Wendy Brandes Jewelry Blog

Never Is the Next New Thing

Send in the Fabulous Clowns

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I’m madly in love with this over-the-top vintage Clovis Ruffin sweater, available for $275 on eBay. This is one of those pieces where I thought, “Oh my God! No!” swiftly followed by “I love it, I need it, I want to marry it!” So Isabella Blow-meets-Minnie Mouse! If you can rock this, you have achieved the highest level of fabulousness. Other people, just look away. Nothing to see here. Move along.

I’d get it but I already have a crazy ruffled gray sweater by Ossie Clark, and I think one crazy ruffled gray sweater is enough. I do have quite a few other pieces by Clovis, though. I wore this metallic knit Clovis dress to my New Year’s party two years ago.

Of course that’s my hair. I bought it, didn’t I?

The one I’m wearing is floor-length, but I notice there’s a shorter one on eBay right now! This really was a fabulous dress for New Year’s. Very festive! I recommend it. Just be warned that you need a slip because it is itchy. With the slip, I was totally comfortable.

Metallic Clovis Ruffin dress, available on eBay

You didn’t think you were going to get away without a history lesson, did you? No way, my pretties. Clovis started his company in 1972. It has been reported that he was the youngest designer to win a Coty award, which was given to fashion designers (including Halston, Donna Karan and Bill Blass) from 1943 until the program was discontinued in 1985. Clovis died of AIDS in 1992; his informative New York Times obituary can be found here.

One of my favorite vintage sites, Poshvintage.com, had a fabulous Clovis that is, sadly, sold. It has a ruffle, like that sweater, but it is a bit more subtle.

Clovis Ruffin dress photo via Poshvintage.com

Note that I said “a bit more subtle.” Because whoever bought this will make an unforgettable exit. It is open down to THERE. Sex-ay!


And while I’m on the topic of vintage clothes, check out these extraordinary vintage MC Hammer pants by Moschino, in a very Burberry-esqe plaid. If you dare to wear these, you know you will have a one-of-a-kind look. I acknowledge that when you first wear something like this or the Clovis sweater, rude people may actually point and laugh. Just turn around, laugh with them and say, “Yeah, it’s crazy, isn’t it?” Then you tell them about the designer and by the following week, they’ll be desperately scouring Topshop for something just like it. Trust. WendyB has spoken.

Vintage Moschino pants, available for $175 at Yoox.com

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  2. Stephen Sondheim’s song will fade if someone in the black dress makes an entrance. So, be that person!

  3. Look how long your hair is in that New years eve photo, beautiful! i adore the black clovis dress, very wearable.

    As for the ruffle sweater it has great potential to look fab, but on me it will HIDEOUS!! LOL. I don’t think i’ll be the fabulous person pulling it off.

  5. I want that grey sweater, too, and the black dress. tres chic! You look great in that Clovis dress

  7. @ IYF, I’m scared when you see me in the ruffled Ossie Clark sweater, that will be “something else” too! LOL. Someone needs to buy that Clovis dress from eBay! I’m telling you, it’s a great party dress!

  9. Your New Year’s dress is gorgeous! I’m sorry, I cannot stand the clown sweater. That screams “Fashion Intervention Time” to me. I guess I’m not haute enough 😛

  11. I had never heard of Clovis before, Im going to have to keep a look out for more of his items. I love dresses with detail at the neck – so chic.

  15. Hi WendyB! Thanks for the comment and I love your site! I will def be adding you and I will be back…

  17. Cute ebay finds. Love the rainbow metallic Clovis piece. I may just have to bid on that one 🙂

  20. Is that over-the-top sweater really just gray? Love your metallic dress and the already-sold-but-sublte one.

  21. large ruffles used to remind me of dog collars, but now they remind me of Elizabethan style and pictures of fierce people on Facehunter

  22. I love the black dress! it’s awesome. and you look so cool in that New Year’s dress, I love your hair too!! really nice!

  23. I can’t believe those are Moschino pants!! And I learned something new everyday. Never knew about Clovis – but I’m no vintage expert. You enlighten me everyday with your history lessons. If only you had been around when I was in middle school.