Sunday, July 31, 2011

My Wish List of All Things Fabulous...What is on Your Wish list?

I - like many others have a fashion and decor wish list.  I call it my wish list of  "All Things Fabulous".  Here is a sampling of the items I secretly dream about. In my dreams I am slipping on my fabulous vintage clothes oozing with hollywood and haute couture glamour.  I make myself a fabulous drink, and enter my fabulous living room where I lounge on my fabulous furniture and sink into the fabulous beauty that surrounds me.  All compiled on the cheap of course.

Check it out! Tell me what's on your list of "All Things Fabulous".


Leopard Print - A Must-have for any Vintage Lover - In One Form or Another!




   The LBD - Not Just Any Dress - A Coco Chanel!

Vintage Louis Vuitton Travel Cases - Talk About Wishing....


Coco Chanel's Infamous Sofa - Does it look familiar?  If you are a "Frasier" fan - look closely. Ok, I realize that obtaining the original (shown here) is somewhat challenging...
But if Fraiser can get a respectable copy, so can I.



"La rose au pollen de diamants"  by Erte
It doesn't have to be this print, but an Erte print is somewhere in my future.


Where I would wear Tails is still a mystery - I would lose the Top Hat - but this is Menswear done right. 


I hope you have enjoyed my small sampling of my extensive wish list of fabulous.  I have loads more. 

What's on your wish list of Fabulous?!?


Thursday, July 21, 2011

The Vintage Coat: The Love of my Vintage Life

There is nothing that floats my boat more than a fabulous vintage coat.   I understand it is the middle of summer and o te ast coast we are experiencing a heat wave.  Yet, no matter what the temperature or heat index - I am always on the hunt for the fabulous. 

In fact, it was a vintage green silk boucle coat with a blonde mink collar that turned me from a collector into a seller.  So many of my friends asked me where I got the coat and if I could find them "something vintage"  Before I knew it CJsRedCloset was born.

I bought my coat for about $35 including shipping. It was in beautiful condition was exceedingly warm and of the highest craftsmanship.  I have never ever bought a modern day coat since.  And until I score a serious deal on couture or high end designer - I will be wearing vintage all the way.  There are two reasons for this:

1. The material and craftsmanship can't be beat.  In fact,  I once read that many of the quality textiles of decades ago, no longer exist because they are simply too expensive to produce. Whether that is a literal truth or not doesn't matter to me because I am a label reader.  There are shops and main line department stores selling acrylic and wool blend coats for $200 and $300 dollars a pop  that before the winter is over have pilled and gotten nappy and nasty.

2. Originality - whether a classic coat like a trench or a style  unique to a certain era or designer - you would be hard-pressed to find 100 people wearing your same coat.   If  you happen to find yourself faced to face with someone sporting something similar  - no one styles vintage exactly the same.

This is a great time to buy vintage coats.  Hit Etsy or EBay and you will find some great deals. 


Here are two fabulous and somewhat rare coats that I am offering in my Etsy shop.  The first is my absolute favorite - I was mortified that it did not fit me.  It is a "I can't believe my eyes!"  vintage find.  he photos really do not do it justice - but I will be fixing that shortly.

I have had many - many coats pass through my closet and ,although this style is very popular and one I have sold over and over again, I have never seen one crafted quite like this and in such beautiful condition.

Handcrafted Black Wool Textured Coat with Mink Cuff and Collar



The coat cuffs are accented with Rich Mink and French Cuff Detailing

This is a double -breasted trench coat in a yummy deep chocolate.  What makes it an unusual find is the moire fabric. It gives the coat a wavy waterlike quality with a beautiful sheen.  Although there may be others, out of the modern designers that I consistently follow, St. John is the only one that offers a moire coat.



Chocolate Moire Trench Coat
Again, I urge you to consider a vintage coat. There is certainly one that fits your sensibilities and style.