Tuesday, February 23, 2016

"Noble Idea." Or the Gold Crepe Dress

Many of you will recall last year's spring photo contest here on my blog. Today's post is about one of the outfits I created as part of that contest. (I WILL be hosting another photo contest later this year, don't you worry!)

Below is part of the newspaper article that I used as a the basis for that first photo contest. It talks about the latest colors and color combinations for spring in 1939. At the time I read the article it was the dead of winter and here in New England we were buried under several feet of snow so anything spring-related was most welcome. Today, although we are lacking in snow, I find myself craving spring big time! Is anyone else looking forward to warmer weather?

"Color Recipes Compiled from Fashion Shows. Dominating Note of Style Can Be Used in Many Combinations. By Alma Cunningham.
    Color is everywhere. It's the dominating note of fashion. And it's used in new ways, new combinations. If you've never a doubt about what color to wear with what for that much desired chic, turn the page. Our color recipes, taken from outstanding ensembles of recent style shows, are for the likes of us who sometimes like to dabble in unusual color, who sometimes astound natives with our color consciousness, who always want to wear a color accent that is effective.
    Assuming that your first purchases for spring will be a pair of shoes, a bag and hat to snatch your winter wardrobe from boredom, our color recipes start with at least one of these items already on hand."

Reading the descriptions of the article and going through my vintage clothing and accessories was so much fun! And in doing so I learned a number of things. It really made me think about colors and the many ways to mix and match to make the most of your wardrobe. I put together a couple outfits based on the article last spring (you can see them here). While I did share photos of this yellow dress, I didn't post about it with these particular accessories.


I really can't say why exactly, but I have a weakness for mustard yellow. It does not seem to matter what time period either. (I have a lovely worsted wool in my stash waiting to be made into an 18th century gown and I'm looking for silk of the same color.) Last year I made a 1940s suit in a very similar color. (See it here.) It's such a wonderful color and one that I don't see on many people. It can be difficult to wear for sure but I've found it to be very versatile.


This particular dress is probably late 1930s or very early 1940s and is made of rayon crepe. Sadly, the dress didn't fit as well as I would liked so it went to my Etsy shop. It was too snug in the waist and across the back to feel like I could wear it comfortably all day. Darn it! When it comes to wearing true vintage, you win some and loose some. But oh I do adore that color!

Here is the quote from the article that this outfit is based on.

"Noble Idea.
Because of the popularity of some colors, there will be some who will wear a less popular color in order to be individual. Thus brown is literally and figuratively a dark horse for spring. ... (3) Or a gold crepe dress, a natural straw hat with a bright blue ribbon trim, and bright blue gloves."


I paired the dress with brown alligator shoes, a brown alligator or lizard clutch, blue gloves, and a hat that I reshaped and trimmed with vintage ribbon. The hat was actually made for a doll but it's a perfect representation of those adorable little tilt hats that were so fashionable in the late 1930s. I've been meaning to put together a tutorial on how I reshaped and trimmed it. Any interest?


How neat are these gloves!?


Outfit details
Dress - Facebook swap group
Hat -  My own creation
Shoes and Clutch - Brimfield Flea Market
Necklace - Was my grandmother's
Gloves - Thrifted
Stockings - Bobby's Warehouse

And just for fun, a quick look at the same dress worn three different ways. See, versatile! This color can be paired with red, blue, green or brown! :) The possibilities are endless.

Tuesday, February 16, 2016

My First Video Post!

Hello there! Today is a first for my little blog. I have for you my first ever video post! I thought I would post a combination welcome and Q&A to start off. I have several ideas for future video posts, but I need to work on my editing skills first. This first video is a little longer then I thought it would be and I didn't get to answer all the questions you sent. But that's OK, I will have them for another post. Feel free send more questions! What would you like to know about me?


I would love to get your feedback! If you have tips for making videos I would love to hear those too. As I said, this was my first time creating a video post and I know I still have a lot to learn! Enjoy!



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Thursday, February 11, 2016

Butterick Fashion News, August 1946

We finally have some snow here in my little corner on New England! It's not much but I'll take it. It looks so pretty! My friends in the Boston area and closer to the coast have received more snowfall this winter and I'm a little jealous. Ah well, what can you do except enjoy what you have, right?

Today I want to share with you this awesome little pattern catalog. I received this as part of my Chronically Vintage Secret Santa gift. A huge thank you to Jessica for organizing another successful gift exchange and to my not so secret Santa, Carla of Tiny Angry Crafts. In an odd twist, I was Carla's Secret Santa the previous year. Her gift saved the day for me! I'd been fighting nasty winter sinus thing when her gift arrived. And to my joy found her gift included some of my favorite teas! Chi and peppermint! (All the tea is long gone!) There is nothing better then curling up on the couch with a cat and hot cup of tea when you are sick. Fortunately I'm feeling much better, even if this time of year leaves me feeling down some days and unproductive. (Check out Brittany's post on ways to tackle seasonal depression.)


This Butterick Fashion News catalog is from August 1946. You can really see the changes in post war fashions. Dresses and skirts seem to have more details like side drapes, and wider or fuller sleeves. Shoulders seem boxier to me too. The overall silhouette of 1946 just feels different from those of 1944 and 1945. With rationing at an end, designers are feel to use more material in their clothing.



I really like these evening fashions.


And this blouse pattern. I need this blouse pattern in my life!! If anyone comes across a copy. please, please let me know!




A few of the patterns looked very familiar to me and sent me digging through my vintage pattern stash. While both my patterns are by Vogue, they appear very similar to those shown in this Buckerick catalog. I wonder who borrowed from whom? ;)




Do you have a favorite pattern from this catalog?

Sunday, February 7, 2016

A Simple Vintage Look

Hello All! It's early February but it looks like April outside my kitchen window. Where is all my snow??!?!

Well, today I'd like share with you one of my favorite vintage looks. It's super simple and one that I find myself wearing more and more this winter.


I purchased this WWII era US Navy sweater with a box lot of items from a local junk shop. It was pretty stinky when I got it but after a good soaking it was just fine to wear. It's all wool and sadly was loved by moths. Despite having a few holes scattered through out (which I really need to mend!) I absolutely love this sweater!

The orange cotton turban you have seen before in this post. I used a vintage pattern and fabric from my stash. I promise I'm working on that turban tutorial post!


Just because it's winter doesn't mean you can't have fresh flowers in the house! These tulips are starting to go by but still add a nice splash of color to the kitchen.


Here is the view outside right now. It's been unseasonable warm lately, which in a way is nice. However, I'd like to go snowshoeing at least once this winter!!




I'm slowly building my collection of sweetheart and WWII era jewelry. You can see a few of my pieces in this post. (Also see part 1 for more information on WWII era pins and jewelry.) This is my third sweetheart expansion bracelet and features an Army Air Corps emblem. My other bracelets have USMC and Naval Aviation emblems.


Outfit Details
Sweater - Thrifted
40s Style Turban - Made by Me
Earrings - Gift from Cori
WWII Army Air Corps Sweetheart Bracelet - Fort Anne Antiques
Lip Color - Chocolate Kiss by Besame Cosmetics

Do you have a favorite vintage outfit this winter?

Friday, February 5, 2016

Great Hair Fridays - February 1943

It's been a long time since my last Great Hair Fridays post. Today's features an article from a February issue of the Modern Beauty Shop. Enjoy!

Modern Beauty Shop - February 1943
Source 
Modern Beauty Shop - February 1943
Source 
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