Weekend Eye Candy - Versace, 1991

From Spring 1991, Atelier Versace mini dress and coat in seashell printed silk.  I wish we had a better view of what must be some fantastic buttons at the sleeve cuffs!

American Fashion Spring 1955

As much as we like to look at and dream about Parisian haute couture, American designs were more relevant and more affordable to a 1955 woman here in the U.S.  The styles shown here were featured in an American magazine geared to the average homemaker.  Just as fashion magazines and blogs influence our choices today, a 1950s housewife would see these photos as inspiration for ways to update her wardrobe.  The big difference is that she couldn't run out to H&M or Target and grab a cheap "fashion fashion" version.  No, our 50s homemaker would probably sew her own version or save a few dollars each week for months to be able to purchase one of these designer items that she would then wear for years to come.

Above, Pauline Trigere suit with a striped silk belted jacket and narrow wool skirt.

Golden suit by Claire McCardell worn with blue shoes.

Vera Maxwell silk paisley dress and paisley lined beige silk coat.

Larry Aldrich blue tunic and skirt worn with a nude shoe.

Maurice Rentner cotton sateen floral dress.

Wild Accessories - 1966

During the Mod craze of the mid 1960s, accessories became bold and fun right along with clothing.  Today, a look at some fun things from 1966.  Would you wear these today?

Above, Veruschka wears a collar made of blue rhinestones by Jack Gilbert.

Huge white plastic earrings by Paco Rabanne.

Peter Bateman wig made of strands of rhinestones.  That's one way to sparkle at night!

Mirrored cubes made into earrings and a ring by Antonio Lopez for Paris House.

Plastic jewelry by Ingeborg/Georgio for Richelieu.

Meet Kristin and Penny

Meet Kristin, who is a beautiful red head with a flair for fashion.  Kristin bought this yummy 1960s leopard print coat by Dan Millstein from Couture Allure and I think she looks simply fabulous in it!  Meow!

 The flared shape of the coat falls beautifully at the back, don't you think?  Kristin said she has the perfect long black gloves to wear with the coat when the weather warrants.  Enjoy your coat Kristin!

1960s Dan Millstein faux leopard fur coat at Couture Allure.

 You've met Penny of Penny Dreadful Vintage before.  Penny recently left her job to start selling vintage full time.  She close to wear this cheery 1950s pink silk dress that she purchased from Couture Allure for her last day at the job.  Best of luck with your vintage venture, Penny!  I know you'll be a big success!

Helena Rubinstein, Style Icon

"There are no ugly women, just lazy ones."  ~ Helena Rubinstein

These photos of Rubinstein illustrate her belief.  She was a woman of great style with incredible taste in jewelry.  In fact, her collection of jewelry included pieces once owned by Catherine the Great.  The collection was said to have been worth $1 million in 1943.  That's about $13 million in today's dollar.  How I wish we could go back in time to the 1960s, when Rubinstein's estate was auctioned off.  I'd love to have seen that auction catalog!

Wartime Advertisements, 1943

It's 1943, right in the middle of WWII, and the pages of major fashion magazines are filled with ads that reference the war effort. It's very interesting. Take a look:

"Military and Civilian: A Uniform for civilian war activities...a favorite suit or coat for day-in, day-out service! A costume to live in, for the duration, if necessary - and like it! In all six wars in which American troops have been engaged since the founding of the Hockanum Mills in 1809...Hockanum Woolens of superlative quality have been supplied, as now, for the Uniforms of the Armed Forces and for Civilian Clothes on the Home Front."

"Pretty for HIM fashions by Huxley. A complete wardrobe for the Colonel's Lady and the Sergeant's Bride....for north or south, now till late Spring! Slim, trim, color-matched to ingermingle. Packs light and wears like a charm!"


Stetson showed several hats with "Front-Line interest" The top one is "Jaunty as military music". The bottom fedora is "Right dress for furlough dates".


"He's coming home on a furlough. Probably the happiest moment in his life - coming home to his family - his own room- perhaps his dog - and to all of his cherished personal possessions. He has dreamed about this home-coming for months, and now everything looks just as he hoped it would. It is comfortable and inviting. His mother always managed to add the touches that gave the place that indescribable atmosphere of home. A few flowers carefully arranged, and , on an accessible corner of the table, ice-cold Coca-Cola saying welcome in its own refreshing way."


Perhaps most telling, a full page recruitment ad for the Citizens Service Corps contributed by the magazine.

"What did you do today...for Freedom? Today, at the front, he died....Today, what did you do? Next time you see a list of dead and wounded, ask yourself: "What have I done today for freedom? What can I do tomorrow that will save the lives of men like this and help them win the war?"

Easter 1963

When I was a child, my mother would dress me and my sisters all alike on Easter.  We would always make a big impression at church, especially after we had had our fill of chocolate eggs and jelly beans.  Here I am with 3 of my sisters (the youngest wasn't born yet) in 1963 or 64.  I'm the tall one in the back.  The dresses were blue gingham with white lace around the skirt.  We had to wear them with itchy scratchy crinoline slips.  And of course, we all had matching white patent shoes and ankle socks.  I think mom let us each choose a different white patent purse that year.

Happy Easter to you all, especially to my family!  Ah, the memories.

Weekend Eye Candy - Paco Rabanne, 1966

Paco Rabanne stitches colored plastic triangles to a white crepe sleeveless coat for spring 1966.  This work must have all been done by hand.  You can see the little white stitches at the corners of all the plastic pieces.  Incredible!

In Your 1960s Easter Bonnet

Sunday is Easter, a day when traditionally a woman would unveil her new spring hat with much fanfare. It's going to be a week of few words as we look at hats through the years. Use your imagination and make up your own story about the women who wore these hats, or about yourself having the experience of wearing one of them. Share your story in the comments if you like. Today, the 1960s, the last great decade of hats.

1960

1961

1962

1963

1964

1965

1966

1967

1968

1969

In Your 1950s Easter Bonnet

Sunday is Easter, a day when traditionally a woman would unveil her new spring hat with much fanfare. It's going to be a week of few words as we look at hats through the years. Use your imagination and make up your own story about the women who wore these hats, or about yourself having the experience of wearing one of them. Share your story in the comments if you like. Today, the 1950s.

1950

1951

1952

1953

1954

1955

1956

1957

1958

1959