Debutante Clothing :: A vintage clothing and fashion blog for unconventional style where vintage and runway meet.

I just got some juicy press materials for the London Fog campaign featuring the va-va-voom red head Christina Hendricks. I think she is absolutely perfect for the London Fog brand. There is something rather sexy and cool about a classic trench. But London Fog is more than just trench coats. Take a look at the behind the scenes footage to see all the gorgeous, classic pieces London Fog offers. While I love the trench Christina models, I mean it goes with any piece of vintage clothing you might own, the gray dress with knit scarf is my favorite outfit on her. So Joan!

I didn't edit the video at all so you'll many tiny clips. Enjoy!

Christina Hendricks was recently named "Best-Looking Woman in America" by Esquire magazine, has been nominated for an Emmy Award and was chosen for the London Fog campaign for her glamorous and sophisticated persona. Shot by photographer Nino Muñoz in Los Angeles, the alluring black and white campaign features Hendricks posing seductively in London Fog outerwear and accessories.

Can you believe it? Five years ago today, I reluctantly started a blog for my vintage e-shop Debutante Clothing. My dear friend, and moblogging maven Jen Hanen, encouraged me to blog as a way to release some of my pent up creative energy and to market my vintage wares.

After about six months, I was hooked! I loved writing about my passion, I made friends all over the world. It was much more quiet in the blogosphere back then. Now, there are a ton of bloggers, vintage and otherwise, and I couldn't be happier, but I know I have to work it to keep with you youngins.I swear internet years are like dog years. Which would make Debutante Clothing 35 years old! Gulp. We're the same age!

I'm so honored and grateful that some of you have stuck by me for this long. And even if you are a new reader or customer, thank you so much for taking the time to read my ramblings and browsing my shop.

For this golden anniversary (since these are internet years, I don't think I need to follow the traditional anniversary guide) YOU, dear readers, get the presents!

I am giving away one of the following three items to one of you. Here's what you have to do:

• follow on Twitter & tweet this post


• "like" Debutante Clothing on Facebook


• tell me what you want to win in the comments
  

You have to enter by Tuesday Aug. 31 at 12am PST

Good luck! And thanks for your love, friendship and loyalty! Here's to 5 more years.

vintage Christian Dior flat clutch

vintage Diane Von Furstenberg tapestry carry on train case

vintage 24K Gucci green bracelet

vintage Yves Saint Laurent silk wrap scarf

We know her as the dead serious judge on Project Runway. When it come to style and fashion, Nina Garcia is all business. But sometimes life calls for more than business dressing and for us average ladies, the world is not a runway or an editorial spread. In comes Nina Garcia's new style guide! Nina Garcia's Look Book: What to Wear for Every Occasion.

Garcia has already written two best selling books - The Little Black Book of Style and The Style Strategy. I own both and they are also really great books.

When I received my review copy, the first thing I looked for was Ruben Toledo's delightful illustrations. His chic and stylish figures make me giddy.

Part art book, part reference, this plump guide (twice the size of her previous style books) reads like a friend's advice - a friend that is SERIOUS about fashion and style. The first thing you will see, which I felt was very clever, is the inside cover illustrated with Ruben Toledo's ladies and the corresponding page numbers where you can find each one.

The table of contents is organized by occasion: work, dating, day, night, holidays, life events, weddings, dream travel. This guide does not skimp. If you think you're going to get age-old advice like dress sexy but not revealing for a date, guess again. Once section in the dating chapter is all about What to Wear When You Break Up with Your Boyfriend. How is that for specific? Any possible event is covered in this book, big or small. Thinking about that Halloween party? Yes, Nina has advice on that too.

My favorite part was the traveling section. I always struggle with what to wear on the plane. Here's an excerpt:

Think dark colors and soft, natural, knit fabrics that move with you and feel good against your skin. A pashmina keeps you warm and toasty for napping on the plane and works as chic accessory once you've reached your destination.

But Nina Garcia is not all about rules. Each chapter contains anecdotes of famous rule breakers such as Josephine Baker and style quotes from style icons such as Lady Gaga who says "I'm just trying to change the world, one sequin at a time".

Nina Garcia's Look Book really reminded me of Edith Head's How to Dress for Success. In fact, Nina Garcia quotes the famous Hollywood costume designer and style guru. The simple truth is that good style advice never changes. We just keep adding more occasions in which to think about our dress. This book is a modern resource for those of us that don't have a seriously fashionable friend we can call and ask "What should I wear to the opera?".

The only con this beautiful and fun book has is that it is a bit heavy, so it made it difficult to carry when I was traveling. But since it does read more like a reference/art book rather than a sit and read cover to cover book, I suppose I can sit on my sofa and look up all the answers to my dressing questions. Or I can just get a bigger bag!

I highly recommend this book to anyone who would like some guidance with appropriate dress for a variety of occasions, or as a gift to anyone who loves fashion or fashion illustration. The book retails for $23.99 and is available now!

I haven't been blogging much lately. I didn't really make an announcement of it or anything, but I was in desperate need of a blog vacation. I've been blogging since 2005, which seems like a long time in internet time. I was starting to feel a bit burned out and unmotivated. But I'm back, refreshed, recharged, and ready to talk vintage, fashion and style (yes they are different).

While I was away, some exciting things did happen:

• I moved into a bigger space at the antique mall in Pomona where I sell vintage clothing, handbags and accessories in conjunction with the Debutante Clothing shop. I'm digging through all of my stored inventory and pulling out the goods for the site, while the rest will go in the shop.
• Vintage Find It is awaiting a new logo. As soon as that is ready, we are live!
• I traveled to Boston for the bloggers event at Marshalls/TJMaxx. I have so much to tell you about that! If you love a good designer bargain, you'll want to read that post.
• I started writing an eBook. It's all about how to diy appraise your vintage treasures. I get tons of emails from people curious about their vintage finds or gifts and it's value. I thought, if this many people are contacting me, I'm sure there are more out there. So I decided to put some helpful tips in an eBook.

So, I wasn't sitting in front of the TV watching 90210 reruns (well not the whole time). I've been productive. And you'll start seeing more and more vintage in the SHOP.

Thanks for sticking with me.  Blogging is hard work, but I don't think I could ever really give it up. i love it too much.

Do you ever get burned out on blogging or other creative endeavors?

If you grew up in the 80s like I did, then you worshiped Madonna, to some degree, especially in your early teens. I recall going to the swap meet to buy neon colored studded belts that wrapped around twice, neon ankle socks, rubber bracelets and Wayfarer knock offs. The pièce de résistance? My lace communion gloves of which I promptly cut off the fingers - yes I was grounded for that.

For most of us, we still think about those early forays into fashion and pop culture with warm nostalgia. So when I heard of the Material Girl line for Macy's, I was thrilled to see Madonna and child bring back some of the fun pieces that made the 80s such a great time in fashion.

Madonna's beautiful daughter, Lourdes, is getting a first rate education in entrepreneurship and style. Of course I was concerned with the decency level of the collection. I mean, do you really want your 13-year-old wearing a belt that says "Boy Toy"? But it seems Madonna, at least in promos, is a normal mom. She gives Lourdes a bit of room to express herself through her clothing, but does set some limits. Reminds me of my mom. Minus the empire.

I was quite pleased to see the pieces in the collection. I don't have a daughter, but I do have a niece and I'd love to buy her some of items in the collection such as the plaid shirts and jackets. She's a bit young for the skirts and shorts, but I'm sure she's going to try her luck.

The Material Girl collection is available now at Macy's. How about you? Would you let your teen girl wear Material Girl?

P.S. I had no idea that the photograph in the background, one of the images from the Like a Virgin album, was photographed by Steven Meisel!

It's not too late for amazing vintage dresses. I always try to buy wearable vintage that fits perfectly into a modern wardrobe. These new additions are no exception. Take this gorgeous jersey Lanvin - it's the perfect summer to fall dress. I styled it with a gold link belt, but any color or style belt will look just as fantastic.

These are available in the Debutante Clothing Shop right nowI have more dresses coming in - stay tuned!

A few weeks ago, I went to the Two Point Oh LA picnic at Griffith Park. I don't do well in the sun after a while, so I decided to bring my lovely parasol. I bought this parasol at the Hootenanny a few years ago. The Hootenanny is a blues, rock, punk rockabilly music event. A whole day filled with music and fantastic vendors. Granted, I could pick up a parasol in Chinatown for a much cheaper price, but the one I purchased was less than $20 and was so beautiful, featuring cherry blossoms and scalloped trim, that I couldn't resist.

A parasol makes a perfect summer accessory. Sometimes even a hat gets too warm and sunblock protects you, but it doesn't shield you from the sweltering heat. The parasol is just like an umbrella, but much prettier, so it's not too much of a fashion risk for those of us that err on the conservative side. I say we bring back the parasol!

How about you - would you use a parasol?

Images: top (via Daily Bits of Beauty), painted parasol, square parasol, gold gilded pink parasol

Last night's premiere of Mad Men blew my mind! Design wise, we see small examples of mid 1960s treats such as glossy white mod lamps, bright red-orange Eames for Herman Miller like office chairs. I'll be covering the fashion in another post. Don't worry.

But there was one scene with a little piece of fashion history, and I do mean little, that really made everyone in my living room jump out of their seats. The creative meeting with the Jantzen people. When Don Draper showed his ad campaign idea - a young beauty looking very much like Sally Field, wearing a bikini bottom and a suggestive banner with an equally suggestive slogan across the top - and then threw the suits out! Brilliance. Sex sells, and no one knows that more than Don Draper.

I found this little 1960s Jantzen two piece, NOT bikini because that is dirty, on Ebay and I had to share.