Nudeedudee and Pinup Girl Clothing reviews

I've been keeping an eye on e-tailer Nudeedudee for quite a while now. Though most of the designs are '30s and '40s style (not really my cup of tea), I've heard nothing but excellent things about the craftsmanship of the garments, as well as the quality of the fabrics the designer, Kim Stewart, uses. 

As many of you know, I mostly dislike reproduction clothing (and modern clothing, for that matter. Especially modern clothing). Inferior fabrics are the number one thing that will put me off on a garment. Second are the cheesy designs that look like they kinda could have been from back then, but totally weren't. Don't get me started on incorrect cuts and rises! Nudeedudee uses vintage patterns, deadstock fabrics (or reproduction and modern fabrics that aren't cheap and are made right!), and a whole lotta knowledge of what the old stuff was all about!The thing that draws me most to this clothing line is that they are made by hand by talented seamstresses in Los Angeles, California! Handmade in the USA stuff is totally worth all the extra pennies, to me! Plus, the unique factor is what really excites me. I remember when I found the coolest graduation dress when I was in junior high, only to turn up and two other girls were wearing it! That sucked. I see that happening a lot with the bigger repro brands when I'm out at assorted events. I swear that would be my worst nightmare come true (all over again). 

Anyway, I had been lemming this drop-dead-gorgeous '40s-style sarong made out of the most beautiful, vibrant tropical rayon fabric I've ever laid eyes upon. I was even  more amazed to find that it wasn't vintage stock rayon (there IS hope out there)!

I LOVE rayon. Yet, it's one of those things that piss me off. I could wear nothing but rayon, but finding garments made from it that don't cost an arm and a leg OR that don't have a cheesy print (a la middle aged men's vacation-wear) on them is a rarity. So, when I spotted this dress, I jumped at the chance to own it.

The cut of the dress is absolutely to-die-for. It drapes just right and is totally adjustable. My only issue is trying to find the right shoes to go with it (I prefer the stilettos of the late '50s/early 60s than any of the earlier stuff). Maybe I'll finally bust out some of those souvenir wedges I've been hoarding for years!

Kim is churning out some dresses with reissued Alfred Shaheen print fabric... I've already got my eye on one! Yes, I'm plotting my next purchase!

Make sure to check out Nudeedudee on Facebook
...and don't forget out the most important Etsy shop link HERE!

Okay, here are the pics of the dress I've been rambling on about! Get a bucket to catch all of your drool!

Wipe your mouth! 

I am a defective girl in that I don't own two huge closets full of clothing and 250 pairs of shoes. That is because I am SO picky about the things I wear. I constantly moan about my shortage of bottoms... namely capris/pedal pushers and cigarette pants. Why? BECAUSE IT IS SO HARD TO FIND GOOD ONES. I stopped buying the vintage bottoms (online, at least) years ago. I fell victim to the "old clothes at weekenders" one too many times and wasn't keen on having to slyly exit out of a crowded room because my pants had split up the cheek and my panties were exposed. I want a certain style, but something that isn't going to fall apart on me. 

There are a few things I look for when looking for bottoms:

•  Rise -- I will not wear anything with a low-rise. 13 is pushing it. I like a 14" rise a whole lot, but a 15" rise will make me squeal!
• Side or back zip - People always refer to anything with a high rise as being a "mom" jean or pant. It only looks that way, to me, if it zips in the front. Aside from regular ol' Levis, anything with a front zip looks so 'blah' and unflattering. 
• Leg width - I like slim-fitting trousers. Nothing worse than a capri pant with wide legs... and of course, cigarette pants were made to be slim-fitting. 
• Pockets - if they're not jeans, I don't want back pockets. 
• Belt loops - I prefer my pants without, especially when it comes to repro garments. I dislike it even more if the garment comes with a belt. 
• Rhinestones or other added "bling" - I wouldn't be caught dead. Embroidery falls in the same category.
• Ankle - I like a little slit at the ankle, but can live without it.

That really narrows things down, doesn't it?

I had been scouring the internet looking for a nice pair of pants because I really didn't have anything. Ms. Picky was having the hardest time finding anything. Then I came across the black Deadly Dames Cigarette Pants over at Pinup Girl Clothing.

I must admit, I was skeptical of purchasing the Deadly Dames Cigarette Pants because of one thing: STRETCH. Yes, the dreaded "S" word. The 3% spandex contained in the 97% cotton scared me. I loved the way the pants were cut. They zipped in the back! Darts where darts should be!  No cheesy belts or pockets or other add-ons. Micheline's ass looked phenomenal in them. Why didn't I just take the plunge?

In the past when I have purchased cotton sateen garments that had a stretch, they always looked splendidly craptacular once I washed them. They'd lose their sheen and it would be so hard to iron out the wrinkles. It's like they would suddenly turn to seersucker without the cheesy plaid motifs. 

Also, I have a 12" difference between my hip measurement and my waist measurement. It is SO hard to find pants that don't fit all funky in the waist because of this. The site wasn't specific on rise or anything like that. It was this two week battle over "Yes! Order them!" and "But what if you don't like them?" I never trust the size charts. I have always been so let down.

Anyway, I finally grew a pair and bought the pants (I guess a coupon code was the main motivator). Why the hell did I put up such a fuss?! Besides, it's not like I couldn't return them. I baffle myself sometimes.

These go on and fit like all the vintage pairs I've ever owned. They fit perfect everywhere! I didn't have that stupid gap in the waist that one will get with most modern pants due to the waist and hips having nearly the same measurement.

The cut of the pants makes my ass look AMAZING. 
The stretch wasn't bad, either. Just the right amount! One thing I always disliked about some vintage bottoms is how you'll get a pair and they look SO amazing on, but it's difficult to sit down comfortably... or stoop down, or do anything but stand there. You can do all of those things in them. You can even do a cartwheel (yes, I tried).

Their cotton sateen is of superior grade. I've washed mine several times and they don't look dull, puckered or misshapen. The care instructions say to dry flat, but I've had to dry mine as to shrink them a bit because I like them TIGHT. Even though I'm going against the 'rules', they still look good, like the day I got them.

I do plan on ordering additional pairs... in black! I'm really thinking about getting the tiger print pair, as well.

The Deadly Dames Cigarette Pants get two thumbs up from me. You need a pair, right now.

Lookit that ass! Yes, yours can look that good!