shop preview

It's nearly all dresses.  I hope that's okay!  These will all be coming to the shop over the week.

1950s ice blue taffeta cocktail dress.

White embroidered peasant blouse with filet lace insets.

1960s mod lime green grid print drop waist dress

1950s gray floral print cotton wrap dress, by Sandra Lee Frocks.

1960s abstract print crepe shift dress.

1950s blue gingham seersucker romper, by Country Miss.

1960s mod orange dress, by Peter Stevens.

1960s polished cotton garden print dress with petal collar, by Dale Robbins of Miami.

Bohemian cotton and crochet lace gown with bell sleeves.

1940s black crepe dress with tiered skirt and bow at waist.

1960s sky blue swiss dot dress with ruffled button placket and Peter Pan collar, by Shaker Square.

Early 1960s black floral cotton dress with rick rack trim, by Top Mode Frocks.

xo

K

fashions from McCall's, May 1935

I promised another blog of 1930s fashion via McCall's magazine, and here it is!  This is from the May 1935 issue of the magazine, just one month after the first McCall's spread I posted about here.  Click the photos to enlarge them.

The May fashion section starts with a spread on accessories.  It's mostly about hosiery, but I love this quote: "Starting at the top with your new hat, you'll probably decide that sanity in style for spring, 1935, doesn't begin in the head!  For new hats are obviously mad.  If you're lucky enough to find a millinery salesgirl with an eye to what is becoming, you may get a delightful hat that doesn't make you look completely weird."

Evening wear.  An emphasis on oversize collars and lace--the center dress is lace, and the black inset dress has a matching lace coat.

Holy ruffles!  But I rather like the ruffled cape on the third from left.  To quote the copy: "Little capes of lace cannot be withstood."  No, they cannot.

Gah!  I'll take the first three dresses on the left, and the last green one.  Loving the use of "air holes" and cape sleeves to help keep the wearer cool.

I know from life experience:  Scotties make the best accessories!  (McCall's doesn't actually say that, but I really think so.)  Amusing sample of fashion godspeak ("if we say it, it is so") in this section: "Dark tunics are more interesting than light ones, and plain tunics smarter than printed."  Oh, okay.  Whatever you say.  I love the plaid peeking out from the dark tunic, and well, really, everything on this page.

Oh, that sweet little blue suit on the right!

I love the nautical navy linen dress, and the gray and red striped one.

xo

K

McCall's magazine, April 1935

Here are some photos I took of an April 1935 McCall's that was part of an estate buy we made.  It was a fantastic find, especially as I think the 1930s might be--if I had to pick--my favorite era of fashion.  If you click the photos you can make them much bigger, and should be able on some to click through to make them big enough to read the copy (worthwhile, believe me!).  Not only are the fashions amazing, but the illustrations and colors make me giddy!

The black print gown (second from left) is Molyneaux.  The two righthand dresses are Chanel, and though I find ruffles a bit foofy, I do like the dark gray plaid--brings it down to earth a bit.

Click photo to enlarge to read these tips.  I want a pair of mary janes with a Cuban heel, just like Miss Teen Age.

Mainbocher suit on the left; Chanel on the right.  Love the Chanel!

Oh boy--the muted colors!  The bows!  And the short capes!  The tan short-caped ensemble on the right page is Chanel; the brown print dress and jacket on the far right are Molyneux.  And how cute is that cherry print?

I am very much in love with the print chiffon dress on the right--the neckline, the sleeves!

Blue dress with the sailor neckline and maroon scarf.  So cute.

The printed chiffon gown on the right is Mainbocher and I am in love with it.

Fun collars!

I hope you enjoyed this as much as I did.  If so, there's another set to come from McCall's May 1935 issue, in a future post.

xo

K

the vintage conundrum

I wear a US women's size 16, and often feel that it's very hard to find vintage in my size. And so, when we suddenly unearthed a wee cache of deadstock 1950s cotton day dresses with amazing prints all in--or near--my size, the temptation was to keep them all!

However, the truth is, it's not impossible, or even all that difficult, to find excellent vintage in a wide range of sizes. (My overstuffed closet will attest to this.) What's difficult is finding something that fits you perfectly. With that in mind, I tried on all seven dresses and decided to only keep the three that really fit me well. That means the above four dresses will be coming to the shop! Check out the prints.

That blue dress, in particular, is hard for me to give up. Just look at the amazing print! Sweaters, jackets and blouses on dress forms...and are those colorful discs meant to be hats?

But I am consoling myself with these three keepers.

The center dress has not only a fabulous Egyptian theme print, but nifty crescent-shaped pockets with green piping. I also love floral prints on black backgrounds, and have been jonesing for one of my own.

Now I own two.

xo

K

Sunday evening shop preview

I'm a little behind on this week's preview, and there's a lot of it. But it's fun stuff--two new L'Aiglon dresses, a Givenchy juniors dress, and another fab print from my new favorite dressmaker, Joan Miller!

1950s white sailor/middy blouse.



1950s Joan Miller Juniors sailing ship print dress.



Close-up of the print. I love the prints on these Joan Miller dresses. The charming black little birds dress in the shop right now is also Joan Miller.



1960s portable sewing/crafting caddy.



1960s white woven purse by Danieli.



Mod lemon yellow swiss dot and navy pinstripe shift dress.



Celadon L'Aiglon ruffle-front shirtwaist dress.



Cos Cob yellow rose blouse.



Mt. Rushmore, squirrels, cowboys--confused or comprehensive souvenir salt and pepper shakers?



Moss green plaid Ann Taylor dress. That Ann Taylor? I think so.



Some more Jonathan Logan--nubby pink sundress and cropped jacket.



1962 Seattle World's Fair monorail souvenir glass.



Slate gray muslin pleated dress



Chocolate wool boucle pencil skirt.



Taffeta and chiffon floral party dress.



Blue plaid high neck dress.



Folklore needlepoint print blouse.



Lavender Givenchy Juniors dress. This dress has issues--fading at the armpits and elsewhere, a couple tiny holes--but it's too nifty not to sell.



L'Aiglon nylon knit abstract cityscape dress.



Jacket with nautical buttons.



There's lots more to come, including many more Vera Neumann and Jonathan Logan pieces. I'll probably be posting another preview this week. Oh, and despite all the pretty summer dresses and bright colors that keep calling to me, I'm starting to break into some of the wool skirts--we have some gorgeous plaid pleated and pencil skirts to list--and sweaters, looking forward to autumn and winter. Not to mention coats. And suits. Woo hoo!

xo
k