Pink and Proud

The statistics are alarming.  It is estimated that 192,370 women will be diagnosed with and 40, 170 women will die of breast cancer in 2009 alone.  Aside from non-melanoma skin cancer, breast cancer is the most common form of cancer in women. The chances are good that breast cancer will touch you, or someone you know. Statistics alone prove that.

Age is a woman’s single most important risk factor for developing breast cancer. Statistics show a woman living in the United States has a 12.5 percent, or one in eight chance of developing breast cancer in her lifetime. Early detection along with prompt treatment is key.  Breast cancer, if detected early, has a five year survival rate exceeding 95 percent.

There are signs everywhere that Breast Cancer Awareness Month is upon us. Rainbows of pink fill the streets in the form of pins, hats, and shirts. Commemorative events and walks are out in full force to remind us all why October is so important. While the seed has been planted, the ultimate goal of course is to emphasize the importance of breast cancer research, early detection, education, and commemoration of those touched for not only 30 days, but for 365.

We have compiled a list of vintage pieces that are Pink and Proud. We hope that as you peruse the items chosen you think about what the color means to people. Be proud. Support Breast Cancer Awareness and buy something pink today.

The first item we have chosen for you is this fantastic Cotton Candy Cheerleader dress. The dress features a high waist fit that naturally flares with acordian pleats. The candy coated pink coloring highlights the jumper style neckline that rests above the white turtleneck and long sleeve sheath. Designed to shadow a layered look, the dress is actually one piece that zips up the center of the back. This dress is available for $45.00 and is listed with Zwzzy. Be a champion and cheer for Breast Cancer Awareness in vintage style. Gooooo team. Fight! Fight! Fight!

As the cooler evenings take over and the leaves begin to fall you can still step out in style and show your support with this 1960’s Bubblegum Pink Sweater Dress by St.John. Listed for $65.00 with Planet Claire Vintage, this dress features a textured pattern, and scalloped edge neckline all wrapped up in a snug, soft knit fabric. The color alone is eye catching and the blooming dusty rose color would flatter all skin tones. Your support stands true and strong from Fall into Winter with this easily transitional dress.

If you are anything like me you can wear pearls everyday. Yes, I can find ways to incorporate them into virtually anything. I have even been known to wear pearl studs in the pool. Close your mouth. To date, I haven’t damaged anything yet. Course, it helps that I am not much of a pool bunny.

We are strong believers in commitment. Make your commitment to Breast Cancer Awareness with this vintage Pink Baroque Three Strand Pearl Necklace. The necklace is composed of fresh water pearls that have a Hawaiian story behind them. Although they do not feature a clasp, we consider that a perk. Grab them up and make them your own with a one of a kind clasp. As vintage lovers we strive to put our mark on things we love. Add a little twist of your own style and show you support in a classic way. The pearl necklace is available for $35.00 from Pattycakes Plunder on Etsy. This seller offers FREE domestic and international shipping on ALL jewelry pieces. This necklace would also be a very thoughtful holiday gift for the special woman in your life. Believe me, there isn’t a woman out there that doesn’t know the significance of the color Pink. We would also like to mention that the seller will take an additional 10% off any order that reaches $100.00 or more.

For the working girl that wants to show her support at the office we found this lovely ruffled, mauve dress shirt. We love the tuxedo accenting, ruffled collar, puffed sleeves and cinched cuffs. Okay, you are right, we love it all. Although this seller is rather new to Etsy, she has a great vintage eye and is on the move. Her prices allow for all vintage lovers to add to their collections without sacrificing quality and design taste. Add this shop as a favorite fast!  Items won’t last long. This raspberry sorbet ruffled lovely is available for only $19.00 with Bopptybopshoppe.

Every now and then it is nice for a girl to get out. It doesn’t matter how old we get, whether our hair grays, or falls out. Every now and then it is nice to remember we are women. To be able to shimmy into an old trusted favorite, slick on some red lipstick and go gossip with the girls. It doesn’t seem to matter if the outing is casual or fancy. In all honesty it doesn’t even seem to matter if the occasion keeps you in or takes you out. It’s the company I believe that makes all the difference. For a special treat why not host a ladies Pink tea? This is an event your friends would be clamoring to attend. All that is required is tea, some light snacks, and of course gossip. Something that I can assure you is never in short supply. Find ways to make it interesting. Perhaps you ask each attendant to donate $10.00 to Breast Cancer Awareness. Maybe you make verbal pledges to each other to get mammograms as needed. Whatever it is, be there to support each other, and have fun.

We love this dainty pink beaded purse. It would be perfect for a Ladies Pink Tea event, or perhaps as a gift to the lady in honor. In excellent condition the purse dates to the 1940’s and is lined in a light pink satin. Add a little sparkle and shine to your life and grab this one up fast. Available for only $14.95 from FamilyGarden. This PINK and PROUD seller is offering a 10% discount to any AlleyKat seller that mentions this blog.

Most people may not realize it, but men can be greatly affected by breast cancer as well. Not just by helping to understand and support the women around them that are fighting every day battles, but also with a fight of their own. Men can also develop breast cancer. Although the statistics are lower, and perhaps not as much talked about, it happens. In honor of all the men out there affected by breast cancer we have found this vintage pale pink Guayabera button down shirt. The light color and rich embroidery are a perfect compliment to each other. Available for only $12.00 in the Boulevard Boutique this shirt is only one of many great things to come. The sellers are well stocked with vintage textiles and pieces that they have only just begun to list. Watch this store closely for more great priced treasures! Make sure to say Thank You to the man in your life, for understanding, being supportive, and wearing PINK.

This next item is a personal favorite here at AlleyKat’s. The dress is a Lanz original and reminds us of the Dorothy dress from Wizard of Oz. We could go on and on about what we love about it, but that isn’t what this blog is about. We scour thousands of vintage items twice a week to bring something new to you. A new seller, a new item, whatever it may be we just try to provide a different perspective. While we thoroughly enjoy ranting and raving about all the items and sellers we find, (and we could go on and on, believe me), that isn’t what makes this themed blog important. All of the sellers mentioned before have listed fantastic pink items in support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Whether they did it knowingly or not, we don’t care. We hope to inspire other sellers, and buyers to start making a difference in any way they are able. Our contribution is with this pink gingham ric rac dress. We pledge that no matter when the dress sells the entire proceeds, that is 100% of the cost, including shipping will be donated to the Susan G. Komen foundation. Thank you to all of our readers and sellers for helping us to make this blog possible, and our voice be heard.

Our last item is a one that you may have to fight us for. I have to say that I am rather shocked that it hasn’t sold yet. Lucky for you that it hasn’t. This lucite bangle bracelet features a centered row of sparkling rhinestones. It is a simple daily reminder of the support shown to a cause that affects millions. Available in the U791688 shop for only $18.50 the seller has graciously extended FREE shipping to all AlleyKat readers. For less than $20.00 you can have a vintage pink reminder to show all those affected that you care. Simply mention the AlleyKat blog during purchasing and the seller will refund ALL shipping charges via PayPal. International or Domestic.

We hope that this blog had brought something new to you. Whether you are a seller or a buyer or a friend of a friend there is something you can do to help. Did you find a pink item you love that wasn’t listed? Ask the seller if they will donate 10% of the cost to the Breast Cancer Awareness…or you can do it yourself. Inspire others to do something to help and together we can make something happen.

We want to personally thank all of the sellers featured for participating in a blog that is very near and dear to our hearts here at AlleyKat’s. To all of you that have been affected by breast cancer, we salute you this month, and always.

Goodnight All.

~AlleyKat’s~

****Update****

Inspiration is spreading. Thank you to you all for helping to circulate this blog and the idea behind it. We have a seller that has stepped forward to offer AlleyKat readers 10% off of anything PINK in her store. Click the picture below to access her shop. A HUGE thank you goes out to FooFooGal for offering up this special discount. Congrats are in order to you and your family for advocating for, and surviving this difficult disease.

This seller has listed all of her pink items under the category of PINKTOBER. We love it!!! She has pledged to donate 50% of ALL her Pink sales to the Canadian Breast Cancer Research Program. Please help us in thanking her, and peruse her shop with confidence in knowing that with your help she is helping us make a difference. Thank you Wearable Vintage, you are AWESOME!

For all of those handmade fans out there, you will love this blog. In support of Breast Cancer Awareness this blog has posted pink finds for all to enjoy for the entire month. Grab a cup of tea, sit back, relax and enjoy the view. All items are made with care and love and help to support a cause that is near and dear to us all. A special thanks goes out to CraftsbyChris for sending us the link.

All pictures have been used with permission. For more information on the sellers featured or the items displayed click on the pictures, or contact us directly. To donate directly to the Susan G. Komen Foundation please visit the link provided below.