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?!?

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.

Welcome to CjsRedCloset on Etsy

What to do, what to do, what to do! This is the major question that I have been asking myself for the past several months in regard to my online vintage store.  After some research and quite a bit of soul searching (hence the absence from CjsRedCloset blog) I decided to shutdown my formal labor intensive webstore and open an Etsy store.  The result - I LOVE IT! I have actually only been selling for a few weeks, so my store is quite new, but the ease of it all is exactly what I needed as a WAH mom of three small children.

There are several reasons I like Etsy:
1. It's fun.
2. It hosts a great community which is highly supportive.
3. The vibe is very cool.
4. There are hundreds of thousands of like-minded vintage lovers.
5. I can manage my store at my own pace and intensity with great results.

I opened my Etsy account in October, but it was not until springtime, that I listed my first items.  Without a great deal of promoting and with a "look and see" outlook, to my surprise I made a few sales.  So I have kicked it up a notch and decided to go full force.  I have been getting some great feedback during my learning curve and am learning a great deal about the world of Etsy.  It has been very enjoyable and much more relaxing than designing and constantly maintaining a labor intensive webstore.  To be honest, Etsy has allowed me breathing room and is providing to be much more cost effective.

Needless to say, although I have been out of the game for a minute, I have been diligently working behind the scenes to keep what I love doing going strong.

I would invite you to visit my new (but old) store CjsRedCloset!

Here is a review of my Beautiful Blues Collection!

Vintage Designer Lanvin Op Art Silk Dress - Sz 12

70s Vintage Ethnic Print Sundress - M/L

Vintage 70s Sheer Crepe Tunic/Dress Sz 14

Vintage Hawaiian Floral Sundress - M/L

5 Tips on How to Wear Vintage Clothing Without Going back in Time



50s  Green Knife Pleated Dress 
CjsRedCloset eBay Auction  

 Not everyone is into vintage clothing as I am.  I totally understand, to each her own.  But I do want to dispel a stereotype. In times past, we vintage clothing wearers have been filed away into the eclectic, hippy or kooky sections of style.  Some think that all vintage clothing wearers want to look like throwbacks. In many cases that may be true, however, many women around the world see vintage clothing pieces as valuable assets to fresh, current wardrobes.

For you women who hesitate to jump into the world of vintage, I have 5 tips on how to wear vintage clothing without feeling like you stepped out of a time capsule.

1. Understand what styles and shapes work best for you. This is number one in assembling any wardrobe, not just vintage. Investigate and experiment with different cuts of  clothing to see what works for your body type.  Take a honest but kind friend with you shopping and try on, try on, try on! Don't forget - look in that three way mirror and check yourself out from every angle. It may sound exhausting at first, and if you are anything like me you will hate the process, but when you understand what works for you, it simplifies your shopping in the long run.

2. Don't wear the same era from head to toe. This is a surefire way to age you and make you look like you're on your way to a costume party.

50's Green Knife Pleated Dress
 Macy's Sweater - $15
Vintage School Book Belt - (My pop-pop)
Macy's Faux Bakelite Necklace- $8

3. Choose the right accessories.  Use shoes, jewelry, scarves and belts to add polish, pop, and creativity to your outfit.  This is a great way to take a basic or classic look and transform it into something that uniquely represents you. 

4. Purchase classic timeless pieces. The little black dress, the fitted cardigan, black trousers are all basics that you can find from the 40s to today.  As added bonus is the fact that many truly vintage items (designed and manufactured prior to the 80s) have a higher level of craftsmanship with superior materials. 

5. Keep your hair and makeup current and fresh.  Don't buy into every trend and fad, but do update your look every few years.  This keeps you looking your best and current, especially if you are wearing vintage.


As an example of how to wear vintage, I have highlighted one of my favorite vintage dresses from my shop.  In the upper picture, I am sporting it Grace Kelly style with classic slingbacks and pearls. I personally love this look, but in real life I would probably wear my red patent leather square toe pumps and Indian beaded Bangles.

To the left, you can see that I paired the same dress with my chunky "tweed" sweater and bakelite necklace. I polished the look off with my very vintage belt which in actuality is an old school book belt that belonged to my grandfather as a boy.  It is approximately 85 years old.  This is a perfect example of  how a classic can be funky with a few additions.

Check out this Dress on eBay!

CjsRedCloset.com has New Look!

CjsRedCloset has A New Look! 


Come on by and check out CJ's Bargains.  You may find something you like!

Black St. John Santana Knit Jacket

Silk Halter Top with Bow Detail

Retro Cream Jacket

Ebay for Beginners: Top 10 Tips

I do a large percentage of my personal shopping at eBay.  I love eBay - because although I love clothing and beautiful things, I hate shopping! (Thrift and secondhand stores excluded!). Ebay offers millions of options to help you build a high quality, unique wardrobe with pieces from your favorite designers and brands.

Once you register and become familiar with the eBay terrain, it becomes easy to navigate. Be aware as you shop. eBay does have its share of scammers and shady members. However, the majority of my transactions have been great.  If you follow these simple guidelines to mitigate the risks, eBay can be one of your best bargain resources!

1. Don't go into your first experience blind. Know what you are looking for.  There are literally millions of items.  If you start eBaying unprepared, one of two things may happen.  You may feel overwhelmed and quit. Or you may become an instant addict, randomly purchasing all kinds of craziness.  Know what you are shopping for and use the search feature for assistance.  You can customize searches based on size, location, price and color.

2. Start small:  This is coupled with not going in blind.  Choose an inexpensive item for your first purchase.  Don't immediately start searching for Jimmy Choos and Louie bags.  Start small to get your feet wet and when you feel more comfortable you can move on to more serious shopping.

3. Check ALL sellers history and feedback:  This is critical. You want your purchases to be from reputable and long standing sellers.  When you pick an item to view, you can find the seller history and feedback in the far right column of the page.  It shows how many purchasers have left feedback and gives the feedback score. If you would like more details, click on the feedback score and it will link you to actual customer comments.   Research the seller - it only takes a couple of minutes.

4. Review the item carefully.  The item should have a detailed description with several pictures.  The details to look for are; condition of the item, including disclosure of any known flaws, age, measurements and whether the item is new or used. If you have any questions or want additional pictures - contact the seller before making a bid.  

5. Look for a Return Policy.  Many sellers that sell second-hand clothes do not offer refunds, but some do.  For your first experience you may want a seller that offers a return policy.  Some offer exchanges or store credit.  Know the policy carefully and understand that you may be responsible for return shipping and in some instances re-stocking fees.

6. Used is Used.  If you want clothing that looks and feels brand spanking new - do not buy second-hand or vintage.   MINT condition is in the eye of the beholder.  There are many sellers that offer new clothes only. 

7.  KNOW YOUR MEASUREMENTS: I cannot stress this enough. Sizing varies from garment to garment, designer to designer and year to year.  Do not rely on posted sizes unless you are very familiar with the designer or brand.  One of the reasons many clothing sellers do not offer refunds is that customers are not careful when it comes to determining fit. 

8.Count the cost: Know the shipping and handling costs. These are always posted in the listings.  Do not get sucked into a very low price and find out later that the shipping costs were padded.  Clothing can be heavy - so don't forget shipping costs when determining your top bid.

9. Bid wisely.  There are many bidding techniques and strategies that I won't go into here, but I will stress: know exactly how much you are willing to pay.  You can start bidding by placing your highest offer and just wait to see if you win (this is my tactic) or you can incrementally place your bid if you like the fun of the auction.  When placing your highest bid, I suggest making it a weird dollar amount like 42.75.  Sometimes it gives you a little edge with another bidder who may choose to bid 42.00.

10. Be a knowledgeable consumer:  I buy many of my high-end designer items from eBay, but only after I have done my research on the item and asked the right questions of the seller.  Knowledge is power when purchasing high-end or big ticket items. Buy ONLY from established, well respected sellers.   If you feel as though you have been frauded, beyond leaving negative feedback, you can also file a claim with paypal and open a case with eBay. 

Don't give up if your first experience is less than stellar, eBay is too wonderful a resource to give up without a serious try.


Stay Tuned!  I will be posting a list of my favorite eBay sellers.

Shoes That Made my Heart Skip a Beat...no Really.

You may think I am exaggerating, but I am not.  I was having one of those days when the kids were very loud but clingy, asking for everything under the sun and having a very difficult time listening to anything I had to say. So as soon as my husband's foot hit the front door, I was gone in a whirlwind.  Minutes later, I found myself in downtown Silver Spring, MD in front of DSW.  I took a deep breath, I knew that I had no business in my state of mind going anywhere near shoes. 

As is my custom, I went straight to the clearance racks.  I didn't know what I was looking for, but I wanted something sexy and different.  I was about to leave, but decided to take a look at the last rack that had only a few boxes. Suddenly, I heard angels singing, the aisle of shoppers parted, and a glorious beam of sunlight was illuminating a lone white box.  If there was a shoe crafted just for me, here it was, in the flesh. Calvin Klein, patent leather and suede, peep-toe MaryJanes.  Originally $138.00 - I paid $50 plus tax.  I sigh in delight everytime I recall that moment.

I wore them Easter with my NEW dress.  Those of you who have followed me, know that I am a thriftstore hound.  85% of my wardrobe is secondhand and I never shop at Department Stores.   But here it is - a rarity to behold - a dress bought at Macy's. Ironically, this dress was also orginally $138.00 and I paid $36.00 after sales and coupon.   Cream jersey dress with abstract floral print and cap sleeves. 

Although I was not wearing any vintage.  I achieved the retro look I love so much. Next time I wear this outfit, I will be sure to take pictures!