1980s Jeweled Red Dress w/ Peplum, Ruffled Shoulders
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Pre 1990 item# 954949
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GlitzQueen History and Art to Wear
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$85. Was $125.
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Sequins and beading, peplums, ruching and strong shoulders are having another big moment now! If you crave that 1980s look, why not wear the real thing, rather than a new-yesterday knockoff?
You'll find this "Dynasty" era dazzler is perfect whenever you need a party dress of cocktail length -- and it's just the right color for holiday parties (or for making a huge impression anytime). Vividly scarlet, it has an elegantly draped peplum overskirt and a ruched front bodice ornamented with a transparent Art Nouveau butterfly that's loaded with white pearls, red sequins and bugle beads. Ruffles supported by an underlay of red petticoat net appear both fore and after and the skirt is slit, so you can walk and dance easily. The low-cut back closes with a short zipper. Length is just below the knee.
The prior owner bought this gorgeous gown in 1985 and wore it only a few times, so condition is quite good. Its label identifies it as a California-made creation "For David Howard" from the "Climax" line by Karen Okada. The acetate fabric feels like satin taffeta: rich and slightly crispy. It looks like it would fit sizes 2 through 6. The only point of close fit is the waistline, which measures 26 inches.
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Glittery Vintage Tropical Fish Tunic - Mint, Fits All
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Pre 1990 item# 663485
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GlitzQueen History and Art to Wear
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$16
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Looking like it's never been worn even once, this exotic vintage purple tunic would be a fabulous beach coverup -- or a top to wear with jeans and shorts, if you're a bit daring. It's lavished with fish in golden glitter, finished with gold and green beads tied into points at the knees and patterned with loads of sexy peek-a-boo slashes.
The "deconstructed" look makes me date this treasure to the late 1980s or early 1990s. Along with the two huge fish, a graceful undersea plant and the word "Bahamas" also appear in glitter. The tag (so crisp it's like new) reads: ARAWAK T Neely's of Nassau in the Bahamas 100% Cotton XLong. Total length is about 31 inches. Sleeves are raglan-style, finished in points with knots. The cotton knit is good and thick, with a rich, high-quality feel. This must have been expensive originally. Provenance is a New Mexico estate.
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1980s Vintage Designer Coral Organza Wrap Top
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Pre 1990 item# 627304
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GlitzQueen History and Art to Wear
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By Fenn Wright & Manson, one of England's leaders in special occasion fashions since the 1970s, this dreamy see-through jacket of coral organza combines a look of pure romance with all the proper details. Notice the shapely seaming, graceful lapels and double cuffs with shimmering faux-moonstone buttons in a slightly lighter shade of melon.
Sheer jackets of this type, tied on with enormous bows, were style essentials in Europe during the late 1980s and very early 1990s. (I'm not sure if they were also worn in the U.S., since I wasn't here then.) They're fabulous over slip dresses and a wonderful way of fluffing up just about any outfit for an evening event or a daytime gala like a wedding. In the latter case, they can give you decent cover for the ceremony, allowing you to wear something that might otherwise be a little too bare until the reception.
Size is marked small, but obviously this shape is highly adaptable. I'd say it could be worn by anyone from size 1-2 up to about a size 9-10. Condition of the wrap is fabulous -- it can't have been worn much -- and its provenance is an English estate. New party tops and wraps by FW&M sell in the $150 - $200 range, by the way.
There's no charge for insured U.S. shipping and gift-wrap is always free when desired. Please e-mail to confirm availability, order or request more photos. Thanks for looking!
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1980s Leo's Chorus Line Black Tap Shoes Size 4.5 M
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Pre 1990 item# 585641
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GlitzQueen History and Art to Wear
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These pretty Chorus Line character shoes by Leo's were purchased for a play in 1985 and worn for only a few weeks of rehearsal and performance. How do I know so much about them? They've been languishing in my own closet for more than 20 years!
Leo's dance shoes are of excellent quality, so lots of life is left in these beauties. The screw-on Capezio "Tele Tone" taps are in great shape, too. With graceful 2 1/8-inch heels and Mary Jane straps, these shoes are a nice bargain for anyone who wears this size -- a rather generous 4.5 that should fit up to a 5. They retail for more than $65 now ($52.50 for the shoes plus at least $15 to add taps) and they're still in their original box, mildly scuffed from world travels but intact.
Please e-mail to confirm availability, order or request more photos. There's no charge for insured U.S. shipping and gift-wrap is always free when desired. Thanks for looking!
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Fine Vintage Forstmann Coral Cashmere Sweater c. 1950
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Pre 1960 item# 585572
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GlitzQueen History and Art to Wear
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In the 1940s and 1950s, designs by the Forstmann Woolen Company were described as "the finest woolens in the world." Many of their coats were trimmed with mink and even ermine, and their top-of-the-line sweaters were, of course, cashmere. Both the company's luxurious merchandise and high-fashion magazine ads are eagerly collected today.
This Forstmann cashmere sweater is a particularly pretty and versatile one, featuring a lovely coral pink color that flatters any complexion and 11-inch cropped sleeves that make it comfortably wearable even under suit jackets and blazers (where longer sleeves bunch up).
In beautiful condition, the sweater can't have been worn much. The ribbed-knit neck, waistline and sleeve edges are as unstretched as new. It measures about 17 inches from shoulder to shoulder, 22 inches long and 38 at the bust, and it will stretch from 26 to 36 at the bottom. Thus, it should fit a small or medium.
Ultra-soft, not like today's cheap one- and two-ply cashmere, the sweater may even date from the 1940s but can't be later than the 1950s, since the New Jersey-based firm was acquired by J. P. Stevens and Co. in 1960. Its provenance is a Texas estate.
Please e-mail to confirm availability, order or request more photos. There's no charge for insured U.S. shipping and gift-wrap is always free when desired. Thanks for looking!
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Vintage Designer Sexy White Stretch Skirt - Sml, Unworn
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Pre 2000 item# 558586
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GlitzQueen History and Art to Wear
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By London designer Ritva Kariniemi for the Extravert line, this sizzlingly sexy skirt was purchased around 1990 in an upscale European shop. It's like new, because the prior owner never wore it. Of 91% cotton and 9% lycra, it holds every curve and has a powerful slimming effect from the draped crossover front and ruched sides. It finishes just above the knees and you can roll the top down if you want more exposure. Do be aware that the waist and hemline are the only loose points on this garment. Everywhere in between, it fits like a glove. The tag says "small" and it could be worn by anyone from size 0 to 4 -- maybe also 6.
This would look fantastic for clubbing, but just as great over a bikini on the beach. We've priced it at less than a third of its original cost.
There's no charge for insured U.S. shipping and gift-wrap is always free when desired. Please e-mail to confirm availability, order or request mor photos. Thanks for looking!
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Cute Neiman Marcus Navy & Ivory Wool Suit c1970, Small
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Pre 1980 item# 558438
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GlitzQueen History and Art to Wear
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$85
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From the legendary Neiman-Marcus (back in the days when it was independent and truly deluxe), this vintage two-piece suit is a timeless classic, because of its nautical spirit. The graceful gored skirt in dark navy blue is matched to a blouson jacket with sailor-style detailing in creamy winter white. I particularly love the enormous collar and pretty brass buttons.
The outfit would look very classy at work and can be worn by anyone between about a size 2 and 6, because the fabric is a wool knit and elastic is at the waist of each piece. Skirt length is slightly below the knee. Condition is lovely, showing on close inspection only some restitching by hand at a few skirt seams, nothing to detract. The Neiman-Marcus Maisonette label is inside the neck and a label inside the skirt credits designer Joanna Nelson. Provenance is a Dallas area estate and dating would be late 1960s or early 1970s.
There's no charge for insured U.S. shipping and gift-wrap is always free when desired. Please e-mail to confirm availability, order or request more photos. Thanks for looking!
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Chic Estate Linen Skirt by Theoreme Paris Small MINT
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Pre 2000 item# 558427
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GlitzQueen History and Art to Wear
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Here's a very fine vintage French skirt by Theoreme, that's never been worn -- and the color couldn't be more perfect for this spring. The plastic hangtag is still on one of the front belt loops. Acquired by the former owner at a high-end shop in Europe during the mid-1990s, it's a "trumpet" skirt - gored to flare widely at the bottom, where it segments into sexy panels that float apart in motion to show flashes of shapely leg.
This is marked French size 36, about a US 2-4, but it's very small at the waist for that size. The crucial measurement is the waistband, which is 2 inches wide and only 25 inches long. A lot of us are that small at the natural waistline, but not at the point 2 inches above it, where the rib cage begins to be involved (which is why I'm not keeping this, myself). The button could be moved a bit, but not much. By the time it reaches the hip, the skirt has flared to about 40 inches wide and at the hem it's enormous, with slits about 9 1/2" tall. Length is ballerina (34 inches long).
The label reads THEOREME PARIS MADE IN FRANCE and a tag below that reads FABRIQUE IN FRANCE 60% LIN 40% VISCOSE. It's without lining, since the weight of extra fabric would spoil the drape.
If you're tiny enough through the middle to wear this, it will be a major fashion find: a classic you can enjoy forever. The price is less than a third of what it cost originally.
There's no charge for insured U.S. shipping and gift wrap is always free when desired. Please e-mail to confirm availability, order or request more photos. Thanks for looking!
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Jaunty 1980s Liz Claiborne Red Linen Circle Skirt Dress
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Pre 1990 item# 557981
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GlitzQueen History and Art to Wear
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There aren't too many vintage fashions that really belong in the office, but this one does. It's both young and sophisticated, which are two things Liz Claiborne did very well, indeed, in the 1980s. She's a bit staid now but, well, time passes.
This adorable tomato red linen dress is in amazing condition after 25 years, still as crisp and fresh as when new. Even the shoulder pads and shiny wide black belt are present. A hanger doesn't do it any favors, since you can't see how the skirt moves. It's actually a full circle, so you could add a petticoat. And why not a black silk corsage?
I especially love how it closes with hidden buttons; the only one you see is the big black one at the top. The sleeves are particularly marvelous, too: puffed with little pleats at the sides, not frilly gathers, and long enough not to seem too bare without a jacket. And did you notice all those useful pockets? It has a straight-across one on the bodice, plus two deep angled pockets at the hips.
Size is marked 4 and the actual dimensions are bust 35", waist 26" and overall length 39" (neither mini nor maxi). Hips of course don't matter with a skirt shaped like this.
There's no charge for insured U.S. shipping and gift-wrap is always free when desired. Please e-mail to confirm availability, order or request more photos. Thanks for looking!
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Vintage English Beaded Silk Cocktail Gown by Hachi
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Pre 1990 item# 557744
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GlitzQueen History and Art to Wear
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$95 SALE
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The Hachi name, as you know, is closely associated with the late Princess Diana. A beaded evening gown he created for her took top price (more than $70,000) at the personal apparel auction she was organizing at the time of her death. She wore it often between 1983 and 1989 and it's on display now at Kensington Palace, on loan from a museum.
That said, a beaded dress by Hachi is of more than idle interest -- especially since I can't figure out what became of him. Evidently he isn't designing now.
Our beautiful example of his artistry is in such pristine condition that it can't have been worn much. It's another treasure we recently got from a vintage clothes hound who's downsizing. Probably from the late 1980s, since the shoulder pads aren't enormous (as they were earlier in the decade), the gown is a sleek 48-inch column of silk crepe with a diagonally cut dropped waist. Within the center of the neck, there's a fabric-covered weight to ensure that it drapes properly -- lovely detail, but the loveliest is of course the giant sunburst of beads that extends for more than a foot over the right shoulder.
There's no size tag, which leads me to suspect the dress was custom-made. Its bust measures 34 inches, waist 28 and hip more than 40, because of the gathers. Outer sleeve length is 22. I believe it will work out for anyone who's a size 2 to 5, but do please check your measurements. There's no lining, since this is a fabric you want to flow very smoothly, skimming past the waist but caressing the curves. The spicy color strikes me as somewhere between cinnamon and clove.
There's no charge for insured U.S. Priority mailing and gift-wrap is always free when desired. Please e-mail to confirm availability, order or request more photos. Thanks for looking!
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