Debutante Clothing :: A vintage clothing and fashion blog for unconventional style where vintage and runway meet.

Check out my latest round up titled Vintage Bling at Venuszine.com! Lot's of sparkly goodies for your holiday wardrobe.

The tarts over at Locher's want to know how naughty or nice (but preferably naughty) you've been this year. Since it is the season for giving, and sweet tidings and all those things, NICOLE LOCHER has decided to get into the holiday spirit and give 10 LUCKY WINNERS something for FREE from the Locher's store.

Here is how you can get the chance to get your grubby little mitts on something sweet.

Instead of writing Santa about how good you were this year, Nicole wants to know just how bad you were. The top ten letters of all the naughty secrets and slutty things you did over the past year will be rewarded with ANY one item of your choice from the store for FREE with free shipping.

Don't worry, your emails are just for Nicole to read in private - no one will ever know. You can write in English, French or German, and the juicier, the better. True stories only - Nicole will smell bullshit and it won't be considered.

Email your story until DECEMBER 14th to badsanta@lochers.com. Tell them Debutante Clothing sent ya. Best of luck!

In the last chapter of How to Dress for Success, Edith Head gave us the perfect formula for dressing to get and keep a man. But what about him? What about what we want our man, and our offspring, to look like? They are a direct extension of us.

"The woman who is always elegantly coiffed, meticulously dressed and fashionably turned out while her mate and offspring look like orphans of the storm deserves, and gets, little credit for her sparkling appearance."

Clothes Make the Man

Miss Head acknowledges that if your husband is a Dapper Dan, you needn't worry. However, if your guy is a Sloppy Joe, you may need to take matters into your own hands. She advises you pick out his clothes and lay them out for him. Especially if you want Sloppy to climb the career ladder.

She also suggests you get him a subscription to Esquire "for the articles". He won't be able to avoid the fashion so hopefully picks up a fashion cue or two. Give him advice on what looks good on him, but be gentle and tender. Don't take my approach - "You're going to wear THAT?" It doesn't work.

Formula for Having a Better Dressed Husband
1. Take an active interest in how your husband looks and in his wardrobe. Analyze both him and it.

2. Learn about men's fashions. Know about fabrics, styles, features and prices. Shop men's departments and men's magazines.

3. If your husband's wardrobe concept needs improvement, work with him (rather than on him) to educate his tastes, change habits and turn his indifference into enthusiasm.

4. Shop with him and for him to make sure his clothing i becoming, well-fitted, flattering and properly coordinated.

5. Most important of all, help to keep his wardrobe in condition - clean, pressed and mended. A well-groomed man looks successful and has the best chance of being successful.

Tomorrow...children and teens!

This week we've got finding the perfect coat on Retro Chick and The Bare Skinny. A Few Goody Gumdrops knocked me out my chair with the most amazing diamond necklace I've ever seen. Hello, Lover, Hello Pantone... finally they are getting into shoes. 39thandbroadway explains the mystery that is behind sizes, it's not your vanity. Debutante Clothing shows us safety pin couture, and The Coveted gives us all the reasons we need not to fake it.

• 39thandbroadway - The truth behind your size label and your vanity!
• A Few Goody GumDrops - A Few Goody Gumdrops is drooling over the all diamond necklace from Mauboussin!
• Being High Maintenance, not Bitchy - How to capture classic 3.1 Phillip Lim style for less
• Capitola Girl Jewelry Blog - The Steampunk-stylings of two indie jewelry artists who take wire-wrapped rings to another dimension...
• Debutante Clothing - Debutante Clothing finds vintage inspiration from couture safety pins
• Diary of a Style Addict - is coveting Rihanna's look on her new "Rehab" video
• Dogmom's Dish - Tokidoki's Simone Legno In San Francisco
• dreamecho - Weapon of Choice: Cultural Commentary, Trivialization and Personal Responsibility in Fashion
• fashion fille - A realization of the blogosphere's current sequin obsession.
• fashion in my eyes - In Maglia E Meglio,Christian Louboutin for Rodarte
• Fashion Pulse Daily - Fashion Pulse can't wait to get its hands on the Hayden-Harnett handbag collection for Target in December; get a sneak peak now!
• Flights of Fab Fashion Fancy - Flights of Fab Fashion Fancy is loving these young, easy, chic looks from Sandro-a trendy-chic Parisian brand!
• Hello, Lover... Shoe Daydreams - A special limited-edition collaboration between Pantone, the definitive guide to color and SeaVees, the purveyors of California casual
• In Life and In Fashion - Why I am inspired by the woman who invented the wrap dress.
• Independent Fashion Bloggers - Geek Chic: Best Tech for Fashion Bloggers
• Iole in fashion - Sex and The city...again!
• Little Black Book - Fashion Palette: a must for aspiring designers and persons hoping to make it in the fashion industry.
• Mademoiselle Robot - With Christmas approaching, it is useful to know how to wear sequins without looking like a Christmas tree!
• Or False Glitter - - Cherry Lip Lolita: youthful yet provocative beauty
• PONY RYDER - A story behind Laurel S. sign up with NY model management.
• Retro Chick - Baby it's cold outside: A Guide to buying your perfect Winter Coat.
• Shopping and Info - Shopping and Info found some great clutches that look like Angelina Jolie's from the Changeling Private Screening in London
• Some Like It Fashion - Going for Gold: The metallic look has evolved and given birth to a new trend. Some Like It Fashion discusses the merits of metal within clothing.
• Style Discovery - "Transformation: Fremantle High Street Collective 2008″. Local fashion delight brought to you by Style Discovery from Perth, Western Australia.
• Style Symmetry - Eyeliah calls cream and yellow a trend to watch!
• The Bare Skinny - Hitting the Trenches to Find the Perfect Coat
• THE COVETED - Faking Confessionals...and reasons why not to do it....
• The Ongoing Project - Developing your personal style, part 3
• The Subadult Years - A personal look at the effectiveness and limitations of the eco-friendly fashion trend in Toronto.
• Your Style Star - 5 Simple Tips For Surviving Holiday Parties

I've been curling up with a few fashion books lately - D.V. by Diana Vreeland and How to Dress For Success by Hollywood costume designer, Edith Head.

When I won this book on Ebay, I thought it would be a funny read - a social shock at how much we have evolved as women when it comes to expectations of beauty and style. Ha! There are some rules that just never change. And considering Ms. Head is one of the most celebrated costume designers and stylists of our time, she ought to know a thing or two about style.

For the next 13 weeks, I will be posting the chapter summaries for each chapter of How to Dress for Success.

Tim Gunn, move over. We're about to take some style lessons from the gal that's been around the catwalk a few times.

In this chapter, Edith Head discusses how to dress appropriately for the type of job you want, but once you get to that rung in the ladder, buck the trends and be yourself. She gives a wonderful anecdote of dressing Sofia Lauren for her role as a poor housekeeper in the film Houseboat. Head says, "Believe me, this took more doing than making Olive Oyl into a sex symbol. It's harder to make a sow's ear out of a silk purse than vice versa."

Here is her Success Formula for How to Dress:

1. Decide what kind of job you really want and prepare yourself for it.
2. Decide if you are qualified for it. If not, look for one you can handle.
3. Find out the "image" of the job - how women in that field or firm look and dress. Ask someone who works there. If you don't know anyone, go at noontime or at 5 P.M. and watch the women who work there leaving. Find out the general "look" of the employees.
4. Dress carefully for your appointment in what you have found is the generally accepted look.
5. Above all, be well groomed and look like a girl or woman who would be a credit to the firm. Then do a good job!

I've got footwear on the brain. Vintage footwear. I recently came across Caroline Cox's magnificent book Vintage Shoes-Collecting and Wearing 20th Century Designer Footwear.

Booth Moore of the LA Times just did a write up on the book as well. I thumbed through it at Borders and I have to tell you, it is GORGEOUS. The images are a feast for shoe lovers.

I've also mentioned a few times that I am blogging over at Fantastic Toe Shoe Community. I have the tough job of finding beautiful vintage and vintage inspired shoes and gushing over them. What a life huh? It's a really fun site for those of us that love shoes but love our worn in footwear as much as we love fantasizing about Louboutins.

So I am thrilled to announce that Fantastic Toe is hosting a giveaway contest just for Debutante Clothing readers!

You'll win a brand new copy of Caroline Cox's book, Vintage Shoes just for showing us your shoes: real life or wishing for.

Here's what you have to do:
1. sign up for an account at FantasticToe.com and enter promo code "Debutante" in the form so we know you're entering the contest
2. if you upload images of your "collection" of shoes, you get an additional entry in the contest. they can be your real shoes or shoes you love
3. 1 picture = 1 additional chance to win, so the more pics you post, the better your chances of winning
4. post a link to your Fantastic Toe page in the comments below

That's it!

The contest will end on 11/14, so sign up! I can't wait to see everyone's footwear. I bet we can write a book of our own.

Let's play a game!
Add a funny, clever, witty, intriguing caption for this ad...

source: A Slip of a Girl

The Vintage Roadshow is back! And we're having a great time sharing vintage goodies. Check it out...

Debutante Clothing finds a vintage black dress and gives styling advice.

Freudian Slips Vintage shows off her latest favourite vintage find - a 1970's Hermes beach wrap!

The Vintage Traveler tells about those WWII Farm Girls and their Overalls

Love blogging about vintage? Join the Vintage Roadshow!

The ever lovely Stevie at LA-Story.com has "Hearted" me. What does this mean, besides the fact that I adore her in real life and apparently the feeling is mutual? It means I proudly get to wear this badge:

So what do I have to do? I have to pass on the love!

1. The nominated is allowed to put this picture on their blog.

2. Link to the person who hearted you. LA-Story.com

3. Nominate at least 7 other people and link to them.
Omiru
Gala Darling
The Coveted
Manolo Moda
Kristopher Dukes
PR Couture
Style IT

4. Leave a message on those people's blog to make them aware that they're nominated.

Part of the reason it's been so quiet here is that I am hauling half my stock over to the Pomona Antique Row in downtown Pomona, CA. I have rented a small space at the Pomona Antique Mart (formerly Robbins) on 2nd Street. I really do need to get rid of stuff that I am just too lazy to photograph and keep the goods I think Debutante Clothing customers will want -- if they're still around since I've been so bad about stocking the online store as well.

In the process of crafting a cute little tag for my antique mall items, I came across some vintage Bally posters that are so graphic and sophisticated that I had to share. I won't pretend to be an art historian, or even mildly educated in the art world -- we have Jennine of the Coveted for that. But these posters remind me of Soviet propaganda posters -- with legs!

I ended up using the red and black version, since I think she most resembles the model in my header.

What do you get when you cross a vintage, guest artists, rugged hardware and subculture appeal? Karyn Cantor fused all of these elements and more in her one of a kind collection of jewelry and accessories -- Classic Hardware.

Karyn has been the President and head designer of Classic Hardware since 1995. Her love of vintage and unique style blend into a funky, fun and conversation worthy collection of accessories for those of us that want something to the left of conservative. Although the pieces are funky, there are quite a few items that completely office ready.

Classic Hardware is so delightful, it has caught the eye of mainstream media and has been styled for various TV shows including Bones, Nip Tuck, Roller Girls, The Chris Isaak Show, Sex in the City, Friends, News Radio and Caroline in the City. Celebrities who wear Classic Hardware include Paris Hilton, Eva Mendez, Madonna (in her HOLLYWOOD video), Mandy Moore, Carmen Electra, Christina Aguilera, Hillary Duff, Jennifer Love Hewitt and singers Lucinda Williams, Neko Case, Exene of X and Jane Wiedlin of The Go-Go's.

I bought two necklaces at the Hootenanny -- one is a camelia type resin flower in black and white with a rhinestone in the center (very Chanel like) and the other is a picture box necklace with a Mexican maiden and gentleman courting. I pretend it's me and my husband. I'm not wearing them here, but you can see Julie Wanda (left) wearing the adorable heart bracelet and a complimentary necklace.

Do take a romp through the online selection and pick up a little piece of joy!

Tuesday, I posted a review of the new hairstyling book that all the vintage fashionistas are buzzing about - Vintage Hairstyling by Lauren Rennells. It is a gorgeous book that will help even the teasing comb challenged get an authentic vintage do.

And I have two special announcements:

If you would like to ask hair and makeup artist and author of Vintage Hairstyling a question, leave a comment and she'll be happy to answer it. Think of it - a free hair consultation!

And, one lucky winner will receive a brand-spankin new copy of the book (a $29.95) value. Here are the rules. Leave a comment and tell us your favorite hairstyle decade. The winner will be picked at random.

All comments need to be in by Sunday 5pm PST.

Good luck!

55 Secret Street discovers that Al Gore has joined NARS in the beauty business. Sort of...

A Few Goody GumDrops asked Jelly Belly or Yummie Tummie?

Snag a designer swimwear look for way less with Malia Mills for Martin + Osa - Stiletto Jungle.

All About the Pretty loves a legend like L'Oreal

Allie is Wired asks, "Did Kirsten Dunst steal Drew Barrymore's boyfriend?"

Bag Bliss reviews the Yves Saint Laurent Y-Mail Continental Wallet

Check out the punk rock elegance of YSL Muse clutch - Bag Snob.

Catch the sneak peek at organic beauty care from Bamford at Beauty Snob!

A little naughty and a little bit nice, Coquette discovers the subversively embroidered vintage gloves by Doublespeak.

Fashion, evolved is excited about the smart style of Nadia Nour!

Fashiontribes has 5 fab dresses for any occasion this summer.

I'm Not Obsessed shows you how to replicate Marc Jacobs' Ruffle Pump for less.

Kristopher eats the "Unforbidden Fruit" of Miami's South Beach.

Ladybrille interviews Stephanie Okereke Nollywood's it Girl!

Papierblog praises then rails against Project Runway Seaons 5

Quinta Trends discovers feminine and classical touch ofBoga Diseño .

Second City Style has again begun it's memorable quotes series from this season's episodes of Project Runway!

StyleBakery.com has the scoop on this summer's surprise must-have accessory: lightweight scarves.

Stylehive finds Canadian designers that hike up hemlines with must have mini dresses.

Stylenotes' latest fashion-related tech feature explores the world of chic, colorful, electronic items from earphones to cameras that would make any fashionista swoon!

SugarShock Beauty is feeding her skin from the outside in with Keri Glassman's Skin Appetit Balm Stick.

A few days from 63, Helen Mirren still has a bikini body - The Beauty Stop.

The Fashionable Housewife gives us all the juicy details of her shopping spree at The Garden State Plaza Mall in NJ!!

The Shoe Goddess finds fabulous shoes at great prices!

Last Saturday, I made the trek up the 10 freeway to the boulevard of the uber hip and notoriously trendy - Melrose Ave. But I was willing to guzzle some gas just to check out the latest vintage themed book Vintage LA by Jennifer Brandt Taylor. I was relieved to see no hipsters nor trendsters -- nothing but stylish, slightly eccentric and interesting people.

The book release soirée took place at Fred Segal and the place was crawling with interesting folks. I spotted Rodney Bingenheimer of KROQ and apparently the Mayor was running around. He sure loves fashion events.

Vintage LA is a feast of pictures ranging from kooky LA personalities, enviable dresses and shoes, and enchanting LA establishments and landmarks. Think of it as a road map for everything vintage under the LA sun. I was pleasantly surprised to see that the book also includes entertaining prose whereas other books on vintage are usually very dry and to the point. Jennifer does a great job of telling us little known stories about the gems in LA.

me and Jennifer

Aileen and bf Matt

hot blonde

and her 1920s hat (quite unusual)

And be sure to check out Rose Apodaca's interview with Jennifer.

55 Secret Street offers a few tips on How To Not Look Old (Hint: Start Young!)

A Few Goody GumDrops Visits The Met to seeSuper Heroes:Fantasy and Fashion.

Stiletto Jungle features cheap-chic summer fashion finds.

All About the Pretty has a little glimmer and shimmer for her hair with Redken's Glimmer Shimmer Treatment.

Bag Bliss has fallen for Valentino's version of the YSL Nadja Purse!

Bag Snob discovers the Parisian chic of Gerard Darel!

Beauty Snob travels in style with Ooh La Spa!

Calculatus Eliminatus praises the classic leather duffle bag and condemns Mr. Gucci's failed attempt at luggage fashion.

Cheap JAP shows you how to snag the latest in designer discounts with The Top Five Ways to Score at a Sample Sale.

Bohemian chic never looked so good with modern tye-dye fashions, says Coquette.

Fashion, Evolved shares some great indie designed pieces Found on Etsy.

In honor of the upcoming Viktor & Rolf exhibition, Fashiontribes salutes a major talent with a mini retrospective.

I'm Not Obsessed shows you how to get Nicole Kidman's Lady Like Style From Her Recent Vogue Shoot.

KRiSTOPHER is wanting, wearing, and hating DvF dresses

Ladybrille says get ready for a star studded Nigeria Entertainment Awards 2008!

My Fashion Life takes a look at this season's key sunglasses.

Papierblog goes to Chicago to view the SAIC Runway fashion show can comes back with photos.

Quinta Trends talks to Mexican designer Paola Hernández about her career and her participation in the Mexico Fashion Week .

Second City Style feels your pain and finds two smashing Sex in the City outfits for a bit less.

StyleBakery likes short shorts - find out their favorites and how to work the trend

Stylehive shows you 10 Bridesmaid Dresses you'll actually want to wear again!

SugarShock Beauty is loving the humble bar soap again, courtesy of Mor's gorgeously crafted Moroccan Mint Soap.

Sxy Fashion Queen has spotted some really heavenly celebrity shoes.

The Coveted wonders if she really needs another vibrator in her purse.

The Shoe Goddess finds the perfect Fendi pump and dress for fall!

V-Style Shows You Wear to Get Carrie's Studded Belt From the Sex And The City Movie.

WE LOVE BEAUTY.com wants you to Beat the Heat with our favorite summertime product picks for poolside beauty!

That Crosby Noricks of PR Couture -- she knows all the cool people. Go check out her interview with Stephanie J of NEET magazine and get your vintage, indie, crafty, style fix.

A few months ago, a reader emailed and asked about tutorials for vintage hairstyles. I came across more great video tutorials collected by Miss Pumpkin.

The young woman doing the Rosie the Riveter style has the most amazing hair! I'm jealous at the massive amount of locks.

Which is your favorite look? Do you have a link to a great vintage hair tutorial? Share!

Photo: Jupiter Images

Mothers and daughters share their love for the fun prints of Marimekko.

Dandelion vintage plays stylist mixing vintage and modern fashions on Polyvore-check out the Asian number!!

Plain Jayne shares