XTABAY STYLE

A rare and coveted early 1950s cocktail party dress by Suzy Perette featuring a dramatic wrap around faille bow over a velvet bodice. (Sold)

The perfect 1950's polished cotton full circle skirt in a bold floral smattered in sequins. Waist 27". 

Iconic and rare, this 1930's silk velvet bias cut gown with enormous pave rhinestone geometric shaped buttons and satin lining is Old Hollywood at its finest. (sold)

Unusual 1950's eyelash taffeta drop waist cocktail dress with full skirt and cap sleeves. Waist 27". 

Classic and timeless 1930's silk velvet hourglass halter neck evening gown. (sold)

Rare 1950's Frank Usher navy cotton organdy evening gown with rick rack arrows. (sold)

Delicate and ethereal 1920s lace flapper era dress with velvet bows and silk millinery flowers. (sold)

Elegant late 40's New Look era cocktail dress with drop waist and delicately beaded Peter Pan collar. (Sold)

1950s Coral Splendor party dress with sculpted tulle bodice. (sold)

Wonderful 1950s cotton organdy Ceil Chapman party dress, exquisitely embroidered and covered in floral appliqués. (sold)

I adored this 1940's western styled rayon crepe cocktail dress with rose colored sequin collar and cuffs. Look at that draping over the hips! Gorgeous. (sold)

The ultimate in 1960s understated evening elegance. This silk crepe evening gown from Harold's is draped in thick cords of rhinestones. Still available in our Etsy shop. 

The most mauve-u-lous silk 50s party dress with rhinestones and lace appliqué. (sold)

Iconic 1950s rose print party dress in cotton organdy. Being a native of The Rose City, these rose prints are near and dear to my heart. (sold)

One of the most common questions I get asked at Xtabay is "what are you buying?" 

Sometimes I find it hard to put into words exactly what I'm looking for. Often I find it easier to describe what I'm not looking for rather than what I am. For example, I am not looking to buy those fur wraps with the heads on them--ever. Nor am I ever looking to buy an 80s puffy sleeved wedding dress. 

So in response to that question I've compiled a collection of dresses that I've bought (and for the most part already sold) over the last couple months that I feel best exemplify what I'm looking for. These are the pieces that make my heart skip a beat when they come through the door and that best represent Xtabay Style. 

What exactly is Xtabay Style? Well, I've always prided myself in selling pieces that are timeless (meaning they are forever in style), iconic (meaning they best represent the mode of the time period they are from) and exceptionally crafted.  That I suppose is the essence of Xtabay Style. 

If you have anything that you feel qualifies give us a call, we would love to take a look. 

Dear Glamour Puss,

Rack of fabulousness at Xtabay.

Dear Glamour Puss,

I feel so drab lately. Looking in my closet puts me to sleep. Everyone around me seems to have her own style thing going on, but I feel like the proverbial field mouse in a flock of flamingos. How can I get out of this rut?

--Dowdy As All Get Out

Dear Dowdy,

Oh my. It sounds to the Puss like you need sartorial inspiration. If you feast your eyes on enough spectacular style, you’ll eventually find bits to make you own. You might discover, for instance, that it’s high time you drew on a cat’s eye or threw out your yoga pants for 1940s rayon dressing gowns.

The secret is to keep your eyes open. When you see something that makes your heart thrum, try it! You only live once, angel baby.

Here are a few of the Puss’s favorite sources of style inspiration:

·      Old movies. Thanks to old movies—especially the 1930s pre-code films—the Puss favors bias-cut nighties and doesn’t hesitate to eat bonbons while reading novels in the tub. Try playing Dinner at Eight or Roman Holiday the next time you sit down with a stack of mending or give yourself a pedicure. And the unbeatable My Man Godfrey with Carole Lombard and William Powell is in the public domain, so you can soak up all the glamorous dressing gowns and snappy one-liners you want for absolutely free online.

Feather Coat by Travis Banton in My Man Godfrey.

·      Style Blogs. The Puss favors Garance Doré, I Love Your Style, and Shorpy. Garance Doré will keep you up to date on contemporary style, while I Love Your Style explores style icons mostly of the 20^th century. Shorpy features real life photographs back to the 1860s—watch out for the outstanding hairdos and collars.

·      The Xtabay. Well, you knew I was going to say it. You might simply need to see yourself a new way. Come to the shop and try a few dresses you’d never thought you’d wear. If you normally stick to solid colors, try a bold 1960s geometric print or a demure 1940s floral print. If you gravitate toward wiggle dresses, slip on an A-line Jackie O dress and see what happens. Pin on a hat, rope your neck with beads, or go entirely without accessories. Take a risk. How does it look? How do you feel?

You, my Dowdy darling, must embrace Auntie Mame’s dictum that “Life is a banquet, and most poor suckers are starving to death.” Style is heaped on one of that banquet’s largest platters. It’s time you lived large and adorned yourself like the goddess you are. Stuff all those imagination-less Banana Republic blouses and over-priced, over-sized department store handbags in the Goodwill sack and load up on figure-hugging Dupioni silk, lettuce-hemmed gowns, and a crazy mix of prints.

Rosalind Russel as the exuberant Auntie Mame.

Life, sweet cheeks, is a screwball comedy. You may as well be a star.

Kiss kiss,

Glamour Puss


(Glamour Puss sometimes goes by the name Angela Sanders and is a guest blogger for Xtabay)

A Few of My Favorite Things...

Vintage 1970's Christian Dior gown in navy silk chiffon. Size 4. 

Exquisite 1950's mexican velvet set, sold. 

Lucky girl... came in two minutes after I put this darling dress in the window and it fit her perfectly!
Sold! 

God I love this dress....50's dream chiffon party dress, sold.

Incredible 1960's silk brocade cocktail dress by Victoria Royal, Entirely beaded. Size 10-12. 

Darling 1950's tulle and green velvet party dress. Size 2.

A whole rack of fabulous fall dresses, coats and suits!

Tereza models a stunning early 40's taffeta gown with open back. Size 2-4.

Gabe keeps a watchful eye on me up in the bridal salon....

Ethereal 1950's tulle tiered dream wedding gown, waist 26'.

1950's tulle and lace with celadon underlay wedding gown, waist 26".

Come by Xtabay this week and see the transformation. Everything has turned autumn hued and the racks are filled with new fall merchandise. The shelves are newly decorated with an exquisite hat collection I recently acquired from a long time collector.You have to see these hats--lots of feathers and veils. Party dresses have been selling like mad and it seems like the moment I put a real show stopper in the window it's gone. The new Butter London nail polishes have finally arrived with all sorts of new colors for fall.

 Did I mention I love fall?

The Bridal Salon is buzzing with new arrivals as well. Come by on Saturday when we are open to the public from 11-5pm or call us at 503-234-7568 to schedule a private appointment.