I haven’t shared any vintage fashion finds lately, so I guess it’s time to head over to Etsy…

Lady Grunge Vintique has a Vintage Gauze White Mexican Tent Dress for $45. Ooh, this looks fresh, pretty, and comfy - just what I’m looking for in a Summer dress. It doesn’t list a size or year, so if you want the specifics, you can contact the seller. Lovely dress, though, and it says that is in “excellent” condition.

I know that people usually equate shoulder pads and neon colors with  ’80s fashion,  but this Floral Mini reminds me of the sweeter side of the clothing of the era. It’s a size Medium and in excellent condition. It features ruffles, a flared skirt, button-up front, and a belt tie. It’s listed in the Midnight Flight shop for $32. 

My girlfriends and I used to call these vintage Leather Sandals, “Regulars.”  As in, My Regular Sandals. They would start out all stiff and you’d get them wet to soften the leather. Over time they would grow more and more comfortable. I sure wish I wore a size 7, because then I’d snatch up this pair. I just showed them to my teenage daughter and she loved them.  If you’ve got $20, then this pair from Cocomio could be yours.

Image 1 credit:  Lady Grunge Vintique at Etsy

Image 2 credit:  Midnight Flight at Etsy

Image 3 credit:  Cocomio at Etsy

Do you use Twitter? 

Yeah, I know, probably sick of hearing about Twitter, but I have an account and through this account, I’ve connected with some pretty interesting Vintage Clothing shops.

Both of the sites before use eBay to sell their lovely vintage finds. The selection is varied and reasonably priced. Interested? I thought you might be…..

Vintage Party Dresses offers a variety of dresses. Party dresses, prom dresses, cocktail dresses, little black dresses…even dresses for Barbie.

I am a big dress fan. My favorite style - a wrap. I think it’s my mom’s influence. She used to whip up the cutest wrap dresses on her little Singer. 

Another place to look for vintage is Panda’s Vintage shop, also at eBay. Currently I see clothing from the 60s, 70s, and 80s. Plus a cute mod style hat  that looks like something Twiggy would have worn.

Check out these shops. If you know of a good place to shop vintage, please let me know and I’ll share it with the  other Pretty By Nature readers.

Image credit: Chase Your Bliss Photography

The Natural Bridal Collection, owned and designed by Morgan Boszilkov, features dresses made of sustainable materials.  Some of the dresses have detachable bottom skirts so that you wear the dress again later. 

Fit to Flare Mermaid Gown

Beautiful gown with a dramatic shape. I’ve always loved the Mermaid style. I think it’s a holdover from Summers spent pretending to be a mermaid in the swimming pool. This gown was made from a combination of hemp/silk and peace silk.

Couture Eco-friendly Wedding Dress

Dress made from hemp/silk Jacquard with a detachable bottom. The two lowest tiers can be removed to create a shorter dress. Key-hole back means you will look beautiful both coming up and going down the aisle.

Bamboo and Organic Cotton Jersey Dress

This one is my favorite. It is made with bamboo, organic cotton jersey, and hemp/silk Charmeuse. I love the Greek goddess-like look of it.

The straps that remind me of the top of a silk slip. The back  of the dress, shown to the left, is open, like an apron, but a really lovely apron.

The skirt features gathers and organic linen cloth flowers. A very beautiful gown.

Image credit: The Natural Bridal Collection

Here are a couple more dresses for you to consider for your Green Wedding. They are both vintage dresses, from the Timeless Vixen Vintage shop, just like the dress that I shared with you the other day. 

Vintage dresses are a romantic touch, in addition to being green, because they represent the glamour of days gone by, perhaps a simpler time, and traditional values.  They are unique and while not cheap, they are priced well below the gowns that are produced today. That’s something to keep in mind when planning your overall wedding budget.

First up is a 1910’s Antique Vintage Breathtaking Edwardian Titanic White Mixed-Lace Couture Sheer Wedding Tea-Dress. The dress has lovely detailed lace and a matching camisole. It’s a tea-length dress. It is in excellent condition.

This next dress is incredible. 1930’s Antique Vintage Beaded Crepe Femme Fatale Bias-Cut Puff-Sleeve Wedding Gown Dress.  I would absolutely love to be married in this dress. The feminine cut of the dress, the bead work, the bodice with the darts…Oh, wow. What a dress. The back buttons and has a key-hole opening. It’s made of crepe and the beading is copper sequin and glass in the Art-Deco style. 

Image credit: Timeless Vixen Vintage’s shop at Etsy.com

Summer is traditionally big for weddings and in the spirit of tradition, I’m going to present some green wedding ideas in the coming weeks. One of the easiest ways to go green with your wedding is to wear a vintage dress.  Here is one that I found today on Etsy.

Timeless Vixen Vintage’s Jacques Heim Couture Dress
$400

Classic glamour in a cocktail-length strapless dress. This dress features a trailing pink bow, a circle skirt, and a boned bodice.  It’s on the small side with a bust of 32-34 inches, waist up to 24 inches.

The dress has a designer label and was designed in the 1950’s by Jacques Heim, for Bonwit Teller.

I like that this dress has the bold trail of pink which fits very well with many of the modern wedding dresses that I’ve seen lately. A shot of color at the waist is very current. The short length gives it a young flair. I think this dress would be perfect for a garden ceremony.

Image credit: Timeless Vixen Vintageat Etsy.com

Etsy weekend….Actually I’m going to be Etsy-ing even more than usual this weekend. The artist behind the Ghost Ship Sea Glass Worry Locket has agreed to do an interview with me, so stay tuned for that.

In the meantime… How about this Vintage 80s dress that is perfect for a day at the shore.

Vintage 80s Tie Dye Mini Dress
$18
This dress would make the cutest swimsuit cover-up. It has a racer-back and is sized small/medium. It’s made of nylon and is listed as in “excellent vintage” condition.

Vintage 70s Ruffle Sleeve Mini Babydoll Dress
$30
Super-cute polyester dress with bell sleeves that appear to be tiered. I don’t think that the belt shown is included, because it mentions a self-tie belt. The top of the dress has an accordian pleat and the size is Medium/Large.

Both of these dresses can be found in the Nod To Mod Vintage Shop at Etsy. There are many more vintage dresses featured in the the shop, in addition to pants, scarves, bags, etc.

Image credit: Nod To Mod Vintage at Etsy.com

Etsy weekend shopping…….  I found this cute vintage halter maxi dress in the One Vintage Lady shop. White chiffon dress with yellow rose pattern. Lined in taffeta. This dress has an empire waistline, with a halter top, that fastens with a hook and eye closure. The bodice is gathered and features a sheer ruffle along the edge with a wider stand-up ruffle at the neck.

Vintage Halter Dress

$37.00

The dress is estimated to be from the 1970’s and the dimensions are equivalent to a size small or an extra-small.

Etsy weekend…..Today I have some beautiful vintage clothing  from JessJamesJake. The fun of dressing in vintage clothing comes from the thrill of the hunt, locating that perfect treasure.

A lovely white 1950’s silk slip. They are calling it a Slip Dress. It’s a vintage size 36 with a lace top, sheer net underlay, an empire waist, and a short lace-trimmed skirt. It was manufactured by Fortrel & Fybrite.

How about a fabulous Mod dress in navy and cream, circa 1960s. Simple style, it features an interesting button detail on the sides. This dress makes me think Sexy Stewardess. Best fit for sizes 2-10.

Saving the best for last - a Black Slip Dress. So simple. So Sexy. Vintage size 14 1/2, made with lace-trimmed top and skirt. Empire waist, hits above knee at length. The slip was made by Barbizone.

Image credit: JessJamesJakeat Etsy.com

I am tired of all my stuff. All my shoes, all my skirts, all my everything. I’ve lost a little weight…..It’s time to go shopping.

I love dresses. I like the ease of a one-piece number, slip it on, and I’m ready. This Beau Soleil Beau Troy Dress is made of 100% Bamboo fabric.

Bamboo, as you know is a sustainable material, so this dress is eco-friendly, in addition to being chic and sexy. I love the deep V front and the asymmetrical hemline. It retails for $250 and if you preorder it by 4/30/09, you can save 20%.  Use the code PREORDER09 at checkout.

Okay, now I need shoes. What to pair with the dress……….

I like these silver Puma sandals by Neuaura.

They are vegan sandals, made from a synthetic leather. Very cute. They retail for $94 and are also available in gold. Either color would look adorable with the Troy Dress.

Image credit: Nimli.com

Chic: This is what gorgeousness looks like. Puridee gowns are a little more than wedding gowns for me. Almost every gown made looks like it could be a great gown for a special occasion.

Green: Puridee uses organic silk and natural dying processes.

Buy: Puridee