Fashion and Fabrics: Sewing Vintage Styles from the 1960sThe image above from the early 1960's illustrates how a girl could plan her wardrobe around a single sewing pattern or style, just by using assorted fabrics and accessories. Getting mileage out of a simple, classic silhouette was seen in many features of that time. These examples are great ways to…
Pintucks Vintage Fashion Trunk Show: Fashions for the HolidaysWe recently held a trunk show at a 1914 Craftsman home in the hills of Southern California. Our space was in a large master bedroom with a gorgeous old dressing room adjacent. It provided us with the perfect opportunity to display some holiday dresses and finery. We had a great time meeting many …
Bonnie Cashin: Turn locksBonnie Cashin turn locks are enough to make you want fall weather year round. There's something in that nifty brass setting that really gives her luxurious jackets and coats a bit of down to earth practicality. I can't begin to imagine the "Eureka" moment when she realized she could apply them to …
1980's Biker & Boyfriend JacketsThere is a big interest lately in the boyfriend styles worn in the 1980's. A quick look at the movie "Satisfaction" shows some great examples of how boyfriend jackets were worn, front and center by Julia Robers wearing a tailored jacket that barely reveals her little black dress. Her girl group le…
Fall Colors for 2009The dusty color trend for Fall 2009 as predicted by Pantone for this season show warm, gray tones. In vintage, this look has been used before, and we can locate a few examples in our Etsy shop. They are a nice change from our summer brights, and help us to get into the mood for autumn. But it's Oct…
Lilli Ann: Vintage Suits from the 1950's & early 1960'sTwo examples of Lilli Ann suits, showing the span of a decade: 1950 to 1960.The well tailored suit jacket became an important element for Lilli Ann designs between the late 1940's and early 1960's. During this decade, the overall silhouette was not be altered significantly, but details were many an…
Tina Fey's Evening Gown: Gucci does Vintage at the Emmy AwardsThis evening gown seems to be about as close to a true vintage style as we have gotten lately.Tina Fey's floor length black Gucci gown has a strong bias cut look that recalls the mid-1930's to New Look era. Even the matte crepe or jersey look is vintage. We decided to showcase this as a black and …
Blog Visit: IttyBittyBirdy for a look at VintageI was thrilled to get a note from Chelsea Ann that she had featured this dress in her "IttyBittyBirdy" blog. The navy dress is such a throwback to vintage elegance with Victorian bustle and 1930's peplum details as styled in the 1980's. If you haven't dropped by to visit her blog, I can recommend…
What Nature can Look LikeHot August Day in So Cal,My childhood memories has visions of hot summers and burning mountains.Was always thus.....…
How to Clean and Press Vintage ClothingHow to Clean and Press Cotton, Linen and Rayon fashions is something that every vintage lover should master. Ironing was a skill most young girls learned as late as the 1980's, but once casual wear, polyester and Lycra fabrics dominated the wardrobe,this technique became unnecessary. The following…
CPSIA: recent TEXTILE and YARN information: Children's Apparel lead testingI recently received an email from the California Fashion Association, the regional authority for all things 'fashion' and apparel related in California. This article on the CPSC ruling regarding lead in textiles and yarns is important news for all creative businesses who produce for the children's …
Living with Vintage & My Favorite Things: the vintage homeLiving with vintage around the house can take on so many different expressions. The views here are of places in my home where the texture, color and shape of small little things remind me of special people and places I have been.Sometimes it only takes a few bits of color with a favorite treasure. …
Vintage 1970's Long Dresses, go for the MAXI lookWhen is a long dress not glamorous?One of the best eras for full length in the 20th century was during the 1970's when hemlines fell. While daytime dresses may have been mini then, wearing pants took over in a big way. For special events and leisure, long length dresses such as the soft version sh…
Lilli Ann Suits: the late 1940's, Vintage Suits with Fashion FlarePopular vintage fashion, Lilli Ann suits from the 1940’s show style trends of that era. Fitted waistlines and peplums to the hip level were part of most jacket silhouettes. Jackets could sport double breasted buttons with wide bishop sleeves. Other suits were styled with tie belts or sashed like…
House Dresses: Fashion at home, cottony and cuteA stepchild of fashion, the humble house dress has been worn in one form or another for centuries. When women's fashionable gowns were silk, this was even more so. Wearing 'wash dresses' of cotton calico allowed mothers and maids to get their chores done, while wearing something cool, comfortable, a…
