MARANT MAVENS ON THE MOVE

Who doesn't love Isabel Marant? Model-chic-in-her-skinnies, Marant has slowly and steadily built a name for herself over the past twenty years. And those trials and tribulations have paid off. After all, Marant, no longer just the queen of Franco fashion, is the reigning go-to for cool clothes hanging in the closets of uptown and downtown girls alike, no matter which urban jungle you call home.

And while Marant's wares may be in heavy rotation for each and every modern girl, her clothes owe vintage designers a big debt. She's clearly studied the greats and taken notes. From Mugler to Muir, you can see vintage details in each and every collection, be they in tone or trend. Even those beloved scrunchy boots that secured Marant's position as the guru of slouchy style reminisce of 70s disco-era foot candy.

So, for today's Through the Decades section on our website, I pulled a few Isabel Marant pieces and paired them with vintage pieces that have a similar vibe. From ruby paisley prints to stretchy draped dresses to from Studio 54 desert palettes to military flair, these pieces are musts for Marant girls. Personally, I've got my eye on the best ever Thierry Mugler jumpsuit known to man. But, that's just me.

Want to check 'em out? Just click HERE m'dear.

--Lizzy

Isabel Marant ruby paisley draped tunic dress / Vintage Yves Saint Laurent ruby paisley button-front blouse

Isabel Marant black textured draped dress / Vintage Commes des Garcons black textured draped dress

Isabel Marant military cinched vest / Thierry Mugler military cinched dress

SOMEWHERE IT'S COLD OUTSIDE

Today I am wearing yellow Jil Sander jeans and a grey V Neck tee-shirt. It is the third day of January. It is nearly 80 degress in Los Angeles. This is winter the LA-way. To our friends in Moscow, we have something to keep you toasty under your Bargouzine in 27 degree weather. This Jean Muir grey flannel dress with rust contrast stiching and pleated front panel has full sleeves reminescent of a Russian peasant blouse. The hidden pockets are perfect to warm your Perrin Paris-gloved hands and throw on some Wolford tights and a pair of boots and close your eyes and you just might be able to pretend you are under the LA-sun or at least you will be that warm thanks to this Jean Muir dress that's strong enough for a Moscow winter or an evening stroll in Montecito.
-Cameron

Jean Muir grey flannel dress with rust stitching, 1974. Marked size UK 10, modern 4 to 6

For additional information, please email blog@decadesinc.com or call + 1 323 655-1960. You may also visit us in person at Decades 8214 1/2 Melrose Avenue (2nd Floor) at Harper Avenue in Los Angeles, California. Please reference the description above, if calling or emailing. For email requests, kindly include your full name and phone number plus City, State, and Country from which you are contacting, so may offer you a high level of personal service.

JUST RIGHT

This will be my last blog post for 2011. I am not going out with a bang, but I am also not going out with a whimper. Rather, I thought I would share with you something that is JUST RIGHT. Jean Muir always made clothes that were just right. They weren't "all right" as they were much more effective and ultimately essential for a woman's wardrobe. Her signature raised seams, trapunto stitching, effortless-like shapes made mundane daywear extra fashionable and appropriate without looking like a victim. A perfect example is this tomato crepe dress. A fabulous variation of a shirtmaker that is anything but boring or basic. Notice the details across the collar, the tie around the neck, the bracelet sleeve, the slight-pucker to the shoulder, and the architectural horizon back. It is easy to see why Jean Muir became such an essential wardrobe staple for so many decades and for so many women. Her business outlasted many of her contemporaries who also began in the 1960s and her clothes are continuing referenced by so many designers today.

As I prepare to fly to NYC this morning to ring in the New Year, I remind you of one of my fashion mantras: nothing boring, nothing basic, and make black not look black by the way you accessorize. Jean Muir understood this and it's a great resolution to follow this advice. If you get confused, just wear vintage Muir. That's the beauty of timeless vintage: as the clock strikes midnight on the 1st of January, your vintage collectible is only more desirable as it gets another year older.

Wishing you a perfectly marvelous 2012 that isn't boring, basic, or black.
-Cameron

Jean Muir tomato crepe day dress, c. 1975. Modern 4 to 6 SOLD

For additional information, please email blog@decadesinc.com or call + 1 323 655-1960. You may also visit us in person at Decades 8214 1/2 Melrose Avenue (2nd Floor) at Harper Avenue in Los Angeles, California. Please reference the description above, if calling or emailing. For email requests, kindly include your full name and phone number plus City, State, and Country from which you are contacting, so may offer you a high level of personal service.

THIS WOULD LOOK GREAT ON A GORGEOUS GIRL

Tomorrow is a BIG day in Decades history and my history. Not only is it my birthday (yikes) but it also was 14 years ago on 19 May that I received the keys to 8214 Melrose Avenue and a store was born! I have fond memories of vintage shopping with my mom in the mid-to-late 90s and she always would say of a a dress "this would look great on a gorgeous girl." My response was always: "everything looks great on a gorgeous girl." Take for example this perfect-for-spring Jean Muir silk chiffon floral print dress. The overlay cape blouse covers a solid blue silk tank dress which has a modified gathered drop waist skirt. The overlay blouse hits exactly where the printed skirt connects to the solid blue silk tank so just a hint of the ink silk is revealed with the flair of your arms. Now this is a dress that go two ways: super sexy or super matronly. When worn by the right tall glass of water, this is a pretty magical summer chiffon dress that borrows from 1930s garden dresses but is updated for a 70s Bohemian in the 21st century. When worn by a Mother of the Bride, well it is just that. But plenty of Mother of the Brides could wear this dress and be a tall glass of water! Those are the women that inspire me.
-Cameron



Jean Muir silk chiffon floral "tea dress", c. 1970s. Modern 4 to 6
For additional information, please email blog@decadesinc.com or call + 1 323 655-0223. You may also visit us in person at Decades 8214 1/2 Melrose Avenue (2nd Floor) at Harper Avenue in Los Angeles, California. Please reference the description above, if calling or emailing. For email requests, kindly include your full name and phone number plus City, State, and Country from which you are contacting.

TROPICAL JEAN MUIR

Most of our clients seem to be on civilized vacations at this time of the year. Not Team DECADES! For those in Aspen, you probably can't use this vintage Jean Muir ensemble. Stick with the fur trimmed nylon parkas and snow boots. However, for those resting on Harbor Island, we think this is perfect for the tropical weather. This two piece ensemble features a scoop neck suede tank with a ruffle bib and peplum waist printed with alternative blue, pink, and green stars and flowers. The coordinating elastic waist jersey skirt has the same print and is shaped a bit like a tulip with extra fabric that falls and gathers around the hips...yet refrains from adding bulk, but rather gives it a luxe harem-vibe. The top would work on its own with a pair of jeans and the skirt would look terrific with a white tank top and flip flops over a bikini bottom.

Jean Muir printed ensemble of suede peplum top and elastic waist skirt of black jersey, c. 1970s. Marked size 8, modern size 4 to small 6 SOLD

For additional information, please email blog@decadesinc.com or call + 1 323 655-0223. You may also visit us in person at Decades 8214 1/2 Melrose Avenue (2nd Floor) at Harper Avenue in Los Angeles, California. Please reference the description above, if calling or emailing. For email requests, kindly include your full name and phone number plus City, State, and Country from which you are contacting.

DAY AFTER DAY AFTER DAY AFTER DAY

Jean Muir was one of the great designers of day wear. She always managed to provide fashionable women with sophisticated options that worked well in the daytime and easily transitioned into evening, plus had a "of-the-moment" sensibility with a little street-smart-chic. Muir is a reminder that so many female designers of the 20th Century particularly excelled in day wear: Coco Chanel, Claire McCardell, Bonnie Cashin, and Donna Karan. Whereas many male designers have often triumphed at fantasy concoctions, the female designers above have an oeuvre that is heavy on day wear.

We are going through a large collection of early 70s Jean Muir and our first piece to post is a red suede key hole A-line dress with signature raised seams and a full sleeve that narrows femininely at the wrist. The key hole closes with one of Muir distinctively shaped Bakelite-esque buttons. A dress as easy as this to wear in such a great color is a perfect addition to a closet and fits many a shape on many an occasion.

Jean Muir red suede A-line key hole dress, c. early 1970s. Modern 4 to 6 SOLD

For additional information, please email blog@decadesinc.com or call + 1 323 655-0223. You may also visit us in person at Decades 8214 1/2 Melrose Avenue (2nd Floor) at Harper Avenue in Los Angeles, California. Please reference the description above, if calling or emailing. For email requests, kindly include your full name and phone number plus City, State, and Country from which you are contacting, so may offer you a high level of personal service.

TO MUIR OR NOT TO MUIR?

So many women miss Jean Muir dresses. When the House recently closed, it seemed a gap in the market was revealed: chic jersey dresses that are diplomatic in fit, yet retain sensuality and are ultimately so wearable. The two early 1970s jersey dresses before are here to fill that gap, but one is a Muir and one is an impostor! Both dresses come from the same well-dressed closet, ironically. The purple viscose jersey dress has a clever tie-neck design and features all the classic Muir-isms: contrast stitching, fluid jersey that never looks vulgar, and decorative seaming. The impostor is by Ann Buck, a fellow Brit who makes her dress in rust jersey and adds another Muir-ism, punched suede, into the mix. With a self belt and ornamented cuffs, the dress is very Muir indeed.

Either day dress, the Muir or the Buck, will make the next owner quite happy. Nothing beats a viscose jersey dress for fall. Easy to pack, easy to layer, time-less designs. We think the answer is To Muir and To Not Muir,

Jean Muir purple viscose neck tie day dress, c early 1970s. Marked size 6, modern size 4SOLD

Ann Buck rust viscose with forest green punched suede trim, c early 1970s. Marked size 6, modern size 4 SOLD

For additional information, please email blog@decadesinc.com or call + 1 323 655-0223. You may also visit us in person at Decades 8214 1/2 Melrose Avenue (2nd Floor) at Harper Avenue in Los Angeles, California. Please reference the description above, if calling or emailing. For email requests, kindly include your full name and phone number plus City, State, and Country from which you are contacting.

JEAN MUIR

It is said women were distraught with the news that Jean Muir would cease production and close it's doors. That was April of 2007 and now nearly a year later, we are happy to offer you two great examples of Jean Muir designs from the 1970s.

The first Jean Muir is a incredibly detailed cropped leather jacket with punch-outs, leg of mutton sleeves, traponto stitching, and acrylic geometric buttons. It is a lot of bang for the buck. The second Jean Muir is quintessential Muir: a midnight blue viscose jersey V neck dress with neck ties and contrast top stitching at all seams. The dramatic back features a triangle tier of fabric that looks like an attached cape. We love the drama.



Jean Muir black leather cropped jacket, c 1970s. Marked size 10, modern 4 to 6


Jean Muir midnight jersey V neck dress with tie collar, c 1970s. Marked size 10, contemporary 6 to 8

For additional information, please email blog@decadesinc.com or call (323) 655-0223. Please reference the description above.

REMEMBERING JEAN MUIR

Jean Muir will forever be recognized for her amazing ability to design viscose jersey dresses with signature contrast top stitch into variable shapes and styles. Sadly, she passed away and now the great House of Jean Muir has closed, too. Here is an outstanding example of her design talent from the 1970s. We can't wait to see the next owner bring magic to this Jean Muir design. Notice the two length skirt and unusual sleeves with peekaboo details.
Jean Muir 70s navy with light blue contrast stitch full length viscose jersey dress. Marked UK size 12...will fit a modern 4 - 10 most likely.

FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO PURCHASE EMAIL BLOG@DECADESINC.COM OR PHONE 323 655 0223