dressupgirl

Glittering, retro-styled, knit set for night. Middy-length top has wispy cap sleeves, wraps closed (3 snaps protect your modesty), and ties at the side. The wide-legged palazzo pants are close-fitting through the hips and show off a pretty braid "belt" at the waist. Back zips shut. Scanty, silvery and sheer - perfect. size : small price : $135

Polka dots and ruffles! Sheer, tomato-red & white shirt with removable ascot, string bow and ruffled neck. size : extra large price : $32

Milky-blue, sheer muslin shirtdress by couture house Lanvin. Pattern of miniature wildflowers in muted pinks, browns, and navy. Flowing dress is gathered at the wrists and waist. Billowing sleeves. Styled with a touch of French Colonialism… quilted shoulder, breast pockets and military neck. size : large price : $360

Play Eastern gypsy princess. Elements of royal garb & hippy bohemianism. Sweeping dress is made of six richly-printed fabrics --- predominantly a tissue-weight, dark-rose, floral gauze, over-printed in starburst medallions of green-gold. The yoke is quilted satin, trimmed with darker floral strips and lined in cream floral gauze. Lower ruffle kicks up an over-printed border textile. All the fabrics are beautifully-matched, intricate prints. Construction details include: a double-tiered, flowing tent skirt, to the toes, puffy drips of sleeves, mid-bust waistline, and a round of quilted satin collar. Neck closes with cording & metal balls. Possibly of Indian origin. size : lg/ extra lg price : $240

Lustrous, nylon half-slip with see-through lace cut-out. Chantilly lace is decorated with fancy fans and florals --- and backed in white chiffon. Black diamonds accent the hem. Lace decorates front --- the back is all black nylon, with oversewn, diamond-shaped hem. Eveningwear-styled undies! size : med/lg price : $42

Frothy, transparent, bias-cut gown. Lemon-yellow organdy. Three hand-formed flowers, with white tassel centers, trim trapazoid-shaped neck. Sleeveless. A half-ruffle drapes vertically over shoulders --- another ruffle rounds neckline. Raw edges are scallop-finished. Skirt falls straight to the knee, then flounces out. Predominantly-hand-sewn. No zippers or buttons. French seams. And --- you're ready to dance with Fred Astaire. size : med/lg price : $235

Black & flesh-toned push-up bra, a "Secret Fulfillment" by Lilyette. Contoured cups of black Ban-lon lace and pale-colored net. Underwire. Boned sides. Sheer net back. Pointed side wings. Satin ribbon straps with black-metal hardware. Cups have inner pockets to hold puffy-thick, foam rubber "falsies" -- the original falsies are included. Built to push the entire breast up. The outer lace cups are open at top --- creating crescent pockets for hiding bills, pills or cigarettes. With a tiny magenta & rose-pink ribbon nestled between the cups. size : 34/35 A price : $28

Transparent, feather-weight, gold leaf-print dress, courtesy Jim Tillett of St. Thomas, Virgin Islands. (Jim Tillett was a silk screen artist with a famous St. Thomas boutique in the 60s-70s.) Glistening strands of golden tinsel weave in diagonals through the sand-toned fabric. Construction is simple & appropriately body-conscious for a beach goddess : a simple elasticized tube top, elastic cinched waist, and a flaring a-line skirt falling to the toes. A sexy-as-hell souvenir from the Islands. size : medium price : $110

Poke him in the eyes. Burlesque-influenced, structured, illusion lace bra gives you the 60's silhouette in all the right ways. Sheer lace is edged in glossy satin lines. Tulle-backed. With contrast cut-outs & enameled metal hardware. Seriously alluring. size : 36A price : $42

For those who like their glam a little dirty… a mid-century lace nighty with a transparent top. Noir it out. Sleek black nylon. Wide lace-ruffled straps. Big florals in the lace. Empress waistline. Dart-tailored. The lace illusion bodice has white chiffon backing. Sheer-sheer through the bust. Opaque from waist to toes. Rated red-hot. size : lg/ extra lg price : $125