Dammit! My wardrobe is so boring! Why did I ever get rid of those black satin platform shoes and my black fur maxicoat, not to mention the white rabbit coat from the 30's that fluffed everyone in sight. And then there was the authentic Chinese robe with the gold embroidered dragons. Actually some of this stuff is in a trunk in the loft. Maybe I should haul them out to make a fashion statement when I go to the dump.

Where did you find the leopard skin briefcase, Mauvais? It sounds totally GREAT! And the metal makeup kit too! You must have the most amazing wardrobe/collection of groovy stuff!

I would love to find one of those round model's-suitcasey things from the 50s with a mirror in the lid, sort of like a hatbox, with a rounded handle. I see them sometimes in thrift stores but in terrible condition. But that's on my list. Other odds and ends I do have:

I collect bags too, especially 50s and 60s evening bags, the kind with a change purse attached on the inside with a little elastic string. No interesting colors yet, but one is black velvet.

my great great aunt's wedding dress circa 1882 - plum watered silk two piece, bustle skirt plus basque top with brass buttons with crystals on them, all the way down the front [I last fit into it when I was 13 and 109 lbs!]

medal from Nara, Japan of the Great Buddha there, on a red string (got it secondhand, who would've wanted to get rid of such a groovy thing? who knows! I wear it on long trips, it just makes me feel better!)

my mother's black patent leather sandals from Italy, circa 1953

and her mascara from 1968, positively archaic: a small oblong box, black cardboard with a mirror in the lid, with black solid mascara inside and a small brush (looks like a mini eyebrow brush, very bristly) to apply it with -- looks very 40s but the box says 1968 on it!

and a purple wrap/shawl I just found, sort of fleecy, can be a coat or a shawl, but doesn't make one look like a veritable sack of potatoes (which happens with me as I am only 5-5) - it too is Italian, and shaped or cut quite well.

I love this thread, and I love reading about all YOUR fave things!

Lidian

ONLY 5'-5"!!! That's like, half a foot taller than Ruth and Den!!!

Your shawl sounds like a "pashmina".

YUP!! 6 1/2 inches taller!!!!

Den, are you a gnome? Or a fairy. Aha! You're the tooth fairy!

Ruth, I want that Chinese robe! It sounds beautiful! I have a few elegant smoking jackets that I LOVE! I always forget I have them... I could wear one with my flowing black pants...

Mauvais, I wish I could hang my babe dress out, but because it's wool I'm afraid the moths will get into it. Actually, I've got it in a zippered plastic bag. I COULD still hang it where I can see it. If anything ever happens to it by the time I fit back into it, I'm heading straight to a tailor to have it reproduced.
Have you ever shopped at that vintage clothing store on ummm... oh gee... my mind's gone blank. My sister used to live on that street... I think it's a woman's name... starts with an L?
Okay... you know Bank Street? (duh) Well, heading south from Parliament.... but before you get to Catherine. Ummm, Loomis and Toles is close by on Bank. Not Argyle. Good grief! Okay, there's a glass store on Bank. Anyhow, it's in a cool old building (beside a garage) near Bank, and it's chock full of cool old clothes. Ball gowns from the 40's and top hats and all kinds of lovely things.

I've got some old evening bags too, Lidian. Some lovely beaded ones, and black satin with the little change purse buttoned inside. And I've got a collection of old pasteboard suitcases. And some make-up suitcases. I've got one from the Montreal olympics. It's bright red with the logo on the front. It's got a little handle on top, and a mirror under the lid. I love it.

I used to be very funky when I was slim... when you're fat and funky, it just kind of looks weird.

Hmmmmm - you just reminded me. I have two evening bags. They are crocheted (sp?) with ivory (maybe) handles. One is ecru and one is navy. Why the heck don't I use them? Well, my lifestyle has changed for one thing. I think they are from the 30's. Maybe I should sell some of this stuff on e-bay.

I have some old evening bags too - from my grandmother and mother. They'd be from the 40's or 50's.

There was (maybe still is) a store in toronto I used to shop at in the 70's and 80's called Devine Decadence. It sold very cool second hand clothes and wasn't too pricy until someone in the Star did an article about it and then the prices jumped insanely...

Bought 2 or 3 beaded sweaters there... a silk shawl, crocheted gloves... old peticote from the 1800's...

Those were the days!

There were so many great shops around were I worked at young and bloor. No wonder I had no money.



Lamorgan

My friend just sold a pen she found in a junk store in town for $1,079 Canadian. She has incredible luck with ebay.

Oh! I almost forgot! This weekend I went out to buy a coat, needed one, and wanted a Navy wool jacket but because of my cats decided on a camel colour... Anyway. At American Eagle they had Grey wool jackets on for 59.95 from $180.00, one left in size L. I tried it on and decided to get it. It's not great for the sub-arctic temps we've been getting, but would be fine for around minus 5... I ended up getting it for $35.00!!!!!! It's short, double breasted, great for my long denim skirt for work... I'm so pleased.

And my colour combos for this year seem to be black and brown. And black and grey...

L

It IS sort of like pashmina, Sojo, but I think it is synthetic (though soft) and has a sort of backing to it...I would LOVE a real pashmina though - I drop little hints around birthday times but I may have to go hunt one down myself when I have the birthday money (that'd be in the fall!)

Ellis, that Montreal Olympics case sounds fab - somehow it reminded me of my friend's mother, when I was a kid, who had one of those old makeup cases on a stand (so it opens up and is like on its own little table). It was white. Just to bring in the Monkees here (and why not!) Davy Jones uses the exact same one in the episode where they are making a teen-idol movie on the beach (one of the better ones, actually) - Velvet will know just what I'm talking about! My friend's mom had been on the fringes of the theatre world in the 50s and wore lots of hot pink and purple (though in her 50s at the time) - I just loved her!

One clothing item I am actively hunting for are Doc Martens - I really really want some, but I really really want to get a good deal, like in a thrift store, not a fancy consignment store. I definitely want to be the only 40-something mom in the schoolyard in Doc Martens! I will defy the boringness! Like in Revolutionary Road (by Richard Yates) - anyone else like that book? One of my faves it is, but it is sort of heavy going, I mean, I don't reread it unless I am in a very good mood!

You all have some cool evening bags BTW! I wish I could take mine out in the evening...but usually I rely on an old backpack or tote bag or MEC bag cuz I have a lot of stuff to lug around. Wish I had my first backpack still - a real army bag, small rectangular olive-green cotton, the kind you drew on with Bic pen.

I also used to have a brown bookbag from a place in NYC called Chocolate Soup - also thick cotton, with a long strap. The books got very heavy in it!

Lamorgan, that is amazing about your friend. Like on the Antiques Roadshow when the person has some little ole compact or pin and they got it from Auntie May and it is actually worth a zillion bucks. I love how the person is all excited on the US version, but in the British AR they are really restrained and say 'oh er yes well, er very good' barely cracking a little smile. Me, I'd be dancing around yelling yahooo a la Ms Frizzle in the Magic School Bus!

Lidian

I have really enjoyed reading about everyones favorite clothes.

Ruth- I actually own a Kimono that was given to me by my dear friend Naoko. The thing is its made for breastless people. She told me they would wrap them (MY BREASTS!) to get me into this at home (her home Japan). So even at 123 lbs, 36 D. I couldn't wear it!

Well I have a love of skirts and pink.

Some of my favorite items are my knee high black boots, my black corset, my pink baby-doll top, my pink windpants, all my Old Navy Tank Tops.

I am looking forward to wearing this bold blue dress I have with a flower print. It is very flowy and feminine. And my red Ann Taylor dress. Its a classic 1950's style box cut everything dress. Its one of those perfect pieces.

Miss Chris

Lois, what a great deal you got on your coat! You must be thrilled!


Lidian, I'm with you on the back pack. I've never actually carried a purse. Well, I suppose on occasion I've worn a little thingy that goes over my head and across my shoulder. Some cool little leather pouch or something. But I've always hated purses. I think it's the feminist in me. Now I admire a MAN with a purse!
I used to have one of those cool army backpacks, too. Mine was an off-white. I loved it.
Now I carry a back pack from Old Navy. It's very practical... lots of pockets plus stretchy strings to hold my running shoes and newspaper. Sometimes I'll forget though, and take it somewhere where it looks totally tacky. Like my DH's Christmas party. There's usually a pair of dirty sweat socks down in the bottom somewhere.

I LOVE my Docs! I've got boots and shoes. My sister gave me the shoes, and I've worn them for years. They're wearing out though... I'm seriously thinking of springing for a brand new pair this spring. My boots I found at the Sally Ann. They were practically new and cost me 10 bucks.
I haven't read that book. Right now I'm reading "As For Me and My House", by Sinclair Ross.

Chris, I want your Ann Taylor dress.

Ruth, don't sell your evening bags! Hang them on the wall!!

Ellis- I think that store is called Ragtime-it's where I bought my $20.00 persian lamb coat They have some great stuff there!

Lidian-I bought the leopard skin briefcase at a novelty store it was really cheap too and matches my leopard jacket purrrfectly!
I wear the coat and briefcase with a black top, black ankle length skirt, knee high leather boots, black beret and leather gloves in the fall - I look like a member of the French Resistance or a refugee from a film noir

Oh yes... that's it, Mauvais! My head automatically empties itself of all extraneous information. Like street names.