Hippie Chic

Vintage Dame is always a sucker for a good Hippie Chic Ensemble. Today's outfit is more earthy hippie chic, as opposed to rocker hippie chic, (Kate Hudson), or glam hippie chic, (Rachel Zoe).

The perfect earthy hippie girl dress from Posh Girl Vintage. Note the "angel wing sleeves," they were big in the late 1960's to mid 1970's.

Add these tall, distressed leather boots from Steve Madden, they are perfect for frolicking in the grass at a folk concert or walking to your favorite cafe for a chai latte. Add tights to keep warm, or, if you're feeling sassy, over the knee woolen socks!




Boots available at www.victoriasecret.com
Dress available at www.poshgirlvintage.com

Vintage Dame Bakes Banana Bread

Sunday morning baking requires a comfortable yet stylish outfit. One always needs to be prepared for a possible "pop over" visitor. You never know when the Queen of Translyvania, the King of Persia, or your loud mouthed neighbor might drop by. Therefore, both comfort & style are a must.

This morning, upon noticing several sad looking wilted bananas in the fridge, I decided that a little banana bread was in order. I baked a yummy loaf while wearing a black silk vintage slip. Possibly a little too daring to meet the Queen in, but perfect for meeting the King of Persia. Here are a few ideas to keep your baking stylish:

A 1920's silk robe from Posh Girl Vintage. Do be careful around open flames when wearing robes. Sleeves and fire do not mix; trust me.


This would be ideal to wear if you think you might be getting a sexy visitor. Vintage style slip by Victoria Secret.


The perfect vintage style half slip by Victoria Secret. Wear with this cashmere/cotton off shoulder sweater also by VS.

The best Sunday morning baking is done while drinking Mimosas and listening to Edith Piaf. Vintage Dame's Banana Bread Recipe:

2 cups flour
1 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 cup butter
3/4 cup brown sugar
2 beaten eggs
2 1/3 cups mashed overipe bananas
a pinch of cinnamon
350 degrees in greased loaf pan for 50-65 min, depending on your oven.
Mix flour, baking soda & salt; in another bowl cream butter & brown sugar, stir in eggs and bananas until well blended; stir banana mixture into flour mixture, stir just to moisten; cool in pan 10 min then on rack.

Enjoy!
P.S. This is seriously yummy bread. By the time you see this posting, no doubt half the loaf will be in my belly!

Vintage Dame's A B Cs of Style

A is for Acid Wash, which since I did not wear in the 80’s, I’m certainly not going to wear now that it’s resurfaced. Leaving that look to the young, uber trendy, Urban Outfitter guys & dolls.

B is for boots, one of my favorite footwear options. I still long for the black suede, over the knee, flat heeled boots I bought at Le Chateau in 1988. Oh to be able to retrieve those from fashion heaven!

A gorgeous Fall 09 pair by Giuseppe Zanotti, available on netaporter:
C is for capes & capelets, vintage items that I adore. I own a wonderful leopard fur cape from the 60’s and although I rarely find the opportunity to wear it in LA, it brings me much joy. It also makes me want to line my eyes in kohl and smoke a Gitane!

An insanely perfect version that also incorporates tweed, (see D). Cape by Balmain. Available on netaporter:
D is for Donegal Tweed from Ireland. Picture a lovely gal named Quinn, walking the Irish countryside in an old school Ralph Lauren peasant skirt, flat heeled leather boots and a Donegal tweed blazer. Walking beside her is Finn, who is wearing his own Donegal tweed blazer and cap. They are walking towards Finn’s magnificent Irish castle where he will propose to her.

Here's Quinn, in tweed and lace by Ralph Lauren for Fall/Winter 09:
E is for espadrilles, a classic footwear option that is in the company of other classics, like the French striped sailor top and the perfect trenchcoat.

F is for fanny pack, a practical yet scary creation. Many designers have done versions of this tourista staple. When I need to be practical and hands free, I prefer a small purse with a long strap, worn diagonally across the body, like this one from LA designer Calleen Cordero:
G is for Go Go boots, they were at the height of their popularity in the mid 60’s. Love them, but with short, muscular legs they are not a good look on me. Best worn on long, Twiggy-esque legs.
A to die for pair from the BEST vintage website, poshgirlvintage:
H is for harem pants which I wore in the late 80’s. Mine were lightweight Indian cotton versions. Summer of 2009 has seen their return to the streets with mixed results. I’m sitting this one out, except for my harem pants jumpsuit – see J.

I is for Ikat. It’s a style of weaving that uses “resist dyeing,” before threads are woven into a pattern or design. Most cultures have a version of Ikat and it was quite popular this Summer.

J is for jumpsuits, which have made a return over the last few seasons. I still own and occasionally wear my all time favorite jumpsuit: beautiful, hand painted Indian fabric, strapless, with harem pant legs and a boned bodice! Top that!

Chic 1940's-ish version by Issa, available on shopbop:
K is for designer Kate Spade, who does the retro-modern preppy chic look better than anyone.

L is for designer Lotta Stensson whose Bohemian Chic creations are stunningly beautiful. They make me want to move to a granola-chic hippie commune by the beach.

Earthy batik cover-up by Lotta Stensson, available on lottanyc.com:
M is for Mary Jane shoes, another old school classic shoe option, updated by many modern designers, including Marc Jacobs & Prada

N is for nylon a tough as nails fabric. And it’s also for “Nylon,” a chic, edgy NYC based style mag.

O is for Oscar de la Renta, one of my favorite old timer designers. He has been designing for many decades and does "uptown chic" better than anybody else.

A stunning coat from his Fall 09 Collection:

P is for polyester, one of my favorite fabrics - it’s true! The best 70’s dresses were all in poly and although the fabric doesn’t breathe, it wears well and twirls well – think of Travolta’s dance partners in Saturday Night Fever.
From the blog "Vintage Clothiers Boutique:"
Q is for Quant, as in Mary Quant, one of the designers who defined the 60’s. I think Anna Sui channels Mary Quant’s spirit with wonderful results.

R is for Rag Trade, aka the apparel industry or the fashion industry

S is for satin, which I adore for its sumptuousness. Designers used it a lot in the 30’s and 40’s to create long, often bias cut gowns. Below, Jean Harlow in one of her iconic satin dresses and a purple satin dress with exposed lining by Zac Posen, Fall 2009:

T is for tank top, a wardrobe staple, available in dressy and casual versions. Highlighting the arms, this style is best on those like my friend Vera, who is a "Bar Method" teacher and has sleek & chic arms!

U is for unitard, which I think belong in the same category as the fanny pack. The only one I ever wore was in high school, when I was featured along with a few other gals in the opening credits of a TV show. The unitards were black and they painted our bodies green. No doubt the idea of some pervy producer, with a fetish for fifteen year olds with "Wicked Witch of the West" coloring.

That said, they can serve as a very practical undergarment, (Donna Karan used to feature them), when your outfit requires leggings/tights and a layering tank top.
A chic option by Robert Rodriquez, available on shopbop:


V is for velvet, another of my favorite fabrics. The glam rockers like velvet, as do the Goths and the Edwardians.
Stunning velvet bolero by Stella McCartney, available on netaporter:
W is for wellies, or rubber boots. Preferably worn when ambling through the damp English countryside with a handsome British aristocrat.
The original Wellingtons, available in many colors on nordstrom.com:
X is for Xanadu, the trippy, disco-y 1980 movie featuring Olivia Newton-John & Gene Kelly. Music, dancing and over the top fashions, this is a must see for style lovers – “have to believe it is magic…”

Y is for yellow, a wonderfully happy color that is hard to wear. Looks best on tanned blonds, or those with darker complexions. I used to wear mustard eye shadow in the mid 80’s and against my pale Irish skin you can just imagine the results.

Z is for zebra prints, another retro chic option. Often outshined by its animal print cousin, the leopard print, zebra is very chic in small doses, like on a clutch or a pair of shoes.
The perfect vintage Zebra accessories from poshgirlvintage:
The End!

Saving the earth one dress at a time!

Wearing vintage has always been a wonderfully Green thing to do. Goddess knows there is plenty of clothing and fabric on this planet, we could probably cover 50 planets with everything in our respective closets. So in honor of Earth Day, LA's premiere vintage store "The Way We Wore" hosted a special vintage party and fashion show. Co-hosted by vintage fashion icons Debi Mazar and Dita Von Teese, the night was a reminder of how we can all be thrifty and creative and save the planet at the same time.

My friend Lotta, (pictured above), along with several other LA designers, were all charged with re-working vintage pieces into new one of a kind very wearable creations. All the designers did a smashing job! But everyone can do this type of thing, either at home with a sewing machine, or for the less crafty, for only a few bucks at your local dry cleaners. You would be surprised at how little it costs to have your local seamstress re-work/alter a piece. So next time you see an amazing 70's print maxi dress, that's 5 sizes too large, just buy it! Then bring it to the tailor, alter it and with the left over fabric make a headband or pillow case.

Green never looked so gorgeous!

Vintage Dame Dolls - the other kind of Dolls

This afternoon, out of nowhere, it suddenly occurred to me that my generation grew up with some pretty freaky dolls. There was "Tiffany Taylor," who with her lime green cape and gold lame bathing suit, was one part super hero, one part hooker and one part Vegas Drag Queen. Her scalp actually turned around, (hello anyone? Is this strange to you or is it just me?), so that Tiffany could either be platinum or brunette, check out the madness:



Then, on the other end of the doll spectrum, there was The Sunshine Family! A granola, peace loving, eco-friendly family, including grandparents and a little booklet that told us kids what we could "make" for our dolls - anti-consumerism - Love it! Check out the Birkenstock Gang:



Finally, there was Chrissy, the red headed smiling gal whose hair could be pulled out of the top of her head. You could make it really long, or into a simple bob. All you had to do was press her belly butten (!!) and then pull her hair! Hours of fun, right? Chrissy actually reminds me of that terrifying doll who tortured that father in one of the old The Twilight Zone episodes.

I think it's a miracle that we all survived childhoods in the 70's!

If you're a Chrissy kind of gal, show some leg in this Tibi mini, available on www.netaporter.com

If the Sunshine Family is more your vibe, then feel the love in this Missoni dress, available on www.netaporter.com

If you're inspired by Tiffany Taylor, try this stunner by Zac Posen, available on www.netporter.com

Vintage Dame Goes Possum Hunting

Last night my adorable dog Leroy brought me the cutest Easter gift - a Possum! That's right ladies, a live possum! Just what a girl needs to liven up an otherwise low-key evening at home. As I sipped my Sauvignon Blanc and turned the pages of my Twilight novel, (totally addictive), I saw Leroy and little Quinny breeze through the kitchen on their way to their favorite perch - our bed. But, I could have sworn that I saw something else too...there had been something in Leroy's mouth!

For the love of God! Why why why? The one night I'm home alone, enjoying the quiet, Leroy decides to become Besties with Mr. Possum! Dashing into the bedroom I see Leroy looking up proudly at me - aren't ya proud of me mama?! Quinny took one look at my face and took off, the girl knows when it's time to leave a party. The possum was either dead or "playing possum," but I feared dead, as there was the tiniest bit of blood near his mouth. Ugly, wretched, these words do not properly convey how nasty that possum looked. And yet...I felt bad for him. Had Leroy accidentally killed him? He clearly had just wanted a new playmate. I also couldn't help but notice that Mr. Possum was lying on my beautiful color blocked Indian quilt. It's been in the family for 20 years. Argg!

After throwing back my entire glass of wine, I felt a little peep of courage. I quickly, but gently Quilt-Wrapped the possum and walked confidently out to the backyard. I lay him down softly and opened up the quilt a bit, fluffing it up "just so" around him, so that I created a little "Possum on Indian Fabric" Tableau Art Installation. I then said a few prayers, b/c two years of Catholic School never leave you, plus it was almost Easter, so Jesus was on my mind. "Dear Jesus/God/Goddess of Backyards, I apologize if my dog Leroy killed your Possum, he only wanted to play. I hope he did not suffer at all. Perhaps he is not even dead and he is just up to his usual tricks. Please bless the little Possum. Amen" As I prayed, Leroy and Quinny sat by my side silently, as if we were all in church.

The next morning the quilt was Possum-less! Yes! It just goes to show you that even when you're a girly girl like moi, you can rise to the occasion and become a tough broad when you need to!

Happy Easter!

Vintage Dame Doll Advice

As the world goes to Hell in a Hand-Basket, (a fake, knock off, made in some hideous factory by children slave labour hand-basket), it is more important than ever to keep our dolls in a safe place - in case we need a little something to get us through the next round of screaming headlines. This lovely little black and white striped canister by Jonathan Adler is just perfect. It would look smashing in a vintage themed bathroom with black and white tiles and maybe bubblegum pink towels.

One issue I have with modern dolls, is that many of the ones on the market now all look the same. I long for the Valley of the Dolls Days, when each pill had its own distinctive look.


These days one can easliy grab for a peach colored doll and it might be for the prostate, for sleeping, for high blood pressure or for anxiety. We neeed to bring back the colored dolls - red, pink, blue, yellow...how else does the medical establishment expect us to keep ourselves healthy during these difficult times?

For doll popping, one must look stylish, here are two options: A 70's style caftan by Victoria Secret. Or, a late sixties, (movie was 1967), purple stunner - "Sparkle Neely, Sparkle!" available at Posh Girl Vintage.

A little gem!

At my wedding rehearsal dinner my brothers, Tommy & Mike, read excerpts from Good Housekeeping's "The Good Wife," published in 1955. I think my brother's dry delivery of the hysterical lines was the highlight of the wedding - that and the relatives & friends who were smoking weed on the gorgeous patio of the stately & historical Chateau Laurier Hotel.  Check out these words of wisdom...

"Have dinner ready. Plan ahead, even the night before, to have a delicious meal ready on time for his return. This is a way of letting him know that you have be thinking about him and are concerned about his needs. Most men are hungry when they get home and the prospect of a good meal is part of the warm welcome needed."

**Does Amy's Organic Spinach Pizza & a home made salad count as a "delicious meal?" My dinner specialties all involve un-packing cardboard boxes, which I always dutifully put in the recycling bin - does that win me any points?

"Prepare yourself. Take 15 minutes to rest so you'll be refreshed when he arrives. Touch up your make-up, put a ribbon in your hair and be fresh-looking. He has just been with a lot of work-weary people."

**I usually look more weary than him. Lately I have been wearing his t-shirts with my paint stained American Apparel yoga pants around the house. But I do keep my skin nice and clean and fresh!

"Be a little gay and a little more interesting for him. His boring day may need a lift and one of your duties is to provide it."

**I do sing many made-up show-tunes for him, which he seems to enjoy immensely

"Clear away the clutter. Make one last trip through the main part of the house just before your husband arrives. Run a dustcloth over the tables."

**Well, I love clutter and I have never met a surface that I didn't want to cover in old fashioned trinkets. Although I do make the bed in the morning - does that count for anything?

"Listen to him. You may have a dozen important things to tell him, but the moment of his arrival is not the time. Let him talk first - remember, his topics of conversation are more important than yours."

**Hmm, where do I even start with this one?

"Make him comfortable. Have him lean back in a comfortable chair or lie him down in the bedroom. Have a cool or warm drink ready for him."

**I do always offer him a cold compress. It is my belief that a cold washcloth on the forehead can solve just about anything.

Although I have failed miserably at being a "good wife," I have a plan. I shall tackle one issue a week. This week I must banish my paint stained yoga pants and oversized tees. I need a stylish lounging outfit for around the house. It has come down to three bold options, two from Victoria Secret and one from Blue Velvet Vintage:

Lounge Lizard Goddess in Emilio Pucci, from the Blue Velvet Vintage website


Fabulous 1940's-ish silk wide leg pants from VC


Chic caftan from VC

"Thrift is the Spirit of Today!"

"Reckless spending is a thing of the past!" These gems are from a wonderful book I just checked out of the library, (how thrifty of me!), called "Everyday Fashions of the Thirties As Pictured in Sears Catalogs." The editor of the book is Stella Blum, a former curator from The Met's Costume Institute. She chose a wonderful collection of images that span 1930-39. The advertising copy is almost as good as the fashions: "Nine O'clock and all is Swell!" "You - Winsome and Desirable in Clouds of Rayon Net!" "Be Pert and Gay in this Young Looking Collar!" I am definitely ordering the whole series of these on amazon, they have them "used" and therefore cheaper, so I can be thrifty chic!

Another very cool thing, Sears sold "Semi-Made" ensembles: outfits where all the difficult tailoring and sewing was already done and all the woman had to do was sew a few seams, thereby allowing her to have a "custom fit" - genius! Love it! They also had movie starlettes like Loretta Young endorse some of their clothes, they called it "autographed fashion:" A dress would come with a tag with the star's name written out in cursive - "worn in Hollywood by Loretta Young." So all the stars out there now pimping their own "collections," this is where it all began - with a little autographed tag! My, how times have changed!

Mon Dieu! C'est Tres Chic!

Vintage Dame loves this witty, entertaining little book "Entre Nous." It celebrates French Women and provides many helpful hints on how to channel our inner French Gamine: "The French Girl doesn't dress to the trend, she dresses to her strengths." Having grown up speaking French in school, (Ottawa is a bilingual part of Canada), I've always felt a certain connection to mes soeurs francaises. My first and only, (sadly), time in France, was in 1998 when I visited Paris with my Aunt. Like many before me, I fell in love with Paris - the food, the architecture, the traditions, the style & the people.

As the book points out, French women shop differently than American women. As a general rule, they tend to buy less "cheap and chic" clothes, prefering instead to buy a few more expensive, well made, classic pieces, that they can wear for years. And of course we can't forget the scarves - French girls love their scarves and wear them with such panache! French women appreciate artistic looking pieces, love collecting jewelry and have an affinity for vintage. They wear less makeup, take expert care of their skin and are known for throwing together those perfect "just threw this on at the last minute but I look fabulous outfits."

Another book on French women is "Parisiennes: A Celebration of French Women." This is a Must Buy if you are a vintage lover. Stunning black and white photographs of French women from the last 100 years.


To celebrate French Chic here are a few lovely pieces, all available on www.shopbop.com.

Un foulard avec couleur


A modern version of the iconic striped sailor top


Enough space to toss in a baguette and fromage on your way home from work


La Nouvelle Trench - with detachable sleeves! C'est incroyble!


Les Bijoux Magnifique