THE FASHION CYCLE

I keep seeing articles on Retro Fashion bicycles these days.  Great follow up to our discussion on Urban Cycling Chic.

The NY Times just posted this new Linus bike:  Retro fashion bikes

Linus retro bike, photo from Linus

And Velorbis, the Danish maker of designer retro bikes, will soon be carried in San Francisco.

Studine Ladies' Bike, from Velorbis

Of course, one always has the option of getting a truly vintage bike from eBay or an estate sale.  That would tend to be my personal preference!

For those who like brand new things that look old, Marc Jacobs' Fall 2010 collection for Louis Vuitton was ideally Retro.  The ladylike looks would be perfect perched on top of the bikes ...

Louis Vuitton Fall 2010

Louis Vuitton Fall 2010

The long, full skirts give freedom with decorum for cycling legs.  

Again, let us thank the original Victorian ladies' cycling clubs for pushing women in this direction:

Ladies' section of the Leicester Rovers Bicycle Club, c 1900
from cyclinghistory.blogspot.com

VINTAGE '70S GOWNS

I am finally back from Asia, though on a somber note.  My biggest style icon - my Mom - passed away.  As my sisters and I were going through her closets, we remarked what a gorgeous wardrobe she had designed for herself.  Someday, I will take pictures of her gowns.  Meanwhile, these pictures give the essence of her style back in the '70s.

Joy Stevens vintage jersey dress;
Mom had similar gowns, some in mixed prints with contrast accents

Mom was an intellectual who thrived on witty debates on any topic.  She disliked High Society and preferred the company of the academic elite at University.  However, her station required her to attend many social functions at the Presidential Palace or similar events.  Her bohemian streak led her to design and create many gowns elevating the hippie batik fabric to evening status.  A weak spine, causing a curvature in her back, also honed her talent in using asymmetry and visual tricks in clothing.

From watoday.com.au
Mom would mix prints - floral or batik - with solids or beading to create interesting combinations

Her preferred silhouette was a column gown topped by a halter, to emphasize her broad shoulders.  The halters could be cleverly asymmetric, made of a beaded applique, or adapting the edge of a batik print for emphasis.  She also loved big, chunky, and cheap bohemian jewelry.  It didn't matter if she was at a State dinner receiving foreign heads of state!

From poshvintage.com
Mom could cleverly make the halters asymmetric

We also found unique '60s shift dresses that she had trimmed with batik fabric, as well as chiffon disco dress styles.

Mom designed several '70s disco dress styles
with similar long sleeves and flowy skirts

As my sisters and I reminisced about watching Mom get ready at her dressing table, spritzing perfume and clipping her earrings on, we realized we owed all our sense of style to her.  In fact, the day after Mom was laid to rest, our family got together for a dinner to celebrate her life.  We sisters all wore Mom's clothes from various stages in her life.  I was so proud to put on one of her '70s evening gowns.

Catherine Malandrino gown
Mom liked mixing printed fabric with accents like this gold braiding

We love you, MOM!

SECOND TIME AROUND

A few months ago, I posted a blog on Eco-Friendly Fashion and pointed towards Vintage or High End Consignment Boutiques.  Consignment shops tend to carry unused or slightly used designer items less than 2 years old.  Vintage shops carry period items (say '40s or '50s wear).  Whether Consignment or Vintage, the items are typically in very good, if not excellent condition.

Pre-owned Louis Vuitton Alma purse
from "Its A Girl Thing" in Willow Glen, San Jose

Aside from upholding the Green mantra:

"Reduce, Re-Use, Recycle"

these shops attract Stylistas who are high on taste, low on budget.   They also attract well-heeled shoppers who love the thrill of the hunt for that buried treasure.  The Dressing Room becomes a Girl's Club where ladies who don't know each other give each other thumbs ups (or downs) on pieces.  Style tips are exchanged.  I've even had fellow hunters pull out "just the right shoes" from the shelves to finish my outfit.

In San Francisco, I spent hours trying on stuff at the Goodbyes dressing room with help from impromptu stylists in the next dressing stall.  Goodbyes' 2 shops, across from each other, are nestled among little, upscale boutiques in Laurel Heights.  They are packed with hidden gems at great prices.  Be prepared to stay at least an hour.

Goodbyes in Laurel Heights, San Francisco

Over in the Hayes Valley neighborhood, Ver Unica is a Vintage shop well known for its stock of '40s through '60s items in great condition.  They are pricey but the classic selection is in terrific condition.

Ver Unica in Hayes Valley, San Francisco

Heading 60 miles South on to downtown Santa Cruz, a new high end consignment store called Twist is gaining a following.  They specialize in purses but also carry a small but very carefully-edited selection of new and used clothing plus artisan jewelry.  I've always found wonderful pieces in this little store.

You'll find Consignment or Vintage shops all over the country and all over the world.  They tend to be in upscale neighborhoods or downtown areas rather than shopping malls.   "A Second Chance" was right around my apartment in NYC and was always stocked with the Upper East Side uniform of Chanels.  Across the pond, London has several high end consignment boutiques.  Nice neighborhoods in smaller cities like Denver, Seattle, Vancouver, and more also offer this alternative to Mall shops.

Next time you head out for a shopping expedition, skip the Mall and find one-of-a-kind treasures at these boutiques!

ECO-FRIENDLY FASHION

The world is becoming more conscious of going Green.  What does this mean for Style and Fashion, particularly in the world of "disposable" trendiness from places like Forever 21?

from Sophia Coppola's "Marie Antoinette" film

Let's actually take a lesson from the history of Haute Couture.  Couture was meant to last and be passed down.  Royalty would use a gown once, then pass it down to their ladies-in-waiting.  The items could even get a second or third life, re-sold in dressmaker shops.

'60s Courreges dress, from Powerhouse Museum

Today, Eco-conscious dressing can mean stocking our closets with less but higher quality items to be used for years - even decades.  For example, I want to raid my mom's closet for her '60s and '70s era tops and gowns!  Vintage shops also specialize in top quality outfits from specific eras.

Vintage Chanel from Vintage Textiles

Some designers have another take on Conscience Dressing.  They use existing materials (like the example in the link of vintage Balmain scarves) and create beautiful new outfits from it:

Re-worked Vintage

Perhaps the most common take on Eco-friendly fashion is using organic and low-carbon footprint materials.  This is harder to keep track of as you have to research the origins of the fibers for the label you are looking at.  But some designers, like Stella McCartney, embrace this ideal and even create luxury capsule collections using green and cruelty-free (no leather or fur) fabrics.

Perhaps we should all think twice about purchasing that cheap trend which might end up in the bin a year or two later?

I would love to hear what you all think about this!