Celebrate New Year's Eve in (Vintage) Style!

We of vintage age remember the days when our parents, and then, later, we ourselves, would go out on the town for New Year's Eve. That meant getting "dressed to the nines" and going out for dinner and a party afterwards. Even the most casual of restaurant dinners or a typical house party called for dressing up. Short dresses, maxi skirts, or evening slacks were standard fare for those events. And then there were the formal galas, held at fancy ballrooms or the most elegant restaurants in town. Ladies in evening gowns and their finest jewelry, men in formal suits or tuxedos, an orchestra to which to dance....

I remember my mom and her friends breaking out their fancy stoles or wraps, beaded and sequined clutch bags, and dressiest heels. My sister and I were in awe of how lovely they looked and how their dresses "swished" as they danced out the door on their way out for the night. And, when we were older, we would get dressed up and go out as well. Although the "age of casual" was approaching even then, we women would wear cocktail dresses or casual long dresses, and the men would wear sports jackets with ties. Dinner and dancing were still standard entertainment, then we would do the rounds of the house parties, at which you almost never would find anyone wearing jeans. Can you imagine that!

Alas, those indeed were the days.... However, there are still parties and dinners to attend on New Year's Eve, and you don't have to go casual as most everyone these days does. Break out a vintage dress or gown, carry a dressy vintage bag, or wear some stunning vintage jewelry--be as bold or as subtle as you wish. No matter whether you dress in vintage or accessorize with it, you'll feel great and look great--and we're sure you'll get lots of compliments and admiring looks!

We at Vintage Reflections wish you a Happy New Year, and may have some goodies in our shops to help you ring it in!

From Alley Cats Vintage:

Vintage 1960s 60s Party Dress Bright Red Chiffon Strapless Cocktail Formal by Lilli Diamond B 38-40



Vintage Formal Gown1960s 60s Black Satin with Jeweled Bodice Party Evening Dress by Pab B33 W24



Vintage 1980s 80s Black Beaded Drop Waist Party Dress by AfterDark Sz 12




At My Vintage Cocktail:

SALE Vintage 50s 1950s Strapless Full Skirt RED Evening Gown, XS / Small



SALE Vintage Crystal Necklace & Dangle Earrings in Original Box, Wedding, Party, Holiday Jewelry



Vintage 80s Designer Ruched & Draped Party, Cocktail, Disco Jersey Dress, Med Lg 10 12




And from Catseye Vintage:

Vintage 80s Strapless One Shoulder Evening Gown Dress Black Chantilly Lace with Bow by Karen Okada Climax Size XS to S



Vintage 60s Woven Metal Handbag 1960s Purse Bridal Evening Gold Tone



Vintage 80s Dress 1980s Cocktail Party Hand Beaded Black Silk Chiffon DEADSTOCK Size XS to S

It's Transition Time

While it's still technically summer, it's starting to feel like fall already. Vacations are over, kids are going back to school, and the casual sort of lifestyle we enjoy in the summer is slowly coming to an end. But, instead of bemoaning that, there is much for we vintage-loving folks to celebrate! Fall is a wonderful time to break out great vintage clothing and accessories to wear to work or school. A sheath dress and sweater for the office, a dinner suit, some nice leather handbags and shoes, fall-themed vintage jewelry.... It's a perfect season to break out your very wearable vintage wear!

We at Reflections of Vintage have some great items to help you transition from summer to fall in style!

From Alley Cats Vintage comes this quintessential work-to-dinner ensemble, a Vintage 1950s Andrew Arkin Royal Blue Two Piece Dress and Jacket, B42:



And this versatile dress, for work, school, or luncheons, Vintage Knit Form Fitting Nelly Don
Dress, B38 W26:



Here's the perfect blouse to wear with a suit or to top off a skirt, a Vintage Taupe Silk Tabak Blouse, Sz 10 B38



At My Vintage Cocktail, we have the ultimate three-season secretary dress in this Vintage 70s Atomic Novelty Print Secretary Dress, Pussy Bow, Sz Sm:



This tan dress is perfect for summer-to-fall, can be accessorized to fit almost any occasion, and is very likely a one-of-a-kind item: Vintage 50s 60s Designer Mad Men Shapely Linen Sheath Dress, Sm 4 6



These Vintage Mad Men 50s 60s Leather Stiletto Spike Heels Pumps, Sz 6 are so stylish:




Catseye Vintage presents this fantastic ensemble that's just right for work or a weekend special event: Vintage 1940s 40s Cardigan Sweater and Skirt Suit, Set, Hand Beaded, Blue, Boucle Knit, Size S, M



This "go-to" dress goes shopping, to school, out for lunch, just about everywhere; pair it with a wide belt for even more versatility: Vintage 1970s 70s Catherine Ogust Shirt Dress, Penthouse Gallery, Color Block, Size M, L




And this sophisticated dress is timeless, and yet another perfect "work-to-dinner-or-cocktails" piece--Vintage 60s Dress, Shirtdress, Day Dress, 1960s, Mod, Grey,Gray, Wool, I Magnin, Georgette Trilere, Size S, Small

We're Mad for Mod!

"So, are you a mod or a rocker?" That was one of the questions of the mid 60s, from one young person to another--as a "hip" thing to say, a pick-up line, or even, really, to see if you had something in common with the other. Yes, people really did ask this question!

What, then, is "mod"? Of course today with selling sites using the term for everything from 50s' fashions to 80s' mini skirts, it's not hard to see why the term has become diluted. Dictionaries define "mod" in many different ways, but, as used at the time, it comes down to the styles, and those who wore them, characteristic of the British youth culture (which found its way quickly to the U.S.) that began around 1963/1964, about the same time as the British music invasion was gathering momentum. It wasn't just the apparel the hip youth wore, it was truly a culture. Carnaby Street shops; the Beatles, their music, and their boots and skinny ties; a new generation of super models; and more.

For a good idea of mod, think of the clothing Twiggy modeled, along with her make-up and hair styles; the TV show "That Girl," in which Anne Marie's wardrobe was the epitome of mod; and bands, not just the Beatles but The Dave Clark Five, Gerry and the Pacemakers, and, here in the U.S., Gary and the Playboys. They all wore great mod apparel. Now, compare those looks with, say, the Rolling Stones, Jefferson Airplane, and The Who, and you'll get an idea of the "rocker" part of the original question!

Of course, "mod" styles changed over the years, and there was some crossover in transition as the hippie and psychedelic culture converted some mods. But mod always denoted a style that generally had more panache and sophistication than other styles that were its contemporaries. Overall, the strong mod influence lasted probably about a decade, from the mid 60s to the mid 70s. Then once disco hit... well, another story for another day.

While it's hard to define "mod" in terms of hemlines, skirt styles, dress profiles, etc., it's something you know when you see it and when you don't! So, skip the chopped-off 1950s' "mini dress" calling itself "mod," and go for the real thing! Here are a few we have available in our shops:

Catseye Vintage presents these items:

Nothing sets off a mod ensemble of skirt or trousers and blouse like a sweater vest: Vintage 60s 70s Geometric Green on Cream Pullover Sweater - Size XXS to Xs




Fun floral prints featuring oranges and yellows were a staple of the mod wardrobe, typified in this Vintage 60s 70s Orange and Sunshine Yellow Floral Print Semi Sheer Chiffon and Nylon Palazzo Pants Jumpsuit Romper -- Size M




We mods loved to entertain "back in the day," and who wouldn't want this Vintage 60s 1960s Mid Century MCM Georges Briard Pineapple Ambrosia Fruit or Cheese Tray Plate with Knife for a party?




From Alley Cats Vintage we have:

No mod gal's closet was complete without a beret or bubble hat like this one:
Vintage Betmar Cream Straw Bubble Beret Hat





For nights at the dance club, this is perfect: Vintage 1960s MOD Silver Metallic Floral Twiggy Dress by Minx Modes B36 W32



This "mod sophisticate" dress is perfect for work to dinner: Vintage 60s Capriel Black Red and White Poodle Dropped Waist Dress




And Vintage Baubles Too has these mod dresses:

Here's a "That Girl" look to go from work to dinner, in graphic black and white: Vintage 60s Toni Todd Designer Graphic Print Mod Mini Dress, Sz Med




Could there be a more perfect dress to wear riding your Vespa scooter or a bicycle than this Vintage 60s R & K Originals Mod Pleated Skirt Scooter Dress, Med 8 10?




And this designer ensemble, a Vintage 60s Mod Mini Skirt and Top, Skirt Suit,Two-Piece Dress, XS Sm, has classic mod features, from the rounded collar to the front decorative half belt:




Be sure and stop by our shops to have a look at these goodies and more!