A couple of years ago I did a fairly snarky post about clothing from the 1980's - and it has turned out to be one of my most visited posts on the blog. I haven't tooled around eBay looking at 80's clothes lately, so I figured it might be time to re-visit the subject and see what the sellers have going on now.
By the way, in the comments of my last post, several people stepped up to defend the sellers I featured. It was not my intention to make fun of the sellers - they are obviously doing a great job marketing to a demographic that loves what they sell. That being said, the clothes are still hilarious, and I defend my right to make fun of them :)
Nothing says class like a sequined Leopard shirt dress. Is it just me or is this more suitable for Tuesday night at the Bingo hall than a night out on the town? Click the link under the photo to check out the listing - I can't believe what it is already going for, with 7 days left on the auction!
Jumpsuits - how did any of these manage to survive? I would think if I was cleaning out my closet, the jumpsuits would have been the first thing to go. Right in the trash... *shudder* Of course it has a bid - it must be that awesome abstract neon print...
I was at a pretty picked over estate sale a couple of weeks ago - you know what I mean, lots of junk left but nothing to get excited over - and I was almost ready to leave. I popped into the garage, and there under a table were a few of those cardboard magazine holders - I thought now HERE is something that could be good - and oh was I right!
Over 40 vintage 70's and 80's Vogue pattern catalogs - more like fashion magazines than catalogs really. I've been working on getting them listed for about a week now, I have about a dozen left to do, hopefully tonight...
They are loaded with photo spreads and features by designers - one issue has Diane Von Furstenberg on the cover - and there a few models that I recognize, including of course everyone's favorite 70's fashion plate, Christie Brinkley!
I wish I had time to scan more of the pages - but if I scanned all the good pages I would never get them listed! So I have just scanned the covers and a couple pages on each. I'll post the pages here (click on the image to see it full size) - if you want to check out the listings, just click on over!
I'm not much of a fashionista, but even I know that these are a rare score, and a must have for any vintage clothing geek! I'll post the rest of the pages I scan in in the next day or two... stay tuned :)
I've been meaning to do this post for a while now. Full disclosure - I was born in 1975, so the fact that stuff from the 80's is now considered vintage is still a little surreal to me. The return of 80's clothing isn't just surreal to me though, it's actually quite disturbing... Especially the prices some things go for! I can't help but occasionally amuse myself by looking at eBay auctions, and rolling my eyes.
The highest prices are achieved by sellers who specialize in clothing and have live models that they "style" - hair, makeup, accessories, the whole bit. If I tried to buy some ugly 80's dress off the thrift store rack, throw it up on Boobs McGee, my torso mannequin, and list it next to my dinnerware - well, if it even sold at all, I'm sure it wouldn't sell for much.
So let's take a peek at some of the things that are currently at auction right now, with ridiculously high bids that are bound to go even higher... Be sure to click the images to enlarge, so you can see them in all their crazy glory!
80's Skinny Black Leather High Waisted Pants - Here you see a typical model - super skinny, in heels and oversized glasses. These pants are currently at $90 with 15 bids and 4 days to go. They are being offered by eBay seller Thriftwares, who seems to be a major player in the space.
While nothing screams 1980's like a pair of leather pants, don't these look, well, painful?
80's Metallic Puff Sleeve Blouse - This model is sporting oversized sunglasses instead of regular glasses, and the "I'm so cool I'm bored, and I don't even remember how to smile" look that is apparently a requirement to be a model.
This shirt, which doesn't have a single redeeming quality that I can see, is at $83 with 17 bids and a day or so to go. It is being offered by eBay seller Laced With Romance, who has some of the creepiest photos I've ever seen in their auctions and on the front page of their store. Seriously.
80's Leather Zippered Mini Dress - Where do I start? With the pose I guess, which is apparently all the rage - hands on hips, shoulders rolled forward like you have scoliosis, knees turned in... to me it's got to be the single most unattractive way to stand ever created! Sorry, I just don't get it - a fashionista I am not, apparently!
The dress of course is scandalously short, but shaped like a sack. Seems a little contradictory. The sleeves are interesting though, they definitely give this it's 80's vibe. The high bid is currently $78 with 11 bids and 4 days to go. It is being offered by eBay seller Indie Cult Vintage, who appears to be raking it in, with almost 5,000 feedbacks.
80's Oscar De La Renta Polka Dot Summer Dress - Whoever styled this model forgot to give her her her oversized glasses, but they did remind her to turn her arm out so her tattoo would show, which is a big plus when you are trying to give "edge" to a dress like this one.
By the way - ruffle socks, worn with heels = 80's nightmare.
This lovely is currently at $56 with 11 bids and a day to go. It is being offered by eBay seller Lullie Vintage, who's tagline is "Because You're Not Cut From The Same Cloth". Clever, and if you would wear this outfit, definitely true!!
80's Long Sleeve Shorts Jumpsuit - I hate to feature the same seller, Lullie Vintage, twice, but how could I not highlight this getup? The hat, the glasses, the bizarre (and oh-so-80's) belt, the slouch boots (over thigh high socks?), and of course the jumpsuit itself... I think my eyes are going to roll right out of my head.
Currently at $51 with 3 bids and 7 days to go. I've got it on my watch list, I have to see this final price!
Ok, that's all I can handle for one day... I think I'll have to do a part two of this post closer to prom time - if I remember correctly, eBay was flooded with the ugliest 80's sequined/ruffled prom dresses ever made, and they were selling like hotcakes...
