Wednesday, March 28, 2012

Pack your suitcase....

....with vintage wear for your vacation, cruise, or resort destination! It's that time of year when folks are getting ready for their spring break trips or are starting to plan their summer vacations. Whether you're going to the beach and need swimwear and casual items for the Boardwalk, or you're going on a cruise to some exotic location, you're going to want some "resort" or "cruise" wear.

Resort wear is a concept that's been around for more than 100 years. It was originally marketed for the upper classes who wintered down South or in tropical climes, who summered "in the Hamptons or up at Providence," or took their warm-weather cruises in the winter. Thus resort wear was marketed at atypical times of the year, such as in the late fall.

Resort wear was generally lighter in weight (tropical wools for men's suits, lightweight cotton or silk frocks for women, etc.) and typically more casual than normal day wear. For example, men's Hawaiian-print shirts and straw boater hats were acceptable at a resort if not in everyday life. And, of course, the "bathing costume" became ever more popular. But formal wear was still a must for cruise ships (after all, when one is invited to dine at the captain's table, one must have proper dress!).

When women's separates started to catch on, around the middle of the 20th century, they made for a perfect vacation wardrobe--with a single jacket, matching skirt and slacks, and a couple of coordinating tops, you could have a full week's worth of clothing. And when knitwear thrived in the 60s and 70s, the easy-to-pack "weekender" outfits grew even more popular. Going to the beach for the weekend? Roll your knit pieces up, toss them in an overnight case with your swimsuit, and you were good to go.

Well, today you don't need to be wealthy to get a great vacation wardrobe! Vintage pieces will do the trick for you. Since resort wear has no rigid look, vintage styles look as good (and, we think, better) than modern pieces. And, when it comes to swimwear, well.... Vintage swimsuits are ultra hot right now and more popular in some places than contemporary ones.

So, take a look at these selected pieces of vintage vacation wear, and check our shops for more!

As noted, vintage swimwear is so in style, and we have some for you!

Alley Cats Vintage at Ruby Lane has this ruched-front Vintage Swimsuit Swim Suit 40s 50s Royal Blue Rose Marie Reid Bubble Bottom Strapless

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From My Vintage Cocktail on Etsy, we have these sleek swimsuits:

Vintage 60s Bombshell Pinup Swimsuit Bathing Suit, Sz Sm XS, 36

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Vintage 60s Catalina Swim Suit, Op Art Psychedelic Print, Sz Med


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Catseye Vintage on Etsy has the versatile and ever-popular combination romper/swimsuit: Vintage 60s Blue Paradise Hawaii Novelty Tropical Hibiscus Print Cotton Swimsuit Romper Playsuit VLV - l to xl - ON SALE

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And, to go over those swimsuits are these cover-ups for the beach:

From Alley Cats, this Vintage Beach Coverup 1957 Chocolate Brown by Jantzen Mayflower Americana Line Sz M

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Catseye Vintage has this Vintage 70s Oaxacan Mexican Pintuck Lace Blouse 1970s Top Beach Coverup Pintucked Off White Cotton Size M to L

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And here are a selection of miscellaneous "must-have" items that will have people complimenting your vintage style!

The Vintage Short Set 1970s Chevron Stripe Skort and Top by Bobbie Brooks B36 W25 from Alley Cats is both dashing and darling! SOLD

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And this Vintage 70s Hand Embroidered Maxi Dress Caftan 1970s Boho Hippie Mexican White Sheer Gauze Pastel Floral Embroidery Size S - M - L from Catseye is perfect for lounging in a deck chair.

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While these button-trimmed Vintage 50s 60s High Waist Designer Shorts, Rear Zip, XS Sm go from day to a casual dinner with ease:

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Wednesday, March 21, 2012

It is time for that time honored tradition ‘The Easter Parade’. Starting as a spontaneous event in 1870, it became a seasonal tradition in many towns over the US but especially on Fifth Avenue in New York City. Participants dressed in their finery to display themselves marching up and down the streets but the Easter Bonnet is the main attraction. Women adorn their heads with the most elaborate millinery creations to be admired and envied. In 1947 the State Department’s *Voice of American* did a radio broadcast of the parade to the Soviet Union to show the economic inferiority of the Soviet system. In 1955 *The Saturday Evening Post*stated that the New York springtime pageant was only an incidental celebration of a religious holiday, and had become a reflection of the fact that in American a person was as good as the clothes he or she was able to buy.

Below for your viewing please the Vintage Reflection sellers have put forth a display of their Easter best.


Vintage 50s Designer Ombre Straw Hat with Veil, Floral Trim, Velvet Bow
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Vintage 50s Hand Beaded Cardigan Sweater 1950s VLV Embroidered Cutwork Pink Angora Blend Size s to m - ON SALE
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Vintage Hat Wide Brim Navy Blue Straw Hat with Red Silk Roses by Christine
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Vintage 50s Silk Cocktail Sheath Dress, Watercolor Print, Sz Lg Large, 12 14, VLV
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Vintage Cultured Akoya Pearl Necklace Hand Strung Tied Knotted Iridescent Luster 6.35MM - 57 Saltwater Pearls - 22" - Silver Clasp - on SALE
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Vintage 1940s 40s Hat Tan Straw Daisy Bonnet by Knox
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Vintage 30s Art Deco Little Nemo Filigree Pot Metal, RED Rhinestone & Enamel Flowers Brooch
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Vintage 50s Spring Coat 1950s Oatmeal Silk Rayon Blend Duster 1960s 60s Size L
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Vintage Hat Tangerine Wide Brim Curly High Crown  Mister T
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Please visit our individual shops for more exciting vintage fashions.....

Wednesday, March 14, 2012

Green for St. Patrick's Day!


With St. Patrick's Day this weekend, we're focusing on green clothing and accessories.

The members of the Reflections of Vintage sellers network have the perfect vintage pieces for your consideration.

Please visit our shops to see more beautiful vintage clothes and accessories!

Catseye Vintage, has the perfect green rhinestone cat pendant necklace, a gorgeous green and black striped shirtdress, and a wonderful green strapless party or prom dress listed in her Etsy shop:

Vintage Large Cat Pendant Necklace with Articulated Green Rhinestone Eyes and Dangles from CATSEYE VINTAGE


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Vintage 50s Strapless Cocktail Party Prom Dress from CATSEYE VINTAGE

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Vintage 50s Taffeta Shirtdress from CATSEYE VINTAGE


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Alley Cats Vintage on Ruby Lane has a stunning Oscar de la Renta Skirt Suit, a lovely print dress with matching hat, and a vintage green umbrella with a lucite handle in her Ruby Lane shop:


Vintage 80s Suit Oscar De La Renta Green Tweed Retro Look from ALLEY CATS VINTAGE  SOLD


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Vintage Umbrella Light Green with Lucite Handle from ALLEY CATS VINTAGE


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Vintage Dress and Jacket 1950s Green Swirl Jersey B40 W29 And Matching Turban from ALLEY CATS VINTAGE  SOLD


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Vintage Baubles Too has several wonderful items in her Artfire Shop, including a gorgeous sage green wiggle dress, a sexy chiffon print wiggle dress, and a classic teal green day dress:



Vintage 60s Bombshell Hourglass Wiggle Sheath Cocktail Dress Sm XS from VINTAGE BAUBLES TOO



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Vintage 60s 70s Mad Men Chiffon Cocktail Dress Wiggle Sheath Med Large from VINTAGE BAUBLES TOO


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Vintage 50s Heathered Teal Wiggle Dress w/ Pencil Skirt, Small Sm from VINTAGE BAUBLES TOO


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Thursday, March 1, 2012

Spring is Springing!

It doesn't seem possible already, but spring is almost upon us! And, with a new season comes thoughts of a new wardrobe, or at least some additions to our current one. Even though many of us experienced a mild winter in many areas, we still were, and probably still are, wearing slacks, sweaters, suits, wool or fur-felt hats, dark shoes, and dark bags. But, with flowers starting to bloom, temperatures starting to rise, and, thank goodness, the sun starting to shine on a daily basis, it's time to shop for new clothes! And, of course, we highly recommend shopping for vintage. Like spring, it's "green," saving the earth's natural resources. And, rather than bowing to whatever the current trends are, vintage has its own distinction. Whether your tastes run to classic or trendy, soft pastels or bright florals, simple or elaborate, vintage fashions offer you your choice.

The Vintage Reflections sellers will help you make your own spring fashion statement with items from our shops!


From My Vintage Cocktail on Etsy, we have these light and airy fashions:

Vintage 70s Narrow Pleated Floral Print Georgette Skirt, Sz XS Sm

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Vintage 50s Designer Ombre Straw Hat with Veil, Floral Trim, Velvet Bow

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Vintage 50s Silk Cocktail or Day Dress, Impressionist Watercolor Print, Sz Lg Large, VLV

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Catseye Vintage offers these cool-as-can-be selections in her Etsy shop:

Vintage 50s Dress Blue Roses Floral Chiffon 1950s Cocktail Party Full Skirt VLV Size L to XL

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Vintage 70s Hand Embroidered Maxi Dress Caftan 1970s Boho Hippie Mexican White Sheer Gauze Pastel Floral Embroidery Size S - M - L

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