A “hostess gown” is described by the website Vintage Fashion Guild as “a dressy full length garment for [home] entertaining, but not as formal as evening wear. Other than the full length, the lines followed current fashion.” The style was most popular from the 1930s to the 1970s, according to the site. In a December…
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Stacy Lomman Wardrobe Therapy: “Shades of Grey” and Yellow
In the past 10 days, I’ve worn outfits #11, #12 and #13 from my wardrobe therapy project with designer/stylist/blogger Stacy Lomman. Stacy has been trying to break me of my dependence on black tops. The black tops don’t always look bad, of course, but it’s interesting to mix it up. For instance, I’ve worn a…
Happy Birthday, Keith Richards, and Thanks for the Concert
Rolling Stone Keith Richards turns 69 today, thanks to an indomitable constitution that has survived everything from heroin to a mean coconut tree. His rock ‘n’ roll sartorial flair is intact too: when MrB and I saw the Stones on their 50th anniversary tour at Barclays Center on December 8, I was thrilled to see…
What Wendy Wore: Mid-Autumn Festival Party
Friends who used to live in Hong Kong had their annual Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival party last Friday. The invitation encouraged Chinese attire. I don’t have anything authentically Chinese anymore (why on earth did I get rid of that padded silk jacket I got in Hong Kong in 1996?!) but I do have an Ossie Clark…
In Love With Vintage Todd Oldham Beaded Boots
I’ve always been fond of 1990s fashion designer Todd Oldham, and I’ve acquired a number of his pieces, including this tie-dyed velvet skirt. You know what would be a great addition to my Oldham collection? These beaded boots, available from vintage dealer Marilyn Glass via 1stdibs.com. I’m in love. As much as I like Todd,…
A Short, Tight Dress to Love
After reading my “Drawing the Line” post about short bandage dresses yesterday, the gorgeous Anne Hjortshoj tweeted me, “They [bandage dresses] were great in 1992, i.e. the last time I wore one. Mine was Rifat Ozbek.” Ozbek was a well-known designer in the late 1980s through the 1990s — that period of fashion that I…
The More Rings, the Merrier
One of the definitions of “minimal” is “barely adequate,” so I can’t condone minimalism when it comes to jewelry, especially rings. Rings are my favorite jewels because the wearer can easily look at them the whole day unlike, say, earrings, which require a mirror. The more rings, the merrier. The most rings I’ve worn simultaneously…
Great Minds Think Alike: Silver Wedges by Prada & Louboutin
When I wore my silver Prada wedges to Milan Fashion Week in 2007, the shoes were already a couple of years old, so I was amused by all the photographers taking pictures of them. I thought it would be hilarious if that style appeared on someone’s runway the following season thanks to all the publicity….
Futuristic Vintage: Paco Rabanne Jacket
Isn’t it amazing how this Paco Rabanne jacket from 1967 still looks fashion-forward? I would love to wear it. It would be perfect with jeans and a black t-shirt. What can I say? The year 1967 produced all kinds of stylish things … like me!
What Wendy Wore: Ossie Clark for Mother’s Day
My grandmother on my mother’s side is named Ruth. She’s 93 years old. Her grandchildren call her “Nan” and her great-grandchildren call her “G.G.” for “great-grandma.” The family took her out for lunch for Mother’s Day. Nan’s husband, my grandfather Sam, died when I was 16. Sam’s sister was named Martha. Ruth’s brother was named…