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

The past few weeks have been amazing. It's time like these that make me feel proud to keep plugging away on my little old blog. I'm feeling like I'm on top of the world right now.

Two weeks ago, Debutante Clothing was chosen as the Spotlight Blogger on Independent Fashion Blogger! I feel so honored to be mentioned by such a fantastic group of bloggers. Thank you to everyone who suggested my blog.

Blogger Spotlight

Debutante Clothing

This week's Blogger Spotlight goes to Sandra of Debutante Clothing! Debutante Clothing is a fantastic resource for vintage lovers, by giving history of labels and trends, how to buy vintage clothing (that fits) online. As well as conducting interviews with other vintage sellers. She's also really active in the vintage community and a person to connect with as she's always been so lovely.
Nominated by: Fete a Fete, Mademoiselle Robot, and Dramatis Personae

In other news, Debutante Clothing was also chosen as one of the 100 Must Read Blogs...By Women!  Check #52.

I feel so honored to be included on a list with some really wonderful bloggers. I don't know all of them, but you better believe I'll be busy checking them out.

Since people are actually reading my vintage clothing babble, I guess I'll keep plugging away.

photo: by Shachenta

Photo: vogue.co.uk

"Handkerchiefs and reputations are exceedingly easy to lose. Both are lost in about equal numbers daily. All the reputations lost are very good ones - and the more irretrievably lost they are, the better they were. The handkerchiefs lost should be better. Imagine a lady saying, 'My reputation is gone, but I don't care. It wasn't any good'. Yet that is exactly the attitude she takes toward a lost handkerchief.'"

I rarely take pictures of myself for the blog. I absolutely love looking at pictures of some of my favorite bloggers such as Galadarling, Jennine of theCoveted, and Wendy Brandes, but I have an aversion to taking pictures of myself. I rarely photograph well anyway, so to try to look cute on purpose is tough.

However, for NYE, I will make an exception, mostly because I am dying to show off my new vintage sweater shell top. It's covered in black and off white paillettes, the more sophisticated and iridescent cousin of the sequin. When I saw this shell online, I had an audible reaction. That's always a good sign for me. So I bought it without thinking about where I would even wear this.

I honestly didn't care if I had an occasion because I loved it so much. it made perfect sense to wear it on New Years Eve because, seriously, when else could I pull this off? A trip to Vegas maybe.

I have a very fond memory of a gown my mom used to own. I remember sneaking into er closet and picking off the clear paillettes, bending them and attaching them to my nails with her Lee Press On glue because they reminded me of fake finger nails. When my mother saw my top, she remembered the dress and claimed she still owned it. She might discover a few bald spots on the bodice!

I am so in love with the color combination, the smooth almost scale like feel of the paillettes, and the fun almost jingly sound they make. I didn't go anywhere fancy though so I toned it down with jeans and a light weight, long cardigan. My outfit would've been perfect with a tight pair of slim jeans. Consider those next on my shopping list.

Monica Corcoran of the LA Times has written a witty article on the latest fashion related word added to the lexicon of style. For the past few months, blogs and blog posts have been springing up all with one theme in common - style during hard times. I have never felt more compelled to blog about something than I do now.

Ladies! Shouldn't you be frugal with your money at all times? Shouldn't you forgo paying exorbitant amounts of money on the latest "it" bag while panicking about how to pay your rent? The truth is that we have become such a must have, credit dependent society that we make irresponsible choices when it comes to money. Now, if you have the dough to buy the latest stam-2.55-spy bag, cash, and still pay your rent, more power to you! I admire and envy you. You probably work your ass off for that dough - you deserve it.

But for me, and women like me, who have style, but do it by mixing vintage and discount finds, mix high and low fashion, and would prefer to spend a couple Ks on a trip to some far off land, we've been living frugal forever. There's a recession on? We hadn't noticed. We were blinded by our past season Vivienne Westwood sunglasses we got at Off Saks 5th Avenue.

It's great that, just like living green, there is a nationwide trend towards living frugally. But how long will this last? Until prices of homes come back up and we are back to buying things we can't afford and then complaining that the economy sucks. We need the Al Gore of fashion to champion frugal living - Kathryn?

It bugs me that being financially savvy requires economic upheaval. I'm not saying don't buy beautiful, expensive items. But choose wisely. Spend money on items that bring you joy and don't interrupt important things in life. Invest in pieces that will last forever and transcend trends. More importantly, live a stylish life within your means.

Now, I'm off to snipe some unassuming, unaware recessionista on Ebay!

On Thursday, December 11, one of the most revered images of the 1950s passed. Bettie Page is probably one of the most recognizable images, besides Marilyn Monroe and Elvis Presley, and to be honest, I always like Bettie Page more than Marilyn Monroe. Bettie had such an irreverent, innocent nature, that her cheesecake and S&M pictures could never take away the sweetness that exuded from this leather clad, girl next door. It's this very dichotomy - sweet and seductive, innocent and naughty - that makes her such a beloved icon amongst men and women. We all wish, and so do our male counterparts, we could embody the good girl in public-bad girl behind closed doors (or on film) persona.

1. Her look
Any rockabilly girl worth her salt has had the Bettie Bangs at some point. We grow them out, but we always come right back. A raven colored haircut fit for a young girl, meets red lips, and a pretty smile -- it's part of the retro uniform.

2. Her humbleness
After being institutionalized at Patton State Hospital in San Bernardino, she could not believe how popular she had become. She couldn't understand how modeling 10 years prior could have made her so famous. She had no idea.

3. Her figure
Bettie Page was curvy, soft, natural. The way women should be. [Editor's Note: I meant not overly skinny. Women look good with some healthy meat on their bones!]

4. Her costumes
No one wore cheetah prints the way Ms. Page did. She had fun acting and dressing the part in a sensual but tasteful way. She was a jungle girl, a dominatrix, and a beach babe all rolled into one.

5. Her ability to leave it all behind
After being sexually abused, mistreated, divorced, and being committed, she dedicated her life to her faith. She left all the glitz and glamor behind for what she felt would be a better life.

I don't know what's gotten into me. The older I get, the longer I have been in the vintage game, the more gun shy, or maybe even apathetic I have become when it comes to bidding on Ebay. Maybe it's the economy - maybe I am feeling a twinge of guilt for wanting to buy designer luxury items that I don't necessarily need, I just want.

I have had vintage Dior travel bag on my Ebay watch list for months. I suddenly became obsessed with finding a Dior logo travel bag, but not a duffel style. I want a real, honest to goodness travel bag pre-1980. I have this style fantasy of the perfect travel outfit. It consists of comfortable casual pants or lightweight slack style denim, funky vintage oxfords, a cashmere cardi in a great print, like leopard, a tissue thin 3/4 length sleeve top, and a sophisticated designer carry on bag.

I have had two failed attempts on Ebay. The first, I was totally outbid at $300 - I know it's Dior, but I still want it reasonably priced.

My last attempt, and the reason I feel like I am losing my touch or hunger, was for a perfect brown and white canvas Dior carry on. It was probably from the early '70s. I won! But, I didn't meet the reserve. I hate reserves. Unless they are mine.

I emailed the seller to find out what the reserve was. It was about $50 dollars more than I wanted to spend. Apparently, she emailed me back and told me she would let it go for my asking price. But I never saw the response, Does anyone else hate Ebay's notification system?

The seller relisted so I bid. This time, it sold for $100 more than what she was willing to sell it to me for. Sigh. Am I being too cheap? Or do I not care enough?

So now of course the regret has set in. Someone please slap me the next time I don't just indulge and buy myself something nice.

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!

Couture Allure brings you 12 looks from one vintage evening gown.

Debutante Clothing shares Edith Head's advice on how to dress to meet and keep a man.

Glamoursplash takes a flashback to fashion in the air during the 60's & 70's.

The Vintage Traveler asks the question:is walking in a vintage wonderland with the Etsy Vintage Street Team.

iKonic is walking in a vintage wonderland with the Etsy Vintage Street Team.
Are you a vintage fashion blogger? Share your vintage blog posts with us - Join the Vintage Roadshow!

Wishing you a thankful holiday! Here are 5 things I am thankful for:

1. my loving husband who supports me in my online habits
2. my caring and creative friends
3. the funny feeling I get when I think I will find a great vintage treasure
4. the internet
5. readers who like reading my vintage ramblings

What are you thankful for?

Last week I shared a summary of the delightful yet ironically relevant How to Dress For Success book by the insanely talented costume designer, the late Edith Head.

This week, Ms. Head gives us a sure fire game plan on how to nab a guy, and even harder, how to keep him. In 1967, you couldn't stop for a Botox quickie at lunch time. You had to rely on Lycra and good styling tips to show off your god given assets in the best light possible.

But Edith doesn't want you to just run off and get married to the first bozo that comes your way. Rather, she treats the ritual of finding a guy like a hunt...

"If you don't know the man, or haven't met him, do what a hunter does. Go where the game is!"

And were is the game? Airports, train stations, hotel lobbies, anywhere you enjoy a hobby.

She also addresses the wallflower in us all - the girl that doesn't think she is attractive enough to find a suitor. Her secret? Be interesting. Be interesting to look at.

"Frequently at parties and premieres attended by Hollywood stars, visitors are shocked when they see the wives of our handsomest film stars.  These men who work constantly with women who are the epitome of glamor, very often marry women who are quite ordinary to look at.  The unknowing are inclined to ask "How on earth did she ever get him?"  I can tell you because I know. She interested him more than any other woman."

She talks about several types of men, and how to dress for them. The Sportsman, the Man About Town, the Intellectual, and the Successful Executive (Don Draper) all have an ideal perfect woman. Edith gives you accessorizing tips for last minute dates with these fascinating me.

Above all, she pleads us women to be a covered girl, and not a Cover Girl because in this society of "topless bathing suits", and man invariably marries the less exhibitionist woman. Man is a jealous creature by nature you know?

Success Formula for Getting and Keeping a Husband:

1. Decide want kind of man you want.

2. Find out what kind of girls he likes.

3. Know what kind of fashions pleases him.

4. Don't masquerade in clothes you hate just to attract a man. Be sure you are really, deep down in side, this kind of girl.  If not, find another man!

5. Learn all you can about him - his hobbies, his interests, his likes, his dislikes.

6. Be interested in his interests.

7. Choose your wardrobe to please him and suit his way of life.

8. After you get him, stay the way you were and don't relax into a post-marriage slump of careless marriage.

9. Look reasonably enticing in the morning - better at night.

Politicians and crazed supporters will argue, scream and shout about patriotism. The only real patriotic action in this country is to VOTE!

Here's a little vintage inspiration for this long, stressful day...

And if you need a little vintage fashion coping mechanism, check out my post on Vintage Patriotic Shoes at FantasticToe.com! By the way, have you entered the contest?

The best of the vintage bloggers:

Debutante Clothing finds a wickedly chic vintage Halloween dress

The Vintage Traveler explains how not to store a wedding dress

iKonic Vintage starts off Video Thursdays with gothic glamour.

Want to join the vintage linking fun? Join us at Yahoo Groups!

Has this ever happened to you? Some important event happens in your life, maybe not directly affecting you, but significant enough for you to stop and think, and then 2, 3, 4 other things happen that are related in some way to that initial event?

Sunday, the beloved Yves Saint Laurent dies. His career started when he took over the House of Dior.

Today, I read a thread on eBay's Vintage Clothing and Accessories board, which I tend to stay off of because it's a bit drama ridden, where a woman was asking for help on some of her 106 year old granny's dresses. One of them being a 1958 Christian Dior haute couture dress -- the first year Yves designed for the house. Oh, and she has 20 more in NY. Cue fainting.

Then, I received an email from Yoox.com about their new collection of vintage. And who should the designer be this time? That's right -- Dior. More about this collection and sale later because I am especially excited about it.

It is bitter sweet, with the passing of Yves Saint Laurent, but it almost feels like the vintage cosmos are lining up to bring us some fashion contentment.

I am so excited to share with you this adorable collection of vintage playsuits I curated for Venus Magazine's website venuszine.com. I was lucky enough to find some of the best examples of cute play suits on the web, and sold by some top level vintage dealers.

I've also been given the green light by Venus Editor in Chief Amy Schroeder to share more vintage finds with Venus readers. If you have any suggestions for future features, please let me know. Email me or leave a comment.

Go check it out!

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 her girl crush on Zooey Deschanel

PR Couture invites us to make fashion history by voting in the Manhattan Fashion Walk of Fame

Artist Evelyn Black honors Journalist, style maven and entrepreneur (oh and my role model) Rose Apodaca with an original piece of art.

This post is about 48 hours late. Sorry.

Here's a list of amusing links that caught my eye.

Vintage fabric is spun into rosettes on real stems for a chic wedding accessory.

You're not a Yuppie-too cool. But you're not a hipster-too old. So what are you? A Yarpie?

My husband has gone back to school and it's given me the intellectual bug. Gala had me covered in the appropriate college co-ed ensemble.

Liebe Marlene tries on the new Jovovich-Hawk collection for Target. She looks adorable.

Dearest Ebay,

We have known each other for quite a few years. I've always been good to you-paid on time, had good communication, hardly ever fought with your customer service friends. I even understood when you kept hiking up your fees. I didn't like, but you knew I'd come back.

Yes, you've given me lots of great goodies. My Chanel bags, plenty of 50s dresses. But lately, you've changed. You seem to be giving other girls more attention than me. You knew I wanted the Norma Kamali 80s flats with the edgy ankle straps. But this time, you've gone too far.

Five seconds left, and I was willing to go to $120. I would never do that for anyone else. But it wasn't good enough for you. And why would you want me to receive your goods. I see the younger, prettier girls bidding for your attentions. But you knew how I felt about this dress. You knew how much it reminded me of the Spring Prada collection. Yet you strung me along for a week, and finally, the last ten seconds.

Well enough is enough. I will be looking elsewhere to be showered with beautiful vintage treasures. You have toyed with me for the last time.

Good bye Ebay. I shall miss you.

In the world of vintage fashion, the degree of vintage runs the gamut from mixing old with new, to looking like you stepped out of a cheesecake magazine. Dita Von Teese, the adored burlesque performer/MAC covergirl/endorser of various lifestyle sundries can get away with the full on vintage retro look. It's her persona. Incidentally, she is the queen of mixing vintage and retro clothing. You would never know her suits or dresses weren't original 50s garments.

Fashionista.com brought up the point of how far can you take retro fashion before it becomes costumey? And should it matter?

In my early years of collection, obsessing and coveting vintage fashion, I always dressed to the nines when I went out-from head to toe, decades past were represented. In my defense, I was a bit creative about mixing decades. The true historians in my misfit circle of friends would bluntly point out that my 60s jewelry went quite well with my 50s dress and 40s hairstyle.

During the week, I would always incorporate some form of vintage-I still do. But I am not so worried about a head to toe vintage look in my 30s. It was fun to dress up and feel like a pin up girl in my 20s, but I don't know if it's age or boredom, I just don't feel the need to go all out with my wardrobe.

Many of my friends are in the same wardrobe frame of mind as well. We had a cocktail party right before Christmas, and one of our dear friends, who is a vintage/retro fashionista herself, looked amazing in her 60s style A line bob, 50s style leopard print glasses, a bubble skirt dress from Old Navy paired with leggings and mary janes. Modern, retro and totally on trend all in one.

So where do you draw the line?

One of my favorite fashion sites, Papierdoll, has an excellent piece on the revolutionary designer of American sportswear, Claire McCardell.

McCardell was the Queen of comfort, style and affordable clothing. I have an early Claire McCardell that hasn't been listed yet, but just by looking at the dress, you can tell she wanted every woman, no matter what size, to enjoy her dresses. This is one of the earliest use of elastic waistband I've ever seen. Smart!

Sunday night, I attended the Mercedez Benz LA Fashion Week Dina Bar-El show. I got some great shots of the show, even from the sidelines which is a feat, pictures of attendees I thought were stylish, a fab picture of me and the lovely Niecy Nash. and wouldn't you know it? They are gone! Poof. I have a ton of old pics on the same SD card, but not one single, solitary image of the show. I swear I was there.

In the meantime, my review of the show will be featured on the LA Story blog, part of the Fashiontribes blog network.

Sigh.

Sunday night, I attended the Mercedez Benz LA Fashion Week Dina Bar-El show. I got some great shots of the show, even from the sidelines which is a feat, pictures of attendees I thought were stylish, a fab picture of me and the lovely Niecy Nash. and wouldn't you know it? They are gone! Poof. I have a ton of old pics on the same SD card, but not one single, solitary image of the show. I swear I was there.

In the meantime, my review of the show will be featured on the LA Story blog, part of the Fashiontribes blog network.

Sigh.

I was doing some regular cleaning out of my overflowing closet, and I realized I have a lot of pairs of Seychelles shoes. I don't purposely go looking for this brand, I just happen to have started a collection.

I guess there are some designers you just gravitate to, subconsciously. But it's not like all these shoes have any one style in common. And my other Seychelles range from black and white tweed flats-very Chanel-esque and black strappy kitten heel sandals.

Recently, I purchased a much needed pair of boots. I avoid buying boots because my legs are so short I can't seem to find a pair I like. But I found these granny style mid calf boots at Nordstrom Rack for $89 and loved them. They are so comfortable and I love the mix of styles-a traditional boot with the victorian lace up detail. Totally rockin'. And I also picked up a super comfy pair of Seychelles black leather kitten heels with a mary jane strap.

I guess now I know and will remember that I do love Seychelles and I have the collection to prove it.

I was doing some regular cleaning out of my overflowing closet, and I realized I have a lot of pairs of Seychelles shoes. I don't purposely go looking for this brand, I just happen to have started a collection.

I guess there are some designers you just gravitate to, subconsciously. But it's not like all these shoes have any one style in common. And my other Seychelles range from black and white tweed flats-very Chanel-esque and black strappy kitten heel sandals.

Recently, I purchased a much needed pair of boots. I avoid buying boots because my legs are so short I can't seem to find a pair I like. But I found these granny style mid calf boots at Nordstrom Rack for $89 and loved them. They are so comfortable and I love the mix of styles-a traditional boot with the victorian lace up detail. Totally rockin'. And I also picked up a super comfy pair of Seychelles black leather kitten heels with a mary jane strap.

I guess now I know and will remember that I do love Seychelles and I have the collection to prove it.

Now that Christmas is done with, I really need to make some resolutions for 2007. In no particular order:

-blog more
-shop wisely
-blog more
-get involved in more creative projects
-blog more

So, you read it here. I will make it a goal to blog more frequently.

Wait. Do I wait until 1/1/07?

Now that Christmas is done with, I really need to make some resolutions for 2007. In no particular order:

-blog more
-shop wisely
-blog more
-get involved in more creative projects
-blog more

So, you read it here. I will make it a goal to blog more frequently.

Wait. Do I wait until 1/1/07?

I remember the first time I thanked the vintage gods for blessing me with a killer vintage find. I walked into a thrift store not knowing what to expect, but I was feeling very confident. I headed for the ties and found a beautiful Lanvin tie, and for some silly reason, begged to find a Lanvin dress.

Lo and behold, I found a Lanvin dress. It had the most beautiful paisley jewel toned pattern. It has since been sold to a vintage dealer in Australia. Boy was I thrilled. Of course there have been many a vintage find since then, but there is nothing like finding a gem in an unlikely place.

Such is the case of my new goddess, Stacey Winnick. Stacey is a top notch vintage reseller, selling to fashion designers and costume designers. She describes a time when she went on an appointment and found, waiting for her in an attic, a 1960s Hermes bag, in it's original box. I get chills just typing it.

What have been some of your note worthy vintage finds? Do tell....

I remember the first time I thanked the vintage gods for blessing me with a killer vintage find. I walked into a thrift store not knowing what to expect, but I was feeling very confident. I headed for the ties and found a beautiful Lanvin tie, and for some silly reason, begged to find a Lanvin dress.

Lo and behold, I found a Lanvin dress. It had the most beautiful paisley jewel toned pattern. It has since been sold to a vintage dealer in Australia. Boy was I thrilled. Of course there have been many a vintage find since then, but there is nothing like finding a gem in an unlikely place.

Such is the case of my new goddess, Stacey Winnick. Stacey is a top notch vintage reseller, selling to fashion designers and costume designers. She describes a time when she went on an appointment and found, waiting for her in an attic, a 1960s Hermes bag, in it's original box. I get chills just typing it.

What have been some of your note worthy vintage finds? Do tell....

The more I blog, the more I have to deal with the constant struggle of asking myself "why are you doing this?"

I'm not getting paid, well unless you buy something from Debutante Clothing's shop (psst, see the nav bar on the right?) I am not contributing anything monumental to society. As a long time subculture citizen, I shouldn't care about frivolous things like fashion.

But really, isn't fashion just a study of anthropology and society? What ever people may think or criticize or even roll their eyes at, people who study fashion, discuss it, design it are artists, and researchers of humanity. Some people might scoff and say I am just trying to justify my infatuation and spending habits. But I consider myself an intelligent person: I studied at university with two degrees, I teach, I have a Post Graduate license.

How did I get so wrapped up in the "silliness" of fashion and lifestyle? Because people fascinate me, and their behavior fascinates me, and the only way that people can let you know who they are and what they stand for is fashion.

Artists have paintings and sculpture, writers have novels, scientists have dissertations. And some of us, who have sight characteristics in each of the above fields, have FASHION.

So go on with your fashionable self! Society needs us.

The more I blog, the more I have to deal with the constant struggle of asking myself "why are you doing this?"

I'm not getting paid, well unless you buy something from Debutante Clothing's shop (psst, see the nav bar on the right?) I am not contributing anything monumental to society. As a long time subculture citizen, I shouldn't care about frivolous things like fashion.

But really, isn't fashion just a study of anthropology and society? What ever people may think or criticize or even roll their eyes at, people who study fashion, discuss it, design it are artists, and researchers of humanity. Some people might scoff and say I am just trying to justify my infatuation and spending habits. But I consider myself an intelligent person: I studied at university with two degrees, I teach, I have a Post Graduate license.

How did I get so wrapped up in the "silliness" of fashion and lifestyle? Because people fascinate me, and their behavior fascinates me, and the only way that people can let you know who they are and what they stand for is fashion.

Artists have paintings and sculpture, writers have novels, scientists have dissertations. And some of us, who have sight characteristics in each of the above fields, have FASHION.

So go on with your fashionable self! Society needs us.