Vintage Accessories, 1954

I was asking for blog suggestions over on Facebook last week and Fearie asked to see some vintage accessories for Fall.  Today a look at handbags, gloves, shoes, belts and jewelry, all from 1954.

The handbag has straps to carry your umbrella.  That's a felt necklace at the bottom.

Paisley gloves!  Me want!

Two alligator handbags with secret pockets.  The one at top holds jewelry and the one at the bottom carries your cosmetics.

Leather bucket bags and a silk scarf.  Trés chic and timeless.
 

Bracelets and gloves!

How to Wear Plaids for Fall, 1958

When I asked for requests for the blog on Facebook last week, Carey wanted a post about tartans.  Plaids are a classic for fall.  It seems every year the fashion magazines claim that "Plaid is Back!"  Actually, they never go out of favor.  Here are some suggestions for wearing plaid.  All of today's images are from 1958.

If you're choosing a bold color, consider a plaid that is worked in a tone-on-tone effect so as not to jar the eye of your beholders.  Guy Laroche designed this scarlet plaid coat for Duchess Royal.  It comes with an attached scarf collar that can be worn in many ways. Sold in 1958 for $110 (about $859 in today's dollar.)

Pair plaids, especially bold ones, with solid neutrals.  This lets the plaid stand out and become the star.  At left:  Modern Juniors sleeveless tunic worn over a red wool jumpsuit.  Set sold in 1958 for $33 (about $258 in today's dollar.)  At right: Dick Dumas blanket coat in bold orange, red and yellow is worn with a solid turtleneck and simple black pants.  Sold in 1958 for $60 (about $469 in today's dollar.)

When wearing an allover plaid, such as a suit, tone down the colors so as not to overwhelm your figure.  This spectator suit by Ellen Brooke was available in soft brown or misty blue.  Bold red or green would have been too much.  Sold in 1958 for $135 (about $1,054 in today's dollar.)

Consider the scale of the plaid you are wearing.  While an oversized, bold plaid can work for a casual coat, when wearing a suit or a dressier topper, keep the size of the plaid smaller for a more professional look.   Also consider your figure.  If you are a petite woman, a smaller scale plaid is best.  Nelly de Grab wool/mohair suit was sold at Bergdorf Goodman.  Sold in 1958 for $40 (about $312 in today's dollar.)

Plaids can be perfect for a casual look too.  Pair a plaid skirt, shorts or pants with a solid blouse or sweater for a classic look that will always be in style.  These wool pieces are all by Loomtogs.

Don't consider yourself a plaid kind of gal?  How about carrying a plaid blanket wool handbag as a standout accessory?  Pair it with a simple solid coat for a fabulous splash of color!  Coronet wool handbag with black calfskin handle and straps.  Sold in 1958 for $30 (about $234 in today's dollar.)

Vintage Dresses with Bolero Jackets, 1956

I've always liked these dress and jacket sets from the 1950s.  You know the ones that have a fitted sheath dress with a darling short bolero jacket.  You get two looks in one with these sets and I always grab them when I find them for Couture Allure.  They are great for those early fall days when you can't decide if you need a coat or not.  Wear the jacket when you're chilly and take it off when it's warm later in the day. The examples shown today are from 1956.

Above, a Paul Sachs Original gray wool sheath dress with a coordinating jacket in black and gray stripes.  Note how Sachs has used the striped fabric to form a border at the edges of the jacket.  Also note how the stripes are perfectly matched at the sleeve seam.   Set sold for $50 in 1956 (about $415 in today's dollar.)

Daryl Creations wool jersey short sleeve dress in autumn rust comes with a bolero jacket in black with rust dots.  Set sold for $30 in 1956 (about $249 in today's dollar.)  I have to say I am coveting that Morris Moskowitz suede handbag.

Masket Bros. navy wool doeskin sheath dress with matching jacket.  Brass buttons set off the simple lines of this ensemble.  Set sold for $55 in 1956 (about $456 in today's dollar.)  Black alligator handbag by Milch.

Chestnut Hill brushed rayon sheath dress and bolero jacket.  Note how the button placket on the jacket becomes a decorative element with the curved extension.  Set sold for $30 in 1956 (about $249 in today's dollar.)  Spotted fur bag and ascot by Winter Furs.

Daryl faille dress and jacket were available in black, red, green, gray, taupe, slate or brown.  Ribbed faille is a fabric that can go from day to evening with ease.  Love all the buttons!  Set sold for $25 in 1956 (about $207 in today's dollar.)

Last Chance Sale and What's New at Couture Allure

Last Chance Sale at Couture Allure ends today!  Don't miss your chance for our best sale of the season with most remaining summer dresses marked down to just $50.00 each!  These items will disappear forever from the site tomorrow.  Click this link to see all the items included in the Last Chance Sale!

60s Mod cotton maxi dress now just $50.00!

As for what's new this week, we've added more fabulous dresses from the 1970s as well as more vintage coats for fall.  Be sure to check our What's New page to see all the latest listings!

70s Soo Yung Lee sheer silk gown.

1950s wool tweed swing coat.

1990s Bill Blass crocodile silk suit.

1970s Cassandra signature print dress.

1970s floral jersey day dress.

Weekend Eye Candy - Coralie Coat, 1945

I don't know much about the French designer Coralie other than to tell you she was working in Paris in 1945 as the French couture was emerging from the war years.  This maroon wool coat is elaborately decorated with loops and swirls in the same fabric.  Incredible!

Jen and Laura Wear Vintage

You've met Jen and Laura before.  Here they both are wearing vintage summer dresses purchased from Couture Allure!

Here's Jen wearing a 1970s rayon sundress.  And yes, that's Josh Groban with his arm around her!  Jen volunteers for Musicopia, an organization that is dedicated to bringing music programs into schools and Josh was there for an event.  Jen said the cool rayon fabric was perfect for a hot summer's night.

Here is Laura wearing a cotton dress from the 1950s.  She's not just wearing it, she is rocking it!  I love the addition of the vintage floral hat and white purse.  Doesn't she look fabulous?

The Perfect Suit, 1953

Perfect from head to toe.  Note how she lets her suit be the star by using a smaller handbag and hat.  Look how the buttons elongate the figure from the waist to the hem of the skirt.  And I'll bet there are hidden hooks or buttons to close that collar if you want to.  Note the perfect eyebrows and simple makeup.  And don't forget  your gloves.  To get the look today, use animal printed fabric or faux fur please.  Suit by Raphael, 1953.

New Wardrobe, 1974 - Part 3

Today, part 3 of our 3 day look at the items that were considered essential for a young woman shopping for a fall wardrobe in 1974.  All of the items shown are interchangeable with each other and with the items shown over the last two days for a myriad of looks. Use these photos as inspiration for your own 70s style this fall.

No wardrobe is complete without a pair or two of basic jeans.  They can be mixed with any of the tops and sweaters shown over the last two days.  Or add a short sleeved white blouse and pullover knit vest.  Another pair of espadrilles in navy finishes the look.

How about a leather belt that reverses from red to green?  Double the look for one money!

For one coat that works with everything, you can't go wrong with a classic navy pea coat.  It will take you anywhere you want to go except for the most formal of occasions.

Top off your coat with a warm fuzzy knit cap and a plaid wool scarf.

You probably have many of these pieces already in your closet.  Try mixing one or two of these items, either in true vintage or modern vintage-inspired, to bring your look "back to the future"!

New Wardrobe, 1974 - Part 2

Today, part 2 of our 3 day look at the items that were considered essential for a young woman shopping for a fall wardrobe in 1974.  All of the items shown are interchangeable with each other and with the items shown yesterday and tomorrow for a myriad of looks. Use these photos as inspiration for your own 70s style this fall.

You'll need a basic beige or white blouse.  Add a knit cardigan and vest set and pair the pieces with wide leg corduroys.  Note the bag from yesterday.  A colored beret tops everything off, or wear the topper hat shown in the inset.

 Another long wool cardigan with matching vest is worn with the solid blouse and a basic a-line skirt in camel wool.

Remove the sweater and vest, add some pretty jewelry and dressier shoes and you're ready for dinner.

Tasseled moccasins and reptile sling back shoes can mix-and-match with all the looks shown.

Don't forget silk scarves to add a bit of color and dash to that basic blouse!

You probably have many of these pieces already in your closet.  Try mixing one or two of these items, either in true vintage or modern vintage-inspired, to bring your look "back to the future"!

New Wardrobe, 1974 - Part 1

You probably know that fashion for this fall has been greatly influenced by the 70s.  For the next 3 days, we're going to look at items that were considered essential for a young woman shopping for a fall wardrobe in 1974.  All of the items shown are interchangeable with each other for a myriad of looks. Use these photos as inspiration for your own 70s style this fall.

A cotton velour zip front jacket worn with wide leg wool tweed pants and a camel color ribbed wool turtleneck sweater.

Pop the same velour jacket over matching red jeans.  Add a wool bucket hat and a plaid scarf.

A leather shoulder bag is large enough to tote all your essentials.

A braided leather skinny belt is just the thing to polish the look of the pants.  Rust color suede espadrilles are worn with matching tights.

You probably have many of these pieces already in your closet.  Try mixing one or two of these items, either in true vintage or modern vintage inspired, to bring your look "back to the future"!

New at Couture Allure - Vintage Designer Dresses

New this week at Couture Allure are several vintage designer pieces, most from the 1970s.  Be sure to check our What's New page to see all the latest additions to the site!

1970s Leonard of Paris wool jersey maxi dress.

1970s James Galanos red wool sweater knit dress.

1960s Teal Traina silk dress.

1970s Liza Spain wool challis top and skirt set.

1970s Perry Ellis bohemian skirt.

1950s floral wool jersey dress.

Weekend Eye Candy - Pierre Cardin, 1972

August is here, and with it we change our focus to Fall fashions.  This coat by Pierre Cardin is from 1972.  I adore the cut out sleeves backed with black, along with the black patent belt and buttons. 

Paris Coats and Suits - 1933

Chanel camel striped velvet suit worn with a hat and blouse in sky blue linen embroidered with black.

 Lucien Lelong red angora/wool coat with silver fox collar.

 Marcel Rochas pink with black check wool suit.

 Bernard et Cie navy wool crepe coat with white embroidered scarf.

Martial et Armand suit in beige, yellow and brown crepe.

Which is your favorite?