January 21 - Steal of a Deal

Today's Steal of a Deal is this vintage 1960's icy blue sequined dress with beaded fringe tassels on the bodice. Yowza! Original price - $135.00. Today only, 50% off - $67.50.

Jacqueline Kennedy Inaugural Ball Gown

Jacqueline Kennedy actually designed her inaugural ballgown, working in tandem with Diana Vreeland and Ethel Frankau, fashion director of Bergdorf Goodman. Jackie had sent two magazine pictures to Vreeland of dresses by Victor Stiebel and Dior, which were adapted to the final design. Emeric Partos, Bergdorf's fur designer brought all the ideas together into the gown you see above.

The gown was fashioned of off-white faille with a strapless bodice embroidered with beads and silver thread. Jackie chose to downplay the beading with a silk chiffon blouson overblouse. She wore full length kidskin gloves and carried a matching clutch.

Kennedy had considered wearing a short fur jacket, but at the last minute she decided on a full length cape instead. Bergdorf's did not have enough of the skirt fabric to make the cape, and they could not find a fabric that was an exact color match. The solution was to use a matte faille and add an overlayer of chiffon georgette to create a shimmering effect. The buttons at the closure were embroidered with silver thread.

Tomorrow, I'll continue this series with a look at some of the evening gowns worn by Jackie during her time as First Lady.

January 20 - Steal of a Deal

In honor of Inauguration Day, and all the formal balls that go with it, today's Steal of a Deal is this vintage silk evening coat by Henri Bendel. Original price - $125.00. Today only, 50% off - $62.50.

Jacqueline Kennedy Inauguration Fashion

One single picture describes for me the elegant simplicity of Jacqueline Kennedy's style that would come to influence fashion all over the world. Look how she stands out from all the women around her in their dark colors.


48 years ago today, John F. Kennedy was sworn in as the 35th President of the U.S. Following a major blizzard the night before, thousands of workers toiled to clear the streets of Washington, D.C. for the inaugural parade. The temperatures were bitterly cold at 22°F with wind chills making it feel like 7°F.

Jackie wore a taupe wool dress with matching coat designed by Oleg Cassini. Every element of her outfit was carefully considered. The coat had a small sable fur collar, and a matching sable fur muff was chosen to help keep the First Lady's hands warm during the ceremony. She wore the muff over long kidskin gloves.

Jackie started the day with simple black pumps, but later added fur trimmed boots for the walk in the snow.

And then, there's the hat. Jackie had been forced by her public role into wearing hats, as called for by formal protocol. The high domed pillbox style had been shown by Givenchy, Dior, and Balenciaga in their recent collections. At the time, Halston (yes, that Halston) was the custom milliner at Bergdorf Goodman, and he designed the seamless wool felt hat Jackie wore for the inauguration. She made fashion history, however, by choosing to wear the hat tipped to the back of her head rather than straight on top.

Tomorrow, I'll look at the dress Jackie wore to the Inauguration Ball. And at noon today, I'll be glued to my television watching history in the making with a new inauguration.
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Another Jackie Picture

Here's another photo of Jackie leaving for the Pre-inauguration Gala. Here we can see her ivory silk shoes with pointed toes, and a glimpse of her slip. Keep that dress out of the snow!

January 19 - Steal of a Deal

Today's Steal of a Deal is this late 1940's swing coat with Persian Lamb collar. Original price - $135.00. 50% off today only - $67.50.

Jacqueline Kennedy Pre-Inauguration Fashion

48 years ago today, on January 19, 1961, John and Jacqueline Kennedy attended the Pre-Inauguration Gala at the National Guard Armory in Washington, DC. The city was in the middle of a raging blizzard and Jacqueline Kennedy was not feeling well, but she knew that this important event would set the tone for her image as First Lady.

Jackie considered white to be the most ceremonial color, and she chose to wear this color for both the Gala and for the Inauguration Ball the following evening. The gown she wore to the gala was designed by Oleg Cassini in ivory double-faced silk satin twill. The rich fabric set off the simple lines of the gown to magnificent effect. The ribbon cockade at the waist pointed to Jacqueline's French Bouvier ancestry, as well as her love of history.

Kenneth Battelle, otherwise known as Mr. Kenneth, was flown in from New York to create a hairstyle that would harmonize with Jackie's gown. She also wore simple jewelry, elbow length gloves and carried a small evening clutch.

Hundreds of people braved the blizzard to try and catch a glimpse of the First Couple as their limosine crept along at 10 mph. Kennedy asked the driver to turn on the lights inside the car, so the people could see Jackie as they drove by.

Tomorrow, I'll share with you the fashions Jackie wore on Inauguration Day, 1961.

Vintage Roadshow - Links of the Week

• Debutante Clothing digs through the vintage Vogue archives and finds wisdom on handkerchiefs and reputations.
  

• Here's Looking Like You, Kid shows off retro platform shoes that Raquel Welch could "Fathom".
  

• iKonic Vintage visits the swinging 60's with the first fashion video starring Peggy Moffitt wearing Rudi Gernreich.
  

• Market Publique gives you an inside look at their Listing Page.
  

• Couture Allure shows how to recycle a vintage coat.

January 18 - Steal of a Deal

Today's Steal of a Deal is this cute 1960's party dress with lace sleeves. Original price - $95.00. 50% off today only - $47.50.

Weekend Eye Candy - Lagerfeld for Chanel

1983 - From Karl Lagerfeld's first collection for Chanel. The designer pays homage to Chanel's legacy by designing a simple black evening gown with embroidery that mimics Coco's piles of jewelry. The necklaces, bracelets, and belt are all embroidered directly onto the dress.

January 17 - Steal of a Deal

Today's Steal of a Deal is this 1950's wool dress decorated with tiny bronze studs. Gorgeous! Original price - $135.00. Today only 50% off - $67.50.

January 16 - Steal of a Deal

Today's Steal of a Deal is this 1940's black iridescent beaded purse. Original price - $85.00. Today only 50% off - $42.40.

1942 - Knitting for Defense

Another article from the WWII years, this time from Ladies Home Journal, January 1942. The Citizens' Committee for the Army and Navy provided patterns and yarn for women to knit items at home that were then given to American Army and Navy and British Royal Air Force servicemen on the front. "Official instructions" for the items shown here were offered by Ladies Home Journal for 3 cents each.

Top row, left to right:
- A basic knit and purl scarf, good for beginning knitters
- An RAF helmet to be worked in official navy blue
- Neck muff for RAF or American airmen

Center row, left to right:
- Toddler sweater and cap for American Red Cross relief packs
- Regulation men's socks
- Knitted gloves

Left to right:
- Turtleneck sweater for British War Relief
- Sweater and watch cap for American sailors
- V-neck Army vest
- Button front vest for boys in the Civilian Conservation Corps

In looking through these magazines from the war years, one really gets a sense that the entire country was involved, even the women and children at home. There is a feeling of patriotism and sacrifice for the war effort that hasn't been equaled since.

January 15 - Steal of a Deal

Today's Steal of a Deal is this stunning vintage 1980's Victor Costa ball gown. Original price - $175.00. Today only 50% off - $87.50.

Recycling a Vintage Coat

It's interesting, in today's economy, to read magazines from WWII years, as the articles focus on "making do" and reusing items we already own. The article featured today is entitled How to Make the Most of an Old Fur Coat and originally appeared in the November 1943 issue of Woman's Day.

I know some of my readers prefer not to wear fur, and that's OK. For those of us who do, vintage furs are preferred. Any of the ideas shown would also work in faux fur. Or read on if you've got an out of date high quality wool or cashmere coat that could be remade into something else. Reuse, reduce, recycle!

If you've find an old fur coat that has worn areas, or the style doesn't flatter, consider some of these ideas for remaking the coat into something new. If there are enough good skins, you can make a shorter jacket from a long coat. The full length nutria coat at the left had raglan sleeves. It was remade into a shorter swagger jacket with set-in cuffed sleeves and a shawl collar. Scraps were used to trim the hat.

The lapin coat shown at the lower right was remade into the long scarf at the left. I love the idea of wearing a long wide scarf belted over a jacket or cardigan.

The drawing at the upper right shows an idea for using narrow bands of fur or contrasting fabric to trim a simple tailored coat.

The scraps from the lapin coat in the second picture were also used to make the collar and pockets at the upper right and the hat and muff at the lower left.

Other uses for larger scraps: Make long contrasting front lapels for a plain coat, or use pieces for the front of a vest. A shorter waist-length bolero is also fun.

January 14 - Steal of a Deal

Today's Steal of a Deal is this sophisticated 1960's brocade dress with matching coat. Original price $125.00. 50% off today only - $62.50.

Accessorizing with Scarves

Are you bored with the same old coat, suit, or dress? Do you need some color now that the winter doldrums have set in? How can a gal change her look on a budget? Scarves are your answer! A pretty scarf can be wrapped, draped, and tied in several ways to update your look. And if you're thrift shopper, you can often find beautiful silk scarves for a couple of dollars. Did you know you can have your favorite silk scarves dry cleaned? It's the best way to maintain their bright colors and soft, fluid drape.

Here are some ideas for wearing scarves from 1956.

January 13 - Steal of a Deal

Today's Steal of a Deal is this 1960's genuine mink fur jacket. Original price $225.00. 50% off today only - $112.50.

Drew Barrymore Rocks It

There's been a lot of blog chatter about Drew Barrymore's hair at the 2009 Golden Globe awards held this past Sunday. Most reviews and comments seem to be along the lines of, "What was she thinking?" The Fug gals even said she looked like she was shot out of a cannon.

You know what? I LOVE this look! Now maybe it's because I spend my days immersed in the past. Or maybe it's because I always side with the underdog. But on a night when everyone's dress looked the same, and everyone's hair was "safe", Drew really rocked this look, straight out of the mid 1960's. Drew, don't listen to the naysayers! There are those of us who understand!

The following images are all from Vogue, October 1964. See what I mean?

How about you? Did you love or hate Drew's hair?

Searching for Inspiration

My creative self is bubbling below the surface. I'm not sure where it will lead yet, but things are happening!