Tromp l'oeil is an art technique that creates the illusion of three dimensions and is used with fabulous effect on today's VPOD. This gorgeous silk 1980s blouse by Zandra Rhodes features printed necklace sketchwork along with a dramatic obi belt. What a fantastic find for a vintage fashionista! Available at Dorothea's Closet 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... Read Full Story
With the fashion industry so focused on the outside, it's good to remember that it's what's on the inside that counts. No matter how beautiful a woman may appear to the eye, if she is nasty or mean-spirited her beauty will diminish the minute she opens her mouth. And James Galanos knew that what was on the inside counted, too. He established a reputation for creating garments whose insides were just as meticulously finished and beautiful as their outsides. Today's VPOD, a 1980s wool dress... Read Full Story
I was watching The Rachel Zoe Project last night and Rachel was talking about her two great loves: (1) her husband, Roger, and (2) the fashion world. And that got me to thinking about love and fashion. Have you ever noticed that finding the perfect dress and finding the perfect man have a lot in common? While each task requires you to be proactive (dresses and men don't generally fling themselves at your door!), no matter how systematic your approach, there will always be an element of... Read Full Story
Believe it or not, there are still a whole lot of women who believe that vintage = mothball-scented grandma sweaters + frumpy housedresses. Au contraire! Sure there are loads of these types of items living in thrift shops throughout the country, but there are also little gems like today's VPOD hidden away. This little sweater shell has beads and sequins galore but looks tres chic with skinny jeans--not at all frumpy or old-fashioned. This one is missing a bead or sequin here and there. But... Read Full Story
Cashmere is known as the "diamond fiber" in China and could be this vintage fashionista's favorite eco-fabric. After all, quality cashmere garments can last forever with little to no pilling. They can be hand-washed requiring no chemical-heavy dry-cleaning. Plus they are about eight times warmer than wool and don't wrinkle. But... ...China's increased production of cashmere to meet our needs in the West is having a huge detrimental effect on its land, air and water. Not to mention the... Read Full Story
I just returned from the northeast where the autumn leaves are beginning their annual display of fall splendor. Of course, with today's VPOD, there's a way to bring this beautiful change of seasons to any part of the country. This 1960s vintage black cotton skirt with felt leaves is oh-so-charming and screams "It's Autumn!" loud and clear. It's a beautiful way to welcome fall for a vintage fashionista! Available at Archive Vintage. (To receive the VPOD via email with detailed size... Read Full Story
They're #4 on Elle Magazine's list of Fall Must-Haves and the good news is that you don't have to own or operate a motorcycle to join in the fun. Yes, motorcross jackets are all the rage this season--good news for vintage fashionistas since there's no better way to get an authentic lived-in look that to find a jacket that has actually been peppered by pebbles from the road. Of course, not all of these jackets are distressed, some are quite slick and shiny--like today's VPOD. This 1980s... Read Full Story
Women have always played a significant role in fashion and The Museum at FIT is celebrating their contributions in a special exhibit, Arbiters of Style: Women at the Forefront of Fashion. The show runs through November 8 and features over seventy looks from influential female designers as well as fashion leaders like Diane Vreeland, fashion executive Rose Marie Bravo, photographer Louise Dahl Wolf and Lauren Bacall. These arbiters of style--though often not well-known by the general public... Read Full Story
Millions of women have been inspired by Coco Chanel and her timeless designs as well as by her own sense of personal style. And you can watch her rags-to-riches story in an original three-hour Lifetime movie airing this Saturday at 8 pm. Tune in or set the DVR to follow her humble beginnings through her rise to fame. The Chanel brand, of course, is still strong with a totally distinctive look and feel. Just check out today's VPOD. The bold black-and-red color combination of this vintage... Read Full Story
