May, 1959 Vogue

From the 1959 May Vogue.

Mary Black Chantilly Lace Over Organdy

Vogue Paris Original Pattern by Griffie #1449

Lemon Yellow Silk Polka Dot Dress with Alencon Lace
Collar and Cuffs, Harvey Berin

And really, just because I want this dining room....all of it.
Even the furry rug.
Howell Modern metal Furniture

Vintage Fath

While I find a nipped waist suit quite delicious, I think these softer suits that showed up in 1954 with their longer cut and bloused backs are the epitome of Paris chic. The jeweled cuff link is a look you can copy with a vintage brooch.

"Back-Bloused Suit: Fath
Gray flannel suit-wearing its blouse outside. This, fitted at front, full at back and centre.
Jewel cuff links; Persian lamb hat, scarf, bag."
Vogue, October 1954



Or this Dior suit from 1952:

I have this suit on my site which has all the style features I like; loose fit, dropped waist, bloused back.
Very chic.

Vintage Handbags

Scans of vintage purses from my desk calender.



Love it!
"Leather basket bag with ruched interior. Roger Model for Elisa Schiaparelli, mid 1930's"



"Tricolor handbag in red, white and black. Late 1940's"

Harem Jumpsuits are Never a Good Look

Not in 1939, not in the 80's and not in 2008.
Sorry ladies.

Via Jezebel:

Even though Life magazine is no more, the Life photo archive is now available through Google's Image Search feature. There are more than 10 million photos, many of which were never published. About 20% of the collection went online yesterday, and Google will be adding more in the coming months.

A good search to start with?

Dior

The Queen of Garfinckel's

This is a fabulous article on the Garfinckel's website about Elizabeth Fairall who was called "The "Queen of Garfinckels".

The following is an article from Colliers Magazine, February 10, 1951. This was a time when there were no racks of clothing in the store: Ladies came in to shop, sat on sofas and were shown the clothing on models. And strangely enough for the time, the merchandising operations of the Garfinckel's stores were run by a woman, Miss Elizabeth Fairall, who had been with Julius Garfinckel since the beginning of the company in 1905. During a time when corporations were run by men, I'm sure this article about the female vice president of one of the most important fashion retailers in the United States was unique.

Human Right

Good quote via Andrew Sullivan:

"The right to marry whoever one wishes is an elementary human right compared to which ‘the right to attend an integrated school, the right to sit where one pleases on a bus, the right to go into any hotel or recreation area or place of amusement, regardless of one’s skin or color or race’ are minor indeed. Even political rights, like the right to vote, and nearly all other rights enumerated in the Constitution, are secondary to the inalienable human rights to 'life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness' proclaimed in the Declaration of Independence; and to this category the right to home and marriage unquestionably belongs," - Hannah Arendt, Dissent, 1959.


I guess I should mention that the bridesmaid in the top vintage wedding photograph is my paternal Grandmother, Leona Meier, the dude behind her may or may not be my Grandfather....I'm not really sure.
(Seriously. My image of my Grandfather is of him as old, wearing an undershirt while sitting in his recliner and smoking a pipe. Which is why my husband is not allowed to sit in a recliner wearing an undershirt. Though, I do wish he would smoke a pipe. I like the way pipe tobacco smells.)
The bottom photo is just part of the collection of vintage pictures I have picked up over the years.
I liked her "Gibson Girl" style and as a bonus, thought the groom looked scared to death.

Back to Vintage

Election is over, Obama is President-Elect and Michelle wore an awesome dress to the White House.
Back to vintage.
Here are scans of a couple of vintage purses on my desktop calendar.


Mice at play basket bag with woven ribbon, 1960's.
Am I bad to think that "mice at play" means mice playing poker? Or even better Mice Plotting to Take Over the World?


Phone-cord bag in multiple colors, 1950's.

I love these bags and they were pretty popular from the 40's to the 60's so they come up quite often on eBay and vintage sites.
Here and here and here and here.

Vintage Handbags

More scans from my calendar:


Classy Bakelite in Contrasting Colors, 1940's



Cheerful summer tote adorned with sequin flowers, Enid Collins, 1960

Vintage Dress

Givenchy, 1953

Vintage Ceil Chapman

July, 1954

Good Foundations

Foundations.
No I am not talking about the kind that holds up a building.
I mean the kind that hold in the tummy and push up the boobs.
Girdles, waist cinchers and "all in ones".

Warner's Merry Widow Ad, Vogue 1954

I am also NOT talking about spanx.

I bring this up because I took a return this week for a dress that fit the customer perfect in the waist, hips and bust. But it was a bit too tight in the underbust area.
I did not ask if the customer was wearing the proper foundation garments or not.
If she had been wearing an all-in-one or a high waist girdle the dress might have fit perfect.

I get the not wanting to wear a girdle, but ladies vintage clothing was constructed to be worn over foundation garments. One of the reasons modern women, even skinny gals have a problem getting vintage dresses to fit properly is our problem with wearing a good girdle.

Yes they can be a bit uncomfortable, but look what some of you wear on your feet...how can a girdle be anymore painful then some of the shoes I see gals wear.
And your choices are not just limited to vintage lingerie.
There are modern foundations online and even at your local WalMart.
Playtex still makes those girdles you can get in a box.

Not as awesome as the offerings at Dollhouse Bettie, but they will still do the job.

Strides have been made in fabrics and components that are more comfortable without losing the control that you need to fit into that vintage wiggle dress you have fallen in love with.


Lilli Ann Embossed Jacquard Dress, Vogue 1954

Vintage Sportswear Workshop

Lizzie Bramlett of fuzzylizzie Vintage Clothing will be doing a sportswear workshop on The Vintage Fashion Guild's public forum this week, June 23-25th.

June 23-25: American Sportswear

Monday, June 23: The workshop will start with a brief historical overview and go on to discuss bathing suits.

Tuesday, June 24: Lizzie will explain how sportswear evolved in private situations, such as women's colleges and summer camps.

Wednesday, June 25: Day three will be devoted to active sportswear (tennis, bicycling, golf, hiking, skiing) and how active sportswear spilled over into the everyday lives of women. Sportswear greats, such as Claire McCardell, Carolyn Schurner and Tom Brigance, will be mentioned.

Make time to spend sometime reading and taking part in this virtual workshop.

Here is a bit of vintage sportswear from Damn Good Vintage for a bit of shameless self promotion.


Vintage 50's/60's Swimsuit Bathing suit with the prettiest Red and pink geranium print.


Vintage late 40's plaid playsuit.


And the best vintage golf shirt!

Why?

Just why?
Why does Hollywood think it is a good idea to remake movies that were made of awesome the first time around?
Case in point The Women.


The Women has been updated for the 2000's.
Oh goody.
Now I have nothing against witty films filled with great actresses, most of whom I love, I just hate the idea of re-making this film.

You Can't Save Them All, Part 2

UPDATE: Go Here!

As I have said before one of the hardest parts of selling and collecting vintage clothing is knowing that there are just some garments that cannot be saved. This vintage 50's Lilli Diamond wiggle dress and swing coat is one such item.



How fabulous is this?

I bought this knowing I cannot save it. There is a red dye transfer stain on both the dress and swing coat. So sad.

I'll be keeping this for my own personal collection of fab but flawed vintage designer garments.

Vintage Montgomery Ward Catalog, 1954

Look what came in the mail today.
Bought it off ebay on a whim since I have yet to find a fashion catalog in all my estate sale visits. I put it down to paper, heat, humidity, lake of AC and that most folks just do not keep catalogs.
It is the Montgomery Ward Midsummer Sales Book, 1954.
Of course there is a good amount of vintage fashions in it for the whole family, but there is furniture and appliances and bikes and pretty much anything you would find in one now.
Seriously cool.
That is the cover above and if you click on it you will get a bigger image that should allow you to read the copy.
Just an excerpt:

"You'll present a pretty picture in this graceful Princess Dress made in "Texlin," a crisp, finely woven, Rayon that is washable and resists wrinkles. The style is so young, so flattering-with its high-rise waistline, slim fitting midriff and wonderful rolled gore skirt that ripples into a smart flare. Smart stitch trim outlines empire midriff and deeply curved neckline....."

Pages 2 and 3 have more of the same great Princess cut (seamed?) dresses.

Makes me wish for an un-discovered storage room full of these dresses.
I'll post some more pics later this week!
Enjoy.

Vintage Eyecandy

If you love vintage clothing, especially the Diors and
Lanvins and Balenciagas then go spend some time
at BygoneFashion over on Live Journal.
Beautiful, amazing vintage fashion.
Luscious photographs.
This post of the photographs of Henry Clarke is just too divine for words.

Look at the sleeves on this Balenciaga suit.
Just brilliant.

Yes, It is a Poddle Purse

Scans of my favorite vintage purses from my calendar for the month....so far.

Beaded Poodle Clutch, 1950
How fucking cute is this?
Comeonyouknowyouwantone!


Floral Plastic Box Baguette, Early 1950

Velvet Heart Purse, Elizabeth Arden, 1930's

Seriously, I would be happy to have any of these vintage purses to carry around.
How awesome would it have been to go out to dinner last Thursday with that 30's heart purse.

Rom Com

Valentine's day brings out the romantic comedies on TV.
Most suck.
‘Tis the truth.
Except for High Fidelity, I really love that movie.
Not really sure why.
Of course they really don't make Rom Coms like they used too.

I think my favorites are the Thin Man movies.
I know they are not really considered romantic comedies, but they are funny with tons of witty banter.
Myrna Loy and William Powell infuses the couple, created by Dashiell Hammett, with an adoration that is romantic without being overly sweet.
Nick and Nora Charles are funny, quirky, and elegant.

Just fun movies full of smart dialogue and fabulous frocks.
Nora really dressed well....very, very well.
Oh and there is copious amounts of alcohol.

More Vintage Purse Scans

Here are 3 scans of my favorite vintage
purses of the past week from my purse calender.
Cushion-top boudoir bag.
1988-89.
Not really sure why one would need a bag in
the boudoir (sex toys, maybe?) but it sure is pretty.


Pouch purse in velvet with decorative cameo. Europe. 1900's.

Satin handbag with poodle clasp, 1960's.

'cause its a purse, with a poodle on it.