New Items Now Available!

New items now available. Have a great weekend everyone!

Valentino Silk Striped Blazer

Early 1950s soft fabric black handbag

Men's brocade Asian smoking jacket

Vintage silver & white rhinestone brooch

Yves Saint Laurent black velvet & leather slingbacks

New Items Now Available!

Enjoy the last long weekend of the summer everyone! Can you believe it's here already?!?!?

New items now listed and available. We have several plaid skirts that would be perfect for back to school :-)

Vintage lightweight wool black and white plaid skirt with leather straps and buckles $24.50

1950s cotton plaid skirt, blue and green with original belt $18.50

Vintage wool reversible pleated mini plaid skirt, $22.50

Vintage red and green plaid cotton skirt $26

Men's vintage tan corduroy jacket and vest by Jodhpurs $65

Sex in The Big Zip

In keeping with the last blog post about men's fashions, a client sent me these photos the other day. I just about fell off my chair when I saw them! 

We are often bombarded with sexual advertising these days and frequently think it is a new idea. Not so! Sex was everywhere in advertising as this will attest to.

Hardly subtle. Using words such as climax, hot nights to come and it's called the Big Zip. I won't even mention that it talks about her tongue...you have to read it!

Men should not wear jumpsuits. Actually, no one should.

 

 Ouch! It is screaming pimp if you ask me.

 

Quick help! I think they are being strangled by their ties!

 

I realize these are supposed to be sexy, but I just want to run from the bedroom.

My grandmothers afghans look better. No one should wear an afghan.

And as recently as the 80s....

Where Do You Put Your Hands?

I love pockets. I think men have such a great time with their tailored jackets as they have pockets on front, hidden inside, pockets in their trousers - tons of places to put all that is needed to carry throughout the day.

Don't get me wrong - a woman's purse is a sacred thing. But there are those times when a purse is simply in the way and I wish more women's clothing were strategically designed with pockets. There is debate on whether evening dresses should have pockets. It depends on the style of dress.  A fitted dress would simply look silly with a pocket's extra fabric - and everyone will see your cellphone and lipstick through the tight fit. However, 50s vintage dresses with full skirts are perfectly suited to pockets. Well hidden within the fabric of the skirt, a side pocket can be deep and hold our necessities. How liberating!

two side slit pockets well hidden in this 1950s cranberry dress from our store

deep side pockets for holding a little digital camera and cellphone, 

a retro Laura Ashley dress from SLV

you would never know there were pockets here!

full skirt with bow completely hides them.

Pockets on the outside of the skirt make it more casual, yet keeps it's very practical purpose.

 Vindemial Vintage

I'm a Hankerin' Fer Some Vintage

I'm sure there is a cowboy song in there somewhere...or maybe I just like the word hankerin'. I don't think it is an official word of any type, but colloquially it means 'to want'. 

Therefore, I want some western wear - specifically men's western shirts. Perhaps your beau will don one and sing a cowboy tune to you, on a bale of hay, riding in a wagon, under the stars...okay you get the idea! 

I'm a fan of the old cowboy tunes, even the rockabilly ones, although have never really partaken in the modern country style. Sorry Shania, you may be a fellow Canuck, but it's a bit sugary for me. 

Give me a real cowboy tune and a real cowboy shirt - like this one from American Vintage. It's the two-tone style that I enjoy with the black piping to finish it well. Available for $48.

Why I Love My Job!

This is why I love my job!

My latest acquistition of a wool worsted tuxedo coat tails, c. 1962. The inside pocket tailors label reads it was made for a Mr. WJR Wilson, Esq. Tailored by Jones Chalk & Dawson Ltd., 6 Sackville Street, Piccadilly, London, England. Silk lined and stunning!

When I opened the front breast pocket the original tailors work ticket was still folded inside! What fabulous history! In the biz, we call this 'provenance'.

Benjamin Bixby

Benjamin Bixby, aka Outkast André Benjamin is a singer. No a clothing designer...ahh, my age is showing. Youth music of today confuses me :-)

I love the music of Outkast and Mr. André launched a clothing line this past year, Benjamin Bixby. Inspired by vintage English fashion and sports of the 1930s this is an immaculate line of clothing for gents reflecting a collegiate theme with athletic details.

All modern singers and rappers seem to feel they have 'style'. Some do...some don't. André is in the first category. He has the talent and intelligence to research, sketch the clothes, and fund the line himself. He did not just put his name to a line of clothing someone else is responsible for designing. It's not a cash grab and this is obvious. He has not launched into clothing and perfume and home accents and handbags and shoes...over stimulating the market with all things André. His collection is a mere 70 pieces. I hope more is to come for 2009.