Ferre Blouse - 1990

This gorgeous image was taken by Italian photographer Giampaolo Barbieri in 1990 for Gianfranco Ferre.  I love the image, but I also love the blouse made of sheer silk organza with huge sleeves.

Want the look?  I recently listed this vintage 1990s silk organza blouse by Celia Tejada at Couture Allure.  Layer it over a camisole and wear it with jeans, a black leather mini skirt, or a long white satin evening skirt. 

Macshore Classics Blouse - 1960

Macshore Classics was a maker of women's blouses beginning in 1943.  The company's products were well made, so well made you can find their vintage blouses for sale quite often.  If you wear blouses, I recommend that you give a MacShore Classics cotton blouse a try. The quality of materials used, the construction, the fit, and the details will far surpass any modern blouse you can buy at the mall today.  I guarantee it! 

The blouse shown above from 1960 is a great example. The front panels are accented with navy blue embroidered flowers that are filled with white lace appliques.  Isn't it pretty? 

Macshore Classics is a family-owned company and is still in business today in Greenville, SC, although now they make bedding and drapes.  All of their products are made in the USA! 

My How Things Have Changed

This 1956 full page ad for Macshore Classics appeared on the inside front cover of a high fashion magazine.  I find this ad charming, with the model's scowl and her indignation that her husband has accused her of spending too much money on her blouse.  Here's the ad copy:

"I've never been so insulted!  Just don't worry about my being a 'flighty spendthrift' or ever getting your bank account confused with Mr. Rockefeller's.  I know this exquisite Macshore wash 'n' wear dacron and pima blend blouse looks like 'an outrageous ten or twelve dollars', but actually it only cost $3.98.  And Macshore Classics happens to have a whole wonderful line of these smart luxury-looking sleeveless blouses priced at a mere bagatelle of just $3 and $4."

Can you imagine any company today putting this ad in a magazine, much less on the inside front cover?  By the way, that $3.98 in 1956 is equal to about $33 today.

Dress Up a Vintage Suit

I really, really like this idea. Shown here is a basic suit from 1960. Probably in navy or black, it has a waist-length jacket with 3/4 sleeves and a straight skirt. Rather ho-hum if worn on its own. Look what happens, though, when you add a bit of femininity with a printed blouse! Take a blouse that has a bow tie at the neck and fuller long sleeves. Pull the bow out on top of the jacket and puff the blouse sleeves below the jacket cuff. Su-weet!