Couture Allure has been chosen as one of Lulu's Vintage Top 10 Vintage Clothing Websites for 2008! We're pleased as can be, and we're in some mighty fine company. Take a look at that Top 10 list and you'll find the best in vintage fashion on the web! Thanks, Lulu!
Just in - An incredible vintage early 1970's pants suit by noted American designer Calvin Klein. This is the earliest label from this company and the only garment I've ever had with this label in my years of dealing in vintage clothing.
Calvin Klein started his business in 1968 with a line of coats. He expanded into sportswear in 1970, and judging from the style, this pantsuit would have been from one of his first sportswear lines, probably dating from 1970 - 71. This suit consists of a long maxi vest with matching hip hugger pants. The construction is of the highest quality, as you would expect from a high end garment. It was originally sold by Vogue Gowns in Millburn, NJ.
Available now in our EBay store. And just one of several designer items we've added recently, including 60's Cardin, 70's Hanae Mori, 50's Anne Fogarty, and 50's Irene.
See this suit and more at Couture Allure Vintage Fashion .
Here's something you don't see everyday. The more research I do about this dress, the more I find how unusual and rare it is. This fabulous vintage 1970's dress by Hanae Mori has a bold print of red moons and white stars in Milky Way clusters on a black background. The print bears Hanae Mori's signature, a feature that is highly unusual on her garments. And this print is certainly different than her iconic butterflies and florals!
Hanae Mori retired in 2004, so her designs are now more sought after than ever. See this dress and more at Couture Allure Vintage Fashion .
Welcome to our new sister site! We opened Retro Vision Vintage on Etsy last week. This is where we'll be listing all our trendier 60's - 80's vintage fashion. Etsy is a fabulous marketplace where you'll find lots of vintage clothing and accessories, as well as handmade goodies from creative people all over the world. If you've not explored Etsy, we highly recommend that you spend a few minutes, or hours, browsing around.
Just listed on Etsy:
1970's neon green halter maxi dress
1980's huge chandelier earrings
1980's gold glitter party dress
Enjoy shopping on Etsy and please check back with www.retrovisionvintage.com often!
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PRINT OFFERED IN YOUR INVENTORY?
I am seriously in love with the print on this 1960's Leonard Arkin dress with matching coat.
WHAT IS YOUR DEFINITION OF NOVELTY PRINT?
Cute and unexpected - a print that gets noticed and commented on.
MOST AMAZING NOVELTY PRINT YOU’VE EVER SEEN?
I had this fabulous 1940's rayon dress with a print of Buddhas once. Sadly, it sold long ago and I can't find the pictures.
SIZE MATTERS….WHEN WEARING PRINTS, DO YOU PREFER BIG OR SMALL?
I'm short, so large prints tend to overwhelm me. Put I also dislike dainty prints, so I'd have to go somewhere in the middle.
COLOR OR BLACK AND WHITE?
Give me some color please. Even when I do wear black, I have to add a pop of color.
WHAT DESIGNER DOES YOUR FAVORITE PRINTS?
I love the prints of Leonard and Mr. Dino from the 60's. But my favorite prints are found on Darlene cashmere sweaters. Her florals are always beautiful.
On to Vintage Joy for some more vintage prints!
Irene Lentz was the costume designer for MGM Studios in Hollywood for 7 years. In 1947, Irene was the first American designer to allow department stores the rights to sell her designs in exclusive boutiques. This is one such dress.
This 1950's cocktail dress by Irene is worked in black silk taffeta. I love those cascading accordian pleated ruffles. And it just fits that old song from 1950 - "Good night Irene, I'll see you in my dreams."
See this dress and more at Couture Allure Vintage Fashion .
1)The colors of CANDY! What’s your favorite candy colored vintage piece in your collection?
Easy! It's gotta be this fabulous 1960's pink tulle bubble hat. Looks just like a swirl of cotton candy on top of your head! Not a part of my collection, but for sale on my site.
2)What’s the sweetest accessory you’re offering right now, or if you don’t have one for sale, tell us about one of your own!
How about this pair of 1950's pink Springolator shoes? Sweet enough for ya?
3) Sweet tooth? What’s your favorite candy?
Chocolate Reisen......drool. 4)Ice cream…..chocolate or strawberry, and why?
Chocolate again. Why? Cold strawberries just don't work for me.
6)Is your personal style sweet or salty? Explain!
Hmmm, I think I walk the line right between the two. I'm a classic Boston gal.
Tagging Lizzie at the Vintage Travel Journal!
Today’s theme…..the 60’s. Are you a MAD MEN kinda gal (ritzy cocktail dresses, wiggle silhouette, draped and ruched silk chiffon, pointy toe stilettos, a cigarette and martini) or a MOD dolly (sleek lines, go go boots, oversize sunglasses, pilgrim buckle square toe shoes, paper dresses, micro mini skirts, patterened tights, white lipstick and fake lashes)? Do tell.
MOD OR MAD MEN?
I'm all about the sexy and sophisticated "Mad Men" look.
FAVE PIECE IN YOUR INVENTORY FITTING THE BILL?
I just listed this sweet early 60's cocktail dress. It has the cutest bolero jacket that adds a completely different look to the dress.
ICONIC EARLY 60s STARLET?
Kim Novak. She really knew how to turn up the heat. If you've never seen the 1958 film "Bell, Book, and Candle", you simply must rent it for the fashions alone!
LATE 60’s?
Marlo Thomas in the TV show "That Girl". I just wanted to be her.
SINATRA OR THE SWINGIN’ 60s SCENE?
Sinatra every time. Fly me to the moon, Frank.
Follow the blog tag over to Lizzie's Vintage Travel Journal.
OK friends, I'm off to a family wedding and then a few much needed days off in the sun. See you soon!
FAVORITE ROCKABILLY LOOK / PIECE IN YOUR INVENTORY?
I've pretty well sold out of Rockabilly pieces right now, but I just added this 1950's cotton full skirted dress and jacket to my store the other day.
DO YOU WEAR THE ROCKABILLY LOOK AT ALL?
No, but I do carry vintage purses wherever I go.
CRUCIAL ROCKABILLY VINTAGE ACCESSORY FOR GIRLS?
A Bakelite cherry necklace or pin.
FOR GUYS?
Brylcreem - A little dab'll do ya!
AGE OLD QUESTION….ELVIS OR THE BEATLES?
Always and ever...The Beatles. Ob la di, ob la da, life goes on, yeah....
Follow the Blog Tag over to Fuzzy Lizzie's Vintage Travel Journal.
You may be wondering, "What happened to Jody? Did she fall into the well or crawl under a rock?". Not quite. My first grandchild was born 2 months early a few days ago. This little 3 pound bundle of joy has turned my world upside down in the best way possible! Mother and baby are doing well, although baby will be staying at the hospital until she's a bit bigger. So please forgive my lack of updates. And join me in welcoming the world's newest and tiniest vintage fashionista!
I've been tagged by Ang over at the Vintage or Bust blog of the eVintage Society. This week we're all about shoes!
1) SHOW US YOUR FAVORITE PAIR OF SHOES IN YOUR INVENTORY.
That's a tough one, because I love shoes, but it has to be this pair of late 1950's stilettos by Perugia. The black leather has polka dot cutouts that are backed with metallic gold, silver, and pink.
2) WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE STYLE OF VINTAGE SHOE TO SELL?
I love stilettos from the late 50s and early 60s, as well as the 80s.
3) FAVORITE VINTAGE SHOE TO WEAR?
I own a pair of 1980s platforms in navy suede that have sling backs and peep toes. They are dead ringers for 1940s shoes, and boy are they comfortable!
4) FAVORITE PAIR YOU OWN?
That would be my 1940's red leather pumps. They were a surprise find at a local estate, and went directly into my closet from hers.
Now let's move on to Damn Good Vintage. Tag, Julie, you're it!
Floral prints are everywhere this spring! But why own a copy, when you can wear true vintage? This 1950's full skirted dress in silk shantung fits the bill nicely. And, while it's not April yet, it's raining right now in Boston on the first day of Spring 2008. A dress like this can brighten any gloomy weather day and tell the world, "Hey, Spring! Come on, already!!"
See this dress and more at Couture Allure Vintage Fashion .
1) WHAT ITEM DO YOU CURRENTLY HAVE FOR SALE THAT COULD HAVE BEEN WORN IN A MOVIE?
The answer is obvious, my dear. This late 1950's hat by Michael Terre.
2) WHICH MOVIE STAR DO YOU SEE WEARING THE ITEM & IN WHAT MOVIE?
I see Audrey Hepburn in this hat in her film "Breakfast at Tiffany's".
3) WHAT MOVIE STAR QUALITIES DOES YOUR ITEM HAVE TO MAKE IT PERFECT FOR YOUR STARLET?
It makes a statement! The way that wide brim angles down over the brow - that was a style preferred by Hepburn. The huge organza petals make for a hat you can't ignore!
And now, Lizzie's Vintage Travel Journal, you're it!
Forgive me, dear readers. I volunteered to do a 27 Dresses feature over on the Vintage Fashion Guild Blog and that project has pulled me away from my own writing here. All I can say is, "I'm back!"
Isn't this 1950's dress gorgeous? There are things about vintage dresses that make me smile, but it is rare to find so many of them in one dress. Let's see....
It's silk.
It's got a full circle skirt.
It's got pink roses.
It's got a pink lining to match the roses.
It's got a halter neckline that is sexy as anything!
Some of the pink roses are sprinkled with rhinestones.
And, to top it all off, some of the pink roses are quilted and padded for a 3-D effect.
Need I say more? See this dress and more at Couture Allure Vintage Fashion .
As you can see, the floral stripe pattern is centered in a deep vertical tuck sewn between the stripes.
The tuck is spread so the line of stitching is centered behind the stripe pattern, then pressed flat. This pulls the stripes much closer together and adds texture to the bodice. Cute, don't you think?
See this dress and more at Couture Allure Vintage Fashion .
Sexy, smoky eyes peeking out from behind a veil - what could be more alluring? Ralph Lauren showed this hat, among others, in his Spring 2008 runway show. And Madonna used a veil to great effect in 1994 for her music video "Take a Bow".But you don't have to spend hundreds on a new hat. At Couture Allure, we've got loads of vintage hats for you to choose from, including several vintage 60's whimsey veil hats.
See these hats and more at Couture Allure Vintage Fashion .
Last week, over at the Vintage Fashion Guild Public Chat Board, we had a great time posting our favorite vintage novelty prints. Sellers were showing some really great stuff, while I was pulling out my hair trying to find something worthy to show off.
Today, I found this 1960's shift dress with the cutest print of tomatoes in pink and green!
Here in Boston, we only get tomatoes that are worth eating for about 6 weeks in the late summer. The rest of the year, grocery stores sell these pinkish red, hard orbs they'd like us to believe are tomatoes. Hah! But now, when I'm longing for a tomato fresh from the garden, I can look at this dress, smile, and wait for summer.
See this dress and more at Couture Allure Vintage Fashion .
My Junior Prom was in 1971. This was the dress I wanted to wear. I wanted to look like the fairy princess of my dreams. But I was not a risk taker, especially where fashion was concerned. I was one of those gals who attempted to fit in. I wore jeans and platform shoes every day. Our school dress code had just been abolished and girls were no longer required to wear a dress or skirt, so no one did. But I wanted to.
Instead of my dream dress, I wore one very similar to this with a large scale floral print, which was the style that fashion dictated. I did not feel beautiful or princess-like in any way. Of course, 37 years later, its easy to say I should have had the guts to wear what I wanted. Hindsight is 20-20, regret is a waste of energy, and I can't go back. But I can urge you to choose the dress you've always dreamed of, no matter what.
See this dress and more at Couture Allure Vintage Fashion .
We've started to list dresses for spring at Couture Allure Vintage Fashion and my office is a riot of color. After months of dealing with winter woolens in navy, grey, brown, and black, it feels like the proverbial "breath of spring" around here. Outside, we still have 3 months of winter winds, boots, scarves, and mittens to deal with. But inside, we're daydreaming about warm sunshine and butterflies.
This cute day dress from the early 50's is one of my favorites so far. This is the type of dress a typical homemaker would wear around the house while doing laundry and ironing, washing the dishes, and caring for the kids. Who wouldn't want to do chores in this bright yellow and red plaid cotton? Today, I can see this dress worn with a red belt and red wedge sandals for a day of shopping. Sweet!
See this dress and more at Couture Allure Vintage Fashion .
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