VintageGent’s Menswear Daily

Fashion on the Cheap…Worth the Price?

I used to wear glasses when I was ten to twelve years old. All optical shops were the same. You got in, and for the “special” you got very unattractive frames. To get anything cool costs an arm and a leg. Forget the ads that encouraged people to buy multiple pairs so they can change “with their mood.”   Most people do not live their lives like the imaginary people the models portray in fashion magazines.  They don’t have one pair of studious looking eyeglasses, sport glasses, and sparkling ones for going out.  You either stuck out a sore thumb at the grocery store with flashy glasses, or looked like you were going to play racquet ball at the theater because you couldn’t choose both.

I reading about Zenni Optical in an Examiner Article. I have heard the name before, as I have read about their “too good to be true” $8.00 frame deal before.  Apparently, its NOT too good to be true.   The price is not a “come on.”  There are extra charges for bifocals and such, however. Shipping is typically $4.95. What does this mean for retro fashionistas like us? Zenni has several retro inspired styles, but for purists, you can drop big bucks into a pair of authentic 1950s Buddy Hollys or horn rims, or 80s Wayfarers, but stock up at Zenni for your everyday kick around glasses. That’s a different and economical way to preserve history!

The big drawback of Zenni is the several weeks it takes to receive your glasses, and the fact that they are made in China. The quality is there, but on principle, I am not sure about that for myself.  Of course, some of the glasses at my local optometrist are also made in China, but there have to be some that are not as well. There is always a little quirk or a trade off, isn’t there?

Until Next Time…

Warming Hearts with Worsted Wool

This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of Ramblers Way. All opinions are 100% mine.

The weather outside is frightful, at least for some of you. This weekend, the temperature was in the single digits. While I was shivering my timbers, I can’t imagine what people in northern Maine are feeling right now. Of course, at the tip of Maine, folks are probably more expectant of cold temperatures, but when you happen to be homeless or unfortunately unable to cover the heating bill, the cold is even more unbearable. The nice folks at Ramblers Way, headed by Tom and Kate Chappell, who you may remember from Tom’s of Maine, are doing something about it. 5,000 pieces of thermal clothing were donating and will be distributed to families most in need. That’s a lot of long johns!

Sometimes corporations give to the United Way or some other organization for a write off, but it is very refreshing to see a company give back in such a significant, and much needed way. The recipients will stay warm, comfortable and dry.

The worsted wool clothing that Ramblers Way makes is made of sustainable unbleached worsted wool. The sheep are Americans and they are sheared by folks on several family farms in the United States. What is worsted wool, you may ask?  Instead of being immediately spun, the wool is carded first to remove the short and broken fibers.  The remaining fibers are longer and a softer, more supple hand is created.  In fact, worsted wool garments are more wrinkle resistant and can also hold a crease if that is what is intended.  For the folks that are receiving them, if they are unable to wash them after a wearing, they will find that the material holds up.  It wicks away moisture and can be worn, unwashed, for several days.  It also will hold up to getting wet.

If you are looking for a company that “Makes Things Like They Used To” and has old fashioned values of helping their neighbors out, you might want to start patronizing Ramblers Way.  Their wares are available on their website.

Christian Lacroix: Riding the Rails; Flying the Skies

The very bankrupt Christian Lacroix (or is that just his company who is the debtor) has designed new uniforms for employees of the French Railway, shown below left. Perhaps this is a Willie Nelson move and he is paying down the debt, or perhaps he is doing this outside the auspices of the company. At any rate, the uniforms join his previous efforts of re-imagining the attire for Air France employees, at right.

In my humble opinion, the airline uniforms win hands down. Perhaps my opinion is swayed by the overall styling of the presentation. The uniforms at left appear tailored to the ladies, where the uniform at right could use a bit of a fitting and finishing. In addition, its the bow.  While I think an ascot or tie could have worked in this situation, the bow feels fussy and impractical.  In a uniform situation, you are going to have a wide range of people wearing it.  Some have the savoir faire to tie bows perfectly, with a pleasing proportion of material on each side.  Some are going to have their bows looking a little straggly.

I am wondering what the uniform for men has at the neck.Of course, my biggest question is: Where are the guys?  What does the men’s version of these uniforms look like?  If anyone has a picture, please send it my way.  I can imagine that the Railway uniform could be identical, sans bow.  Is the cut of the jacket in the navy blue uniform in the airline photo the same, or is it a totally different take?  You will have to send me press photos and your vacation photos (with permission from the employees, of course, in having their photo snapped.)

By the way, the VintageGent-ette wants one of those blue uniforms, or at least the jacket, in the worst way.  But then one would have to have the skirt because the navy wouldn’t be exactly the same as another navy.  But the jacket would look cool with jeans on its own.  Oh…and the railway jacket too.

Tom and Kate are Back. No, not THAT Tom and Kate

This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of Ramblers Way. All opinions are 100% mine.

If you have read this blog for quite some time, you know that second to being a promoter of vintage fashion, I am a huge fan of clothing that is either sustainable in some way or made domestically. Vintage clothing involves a bit of recycling, but also creating clothing where the maker is employing local people and being gentle with their resources is also of great interest.

Ramblers Way is a small company in Maine that produces basic worsted wool clothing.In fact, the founders of Ramblers Way might be familiar names.  Tom and Kate Chappell, founders of Tom’s of Maine, are the friendly faces that represent the company.  In other words, they have a little bit of experience in launching successful companies. In 2006, they sold a majority share of Tom’s of Maine to Colgate.  In 2007, they began to set up the sheep farm.  At right is a photo of farmer Dave Norman and a friend.  Or, should I say, a valued employee of Ramblers Way with his friend Dave Norman.  I wondered if they were retiring at that point, but my curiosity has now been satisfied.  They are just off on another adventure, developing another product line that is designed with sustainability in mind.

Ramblers Way produces long and short sleeved shirts, long johns, and briefs for the men and women.  The pieces are in a natural blond color, which is the color of the wool when it has not been bleached or dyed.  The wool comes from the Ramblers Way farm, as well as several other family sheep farms throughout the United States.  In fact, they pride themselves on not only making their products in the United States, but all components are made in the US as well. From the shearing, carding, weaving, knitting processes to even the buttons and thread, nothing is sourced from or manufactured overseas.

As far as the items, they are exactly what they have set out to be. They do not make coats and suits like another famous American wool clothing maker, Pendleton, but rather stick to the very basics. Although the shirts look clean and neat by themselves, the clothing is really more perfect for wearing in lieu of a cotton T-Shirt. If you are always grabbing for a long sleeve to stick under a sweatshirt or flannel shirt on a dreary day, it is definitely for you. I found that the price point for particularly mens and ladies briefs to be on the high side ($47-65), especially considering that there was no color choice. However, worsted wool fabric has a natural “recovery” element and they will last many years longer than their cotton counterparts. When you look at the clothing prices, you really need to take that into account. They “don’t make things like they used to,” but perhaps Ramblers Way does.

What caught my attention was the claim that it “repels moisture and odors through natural wool fiber. Go days without washing, dries quickly, and stay warm even when wet.” Well, I hope you do wash it. However, when one is camping or in a similar situation, it is good to know it will hold up. Then, it made me think of the old fashioned bathing suits. Suits in the 1920s were in fact wool. I always thought that bathers would be a bit itchy and hot. If the wool was anything like this superfine spun wool, I bet they were really just fine, and their suit held its shape over the years. The suits that survive certainly have.

If someone handed me an armful of cash, I would probably stock up on a bunch of basics.  For my family, the men’s crossneck shirt and ladies scoop neck top would be at the top of the list.  The ladies scoop neck is low enough to be able to wear under buttoned or V-neck shirts without covering up a necklace, but it remains to be seen if it the material is substantial enough to be worn alone without bra straps showing through.  The men’s crossneck looks like it could be worn alone, and not just as a layer, which would be handy when the weather just can’t make up its mind.

As of this writing, I do not know of any stores that carry Ramblers Way, but you can  shop at Ramblers Way online.  In fact, if you normally have issues with wool and find that it itches, you may want to request a fabric sample on the site to test it out.

You were probably afraid from the title that this was all going to be about Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes.  I am sorry to disappoint you, or perhaps you are relieved, but this is a TomKat free zone.

Ten Shirts I Love About You

I may be a bit behind the viral curve, as this video was released several months ago, but I keep coming back to it.  In August, actress Julia Stiles presented her new ecofriendly line on “Green Mind.”  The cutting edge fashion features a newspaper suit, a pants/shirt combo and a shirt made out of ten.  This is one of the most brilliant spoofs (or is it? lol ) I have seen in quite awhile.  Part of it has to do with the way that Stiles, the host, and models “sell it.”  They are dead serious here.

Ecofriendly fashion is very popular these days.   Sometimes it works with recycling existing clothing, and sometimes the focus is on the materials.  For myself, I am all for using cotton that has been grown without chemicals and finding new ways to use and process fabric.  This may include industrial recycled elements in accessories and soles.  What I hesitate about is recycled fashion.  Instead of using clothing that can no longer exist in its current form because of damage, there are individuals who tear apart suits from the 40s, and for the ladies, ballgowns.   Some of these items can be scarce, depending on the quality and maker, and it would make any vintage collector cry to see.   What is your opinion?  It seems that eco fashion is so revered that no one can make fun of it…until now.

You can purchase Julia’s Styles at http://juliastilesstyles.com/The_Outfits.html.  It appears that they are sold out, but you are asked to donate to the Lunchbox Fund, a great organization that provides school lunches to impoverished children.  It may be their only meal of the day.  Consider skipping the Starbucks and donating your $3-7 to buy a great kid lunch.

Motorcycle Shirts Without the Big “H”

The “biker jacket” is in style this fall for men and ladies.  A conversation started between a friend and myself about all the gear out there that is emblazoned with Harley logos.  What about other bikes? Of course, part of the appeal of Harley is that the bikes are made in the USA, but what about goldwing accessories, as the bikes have a very fervent following?

I actually found a Goldwing shirt on the web that had a little style to it.  It is not the typical “put a logo on the chest and we’re done.”  I would really be curious to see what the back of the shirt looks like.  I read that it does have the Golfwing logo top and center.  Oh, and it also comes in pink for the ladies.  They are both available at Goldwingcountry.com

Fashion is Meant to be Worn, Right?

A few months ago, I reported that Christian Lacroix filed for bankruptcy (read the story HERE.   On August 13, Escada followed suit.  Bruno Saelzer, who used to head up Hugo Boss and recently took the helm of Escada, was not able to change the tide.   

Some may say that this is a sign of recession or depression all over the world.  I don’t necessarily think so.  Some fashion houses, to me, operate with entitlement.  They are sometimes the first to respond with a new color way, but the last to do market research.   There will always be someone with money to buy their items, but the competition is fierce.  If the line does not change with the times, the times will leave it behind.  Once, Escada outfitted Princess Diana.  There are no other icons that I can think of since.

So, where are all the men’s designers in this?  Why are their more women’s designers filing?  Could it be, perhaps, that there is less pomp and pageantry in men’s fashion?  Most men, even the most well healed, will not be humiliated if someone else shows up to an event in the same suit.  It will look so different anyways, based on the way it is accessorized (shirt, tie, etc), the way it is worn (tieless, vest or no vest), and the man’s build.  It seems more creativity comes in the form of casual clothing for men than it does in formal.   Maybe if it is too outlandish, men won’t buy.

Also, I would offer that by and large, men’s clothing is designed for men by men.  While there are women’s designers in the menswear industry, it is not an overwhelming number.  On the other hand, who is designing ladies clothing?  There are many female designers, but a large chunk are men.  Basically, men are designing for women.   Vera Wang, of course, designs for women.   Her styles have a definite niche that can be identified, and to diversify, she has delved into the aisles of Kohl’s with accessories and some clothing.   For the most part, she is known for her wedding gowns and formals.

If things go according to intention, a woman will only need her once in their lives.  Her secondary merchandise not only supplements her bread and butter, but it also serves, and maybe that is the true key, to keep her name in the minds of young women.   Their favorite purse as a teenager was a Simply Vera Wang, so her name will ring a bell when wedding bells ring.   Women who would normally not splurge tend to think of a wedding gown as a high expense anyhow.

Some purists would consider this “slumming.” It dilutes her voice when pandering to a lower price point. However, I would argue, fashion is to be worn, and if no one is wearing it, you do one of two things. You design things specifically that your customer base will want to wear, or with some slight modifications, you find new customers who will want to wear it. It has been discovered that the new customer base is hungry for it. It is “new” to them, where it may be tired to someone else. It may be not high fashion, but its definitely business.

Who will stay alive when its all said and done? Probably the ones who adapt.

Personal Online Shoe Boutique Even For The Weird

Sometimes, its hard to search for shoes because the internet and some shoe sites tend to organize their wares in a very literal way. You can search for the parts, such as color and heel style. What if you are wanting to search for the sum of the parts? Most of the search features won’t look at the heel and straps and decide something is a gladiator sandal. You will be sifting through rows and pages and rows and pages for something that meets your subjective criteria.

While they haven’t expanded to men’s shoes yet, there is an easier answer for ladies shoes. MustHaveShoes is set up in a most interesting way. The front page does not assault you with color and widgets. It is just a search box with lists of popular searches. However, when you type in to the search box, your own custom shoe boutique emerges, with a banner that relates thematically to what you have chosen, plus photos of all the applicable shoes that you can arrange in several different ways. I have searched peeptoe pump, European, yellow cork wedge and I have found many styles exactly tailored to what I searched for. Just for the heck of it, I typed “weird” in the box just to see how subjective it could be.

I was a little surprised that my “just for the heck of it” search came up with results.   There are only limited sizes available.   Wouldn’t it be funny if these were an undiscovered style and by Monday they were all snapped up by readers for some reason?   I have not seen anything like them, that’s for sure. Of course, I am sure that the system searches a number of tags and is not really passing its own judgment on footwear, whether it is weird, sexy, cute, or busy.  Yes, you will find results for all of those adjectives too.

My cousin was talking with her boyfriend when they first met, saying that she thinks flowers are so impractical.  Why don’t people send people something useful, like shoes, instead?  Wouldn’t you know that when she arrived at work one day, a delivery came.  It was a shoebox that read, “Hope you enjoy your flowers,” with a pair of shoes, of course, inside.  By the way, the two of them have been married for over twelve years now.

New Line and Free Jeans from Armani Exchange

Do you want free jeans?  I need to twist your arm, right? Armani Exchange is running a promotion. One pair of jeans will be given away per day in July when you  text A|X>.  Simply text “DENIM2″ to ARMANI (276264) and you will be in the running.  With my luck, I won’t win a darn thing.  If you are like me, you will buy jeans anyhow and if you win, it is a pleasant bonus.

Recently, Armani Exchange introduced a new line of Premium Denim starting at $98.00. There are classic looks, as well as styles that you can be sure your friends won’t have. I am glad that designers are finally offering an alternative to jeans that look like you have been dragged behind the southbound end of a northbound horse. Sure, you can get that if you like, but there are other options now.  At left, we see the new painted style. The painted jeans are not what was offered a few years ago, when you saw flames or hearts.  These are more textural.  I still think the jeans give you people the impression that you were in a chemical spill, but then I can be a fuddy duddy sometimes.

At center, is a most unusual ladies style called the “Harem Jean.”  They are a variation on the capri, as they are much shorter and feature a faux blouson effect.  The VintageGent-ette believes they were made for no one except gals who have skinny legs.  Otherwise, they may cut you off and make your legs look shorter than they are, perhaps.   Just wear them with an open backed shoe versus tennis shoes.   At right, is the J65, the Overdyed Zipper Straight Leg.  They grind the jeans to create some of the effects.  It will set you back about $145.00, but features an unusual zipper configuration which appeals to the former grunge rocker in me. Truth be told, I was never a grunge rocker. However, I had a particular preference for boots with an infinite number of zippers.

In addition, there is a sale going on where you can afford to buy more jean for your money.   However, if the pair you fancy is not on sale, they have another offer. When you buy a non sale item at regular price through July 19th, you will receive a gift card towards a future purchase of $100 or more.  You must use the gift certificate between July 30th and August 15th.  The offer is both valid in the store and online.

Get Adam Lambert’s Idol Necklace

A few people have written in and asked where they could get the jewelry that Adam Lambert wore on American Idol.  I didn’t pay much attention at the time, and even would have assumed that it had been odds and ends that he has had for a long time.   However, the contestants on American Idol have people who help them decide what to wear, and I recall that they revealed a wardrobe department during one season.   Whether he brought them at home or acquired them later, I found out that.

The Rocker Jewelry as seen on Adam Lambert on Idol(click there) is carried by Tattoo Apparel, and was designed by Gasoline Glamour.  The spikey pendant with pewter settings, and a 1/4″ wide silver plated chain was featured when Lambert sang “Whole Lotta Love,” from Led Zeppelin.  He also wore a Gasoline Glamor design on the movie music episode, where Quentin Tarantino was the celebrity mentor and Lambert sang, “Born to Be Wild.”

If you would like to be Adam Lambert for Halloween this year, the necklace runs normally in the $140.00 range, but Tattoo discounts it and offers it for $118.95.  If you want the “exact one,” this is it.   I think it would also be the ticket for a witch costume.   Some may argue that I shouldn’t mention Halloween, but should encourage people to buy it and put it away for posterity so they can sell it as a valuable vintage item years down the road.  Well, you be the judge of that.

If you have any other fashion questions, leave me a comment and I will do my best to answer it or track something down.

Just a Little Bite of Trend Prediction

I admit that USA Today is not always my bag.  With the articles reduced to little bites and the pretty graphics, it is not exactly the in depth, intellectual publication that befits me.  Okay, okay, I should fess up.  I have a certain fondness for the publication, as when I was in grade school, the paper gave them to us free.  They believed that kids should learn to read the paper and have appreciation for it, so our school, and many others, received them in English or Civics class.   Our teacher even gave us a little primer on how the paper was set up, format wise.  Was that a public service, or were they trying to drill brad recognition into our brains?  We were flim flammed!

Any way, the pretty graphics were a special feature from Men.style.com.  According to the report, items from 1966 and 1986 are in.  Three button jackets with narrow lapels are in (again).  Seersucker and navy, and brass buttons are in as well.  A few years back, maybe around 2004 or 2005, the brass buttoned navy blazer look was pedaled around, but I didn’t really see many people on the street adopting it.   The positive is that the 60s suits that have really never waned in popularity in the past few years can vontinue to be worn without looking as if one was on the tail end of a trend.

On the pants and trousers front, khakis are being touted as “in.”  However, they are flat front and not meant for people who are carrying a bunch of extra pounds.  In otherwords, there are going to be a lot of people who buy them and not look right.  Slim cut chinos in red are not something everyone can pull off, but for those that can, definitely have at it.

Then, there are the accessories.  To continue the nautical theme, it is suggested one carry a boat tote.  I can see this trend as something practical for ladyfolk, or for those guys who are out for a day of fun in the sun.  I can’t quite picture someone running across town with a boat tote.  If you like the look, there are many totes available from sellers of vintage clothing.  They were bigger in the 80s, but you’ll find them from the past several decades.  Just watch that the style looks more utilitarian, otherwise you will look like a guy carrying your sister’s tote bag.

The saddle oxford can be duplicated with a variety of two toned shoes.  The mod era and into the 70s had its share.   If you are looking for something brand new and don’t want to pay an arm and a leg for something trendy, there are men’s stores in chiefly urban centers that are still rocking out with the black and whites and the brown and caramels.  Maybe I shouldn’t stay “still,” but rather, they have continued.  You may just find some makers who have been spitting them out for years, and therefore, you may get something that is economically priced.

What do you think about this assessment?  What do you think will actually be worn on the streets, not counting New York or LA, but the rest of America?

Latest Ladies Clubwear for Hot Summer Nights

The last time I went to a bona fide nightclub, rather than another type of nightspot like a piano lounge or a blues club, it was forever ago. You could see everyone there from the folks who apparently just rolled out of bed, to those in satin shirts, and those who look like they were wearing their bathing suits. In just a couple years, what one wore to a dance club ended up being worn day to day on the streets. I stopped going because it was less about people watching and the music and more about people having the excuse to be unruly, and you didn’t care who saw you.

I guess I am in need of an update! The virtual racks of AMI Clubwear has what women are wearing to clubs nowadays. The look, for the most part is “fun summer dress” rather than the “underwear on the outside” look that was big in the 90s.  Of course, there are microshort dresses, but there are also fun items for the gal that is not comfortable showing a lot of skin, but still is looking for something fun and body conscious.   The shirt, at left, made me smile.  They have the “I Love My Hubby” and “I Love My Boyfriend” shirt in a variety of colors, all with a sparkly L-O-V-E.   It says, “Hey, I am confident, I am out to have fun watching the band, but don’t ask for my number.  Ask for my girlfriend’s.”  I personally think that it is very sweet.  No hurt feelings, and that must be one special dude!

They also have a babydoll trench coat to offer.  In fact, they have several styles.  What is a babydoll trench coat?  It features the great buttons and ties that a trench style coat has.  Only, it is a shorter length to better match outfits that may feature leggings, or a microshort skirt.  It is also a lot less bulky and fits on the back of your chair without everyone stepping all over it.  This hasn’t been scientifically tested, but I know from experience that in close quarters, people aren’t always kind to long coats.  Coat checks aren’tde rigueur like they used to be, except at special events for the most part.

Like many companies that have their finger on the pulse on what is hot now, AMI is in Twitter.  You can follow them @Amiclubwear, if you would like all the latest updates.  I checked them out, and they tweet about items as they add them as well as fashion trends.  They were recently featured in Seventeen for prom accessories, according to yesterday’s tweet.

Now, they just need to school the guys on the showing up to a club in hospital scrubs.  You may think that being a doctor, or nurse tells girls you have money, but who wants a gold digger?  More so, who comes near anyone who smells like anesthetic and bandages?  Go home, take a shower, and change.  Maybe AMI will come out with men’s clothing soon too.

Cotton: The Suit for Spring

This spring, many designers are offering suiting pieces in cotton. They are bypassing linen and silk/cotton blends and going just for the source material. Cotton has recently been touted as the ecologically sound choice in fabric. It is sustainable, one doesn’t have to use harsh drycleaning methods on it, and it does not require the use of animals. However, I offer that I have owned many cotton items with a “Dry Clean Only” tag hanging on to the inside of the collar or pocket for dear life.

Truth be told, when a garment says Dry Clean, versus Dry Clean Only, it means radically different things. A clothing or textile maker is required to suggest at least one washing method for a garment. When you see “Dry Clean,” it is merely a suggestion. You may get optimum durability out of a garment by drycleaning it, but the manufacturer is surely not suggesting the trousers will cease to be if you should try a home cleaning kit or Woolite. When a tag says Dry Clean ONLY, this typically means that it is the only thing a person not in the top 10 of textile experts in the world should do to it without shrinking or otherwise shattering its soul.

Will the latest selections of formal and business wear be a college student’s dream? In otherwords, can you toss the trouser, jacket, and vest in the big barrel at the laundromat? My best assessment is a big fat NO. I venture that the garments are going to still require or at least suggest drycleaning as the preferred mode of cleaning. Afterall, it is not a faux pas to wear a sport coat more than once, providing that you have proper garments underneath and are not barechested. However, it is indeed a faux pas to have the garment rolling around on the floor, somewhere underneath the dog and a bag of Cheetos for a week before the next outing. Surely, your companions of choice will be able to immediately guess that you did not go on a globe trotting adventure, but merely are a slacker.

Keep your eyes open for cotton suits this spring and summer.  They are not just for the Bahamas any more. In fact, sometimes you won’t be able to assess the fabric content unless you are so close to it, that you will be construed as rude or a bit too friendly to the wearer.

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.