gift shopping, 1955

The December 1955 issue of Women's Home Companion is a real treasure trove of vintage holiday stuff.  I'll be bringing you a couple more bits from it over the week, but first I wanted to show off this great gift guide with beauty products for women, men, and children.  (Click the photos to enlarge.)

The children's products are especially cute.  Love the Tinkerbelle Trip-lette toilet water and soap set in the little suitcase, the car-shaped soaps, and the cologne and the bubble bath bottles with animal heads!  And for the men, of course, a set of Old Spice.  (I bet you didn't know Old Spice was originally made for women.  True fact!)

Some gorgeous packaging on these women's perfumes.  I especially love the idea of the Yardley Lavanesque (far left, I think) "Coinette" purse flacon that comes with a dispenser for coins or tokens.  I picture a woman spritzing her Lavanesque about the smelly subway after she drops her token in the turnstile.  1950s multitasking!

More beauty gifts.  That Jergens lotion in the Christmas tree packaging (upper left) is nifty!  I'm also loving the holiday "dress" on the Revlon Aquamarine lotion.  And intrigued by the "Harriet Hubbard Ayer's Midas Touch gold spray for hair"--hmm.

And a bonus section of accessory gift ideas for her.  Those handbags--the white one is faux fur and has a bamboo handle!  Fun floral embellished shoes in the center.  And at the bottom, jewelry--rhinestone, mock topaz, and goldtone jewels by Kramer, Bobley, Ciner, and Castlecliff.  The rhinestone and faux ruby cocktail rings (B and C) are pretty fun!

xo

K

dr. zhivago shop preview

Well, the first item here inspired the title, but the rest of the items could work in a Russian film set in the midst of winter.  Put on a fancy party dress, but bundle up to travel to the Ice Palace in a horse-drawn sleigh!

1960s deadstock Russian princess needlepoint tapestry coat (already in the shop!).

1940s black evening dress by Samuel Grossman.

1940s nylon blouse with passementerie trim, and rhinestones and pearls around the Peter Pan collar, by Perry.

Afghan crochet sweater dress.

1950s beaded black angora cardigan.

1950s sepia floral taffeta and chiffon dress, by Joan Dell.

1960s deadstock with tags black silk shantung long skirt with side slits, by Adelaar's Aristocrat.

1960s knit dress with faux leopard cuffs and collar, by George Small.

1970s suede and shearling jacket, by Split End Ltd.

1930s black velvet dress with smocked sleeves.

1980s Italian sweater with satin passementerie.

1980s red plaid prairie dress with belt.

1960s ethnic tapestry pullover jacket.

1950s earthy mosaic print silk taffeta dress with belt.

xo

K

1955 couture dreaming

A little vintage couture dream shopping for you, courtesy the October 1955 issue of Women's Home Companion.  The article shows photos and sketches (by Tom Keogh) of the original designer looks from fashion week in Paris, and then gives the reader more affordable adaptations--shown in black and white photos--from American dressmakers like Suzy Perette.  A vintage Dior might not be a likely wish to come true--but you might well be able to find a vintage Suzy Perette adaptation that comes close!

Sketches of Balenciaga, de Rauch, and Fath designs, and photo of an emerald Dior satin gown.

Dior's Chinese Opera-inspired sheath dress and caftan coat.

I love the Abe Schrader dress and fitted jacket at the top of this page, which is based on a fabulous Dior wool dress (see brown sketch on next page).

A wild button-up stole, by Leonard Arkin, based on the Dior jacket in the yellow illustration in the upper right corner.  The little black mandarin collar dress in the lower photo is by Suzy Perette and was adapted from Dior's Chinese-inspired line.

A bonus article from the fashion department on fall sewing patterns.  My favorite is the mustard-colored blouse and brown tweed skirt set--love how the blouse buttons!

xo

K

boots, shoes, belts...and cuteness

Here's a preview of boots, shoes, belts, and other accessory-type items coming to the shop.  Plus a cute surprise at the end!

1970s oxblood leather stack heel boots.

1980s silver flats.

1970s Dexter kiltie loafers.

1980s deadstock black leather moccasin boots.

1980s forest green leather flat boots.

1970s silver metallic corset lace pumps.

Honey brown velvet sneakers.

1980s Eastland hiking boots.

Ferragamo strappy booties.

Etienne Aignier kiltie loafers.

1970s brown leather high heel boots.

Barb's tooled leather belt.

Lucille's tooled leather belt with buckle.

Silvertone leaf and rhinestone pin.

Wicker and leather handbag.

Shabby tabby framed paint-by-numbers kitty.

xo

K

november inspirations

Some inspiring glimpses of November's internet wanderings.  Make sure you enlarge the collage (or click through the link to the source) of photo #5.  It is mind-blowingly awesome!

1. Painting by John Atkinson Grimshaw on the Penguin Classic cover of The Turn of the Screw. (NYT)
2. Gloves. (Life archives via whatgraybirdwears)
3. Cute, bundled-up Helsinki street style. (Hel-Looks)
4. A Victorian era gentleman in traditional Scottish attire identified as "Captain Forbes." (xmarksthescot via Retire to the Parlour)
5. Amazing photo of Dr. J and his wife Turquoise in their kitchen, from a 1978 Sports Illustrated photoshoot. (mpdrolet)
6. Migration of Birds, 1952, cover illustration by Bob Hines. (Montague Projects)

xo

K

shop preview

Here's what's coming to the Etsy shop shortly!

1940s black crepe dress with braided decoration at shoulder.

1950s purple vine print cardigan.

Pendleton red plaid shirt jacket.

1980s striped sweater dress.

1960s jacquard funnel neck sweater.

Pendleton black watch plaid wool shirt.

1950s pink chantilly lace party dress with sash.

1950s red velvet pants.

Shadow plaid wool coat, by Chippewa.

1960s plaid taffeta and velvet party dress.

1960s mod swirl print blouse, by Aldens.

1950s jade green floral vine print dress with rhinestone buttons.

xo

K