VintageGent’s Menswear Daily

New! Fit for a VintageGent: Golf Tie

Now, at InColdStorage at Etsy, there is a section named after this blog of items from the collection that are things I would select.   Look for the section “Picks for a VintageGent” and you will see one or two items at a time that may be something that you are interested in snapping up.   That’s right, for now there will be one or two items and when they are gone, they are gone.   They may sell, or they may just switch them out to keep you on your toes, and we’ll see how fast they go.

Of course, you might want to look at the other items in the shop, such as handbags, kitchenware, and books which are all great too.   Now, however, it will be like your own personalVintageGent or VintageGent-ette selecting items for you that you may just have to have, or at least are a little bit unique.

The inaugaral item is a nifty square bottom tie from the 60s with a golfing theme.  Where is the rule that golf themed ties have to have Mickey Mouse on them or be polyester?  Well, not in this case.  This one, I think would be great for even someone who does not care to golf.  The graphics are just so cool and a definite “throwback.”

The price is $9.00, with shipping just a little bit more, or buy another item in the store and combine shipping.

The Name Remains the Same, The Meaning Has Changed

There are many designers that the mainstream just are not aware of from the past unless prompted to study academically because their fashion houses often closed upon their retirement many years ago. Unless, of course, one has studied them academically or they struck a chord with a particular social movement or clothed a Hollywood star. There are exceptions. There are greater opportunities today to license one’s name to insure that one’s moniker will be recognized in average households far beyond a usual time frame for a designer to have worked and then retired, and far beyond death. Pierre Cardin, who began his career following World War II was the first to come out with a “ready to wear” line. He was also revolutionary in bringing his fashion to China and Russia.

According to the Vintage Fashion Guild Label Resource:

“Some see his couture accomplishments eclipsed by his reputation as “The License Man.” After all, the Cardin moniker is affixed to more than 500 licenses. Caroline Rennolds Milbank states in her book, Couture, “Today, Cardin’s diversification overshadows his work in couture. His current reputation rests more on the variety of his endeavours…as well as on his undaunted efforts to dress (or somehow effect) every human being in the world.”

So what does one do with so much clothing? There has to be a way to know what to look for, with Cardin items existing from the couture on down to discount and from the 40s to months from now. As far as strictly the eye of the vintage lover, it is important to note that Mr. Cardin had a hand in design up until the very early 70s. In particular, this Creation Pierre Cardin label from a silk tie that is shown at the bottom of the photo is a good example of one of the Cardin labels to look for, though there are other earlier ones as well.   After that, Mr. Cardin was more of a figurehead and a marketer.  Other people designed items, if indeed they were not produced elsewhere, or even sold under other names, and just affixed with a Cardin label.

High Culture in Orlando. Take the Kids.

The blockbuster King Tut exhibit brought an Egyptian craze to the US shores, where women were men where it wasn’t unusual to see Anubis show up on a man’s tie or for anyone to sing about their “Condo Made of Stone-a.” Since, there has not been the same guaranteed cash in the bank in the museum world. Well, that is about to change. While the Tut exhibit was about history and class (the kitsch showed up later), the exhibit I am about to discuss has the same feel…if you are a nine year old.

Grossology will hit the world by storm and undoubtably be one of 2009’s most overused words when it makes its way to Orlando.  Not since the book Everybody Poops has been translated form the Japanese, has the worlds of science and literature collided so to teach children through sights and sounds about natural bodily functions. Silvia Branzei, author of Grossology, and Science World have teamed up and are responsible for all of this.

Polite young men and young ladies will learn all about crusty noses, body odor, and many more exciting topics. There is a “Burp Machine” that simulates how acid and gas builds up in the stomach, and I am sure kids will want to play a pinball game about gas. Not surprisngly, Branzei’s book has sold over 350,000 copies so far, and will surely sell more.

Now after the exhibit, and they got it all out of their system, and they know that evil elves in their stomach don’t cause all these embarrassments, perhaps the kiddies will all settle down and voraciously inhaling everyting Emily Post (at left) ever had to say about handling such functions. I am sure she devoted many chapters about avoiding such things in polite company. (I always wondered what “polite company” was. It is either mixed male/female company or when you are in the company of delicate people who either have recovered from wearing an iron lung and are too frail to be curt or pushy with you,)

At any rate, check out the Grossology Exhibit – Orlando Science Center – which debuts January 31st.   I still talk about the “Cleopatra’s Egypt” exhibit my Dad took me too when I was in school.  I shudder to imagine that for my cousin’s children, this may be their “Egypt” that they relate to their children.  I can hardly wait or imagine to see.    Of course, I was a kid who liked to get their hands dirty, but that was in mud, dirt, or helping an injured frog, not by putting it up my nose!

Cavariccis: Akber Stops By

Despite the selection of vintage ads and features of midcentury and antique clothing, the most popular posts on this blog statistically are those that mention Z. Cavaricci pants from the 80s and early 90s.  I don’t know why.  Perhaps there wasn’t anything exactly like them at the time or since.  At any rate, Akber, friend of The Daily, mentioned the modern line of Cavaricci, and the unfortunate situation of menswear not being included.

He writes:

I think we need to petition them to bring the men’s styles back as well. They will bankrupt me happily as long as I can get some cav’s on my bod. 

Well, Akber, ladies Cavaricci pants were out in the 1980s as well.  However, most of them were not a whole entirely different style.  They appeared as though a woman raided her brother’s or boyfriend’s closet, but just sized for her.   For the most part, anyways.   Now, the maker just has a ladies line thus far.  The company may feel that they have “been there, done that” and do not want to retread the same ground again, making yoked, high waisted, pleated pants for men.  At any rate, I commend your decision to take matters into your own hands by petitioning the company.  I am not sure what level of mail they would need to receive, or how many financial affidavits they will need to ensure  that the letter writers will actually buy.

In the meantime, I have several suggestions for you.

1) It is very common for designers to team up with Vogue or Simplicity and release a sewing pattern based on a similar design to a popular item.  Afterall, I have seen a pattern for Hammer Pants.   You might want to keep an eye out for something similar.  The item may not be carried at JoAnn’s, etc, but you might find them on the internet if they indeed exist.

2) Buy Vintage Cavariccis where you can find them.

3) Encourage others to read the Daily, and to link back to it.  Maybe the more people that read the Cavaricci Category of this site, the more people will bring them out of their closets and offer them for sale to people who would appreciate them.

In the meantime, hang in there!

Just a side note.  I am sure you are tired of seeing the same Cavaricci.  If my dedicated readers happen to have one from “back in the day” to send me or will lend me use of a graphic of one they own, please feel free to comment and let me know.

Let the Stores Pay YOU

Just a quick note.

I am pretty frugal, as you have probably read, unless it comes to vintage clothing (sometimes I splurge!).   Recently, I have been looking around Ebates and found out that you can register for free, and if you do you will get a $10.00 gift card. This is how it works: stores pay Ebates a commission to advertise their shopping sites. Instead of keeping the money all for themselves, it rewards visitors by splitting the dough with them. In otherwords, it is like getting cash back. It is like your uncle coming up and putting a twenty in your front pocket for no reason.

I am looking at the car rental coupons that they have as I am planning a trip. You can probably find what you are looking for, too. Have fun.

Most Requested Out of Print Books

BookFinder Journal published a list of the most clamored for out of print books of 2008.  It interests me much, as there are a few vintage and VERY vintage books on this list that are still being widely requested.  What is your favorite out of print book?  Here is America’s list:

1. Once a Runner: A Novel (1978) by John L. Parker, Jr.
I have never heard of this one, but I will have to see what makes it number one.

2. Sex (1992) by Madonna
Maybe Madge is reading this and will see how she can make another million by having it reissued, unless it is being requested by fifteen year old boys disguising their voices over the phone when calling the bookstore, and cannot really purchase it. Or maybe that’s a persona that she would like to leave behind. Probably. She never does “reruns.”

3. Promise Me Tomorrow (1984) by Nora Roberts
Nora Roberts does not want this reprinted because she thinks it is kind of “meh.” Like the Elmore Leonard film that has been shelved for 2 1/2 years but is being released because Mickey Rourke is suddenly hot again. Though maybe it SHOULD have been released at the time because Diane Lane is also in it and she was nominated a few years ago. Leonard was interviewed recently and he and his wife enjoyed it, but thought the guy who played Diane Lane’s husband was “meh.”

4. Murmurs of Earth: The Voyager Interstellar Record (1978) by Carl Sagan
Space! Millions and Millions of Stars! Crap. I used to have this book I think, a long long time ago. Or maybe not.

5. Carpentry for Beginners: How to use tools, basic joints, workshop practice, designs for things to make (1900) by Charles H. Hayward
If anyone has an extra copy I would love to have or borrow this. I am intrigued how an antique book like this is still considered one of the best.

6. A Lion Called Christian (1972) by Anthony “Ace” Bourke and John Rendall
Read more about this one HERE. Coming soon (again) to a bookstore near you.

7. Comanche Heart (1991) by Catherine Anderson
The reissue of the prequel went to the top of the best seller list.

8. Legally Sane (1972) by Jon K. Hahn with Harold C. McKenney
An international killing spree.  Must be a heartwarmer.

9. Woodworker’s Essential Shop Aids and Jigs; Original Devices You Can Make (1992) by Robert Wearing
Don’t buy tools…make em.

10. The Principles of Knitting: Methods and Techniques of Hand Knitting (1989) by June Hemmons Hiatt
With the kazillion knitting books out there, this one seems to be the “must have.”

So there you have it. How many of these books have you own, read or heard of…or want?

There’s Something Smelly In Here

Awhile back (click HERE), I wrote about Ebay barring the sale of perfume and cologne due to a suit with the French Perfumers.  It appeared that you could list something, but when you would click on a listing, you would get a form message that would pop up on the screen.  You would not be allowed to proceed to look at the listings.  Now, i noticed that cosmetics were the same way.  Maybe it was that way before, but cosmetics is something I really don’t pay attention to on Ebay.

Now it is all coming to me.  This is all a plot.  Ebay now has “sponsored links” on the bottom that takes you to Sephora!  When you purchase something off of Sephora, either Ebay is a part of their affiliate program or Sephora pays by impression.   Would this be as a way to zig when you have been thrown a zag?  Or is this a conscious attempt to thwart any business from regular folks.  Of course there are health concerns if someone is selling used and tainted merchandise, but sure there are enough people who get a cologne that they are allergic to as a gift, same with makeup.  It is still sealed, and because it was quite pricey and they don’t want to take it back, they sell it.  More so, there are small businesses that sell cosmetics as their livelihood as well.

So, is this a temporary or permanent move by Ebay?  Well, we will wait and see.

The shame will be if people are not allowed to sell vintage makeup, perfumes and colognes which people collect mainly for the classy perfume bottle or compact that it came in.   Some folks use them as props too if they are not totally collectible.  Often, people will buy a 50 year old perfume bottle with a little still at the bottom because the original owner was reluctant to clean and damage it.

What do you think.  Am I the last one on the boat to know, or do you think that this smells a bit fishy?

Where Can I Buy a Genuine Rolex?

My dad used to joke about going down to Tijuana, and buying a Rolex on his trip.  Of course, the seller insisted it was “authentic” though my dad assumed it wasn’t, but it was a nice looking watch the same.  It stopped working and broke as he crossed over the border.  Ah, the 60s.  He wondered why they didn’t try to stop him at the border, but even from afar the spray fake gold plated, spray painted casing wouldn’t make customs or border control look twice.  Maybe they would just smirk or laugh on the inside about the sucker that you were.   I bet you can still find plenty of similar watches there today if you too would like to own one.

Several readers have asked for a source where the REAL  1000% genuine article could be purchased. The real Rolexes that are not spray painted gold.  If you are looking for the genuine article and want it delivered to your home, Perpetual Diamonds is an authorized dealer.  They come authentic, either just born or previously owned, with serial numbers, the original boxes, and are GIA certified.   They come right to your home, so you can be discreet about such a purchase, and the customer service is top notch, as befitting such a purchase.

Some people purchase them for gifts to commemorate monumental occassions.  Often they become the heirlooms of tomorrow. Is it too late to be adopted into THAT family?

Party Line

I know someone who had a party line all the way up until 1982.  I wondered if it was really a “party line” because I found it hard to believe that there were other people on it.  Maybe it wasn’t called a party line, but she shared the phone line with a few other houses, and you had to pick up the line and ask the person who was on it to hang up so you could make your call.  They could have been around the corner or miles away.  I don’t know how it actually worked as far as billing went.

Anyway, it might not quite be a party line because you only hear who you are calling, but CallingAmerica.com has a site where you can make free calls internet phone calls. They are able to do it because the site is ad supported. Advertisers are technically paying for your calls. I tried to dial. Actually, I dialed another number in the house so I could hear it ring for myself.

Unfortunately, the site was not able to detect my microphone. I assure you, my computer does have that capability. Maybe I am going to have to invest in an external mic. I have heard and read of others having success at it.   I think it is worth trying again.  For me, it would be for the novelty.  I bet half the call to a friend would be discussing the fact of how I am calling them.  No matter, once I got used to it, I think it would be useful to save on those “long distance but not calls.”   Usually, you can find an excellent plan to call across the country, but people who live in the same state as you do, but live a few counties a way sometimes are astronomical to call.

If you have tried it, comment and let me know!

The Bride Wore Laser Beams

A couple, who met while gaming, are going to have a gaming themed, Halo-style wedding at Otronicon this year. I wonder, if a couple met through online gaming, I imagine if one was glued to the game system or the computer, the other one wouldn’t complain because they would be doing the same thing. Also, is the outfit at left what the groom would be wearing? If so, would the bride be really sure about who was slipping the ring on her finger. It could be anyone in there, though maybe she would know him from the way he held his weapon?

So, if you are into attending unusual weddings, don’t miss Otronicon @ Orlando Science Center. It is coming up very quickly.

The dates are January 16th through the 20th at the Orlando Science Center, with school and group tours beginning on the 21st. What is Ortonicon? It is a video game tournament where gamers can test their skill and win honor and prizes. You can compete in a variety of games that everyone will recognize, such as Ms. PacMan, as well as some that would be obscure but all but gamers. There will also be workshops, and displays of virtual items the military has used as well.

Admission is $17.00 per day for adults, $12.00 for 12 and under. There are many interactive features aside from the main competition, so there will be something for everyone to see. I, of course, would be most interested in the old school 1982 retro games the most.

The Doubledecker Bus Returns to London

In anticipation of the 2012 Olympics, the streets will be bustling with retro, nostalgic double decker buses with a new twist.  Two designs were chosen, one by Capoco Designs and one was a collaborative effort between Aston Martin and Foster & Partners.  Instead of calling it a tie, the two designs will somehow be melded into one.  It will take the aesthetic sensibility of the latter, and take internal ingenuities of the former.  I am not entirely sure what the end result will be, but the intent is a modernized, possibly hyrbid update on the classic.

Doubledecker buses are a common site in classic films, and if you go there, you can ride comfortabley with the sun out of your eyes.  More properly, since it is London, it will more likely keep the rain off of your hair.  At right is one of the “modern” concepts.

I recently found doubledecker cufflinks on Amazon.  They are under thirty bucks. Very cool to remind yourself of London.  They are offered by Cuff-Daddy and they have a lifetime guarantee.  Women are wearing cufflinks for funky outfits too these days.

If I Was Born Round, I Would Live Here

I recently had the chance to try out the MagNext computer game. There is actual real live toys that connect with magnets called MagNext that real kids play with and adults steal from them, but this is the “virtual” version. That’s me, the green marble, in the picture above!Here I am on the roller coaster at the top of the hill.  In the virtual world, you take a whirl on the roller coaster, and sometimes you get to a point where you are faced with some blank space that you will perilously fall into, unless you select one of the roller coaster pieces that the game suggests.  You have a few seconds to make your choice, otherwise you will die.  No, you won’t die.  You get three “lives” on the roller coaster.  Actually, you have three balls, but it makes it seem so much more impersonal just saying if you die, you just become a new marble.

Now, here is where you would expect me to be, outside the store.   I looked and they have nothing snazzy.  At level one, I could buy a trucker hat or an angel halo.  I bought the trucker hat because I wanted to see how it would look on a marble, but when I came out I didn’t have it on.  I guess I had  to earn it!

All in all, i had a good time in the little world as a marble. The only thing I was lacking was friends! Oh, I encountered other marbles here and there that were other users, but I couldn’t quite figure out how to challenge them. I think if my friends signed up, we could have a more cohesive challenge.

Does anyone want to play with me?  I may change my appearance but if you click on a marble and it reveals that the its name is VintageGent, you have found me.  I challenge you to a dual if I ever figure out how to do so in the MagNext world.