They say it don’t mean a thing, if it ain’t got that swing — but how about adding a fur collar and a big bold silver buckle in the back to a red velvet Lilli Diamond swing coat? Well, I’d say that’s a swing that hits a home run!
1950s Lilli Diamond of California Red Velvet Swing Coat
PS Don’t forget to enter my home spa and “teddy bare” lingerie contests!
If the cooler weather is making you hot under the collar — but you know what won’t be enough to keep you warm — why not console yourself with a fabulous coat?
Swing into fall with this 1940s red wool swing jacket! (I’m soooo tempted… If only hubby weren’t aways around monitoring my monitor lol)
Soft Red Wool Swing Jacket, 1940s
And for those really cold days ahead, how about this fabulous 1950′s red wool coat with faux fur trim?
Clear Red Wool Coat With Faux Fur Trim, 1950s
You have to agree that, vintage or not, it truly is a fashion faux pas (or is it faux paws?) to wear a short fur jacket over your swimsuit on the beach.
Alfred Eisenstaedt Vintage Fashion Photo, 1940
Aside from looking rather ridiculous, most women could not bear such focus on & scrutiny of their swimsuit covered bottoms.
Photo of a woman wearing fur coat during a cold spell on Miami Beach, Florida, in 1940 taken by Alfred Eisenstaedt. (I wonder how Alfred managed to keep the camera still while taking this photo — my photos would be distorted from laughing! I guess that’s why he’s a professional photographer lol)
A lot of what we call “classic” fashions remind me of New Look fashions — with a little less emphasis on floofy skirts. I suppose that’s a pretty obvious statement, but heck, sometimes I’m Captain Obvious.
Anyway, after Slip pointed me to Juxzy, I joined and therefore discovered designs by Anna Reese (featuring Chloe & Reese) and I’m completely struck by the “princess” fashions which must be vintage inspired. Simple classic feminine elegance — with shorter more mod skirt lengths. Yum!
Chloe & Reese Faille Dress in Merlot
Chloe & Reese Wool Coat with Gathers in Blue
I can’t even do the math — I’m too excited. But, for example, the Chloe & Reese – Wool Coat with Gathers in Blue was $655, but is just $294.75 at Juxzy!
Can’t get in at Juxzy to see? Use code “6a3407″ to get into the private fashion club!
Today’s shopping film quote is, “Winter must be cold for those with no warm memories,” from An Affair to Remember (1957)
Whether or not you have warm memories, whether or not the winter is being kind where you are right now (as it is here), the cold weather will still be hear for a while, so let’s look at a few fabulous vintage coats and jackets.
What woman doesn’t want to wrap herself in a black velvet cape?
Vintage Black Velvet Cape
If you like fur, don’t buy new — consider this shiny black coney fur coat?
Vintage Black Coney Fur Coat
If you’d like something more casual, yet classic, how about this red 1970s coat with eye-popping white contrasting trim? Psst, it has a secret surprise: polka dots inside! (That secret giggle-power will keep you smug-ly snuggled inside, won’t it!)
1970s Red & White Coat
Red & White Polka Dot Lined Coat
For classic style in an unexpected color, slip into this 1960s Zelinka * Matlick wool coat in pulse-racing pink.
Stay Warm In Hot Pink
If you have pretty party frocks, you’re going to need the proper outerwear to cover it up — just until you get inside the party, I promise! This vintage Hattie Carnegie Blue Silk Princess Coat is so gorgeous that if you don’t have pretty vintage party dresses, you’ll get some, just for the excuse to wear this coat.
Vintage Hattie Carnegie Blue Silk Princess Coat
Digging ’round for those non-existent photos of Ann-Margret, I found this photo of her with a leopard.
Ann Margret With Leopard
I thought how very much leopard print is so very vintage glam, suitable for all sex kittens — and since she’s just wearing that black catsuit (or, perhaps, a bodysuit and tights?), she’s just begging to be dressed — why not go shopping for leopard print?
First, the foundation garments: vintage Vanity Fair bra and half-slip set in leopard print.
Vintage Vanity Fair Foundation Garments
An amazing 1930′s crepe suit-styled dress with faux leopard fur trim.
1930s Crepe Dress With Leopard Print Fake Fur Trim
If you can find a place to wear it, how about this incredible 1940′s silk velvet leopard and golden silk chiffon hostess gown by Dorian?
Vintage Leopard Print Hostess Gown
More retro than vintage? You’ll love this very mod 1960′s faux leopard fur trench coat!
Retro Mod 1960s Faux Fur Leopard Coat
Of course, when we dress, we must remember to undress… This black vintage Vanity Fair nightgown has a pretty leopard print bodice.
Vintage Vanity Fair Black and Leopard Print Gown
And underneath everything here (and anywhere), how about these Pussycat panties? They’re modern made by Cameo Intimates, but so cute you’ll want to slip them under your vintage fashions — and with those garters you can wear real stockings!
Leopard Print Panties With Garters
PS I’d like to express a word of caution regarding this post about selling your unwanted jewelry. While it’s true that gold is seeing record highs, I, like Val Ubell (cute pen name!), worry about the amount of vintage jewelry which will be lost. So please, think twice!
With a new year comes thoughts of the future — and futuristic fashions.
Jane Fonda as Barbarella
But you needn’t dress like Barbarella to get a fabulous mod fashion look.
Like Princess Leia’s metal bikini, such a costume is best left for sci-fi conventions — or the boudoir. *wink*
So instead, opt for more practical mod fashions which won’t get you booted out of the PTA, arrested, or just left with neat stuff in your closet that you complain you never have any place to wear. This lovely mod faux leather silver coat is super — and it’s a plus size (or, more accurately, at a size 15, an average size garment), so you needn’t have Jane Fonda’s figure either.
Silver Retro Faux Leather Coat
The ultra mod coat is sold by The Mad Fashionista, who specializes in plus size vintage fashions; she also has an hysterical blog.
I might as well; the snow isn’t going anywhere. *sigh*
But wouldn’t a coat like this be superb for going out & about, making those holiday returns and exchanges? Sloshing about was never so chic!
Vivian Gibson
