Xtabay Presents: The Bette Collection Part 1

Pair of 1960's Modelia Mod Dresses, never worn. Size 4.

1960's New-old Leo Narducci pleated mini dress. Available in our Etsy shop.

New-old stock 60's Samuel Robert white leather coat, size small. 

1960's Claret Orange Crush mini dress, sold.

60's New-old stock patch pocket dress by Don Sophisticates. Size 2-4.

New-old 60's pink knit dress by Mr.Mort....size 4-6/

Another darling Mr.Mort dress in taupe linen, original tags, size 4-6

A very lady-like dress set by Mam'Selle, new-old stock. Size 2-4

Adorable dress set with original tags and Peter Pan collar. I love this!

Turban swirl hat and butterscotch woven hat by Christian Dior..

The most amazing brilliant blue suede coat, made in Israel original tags still attached. Size small.

Mustard Yellow patent pumps by Mario Pompo, size 9 S.

1960's Polished Cotton paisley print day dress, waist 24". 

Grass green brass button down day dress. Waist 25". Available now in our
Etsy shop.

Lime green new-old wool boucle patch pocket coat. Immaculate. Size 4-6

Early 60's lion crest 2 piece skirt and top set. Waist 25".

The perfect shift for work...new-old 60's blue bow dress. Size 4

1960's lilac jersey wiggle dress and jacket, sold.

 So I've been a little MIA this past week. Truth is I've been hard at work processing one of the most exciting collections of vintage clothing I've ever had. The Bette collection is vast and primarily dead-stock. Bette did the bulk of her shopping (um...hoarding) during the late 60's and had a habit of tucking things away and forgetting to ever wear them. In fact her voracious appetite for stylish, expensive clothing was so huge that there simply weren't enough hours in a lifetime to wear them all. She bought multiples of everything. If she like a style of jacket she would buy one in every color they came in. Buying a lime green suede jacket? Well then of course you would need to buy the matching shorts!? Often, I will pick up one of her coats to find that inside there is a matching skirt, pant, and dress. Bette favored certain designers: Mam'selle, Anne Fogarty, Modelia, Mr.Mort, Samuel Robert, and Bonnie Cashin (I will be doing a post on all those soon!).
It will take awhile to get through her collection, but over the next few weeks I will be adding pictures and posting on our Facebook page.
A collection like this doesn't come along very often, especially in new-old stock condition. Fortunately for you, Bette was about 4 sizes smaller than yours truly so I won't be hoarding any of it for myself!

If you see anything you can't live without call us at 503-230-2899 or email me at xtabayliz@gmail.com

One of Bette's unworn evening gowns, size 2-4.
available now in our Etsy store.

Etsy

First Lady

Michelle Obama has been getting a lot of press for her strong, simple silhouettes and basic colors. We like her style. We like how she dresses to reflect the strong, independent, modern woman that she is. But Michelle reflects the style of another First Lady we admire: Jackie Kennedy.




Jackie Kennedy also wore strong and deceptively simple clothing. Like Michelle, she dressed to flatter a slender but boyish figure. She bent the fashions of the times to work best with her body. That's what real style is.

A study of Jackie's clothing shows demure necklines, short sleeves, and sheath dresses that started from her broad shoulders and skimmed her slender hips. The Jackie suits that she made famous were cut with a narrow angle between the armpit and waist to disguise a darling but unfashionably boyish waist. Her jewel neck suit jackets and tops wouldn't have flattered a busty woman, but they showcased her elegant figure. The strong colors and simple patterns she wore attracted attention without being distracting. She was all about cut and quality, like a Brancusi sculpture, or the best diamonds.

Michelle Obama's style reflects some of this sensibility, although with a more "of the people" attitude. I'm not sure we would have caught Jackie redhanded at J. Crew, and it was only reluctantly that she renounced her favorite French designers (but hired American Oleg Cassini to copy the best of their creations). Michelle, on the other hand, publicly scoffs fancy designer duds, but hides her multi-hundred dollar sports-style shoes in the closet. It all adds up to the same thing, really: they're both women who have the confidence to dress to suit themselves despite the watchful public eye.

For a woman with more of the Italian-styled slender hips but not too much of a waist or bust, Jackie's early- to mid-1960s style is perfect. The Xtabay has a treasure trove of cocktail dresses and suits right now that Jackie would have loved. Fabrics with a real hand, like raw silk and brocade, and in lipstick pink, peony green, and radiant black reflect Jackie's style, especially when made into sleeveless cocktail dresses with necklines begging for bold necklaces. Add a structured black patent bag and a low-heeled pump, and you are the picture of mod elegance. Come into the store, and we'll tell you if you're a good candidate for a Jackie, or if you'd be better off styling yourself after Marilyn.

Michelle might do well to take a page from Jackie's book. Who knows? Maybe she has. We've heard lots of talk about Camelot from the Obamas. A few more fancy dress receptions for foreign dignitaries and we'll know for sure.