Sing Blue Silver.

Coming to the site, tomorrow I think....depends on a morning appt. to look at a house literally full FULL of vintage hats and clothing. If I hyperventilate and pass out for the day don't expect to see much happen online, but my goal is to get this and a whole bunch of dresses, lingerie and jewelry added to the site. This! 60s silver genu-wine leather mini trench coat........

While we're playing, check out these bags I just added to my etsy shop (scarletbirdvintage)! Bright colors in metallic patents just in time to add a little zing to a spring wardrobe, more in the shop and coming to etsy....

~Ang

Bags o' Spring

Haul o' bags today from Northern Des Moines....bright springy patent kelly bags from the 60s in metallic bumper car finishes! Stop in the shop, maybe some will end up online soon....quick pic to give the general ambience of these smart and sassy handbags....

~Ang

PS, one of those blue ones might be mine.

The New First Lady In Vintage

And in vintage inspired! Its going to be a whole new world watching the brand new first lady dazzle the world in designer vintage inspired and actual vintage pieces! Michelle Obama has fantastic taste and the stylists to make sure she looks her best every second in front of the camera...and the world of vintage is thrilled to see her not only wearing vintage inspired pieces but the real deal as well! The blog shares with the world the secret of Michelle's sparkling accent worn at the neckline of her decidedly 60s inspired suit dress worn yesterday at President Barack Obama's swearing in. Michelle likes to mix it up like the rest of us vintage fashionistas! 60s chic with Victorian glamour....in this case, the dress featured an actual Victorian sash pin at the neckline.

On my website, a similar Victorian paste sash pin set in rolled gold, a bit smaller but with all the gorgeous stones intact....

And her gown! I'm reading here and there that the critics are panning it but I loved it. Immediately brings to mind a romantic 50s prom dress but with a grown up, modern edge...

I recently sold a 50s prom dress that well could have been the inspiration for the silhouette of the bodice...

I've added the feed from the blog about Mrs. Obama's wardrobe to the blog there to the right, because I am a geek over the Obama's and also am in love with the fact that she's rocking the vintage!! Viva and go on with your bad self and rock ON Michelle!!! (ps, thank you First Lady Obama, for showing the world how to work the vintage and modern wear and look FABULOUS!!!)

~Ang

Coming Soon to Dorothea's....Rare John Cavanagh Beaded Gown

Coming as soon as I can get it dry cleaned and minty! Rare beaded gown by esteemed Irish (corrected, thanks Anonymous!) designer John Cavanagh.......

~Ang

Not Your Average Vintage Leopard Print Dress!

This may be the best dress I've ever had OR seen! A lovely woman came in the shop today and brought a whole load of clothing that had belonged to her Mother, Mother-in-law and Aunt. There are some pretty great dresses but this one takes the grand price for cat-related novelty prints! Black and white leopard kittens playing with colorful balls on soft ivory crepe rayon, from the late 30s. Angular peaked hip pockets and flirty bows and cap sleeves on bodice. Quite possibly inspired by "Baby" from the classic film "Bringing Up Baby".

I'll have it on the site Monday (pic click to the 40s page so get ready to grab it!

~Ang

Peacock Panache

The brilliantly colored peacock has long been an influence in the world of fashion. I recently added this beautiful 1940s Ceil Chapman evening gown to the website...

Ceil Chapmanis more commonly known for fantastically draped cocktail length dresses in jersey silk, making this a very early piece for her and a rare, dramatically different silhouette and textile as well as being one the first beaded pieces I've seen from her.

Interestingly, in looking for modern designs making use of the peacock theme, I found a gown worn by Georgina Chapman, a British fashion designer (founder of the line Marchesa), model and actress.

Be sure to click the picture link above, the mirrored vanity and old Hollywood style boudoir are to kill for.

A month or so ago I came across an Enid Collins bag with a beaded peacock motif in mint condition! Was tempted to keep it, but I've got one with cats I like better. Enid Collins was known for her over the top, bordering on gaudy beaded and painted bucket and box bags in the 60s & 70s.

Exotic and stylish!

PS, in the summer of '08 I was honored to work with the costumers for an upcoming film shot here in Iowa called Peacock! Look for vintage from my shop to show up on Susan Sarandon and Ellen Page this year!~Ang

Site Updates 1/2/09

Shop DOROTHEA'S CLOSET VINTAGE in 2009! Vintage is becoming one the most eco-friendly and stylish ways to look fabulous in a society making amends for living years dangerously focused on conspicuous consumption. You can recyle and look great doing it!

Note that I've added a Twitter widget to the front page of the site that I will be updating daily as things are added throughout the week, so a quick check there will keep you in the know. Follow me on Twitter as dorotheascloset!

Some new pieces I've added or am working on today and tomorrow....

A favorite, super rare late 40s Ceil Chapman crepe gown with exotic bird in shimmering beads on bodice, larger size too!

30s silk floral nightgown with matching robe (not easy to find both pieces!)....

Late 40s cotton blouse and skirt, sparkling rhinestone buttons, by Jonathan Logan...

Black and aqua 40s dress with unusual peaked 2-tone collar....

50s cotton floral dress with dropped waist and unique waist seam.....

Sweet mod 6os dress in ivory and cocoa with scalloped detail at hemline....

Italian knit 60s dress with chocolate and ivory stripes....

60s mod Italian knit citrus colored dress....

60s paper dress with all origial tags, never worn....

60s colorful paisley wool sweater....

60s super rockabilly blue cardigan with embroidered cherries in bright red....

70s leather jacket with fantastic mermaid embroidery on back, sea birds on front....

Carol Craig little black dress with watteau train in back and sweet bow....

Pink gown with rhinestone buttons in back with empire waist...

70s ribbon and angora knit sweater with wide ribbed cuff and hem....

60s black velvet gown, size XS....

50s pink lace and taffeta party dress.....

60s blue taffeta party dress with headpiece...

50s turquoise velveteen party dress....

Larger size 50s blue and black suit.....

40s pajama top in chartreuse green, works great as a blouse!...

30s floral print cotton blouse with ric rac trim.....

Edwardian crushed velvet jacket....

40s tilt hat of horsehair braid and pink velvet roses...

Disco glam 80s sequined sweater with bat wing sleeves...

~Ang