Flash Sale! 50% Off All Coats

For the last year, we've been in desperate need of a remodel of the closet where we store coats here at Couture Allure.  I got the call yesterday that the carpenter can fit us in tomorrow for the repairs and new doors.  Tomorrow?  Um, OK!  That means that today only, you get 50% off all remaining coats and furs at Couture Allure!  The more we sell, the less we have to move so help us out!  Simply use coupon code "closet" at checkout and the 50% discount will be automatically applied.  Discount does not apply to shipping costs or previous purchases. Sale ends at midnight Eastern time today!

1930s coat with fox fur trim, just $162.50 today only!

1940s reversible faux fur cape, just $62.50 today only!

1970s faux fur with mink collar, just $97.50 today only!

And there's so much more!  Fur stoles, a Dior copy in creamy white silk, a 60s metallic brocade evening coat, and on and on.  You'll have to check out our Vintage Coats page to see everything that is on sale!  Go!  Grab your bargain now!

Guess The Date

Guess the date of this split skirt dress with bubble hem.  And if you care to, take a guess at the designer while you're at it.  Answer tomorrow!

Weekend Eye Candy - Germaine Lecomte, 1950

This incredible example of drapery was designed by Germaine Lecomte in 1950.  The dress is made of red iridescent taffeta.  It's such an appropriate color for this flaming hot dress, don't you think?

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. 

Meet Jean!

Meet long-time Couture Allure customer Jean.  She snapped up this 1970s embroidered suede jacket within minutes of my listing it on the site last week.  And isn't it simply perfect on her?  Jean, you look fabulous!  Thank you for sharing your picture with us!

1970s embroidered sued jacket at Couture Allure

Now Add a Vest - Sewing at Home, 1950

Yesterday, we looked at the possibilities of expanding your wardrobe by breaking up your suits into separates.  Now look what happens when you add a vest (or weskit) to the mix!  All photos and patterns are from 1950.

Here's a great example of sewing separates and wearing the pieces as a suit.  And when you add a vest to the mix, you get a more tailored and polished look than with a blouse, sweater or top alone.  Louis Vuitton luggage is not included.  And may I say, I absolutely LOVE that huge silver cross she is wearing at her neck.  The cross is by Roger Van S, but there is no note as to whether it is a necklace or pin.  Photo by Richard Avedon.

The red wool vest is made from Simplicity pattern 3298, view 4.

It is worn with a checked wool skirt made from Simplicity pattern 3027.  

NOTE: We talked the other day about sewing tops from wool jersey.  This is another pattern that would work for that!

And the ensemble is finished off with a topper jacket made from Simplicity 3327 in green wool coating.

Here's another example of a suit sewn as separates and then adding more possibilities with a vest.

The suit was made as separates from Simplicity pattern 3333.  

Make the jacket in a bold check and the skirt in a co-ordinating solid wool.

Now add the vest made from Simplicity 3298 and you've got separates that look like a suit!  

If you wanted a 3-piece suit, you could make all three pieces from the same fabric.

Here are some more vest patterns from 1950 that will stretch your wardrobe possibilities.

Simplicity 3299

Simplicity 2943

Separate That Suit - Sewing at Home, 1950

This week, we're going to continue our look at sewing vintage pieces at home, starting with a lesson on suits.  I often wonder why more women don't purchase vintage suits.  When you think about it, you're getting two pieces that will mix and match with others in your wardrobe for the price of one.  Think of your suit in terms of parts.  Wear the jacket with other skirts, pants, jeans or over a dress.  Wear the skirt with a sweater, blouse or a jacket from a different suit.

In the same vein of thinking, if you're not a suit kind of a gal, then look at suit patterns as separates.  Make the jacket alone, or use the skirt alone.  Or make the jacket and skirt from different fabrics.  If you've wanted to sew a pencil skirt, but can't find a pattern you like, look at suit patterns.  OR, if you can't find a suit pattern you like, combine a pattern for a jacket with a different skirt.  See what I mean?

Today, let's look at some suit jackets worn as separates, all from 1950.

At left: Simplicity 3099 jacket pattern sewn in houndstooth wool.  In the photo above, the jacket is worn with a coordinating skirt sewin from pattern 2383, but any skirt will do.
At right:  Suit sewn from Simplicity pattern 8055.  These pieces can easily be broken up to wear with other items in your wardrobe.  See what I mean?

At left:  Suit made from Simplicity 8157.  Another way of splitting up a suit.  Sew contrasting details on a solid jacket in a patterned fabric used to make the skirt.  Think plaid, tweed, houndstooth, herringbone.  Then make another skirt in the solid fabric of the jacket.  Wear the patterned skirt with a sweater or a different solid skirt.  See what I mean?

At right:  Navy and white wool check jacket sewn from Simplicity pattern 8208 (sorry, I couldn't find this one online anywhere).  The skirt is sewn in solid navy wool, but this jacket could also be worn with a skirt in red, white or gray.

Don't look at your suit as a suit.  Look at it as separates!  See what I mean?

Where Did Summer Go?

Many people consider Labor Day the end of summer, but I prefer to extend mine to Columbus Day.  And here it is.  As I sit here typing, I am wearing multiple layers of long sleeves because it is a chilly 46 degrees outside and we have not turned on the heat yet.  As a matter of fact, with what we know about changeable New England weather, the air conditioners are still in the windows and we actually had to use them one day last week.  But alas, the leaves are turning, they have started to fall, and it is time to admit defeat.  Summer 2012 is officially over.  This week I'll be pulling the tomato plants from the garden.  I have lots of green tomatoes that have no hope of ripening in this weather. Does anyone have a good suggestion as to how to use them? I picked the last of our green beans yesterday and those plants will come out too. The porch furniture will need to get stored, and we'll have to close all the storm windows soon.  But the memories of our delicious summer will live on, hopefully long enough to sustain me through the cold ahead. 

BTW, this is NOT how I dress to rake leaves!

Weekend Eye Candy - Christian Dior Suit, 1950

Who needs a handbag when you've got pockets like these?  Christian Dior gray wool suit, Fall 1950.

Sew it Yourself Knit Tops - 1950

Remember my rant over the summer about garbage garments that today's manufacturers are making?  It's getting to the point where I can't find good looking, well fitting knit tops anywhere.  And trying to find something that will last more than a few wearings?  Forget about it.  Silly me!  Why didn't it occur to me that I can make my own?  Next time I go to New York, I'll be shopping for beautiful jersey knit fabrics to sew some vintage inspired tops for my closet.

When I first saw this image in the 1950 pattern magazine I've been blogging from this week, I assumed the tops were purchased sweaters worn with sewn skirts.  Wrong!  All of those tops (except the gray blouse) were sewn from Simplicity pattern 3300.  The designers used wool jersey for these, and today you can find wonderful examples of that fabric that are blended with a touch of synthetic so they become hand washable.

Simplicity pattern 3300 from 1950, used to make the tops shown in the photo above.

And all the pencil skirts were made from Simplicity pattern 3330.  The possibilities are endless!

This wool jersey top was sewn from Simplicity pattern 3335 from 1950.  I can't find one online right now, but there are plenty of comparable patterns for sale out there.

Simplicity 4815 would work for a similar top.

This jersey top has a pattern knitted into the fabric.  I love this!

The top was sewn from Simplicity pattern 3302 from 1950.

 Not shown, but Simplicity 3027 would also work for making a top and cardigan in wool jersey.

Speaking of sewing with vintage patterns, I added a bunch from my grandmother's sewing room to the SewHallie Etsy shop yesterday.  Take a look!  My favorite?  This Vogue Special Design evening dress. 

Isn't it a beauty?

More Sew It Yourself - 1950

Yesterday I showed you some photos of clothing  made from Bates cotton fabrics in 1950.  Today's examples were made from Milliken Woolens. Yes, you can make your own suits and coats at home.  The possibilities are endless!

At left: A pleated skirt and bolero made from all wool plaid, worn with a red blouse made from rayon twill. 
At right:  A simple navy dress made in navy wool basket-weave fabric.  The short topper coat is in red wool fleece.  Unfortunately, I cannot find an example of Simplicity pattern 3033 that the dress was made from.

The skirt and blouse on the left were made from Simplicity pattern 3157 from 1950.  It's interesting how the look of these pieces changes from summer to fall with a change in the choice of fabrics.

The bolero jacket on the left was made from Simplicity pattern 3093.  Yes, you can mix and match pieces from different patterns to make your own take on a suit!

The red topper jacket shown on the right above was made from Simplicity pattern 3090.  I love how this can double as a suit jacket or outerwear!

At left:  A suit made from a wool/rayon blend in navy with tiny red dots.
At right:  The same navy wool dress shown at the right in the first photo is worn with a longer coat in green wool fleece.

The suit on the left was made using Simplicity pattern 3127.  Look at the versatility this pattern gives you! 

The green 3/4 coat shown on the right was made using Simplicity pattern 3090 again, this time in the longer version.  Both pieces look great over the navy dress, don't you think?

Sew It Yourself Dresses - 1950

I recently added a couple of vintage Simplicity Pattern magazines to my collection.  The images shown here today are from a 2-page advertisement for Bates Fabrics dating to 1950.  We are so lucky today that we have internet shopping so we can find many of the original vintage patterns that were featured in the old sewing magazines.  You can search for a particular pattern on the Vintage Pattern Wiki, where hundreds of vintage pattern enthusiasts have uploaded images and information about thousands of vintage patterns.  Or you can simply do a search for the specific pattern you are looking for and you're likely to find it about 75% of the time.  That way, you can make your vintage dress in a fabric you like and in a size to fit you!

A pretty off-the-shoulder evening gown made in Bates stained glass cotton print and cotton velveteen from Simplicity pattern 2964.

At left:  A pretty full skirted dress with contrast collar and cuffs made in cotton flannel in a paisley print from Simplicity pattern 8210 (the only pattern I couldn't find available today.)
At right:  A full skirted shirtwaist dress with tucks at the bodice made from woven cotton plaid from Simplicity pattern 8144.

My favorite of the dresses show here, a daytime dress with big pockets, here accented with braid trim made from Simplicity pattern 2971.

I have a few vintage patterns from my grandmother's sewing room still available at SewHallie.  Maybe something will inspire you!

Striking Moment, 1971

It happens every once in awhile.  I'll be flipping through a vintage magazine and an image stops me cold.  That happened to me last night when I was looking through some 1971 issues doing research for a friend.  The model is Naomi Sims, often called the "First Black Supermodel."  The dress is by Hanae Mori (worn here sans slip.)  And the jewelry?  18k hammered gold necklace and cuff bracelet by Greek artist and jeweler Lisa Sotilis.  The three combined make for an incredibly striking photo taken by Irving Penn.  Do you agree?

Dorothee Bis - 1975

It's October, and suddenly it's sweater weather here in Boston.  That makes everything about this ensemble by Dorothee Bis from 1975 look yummy, cozy and just right for right now.  It makes me warm just to look at it. 

New at Couture Allure - Vintage 1930s Clothing

I recently was lucky enough to purchase some wonderful 20s, 30s and 40s clothing from an estate that had been closed up for years.  The woman who owned these clothes had great taste and money to spend during the Depression era, a time when most women in this country did not have the ability to purchase expensive clothing.  Several of those pieces are now available at Couture Allure, with more coming in the next few weeks.  Be sure to check our What's New pages to see all the latest listings!

1930s black silk velvet with red rayon crepe dress and jacket ensemble

1929-30 silk velvet suit in this season's hottest color!

1930s sheer black chiffon evening gown

1930s black wool coat with fox fur collar

1930s green wool suit with sheared beaver fur