This is my mom. She loves clothes and jewelry and makeup and getting her hair done, and going out to eat. You know… she’s a normal person, I suppose. How she ended up with me for a daughter is a mystery to us both. 😉
Yada yada yada, The Girl and I popped by to visit my parents last week and let’s just say we were in for a BIG treat. My mother knew about my upcoming neighborhood yard sale, and had been busy cleaning out her closet so we could {hopefully} sell her castoffs. Most of the clothing items she gave me have only been worn a few times {if that}.
I’m really excited to see who ends up buying her sheer leopard print top with sequins… I’m hoping it’s a 70 year old lady. Because clearly, this 44 year old can’t pull it off. Maybe if I had the proper pants and my hair and make up was done {HA!} then the top would work on me. But I don’t like sheer fabric, or leopard print or sequins. I like cotton. Preferably cotton tops that cover me completely. I’m weird like that. Also, I think you get a bigger bag for your buck when you buy clothing with I don’t know… sleeves?
So this is all my mom had set out for us to bring to the yard sale. 23 pieces {I swung with 4 cotton turtlenecks}. I told her she could do better. And that maybe while The Girl and I were there it would be a good time to really go through her closet and get rid of some of the outfits she’s been hanging onto since the 80’s. “But they are classics!” My mom cried. “Classics!’
Like this beauty. I’m going to go out on a limb here and say this look is never going to come back in style. I mean maybe if there is a remake of the Love Boat and gold cords with velvet trim come back.
But I highly doubt it.
Now this relic from The Sahara Hotel in Las Vegas circa 1978 {!!!} is a keeper. I should have taken a close up picture of the starburst rhinestones… you would have been impressed.
The Girl and I both tried this one on and loved it.
Darrrrrrling.
If it weren’t for the shoulder pads I think this could still be warn today. At the Ritz Carlton. It’s kind of a classic don’t you think?
I call this combo; Daughter who loves Prince music meets executive mom with some badly chosen open toed shoes.
They don’t make sleeves like that anymore! And that curl at the neck. It’s like totally RAD man.
More dress suits. Do women still wear these? And can I just ask this one question: Why do women wear high heels? They hurt! And they are hard to walk in.
A classic Travel and Leisure pantsuit meets a very itchy polyester damask print 90’s skirt set. Sonny and Crockett would be impressed.
So what do you think? Is it time for my mother to part with these beauties? She knows she’s never going to wear any of them again. {Yet she’s still hanging on to them!} Do you think if we put them on eBay someone in the movie industry would buy these gems?
Is YOUR mom hiding stuff like this in her closet too?
Curious minds want to know.
~Mavis
Barbara says
Hi Mavis, I loved the classic fashion show!! I agree, these beauties are more for movie sets these days!! I would try to sell them on EBay rather than a garage sale. Really enjoyed you sharing this fun adventure!!
PS says
I know this is isn’t what you usually sell on etsy, but I think you’d have better luck selling them there. They’re in fantastic condition and some will definitely want them.
Sheri says
I was just about to say that too Etsy or Ebay If she has any high waist MOM jeans they are hot right now too
Cat says
eBay or etsy these beauties!!!! I imagine a movie studio would love them too! They are too precious for just a garage sale.
Katie P NC says
I’m sure there are a TON of vintage shops and buyers in Washington that would kill to have some of these outfits. I kinda love the blue jacket for the Avant Garde-ness of it all. I think you’d be surprised at the interest in these, they are waaaaaay too nice to be garage sale fare.
Tiffany says
THese would be perfect for Halloween! I totally think they are better sold through ebay or craigslist in about two months and not right now at a garage sale. AMAZING modeling
Lee says
My mother held onto clothing for decades. As she has progressed in the Buddhist tradition, however, she has gradually let things go. She held on to a lot after her parents died, but it is good to see her moving away from hanging on to so much.
paula says
I loved this story. How cute! I agree about selling on ebay.
Laura A says
Thanks for the laugh, I really needed it! My mother recently passed away and I’ve been sadly going through her closet to box up and donate everything. I haven’t found anything this funny so thanks for showing it.
Rita says
I think you all look fabulous in the outfits. Love that they all fit you all. You are all beautiful!
Tracy T says
TOOO MUCH FUN! Love this post! Keep the black halter, starburst rhinestone jumpsuit. It is awesome. All you will need is a ‘Fro’ wig and you are set to step back to the 1970’s.
FarmGirl says
I agree with Tracy T. Keep that black halter!! Could you replace the rhinestones with simple buttons?
linda says
I also liked you in the red outfit and blue suit. You should keep the halter top. Rest send to vintage on line. My mom at 88 is pretty up today- probably more than me. Linda
Tami Lewis says
Loved it! And great to see the Girl and your mom!
Angela D. says
Yes! A big thanks to your mom and daughter for their special appearance! It looks like you spent some real quality time together–thanks for sharing!
andrea d says
How fun! Though most of those styles have certainly seen their day, I have to say, in the last two pictures your daughter looks really cute! She could totally pull off that black dress suit and the leisure pantsuit. 🙂
E in Upstate NY says
Like some of your other commenters, I had to go through my mother’s clothes when she died. She too kept certain outfits, as they held special memories for her. Discovered a company that purchases old clothes [pre polyester]. Not to make into current styles, but to rent to the movie business! My mom’s clothes filled the back end and the car trunk, They purchased almost all that I brought, including some of her jewelry [all costume]. Didn’t get much, that wasn’t the point in my mind. I liked that I may see her clothing in crowd scenes in period movies. And I didn’t like the thought that someone would buy one of her outfits and cut it up to make something else. What I ended bringing home, was able to donate to a local theater group. Also fine with me.
Nancy D says
Fun!!!! Your daughter reminds me of the leading lady in the Remington Steele series with those outfits!! What an awesome time you must have had with lots of laughter!!!! I rented a motorized scooter for my mom that day and took her to the park and we had a wonderful time giggling as she honed her driving skills!! Sunshine, kids, dogs, and the beautiful outdoors. Isn’t it amazing that simple things like trying on clothes or a stop at a park can be so much fun?
Conni says
I agree that your mom may be holding on to some if the things because of the memory of when she wore it. We recently downsized from a BIG house to a tiny house (same property…allowing our ‘kids’ and their larger families to live in TBH.) As we needed to quickly vacate 45years worth of (minimal) stuff, I realized how many memories were attached. Once I started telling myself that the memory could stay in my brain, it was easy to let the things go. If she needs to, have her take a picture (but maybe she already has a picture from the event she wore the outfit!)
Lynne says
Another option is a vintage consignment store. Pittsburgh has at least two so Seattle has to have a few as well. Ours are in the neighborhoods where the cool college kids hang out.
Sharon says
What are the names of them would love to connect time I’m there.
Erin says
Oh my gosh! Do you remember the Robert Palmer video for “Irresistible”? Your daughter in that black dress with the shades and black heels looks just like those models in the video! All she needs is the red lipstick!
Erin says
Oops, I was wrong. It was “Addicted to love”, and they didn’t have shades. Still . . .
marcia says
I really enjoyed this!
Sandy says
This is the best! Love them. Wonderful ideas and don’t junk them, PLEASE!
My grandma had a closet where all the cast off fancy dress stuff went from various family through decades. Including her wedding dress from 1929. Was a great dress up place for all of us and later on, I was able to get 2 formals to wear to prom (original, for sure, and I modified any style snafus with accessories.)
Deborah says
I sell vintage and costume clothing on ebay. You should try selling your mom’s stuff on etsy or ebay or at a vintage boutique. Unless the right people come to the yard sale, you’ll just end up donating it somewhere.
I have to say that you look amazing in that black halter jumpsuit, you have to keep that, it is classic, even with the buttons.
I think you have the look of Audrey Hepburn, and simple clothing that fits well makes you look really elegant.
Sorry, I’m not a fan of the tee and jeans uniform. It is nice when you occasionally post pics wearing something else.
Sandy says
I agree. I LOVE that black halter. I’d rock that now. OK, not with the rhinestone buttons, but still! I’d wear it out.
Ann says
Love your mom’s Dynasty vibe! Her clothes are waaaay too nice for a garage sale. Lots of good suggestions here for alternative destinations. Thanks for the fashion show, and good luck.
Sharon@MLT says
I agree that the black jumpsuit is gorgeous . Beautiful 70s silhouette. I’d wear it tomorrow.
Meredydd C says
Wow! That brings back memories!. We had closets full of clothing from the ’40’s and ’50’s in our basement and in one other room. Most of it was from the days when every woman owned a fancy cocktail dress for going out – no denim at the opera, if you please! Additionally, we had old fur coats from my grandmother who was au courant when it came to fashion. Most of it was held because it too was “classic” How tragic when, after my grandmother passed, we went to clean out the storage and most of the beading and netting was dry and crumbling. Lesson learned – far better to put these outfits back in play and have someone else get the joy of them rather than have them moulder in the dark. Good on you all!
Ann GG says
This was awesome! Thanks for the chuckle. I love your sense of humor.
Becka says
A few years ago my pastor and his wife helped a man in his eighties go through his deceased wife’s clothing. The most surprising thing they discovered were her maternity clothes.
KCB says
I agree with some of the other commenters. I think those clothes would be better sold to a vintage clothing store. I bet Seattle & Bellevue have some high end vintage clothing stores. Or Etsy or maybe ebay. There is a big market for that type of vintage clothing.
Angela says
I’m impressed by how nice all her clothes are from so long ago! I have to wonder if your parents have moved many times since those clothes were purchased – I’ve found that having to pack and then move and then unpack my things is a great way to decide what isn’t worth moving.
Blair says
Love those outfits and would hang on to them too. Agree with other comments on the disco jumpsuit. I can totally see a market for them. I also love the white top mom is holding, if I lived closer I would totally buy it!
Trish says
Oh my gosh this was so funny, I was laughing out loud at work!
love the prince one and open toed shoes!
Rhonda says
Absolutely loved this! My Mother has a closet with the same kind of outfits! Thankfully, she has been doing some cleaning out.
gina says
Just got back from vaca and had to get my Mavis fill and OMG, LOL! I was literally rolling laughing over that Prince get up your daughter had on! Priceless. Yeah, I agree with everyone else about donating these gems to the movie industry or a school theater or something like that. Those shoulder pads…..
Helen in Meridian says
Where is Crystal and the Dynasty babes with the big big shoulder pads when you need them. You two must have laughed and laughed all the way home,….out of mom’s ear shots.We all had some of the Dynasty look and shoulder pads then.