Category: Vintage Fashion

Content dealing with vintage clothing, jewelry, other accessories, related products and ephemera.

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Review: Kiyonna’s fabulous 1940s lace dresses…in plus sizes!

Kiyonna Boudoir
Kiyonna Scalloped Boudoir Lace Dress. Cocktail hat from Pinup Girl Clothing.

I’ve shopped with Orange County, CA- based plus size clothing manufacturer Kiyonna since 2007. Their fashions are classy, made in the USA, and designed with curvy figures in mind. What’s more, a good portion of their dresses and separates are retro-inspired. Some of their best sellers include gorgeous 1940s-inspired lace cocktail dresses in sizes 10-32 US. That’s right; 0x-5x! Over the past six years, I’ve worn everything from Kiyonna size 0 to Kiyonna size 3, so I’m well-acquainted with their fit.
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Summer Preview: Red Poppies from Bettie Page Clothing

Bettie Page Clothing Poppy Seed Red Circle Dress
Bettie Page Clothing Poppy Seed Red Circle Dress.

Given all the amazing Memorial Day sales online, I had to pick up several things. I wasn’t really planning on purchasing anything but my new red Dita Cardigan from Wheels & Dollbaby, but the Poppy Seed Red Circle Dress by Bettie Page Clothing really, well, popped out at me as I browsed the sales!

Bettie Page and Unique Vintage were sold out of my size, so I purchased mine from ever-reliable JBR Clothing in Brea, CA. JBR’s regular price for this dress is $10 less than Bettie Page Clothing’s, plus they offer regular free shipping on this dress! Even though I ordered on the Friday before Memorial Day, JBR shipped the very next day. The dress reached me on Tuesday afternoon, a mere four days (one a Sunday, another a holiday) after I ordered!
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It’s back: the Wheels & Dollbaby Dita Cardigan!

Red Wheels & Dollbaby Dita Cardigan
Red Wheels & Dollbaby Dita Cardigan.

Australian company Wheels & Dollbaby is known for exquisite vintage-inspired fashions for women, especially its famous Dita Cardigan. The Dita is a design collaboration with contemporary burlesque queen Dita Von Teese, perfect for ladies who like a bit of girlish glam in their cool weather wardrobe. These usually sell out fast, so we’ve been anxiously awaiting this season’s options for months!
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Outfit of the Weekend: Vintage cocktail dress

Here’s one more quickie! It’s a 1950s cocktail gown from Relic Vintage in San Francisco. The lining is a pleasant peach color, overlaid with black flocked organza with sparkles. No label, but it fits wonderfully over my Goddess longline bullet bra!

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Summer Vintage Preview

Vintage Dress
Pink vintage sun dress.

I like labels, but I’m happy to buy something homemade if it’s beautiful and fits well. This bubblegum-pink vintage sun dress – purchased last year on Etsy – totally fits the bill! The fabric is incredibly unique, with its vast harbor scene and vibrant color.

Here, I’m wearing it with a white patent belt by Deadly Dames and white “Polly” style slides by Bordello. Perfect for summer!

The earrings and brooch are vintage ivory from Japan.
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Outfits of the Season: Jenny skirts, Jenny dress, and ye olde Vamp tops

 

Jenny Skirt
Jenny skirt in Harlequin print with Vamp top in mint.

A few months ago a mentioned some of my most-anticipated spring clothing items, among them Pinup Couture’s Jenny circle skirts and dresses.

I’m pleased to report that the Jenny items are vibrantly colored and very full. The cotton sateen fabric is thick enough to stay crisp, yet lightweight enough to help you stay cool in summer heat. The skirts are very nearly a complete circle, and look very authentic over crinolines. They are also tea-length, while the Jenny dress comes up just a bit higher.
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Outfit of the Week: Polka dots and gingham things

Okay, so it’s a poor play on “Polka Dots and Moonbeams,” but I’m obsessed with dots, gingham, and the song, so it kinda works. More importantly, I just bought a great vintage cotton dress that features gingham polka dots – that feeds two birds with one ball of seed!

It’s got a Kay Whitney label and a super double-layered pocket on the front right. Mega late ’50s style; in fact, my mom saw it and immediately informed me that she and her friends had several dresses like this back in the later 1950s and early 1960s.

Kay Whitney summer dress
Kay Whitney summer dress with Deadly Dames vinyl belt.
Kay Whitney dress fabric
Kay Whitney dress fabric.

And here’s “Polka Dots and Moonbeams,” as presented by the Chet Baker Quartet:

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Spring Vintage!

Cat bookends by Lefton Japan
Cat bookends by Lefton Japan.

How’s this for an oxymoron? I’m always on the lookout for new vintage! This spring, I’ve found a perfectly pastel beaded cardigan in Easter yellow, a gorgeous late 1940s A-line dress with an illusion bodice and keyhole detail, and a cute pair of white porcelain kitten bookends by Lefton Japan. Who needs bunnies when you can have cute little white kitties on your bookshelf? Continue reading “Spring Vintage!”