Playboy Club" is a visually pleasing show about the original bunnies and patrons of the Chicago hot spot.  I am personally excited about seeing Eddie Cibrian again.  Here is a highly sexist environment that will show that 1960's women were about more than boobs, platinum hair and high heels.  "Don't let the fluffy tails fool you".

Time will tell if these 2 shows will be hits or not.  But in the meantime, let's enjoy these recreations of the 1960's.  I'll certainly be tuning in.



Wallflower Vintage Presents: When Mad Men Returns

Seductive silver brocade catapults this 1960s beauty into the twenty-first century. Only a few more months until the next season of Mad Men. Get ready with your own Mad Men themed summer party. Cocktail of choice? Martini, of course. Let Wallflower Vintage help you find the perfect outfit.

Wallflower Vintage Presents: Save a Horse. Ride a Hobby

1968 was a great year to display a favorite hobby purled across your back. Go Broncos! (or not)

Find more whimsy at WallflowerVintage.com.

Wallflower Vintage Presents: Executive Mad Men Dressing

Dress down Friday can be fun, but dressing up for work can be even better.

The charcoal gray dress is a 1960s throwback - perfectly Mad Men in style and modern in trend.

The 1940s silk dress exudes power and seduction in one. Regal without presumptions.

How do you dress for work or school? What vintage touches do you employ?

Let's Continue to Sing & Enjoy A Retro Cocktail

It’s a mad, mad world brought to life again courtesy of “Mad Men”

BELT IT OUT BABY!

“New York, New York” (abridged version) 

Just spreading the joy,

With vodka and gin,

I wanna be a part of it,

Cocktails, cocktails,

These martini flutes,

Are longing to fill,

I wanna be a part of it,

Cocktails, cocktails,

I wanna wake up,

In a city that wants to drink,

To find I'm queen of the night,

Ready to clink, fill me with joy....

The mixers are prepped,

All melt in your mouth,

I'm gonna drink the night away,

Cocktails, cocktails,

And if I can - make them well,

The party will - be quite swell,

It's up to us, cocktails, cocktails....

Mad Men inspiration, all now available.

Country Set by Margit, Vintage 60s Belted Shift Dress

Vintage 50s Blue Faille Swing Dress

Vintage 40s Men's Suit

Vintage 60s Sharkskin Jacket

Wallflower Vintage Presents: Mad Men's Joan

Whether you're a fan or not - you've heard of Mad Men - a drama about 1960s Ad Men. I have to admit, I watch it for the clothing and decor. The show is slowly turning a corner into the mid-60s and I do hope they keep on truckin' right into the 70s! The longer hair is starting to enhance the younger men's heads and the hemlines are not the only thing receding. The women's hair is getting poofier reminding me of the ever-present Dippity Do in my childhood bathroom.

One of the characters in Mad Men is Joan, a secretary who could run the agency were she a male. (Remember this is the mid-60s). A strong personality with a penchant for picking the wrong men. My featured dress today looks like something head-strong Joan would wear.

Mad Men at Your Table

Lekiah over at Events-Ualities Blog was a lucky lady recently. She had the opportunity of participating as one of 33 table designers for the Family Tree’s 19th annual Great Chefs’ Dinner. Regarded as one of Baltimore’s finest culinary traditions, this year’s dinner showcased Chef Alexandra Guarnaschelli, of the famed restaurant, Butter, in New York City. You may have also seen the chef on Alex’s Day Off on the Food Network.

Well, Lekiah needed a "New York State of Mind" themed table design and didn't she hit upon the fabulous idea of using the hit AMC show Mad Men as inspiration. (If you don't know this show, come down from your otherworldly planet and join us.....)

Vintage themed table? Of course! My absolute favorite part of her design were the giant lamps in the middle of each table. I still have those in my garage ...with the orange glass body, plastic bases and white shades...

I hear a cocktail been mixed somewhere...excuse me.

Have a drool over these photos and then head over to her blog to read the full details and see more photos.