Charity shopping.
You just never know what you'll find, and it's the unpredictability that I love.
The RSPCA shop in town isn't that great; in fact, I've never found anything worth buying in there before. But it pays to persevere, because I discovered this vintage velvet jumpsuit nestling among the dejected Bon Marche and Primark cast-offs.
Thirties glamour? I can do that.
I've been faffing about looking at images of vintage jumpsuits on the internet in an effort to date this one. My immediate thought was that it is pure 1980s; the slashed/off the shoulder neckline and blingy gold rib, buttons and buckle seem to speak of that decade.
However, the flared legs, stretch velvet fabric and definite referencing of the 1930s lead me to suspect it might be a late Seventies piece.
I love this 1970s photo of Farrah Fawcett wearing Halston.
1970s Canadian-made Joseph Ribkoff velvet jumpsuit, 1960s turban, sandals, brooch and bangles - charity shopped
Necklace - gift from Vix
I know, I know - it doesn't matter, but I enjoy being a dating pedant, can't help myself.
What do you think? 1970s or 80s? Turn-on or write-off?
Bowie certainly loved the drama of a catsuit...
and Seventies Elvis is synonymous with a white jumpsuit.
And if it's good enough for the King, it's good enough for me.
Black velvet with that slow southern style...
Black velvet with that slow southern style...
I'll be taking my turban to Judith's Hat Attack.
Three posts featuring black clothes? Whatever's up with me? Expect colour in my next post!
xxx
53 comments:
Holy mother of god....that is fabulous! Look at you, you gorgeous, glamorous goddess.
I think Seventies does Thirties. Beautiful.
I do love a bit of Halston. I never used to, I used to think it dull but now I know better and can see understated chic. I like to call it Columbo chic as all the best episodes (1970's of course) had the best clothes usually worn by some lass being a secretary. Not him though...he was a scruffbag!
One more thing. Did I say you look stunning?
Loves ya!
xxxxxxb
Adorable! I love this whole look on you. And you look wonderful in black too I might add.
What a find! No matter which decade it is from it's bloody amazing (I would chuck my hat in for the 70's). You look great in black, you should wear it more often. Your outfit is very chic with that turban. Xx
OOOOOOh, swit-swoo, you look truly stunning in this!!! The turban really does finish it off beautifully- I think I need to try a turban that fits me (I have one that is too small!) . It IS funny the way the dud charity-shop occasionally has an amazing piece in it!x
You look so classy, love the outfit! And Elvis....oh, he's just gorgeous!:)
Looks like it was made just for you!
I've got to go with 70's. I was a teen of the 80's and just can't picture the look any wear, but then I grew up in bohunk MN. Velvet, yes please. Terry-no way. Those have to be the worst look I've seen-even if it s true vintage, I wouldn't be able to keep a straight face in their presence.TERRY TURN OFF.
Straight out of Evil Under The Sun and looking extra-gorgeous Curtise x
Amazing! Love the outfit and the hat! I have a hat like that as well, that I bought at a vintage store and LOVE it!
xx
Ooo-wee, I'm sticking to thirties glamour, not '70s or '80s, regardless of accuracy. You look like a '30 film star to me. When you do a special vintage piece you really do it right. I'm recalling that awesome vintage swimsuit post you did too. The glamour you capture in this fits that '30 montage more than the later groovy pics in my mind, although they are wonderful as well.
Hurrah for perseverence! What a winner!!
I agree with 70s - and it's stunning. I'm very familiar with Joseph Ribkoff - I see tons of it in the thrift stores here, all from the 70s to present (he's still selling stuff!).
You look va-va-voom in this, Curtise!
Wowser, Curtise! You're a movie star, and a shopping goddess. This is just mouth-wateringly good. xo
Yay! I love Joseph Ribkoff! I've got a couple of gowns of his. You found a brilliant piece!
You are looking like you should be on a yacht somewhere ordering an extra something or other.
Those Terry Turn ons are all about Burt Reynolds and that 1970's porn stash.
I do adore the photo of Farrah Fawcett. How badly did I want to be her when I was growing up?
bisous
Suzanne
Soooo chic and glamorous, Curtise! Love the way you accessorized with this gorgeous headpiece too. I am not especially knowledgeable about different eras, but my bet would be 80s - the neck line I think is more 80s than 70s, but we'll see what the real experts say. Anyway, amazing find!!
it could be even early 90´s! i remember debbie harry ca. 1990 in a lacey jumpsuit with wide legs and tight top - "in private" was the song i think...
anyway - you look smashing in yours and i would go with you, wearing that suit, in a smokey bar anytime!!!
cheers! xxxxxxx
Love love love that outfit. Best ever!
I'm thinking late 70s or very early 80s - I have vague memories of evening jumpsuits from around that time*, and as you say there are elements of both decades in the styling.
*As a kid I had a cobalt blue one with the top part smocked in silver thread for fancy occasions. The trouser cuffs were smocked too. This had to be before 82 when my parents split.
Smokin'! That is all! :-D xo Jazzy Jack
You look so glamorous - ready for cocktails on Dynasty. Wide-legged pants look great on you.
All I can say is who cares if it's 70's or 80's or anything else, because it is fabulous and you look amazing in it. I say what a find and lucky you. X
Wow!!!! what a find, it's stunning.
I just love this, and I'm not really a fan of jumpsuits! I think it's because it's so chic! And you can really carry it off. :)
I adore black velvet and this suit looks truly lovely on you.
I'm forever researching vintage pieces, it does get addictive. I love it!
Enjoy your weekend xx
Reckon its 70s does 30 in great style! You wear it well, lady! xx
You look so glamorous. What a find and I really enjoyed your mini-historical photo essay on jumpsuits. They've come back into fashion, haven't they?
The jury's out that is one heck of an outfit and you look absolutely stunning in it.
Can't take my eyes of it and I never wear black. Well done to you for finding it, it's got to be a keeper.
As for some of the others, thumbs up to some and thumbs down to others.
I love that you research all your finds Curtise,it educates the rest of us, so please don't stop
Lynn xxx
Amazing glamour! What an incredible find, it was made for you. Whatever the era it screams thirties to me the way you have accessorized it. I hope you have some fabulous 'do' in mind, to wear it to. Love the montage and the impossibly gorgeous Farrah.
xxxxx
Thats one heck of a gorgeous jumpsuit ! Such a glamour babe !
xxx
Oh Heck Yeah! You CAN do 30's!!! It's the velvet and the head wrap that got me. You are the vampiest of vampy movie stars. Since I lived through the 70's jumpsuit craze I will happily live through it again. I have such fond memories of going out drinking with my friends and paying numerous visits to the loo where we would take turns holding up each other's jumpsuits while we peed so that the fabric wouldn't drag on the dirty ground. Ah yes. Good Friends, Good Beer, Good Times, Good Fashion.
I vote 80's, but only because of the neckline and sailor buttons. Thanks for giving my nightmares inspiration with that terrycloth jumpsuit photo. I guess you work up a sweat dancin,g and toweling is practical. God, I can't un-see that photo and it is going to haunt me for years.
You on the other hand look glamourous. You know I envy your velvet jumpsuit. Next time I'm in Canada I have a new designer to keep an eye out for. Whenever I wear a black jumpsuit I look like I'm wearing a bin-bag, but on you it is pure sophistication.
You look PERFECT!
oh, who cares what decade it's from, you look incredible!
WOW WOW WOW !!!! You rock it !
you're rocking that black catsuit, looking like a mistery woman (ohhh, that turban is amazing)!. Love every detail in your catsuit, particularly those buttons!, lovely 30's style, or 80's doing the 30's!. Whatever the decade, it looks fabulous!
besos
That's an epic jumpsuit - who knew something this glorious could exist in the world. It looks even better with the turban!
WOW … you look so exotic in this outfit, the turban totally makes it. I'm with you, I think it looks more 70's than 80's … but whatever date it looks great :0)
xx
I've had a couple of Joseph Ribkoff pieces, including a black jumpsuit and I see them is thrift stores all the time. The company is the king of Canadian-made special occasion eveningwear, although I think they make "daywear" too. It's funny to see a Canadian made piece end up across the ocean in a thrift store. It may be a late 70's piece although the gold trimmings say 80's to me. Now you need to find a gold turban and some little gold evening shoes to go with it and you will have a spectacular party outfit!
I love thirties jumpsuits and if I had lived in that time period I think I would have worn them all the time (because of course I would have led such a glamourous life). Those terry cloth jumpsuits are hideous - men should never wear jumpsuits, except for Elvis.
Wow! this is beautiful and very trendy. KIsses
Ah- may- zing!
That is all I can say! X
Before I give my verdict, can I just say that you look out of this world? I mean, amazing! So glamorous. I can imagine you running a fashion house or being a society hostess or even a flipping film star! This is your look! You'd give Farrah Fawcett a run for her money, and Lauren Hutton and Faye Dunaway too, who I can also imagine wearing this. Having said all that, which makes you think 70s, I think this is 80s all the way. I even managed to find this exact jumpsuit here https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/215807836/joseph-ribkoff-bardot-black-velvet and here http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-80s-Black-Knit-Split-Leg-Disco-Jumpsuit-W-Belt-Joseph-Ribkoff-Size-8-/201383493648 Is it sad to say I really enjoyed this exercise? David Bowie never did anything for me, but thank you for the Elvis pic! Xxxx
"Vintage Velvet Jumpsuit", three words I had never thought of together, but now I realise they BELONG together, on a higher plain of fabulousness. You look amazing!! xx
Love, love, love you in this jumpsuit and turban you look utterly gorgeous and so stylish it really suits you , dee xxx
Flipping fabulous, you look amazing.
I've seen a few Ribkoff creations in charity shops but never anything remotely as good as that. Definitely 1980s I reckon and that's no bad thing. 1980s is the way to go.
The turban is the icing on the cake, I just look like I've washed my hair in one.
Love you! xxxx
You look so glamorous in the velvet jumpsuit! What a find! This is a fabulous piece that would look great at a party. It pairs perfectly with your 60's turban. Thank you for sharing your beauty with Hat Attack!
This is an ensemble that calls for a destination vacation! Methinks you'd slink best at a Grand Hotel that serves cocktails on a veranda with pillars. Tell your spouse he MUST wear evening attire even if he is the only man on the premises channeling Fred Astaire. And if he balks, tell him it's that or a cruise in first-class accommodations.
Wow, what an amazing find! If ever there was proof that we should persist in those charity shops that never appear to have anything interesting, this is it. Looks gorgeous on you too!
I would ask that you wear only this, except you have a closet of amazing clothes to choose from. Still, though! You are so glamorous. This and the turban you chose suit you so, so perfectly.
What a good find. Velvet glamour with a bit of a gold shimmer. You look fab as ever.
That bloke in the blue jumpsuit looks hilarious!
Lisa x
Wow, looking so glamorous! In spite of being black (and you love colour) this jumpsuit looks as if made for you. The golden neckline detail looks striking against richness of black velvet. Your golden accessories match perfectly. What a great find Curtise!
you always amaze me with your vintage finds...and it was fun to see those old pics of thirties glam ladies rocking their jumpsuits...and that photo of F.F is pretty awesome.
I must say you look like a million dollars in that black jumpsuit!
holy moley thats an mazing find! i love the 70s so much, and i reckeon that jumpsuit could be late 70s also!
Is is such a good find. Shoulders (or rahter off shoulders, gold, buttons, velvet, wide legs... A perfect jumpsuit. I cannot help you dating it. No idea. But I like it.
Greetje
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