The Maxi Effect

I've been selling vintage for almost 10 years now, and without fail every spring the big news amongst sellers is that the maxi dress is "back". And we all get excited and hope we will finally be able to get people to see the value in these fantastic dresses....that people will finally stop hacking them off into minis and appreciate the full effect of a dress actually designed to come to the ankle. Granted, the shorter amongst us often can't pull off the look but you have to respect those that can and have the nerve to go for it.

So every year the word is maxis are hot, and every year the stores get a few, and every year I watch and no one ever wears them or buys them here at the shop. But this year....this year somehow is different. Target has them, Old Navy has them...I've seen girls rocking them shopping at Home Depot. And you know if we're wearing them here in Des Moines, Iowa, the maxi truly IS back.

With that in mind I culled some of my faves and shot them on my friend and model AMBER PIRILLO, who clearly has the ideal maxi-wearing figure. These are available in my etsy shop, SCARLETBIRDVINTAGE...

Maxi skirts....

70s Kamehameha swim gown...

These are available in my new shop on MARKET PUBLIQUE.....

70s gingham halter....

60s poppy print silk palazzos...

70s pink jersey disco dress....

Lastly, I had her put on this insanely fabulous LANVIN 80s one shoulder gown with art print on cotton, with O ring shoulder and loooong side zip to do an ad locally, also available on Market Publique or on the website (click pic)....this dress is the perfect vintage desiger piece for summer!

~Ang

New at Dorothea's Closet Vintage! Catsuits to Swimdresses.....

Sex kitten golden bombshell 50s capri length cat suit....

70s black jersey dress with lace trim by MOLLIE PARNIS....

70s halter swim dress, new old stock by De Weese with fantastic poppy & daisy print....

70s Kamehameha halter top swimdress (actuall swimbottoms built into dress!) with bold blue and green print....

50s poppy print pink wiggle dress with peaked shoulder detail....

50s polka dot sheer navy blue shirt dress....

30s floral chiffon skirt with silk velvet trim at hem.....

20s beaded wedding dress in larger size....

And coming later today, a gorgeous golden chiffon 60s gown with sequined bodice.....

And a 50s dress in silk twill with romantic, Victorian inspired print....

Also coming shortly will be more gowns, several great vintage slips and a fantastic 30s dress in a larger size!

~Ang

Site Updates (Finally!) 6/2..Cocktails, Anyone?

Lord knows I need one! Worked my arse off today adding dresses to the site....still just as behind on adding things as I was last week!

Today's additions include several killer cocktail dresses, perfect for upcoming summer soirees!

A gorgeous Ceil Chapman inspired jersey knit 50s dress by Lee Claire, with ruched waist and dramatic back caped detail....

Iconic Audrey Hepburn style 60s little black dress with sculpted and ruched, bow bedecked skirt by Jonny Herbert....

Bombshell lace print 50s wiggle dress with mermaid flounced hem accented with a wide, shocking pink satin sash weaving through fabric and coming together in a large bow in back, by Laurie Jane....

Curve hugging jersey rayon fringed shimmy dress from the late 40s to early 50s with halter neckline....

Sequined 50s stunner in silk with teal and turquoise print and shimmering sequins....

70s beaded, studded AND rhinestones jersey dress in champagne with removeable cowl neckpiece, by SAULINO for Jerry Silverman....

Saffron yellow 70s goddess gown with halter neckline and rhinestone buttons at nape of neck....

For daytime cocktails (or shopping, or lunch with the ladies), a sheer floral silk chiffon 30s dress with puff sleeves....

A true performance piece! 30's golden silk bra style costume top with glass beveled gem stones....

Victorian dinner bodice (with sleeves expertly removed and finished at armscye) in ivory lace over silk with exquisite boned structure within...

And to work off all those cocktail carbs, some sportswear! A lady has to look good while working out!

40s gym set in white twill with iconic high waist 40s shorts.....

And a 20s gym suit with bloomer style shorts.....

More to come this week!

~Ang

eVintage Blog Tag Wednesday on Thursday! the Halter....

I've been tagged by SYDNEY'S VINTAGE FASHION RUNWAY for the eVINTAGE SOCIETY Wednesday Blog Tag.

Temperatures are rising and its time to show some skin! The halter neckline is a great way to leave a little to the imagination while exposing enough to stay cool and stylish. Lets talk halters!

1) Show us your favorite halter in your inventory....

I don't have a halter dress!! How crazy is that. But I DO have this Giorgio Sant' Angelo swimsuit from the 70s that comes with matching jacket and pants for a total beach ensemble....

2)Marilyn rocked the halter bodice back in the 50s, but it came back big in the 70s…..which is your favorite era for the halter?

I'm kinda leaning towards the 70s lately! In sexy jersey knits.

3)Bare backs are vulnerable, what’s your suggestion for protecting skin from the sun?

Um, I don't go into the sun. So thats my best suggestion! Stay in.

4)Halter as top or dress, whats your preference?

Dress. The tops ride up on me.

5)A bra can be a challenge…..best suggestion for support?

Tape!

DOROTHEA'S CLOSET VINTAGE tags Julie at DAMN GOOD VINTAGE.

~Ang

Site Updates 4/11

Some new pieces added over the last few days, more to come! Some favorites (all images a clickable to get to the site!)...

Cute paisley print 60s dress by R&K Originals...

60s wiggle dress in shocking pink with white stripes down the sides by Andrea A......

Fuschia floral print 50s halter dress by Anne Potter....

Early 40s 2 piece dress in bold cinnamon and paprika colored rose print.....

From the recent estate purchase, an amazing 60s Hawaiian dress with a wiggle silhouette created by an elastic band connecting from side seams behind the waist, leaving the back to fall dramatically from neckline in a watteau pleat.....

Super cute Hawaiian print 60s dress in violet and bark brown, ruffled hemline!....

Shimmering green silk belted 60s sheath dress....

More being added daily, be sure to check the hats, shoes and lingerie too!

~Ang