Polka dots add whimsy to your look, day or night, summer or winter, bold or subtle.  It’s hard to take yourself too seriously when you’re wearing polka dots.  Repeatedly on trend, polka dot apparel is an excellent addition to your permanent wardrobe.  Here are some OgoVintage polka dot items, some available now on the etsy shop or ebay store, some available directly through the website (email Ogo to stake your claim)  and  some are past favorites, now in the possession of a lucky new owner.

Oleg Cassini silk dress, Stattner jacquard dot ensemble, Amuleti Italian silk dress

Ungaro silk dress, Oleg Cassini  2-piece, Rena Lange suit, Guy Laroche dress

Missoni silk jersey dress, Randolph Duke silk chiffon dress

Mod dot and striped dress, Mod dress & scarf, Diane von Furstenberg modern shift

Ungaro silk blouse, Escada tuxedo tunic, flocked dots on gold lame’ blouse, Akris jacket

Ungaro dress, Bill Blass suit

Some trends capture our attention over and over again.  Sometimes, the style returns as an ode to retro charm.  Just as often, a style bears repeating as the latest trend… think Valentino red or Yves Saint Laurent “le smoking”.  OgoVintage will help you build a timeless wardrobe that is as unique as you are.

60s lime lace         50s nude lace         40s Dana Meadors  coral top    40s Jay-Nee Chinoiserie

1950s yellow roses              1950s embroidered shirtwaist              1950s Candi Jones

40s blue sandal                         50s cozykins                       50s D’Antonio pumps

Suede deco purse                                                                  Bakelite Brocade handbag

Gigi handmade 50s mule                    Popolinos Jeweled Flats          60s Silver Lame’ Pump

60s Jeweled Knit             50s flocked wiggle dress               70s Sonia Rykiel satin backed crepe

Celebrate spring by wearing floral dresses in pretty colors.  Time to pack away your coats and woolens, grab that self-tanner, step up your fitness regimen and pay attention to flowers blooming all around you.

L:  Hanae Mori silk ensemble, linked to etsy shop listing

R:  Martha Palm Beach Italian silk dress, linked to etsy shop listing

New York City is ablaze with flowering trees and annual bulbs, such as tulips and crocus.

New listings in the etsy shop…

L:  Alix of Miami 50s day dress, linked to the etsy shop listing

R:  Peck & Peck “Lilly-esque” vintage dress

More long awaited New York City blooms…

Florals for any occasion…

L:  vintage 60s silver floral lame’ maxi, linked to the etsy shop listing

C:  Alex Colman vintage 60s maxi skirt, linked to the etsy shop listing

R:  Emanuel Ungaro Parallele floral suit, from the OgoVintage ebay store

Palm Beach socialite Lilly Pulitzer [Rousseau] passed away earlier this month, leaving a legacy of whimsical, brightly colored print apparel and accessories.  Visiting Palm Beach as a tourist?  Slip into a Lilly Pulitzer dress or tunic, slip on a pair of [Jack Rogers] sandals and you’ll pass as a local.

The Lilly vintage sundress converts to a skirt, @ OgoVintage etsy store, linked to listing. 

Lilly Pulitzer became an accidental fashion designer in the early 1960s, when she created a few colorful print dresses for herself, to wear at her orange juice stand in via Mizner, Palm Beach.  Palm Beach fashionable socialites, including Jacqueline Kennedy, requested some of these colorful dresses for themselves and a fashion empire was born.  The early designs were called “The Lilly”, with junior fashions during the 1970s named for Liza, Lilly’s then teenage daughter.  Lilly’s apparel design company opened in 1962 and closed in 1984.  During the 1990s, the label was acquired to create a fashion empire that extends beyond the confines of Palm Beach, while staying true to Lilly’s design concepts.

“The Lilly” lounging pajamas, vintage 1970s, at the OgoVintage etsy store, linked to listing.

 Lilly Pulitzer fashions adhere to the original design concept of brightly colored, whimsical prints.  This makes vintage “The Lilly” items as up to date as the items arriving at retail locations throughout the country.  A proponent of easy care, Lilly Pulitzer apparel is often washable and drip dry.

The Lilly 1960s hostess dress, available at the OgoVintage shop on ebay.com.                                                          

Lilly Pulitzer pink halter dress, contemporary line, sold @OgoVintage ebay store.

 Neon vintage “The Lilly” blouse, sold @OgoVintage ebay store.

 Lilly Pulizer vintage Men’s stuff, soon available at the OgoVintage etsy shop.

  Vintage Lilly Pulitzer cover-up or nightie, available at OgoVintage etsy shop, linked to listing. 

Spring has sprung, and neon brights are once again on trend.  Here are some authentic neon originals, each linked to the listing at OgoVintage etsy shop.

60s mod yellow dress & coat ensemble

60s mod neon orange coat with big cat trim

60s mod Saks Fifth Avenue jacket top

60s mod orange leather handbag

60s mod yellow woven handbag

Lola Kay 60s mod ensemble, made in Belgium 

Mary McFadden is one of fashion’s true artisans, whose designs were inspired by exotic cultures and historical references.  The “Delphos” Fortuny pleat was the inspiration for Mary McFadden’s synthetic Marii pleat.  The Marii textile is her signature fabric treatment, and the example shown at the CFDA exhibit at the Boca Raton Museum was  one of her Marii gowns.  Here is a selection of OgoVintage Mary McFadden Marii pleated dresses and gowns, some of which are currently for sale at OgoVintage.

Heart apparel for Valentine’s Day is too silly for the sophisticated stylish gal… except when it is fine European cocktail or unique couture.  Currently available for purchase at the OgoVintage store on ebay, here are two remarkable heart dresses to consider.

Sonia Trussardi Sepe bias cut heart dress will fit a range of small to medium sizes.

C. Randall Brooks vintage tulle confection, in pristine condition.  Embroidered hearts adorn the tulle, which is edged in ribbon.

There is a reason why many women choose wedding gowns made of lace.  The glorious Duchess of Cambridge had her friend Sarah Burton, for Alexander McQueen, create a wedding gown covered in lace, perhaps inspired by the lace wedding gown worn by Grace Kelly.  Lace adds instant femininity, on the romantic side in white or pale colors, and on the seductive side when done in black or a jewel tone.  Here are a few OgoVintage lace treasures, with the caption linked to the Etsy shop and the ebay store items available at the OgoVintage ebay store.

Pat Crowley, Dublin, Ireland, Gold Lace Overlay with apricot liner available at OgoVintage ebay store.

Vintage Black Lace Flamenco styled gown available at OgoVintage ebay store.

Arango Red Lace vintage 80s salsa dress sold.

Vintage 1980s Tango Dress         Dorothea Skirt                    Tiered Ruffle Blouse

1940s Plum Lace Dress

Vicky Tiel Couture Jacket with Black lace back panel

The fashion counterpoint to the adage “You only get to make a first impression once” is that you only get one chance to make an impact with your entrance.   Whether you are attired in haute couture, or your favorite jeans and boots, it always helps to stand a little taller and exude confidence.  Here’s a little posture hint from the dance studio for maximizing your entrance at any location:

1.     Lift your hips off your legs, pull your rib cage up off your hips.

2.     Imagine a string attached to your head and the ceiling pulling you upward.

3.     Press your shoulders down in opposition to your rib cage lifting up.

4.     Reset your balance by widening the shoulder blades so that your upper back is flat.  This will position your sternum slightly forward – the perfect position for balancing on the highest heels with ease.

5.   Use your abdominal muscles to hold the position by imagining your  navel pressed to your backbone and a slight lengthening of the spine from the waist to the tailbone.

Correct posture is an acquired technique, not a naturally occurring phenomenon.  Practice the foregoing steps in front of a mirror at home.  You’ll soon see that you look 10 pounds thinner.  Enter a room with elegant posture and your friends will keep inquiring what you did…  let them think you are in love, or won the lottery, or, perhaps, have had a little “work” done.  The secret will be all ours.  OGO promises not to tell!!

You’ll need a frock worthy of your new found posture skills.  Here are a few suggestions from OgoVintage.  The items that are available online are linked to the  shop.

Thai silk atelier made vintage dress with a corsetry boned bodice

Expertly constructed Pauline Trigere bias cut dress

Classic 50s LBD with an 8 layer tiered skirt

Go ahead.  Break a few hearts.  Leave a trail of suitors in your wake.  Slip into one of these sheer black vintage frocks and his heart will be yours for the taking.

Wear this black lace and sheer georgette blouse over a lavish black lace bra for ultimate impact! 

This sheer black vintage dress is handpainted.

Sheer Georgette tiered ruffles drape over your shoulder and form a lower sheer peplum

** Each photo is linked to the listing in the ETSY shop**