real-vintage.com

halter necks and bias cuts

2012-01-24T15:43:00.000-08:00

A book review! Just received a copy of Maria Costantino's book, "Fashions of a Decade:the 1930s" for the holidays and decided to share some here with you. So more of a pictorial review than written. With pieces from the 1930s what more do you need?

"Style and Home", Germany, 1932....

Dress by Jean Patou of Paris...

Styles for men from "Simpson's Magazine", 1938.....

Patriotic styles by House of Jaeger.....

1939..tightly belted waists, wide brim hats....

Morning and afternoon wear...

Lucille of Paris, 1932.....

1933 mid calf length....

Lingerie in modern textiles....

Artificial crepes for the new "cinema frock"....

1935 beach wear in Krepe-Tex from Charnaux....

Winter 1935, low backs, bias cut gowns....

Elsa Schiaparelli's "Tear Dress" with cape, 1938....

Schiaparelli 1936....

Mainbocher, 1939.....

Motoring and sportswear, 1938...use of suede, leather and tweed...

Panty girdles in Lastex by Kestos Company of America, ideal for clingy bias cuts....

A lovely book chock full of info and eye candy!

~Ang

Waist Not

2012-01-23T14:17:00.000-08:00

Perhaps one of the most underappreciated pieces in the vintage closet is the shirtwaist dress. Seen as too casual, too pedestrian to appeal to the vintage afficianado seeking more glamorous designer pieces, the shirtwaist often languishes in the boutique or website waiting for someone with a keen eye and imagination to see it for what it really can be.....

Easy to make (if you can sew?), patterns abundant? Check. (Piccy link to a great resource for patterns!).

Easy to wear? Check.

Easy care? Coming traditionally in cottons or jersey nylons....check again. Easy to accessories, both retro and modern? Check check.

In summery or autumnal hues, these dresses can be worn in warm or cool weather...easily accented or layered seasonally. Now quit passing these beauties by!

~Ang

Pinteresting!

2012-01-22T10:34:00.000-08:00

Finally got on the bandwagon and checked out Pinterest....fully addicted already! Come see my boards, ranging from deco style, color themes, decor, food, photography, fashion and of course loads of vintage! Follow me so I can check out your pins!

Come play!

~Ang

Happy Birthday, Mr. Dior!

2012-01-21T15:20:00.000-08:00

And thank YOU for the New Look!

~Ang

It's Two, Two....

2012-01-20T11:28:00.000-08:00

Two coats in one! 1960s faux fur leopard print coat....

Reverses to jet black wool with leopard print wedding ring collar and cuffs! On the site now.

Pics are linky! Still plenty of cold days left in the season here (and cold weather always comes back!).

~Ang

Top Ten!

2012-01-19T10:47:00.000-08:00

Giddy over this article in DEPARTURES MAGAZINE listing the top 10 vintage boutiques in the world, including Dorothea's Closet! A superb WRITE UP about the appeal of vintage to the fashion savvy and it's place in the sartorial conversation, with a few quotes from your truly!

To be mentioned at all is amazing, but in such stellar company!....LE MONDE du VOYAGE of Paris , ZOLA'S EVERYDAY VINTAGE in Dallas, TREASURE ISLAND in Naples, FL, COLLETTE in Southhampton, NY, TIME AFTER TIME in Chapel Hill, NC, GRANDMA TAKES A TRIP of Sydney, Australia, RELLIK of London, CORACHAN y DELGADO in Madrid, Spain & VICENTE GANESHA of Ibiza, Spain. Tip of the hat to you all and a big thanks to Departures Magazine!

Dorothea's Meets Bauble Bar!

2011-09-10T15:56:00.000-07:00

In case you don't follow us on facebook, or on twitter OR on tumblr, the big news around here is Bauble Bar! A website devoted to modern accessories (yay!) presented in chic collections making it easy to pull together the look-of-the-moment. And what's more modern right now than mixing vintage with contemporary fashion? Just nothing! Dorothea's was thrilled to provide the very vintage apparell you see on Bauble Bar's site setting off their weekly collections as they travel back in time to the 20s, 40s, 50s and 60s. So far they've presented 1920s and 1940s with 2 more decades and collections to come. Go see and get your jewelry fix at Bauble Bar, and and Bauble Bar on tumblr!

stacks

2011-07-20T11:29:00.000-07:00

a quick hello! just had a superb buy of 40s to 60s dresses in great prints and silhouettes...prepping and shooting frantically!

~Ang

new york, new york

2011-06-25T09:57:00.000-07:00

congrats new york!!

now get busy planning those weddings! (ps, go vintage, it's not only fabulous but eco-friendly!)

seven!

2011-06-03T15:46:00.000-07:00

Thrilled to make number 7 in LULU'S VINTAGE PEOPLE'S CHOICE AWARDS for 2011! It's always fun to win stuff, even more so to be a part of Lulu's lovely blog in company of such fine vintage sellers and websites. Vintage!!

Dyakuju!

~Ang

the breaks

2011-06-01T14:55:00.000-07:00

I'm bad enough at keeping up with the blog on a good day, but these days are not so good. So heads up...the power that be behind Dorothea's is broken. I broke both bones in my lower left leg May 11, requiring surgery to insert (hammer, actually) a rod into the tibia...a cast, walker, the whole 9. I have help at my shop 3 days a week and a lovely assistant learning how to locate things to ship (and do the shipping!). Things are getting smoother by the day and the bones are healing as best they can, requiring much rest and consistent physical therapy in the hopes that one day soon I *will* walk again. Meanwhile, things will appear a little slower on the website and a few things may be screwy from those days spent on (lovely, lovely) pain meds....but all will be ok in the end. I'm still able to do buys and have some wonderful things coming up! Meanwhile, I'll be on a search for a very glamorous vintage cane to use by mid-summer!

~Ang

gaga for mugler

2011-03-08T13:43:00.000-08:00

Who's the latest to fall in love with Thierry Mugler? The Lady Gaga herself, who made her first catwalk debut showing Mugler's Fall 2010 collection....

Vintage Mugler (pre-90s) is scarce, but I've lucked into a couple new old stock pieces and am working on adding them to the website now! This jacket is perfect for a Mugler wardrobe basic....black wool tone on tone pinstripe jacket with wide sculpted shoulders, curved notched lapels and wrap to side closure snapping up the left hip. Worn alone over leggings or skinny jeans and heels or layered into a "suit" look, it's a smashing piece of Mugler history....

Emerald green lightweight wool Mugler dress with fantastic back interest....

Pictures click-link to the site....go see!

~Ang

black swan

2011-03-02T08:03:00.000-08:00

All hats available at www.dorotheasclosetvintage.com, pics link to site.

in the swim

2011-02-17T13:47:00.000-08:00

Today I came across this article online with loads of links and images of vintage swimsuits, on the MODERN ART NOTES website, by Tyler Green. Go go, check out all the links and eye candy! I don't deal in a lot of vintage swimwear (though I'd love to)....it's not terribly easy to find in Iowa! But my first thought when I saw the mention of the "Scandal" 60s swimsuit by Cole of California was of one of my favorite images of Little Edie Bouvier Beale wearing hers (in her own quirky style!)....

And then of course, of my favorite swimsuit I've ever had the pleasure of selling (scandalous in it's own way!).....this 1950s Catalina swimsuit with print of sketchwork birds in rather compromising positions, which truly deserved to be in a museum itself!....

Some more past favorites.....50s bubble suit with ballerinas....

1940s palm tree suit...

Amazing deep sea diver print Kamehameha swimsuit from the 50s.....

Rose Marie Reid striped....

Some of the few I have available now....

30s gold satin one piece....

50s leaf print pin up...

Rare 60s paper bikini in orginal packaging....

Got a big house call coming up this weekend, crossing fingers for some good swimwear!

~Ang

Happy Groundhog Day!

2011-02-02T06:01:00.000-08:00

Via this fab blog/artist I just found, ONE CREATIVE GIRL....

Enjoy! And if you've missed me, my apologies....I'm rocking both sinusitis and bronchitis right now so down for the count. I've managed to add a decent amount to the website and some (much easier to shoot while unwell) accessories to my shop at SENSE OF FASHION....listing of course as DOROTHEA'S CLOSET. Some stuff you won't even find on the website! If you want a quick overview of everything recently added to both, you can always check out the current album on my FACEBOOK PAGE. Now, back to the couch.

~Ang

good sense.

2010-12-23T11:21:00.001-08:00

Just opened a teeny little boutique on a fantastic new fashion website called SENSE OF FASHION...a sweet shopping site devoted solely to fashion, from upstart designers to established, hand made to vintage. Love it! Many pieces there will not be available on the main website, so check it out and get shopping!

Just added this amazing black deerskin suede 40s bag with loads of rhinestones and unusual slide-ring with side opening, inspired by the Victorian miser's bag....click to buy!

Elegant and unique, measures about 14" handle to bottom. Flawless, as usual!

Go see everything Dorothea's has to offe, and pop by the site too!

~Ang

it's a cinch

2010-12-04T08:25:00.000-08:00

every once in a while something truly breathtaking appears in my shop (not magically, and not for free....sadly, there is no vintage tree growing in an urn in the center of the boutique). yesterday was one of those days when not only one beautiful thing came in, but several! the rest for another day (think 20s gowns and Orientalist jackets, 30s velvets with cherries, surrealist silk 30s lounge wear)....but today, this.

silk ribbon underbust corset from around 1901 by Royal Worcester....breathtakingly gorgeous, shimmering pearl silk with bow and racy lacing up the back. available now!

truly a find~

~Ang

for the love of the dainty

2010-11-26T07:28:00.000-08:00

will be closed today locally (but the website never rests!) to let people get their big box black friday on. but tomorrow the shop will be open 12-4 at 1733 Grand Ave in Des Moines, Iowa with gorgeous vintage lurvelies for the vintage fashion fiend on your list! sparkling sweaters, snuggly and glamorous robes, sultry lingerie, holiday perfect dresses, chic winter coats, stylish shoes....and if you aren't sure about size, go for accessories! you can't go wrong with a vintage brooch, clip earrings, chunky or pendant style necklaces....smart vintage handbags for day or night...vintage hats for dress up or winter wear....gorgeous scarves or gloves....there's no excuse for buying mall drek when you can shop one of a kind, eco-friendly uber-fashionable vintage! plus, tomorrow is Small Business Saturday with perks for using AmEx (which Dorothea's accepts) and even bigger perks for feeling good about shopping local and supporting small businesses! why line the pockets of a wealthy CEO when you can put food on the table for a small business owner's family?

lastly, mention the blog when ordering on the site and I'll refund 15% plus your shipping. yes, worldwide. and if you'd like to use AmEx or a card without going through Paypal, just email me at admin@dorotheasclosetvintage.com. now aren't you glad you slept in and stayed home on black friday? get shopping!

you talkin' to me?

2010-11-12T11:33:00.000-08:00

The lovely folks over at JEZEBEL wrote up a pretty swell article today about learning which era's silhouette best works with your body shape (you can read it HERE...extra points to Sadie for a David Lee Roth reference!). As I took in the images she had chosen to accompany each era I noticed a print that looked quite familiar....

So I did a quick Google search of Cybill Shepherd in the 1976 film Taxi Driver to get a better look....and there it was!

Exactly the same Diane Von Furstenberg wrap dress I currently have on my site!

Sure, not *the* dress she wore (as far as I know), but the exact same print and color. And I've got the same textile done in a maxi length tee shirt dress from the same collection! Check out the video of the scene the dress is in.....

Certainly a swell 70s look to embrace, no?

~Ang

happy halloween!

2010-10-31T06:56:00.000-07:00

from DOROTHEA'S CLOSET VINTAGE....clothes from Dorothea's of course!

~Ang

the legend of zelda

2010-10-23T05:50:00.000-07:00

One of my holy grails in dealing/hunting vintage is to own, if only for a moment, a piece by ZELDA WYNN VALDES. When we think of the silhouette of the glamorous songstress of the 1950s, the look is definitely hourglass....and the hourglass definitely the signature look of a Zelda. Her dresses were as strong and powerful as she was.....the first black woman to own a business on Broadway in the 1940s and a favorite of talents like Dorothy Dandridge, Ella Fitzgerald and Gladys Knight. I've read she often had to be on hand for dressing her clients for stage to sew them into their form fitting gowns!

Who better to design the first costumes for the scantily clad Playboy Bunnies? Though tame in comparison to today's bunnies (or for that matter, for today's realty TV stars), the look was all Zelda....waist whittled, bust lifted, hips accentuated.

Her pieces are few and far between in the world of vintage collection, but worth appreciating if only in pictures!

~Ang

inspiration. shop re-decor....

2010-10-17T14:43:00.000-07:00

Starting with the pathetic fitting room/restroom/shoe hallway area! LOVE this!!!

And check out the 60s mannequin head I got today at the antique mall! Gonna take her to the shop to use for necklaces and hats.....she needs a name!

Now to find time for all the ideas!!

~Ang

spotted

2010-10-12T09:49:00.000-07:00

Another follow up to the green and leopard post! Last one today, I promise....I only wish I could keep up with blogging more regularly! JESSICA asked in the comments of that last post if I really had a green and leopard coat like the one pictured and I had to hunt it down in my winter closet to share. I remembered it wrong (confused it with a tan one I have that has leopard down the sides similar to the one in the 40s post)....this one is from the 60s, and has a matching green wool sheath dress with leopard collar beneath AND a leopard trimmed hat!

As you can see....I'm a sucker for a leopard hat (and coat, and collar, and muff....).

~Ang

speaking of green.....

2010-10-12T08:33:00.001-07:00

Just happened across this picture of a gorgeous gal from the 1940s (on the *amazing* blog, GLAMOUR DAZE) rocking the green and leopard! Then I remembered I have a short version of this coat.....now I just need those temps to drop!!

~Ang

the write stuff

2010-10-12T06:44:00.000-07:00

More blog love today for Dorothea's, with a bonus! Doreen Creede of STYLE MANIAC has discovered Dorothea's, and just in time to feature a gorgeous (newly listed!) purple velvet 50s dress and bolero set in a post today! While it would be exciting enough to get a nod from her fabulous blog, she's doubled the fun by using the dress to illustrate a guest post by writer SUSAN GLOSS! Susan does a brilliant job of capturing in words what many of us who are passionate about vintage clothing feel about it....about the stories and memories vintage clothing carries with it, and about becoming a part of that story in owning and wearing it (something she knows a bit about, as she is writing a book right now about a vintage clothing boutique owner). She says it best, so go look....and watch for her book, Gently Used, to come out.....I'll certainly let you know here as soon as I know a date!

A big thank you to Doreen for featuring Dorothea's, her blog is fantastic (you can also follow her on FACEBOOK and to Susan for her brilliant write up about vintage (she also has a fab blog, GLOSSING OVER IT). So excited to have met these fantastic girls!

~Ang

going green

2010-10-06T12:06:00.000-07:00

Stumbled across a lovely blog the other day via a friend on FaceBook where a conversation was underway about pairing red with leopard print. I casually mentioned in the comments that I like wearing emerald green with leopard print, which sparked a creative post at BON BON ROSE GIRLS featuring leopard and emerald modern fashions.... with a shout out (and link!) to me! Go on over and read it, and be sure to follow them on Twitter or FaceBook and enter to win a gorgeous green leather handbag from MIMI BOUTIQUE>

Meanwhile, since vintage leopard print will always be my favorite kind of leopard print, consider these Mad Men-esque 1960's fine wale corduroy cigarette pants in leopard...paired with a tight green emerald sweater, or a green tank and cropped black jacket....a thin long black tee and forest green suede platform heels....the possibilities are endless! Click pic to go to Dorothea's....

Some killer green suede heels from GOJANE.COM, a steal at $25.70....

Or go win that green handbag! There are loads of ways to wear green with leopard!

~Ang

pirate chic

2010-09-20T09:00:00.000-07:00

Missed it on "Talk Like a Pirate Day" yesterday, but turns out one of my dresses was featured on Etsy's front page! Out of the hundreds of treasuries made daily, its tough going getting one to the front page. A big thanks to VINTAGEBIFFANN for using my 70s white chiffon dress and sequined hot pants (thats some seriously glam pirate chic!)....

~Ang

Shop Shots

2010-09-17T11:42:00.000-07:00

While the website is probably better known by followers of the blog, I do run a real-world vintage shop right here in Des Moines, Iowa! The shop offers a huge range of vintage apparell and accessories with price points as low as a few dollars on up to a few thousand.....a perfect fit for any budget and any style! You can find a full on period-correct look, pieces to mix with a current wardrobe to get a cutting edge, runway look or accessories to glam up any ensemble! And with vintage you know you're getting one of a kind (let everyone else shop the mall!) for a completely unique look. Some images from inside....

Even menswear! Cool tops, jackets, robes, denim...

And hats...

Pics link to shop info...we're open Wed-Fri 10-5:30 and Saturdays noon to 4. Currently running a HUGE $10 vintage sale as well as select hats at 50% off and summer vintage half off as well! Stop by and say hi!

~Ang

Mad Men Madness

2010-07-25T06:52:00.000-07:00

Its back! Starting tonight! Enough has been said alll over the internet so I'll keep it brief and share a few dresses from my site I think are spot-on perfect for wearing to premier parties or just to look as glamorous as your favorite MM character.

Sweet Betty style chiffon floral party dress from the early 60s....

And a curve conscious, cocktail print Joan look!

A nice homage to the party spirit (spirits?) , a set of 1960s WEISS rhinestone martini glass brooches....

Enjoy the show!

la familia....Draper Style

2010-07-12T15:39:00.000-07:00

Last year I was honored to be visited by Betty Draper's real life Mom, Karen Jones...of January Jones fame. She was headed to Chicago to do a taping of the Oprah Winfrey show featuring January Jones and Jon Hamm. Karen tried on several dresses, some "Betty" style and some "Joan" style. You can see the original blog HERE.

In the last few days, promo pics have been released for the upcoming season of MAD MEN. I was immediately struck by this black and gold matellase cocktail dress....

And the similarity to the skirt section of this 60s cocktail dress modeled by Karen here in my shop during her try-on session!

Wish I could say that dress was still available but it sold a while back! Looking forward to the new season....great fashion! And to check out a realllly amazing synopsis of Mad Men fashions past, check out the blog on Project Rungay (dig around on the links on the site to see all the characters get ups). For more Mad Men-esque fashions hit the site and get some 60s glam HERE!. Pass the martini pitcher!

~Ang

Meet the Halstons

2010-06-05T08:02:00.000-07:00

I've recently had the pleasure of *finally* coming across two smashing 1970s Halston pieces! I guess living around the corner from his first home finally worked its magic! These are not only great dresses but rare, signature pieces from quite early in his career.

First, the caftan. Given Sex and the City's Carrie Bradshaw's love of Halston (and SJP's as well!), this piece could not have surfaced at a more perfect time! Sky blue silk chiffon ombre dyed to a soft steely grey blue at its asymetrical hemline....collar details with handpainted collar necklace effect in salmons, pink & pewter.

Stunning body conscious coordinating silk jersey underdress in palest sky blue....

Along the same lines as his classic ultra suede shirt dresses, this black silk jersey early 70s dress clings to curves and buttons to knee, allowing unbuttoning as high as you'd like. Plunging V neckline with wide dramatic collar. A dress that goes from cute to *killer* from hanger to wearer!

Lulu Love

2010-06-02T08:41:00.000-07:00

Dorothea's is super pleased to have made the top 10 on LULU'S VINTAGE Best Vintage Websites!. Placing in the top 10 for both Lulu's personal faves AND the people's choice. We love Lulu and appreciate all the work she does for vintage online! Thanks to her AND our voters!!

~Ang

Bow Envy

2010-05-10T15:15:00.000-07:00

So ARETHA FRANKLIN'S people aren't digging that her hat from the Obama inaugural event was KNOCKED OFF?

Guess the folks at the 1930s millinery house of BRANCA MODELS better set her straight....

Now I love love love Aretha, but honey...ain't nothing in fashion new. A big bow on a hat is hardly something to claim is an original design, not in these Ever Changing Times. Even if you bedazzle it with rhinestones. Its all about R.E.S.P.E.C.T honey, that your milliner ain't giving to the predecessors. And while I love you, your fab hat was merely an age old millinery design. Ain't No Way that hat is a completely new look in fashion for the noggin, so Think. Think about trying to keep people from putting a big black bow on their heads to try to look like the Queen of Soul. I'll Say a Little Prayer for you that you drop this frivolous lawsuit and let the dames who want to rock the bow, rock the BOW. Because imitation IS the sincerest form of flattery. And everyone loves Aretha!!!

~Ang

The House of Halston

2010-05-03T06:26:00.000-07:00

I live in an older neighborhood (you're shocked, I know). Houses around here are mainly bungalows built at the turn of and just after the turn of the century.....mine in particular in 1916. Some homes are in good repair, some in serious need of repair. But one house in particular has a bit more of a modern tale to tell.

This is the house of Halston, or so I'm told. The first home of Roy Halston Frowick sits just around the corner from my house here in Des Moines, Iowa...an unlikely start indeed for a man bound for glamour, fame and fortune.

Halston with muse Bianca Jagger & Liza Minelli

JANUARY MAGAZINE does a nice write up and review of the Halston biography (that I clearly must have), "HALSTON", by Steven Bluttal. A fascinating yet tragic character who met an unjust and decidedly non-glamorous end, Halston's work continues to withstand the test of time. Glamorous yet sleek and simple, as impressive on the runway as it was off.

I rarely come across Halston pieces (despite being in the city he began his life in!)....but have recently acquired this beautiful 60s Halston hat. Sculpted felt with curving graceful lines, inspired by the 20s but with the modern edge only Halston could add.

PS, speaking of hats! Just sent a box of vintage hats out to Vogue in NY again for potential use in another photo shoot! Wish me luck....

~Ang

over the top

2010-04-17T12:17:00.000-07:00

Its hard to imagine Rosalind Russell in any film without an extensive wardrobe of outrageous and stylish 40s tilt hats. The epitome of 1940s glamour, these sweet little hat perched forward on the head, secured by combs, pins or a strap back beneath hair and were often as whimsical as they were dramatic.

You can imagine our delight at finding this hat recently, just added to the website. Pale shell pink sculpted sisal with 2 lucite accents perched atop in the folds...chenille dotted black veiling. Mint condition!

~Ang

In the Hood

2010-04-12T14:10:00.000-07:00

Brand new to DOROTHEA'S CLOSET VINTAGE, a true rarity in the vintage world....this divine hooded black crepe 40s evening gown by "Miss America".

There are few who could pull of the glamorous look of the hooded gown better than Little Edie Bouvier-Beale, here in her 1930s white zip front gown re-created and worn by Drew Barrymore in the Grey Gardens remake of 2009.

Watch for it soon!

~Ang

designs in vintage....coming soon to dorotheas' closet vintage

2010-04-08T11:17:00.000-07:00

by week's end find this fetching & feminine black silk 50s party dress with pink velvet ruffled neckline and rose accent, by NETTIE ROSENSTEIN....

And this chic bone colored silk 60s jacket with unique button detail in back, by JEAN PATOU....

~Ang

Suit Up

2010-03-20T05:46:00.000-07:00

A puzzling trend has emerged here at my local boutique. Over and over I overhear customers who, upon discovering a full rack of 2 piece women's suits, exclaim surprise that the jacket they hold in their hands that they very much love has a matching skirt! Its truly stunning how many women come in that seem to have no concept of the idea of the suit for women. Nearly just as often I am asked to sell the jacket separately from the skirt, which I have to politely decline.

The suit is basically a two piece dress. Seen every season in some incarnation, the suit has not and never will go "out of style". These, from Dolce and Gabbana...

And from Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel....

So the suit has not become passe by any means. The suit is not a foreign concept in fashion, in fact quite the opposite. So why the fear? Why the scorn? Is it the matchy-matchy, Garanimals vibe a two piece set gives off to some people? Maybe so. But is it really so hard to imagine taking TWO great pieces of clothing and mixing them up with other pieces? Twill skirt with skinny sweater and tights, belted jacket over cami with jeans, pencil skirt with fitted tee and cardigan, jacket over printed dress (a la Kyra Sedgewick on "the Closer")...

To me, it seems like a slam dunk purchase to buy a vintage suit. Take this pewter 40s suit now offered at DOROTHEA'S CLOSET VINTAGE. A gorgeous "dress" worn together, it also packs loads of potential worn as individual pieces....

Classic design whether 40s nipped waist or 60s boxy cropped cuts, you get a complete look to custom accessorize to taste when worn together AND two great separates to mix into your wardrobe a myriad of ways. Don't fear the suit!

~Ang

Blue Drew

2010-01-25T05:40:00.000-08:00

Apparently, all I do anymore is watch awards shows, and apparently, all the celebs I choose to comment on wear blue. At least the last two. And my excuse for sitting and watching said awards shows is simply this......I love the clothes, and its winter here in Iowa so I'm either iced or snowed in anyway! Saturday night the Screen Actor's Guild (S.A.G.) Awards show took place, and while I am certainly chock full of comments about many attendees, the one I actually had to Google to find out whether I was mad or way off on was Drew Barrymore.

Agreeing with the LA Times on her 60s inspired look (up do, pale make up) inspired by Brigitte Bardot & Sharon Tate (read their re-cap HERE>, I still found that on Drew it didn't quite work on stage. I wish I could find a clip (I'll keep looking)....because on the red carpet she looks smashing!.....

Under the lights of the stage the lip definition was lost and ended up washing her out horribly....sad indeed, given the effect it was clearly quite capable of. That said, more inspiration from vintage looks is always a good thing! And seeing Grey Gardens (a movie Dorothea's contributed to wardrobe for) win another award is always a great thing!

~Ang

Blue Rose

2010-01-20T08:54:00.000-08:00

More vintage at the Golden Globes! The lovely Rose McGowan (owner of several pieces from Dorothea's Closet Vintage, though this dress is not) in a dress previously owned by actress Ava Gardner, at the InStyle/Warner Bros. party following the 67th Annual Golden Globe Awards.

The screen siren Ava, in Dior....similar dress, though not quite the same.

Gorgeous!

~Ang

Vintage at the Golden Globes

2010-01-18T10:43:00.000-08:00

Took a much needed break from the madness of life to watch the Golden Globe Awards last night! Just briefly highlighting some vintage pieces worn on the red carpet....

Vintage Yves St Laurent on Julie Roberts, accented with chunky Van Cleef & Arpels pendant necklace....

Penelope Cruz in vintage Armani Couture....

Carey Mulligan works a vintage bracelet as a glamorous headband....

John Lithgow in vintage Armani tuxedo...

And I didn't hate any of them! Well played.

~Ang

the Hole Thing

2009-11-10T16:53:00.000-08:00

A couple of weeks ago Viktor & Rolf showed their Spring 2010 collection, allowing fashion critics and bloggers world wide to rejoice at finally get to mention Edward Scissorhands in a review. I rather loved it, despite the flack they took for taking things completely over the top (isn't that what runway is for?) and blogged about it HERE. Quite honestly I never expected to see any of those dresses again, so was pleasantly surprised to see on GO FUG YOURSELF that one of those magnificent, mind blowing tulle confections was actually worn in public by a a celebrity....though not surprised that it was KATY PERRY, seen at the MTV Europe Awards. Which I missed, because A) I live in the US and B) MTV is utterly irrelevant. Anyhoo.....

Strange that I like the runway model's make up better. Next time go for a mini with the ta's gnawed off, Katy!

~Ang

Its Costume Time!

2009-10-27T07:07:00.000-07:00

I've recently added these 2 pieces to my shop on ETSY shop, hoping they find a good home where they will be restored and used again for their orginal intent.....as costumes! These pieces were made in the 1920s for stage, this likely for a Shakespearean affair....

And this a more romantic number, again likely mid 1800s...

Perfect for Halloween to wear as is or for stage use!

~Ang

Vintage Blass at the Paperball

2009-10-21T11:56:00.000-07:00

The Museum of Arts and Design celebrated its one year "paper anniversary" recently with a star studded gala in New York City with one of a kind artist-designed paper dresses, accessories and product design available for purchase and allowed guests to preview MAD's newly opened paper exhibition, Slash: Paper Under the Knife. In a vintage origami inspired vintage Bill Blass was lovely attendee Rose McGowan....

~Ang

Dorothea's Closet on Page 1 of the Wall Street Journal!

2009-10-20T11:16:00.000-07:00

Read it here!.

I've been lucky enough to have worked with films, cast & crew on films being shot here in Iowa the last year and half, as blogged previously. And now that the program is in jeopardy, the Wall Street Journal came to town to do a story and chatted a bit with me about it! I was slightly disappointed that they didn't print what I said, but the fact remains that this industry is a boon to our economy and I hope things get straightened out soon. A big thanks to the WSJ for the front page mention and for their attention to this story!

~Ang

Dorothea's Closet Vintage Goes Glossy

2009-10-12T13:52:00.000-07:00

This weekend was the big unveiling party for DSM MAGAZINE'S WOMEN'S ISSUE, and Dorothea's Closet Vintage was honored to have contributed to not only the runway event Saturday night (pics as they are available) but also to the fashion spread within this special issue. What resulted was a superb example of how well vintage pieces can serve to add a dash of individuality to a modern wardrobe! Collaborating with local boutiques offering brand new designer pieces, vintage from Dorothea's meshes perfectly.

60s autumnal floral print velvet dress with modern leggings & heels,

Dorothea's vintage necklace and bracelet make perfect accents to modern pieces.

DCV vintage umbrella and boots.

Dorothea's Closet adds a vintage touch with a 70s leotard and 80s fishscale metallic belt.

~Ang

Honey, I Shaved Your Prom Dress

2009-10-05T17:23:00.000-07:00

50s prom dresses get the razor from Viktor & Rolf for Spring 2010, with a mean dash of 80's asymetrical geo shaping. Brilliant.

~Ang

Plush

2009-09-30T13:39:00.000-07:00

Its fur season, whether you prefer faux or genuine, and the look this season is far from the ladylike mink stole your grandma wore. The October Vogue takes an edgy approach to traditional pelts.....

We recently shot an 80s foxtail mantle on model Amber Pirillo over a brilliant emerald green 60s cocktail dress, fox mantle available at DOROTHEA'S CLOSET VINTAGE on the coats page.

Fox fur hat, designed by myself for SUGARLIDS on etsy

1932 2 tone fox stole by Patou (I'd love to see this recreated!)....

~Ang

Serious Statement Jewelry

2009-09-30T06:36:00.000-07:00

"This all started when I was ambassador at the U.N. and Saddam Hussein called me a serpent," she says. "I had this wonderful antique snake pin. So when we were dealing with Iraq, I wore the snake pin."

Turns out you really CAN make a statement with jewelry! Former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright is making news with the revelation that the brooches she wore when working with foreign leaders and to meetings at the White House were carefully selected to convey her feelings and intents. Take a look at MADELEINE ALBRIGHT'S JEWELRY and listen to the NPR story about the book...excerpts included on the page as well. I'd love to see the whole collection....and I hear it includes a bit of vintage!

Hollywood Vintage

2009-09-28T06:58:00.000-07:00

Iowa is currently a hot bed of Hollywood activity (I know, who'd have ever thought?). Tax incentives put in place in the last 2 years have been bringing film crews by the dozens to Iowa to shoot....in small towns, cornfields, farm houses and right here in Des Moines. The battle over whether to keep those tax breaks in place at a government level is a topic for another blog, but for small business owners like me it has been not only fantastic for the extra dollars it brings in as well as the attention it brings to the state to draw both tourists and new residents. That said, I hope things get straightened out soon!

As for how its played out in my vintage shop, I've not only worked with wardrobers on films ("Peacock" with Susan Sarandon/Ellen Page which will feature many vintage pieces from my shop, "Fertile Ground" with Leisha Hailey) but also seen a great many cast and crew members come in to do some vintage shopping. The last several weeks have brought in Forrest Whitaker, Leisha Hailey, Amy Smart and Rose McGowan, all fans of vintage! All a delight to work with, and all happy with their experience...so much so that Rose McGowan even talked about it (and other Iowa related experiences) on her TWITTER PAGE! Looking forward to seeing pics of her, Amy & Leisha in their vintage dresses from the shop (and Forrest in his ties!)...

While its been great for me its been great for Iowa as well, so here's hoping Governor Chet Culver gets this back on track!

Grey Gardens for the Win

2009-09-21T07:48:00.000-07:00

It should come as no surprise to any reader of mine that I was rooting for Grey Gardens to sweep last night's Emmy Awards. Two years ago I was contacted by the wardrober about a few pieces from my website they were interested in using for the film, and when it finally aired on HBO this last Spring I was thrilled to see a 1930s dressing gown I'd sent them appear on Jessica Lange (as Big Edie Beale).

Unfortunately there weren't 2 awards available for best leading actress in a movie, as both Drew Barrymore and Jessica Lange gave superb performances as the Beales and both deserved the win. Jessica won and looked stunning in a teal green...

And Drew channeled the young Little Edie in a pale pink 50s inspired gown by MONIQUE LHUILLIER and carried a handbag designed by RAVEN KAUFFMAN, aptly named "Drew" and created after the designer saw Drew play Edie Beale in Grey Gardens.

Lhuillier made quite an impact on the red carpet last night, and I'm sure I wasn't the only one who was impressed by her vintage inspired romantic designs. Emmy winner Toni Collette in a brighter pink...

And Mila Kunis in a cocktail length deep red Lhuillier...

So many gorgeous dresses. Dorothea's has officially dressed an Emmy winning actress for an Emmy winning film! Thats pretty thrilling to be a part of. And speaking of award winning, I'll be watching today's OPRAH SHOW to see the dress from my website worn by JANUARY JONES' Mom, Karen! Read about it HERE from Sunday's Des Moines Register. Hoping she gets the camera coverage she deserves!

~Ang

Hattery!

2009-09-18T10:16:00.000-07:00

Thanks ever so much to Malie at VINTAGE SHOPPING GUIDE for her blog post about the vintage hats from DOROTHEA'S CLOSET VINTAGE being in the September issue of VOGUE MAGAZINE and her lovely write up about my own line of hats (designed by moi), SUGARLIDS. You can read her blog HERE!

And a couple of the newest lids....

Shiny Shiny

2009-09-15T04:51:00.000-07:00

Its a post & run blog but couldn't help noticing KRISTIN CAVALLARI on the red carpet at Sunday night's VMA's in a vintage (read 80s) strapless dress in shiny aluminum silver. Thats Kristin on the left with Katy Perry....

Something positive in spite of Kanye West's pathetic behaviour that night!

~Ang

When Vintage Looks This Good....

2009-09-05T10:10:00.000-07:00

Why shop the mall and wear what everyone else is? On a nearly daily basis I hear people express that they "can't" wear vintage or don't get how to wear it without it looking like a costume. Well, here's how. And swing by the site to check out a page devoted to showing you other WAYS TO WEAR VINTAGE....either head to toe, mixed eras or pieced into a modern wardrobe. Its hot AND eco-chic!

40s appliqued skirt with an 80s sequined tube top and 30s velvet corset lace dirndl with an Edwardian crocheted bonnet...

Here, a red rose print chiffon 50s dress with 70s belt, red velvet cape from the 1930s, 50s bottle green scarab beetle brooch and 40s feathered cocktail hat....

Early 1920s very Mary Pickford babydoll style wedding dress with organza ruffles and silk ribbon worn with a hat from my line, SUGARLIDS designed from a vintage fox pelt & millinery pieces....

We could mix it up all day, but these shots give a great idea of how vintage can be worn with a very modern attitude!

~Ang

Des Moines Buzz

2009-09-01T17:39:00.000-07:00

Lots of web-press for Dorothea's today! First the DESIGN_SPONGE mention, then an online article by local write Sophia Ahmad for the DES MOINES REGISTER/Juice Magazine! about her visit to my shop during the weekend visit from Betty Draper's real life Mom. She even used my pics (with permission of course). So, thanks Sponge & Sophia!!

~Ang

Design_Sponge!

2009-09-01T08:37:00.000-07:00

DOROTHEA'S CLOSET is in the Guide to Des Moines, Iowa highlighted on today's DESIGN_SPONGE!. A fantastic blog, most honored by both the writer of the guide and the blog to be mentioned! Many thanks.

~Ang

Dressing Betty Draper's Mom

2009-08-31T09:17:00.000-07:00

Recently I had the pleasure of being the go-to person for vintage wear for the real life Mom of one of the vintage world's biggest screen stars...Betty Draper from AMC's MAD MEN! Betty, aka January Jones, will be taping an episode of THE OPRAH WINFREY SHOW this week to be aired the week of September 21st, which of course is the date of the Emmy Awards Show. Mad Men is nominated for 16 awards, and the cast will be making an appearance on the Oprah show along with an entire audience wearing early 60s vintage! Betty & Don decked for cocktails (as an aside, Karen shared that January loves wearing vintage too!)...

January's Mom, Karen, lives here in the Des Moines area and had decided to drive out to Chicago with her sister to attend the show to support her lovely daughter. She contacted me here at the shop about help finding the perfect dress and was gracious enough to let me shoot some pics of some of the pieces she tried on but decided against. Her first choices were to go the Betty Draper route (both dresses available on my website)...

However, we were concerned about the dresses being too pale to be picked up in the studio audience. These were two more options, more along the lines of Joan....

But neither of those was the final choice....you'll have to tune in to the Oprah Show in September to see what Karen finally ended up in! A big thank you to Karen and her family who were along for the second visit and photo shoot. She looks as great in vintage as her daughter!

~Ang

Divorce Over Funny Papers? And More... (orig. published June 12, 2006)

2009-08-30T05:41:00.000-07:00

No no, no divorce for Jean....as far as I know, they were happily married til they were parted by his death in 1981. I found a letter with a couple pieces Jean's mother cut out & sent to her....strangely, no mention in the letter about what the intent was, but I assume she was letting Jean know she had gotten this hat & gloves....either for herself or to send to Jean (this while living in Kentucky, in 1936).

I've taken to reading the backs of the ads, and found this odd little story! Here's your divorce....

I'll have some eye candy for the sinners next, in the way of a political cartoon! For now, off to monitor Jean's green dress with cherry embellishments....its doing well! Ang

Fred (orig. posted June 11 2006)

2009-08-28T04:53:00.000-07:00

I haven't gotten to many letters from her brother, Fred (whom I mistakenly assumed was younger, but is clearly a little older than her!)....I know they're in the stash I have, but I am working through slowly as time permits. I find sometimes I get so caught up in reading about her life I forget I need to WORK! And so I have not "blogged" in a few days, as I've been playing catch up on my vintage selling.

I did find a picture of she & Fred, I had thought I didnt have any of her as a small child but I do have this, and wanted to share it. I'd say it was taken in about 1907 to early 1908....

Hoping to get some pictures of newspaper articles today to get on here soon....meantime, lots of Jean's 40's dresses are at auction and ending tonight & tomorrow night (including that darling with the cherries on the shoulder!) so if you feel inclined, have a look! Ang

A Father's Love (orig. published June 8 2006)

2009-08-27T04:38:00.000-07:00

Yep, I already posted today (are there blog rules against 2 posts in a day?).....I'll flout blog etiquette & post again anyway. Just read this letter from Jean's father, Thomas (Tom), written to her on January 30, 1937.....shortly after she goes home to recover there from the back surgery. It charmed me so I had to share.

My Darling Girl-

Well I called Hess this eve and he said the pain in the back of your neck he thot was due more to lack of exercise of the muscles in your neck and shoulders and that the pain resulted from a sustained position and the muscles became strained and sore. He thinks a massage regularly for a while by some competent swedish "massager" or osteopath will get the muscles in your neck and shoulders active and then you will not have the trouble. I would suggest also that you sit down and write out all the facts, etc you can think of and then let Bob put it in letter form to Dr Binger and see what he says in reply. I notice you talk of discouragement over your condition. Well thats clearly out of line of good judgement at this time because you cant expect to feel 100 percent OK for a long time- much longer than 3 months after any operation like yours following too quite a few years of a generally bad condition. In other words you cant tear down for 4 or 5 years then go thru an operation like yours and clean up all aches and pains, get your full strength and good health back in an instant nor even months- so take those SILLY NOTIONS out of your little head and keep up your chin and gradually build up the health and strength thru nature and exercise.

I don't want to hear you refer to discouragement, that is not the thing- you can't win a fight by giving up and taking the count. Get your mind off of yourself . You remember a few years ago when I thot I was having everything in the world- and I didnt get right until I got my head right- did I. I think you are doing fine, just keep on walking and exercising. If you dont want to go to osteopath or someone start exercising your neck and shoulders for 5 min at a time 4 or 5 times a day.. Get all those muscles active and see if the results are not good. In the meantime keep that good old chin of yours UP. Lots of Love & Kisses, Yours......Dad ps Business has been GOOD.

40something

2009-08-25T06:09:00.000-07:00

Vogue magazine declares "the 40s are in". Shoulder pads are making the runway rounds again. Suits worn as separates are the hot look for fall. Its the perfect time to mix a little real 40s with your modern wardrobe! These 40s pieces epitomize the iconic look without looking too much like you're headed to a U.S.O. party. All pics click to the site where you'll find tons more vintage (and yes, lots of 40s!).

The classic 40s suit, wide shoulders, nipped waist, pencil skirt, cool details...perfect together with some chunky accessories, tights & booties or separately layered into a myriad of ensembles!

Early 40s wool set in hunter green plaid, body conscious vest and skirt fantastic worn together over a short puff sleeve blouse, under a belted sweater or worn separately worked into scads of outfits! Imagine the vest belted over a skinny turtle neck with wide leg denim!

For a classic evening look, a sequined bodice crepe full length gown is red carpet perfect....

And for at home entertaining or an elegant evening out, leopard velvet meets amber silk chiffon!....

~Ang

Vintage Vogue

2009-08-24T07:23:00.000-07:00

My recent inclusion in the September issue of VOGUE MAGAZINE lead me to several conversations at my boutique with clients who found the photography of the Steven Meisel shoot unusual. I wasn't surprised at all when I saw them, rather, I was impressed at how true to 40's Vogue styling they appeared! Here is a 40s shot (credit to MY VINTAGE VOGUE...

And here is an image from the 2009 Meisel shoot (hat available on the website!)...

Something a little more unusual for a vintage Vogue is an outdoor shoot, like this one from the early 40s...

And the 2009 spin on fresh faced, outdoorsey types, both hats from my site, hat on left still available...

Another great shot, which happens to show a model holding a 1941 Vogue I have here at the house, aquired from Jean's estate!

For more vintage Vogue eye candy, be sure to peruse the MY VINTAGE VOGUE WEBSITE!

~Ang

Hulitar, Looking Back

2009-08-23T08:41:00.001-07:00

As we celebrate 3 years of webbiness, I am looking back over some of my favorite pieces. One of the most amazing gowns I ever had in my possession was a silk beaded 50s gown by PHILIP HULITAR. The gown ended up back in the family, being sold to Philip's daughter to be given to her daughter (the granddaughter of Philip) for a wedding gift. Not only was it a fantastic gown but had an unusually happy ending!

A Hulitar is not an easy thing to come by, but amazingly there are a couple on etsy right now! This sweet little cocktail dress is from MOCK TURTLE VINTAGE...

Hulitar grew up in Greece and was inspired by the dance costumes worn by his neighbor who would holiday there, Isadora Duncan. His asymetrical bodices, draping and flowing textiles are often a testimony to that influence. This gown has the same angled bodice top as the gown I had, toga inspired gather at side, on etsy now from seller EAST COAST VINTAGE CHIC

Don't miss the other Hulitar gown from the same seller. Heady stuff for etsy!

~Ang

the 40s are "In", and Dorothea's is IN Vogue Magazine!

2009-08-21T11:05:00.000-07:00

The September issue of VOGUE MAGAZINE has hit the stands! Not only does it declare on the cover that the 40's are in (yay!), but to prove it there is a fantastic photo shoot by reknowned photographer Steven Meisel (styled by Grace Coddington) on pages 502-517. With powerhouse design greats like Dolce & Gabanna, Lanvin, Donna Karan and Calvin Klein recreating 40s styles nearly to a t, its amazing the stylists chose to add in some genuine vintage pieces. Nice to see the real deal mingle with the modern interpretation. And they're from none other than DOROTHEA'S CLOSET VINTAGE!.

These 2 hats are both from the website, though the one on the right already sold but the large brimmed black one is top of the page on the 1st hats page at the site. Clothing by Michael Kors & Louis Vuitton....

On model Karen Elson, dress by Calvin Klein, coque feather hat available on the website....

We recenetly worked a 40s look with a modern angle on model Emily Svec here at the shop....

Hat tip to Vogue for using real vintage with a vintage themed shoot and a thank you for the opportunity!

~Ang

Three Already??

2009-08-18T21:36:00.000-07:00

In doing some impromptu digging into the history of the website recently, it has come to my attention that the website turns three years old this month! With that I thought a little week-long retrospective was in order. I'll also have a pretty big celebration to coincide with it coming later this week, but for now I thought it would be grand to take a look at how far the site has come in just a short amount of time.

THE INTERNET ARCHIVE WAYBACK MACHINE is a fantastic little public access tool that lets you type in any url and review how it looked by month for as long as its been live. If I type in my main url, I can take a look (and share) how my page looked the day it went live on August 21, 2006. DAY ONE. Pretty rudimentary. The artwork was a sketch I'd found done by my grandmother, Dorothea, who appears in the photo booth pics making up the buttons down the left side. I was self taught and did all the work myself (still do). Its pretty amazing to look now at how much its evolved!

By October 6 you can see a few of my favorite pieces, now long gone...HERE. A great Claire McCardell recently worn by Tracey Ullman to host the CFDA Awards Show, and 2 really fantastic appliqued 50s sweaters by Helen Bond Carruthers now found in the Archives section of the site. Amazing to look at how the photographs have changed, from having the little faux corner tabs I had liked using on eBay to the bedsheet I used to use before I invested in photo paper!

You can view individual pages too. Lets start with the earliest, VICTORIAN AND EDWARDIAN. Clicking on AUGUST 19 2006 shows the very first day my very small (at the time) collection of antique apparel was. Four pieces, the headliner being that gorgeous black and blue embroidered and beaded sheer dress with bustle back. That dress remains on every page the WaybackMachine can archive, though it sold in June of 2008. By DECEMBER 2007 the collection had grown a bit to include an exquisite purple and gold Edwardian gown, some beaded bags and a fur trimmed cape. The site itself had evolved into a softer background of grey as I tried to simplify the appearance a bit.

So happy birthday to Dorothea's! I have to say, the gift of being able to track every detail of the site over the years and how its changed, what pieces have come and gone and how its grown is a pretty great present (but not as good as whats coming later this week!)

~Ang

A Letter to Bob (orig. published June 8 2006)

2009-08-18T16:40:00.000-07:00

"Dearest Bobby-Boy:
So glad to get your sweet letter this A.M. and was so glad when Mother came over yesterday and said you got home O.K.
Your week-end visit sure did help me a lot and I was so glad you could come. We had a fine time- didnt we. I just about died when I heard you had to spend an hour with those people and wish you had made arrangements for him to come here.
Well here is news- it looks as if we will leave here to-morrow. Dr Counsellor said I could leave to-morrow or any time I feel well and I believe by using wheel chair here and at hotel the trip won't be too much for me. It will be at least several days before I will feel equal to going to the clinic or down the the dining room. But I dont believe I'm overdoing it by going to-morrow. I truly hope not as that will be very bad. I walked up to the desk here and back to sun parlor rested a few minutes and then walked back to my chair- so you see I am much better than I was Sun.
Kelly's star pupil left to-day and for all her speed I can't see that she beat me so much. I can get into the chair better but still need help at the toilet- but I think with Mother's help we can manage OK and both get by for less than its costing me here. The meals haven't been so good here since Sun, all the meat tough so that I had to take mineral oil to-day. And had to send back nurse for more food. I've been sitting up quite a lot too. We went for a ride yesterday and I sat in the chair on the two sun porches for a long time.This noon Mother used the "pro-curler" so my hair looks like something once again. I'm sitting as near the radiator as I can until it drys, sure hope I don't take any cold. Mother has gone to get a bite, do a little washing and see about room at the Samaritan. She brought over my clothes this A.M. and took a big box of stuff home with her.
I'm excited over going and hope nothing comes up to prevent it. Once I get there it shouldn't be so long until we can make plans to go home. Sure hope you have a good week and will be very careful. This is the first word and words I've written since Oct. 25- I'm getting tired but lasting longer than I expected. Hope you feel really honored! Got a beautiful bouquet of big yellow chrysanthamums and small deep red over from the Gray's this A.M. Sure too bad Dr Mayo- he was only 34. Have been taking your pills- think thats the reason for the long letter. Sure hope I get along all O.K. during the move. The preacher called yesterday and no prayer so I think I'm going to get by. Nice letter from your Dad to-day. Did you get up to see Dad this A.M.? Be good and real careful and I'll look for your letter to-morrow. Love & kisses- Jean XXXXXXXXXX "count 'em".
She added off to the side in tiny print "If you tell anyone I wrote you make it very clear that's all I'm doing as I really don't feel equal to more and don't want to offend anyone- Love J.B.H."
This letter was written while she was recovering from back surgery, as I mentioned in the last post. I think its a lovely glimpse into the mind of a young girl struggling to feel well & go home to her husband.....there are several more, I may share a few. I do intend to get some newspaper clippings & corresponding quotes from the letters from her Mom posted soon....maybe tomorrow! But this is what I can share with you all from work here today....enjoy! Ang

"Ornery" (orig. published June 8, 2006)

2009-08-18T16:38:00.000-07:00

"From April 16, 1937....Jean doing better now, well enough to fret over joining the Country Club in Burlington Iowa.

Hello Lambie-

Well I am glad the C Club fellows did not find out what a "terrible" couple you are and also find out about your "terrible" past. Now that you are both undiscovered I hope you will get real enjoyment out there at all times and too you can now get your NERVES settled again. "Fellow Members" I salute you. Poor little dear you have so many nerve racking troubles that DON'T exist, its funny how real troubles don't bother you. Anyhow the best peach in the orchard and the world- so there. Lots of Love & Kisses to my Fellow Members-Always Love- Ornery Dad"

1936 (orig. published June 7, 2006)

2009-08-17T08:05:00.000-07:00

(republished)....

There are so many things in the letters from 1936 I would like to share, by way of newspaper clippings sent to Jean about topics ranging from world events to fashion, to her mothers own take on these very things.....the delightful & endearing things her father writes to her & more. I need to be at home to access a camera & my picture files to do that, but here at work I am done with the '36 letters and at least wanted to keep up to date here!
Seems at some point previous to the correspondence I have, Jean was in an accident that affected her spine to the point she was in bed often with pain so bad it made her nauseous. Her father did quite a bit of research into what could be done for her, from how much it would cost to be examined in Rochesterat Mayo Clinic ($60 to $150), to what she would need to do when they interviewed her & Bob about their finances to determine what they would charge, or, as he put it "to see how many clothes pins you have in your basket & what kind of vacuum cleaner you use". !!.
In October of 1936 she went to Mayo and had surgery. She left a couple weeks later & spend the next 2 1/2 months in a rehab center with her mother there all along. The letters she wrote to Bob are the first I have read with HER voice, and they reveal a scared & vulnerable 30 year old woman trying to recover from a serious surgery and struggling to make her husband happy from afar & please her mother who was intent on mothering her as long as she could. Bob was left at home alone to get a Christmas tree, do the Christmas cards & shopping & find a nursemaid to help with her care so she could come home.
She did get home in January, and I will be back to share more about the '36 letters with some visuals & quotes! Ang

The Psychology of the Shoulder Pad

2009-08-15T06:07:00.000-07:00

The padded shoulder is everywhere these days. Popping up (or out) on runways the last year or so, the trend is finally making its way to the mainstream and appearing on celebrities as well as department stores. And while its easy to compare the look to its most recent appearance in the 80s, women have been dressing to create the illusion of having broad shoulders off and on for over 100 years.

In the late 1800s, the architecture of the shoulder in women's apparel reached massive proportions, achieved by using voluminous fabric with tucks and pleats for support....heavier fabrics often had sculpting pads at the seam. The Victorian leg-o-mutton sleeve is a prime example.

Over the next 30 years, shoulders were left natural, often given attention by being revealed with open designs but not exaggerated as before. By the 30s women's apparel had become long, lean and feminine with more attention to sleeves, the back and neckline than to shoulders. But by the late 30s the shoulder started to assert itself again with demure ruffled caps, slight angles and dainty puffed sleeves.

Maybe its coincidence, but at this point as women's fashion was starting to embrace the masculine and empower them a little with a broad shouldered look, globally we were seeing the threat of WWII building. By the time women in America saw their husbands off to war and stepped up to the workplace en masse, the shoulder had reached unusually large proportions. Women dominated the workplace as well as the silver screen and wore the shoulders to prove it.

After WWII Christian Dior reigned in those shoulders and with the lifting of restrictions on fabric, put the emphasis back on the female form in a more traditional sense, exaggerating the bust and hips with nipped waists and massive full skirts. The look became the silhouette of the 50s to mid 60s, when another fashion revolution mimicking the 20s removed the restrictions of the wasp-waist and gave women the freedom to dress without a girdle. By the end of the 70s, the 30s influence became strong again...long, lean & feminine. In the 70s too, women were steadily gaining in the workplace and achieving things unseen before, finding their place in the white collar world long dominated by men. Coincidentally or not, the fashion world once again began to empower women by giving them the big broad shoulders the men they were competing with came by naturally.

I'm sure in retrospect there will be a reason (other than the predictable cyclical nature of fashion itself) that the large or sculpted shoulder is making a comeback at this time in history. Wars, a new president, the recession....certainly no lack of reasons for women to feel like they need a little help shouldering the woes of the world. Regardless, they're back. Whether you're ready to go large or not, the attention for a while is going to be on the shoulders!

~Ang

Another One for Dad "Dad-isms"

2009-08-13T13:38:00.000-07:00

This is out of order from my original Jean blogs back in 2006, but so apt for today I decided to add it. From June 27, 2006...

"Reading letters today (finally!). Its fascinating to think people once took all that time to write about things as mundane as what they ate for every meal of the day....and I mean EVERY piece! Details about hygiene, laundry, weather, what they are wearing. I suppose in our time we fire off an email now & then to close friends & family with these kinds of tedium....but the effort to WRITE it all down & take it to the post office! And Jean's parents write her nearly daily. Given the phone was still newer & expensive for long distance, I guess it makes sense, and they were indeed a close family. Its nice, really. Quaint even.
But Jean's Dad is the one who really spices up the letters! Either he adds a bit at the top or back, or writes his own short one separately.....some quotes...
"My Dear Babe....
Well, poured your Ma into a seat on the Challenger at 3:50 and started her for Lake Mich.
"Heard Roosevelt today, he's a nut"
Hello Kiddos, So busy this PM I forgot to get the Duchess until I was about 30 min late....
I think I find it refreshing how frank he is, how comfortable talking to his daughter....and how at ease he seems writing to her. Now, Mother, on the other hand.....writes as comfortably as a couple old gals at the bridge table! Happy to dish....and in an instance like this, her love for Jean is evident, even in a moment of cattiness.
"Well, I'd say that Virg. is dumb or jealous & Dorothy T also. She (Virg.) was afraid to ask you to her tea on your Wedding Anniv. or near it for fear someone would ask you what you got or were doing that day and it be so far ahead of her- and she couldn't stand it- too jealous. I'd see her in _____ before I'd ask her to my house until they do something for you & Bob."
Yikes! Someone slighted our dear Jean. Despite my not reading many things Jean HERSELF has written, I have definitely sensed a touch of insecurity in her......her anxiety over trying to please her Mother yet be a wife & adult where she & Bob are concerned during her surgery & recovery......many mentions in letters from both parents of her worries, other events she has hostessed in her home that were snubbed by "friends". I have yet to learn where her insecurity comes from.....though all it would take in the 30s would be a lack of children to feel "different". Funny, her Mother rarely speaks of other couple's children, and it appears as though her brother & his wife never had any, either.
They all seemed well off enough, so I can't imagine it was money that made her feel inferior to these other couples. I guess I can only hope to learn through future letters.....to what end, I can't say.....but I am curious. She dressed well, went to college, was in a sorority, married well.....didn't seem to want for much. Entertained often.....curious. It makes me sad for her....often I wish there would have been a way to have known her before she passed away, though I'd never had gotten access to this with her alive. Strange to "miss" someone you never knew.....a person who I am getting to know as a young girl that it would never have been POSSIBLE for me to know. While its fascinating, its almost always tinged with a little sadness.
Eventually I will figure out what the lesson is here. I'll be sure to share that.....! Ang "

Jean Wear (orig. published June 4 2006)

2009-08-13T13:34:00.000-07:00

Some pieces long ago sold....

The highlight is definitely this sweet little floral print 2 piece set from the 30s, in crepe silk with cherry cluster on shoulder. Picture of Jean wearing it follows, and will come with the dress!

The darling little T strap shoes she has on, with a matching handbag will be listed separately!

A golden gabardine....

And a cool kiwi with white bead trim...several more, don't miss this collection!

(again, all pieces sold in 2006, just recapping the pretty!)

~Ang

the Dress (orig. published June 2 2006)

2009-08-13T13:32:00.000-07:00

Or maybe, what found ME. Happened upon it in an antique store today, with a little picture of Jean pinned to it.....I knew the dress before I saw the picture!

It is indeed the dress she is wearing in several pictures I have of her

as well as the one used as a background on the (old) blog. So its fitting I found it......and what I will do with it remains to be seen, but I was happy to see it! Ang

Lambie (aka Jean), and a Happy Birthday to Dad

2009-08-13T13:26:00.000-07:00

Originally published on MySpace on June 1, 2006.

"I do intend to share some of the more fashion-related snippets from letters with you all, as this whole things IS clothing related. But in reading these letters, I am gaining such a sense of who Jean's FAMILY was.......what family meant to them......I can't help but be moved by that , and in some ways that is becoming more compelling to me than the wardrobe!

I've mentioned that there are few letters in my possession from before 1935....I've got the wedding invitation, a few letters & postcards, but the bulk of it begins in '35. It appears her father worked in the coal industry....as a salesman or something similar. They were in Iowa, but he was transferred to Kentucky for most of 1935, to help a fledgeling or struggling office. He & Jeans mother (who's name I do not know yet, but her father was Thomas) rented an apartment there temporarily. Her mother didn't like it.....remarks often about how dirty it was, that everything was black all the time.....windows, rugs, linens. She made some friends through church, they ate often at a place called the Blue Boar & at Bishops, went for rides, the Derby, played golf. By early 1936, Thomas had struck up a deal to open his own coal yard & get back to Iowa, a business he called Thos. Boone Fuels. I imagine that took some doing at the tail end of the depression!

Their letters are not unlike our emails to good friends and family today.....quick synopsis of a day or two's events, some gossip, some remarks about current fashions she had read of or seen while shopping....opinions on movies, operas & who they had listened to on the radio. She & her mother wrote each other at least a few times a week, and her father had a minor obsession going with tracking how quickly a letter sent "special" would arrive in Burlington Iowa from Loiusville Kentucky.........where it went through, what time it would arrive.

I will be creating a post or several at some point to show all the newspaper clippings her mother sent her....mostly fashion ads & articles, some politcal satire, some entertainment reviews. Some letters remark on fashions, colors, "new" things she had seen (shiny patent collars & matching shoes!!! I'd love to come across some of those...). But today as I read one set of letters (many envelopes contained a long letter from mom, and a brief one from her father), I was taken by the terms of endearment used. Simple, likely taken for granted at the time.....perhaps not, though it seems human nature to do so.....but now a wonderful glimpse into the love this family shared.

In a shorter than usual letter from her mother....she talks about her father's car breaking down on the way home, an ache in her lower back, mending a satin slip, "raiding the ice box to make dinner" which seems to be code for eating what's left in it before a grocery run, missing a ball game due to rain. At the end she signs it simply (but a different way than the other 50 or so letters I've read)......"Worlds of Love, Mother".

Her father's letter of the same date, September 11 1936, is much more to the point, a half page if that. He starts it simply.....

"Dear Lambie", then goes on to say

"Just got your letter 9 pm, rained in office this evening like the devil- going to recover that roof with paper and tar as quick as the sun comes out. Sold 17 tons today cash about $80. So dam tired- going right home to bed. Ma & Mrs R are out in the car. She will write you Sunday no doubt. Glad you are feeling good and hope Bob is too. Got to do something about your Ma's back- she can't get off her fanny ........Lots of Love & K's, Yours & Yours.....Dad"

What moved me was how real it was, not stilted or forced. Genuine. I imagine a family of 4 who had spent years all together, now scattered across the midwest, found great joy & comfort in these frequent letters.....looking forward to them, sending gifts to each other when they could, planning visits. In a time when a phone call was an extravagance....these papers were the way they kept their family TOGETHER. What purpose it really serves for me to have them now isn't quite clear to me, but I am very glad I do.......Ang"

That happens to be the exact place I'm at in re-publishing these older Jean themed blogs from 2006, and a poignant one at that to be reminded today of the love between a father and daughter...as today is my Dad's birthday, the 2nd one without him here to tease about getting old, drink a beer with, laugh and complain about life with. I wanted to blog more in depth about this this morning but couldn't bring myself to do it. Its interesting that this entry from 3 years ago would be the one to speak, in a way, for me and Dad today.

Happy Birthday, Dad. Miss you.

~Ang

2 New Sugarlids Hats!

2009-08-10T15:31:00.000-07:00

Finally got time to make a few more hats, added two to the SUGARLIDS site today!

Surrealist lobster hat, 100% upcylced vintage pieces...inspired by Elsa Schiaparelli & Salvador Dali.

And a reworked vintage fox stole complete with head and legs becomes a Victorian inspired fur topper, perfect for dramatic fall & winter wear!

~Ang

Jean & Bob's Wedding (orginally published May 30, 2006)

2009-08-09T11:12:00.000-07:00

Jean met Robert Huie while attending college in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. I actually WILL have access to the letters they wrote to each other whilst "courting", but a friend is reading them right now! I will also get Jean's diary.

Several days after my initial batch of clothing from Jean's house, I returned for things the estate coordinators were finding....Jean kept EVERYTHING, and pieces were turning up in boxes all over the house. One of the things I got on that trip had been discovered in a small old steamer trunk in the attic.....it was supposed at the time it may have been her travelling outfit from the honeymoon. It indeed had some condition issues....but since all the clothing was mine, I naturally took it!

The ensemble consisted of a cocoa brown velvet jacket with a wonderful stand up ruffled collar with a bow on nape of neck, a matching skirt with covered buttons and a sheer lace blouse with velvet ribbon trim. It was stored with and assumed WORN with a darling brown cloche hat, and wonderful late 20's leather shoes with beaded buckles on the vamp. With it was a box from Saks Fifth Avenue, with original lace & velvet scraps & extra buttons...

On the last day I had access to the house, I went purely to get LETTERS. Having been in the attic, I knew there were boxes & boxes....I had also already gathered some snapshots, and had begun to really want to rescue Jean's memories! So I went up & got what I could haul out....literally BAGS & boxes of correspondence spanning DECADES. In one case the papers I took were already in a garbage bag (just paper, no real GARBAGE!)....so I can say with certainty these items were headed for demise.

When I got home & started sorting throught them, one of the first things I found was a newspaper. I glanced over it & saw the headline....from Friday, October 4, 1929. The paper was the Rock Valley Bee....and the blub above the article said "TWO COUPLES TAKE MARRIAGE VOWS", below that it said "Robert Huie Married".

Naturally intrigued about their wedding, I read on. It detailed the date, time & place of the wedding....September 29, 1929 at First Presbyterian Church in Cedar Rapids, Iowa...on a Saturday morning. A breakfast followed. It went on to describe the ceremony...

The bride entered the church on the arm of her father to the strains of the Lohengrin Wedding March, played by Miss Cecila Kohl... (list of attendants)....The fireplace, banked with ferns, made an appropriate setting for the simple service. Tall baskets of chrysanthemums and gladiolus on each side lent a gold & bronze color note to the setting.

The bride wore a suit of brown transparent velvet, made with a sleeveless blouse of Bretonne lace and a loose fitting jacket with tight-fitting sleeves. Her small hat was of matching brown tricot & felt. She carried a bouquet of pernet roses. Miss Roberts wore a dress of light castor brown crepe with hat & accessories to match, and carried an arm bouquet of rapture roses."

The velvet set was her wedding dress! I would have had NO idea had I not happened upon that newspaper clipping. The very next thing I laid my hands on was an envelope....and I truly did get tears in my eyes at what I found inside.

It stuns me to this moment that these.....perhaps her most treasured memories, were literally hours away from being lost forever. I am certain it was some kind of fate that lead me to gather THOSE papers, out of an attic literally covered wall to wall with letters, bills, magazines & receipts. I am thrilled to have them....and thrilled to share them with all of you who are following along. I hope people are enjoying this as much as I am documenting it, there's so much more to share! Ang

The Beginning (orig. published May 28, 2006)

2009-08-09T11:10:00.000-07:00

Jean Thayer Boone was born December 10, 1906. As not many pictures were done of infants at the time, I have no pictures of her until an adolescent....she was raised in Cedar Rapids Iowa, and had a younger brother named Fred. Her father's name was Thomas, I have yet to discover her mother's name. Her father worked in sales, for coal companies....eventually running his own, but much later, into the late 30s or early 40s. The letters I have do not start until 1929, so all I have for an early background on Jean is dates, and these few pictures.

I am barely into reading the letters, but now that I have her younger days posted I can start sharing what I've found! This is Jean, as a girl....stylish from the start!

I believe this is Jean & her brother Fred...

I can't see as Jean is in this picture, but it does have 2 names on the back & "myself"....as I read letters, I may learn who these darlings are but I SO love the picture!!!

Now that I have the little girl days recorded, I will be able to start in one what I have found in the letters. Thanks for reading, those that are, and thanks for the messages! Glad to know there are people out there with regard to such personal history....not textbook, but real people's lives. I am honored to have been selected by fate to be a part of Jean's legacy & to share it with all of you.......Ang

Fashionable Jean (orig. published May 27, 2006)

2009-08-09T11:09:00.000-07:00

Glad there are people reading this, and thanks for the comments! I'm barely getting a dent in the letters, and I want to get some pictures of Jean when she was young put in here to start this right before I start adding letter details (the letters really don't start til the 30's)....but for today, thought a sampling of some of the wardrobe might be nice to share. That and I want to learn to add pictures within the blog! So here are some things she owned....

A stunning pink blouse & skirt set from the late 1880's, tissue silk inset & collar, amazing beading....clearly not something Jean wore, but a family heirloom.

20s silk dress with red chiffon rosette & petal drops....

30s silk nightgown..

30s shoes...

40's blouse....

40's Andrew Geller shoes and black suede shoes....

Darling 50's novelty print full skirt dress wit blackbirds & megaphones..(listed now in my Ebay store!)....

I'll stop now, there's SO much to show....I'll be adding more soon! Ang

Meet Jean

2009-08-09T10:58:00.000-07:00

In Spring of 2006 I was called to a home to view some clothing left as part of the estate of a woman who had recently passed. Inspired by a comment made by Elena in my blog post about Maureen, I decided to delve into my MySpace blogs about Jean and re-publish them here. In retrospect it was truly the turning moment in my career....the buy that enabled me to make selling vintage a full time job and reaffirmed my love of vintage and the stories that come with it. Many of the clothing pieces are long ago sold, with the exception of a few I couldn't part with. All the correspondence and photos stay here in boxes with her wedding dress, hat and shoes...right here in the closet of my office. Jean has become almost like a family member to me and her things will stay with me always.

With that, this is the first of several past blog entries I will be sharing here. This is from May 24, 2006.

This is Jean's Story...As a matter of business, selling vintage clothing, I was recently called to come look at a woman's clothing....a woman who had recently passed away at the age of 99. When I got to the home, it was still in disarray....an entire lifetime of contents, saved by a woman who obviously cared very much about them. The house was simply FULL....doors had been made impossible to open, closets jam packed....an attic, a basement. Memories everywhere.

Memories that there was no one left to cherish. Jean lived a long life.....outliving her husband, Robert, by 25 years. Twenty five years she lived in that house, alone. With all the things that she and Bob loved.....and now, there was no one to care.

Jean never had children....had one brother, Fred, who married yet also had no children. There simply was no family left at all. And so, while a business move indeed to just buy ALL of the clothing (and what wonderful things there are!), I also have taken on one couple's lifetime. The very fiber of their lives is quite literally in my possession. As I began to go through the things.....dresses, blouses, hats, skirts, shoes, lingerie, handbags, belts.....mens ties, shirts, suits, hats....I began to really sense their prescence. I began to get a rough outline of who they were, what they liked, what they spent their time doing. What colors they liked, what fabrics they chose....what era's were times they went out & socialized....what they were comfortable at home in.

And in doing so, I started to find myself wanting to know MORE. So I asked the people running the estate liquidation for pictures.....started with a few, went back for more. I found pictures of Jean in dresses I have....coats I have, shoes that are here. I found pictures of them having great Halloween parties in the 40s.....outings with their folks....travelling in the 30s.

My fascination, and sense of needing to make sure these people were not simply FORGOTTEN, drove me back to the house again to ask for the letters.....SO many letters and cards, boxes and BOXES in the attic! Which were, of course, going to be thrown away. I came home with perhaps hundreds....and have more coming, as well as Jean's diaries.

Perhaps one of the most special finds... a puzzle put together.....has been a beautiful late 20s brown velvet suit dress with a lace blouse. It was stored in the attic in a small steamer trunk, with the matching shoes & small cloche hat. It wasnt until I started going through some things destined for the dumpster that I found a newspaper article about Jean & Robert's wedding, in 1929....and in it, Jean is described in that very ensemble. Soon after that, quite by accident, I came upon an actual invitation to the wedding.. one given to Robert's parents! Its is lovely and classically Art Deco. Moreover, it is lovely that all these things found their way back to each other....and into the hands of someone who cannot bear to see them be forgotten by time.

I intend to document the process of getting to know Jean here....to share the experience, to make sure she matters. My page is pretty well devoted to vintage fashion....it is my business and passion. What I share will often be geared toward clothing, but just as often not. I hope people who stumble upon this, that love vintage clothing, also have a respect for the lives and the people that wore the clothing before found it. I will showcase pieces I wont be selling, and some I will........pictures of Jean, her family, snippets of letters.....who knows what I will come across!

And so, this is Jean's story. Jean Thayer Boone....a life lived stylishly.

Finally, FaceBook

2009-08-09T10:06:00.000-07:00

I've had customers, clients and friends asking if there was a FaceBook page dedicated to Dorothea's Closet Vintage for a while now and sadly, no. There was not. Because I can only do so many online activities at once people!!! But I did finally take some time to learn how to do a business page and its ready for you to become of a fan of right now....HERE!. I'll do daily updates there and try to keep it as interesting as possible!

~Ang

Connections

2009-08-08T18:43:00.000-07:00

Yesterday a man came into my shop and told me he had a hat in the car he wanted help figuring a date on. He brought in an exquisite gold 20s cloche with velvet flowers worked in between the layers of fine mesh. After talking to him about the hat he told me it was his Mom's and he planned to give it to a granddaughter. He mentioned after that that there would be an estate sale and when and where it was in case I was interested.

He left, without telling me his name.

Tonight I got the email from the estate sale company, opened it expecting to see the things the gentleman had told me would be there. What I did not expect to see was the name. I knew this woman....spoken with her several times over the years. As I sat stunned I remembered the last time we talked on the phone shortly after her only visit into my shop and remembered that I documented the conversation, I was so moved by it. I revisited this tonight (grateful I hadn't deleted it in the last 2 1/2 years) and I find myself feeling as moved by our exchange right now as I was back then. I only wish I'd made more of an effort to keep in touch with her....she was a wonderful woman.

Conversation 1/23/07

If I don’t type this now I will forget what we talked about.

Maureen & I had spoken by phone several times over the last few years, but not in the last one or so…..she originally had responded to an ad I placed a back then (likely the 1st I ever did to get vintage to sell on eBay). She was articulate then and spoke of collecting and selling vintage textiles over the last 50 years…..also clothing. I remember her describing an apricot coat with a standup collar, but somehow we never got together for me to look at it. She mentioned then that her daughter had passed away when she was young, and something to the effect of decorating her daughter’s old bedroom with these textiles. I remember sending her a Christmas card with a poodle on it, and her calling a few times after that now & then….but somehow we never got together.

This last Saturday a woman and her granddaughter came in. The girl was about 25…..the grandma stooped & using a cane. She spoke eloquently about collecting and selling vintage in St Louis & San Diego (Play it Again Sam?)…….of having a lot of things over the years that she had gotten rid of, and of things she still had that her granddaughters loved. She had her granddaughter (Ana) try some things on that the girl clearly liked, and chatted with me while I dealt with a buy from a woman who came in with some estate things. She never gave her name. Ana bought a yellow sheer 50s to early 60s blouse with embroidered detail, cap sleeves with lace trim. Her grandmother said to her she was glad she bought it, that it would be a nice memory of coming to see her in Des Moines. I was moved by that…..having been a part of making that memory, quite inadvertently, but part of it nonetheless…..that it was because of MY love of vintage, inspired by my own Grandmother, that the place that created a memory for them even existed.

We spoke about the designer Lily Dasche, whom she mentioned having a hat designed by….and strangely I had just had one come in that morning. I showed her & we chatted about it briefly.

She took my card, and called today, leaving a message. I just called her back and we spoke for at least a half an hour….I reminded her of our past conversations…..she talked about the things she still has and what she may want to sell….where she got them, where she’s worn them. A dress to the Val Air 30 or so years ago when she used to go dancing….a peach silk lounging piece from the 30s she got in St Louis. A Valentino coat she still wears that gets attention every time from all ages of women. A black lace dress Ana tried on when she was here over the weekend, she called “very Dinah Shore”. She said it was longer, tiers of lace, but she took off the bottom 2 to make a halter style overblouse for the dress.

She said coming in my shop had inspired her to go back through her albums of pictures of her textiles….she is an avid collector of them. She felt like it was things like interacting with me, seeing the shop….had reminded her of her passion for it and regretted that people think that elderly people don’t “do” much with their lives….that even she herself had fallen into that way of thinking. She was pleased to reacquaint herself with the things she loved.

She talked about her Mother, graduating from college in the early teens….teaching, living on a farm, of how adaptable, intelligent & strong her Mother was. She said she remembered her Mother quoting poetry to her while they did the dishes together……told me her son had interviewed her Mother for a Public Television program in a pinch when the scheduled guest got cold feet, that her Mother “just put on her wig & did it”.

We talked about technology alienating us from each other, and more so from ourselves, an observation her granddaughter made while her last week. I can’t help thinking that not only do I not quote poetry to my daughter….but that due to technology, I don’t even have to really “do” the dishes.

Hearing her talk about textiles, I was reminded of my Helen Bond Carruthers sweaters….appliqued with antique Asian textiles, yet also vintage fashion. I asked her if she knew of Carruthers, and she didn’t think she did…….I described the sweaters and we talked a bit about MY big find when I found those. I told her the one I have on layway is here and I would love to show it to her….I do think she would appreciate it! She told me of a find of her own at an estate sale years ago, an original drawing by a cartoonist for the New Yorker…..she tracked down the artist’s agent & sold it to her for a very nice profit! We talked about keeping a poker face when finding great things at estates or auctions.

She told me a little more about her granddaughters…..there are 2, Jessica & Ana…..and they were her daughter’s children, and thus have never known their Mom as she died when they were very young. She told me about a piece of art one of them gave her for Christmas…..with 3 women, sort of ethereally floating but with definite prescence. She said one of the girls said it was like the 3 of them, and the power and connectedness of women. Then she said there was also a smaller face off to the bottom…..and that one of the girls pointed it out and said “that must be Mom”.

I barely know this women, Maureen. But I have to agree with her granddaughters…..there is a power, a connectedness among women. And I have been shown tonight that we need to reach out to each other more….we have so much to teach each other. Tonight I discovered how in pursuing what I love, I have touched another family. I learned about several wonderful women…..and in turn was reminded that I am one too.

It’s time to do the dishes.

~Rest in peace, Maureen.

~Ang

The Trend is Not Being Trendy is Trendy.

2009-07-28T07:40:00.000-07:00

So says InStyle magazine. Via an appearance on the Today show, they have brazenly denounced trends as trends and now say the trend is to go against the trend (which, if you follow the logic they apply by showing several celebrities who "go against" the trend, the fashion industry is pushing this as a trend of its own....thereby making being non-trendy trendy!). In other words, you can't win for losing. Anything goes!

InStyle points to starlets like Tilda Swinton, who has long shunned being a victim of the latest fashion craze and opted for her own unique look. Poor Tilda. Now, no matter what she wears, the very effort to dress as an individual will be seen as trendy! No doubt this troubles dear Tilda...

Another fashion rule to be broken, with the approval of the fashion industry, is to wear sparkling "evening" jewelry during the day (raise your hands if you've been doing *that* for years....hello, jewelry box full of shimmering vintage rhinestone brooches!). Seems that rule was bucked long ago, no? Not according to InStyle! As of today, you may now wear your baubles all day long and not be trendy because the fashion world says everyone is doing it so it is, um, not trendy and not trendy is cool! I'm behind the concept of daytime shine, so while I find their logic unnerving, I'll share a fab sparkler I found on etsy and desire muchly from seller GLAMSTONES, appropriately named.....

(ps, red and pink is the new puce and maize).

Lastly, a trend which apparently (determined by the last 20 minutes of Googling) is *actually* a trend yet if you choose to follow that trend, InStyle says you are actually following the trend of not being trendy....chipped nail polish!

Clicking that pic will take you to an article on Huffington Post written in May, lamenting that chipped nails have become trendy. Somehow this jives not at all with InStyles decree today that because it isn't trendy to have chipped nails that by doing so you buck the trend...yet, quick research shows it is indeed trendy to look a mess. Shocking (thanks, Olsens).

I suggest taking that a step further and knocking out a front tooth! That'll show the fashion elite who's trendy by not being trendy because not being trendy is trendy!

~Ang

UPDATE! Its been pointed out to me by jewelry designer WENDY BRANDES on Twitter (blog at WENDYBRANDES) that the aforementioned segment did have a saving grace, using a jacket by up-and-coming NYC designer FRANCIS NEW YORK! Video, jacket at 2 minute-ey mark. Get the jacket at Bloomingdales while its hot! HERE

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

Shop on! Ang

I Really Am

2009-07-27T07:53:00.000-07:00

And I want that shirt. Designed by Walter Van Beirendonck, its sold out and all gone....clearly an indicator that I'm not the only one sick of easy fashion. Hat tip to Susie Bubble at STYLEBUBBLE for her blog today featuring her sporting a Walter paper dress, reminding me to revisit his site (and covet in vain).

This is not to say I dress edgy or high end couture or anything of the sort. I'm as guilty of easy "fashion" applied to daily wear as the next busy Mom & biz owner. What I am sick of is laziness when it comes to design. Designers taking something of someone else's and calling their own, perhaps changing a seam, adding a button...whatever it may be, they call it design and I call it lazy. A skirt made into a halter dress is not a design, its an alteration. A cape with an unusual closure added to it is still a cape. A shirtwaist dress hemmed up to micro mini length is still a shirtwaist dress. These are not original thoughts, nor do they require the kind of talent and skill a great designer should possess.

After watching the finale of Bravo's "Fashion Show" I kept thinking about Anna McCraney's signature dress, that of the multicolor pleats and folds. Today when I saw the above shirt by Walter and considered how much we see today that is utterly unoriginal and lacks intellectual as well as physical effort, it made me think of that dress again....the originality of the design, the selection of textile, the execution of said design and the intense attention to detail. This is not easy. This is a work of art.

~Ang

Just a Wedding In June....1930

2009-07-26T07:42:00.000-07:00

In years of collecting and dealing in vintage clothing, I had never come across a collection of pieces so well kept and poignant as the one I was recently asked to sell. What follows is the complete bridal trousseau stored for 79 years, from a wedding on June 20, 1930. The beautiful silk dress, with the original pattern it was made from, and silk ribbon headpiece adorned with wax flowers. The stunning silk peignoir for the honeymoon, also with the original pattern it was made from. A fantastic silk jersey step-in chemise with whittled waist and full legs and silk stockings worn beneath the wedding dress. White silk gloves. But beyond the wearable pieces and patterns, there is more. The invitation (making it fantastically easy to date the pieces!). A newspaper article with recipe suggestions for the June bride. Ribbons and bows, napkins and a gorgeous tablecloth all used at the reception. And to top it off...a paper bag of rice.

As I shot the pieces that not only make up a superb vintage collection of wedding epehemera, but as a whole created a magical day in one woman's life 70 some years ago, a song came on the radio that made me take pause and revisit the invitation for the date. Amazingly....June.

The entire trousseau will be available soon on my site on the bridal page. My hope is that it finds a new life with another young bride, to be worn again and celebrated for its beauty....then cherished as a source of happy memories for years to come. It is truly an amazing thing to see all of these pieces still together after all these years!

~Ang

Lovely Emily

2009-07-24T12:29:00.000-07:00

Did a shoot yesterday to pull together some vintage crossing decades as well as mixing it with modern, inviting my friend and lovely local model (and artist!) Emily Svec to be my muse. Some highlights, the rest on the website on the HOW TO WEAR VINTAGE page.

Victorian with skinny jeans, 70s with Edwardian, modern denim with 40s New Look suit jacket, 70s Gunne Sax with 60s Audrey hat...all it takes is a bit of imagination and fashion sense to bring some vintage into a mall-bought wardrobe!

~Ang

Life Without Earrings

2009-07-16T17:37:00.000-07:00

Funny. Was obsessing over 80s earrings today. Remembering wearing them, seeing the triumphant yet slightly frightening return to the runway of long forgotten 80s trends like Hammer Pants, acid washed denim and massive shoulder pads....mulling and missing big, BIG 80s earrings. And so thought I'd take a look around at the 80s earrings on etsy. Meanwhile Twittering (follow me! ANGATDOROTHEAS), I caught a post by the lovely ELIZABETH TAYLOR that stated simply "Life without earrings is empty!". No doubt then life with earrings from the 80s is full to overflowing.

All available on etsy, pics are clicky. Go shop!

~Ang

Not Fade Away

2009-07-12T16:03:00.001-07:00

The path I walked yesterday was of cracked and sunbaked Iowa soil. Worn by the feet of thousands of visitors from all over the world it cuts a ten foot wide swath between two soybean fields, marked on the right as you approach by an ancient barbed wire fence and on the left by a farmer's tiny orange flags. It is not visible from a paved road but discovered by driving winding gravel roads and marked only with a sculpture of a giant pair of black glasses. No parking lot, no driveways. Visitors simply pull gently to the side of the gravel and park in the tall weeds at the edge of deep ditches and trudge to the opening between the fields.

It is not clear who owns the land the path is worn into....perhaps the state, perhaps an honest and kind farmer with an appreciation for history. The path is dotted with the trampled remains of volunteer plants, rocks and weeds. The soil is hot as it dries from the previous night's rain, dry on the surface but soft to the step. As it nears its destination, the standing water from the night before cuts into the dry soil making it impassable, yet die hard fans have left a trail of tamped down weeds just to the side that comes out just behind the memorial.Three people walk ahead of my daughter and I, two more coming behind. The walk is only a quarter of a mile but feels like eternity...not knowing what to expect to see, not knowing how it would make me feel. A large shimmering dragonfly hovers near and darts away, delighting my little girl while the crazy part of my mind contemplated the ease with which the insect maneuvered against the stark contrast of the doomed flight of that airplane that smashed to the ground up ahead 50 years ago.

The path in the weeds takes a turn and empties out into the field on the right, putting us on the wrong side of the fence. The fence, however, has been anchored down to allow passage with minimal threat of barbed wire injury. The trio who had been there several minutes was silent, as were my daughter and I...coming around the memorial to see what homage to the artists their fans had erected at the place of their tragic demise.

One simple sculpture. A silver guitar and three silver records engraved with the names of those lost to the world 50 years ago where we stood. And with it simple tokens of love from legions of fans who had walked that same path....business cards, wine bottles, tee shirts, shoes, notes, lyrics, flowers, coins. Humble and heart felt. The sense of loss was palpable, radiating both from the other group of people standing there and from the objects at our feet....the only sound the wind in the weeds and the chirp of crickets, as if to remind us who had been lost there so long ago.

As the trio of twenty-somethings left one of them stopped to place a gentle hand on the silver records. The couple that had been coming up behind us, also in their 20s, arrived behind the memorial. My daughter and I moved aside to let them closer....no words exchanged. Simple silence, quiet reverence and an unspoken bond between music lovers in the prescence of something powerful and heartbreaking. Fifty years later, fans young and old make the trek through mud and weeds to quietly honor the three young men lost in that spot....to feel the loss there, to feel a part of it.

We left the couple to their grief and headed back through the tall weeds, grateful for those before us who had created the dry path. As is always the way, the path back to familiar ground seemed much shorter than it did as we headed in. My daughter stopped to pick up a rock and asked if it had been there the day the plane crashed...I told it very likely had, and that it should be something she should save as a reminder of our visit there. Thinking about that I wondered how many millions of fans had come away with a small rock of their own from that field, how it was possible that this tiny piece of land in Northern Iowa had perhaps been carried piece by piece to all corners of the globe.

And in light of recent events I considered the simplicity of it all. A small memorial erected in a field, maintained by Iowa farmers....no huge glitzy markers, no souvenier stand, no attempts at capitalizing on this tragedy. Even into town, in Clear Lake, the Surf Ballroom still operates to this day with only a simple marker out front and some memorabilia on the walls.

I only cried once, listening to the 50s channel on the way home, when they played Buddy Holly's posthumous hit, "True Love Ways". I cried for the loss of those 3 men....the flamboyant & charming Big Bopper, the little 18 year old boy just barely into what would have been a remarkable musical career, Ritchie Valens...and the incredible talent that was Buddy Holly. I cried for the world's loss, my loss, my daughter's loss....my parent's loss. I cried that things have changed so dramatically that we can no longer show that kind of quiet respect to an artist or celebrity who passes that I saw out there in that field, that cynicism and capitalism now reign.

I cried for the loss of years of music left unplayed, guitars left silent, records blank and stages empty. I cried for the day the music died.

Winter Dance Party Site

Charlie Brown Called

2009-07-02T18:13:00.000-07:00

He wants his dress back.

60s dress with mega-huge ric-rac trim, clearly Schultz inspired. If not, should have been.

Available on the website (pics are linky) tomorrow, which will be July 3.

~Ang

Lulu Still Loves Me!

2009-07-02T06:15:00.000-07:00

The voting is over for Lulu's Top 10 Vintage Websites, and while I didn't make the reader's picks top 10 (hellloooo....where were my voters? For this I will pout all day), I did make Lulu's top 10 personal faves again this year. Yay! Thanks Lulu!

Dear Feathers.....

2009-07-01T06:43:00.000-07:00

I love you. I've always loved feathers....from gaudy 70s maribou trim on Zsa Zsa-esque loungewear to funky bright spikes of feathers on hats worn tilted to the front to feather prints on slinky jersey nylon. The love is strong. Yesterday I got a call to a house where the owner was gearing up to sell off most of the contents, said house appearing nearly frozen in time circa '67-'72. Yes, that included the clothing (more on that later! 70s leather ankle boots! Crazy textured bell shaped maxis!).

But this feather-flower centerpiece caught my eye and insisted it come home with me...and is right comfy on the teakwood folding tray table with weathered frame featuring a tattered pic of Ann Margaret....

Inspiration for future SUGARLIDS? Quite so.

Tucked into a corner in the basement was this charmer, a ceramic deer while appearing diminuitive in this snap, actually stands about 24" tall and now resides on the fireplace mantle....

If I don't end up back at that house today with a big truck and a big stack of cash, I may perish.

~Ang

More $50 Dresses!

2009-06-29T12:21:00.000-07:00

Click to shop!

A few 50s dresses....

From the 60s, page 2....

More tomorrow!

~Ang

the $50 Dress Event

2009-06-29T05:42:00.000-07:00

Making room for more vintage with Fall shopping season around the corner! I've started marking down pieces on the website to $50 and will be regularly adding to that list, so check back often! These beauties are now $50 and with luck, several more will be today (I'll update the blog and TWITTER as I go)....

Today, a few fantastic 40s day dresses in cool green prints, done in a crisp cotton...perfect for summer!

40s larger size rayon with Victorian men & women in silhouette, a few minor flaws but easily worn despite them!

And a fun late 40s sundress with purple rose print, velvet bows and rhinestones!

Watch for casual 50s dress, 60s dresses, 70s dresses and lingerie to be added to the $50 event over the next few weeks! Join our NEWSLETTER LIST to get an email (maybe 2, if I'm ambitious) a week with updates on new items, news, sales and more from the website.

~Ang

80s Flashback

2009-06-19T21:11:00.000-07:00

I am only moderately embarassed to say I was a metal-chick in the 80s. Because it was COOOOOL. I can't quite grasp why digging this guy was cool...

But it was, and I can't quite say looking at our good friend and Motley Crue alumni, Vince Neil, that I am not strangely attracted to his edgy-yet-slightly-feminine look. I don't know, somehow it was tough back then to look like a poorly made up drag queen in a horror film.

Today, Vince is an everyman....an everyman who is the guy at the bar you kinda dig but aren't sure about. You heart the past but know that guy is bad news. Things change. Aqua Net wanes in popularity, made up men make up a different part of our entertainment world than they did in the 80s. He seems swell, but its hard to imagine sharing your eyeliner.....

Hey, Vince....I was a pretty crazy super-metal-broad back then and equally as not-remotely-metal now ....we can hang! Call me.

~Ang

The McCardell.

2009-06-16T13:20:00.000-07:00

Weeks ago I was contacted by the lovely Tracey Ullman about a Claire McCardell dress I had sold a while back, still shown on my site's archives page. She had been asked to host the CFDA Awards and not only is a huge fan of McCardell but thought it appropriate to wear a great American designer for the event. While it had sold, I happened to remember who I sold it to AND remembered that she had contacted me about wanting to sell it herself, having decided to pare back her own vintage collection. I worked a little magic and everyone ended up happy. Customer sells dress, Tracey adds dress to her collection and dress ends up being worn to a star studded event....all the way from its humble home in Des Moines, Iowa to a celebration of America's top fashion designers on stage in New York City. A perfect ending for the perfect vintage dress.

The McCardell, as photographed by me a while back (before a crisp paper background...I cringe looking at this picture!)

And last night on Tracey, with ZAC POSEN (lightened so you can see that marvelous waist treatment, iconic McCardell)...

She looks fantastic! A big thank you to Tracey for the honor and for mentioning me on stage (closest I'll get to a black tie event in New York City in my lifetime)....

~Ang

My New-Old Car

2009-06-15T15:23:00.001-07:00

My Dad's, really. Left it to me, in storage since he died in March of '08. Its in the garage as I type. And I've sat in it, started it...scared the kid to where she said she won't ride in it unless she has earplugs! Has a bored out 350 Chevy "Stroker" engine in it, aluminum header, positraction rear end (for drag racing. As. If. I. Could.). But its here all the same.

Thats a tough car. Hope I'm up to it!

~Ang

Lets Vogue. Hat News!

2009-06-11T18:20:00.000-07:00

Cannot contain my excitement any more over this latest turn of events at Dorothea's Closet! I was recently contacted by VOGUE MAGAZINE requesting use of some 40s hats for an upcoming shoot for the August issue. Its a 40s themed shoot being done by none other than STEVEN MEISEL! That. Is. Exciting. Some of his work...

Yes, that is Madonna. And yes, Meisel is THE Meisel that did her SEX BOOK

So hats went, came back today in a pretty keen box...

and then an email saying 2 hats were used (still have to make editing...so we wait...and wait...and hope...) AND an email asking for more hats for an upcoming shoot for the Sept. issue and a shoot with TIM WALKER!

Yeah. Wow. And also wow. Some Walker work...

So its *likely* some hats available on my site will actually be seen in Vogue! And if so....well, wow and right on. And all achieved by mere years of good old fashioned arse-busting, elbow-grease and prayer to random deities! Pretty cool for vintage to get the modern fashion spotlight, right? Yes. So get yourself a Dorothea's Hat!

~Ang

Its Lulu Time Again!

2009-06-10T16:35:00.000-07:00

Every year LULU'S VINTAGE has a top 10 Best Vintage Websites contest and its that time again! Last year I was fortunate enough to take the #1 spot which was a fantastic honor. I'm hoping to at least place again this year! If you love some Dorothea's and want to vote for me, all you need to do is go to the blog and comment your vote for me HERE!. Easy like Sunday morning, no? Lulu's blog is awesome and I am honored even to make her list, click HERE to see last year's winning top 10!

~Ang

Bits n Pieces

2009-06-10T06:22:00.000-07:00

Can't complain about all the recent mentions on fellow vintage fan's blogs lately!

A shout out and linky magic to Lisa at MY VINTAGE OBSESSION for the love she showed my site the other day (and her blog is wonderful!).

Sandra at DEBUTANTE CLOTHING did a write up about my exciting news wherein I happily supplied a CLAIRE MCCARDELL dress to TRACEY ULLMAN who is a) a sweetheart and b) wearing it to host the the upcoming CFDA (Council of Fashion Designers of America) Awards coming up June 15th.

Christie, a new friend aquired via having kids in the same kindergarten class and fellow etsy seller, posted a bit about my shop and buying for summer weddings at her blog GUSSIED UP!

One of my BFFs, Kim at FAST EDDIE'S RETRO RAGS returned the nod I gave her the other night by blogging something aqua of mine in a colour themed post....thanks Kim!

I may have some exciting news shortly involving Vogue Magazine, so watch this space or sign up for my NEWSLETTER for updates on that....

Lastly, doing markdowns on my things at SCARLETBIRDVINTAGE, as well as adding new hats to SUGARLIDS and have opened a shop featuring vintage bridal wear on etsy called WHITE WEDDING (love me some Billy Idol!).

That sums it up!

~Ang

Little Edie at Reno Sweeney...New Hat at Sugarlids!

2009-06-08T16:21:00.000-07:00

Yep, one hat. Buying a house and all that owning a home entails along with the Mom thing, the shop and website has made it tough to find any time to create anything but a mess...but I did finally get to do the hat I'd been dreaming of since watching Grey Gardens! At the end of the film, Little Edie realizes a dream when she is invited to perform at a night club in NYC called "Reno Sweeney"...here is a shot of Drew channeling Edie in full (accurate) costume....

And my interpretation, using a 1960s beat up red leotard cut down, an embossed felt side "base" and silk poppies and roses....

Found on etsy at SUGARLIDS!

Ang

Stuff

2009-06-04T18:34:00.000-07:00

I'm slammed, crazy overwhelmed. Perhaps I should put a caveat on my site about how shipping *will* be behind and that I can't answer emails quickly because I was a crazy-person and bought a house. Being a single Mom, end of school year events, vacation plans, family stuff, yard stuff, house keeping stuff....seriously, every moment I spend at my shop or on the site feels so scattered I can't keep up. I suck!

But my shining light in the fog is my friend Kim, who blogs as FAST EDDIES RETRO RAGS. She has her own plate full and still manages to do it right and be funny AND witty doing so.

Hat tip, Kim!

PS, I did shoot some good stuff recently, some of which is on my newly created shop on etsy for vintage bridal...WHITE WEDDING. And this awesome 40s beach hat will be on the site tomorrow (if my damn laptop cooperates)....

~Ang

New at ScarletBirdVintage

2009-05-30T09:24:00.000-07:00

Just added to my etsy shop...

60s micro mini lace up vinyl dress...

60s beach dress with kitten & butterfly print by Lilly Pulitzer...

Gauzy 70s lace trimmed Mexican dress...

80s sequined tube top disco pantsuit...

70s sunshine yellow cotton mini trench.....

More just added as well as new items on the website, DOROTHEAS CLOSET VINTAGE!

~Ang