That's a Bra

I love to keep up with what TOM & LORENZO of Project Rungay have to say about modern fashion. They're witty, charming, catty and most of the time right. I also see things I don't get to see with my head buried in vintage fashion all day every day!

For instance, this. Dolce and Gabbanna Spring 2015.

That's a bra. And a crinoline. The hair, cute...love the lace socks with strappy shoe. But that is a bra and a crinnie. So today's get-that-couture-look tip o' the day is to invest in a black vintage 1950s/60 longline bra and a full 1960s nylon crinoline. Bam. Under $150. You're welcome.

Some bras from DOROTHEA'S CLOSET VINTAGE to get you started!

Suit UP!

Every once in a while I find customers in my local boutique have NO idea that the woman's suit exists. They pick up the jacket and are aghast to find it has a matching skirt! Unfortunately, I think the suit in modern times has become equated with mediocre business women. And maybe some modern styles are mediocre. But the vintage suit is far from that!

A well styled vintage suit is every bit as fabulous as a vintage dress. Great textiles and colors available, cuts for all shapes...the boxy Jackie Kennedy jacket, the nipped waist of the classic Lilli Ann. Gorgeous trims from fur to lace to unique buttons. Instant class. And if the matching set isn't the right look for you, consider the jacket and skirt as separates! A great pencil skirt will go with nearly anything, modern or vintage...it's simply a must-have for a basic in a vintage wardrobe! The jacket can be dressed up over a cocktail dress with a statement necklace or brooch, or dressed down over a v-neck tee and denim. The possibilities are endless!

So next time you run across a vintage jacket you love with a matching skirt you don't think you want, don't sell it short as a fun piece to build new outfits around. Some examples from Dorothea's...

Happy 8th Birthday To Dorothea's!

Dorothea's Closet Vintage boutique in Des Moines, Iowa turned 8 years old this week! Some photos from opening day....

And today! More photos on our FACEBOOK PAGE.....

Berry Good Vintage!

Sure, the holidays are upon us but it's not snowy and cold everywhere...and spring will return one day! Just added to the website, this bright cheery strawberry print 1940s hostess gown!

And this sweet strawberry print tie-front cropped 1940s blouse.

I'm Back! Lots of Changes and News!

I've been absent over a year here, and it's time to get back in the swing of things! I was reminded of how important (and fun) blogging is by my friend Sandra at Debutante Clothing, and realized how much I miss it!

The first news is that I've moved the site (well, over a year ago) to Shopify. No more Yahoo Page Builder weirdness that didn't work from my Macbook! And the new site allows you to shop by size, by era, by category and collections! The new site is Dorothea's Closet Vintage, and I love how it looks and how easy it is to shop! And for me to work on! So there's that.

I've also recently been invited to sell vintage accessories on a new collective site called Chairish. I get invites to sell on sites all the time, and have to really focus my energy where it works for me and seems a good fit. Chairish started out as primarily vintage and higher end home decor and in November added vintage accessories. They have a tremendous appreciation for vintage and the uniqueness of it. The presentation is gorgeous, their curating is really top notch. They don't even accept everything I submit! Which to me says that they have a very specific look and clientele they are working for, and that is a refreshing change from sites that just eventually end up a glut of anything anyone wants to sell and call vintage. My shop is Dorothea's Closet Vintage on Chairish. Jewelry, handbags and scarves. Some of my personal favorites in a small hand picked collection! I really love the site, and would not say so if I didn't. There are a bajillion vintage websites/collectives at this point online so I am pretty picky about who I align with...this site is worth a look! Some highlights...

And loads more, most of which are not on my site or in my local boutique! Speaking of which, an updated shot of the shop!

Tomorrow the shop is open 12-4 for our Holiday Party! Des Moines, IA folk (or nearby), stop in...wine, cheese and giveaways. Vintage coats 50% off! All my neighboring shops are also open with drinks, snacks and holiday sales/giveaways. You can get more details and updates by following my Facebook Page, or the page for my local neighborhood The Argonne Arts and Shopping District.

More posts to come! I'm back!!!

~Ang

Dorothea's Closet Vintage has MOVED!

A brand new website with nearly 1,400 pieces ready to peruse! A new search function too...or shop by categories (decade, style, use, collections, size). And a new logo! The blog will also be based there as well. Go check it out HERE!

vintage vanity

Vintage Vanity Fair lingerie highlighted today over at the Facebook page, all day long. Pop in and look, add your own images! Pictures are links...

sister sister

The Callot Souers (sisters) were comprised of Marie Callot Gerber, Marthe Callot Bertrand, Regina Callot Tennyson-Chantrell and Joséphine Callot Crimon. A group fo French designers, they learned their skill from sister Marie, initially starting by working antique lace and ribbons on blouses and lingerie...graduating to dressmaking. Noted designed Madeleine Vionnet apprentices with the Callot sisters, and American designer Elizabeth Hawes wore their designs far past when it was considered "fashionable", happily sporting elaborate and exotics laces and embroidery. Their work is a tremdous part of early 1900s and 1920s fashion.

Callot Soeurs ( Marie Callot Gerber, Martha Callot Bertrand, and Regina Callot Chantrelle)

~Ang

the eyes of elsa

Elsa Lanchester may be best remembered for the iconic look she brought to "Bride of Frankenstein", though that is hardly the only thing she did. A British born actress, she started in dance in Paris learning under Isadora Duncan (whom she reportedly despised), before teaching Isadora's method. She married actor Charles Laughton in 1929, during her time in cabaret and stage work. Eventually moving to the states, she got her break with Frankenstein, going on to more film work, stage work, music and television. A woman as fascinating as she was beautiful!

legs for days

Burlesque babes! Leggy Lois de Fee was considered the Amazon of burlesque in the 40s and 50s, standing 6'4" tall....

Then along came 6'8" Ricki Corvette!

And just because this costume is tremendously fantastic, the sassy Baby Lake....

All pics link to Dorothea's Facebook page, more images and discussion there!

~Ang

suzy parker suzy parker

There are no words. Suzy Parker! Born Cecilia Ann Renee Parker in Texas in 1932, Cecilia soon became "Susie" to her father and once introduced to the modeling world by her sister, Dorian (also a supermodel) she was dubbed "Suzy". She soon outshone her sister, becoming the first model to make $100,000 a year and became close with top designers including Coco Chanel as well as muse to Richard Avedon. She also dabbled, and dabbled well, in acting. Married three times, she gave birth to one daughter, elegantly named Georgia Belle Florian Coco Chanel de la Salle (godmother Coco Chanel), another daughter named Dinah and two sons, Charlie and Christopher. Not content at modeling, momm-ing and acting, she was also a superb chef. Suzy lived the life, no? Radiant!

"Sheer luck. I was lucky to have been born with cheekbones."~ Suzy Parker

Suzy's sister, Dorian Leigh, who introduced her to the modeling world and is often considered the first real "supermodel". Suzy and Dorian fell out and remained on bad terms for their adult lives, sadly.

Pics link to Dorothea's Facebook page with many more images and discussion of the beautiful Avedon muse, Suzy Parker.

~Ang

all hallows

Happy Halloween! There's glamour in the darkness...more images over at the Facebook page. Pics link!

~Ang

silver screen

Orry-Kelly, designer to the stars. Orry George Kelly was born in Australia where he studied art and was an apprentice to a tailor and a window dresser. After relocating to New York and changing his name to Orry-Kelly (and sharing an apartment with Cary Grant!), he started working as a mural painter. Kelly moved to Hollywood in 1932 and quickly found work designing costumes for films, working with all the greatest actresses and filmmakers. His work can be seen in Casablanca, the Maltese Falcon, Some Like it Hot, Harvey, Arsenic and Old Lace and Auntie Mame. Below, Louise Brooks, a gown from An American In Paris and Kay Francis....pics link to our Facebook page where we're looking at Orry-Kelly's work all day long!

Dorothea's kicks off a HOLIDAY VINTAGE sale on FAB.COM tonight! Pic links to an invite so you can join and shop!