Tag: spring

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New Trashy Diva: Ashley and Lena sarong dresses in gorgeous prints!

Trashy Diva Ashley Dress in Crepe Myrtle
Trashy Diva Ashley Dress in Crepe Myrtle print.

You guys know I love Trashy Diva. It’s my favorite mid-century reproduction clothing brand for three reasons: Great fit, unique designs with excellent period details, and lush repro fabrics! Two of their latest Spring offerings – the Ashley dress in Crepe Myrtle print and the new Lena sarong dress in Blue Hawaii print – fulfill each of these requirements, and more!

I come from a region that’s known for its crepe myrtle bushes and trees. At one time, we were the world’s commercial crepe myrtle capital! These hot weather beauties still proliferate here, with lacy blooms ranging the color gamut from white to lavender to hot pink to deep red. As a huge fan of the crepe myrtle, I had to buy this Ashley dress! Continue reading “New Trashy Diva: Ashley and Lena sarong dresses in gorgeous prints!”

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Guest Post: Trashy Diva Apple Pie Dress for Betty Le BonBon!

Trashy Diva Apple Pie Dress
Trashy Diva Apple Pie Dress

This week I’m a guest writer at Jasmine’s wonderful Betty Le BonBon blog, reviewing the Apple Pie dress from one of my favorite vintage reproduction brands, Trashy Diva!

Check out the review, and Jasmine’s great fashion and lifestyle blog, here!

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February in Paris with Bernie Dexter

Bernie Dexter Paris dress - turquoise floral
Bernie Dexter Paris dress – turquoise floral

I’ve had my eye on Bernie Dexter‘s Paris dress for a while now. It’s a beautiful early 1960s-style sundress with a ruched bust panel and semi-circle skirt that comes in a variety of beautiful prints. I first admired the Paris in the pink blossom print – a springy cherry theme – but soon fell in love with the turquoise and rose fabric style as well.

In addition to their beauty, Bernie’s made-in-USA pieces are also high quality. They’re not cheap, which means I usually wait until they’re on some sort of sale. Luckily, I happened upon both of my favorite Paris fabricways on mark down this month! The pink blossom Paris was on clearance at BernieDexter.com while the turquoise floral was 20% off in the Unique Vintage Presidents’ Day sale. Since the beautiful Bernie Dexter Veronique dress in the blush cabbage rose print was on extra mark down at Unique Vintage, I picked it up too!

Continue reading “February in Paris with Bernie Dexter”

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Happy Valentine’s Day: Bernie Dexter’s Sweetheart dress in doily print

Bernie Dexter Sweetheart Dress
Bernie Dexter Sweetheart Dress

I’m a sucker for fussy floral stuff. I’m not exactly Chintz Nation, but you give me a black dress covered in doily-decked pink and yellow nosegays and I’m in the clouds. We’re talking Bespinian proportions here, probably because nosegays and doilies remind me of Alfred Hitchcock’s Vertigo. So when I first saw Bernie Dexter’s fabulous Sweetheart dress in the floral doily print, I just about died.

Continue reading “Happy Valentine’s Day: Bernie Dexter’s Sweetheart dress in doily print”

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Review: Voodoo Vixen Roxy dress and Eleanor Cardigan

Voodoo Vixen Roxy dress
Voodoo Vixen Roxy dress and Eleanor cardigan.

Things are thawing out like crazy here in NorCal, which means Spring is on the horizon. When Voodoo Vixen UK offered to send me some samples of their beautiful clothing, I Immediately zeroed in on the perfectly pink Roxy swing dress and mint green Eleanor cardigan. Both are uber-girly without being too frilly and the colors are light and Springy without being too pastel.

When I requested Roxy, I expected a lightweight cotton fabric with a pretty pink print. I got a rich-looking brocade in a GORGEOUS light salmon-pink with cream accents. Seriously, this fabric looks it comes from a robe à la Francaise straight out of Marie Antoinette’s wardrobe. It’s that lovely. Roxy is fully lined and it’s short, but not indecently so, coming to just above my knee (I’m 5’8″ plus). The shawl collar and decorative oversized buttons down the bodice give the dress a nice 1950s effect and a little belt finishes off the look. The belt is made of the same lightweight fabric as the lining, though, which may not be sturdy enough for you. In the pictures, I wear the Roxy with both her own belt and my white Deadly Dames belt for contrast.

Continue reading “Review: Voodoo Vixen Roxy dress and Eleanor Cardigan”

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Outfit of the Day: More vintage Alfred Shaheen

I love kitschy, tiki things and my favorite fashions are mid century designs inspired by Polynesian and Asian art. After falling in love with a pretty blue Alfred Shaheen last year, I recently obtained another, very different Shaheen style this month!

Vintage Alfred Shaheen Dress
Vintage Alfred Shaheen Dress.

This one’s a strapless mid-1950s dress with a pleated shelf bust and full skirt. I’m not usually a fan of brown, but the fabric on this one is gorgeous! It’s a rich, cool brown Polynesian texture with gorgeous, creamy white blossoms. The pleated upper bodice is a nice, sharp white that contrasts nicely with the brown texture of the main dress.

Continue reading “Outfit of the Day: More vintage Alfred Shaheen”

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Spring is coming! Pantone heralds the change in seasons with Spring 2014’s colors…

This spring’s Pantone Palette for women is half brights, half pastels. Pantone claims this is emblemmatic of designers’ and consumers’ interest in establishing “equilibrium,” whatever that means. There are three blues, four if you count “Paloma,” a light blue-gray.

Women's Spring 2014 Color Report - Pantone Fashion Color Report - from Pantone.com
Women’s Spring 2014 Color Report – Pantone Fashion Color Report – from Pantone.com.

The “Freesia” yellow would make a pretty halter dress. “Dazzling Blue” screams accessories to me. And minty, pastel greens are always pretty, so “Hemlock” would work for just about anything.

I’m not sure what I think. What do you think?

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Vintage Milestones: Emma Domb, Alfred Shaheen, and FUZZY SWEATERS

Emma Domb Dress Label
Emma Domb Dress label.

I’m at this really transitional point, bodywise. I’ve been too small for most dedicated plus lines for years, and yet, I’m only just now finding awesome designer vintage that really fits me ( at 42-32-48″). Luckily, I managed to find two beautiful late ’50s/early ’60s designer pieces that fit me perfectly!

First is a gorgeous coral lace Emma Domb gown, vintage size 16. It’s floor-length with a crossover bodice.

Most people are familiar with Emma Domb’s famous mid century prom dresses and elegant evening wear, but I was a little surprised to learn that the Domb label came out of San Francisco, which essentially makes this dress local to me!

Continue reading “Vintage Milestones: Emma Domb, Alfred Shaheen, and FUZZY SWEATERS”