Xtabay Prom 2015

Scarlett Lily in her 1950's red ruffle prom gown. Scarlett lives in the UK and bought her dress through our Etsy shop. Could a dress be any more perfect for someone?

Kristin wore a satin and tulle prom dress from the early 1950's to her prom this year. I love it with the matching necklace! She looks radiant. 

Katie in an early 1960's floral party dress.

Cutest couple ever, I just wish I could remember this lovely young lady's name! Photo taken by her mom Carole. 

Anna in her powder blue 1950's prom dress from Meier & Frank. 

Tabitha in an elegant 1940's black velveteen evening gown with rhinestone buttons.


We are so grateful to our wonderful customers who share their pictures with us! It makes us so happy to see these beautiful old dresses back in action. If you have any pictures wearing your favorite
Xtabay dress please email them to us at xtabayliz@gmail.com
We would love to share them with you!

Black Friday Sale ~ 25% OFF! .

'Tis the season for making merriment and here at Xtabay we are kicking off the season with a big SALE! Starting tomorrow morning at 10am Xtabay will be having a 25% off Black Friday sale. 

Save 25% on fabulous holiday cocktail dresses~ sumptuous coats and sparkling jewels. Thinking of a gift for that special someone? We have just the right thing- Xtabay Gift Certificates! 

In true Xtabay style we will be serving Champagne and cupcakes. 

In addition to the sale, we are super excited to be part of Little Boxes this year. Little Boxes is a fun shopping event that supports small and locally owned businesses. 

A few of the things you will see tomorrow:

Sale ends this Saturday at 7pm. We look forward to seeing you soon tomorrow!

Cashin Passion: The Bonnie Cashin Collection Unleashed

 I have had a passion for Bonnie Cashin ever since I first read an article about her in the New York Times Magazine in 2001. To my surprise Portland thrift stores were crawling with her designs back then. Nobody in Portland seemed to have heard of her and the fact that her name was discretely scrawled underneath the SILLS label made her designs go un-noticed. I snatched up all that I could find. I remember being thrilled at selling a pristine pink leather coat of her's on Ebay for close to 500.
Ever since then I've been obsessed with her clothing and like to believe I'm a magnet for it...

I hit the Cashin jackpot a couple of years ago when I purchased the estate of a prolific Cashin collector in Lake Oswego- she had hundreds of unworn pieces. Remember these from 2012? Back in the 1960s Bonnie Cashin had regular trunk shows at a downtown Portland department store called Lipmans. I imagine Bette (our patron saint of vintage Cashin and the avid collector) would attend every show and order one in every style. Can you imagine?!

The Cashin collection is available to purchase online in our Etsy store.

 For more of my Bonnie Cashin pieces check out our pinterest page.

Miss Glamour Puss Dishes on Love....

Marilyn found true love in "How To Marry A Millionaire" by just being her self-glasses and all!

Dear Miss Glamour Puss:

I can’t believe it! Mr. Right—at least, I think he’s Mr. Right—finally asked me on a date. I’ve been eyeing this guy for weeks, and yesterday I ran into him in the pet food aisle at New Seasons. He dropped a couple of cans of Fancy Feast in his basket and said, “So, you wanna, like, hang out sometime?” Squeee! We’re scheduled to “hang out” (whatever that means) next Friday night. I’m so excited! But I have no idea what to wear. What do you wear to hang out, anyway? What do guys like? How can I be sexy and appealing without looking like a tramp? Help!

--Trembling with Anticipation

Dear Trembling,

First, let the Puss say how thrilled she is for you! Who knows? Maybe this man will be The One. Maybe in future years you will gaze at cans of cat food with stars in your eyes, holding hands, remembering the moment things changed.

Or not. Listen up, cutie pie. The Puss has been around the block once or twice, and out there on the other side of the block you learn some hard lessons. Here’s one: If he doesn’t like how you look when you love how you look, this little rendezvous is headed for Heartbreak Hotel. I don’t care if he’s freaking Christian Dior, he should feel warm and happy just to get a quick eyeful of you, no matter what you’re wearing.

Summon your Pussitude! Here are a few examples:

Old think: I can’t call too soon or he’ll think I’m too eager. Maybe I should just text him instead.

Puss think: I’ll call him whenever I feel like it, and he’ll be glad to hear from me.

Old think: I’m so nervous when I’m with him! What if I blow it by saying the wrong thing, or I wear too much makeup and he doesn’t like makeup, or I don’t like the right bands?

Puss think: If I don’t feel safe and happy and beautiful with him, he’s wasting my time.

Get it? The key is to feel spectacular, to feel like you. Throw all those ridiculous rules out the window and put your real self out there. Are you at your best in a mix of turquoise paisley and purple tights? Wear them. Or maybe you channel the vixen in a 1940s black crepe dress adorned with ropes of crystal? Put them on. You might love your cigarette jeans with green suede 1950s stilettos (perhaps the “Fiancés – Go Steady With” brand for good luck) and a cashmere twinset? That’s exactly what you need to wear.

If your wardrobe doesn’t render much fabulosity at the moment, get down to the Xtabay and let Proprietress Liz or one of her style goddess assistants assemble you something smashing. Something you feel smashing in, that is. When you find yourself, hand on hip, swiveling in front of the mirror striking Marlene Dietrich poses, you’ll know you’ve found the right outfit.

And if he doesn’t like it? Well, darling, to hell with him. You can bet you’ll be starring in the dreams of many another guy you pass long the way that night. You’re worth the best, bright eyes. The Puss means it.

Last tip: Wear something that doesn’t show cat hair, just in case you get lucky.

Kiss kiss,

Glamour Puss