A Hint of Leopard for Fall...

Moving back to Toronto means a new coat is in order and I want this one! Doesn't she look chic?! For narrow shouldered gals like myself, a strong 40's shoulder balances out the body (late 30's-mid 40's was definitely my fashion era!). Paired with dark jeans, heeled booties and Chanel red lips, I will be ready to face the brisk Autumn weather in style. Toronto here I come!

Vintage Dame & Yellow Chic

For a variety of reasons, Vintage Dame needed to re-decorate. So she bought a vintage, yellow, floral chaise lounge off of Craigslist & she put it in her guest room.

Then one day, a very Retro-Chic Lady, who was not a guest of hers, came out of her guest room, (how could that be?) and asked her for a Lemon Drop. What was Vintage Dame to do? One couldn't be rude. And after all, it was always cocktail hour somewhere. So Vintage Dame made Retro Chic Non Guest one of these:

Vintage Dame, who was wearing her yellow Converse at the time,

brought the cocktail to Retro Chic Lady. She was lounging, as one would expect, on the chaise, wearing a Hippie Goddess dress by Lotta Stensson:

"Oh Darling, finally you're here! What did you do? Come by way of the Panama Canal?! Joking!" And with that, Retro Chic Non Guest grabbed her Lemon Drop, took a sip and declared, "I am not even lying when I tell you that this is the best damn Lemon Drop that I have ever had. Simply divine!"

She then reclined on the chaise and said, "you know, it's important that we not humiliate butter." "Ummm, ok," thought Vintage Dame, while shuffling her yellow Converse feet.

Retro Chic Non Guest continued, "butter is one of the founding members of the gourmet society and it should be housed appropriately." And with a flourish, she presented an Anthropologie butter dish that was THE most perfect butter dish ever:

Later that night, after making her Non Guest 2 more Lemon Drops, Vintage Dame retired to her boudoir, wearing a beautiful 1930's slip from Posh Girl Vintage:

She thought to herself, "what a strange day." As with any strange day, her OCD behavior increased tenfold. She started obsessively glossing her lips. This would not have been that big a deal, except that the gloss was from an AVON compact, circa very early 1980's:

In the background, as Retro Chic Non Guest quietly sang the theme song from "Mahogany," Vintage Dame thought, "my oh my, what a long strange trip it's been." And then, in her faded silk yellow slip and alligator lips she drifted off...

THE END

Vintage Dame Goes Granola Chic

Vintage Dame loves hippies! Although my Mom was not a true hippie, she did make her own delicious granola & she wore Birkenstocks before they were trendy. I remember her wearing ponchos, kaftans and a gorgeous lavender maxi dress with crochet detail and angel wing sleeves - patchouli Mom!

So, going with the hippie chic theme, I watched Jonathan Berman's documentary "Commune" last night on netflix. It's about Black Bear Farm, a commune started in 1968 in the wilderness of northern Cali. There weren't many clothes being worn back then, even as they chopped wood many of them preferred Mother Nature chic.

The film got me thinking about modern day communes and what a stylish granola girl might wear while gardening, home schooling her kids and making squash soup. Here are a few ideas:

This shrug by Karl Donoghue will allow you to keep your arms free, so that you can stir that big pot of quinoa.

Comfy jeans by Current Elliott to stroll the forest in, looking for magic shrooms.

Warm and cozy poncho by Haute Hippie to wear while teaching little Apple her ABCs

Keep your granola toes warm while you're outside chopping wood for that night's pagan feast.

All available on net-a-porter - even wilderness chicks need a little online fashion once in awhile!
Photo at top, a modern commune called "Cedar Moon" outside of Portland

Vintage Dame is Desperate!

Desperate for the 1985 movie "Desperately Seeking Susan," that is! This iconic film starring Madonna & Rosanna Arquette, is a feast for style hungry eyes. There are so many amazing looks, but for today's post we shall focus on this one fab image of Madonna in neon and her girlfriend in a combo neon/vintage outfit. Let's get inspired by these two lovelies!

Neon tights by American Apparel, $14
note: you must have long-ish, slim-ish legs to pull off neon tights or leggings. For those of us with short Corgi legs, it is not a good look. And remember a little neon goes a long way!

Studded Boots by Pour La Victoire, $380 at Nordstrom. Perfect with black leggings and a black mini dress or tunic.

This insane necklace looks like something Madonna's friend would have worn in the movie. By Tarina Tarantino, $740.


Best Quote from the film: "Susan! My God, we thought you were dead!" "No, just in New Jersey!"

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!