Archive for December, 2009

Be A Vintage Teddy Bare Contest

By Jaynie Van Roe, 11 December, 2009, 53 Comments

I’m super excited to bring you this next contest! Everyone wants to be a flapper, dress like a flapper, and one of the most iconic and practical staples of roaring 20′s fashions is the teddy: And all-in-one cami and panty lingerie piece which works well beneath suits by day and even better under the covers by night *wink*

Grace Bradley Wearing A Teddy & Decorating The Tree

But because flapper fashions were made for young women, such pretty things were built on a rather straight and narrow design, making finding an authentic roaring 20′s flapper teddy in a size to fit an average woman today difficult. And if you’ve got curves (be it just a bountiful bustline or are an all-over Rubenesque, full-figured BBW) you’ll find yourself saying — in your best Italian accent — “Forget about it!”

However the folks at Hips & Curves let all curvy women live the dream with their vintage styled teddy:

Reminiscent of the 20′s this vintage style teddy has a beautiful V front with 2 rows of lace at the top and matching lace detail around the leg. This charmeuse teddy is available in sizes 1x – 4x with a tie back and snap crotch for a good fit. The beautiful quality of this garment makes it an excellent value and something you will treasure time and again.

Plus Size Vintage Style Teddy Lingerie Set From Hips & Curves

Check out the size chart; see how well these will work for the bigger busted ladies as well as the full-figured?

Hips & Curves Size Chart: 1X though 4X

(Note: Hips & Curves carries sizes larger than 6X; but the teddy is only available, as listed, in sizes 1X – 4 X, so I’m only showing those measurements from their size chart.)

And the most awesome part? I’m giving away a free Hips & Curves plus size teddy!

Pure Vintage Glamour With Vintage Styled Teddy From Hips & Curves

To enter, just make a comment, telling me which of the four colors you’d get if you won.

And you can get an additional entry if, after you post your comment, you also Twitter the following: Thanks @JaynieVanRoe & @hipsandcurves for the chance to win! http://bit.ly/8HxsxI

(You can also follow us: @JaynieVanRoe and @hipsandcurves!)

Contest is open to residents in the US and Canada. Entries must be received before December 16, 2009 (so that’s 11:59 PM, Central Time).

Here’s Looking Like You, Kid!

The “I Love Vintage Clothes, Not Old Dry Skin” Contest

By Jaynie Van Roe, 11 December, 2009, No Comment

If you love vintage glamour, but hate your dry and old looking skin, enter my contest! One lucky winner will get a home spa set (retail value $79) from Sothys!

Sothys Home Spa Products

The prize contains:

Sothys Aroma-Sothys Energizing Shower Gel
Softly cleans and tones the skin. It contains essential oils of eucalyptus, cardamom, nutmeg, and neroli for an energizing fragrance while leaving your body feeling refreshed. Price: $24

SOTHYS Aroma-Sothys Energizing Bath Essences Tablets
Effervescent, playful and revitalizing bath pebbles which enrich the bath with their tonic and energizing fragrance… a particular moment of pleasure and wellness. Price: $26

SOTHYS Aroma-Sothys Energizing Essential Oils Elixir
Magical, this very concentrated dry oil is an invitation to happiness: when massaged, it restores tonus and felicity… the skin is divinely satiny and full of energizing active ingredients. Price: $29

To enter, post a comment — preferably with any ski care tips for those of us who don’t win *wink*

Contest is open to all in the US and Canada. Entries must be made before midnight (Central Time), December 14th, 2009.

Good luck!

How To Wear Vintage Looks Without Looking Frozen In Time (In A Bad Way)

By Jaynie Van Roe, 7 December, 2009, No Comment

Often I am asked “How do I dress vintage without looking cheesy?” or, “I love vintage makeup looks, but if I wear it, will I look old or out of date?” Here are a few tips to know:

Don't Be Afraid Of Going Vintage Glamour!

Think structure. Think of your own bones like you would consider the bones of your home when decorating your space. In decorating, you take the style into consideration; a cozy cottage with rustic charm may not take an Eames era makeover. When trying a vintage fashion look, keep your own bones in mind. Most period dressing had a body type in mind as well as in vogue and that may not be yours. Even alterations may not make that flapper style sheath dress float over your curves as you’d like… So be as realistic about vintage fashions as you would the style and fit of contemporary ones; this is also true of vintage hairstyles and makeup. Sometimes we just can’t wear what we love and pull it off.

Don’t remain frozen in the past. Retro & vintage looks can look outdated & just plain horrible if they are beat-up & dusty looking. You wouldn’t want your home to look frozen in time (think about some of those homes you visit which have not been updated!). The easiest way is to make sure you have authentic pieces with modern support. A contemporary dress with 40′s makeup (heavy top lashes, red matte lipstick); pair antique shoes with a new suit; mix in both a vintage handbag and retro jewelry with an au courant sweater set and skirt.

Keep your clothing clean & bright so it looks like you choose it, not froze it! Never, ever wear that 1960′s poly top with a stain on it — no matter how cool and mod it is.

Makeup tips for following vintage glamour looks. Keep the color palette to colors which flatter your tones and coloring. You can follow the look or design of cosmetic application, using colors and shades you already own.

Two words commonly associated with vintage faces are pale and powdered, but remember to keep these basic make-up tips in mind:

Don’t go lighter in foundation as it will make you look washed out & old.
Remember, too much powder collects in lines & on dry skin areas (again making you look older), so keep it light &/or use a lighter weight foundation.

Get Out Of Bed — But Keep The Jacket!

By Jaynie Van Roe, 4 December, 2009, No Comment

Some of the easiest to find (and least expensive) vintage lingerie pieces are bed jackets. Once worn over a nightie while reading in bed or as part of your hostess attire, bed jackets haven’t been popular in quite some time…

Vintage Knit Bed Jacket, 1940s

But it’s a pity, because a pretty bed jacket not only solves the same problem of keeping your bare party frock shoulders warm, but it can take a more casual dress — or a simple slip — and really glam it up!

Vintage 1930's Cropped Trapeze Satin Bed Jacket

Do you prefer slick n’ chic? Fluffy n’ girlie? Romantic n’ feminine? Why not one of each? *wink*

Vintage Peach Celanese Rayon Bed Jacket

Quilted Monotone Peach Vintage Bed Jacket With Stylized Applique

In fact, whether silk or satin, chiffon or velvet, knit or crochet, vintage bed jackets can often out-do a bolero for style and glamour.

Vintage Knit & Crochet Bed Jacket Pattern

High Fives For Vintage Lovers

By Jaynie Van Roe, 4 December, 2009, No Comment

I’m giving High-Fives this Friday to:

1. Dealers Are Your Friends (Or, Why You Should Shop At The Antique Shops): Good reminders of all that sellers of fine vintage fashions go through and why you should be willing to pay their prices.

2. Dreaming of holiday dresses from 1957 with Couture Allure.

3. Authentic Audrey Hepburn fashions up for action at Kerry Taylor Auctions (December 8th).

4. B. Vikki Vintage reminds us why fools fall in love.

5. Wallflower Vintage shows us how vintage keeps creepin’ up on the small screen — this time it’s Ms. Emma Pillsbury on Glee.