Wallis Simpson's Wedding Dress

Today marks the anniversary of the marriage of Wallis Simpson to the Duke of Windsor on June 3, 1937.

Mrs. Simpson wore a dress designed by Mainbocher with a hat to match by Carolyn Reboux.  The dress became one of the most copied in history.

The Duchess gave her wedding dress to the Metropolitan Museum in 1960, where it still resides today.  It was originally a shade of blue to match her eyes, but has since faded due to unstable dyes.

Paris Couture - 1937

Today, the next in our continuing series about Paris couture in the 1930s.  The year is 1937 and the beauty is in the incredible details.  Which is your favorite?

Marcel Rochas black crepe dress adorned with light blue gathered ribbons.  Note the large holes at the neckline and sleeves that the ribbons thread through.

Charles Worth black velvet dress with intricate embroidery on the bodice.

Rosevienne dress in black knitted lace.  The skin shows through where the slip isn't!

Lucien Lelong black velvet dress with a white Guipure lace bodice.  Bows accent the lace.

Elsa Schiaparelli brings the ultimate in fun details.  The black crepe suit is accented with red embroidery around the pockets in the shape of lips.  And that is her famous shoe hat in black with a red heel.

Weekend Eye Candy - Evening Gown, 1937

A body hugging gown of midnight blue lamé has a cape of tulle appliqued with butterflies. Rosevienne, 1937.

1937 Housewife

I am so glad I am living now and not in my grandmother's time. Granted, I can't imagine my grandfather caring about how his wife cleaned the house, but this ad from 1937 gives a glimpse into the expectations of women at that time.

Can you imagine any woman today telling her fiancé, "It'll be fun keeping our home shining clean"? And can you imagine being married to the jerk that criticizes her housecleaning?

Apparently, because Old Dutch Cleanser doesn't have harsh, scratchy grit, it is a better cleanser. Huh?

I think if he praised me for getting smarter about house cleaning, I'd turn around and punch him in the nose! And I would never buy a product that made me feel like I was a poor wife because my bathtub wasn't sparkling. But maybe that's just me......

Weekend Eye Candy - Opera Coat 1937

Opera coats, like this one from 1937, are still pretty easy to find, as they were classic pieces that were always stored away in closets or attics. In fact, it wasn't unusual for a family to own one and pass it around between mothers, daughters, sisters, aunts, and cousins for special occasions. Usually made of velvet, they often had ermine fur collars, as does this one.

Weekend Eye Candy - 1937 Schiaparelli Metamorphosis Collection

For the summer of 1937, Elsa Schiaparelli designed her collection around the theme of metamorphosis and used butterflies as its symbol. Shown here, the ultimate Easter bonnet with matching jacket, both trimmed with plastic butterflies. The jacket was worked in sky blue wool, a perfect backdrop for the 4 three-dimensional butterflies that decorate the front opening. The smallest at the waist, worked as a real button, while the graduated non-working bound buttonholes above that provide balance and an additional decorative accent. As always, click the photo to see a larger view.

Vintage Easter Fashion 1937

"Only 10 shopping days until Easter!" heralds the headline in a 1937 copy of The New York Woman. "I haven't a thing to wear! Everything must be new!" With that, our Manhattan socialite sets forth on a mad day of shopping and pulls together her Easter outfit for a total of $89.45 ($1356.00 in today's dollar!!).

First a satin and Lastex girdle by Treo to give her figure the smooth, streamlined effect that will show off her suit to its best advantage. Next, a Maidenform satin brassiere for uplift and separation with new rounded curves (Last year's pointed silhouette is out!) A new pair of silk stockings are clipped to the girdle.

Satin tap panties and a satin slip by Dasche are worn over the girdle, brassiere, and stockings. Black gabardine shoes with patent trim are slipped on.

The perfect suit - a Mainbocher copy in navy Forstmann wool. Its collarless peplum style is offset by pockets at bust and hips. It is worn with a paisley printed ascot and a thin patent belt.

A tilted straw Homburg hat sets off the ensemble nicely.

Add white doeskin gloves and milady is all set for the Easter Parade!

What are you wearing for Easter this year?

Weekend Eye Candy - 1937 Schiaparelli Evening Gown

From Elsa Schiaparelli's Fall/Winter 1937-38 line, this evening gown, in rose pink satin, hugs the figure and offers a new innovation - the built-in uplift bra. The dress is slit to the knee to expose the open-toed satin pump with ribbons that criss-cross up the leg.

1937 Suits for Spring

The year is 1937. The Great Depression has lifted for most, and rumblings of war in Europe are just starting to be felt. The look for women is long and lean with wide shoulders. Skirt hems hit several inches below the knee and the silhouette is usually fitted to mid-thigh with subtle flare below that.

These suits were all featured in the February 3, 1937 issue of The New York Woman, a weekly women's magazine. The editorial states that a suit is de rigeur for Spring, a must-have for daytime, for travel, and for wearing in the country. Shown are the prices in 1937, and in parentheses what that same 1937 dollar translates to in 2009.

From left to right:

- Green shetland wool with a fitted peaked lapel jacket that has 4 slit pockets and a gored skirt. Sold at Franklin Simon for $22.95 ($348.00)

- Navy flannel with wide lapels, link buttons, and new moon pockets. Sold at Franklin Simon for $17.50 ($265.00)

- Rust-red homespun with fitted hipline, top-of-the-pleat pockets, and tassel buttons. Sold at Macy's for $33.95 ($515.00)

- Schiaparelli herringbone with wing-tucked collarless jacket. Copy at Saks Fifth Avenue for $39.95 ($606.00)

From left to right:

- Blouse styles have wide shoulders with puff sleeves, high necklines with ascots or draping. Pussy bows were also very popular at this time.

- Grey flannel jersey knit suit with a silk-lined, back belted cardigan and rib-knit skirt. Sold at Best for $39.95 ($606.00)

- Navy flecked Forstmann wool with green print blouse and matching scarf. Sold at Arnold Constable for $65.00 ($986.00)

- Muted green Daventree tweed with top-stitched belted jacket that has 4 flap pockets. Sold at Lord & Taylor for $49.95 ($758.00)

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