What in the world is Gordana Gehlhausen doing on Project Runway? What I'm saying is why is she wasting her talents there? I've watched 6 weeks of projects and watched her alternately basically being told to leave the runway as her design was "good enough" to watching her take it on the chin because she's made her fashion too wearable (newspaper outfit). It appears that "make it work" does not count except in Tim Gunn's book. Gordana has made it work on every challenge.

Last night's show just put me over the top. Yes, Gordana's flapper outfit was par for the course for that historical period, however, her execution of that flapper dress was just stunning. She hit the genre of period piece for that time period right on the head in my opinion. She is an extremely talented designer/tailor. Her outfits always come out looking completely and beautifullly finished right down to every seam, bead, macrame section, etc. What she sends down the runway is always wearable. There is such beauty in her execution on all these challenges and yet the judges don't seem to be able to give her credit for that.

I did some reading up on Gordana and her favorite designer is John Galliano. John Galliano! I would never have guessed that Gordana would have chosen him. I've written about John Galliano before (see this blog:

http://alwaysplayingdressup.blogspot.com/2008_06_22_archive.html ).

I have to say when I see John Galliano's designs on the runway the phrase "hot mess" comes to my mind immediately.

I fear that soon the axe is going to fall on Gordana simply because the judges deem her work too "wearable" and not enough of the fantasy pieces that her favorite designer, John Galliano, spins out for the runway.

Ultimately I have to say that I'd much rather have Gordana designing wearable fashion for the masses than cranking out the stuff John Galliano spins for his runway shows. Surely there is room for both the functional and the fantasy on the runway. Are you listening judges?

All it wanted to do was go home. It was 63 years old and although it's owner had loved it for a long time, it was tired. Tired of sandy beaches and salt water taffy. Tired of being passed from sister to sister, niece to niece and granddaughter to granddaughter. Tired of being exposed to sun, summer after summer from Maine to Florida to California and all beach points in between.
It was finally donated when it's last owner just felt it had no use left it it and that's when I found it in my travels.

Checking out one of my favorite shops, I saw that this one was different. There was just something that caught my eye. As I picked it up off the rack and rifled to see the label I could tell that it was vintage. Then it happened. A treasure. A bona fide treasure in a place I shop often. I saw this:



I looked again, not believing what I was seeing. On the exterior I was cool as a cucumber and sauntered up to the checkout line. I paid for my purchase and made my way to the car. Once I got my treasure into the car I gave it a good going over. I'd seen a similar label a few years back.
I decided to head back home as nothing else I could find that day would compare in any way to my treasure.

Once home, I showed my treasure to my husband. He said, "You can't sell that on your venue. Why did you buy it?" I looked at him and smiling, said, "Because I'll never find another one like it." I took my treasure into my office and went right to the Vintage Fashion Guild label resource and looked under Jantzen. There were similar labels but none exactly like this one. The ones that were similar were from the 1940s. Surely there was no way I'd found a 1940s Jantzen bathing suit.

I searched on the Internet for the Jantzen website and much to my surprise found that they are celebrating their 100th anniversary this year. So I emailed the sales department and asked that my questions about the bathing suit be forwarded to their archivists.

On Monday morning I received an email from Jantzen letting me know that my treasure was produced in 1946 and called "Sun Soaker", made of gorgeous Lastex Velva-Lure. It retailed for $5.95. I showed the bathing suit to my 12-year-old daughter who loves vintage clothing, in particular vintage bathing suits, but alas, the suit would not fit her, so I had a decision to make.
Would I offer my treasure on another venue or keep it.

Later in the day I received another email from Jantzen offering to purchase the bathing suit. I decided it could have no better home than in the Jantzen archives. So today the Sun Soaker is finally going to make its way home where it will receive a well deserved rest. I am positive that this bathing suit was the favorite of many, many women. Here's hoping that Jantzen will come out with a retro line of these suits. I know at least 3 women in my household who would definitely buy the Sun Soaker.

It's fall and time for Born Too Late Vintage's purse blowout sale!





Vintage 1970s Black Purse w Clasp $12

Vintage 1960s Pink Faux Leather Clutch Purse with Fold A Way Handle $15

Vintage 1960s Gold Harry Levine Clutch Purse Handbag $14

Vintage 1960s Bamboo and Raffia Purse by Ritter $12

Vintage 1980s Whiting and Davis Black Mesh Purse Handbag $12

Vintage 1960s La Regale White Wicker Purse Handbag NWT $15

Vintage 1950s Black Patent Leather Purse $36

Vintage 1980s Cordovan Snakeskin Clutch Shoulder Purse Handbag
$15

Vintage 1960s Lumured White Half Bead Purse $15

Vintage 1960s Brown Granny Purse $12

Vintage 1960s Gold Purse with matching wallet
$12

Vintage 1950s Black Leather Envelope Purse with Handle and change purse $10

Vintage 1960s Ingber Gold Fold Over Clutch Purse with chain $18

Vintage 1960s Harry Levine Navy Blue Patent Leather Clutch Purse $20>

Vintage 1960s Creamy Ecru Beaded Purse with Kiss Clasp $10


Vintage 1980s La Regale Black Beaded Clutch Shoulder Purse Handbag $12

Vintage 1980s Silver Metallic Fabric Evening Purse
$12

Vintage 1950s Powder Blue Patent Leather Purse $41

Vintage 1960s White Granny Purse Handbag $12>

So what are you waiting for? Let's go shopping!

Variety is the spice of life and we have a lot of everything to offer at Born Too Late Vintage!


Vintage 1980s Gold Glimmer Sexy Slave Top & Skirt B42 W 42 H 56 Plus Size



Vintage 1960s Divi Divi Paisley Earth Mother Caftan XXXL Plus Size B74 W74 H80


1960s Leon Haskin of Australia Black and Cream Cocktail Dress B36 W32 H34


Vintage 1970s Koret of California Metallic Knit Bronze Gold Copper Jacket, Skirt, & Top B36 W26 H34


Vintage 1970s Count Romi Trench Coat w Notched Fur Collar B42 W42 H46 Plus Size

So what are you waiting for? Let's go shopping!

It was with a heavy heart that I learned Patrick Swayze passed away yesterday. Now what did this athlete, dancer and movie star's life have anything to do with a middle age wife and mother.

It started with the movie "Red Dawn." I saw the movie with my then new husband. That movie made us really think about what we would do if our country was ever invaded. Long before 9/11 happened we always made sure we were prepared for the worst.

Then with a lighter heart and much enjoyment we rode the "Dirty Dancing" wave. We've watched the movie numerous times (as have our daughters). We even taped the dance scenes back to back and practiced and practiced until we could dirty dance at my sister's wedding. We blew people right off the dance floor (the two of us, who always had two left feet up until we somehow absorbed those Dirty Dancing moves as if by magic).

We watched "Tiger Warsaw" and "Road House." Of course we will never forget "Ghost." Never has making pottery been so sensual.

We went out on a date night for us and stumbled upon the movie "To Wong Foo Thanks For Everything, Julie Newmar." We had no idea what the movie was about but if it had Patrick Swayze in it we were game. We came out of that movie a little bit different. than when we went in and thoroughly enjoyed the enlightenment and the entertainment as well.

My husband and I watched and enjoyed "The Beast" all the time knowing of the battle Patrick Swayze was waging. Cancer is not a fight that we are unfamiliar with. As Patrick Swayze battled the beast our thoughts and prayers were with him.

Through the marvels of movies we'll never truly have to lose the vitality and sparkle of Patrick Swayze. Through his acting and dancing he has provided many pleasurable moments for my family. Our condolences go out to his family. He will truly be missed.

We've been busy adding new things to the store in a variety of styles, colors and eras.



Vintage 1980s Rafael Royal Blue Suit



Vintage 1970s Diolen Red, Gold and Black Metallic Maxi Dress



Vintage 1930s Pink Damask Plus Size Open Bottom Corset B50



Vintage 1960s Fruit of the Loom Mens Robe



Vintage 1960s Caledonia Gold and Burnt Orange Knit Maxi Dress


This is but a small selection so make sure to visit Born Too Late Vintage

"Arkansas Mom Fails to Sell Baby Naming Rights on eBay for a Fifth Time"

What the headline doesn't tell you is that for eBay this is business as usual. Go ahead and list that item you think will bring you some bucks. eBay doesn't really care if it sells or not because you still pay eBay regardless.

What really frosts me is the fact that the highest bidder, a producer at an Internet radio talk show, told the mother of six that he had no intention of paying for the naming rights of her seventh child. He says he was just trying to help push the bid higher and several other bidders that bid more than him dropped out of the auction (I would presume by cancelling their bid). Said the producer of the internet radio talk show, ""This happens all the time on eBay."

Well now, far be it for me to question the thought process of this mother of 6, soon to be 7. Bless her because I've got two kids and there are plenty of times when my thought process isn't too clear. However, it would not have occurred to me to relinquish the right to name my own child via an eBay auction.

What really bothers me is the producer's attitude that "this happens all the time on eBay." Well Mr. Producer, just because it happens all the time on eBay doesn't make it right. Your bid is a contract that you agreed to. No one forced you to punch in the bid. eBay tells you that you are entering into a contract and that you are responsible for honoring that contract.

When you break a contract on eBay you are costing someone money. This may be someone who sells part time for extra money or it could be a family who makes their living on eBay. When you do this you're messing with someone else's livelihood. Not keeping your end of the bargain could mean someone doesn't get to go to the movies that week or it could be something as important as someone not being able to pay a bill they owe.

So Mr. Producer, the next time you decide to bid on something, remember that the person whose item you're bidding on is depending on you to complete the transaction. The deck is stacked enough against sellers on eBay as it is. You don't need to add grist to the mill by reneging on your obligation. I'd love to get this producer's id on eBay so I'd be able to block him from bidding on my items. Customers like him I can surely do without.

To see the story I read about this unfortunate incident simply click on this link:

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,542605,00.html

Eunice Shriver died today. Headlines read "sister of JFK, sister of Bobby Kennedy, wife of Sargent Shriver, sister of Teddy Kennedy." While the headlines are technically true, Eunice Shriver may well leave the greatest Kennedy Legacy of all.

In a time when women born to a privileged family life became debutantes, socialites, wives and mothers, Eunice Shriver wanted more. It's been said time and again that Joe Kennedy, patriarch of the Kennedy clan helped push his sons to achieve greatness. From what I see, Eunice Shriver didn't need any pushing. She just went out and got the job done.

She earned a sociology degree from Stanford University in 1943. She became a social worker at a women's prison in West Virginia and later in the 1950s worked with the juvenile court in Chicago. Following that she took over the foundation named after her eldest brother, a foundation founded with the goal of improving the treatment of the mentally disabled.

She married and raised five children with her husband. She has been dealing with the onset of Alzheimer's disease in her husband, and from personal experience (my beloved father had Alzheimer's) that itself is a personal journey only the strong survive.

Eunice Shriver's largest contribution, however, was that of organizing The Special Olympics. Every four years The Special Olympics hosts more than 6,500 athletes from over 150 countries that allows the mentally disabled to show the world they are more than capable of so much more if given the chance.

So I say thank you Eunice Shriver. Your legacy will go forward with your children and grandchildren and future generations yet to be born. We salute you for your contributions to the world. Surely your hard work and dedication are the true Kennedy legacy.

It's been said as the First Lady goes so does the nation go in the name of fashion. Michelle Obama has it all. She has a statuesque figure complimented by her beautiful skin, classic hairstyle and poise. What a pleasure it will be to dress her. Of course if I had my druthers she'd be wearing mostly vintage.

Of course a First Lady has no end of occasions to dress for and the fashion world will be keeping a close eye on what First Lady Michelle Obama decides to wear. I had a great time choosing some wonderful vintage fashions that are guaranteeed to make the most of our First Lady's fabulous figure without adding to the national deficit!


Vintage 1960s Goldworm Paisley Floral Pants Suit and Scarf B38 W34 H42



Vintage 1970s Black Goth Crepe Like Maxi Evening Coat B34 W38 H42



Vintage 1960s Aqua Silk Shantung Two Piece Dress and Short Jacket Suit B38 W36 H40


Vintage 1940s Navy Blue Crepe and Satin Special Occasion Dress with Original Belt B42 W36 H42


Vintage 1960s Harvey Berin Hot Pink Daisy Print Maxi Dress B33 W27 H48


Vintage 1970s Herbert Grossman Blue Dress Suit B40 W38 H40


Vintage 1950s Hong Kong Cheongsam with Black and Plum Brocade Jacket


Vintage 1970s Bloomingdales Purple Linen Maxi Dress B34 W30 H34



So What Are You Waiting For?? Let's go Shopping!

Just call me Imelda! No matter what the season you know that Born Too Late Vintage
has the very best in vintage shoes!


Vintage 1970s Sam & Libby Lipstick Red Leather Peep Toe Sling Back Shoes Size 7 1/2 B



1940s Florsheim Brown Suede Cuban Heel Oxfords Shoes size 9 1/2 AAA



Vintage 1980s Gold Stilettos Pumps Shoes Size 8B




Vintage 1970s Enna Jetticks Cordovan Leather With a Faux Alligator Pattern Sling Back Pumps Shoes Size 7 1/2


Vintage 1940s Florsheim Black Suede Cuban Heel Oxfords Shoes size 9 1/2 AAA


Vintage 1980s Helene Arpels Couture Purple Alligator Skin Pumps Shoes Size 8 1/2

So what are you waiting for? Let's go shopping!

Regardless of the era, navy blue with background prints will always be a great alternative to severe black. They're classic without being staid, gloomy or severe. Here are just two examples that are available to you from Born Too Late Vintage



Vintage 1940s Rayon Navy Floral Long and Lean Special Occasion Dress with Original Belt B32 W32 H34



Vintage 1950s Navy Blue, Pink and White Atomic Print Day Dress B40 W34 H60

So come check out what's new at Born Too Late Vintage

For the best in vintage clothes on the go check out Ruby Lane Vintage. Nothing is better than a playsuit to keep you cool and comfortable through the dog days of summer.


Vintage 50s 60s Kahala Hawaiian Playsuit -- Size S - M - L

from Catseye Vintage Estate Collection



NWT Vintage 60s Button Lavender Pinup Sunsuit Playsuit Romper~ VLV

from VINTAGE PRETTIES Lingerie, Clothing & Accessories




Vintage 1950s Kahala Hawaiian Blue Floral Play Suit B32 W26 H34"

from Born Too Late Vintage


So don't forget to check Ruby Lane for all your vintage apparel needs and a whole lot more!

Spring into summer with plus size fashions from Born Too Late Vintage! From day dresses to a special event you can never go wrong with classic vintage. Lessen your carbon imprint and wear vintage! It looks great and you're doing your part for the environment!





1. Vintage 1980s Yellow Shirtwaist Dress Plus Size B40 W36 H48


2. Vintage 1960s Rose Print House Dress Plus Size 22W NOS B48 W48 H52


3. Vintage 1960s Lane Bryant Nautical Dress B42 W44 H48 Plus Size


4. Vintage 1960s Black Lace Plus Size Sheath Dress B48 W48 H52


Come check out what else is new at

Born Too Late Vintage is a family business and what better way to show it than to show you our newest vintage menswear selected by the only male in our family run business.

Mr. Born Too Late's picks include:

1. Vintage 1950s Robert Hall American Sportswear Black, Blue Gray Plaid Jacket Coat Chest 42 W46 H46 Long


2. Vintage 1960s Campus Mens Jacket Chest 42 W40


3. Vintage 1972 Mens USN G-1 Brown Flight Jacket Coat size 42 Chest 40 Shoulders 18


4. Vintage 1980s Sweater Bee by Banf Gray Knit Suede Sweater Jacket Size M Chest 36 W36


5. Vintage 1980s Members Only Red Jacket Size 46 Chest 44 W36-46


6. Vintage 1970s Roebucks Denim & Shearling Work Jacket Coat Size 38 R

Where have all the aprons gone?

For hundreds of years, homemakers have used aprons to keep their clothing clean and carry items when doing chores such as gathering eggs or for collecting kindling wood.

In the 1940s and 1950s the apron took on a new roll as that of a stereotype for the "perfect mother" or grandmother who always wore an apron. Prior to that aprons were more of a functional piece of a woman's wardrobe, meant to keep your dress clean in a time when people did not have the size wardrobes we sport now. As time went on aprons became more fashionable and used as accessories as evidenced by "cocktail aprons" which were worn when entertaining at home. It kept your dressier dress clean but at the same time helped you maintain that image of the stylish homemaker who knew how to throw a great party and still look wonderful doing it.

Homemakers were not the only ones that used aprons. School teachers, children, shop-keepers, and secretaries wore different styles of aprons over their clothing every day. In the 1920's and '30's aprons followed the silhouette of the dress - long, with no waist line. By the 1940's, aprons gained a cinched waistline, and were often gaily trimmed with rick-rack, buttons, and pockets of contrasting color. Many aprons were made from feed cloth. Feed cloth was a heavier fabric and was used as a sack to put seed or four in that farmers used. There was no wasting back then.

The 1950's brought out the half-aprons of highly starched cotton and sheer fabric trimmed with lace for special occasions. Also two-piece aprons and short smocks of bright cotton prints for every day use were popular. At one point, Aprons were a serious fashion element, not just a way to keep the dress underneath clean.

So today for your viewing pleasure we have these aprons available at Born Too Late Vintage. Whether you're looking to make a fashion statement or just enjoy some baking or cooking while keeping that great vintage dress underneath clean we have what you're looking for.


Vintage 1950s NWT Paisley Fruit of the Loom Full Apron Plus Size



Vintage 1950s Sheer Sexy Black Apron w Roses



Vintage 1950s Sheer Sexy Yellow Apron w Red Roses


Don't forget to check out Born Too Late Vintage for more new items every week.

I love the styles of yesteryear's bathing suits. I recall with great memories a bathing suit my Mom gave to me that had been hers. It was a corset style suit with a little bit of skirt over the built in panties and made my tiny waist look even smaller and my small bust line look a bit larger. I wore that suit in the hot Phoenix sun for two summers until it fell apart. Had I known then what I know today I'd still have that suit in my collection and I would have worn something more practical for every day. Ah the mistakes of youth.

Bathing suits have been around since the Greeks. Actually the bikini is very similar to early Greek bathing suits. How we got from those minimalist suits from Ancient Greece to the cover it all up wool suits of the 1890s I'll never know.

As time passed, suits got a bit briefer like in the 1920s and 1930s. The bathing suits were a bit briefer for men than woman (surprise surprise) such as the ones seen here which are available from Born Too Late Vintage on Ruby Lane:


Vintage 1930s Welgrume Duckies Swim Trunks W30 H32


Vintage 1930s Wool Worsted Wool Mans Full Bathing Suit Swim Suit Chest 36 W36 H36


Once the 1940s hit swimsuits really started to cling to womens curves such as those in the pictures of Betty Grable in her pin-up bathing suit or Esther Williams in her swimming movies all dolled up and looking great.

Bathings suits give a woman or for that matter a man a way to show what they're made of. Suits of the 1940s and 1950s had modesty panels across the hip area in lots of women's swimsuits.
Two piece suits were available and of course American Sportswear designer, Claire McCardell, designed some spectacular swimwear.


Vintage 60s Red, White & Blue Modest Bathing Suit Swim Suit B34 W32 H38 B cup Size 14T



Sale Vintage 1960s Roxanne Spider Mum Bathing Suit Swim Suit D cup B38 W32 H36

However, none were near as brief as the bikinis of the late 1960s to the present. And of course there was the famous monokini designed by Rudi Gernreich in 1964 that let almost all of it hang out. Bathing suits after the 1960s still included the ever popular tank suit for those serious swimmers and for those more interested in being seen or tanning, all types of bikinis such as string bikinis, etc. were available as well.

Now that I'm the parent of two young girls bathing suit decisions are looming ahead for this summer. At this point, however, my girls are young enough that they're not very interested in letting as much show as possible but that day will come soon enough. For now, my husband and I have another summer to be able to dodge that bullet!

So Sunday I turn 50. How the heck did that happen? Well I guess it happened just like it happens for everyone else. Once you get out of school life accelerates and before you know it chunks of time have blown by.


I've had my share of ups and downs like everyone. I got married at 20 and was widowed at 21. I married again at 25 and am blessed to still be married to a man that shares my values, cherishes me, is a great father to our daughters and makes me laugh.

















I've been blessed with two daughters who have showed me how there is actually hope for the future. They've also showed me that parenting is hard work, but so very worth every effort you put into it (and yes, they have their Daddy's sense of humor!) .















I have a sister and two brothers and we actually get along (most of the time!) and I'm very fortunate to have a grandmother still living as well as well as a plethora of uncles, aunts and cousins.


Sadly my parents have been gone, Dad almost 8 years and mom almost 6. There isn't a day that goes by that I don't think of them and thank them for giving me a loving home to live in. They set such a great example for me and I only hope I can live up to their standards. I try to every day. Some days are better than others on that front.




















So here's to another however many years I'm meant to be here. As Sinatra sings, the best is yet to come and I am so looking forward to it!

Whether you're re-enacting, attending a special occasion or just living your everyday life, nothing sets off an outfit like great accessories. So here are just a few of the great accessories waiting for you at Specialist Auctions Vintage















1. Rupert and Toby ANTIQUE LATE VICTORIAN VELVET RIBBON & FEATHER BONNET

2. Wyoming Vintage Vintage 1950s 50s Off White Lucious Leather Short Gloves 6.5

3. Collectablesnet Victorian Antique Czech Crocheted Reticule Purse Beaded Bag Draw String Closure


4. The Merchants of Vintage Vintage 60s Large MOD Vinyl Woven LOG Handbag Purse by Dobbie Bags


5. Born Too Late Vintage Vintage 1960s Sexy Mr. John Black & White Lampshade Hat

6. Vintage Vineyard Vintage AUTHENTIC Herme`s Scarf Ludovicus Magus Teal Blue


So come check out Specialist Auctions Vintage

Spring is in the air and what better way to greet it than to make some new stylish vintage clothing! So Born Too Late Vintage Patterns is blowing out all their patterns at $5 or less.

Just haggle all patterns priced higher than $5 and they are yours! We specialize in plus size vintage patterns but we also have other sizes and modern patterns as well. Here are just a few of the patterns waiting for your pleasure:


Vintage 1950s Marian Martin Pattern 9142 VLV Jumper & Blouse size 20 B38



Vintage 1968 Simplicity Pattern 7722 Dress Size 12 B34 W25 1/2 H36



Vintage 1940s Newspaper Pattern 2632 Dress size 18 B36

We have lots more to offer so make sure to check out Born Too Late Vintage Patterns!