Weekend Eye Candy - Lucille Ball, 1940

Lucille Ball wears a plush white fox fur jacket, 1940.

Friday Charm School - How to Enter and Leave a Room Like a Lady

Welcome to Friday Charm School! How are the lessons working for you so far? Are you finding these moves awkward? Are you thinking about how you move, and how it looks to others? Are you finding, as I am, that these moves require strong core muscles?

The impression you make as you enter or leave a room can be your greatest asset. Here are some tips for making a good entrance and a graceful departure from a room.


When entering a room:
1. Avoid bursting into a room. Hesitate for a moment in the doorway, compose yourself, and glance quickly around to note names, faces, and the environment. Before you step into the room, you should know where you are going and to whom you will be speaking.
2. Smile.
3. If there is a door, grasp the knob with your hand. If the door opens into the room to the right, use your right hand, and vice versa. Keep your arm straight and open the door as you walk forward. Step sideways and reach behind you with the opposite hand to grab the inner door knob. Step backwards to close the door without turning your back on the room.

When leaving a room:
1. Leave a good impression. Smile.
2. Back out slowly, facing the people in the room. (OK, this is the first rule I have to disagree with. Maybe it's rude to turn my back, but walking backwards out of a room is just weird.)
3. If there is a door, walk up with your back to the door, reach behind and grasp the knob. Straighten your arm and walk forward opening the door behind you. Step to the side, grasp the outer knob and back out of the room, pulling the door closed. You are literally closing the door in your face. (Again, weird.)


When bending to pick up objects, keep your back straight and bend from the knees. Keep your head up. This is not only graceful, it protects your back from injury.

Keep practicing!

Vintage Sweaters - 1975

Just a few more days to enter the giveaway from Vermont Country Store! Go and enter to win now!

20 years after yesterday's post, the look of sweaters is decidedly different. In 1975, sweaters were longer and were made of heavier, thicker, chunkier yarns than those of 1955. Worn with bell bottom pants, jeans, or long skirts, here are the sweaters the everyday gal wore in 1975.

Allison's Closet bulky cable knit cardigan.

Beverly Johnson wears a wool wrap sweater by Jane Justin.

Organically Grown by Arpeja acrylic (ironic) turtleneck sweater with center muff pockets.

Ellen Tracy wool cardigan with matching vest and hat.

Hooded wool tweed sweater jacket by Swing Low.

Vintage Sweaters - 1955

It's 1955, and sweaters are a big hit for fall. Worn with skirts, pants, or Bermuda shorts, most gals had at least one (or ten) in her wardrobe.

May Claire shawl collar pullover.

Pride O'Glen lambswool sweater could be worn two ways, with the buttons in front or back.

Darlene pullover and twin-set.

Talbott V-neck and turtleneck.

What do you wear underneath to get that true "sweater girl" look? A pointy, circle-stitched bra, of course! And if your cup size was smaller, you wore one with padding.

Here's a current fave at Couture Allure. This lambswool/fur blend twin set comes straight out of the 1950s!

One Striking Photo

Last week, when I was wandering the Brimfield Antique Show, one of the treasures I brought home was an issue of Vogue magazine from 1946. As I started turning the pages, this ad stopped me cold. I absolutely adore everything I see here, but the printed gloves that match the printed blouse that matches the printed lining of the jacket make me swoon with glee.

This striking photo is an early example of cross merchandising. The ad is for Harzfeld's in Kansas City. Harzfeld's was the high end department store in Kansas City. Revlon kicked in advertising dollars so they could get a tag line for their "Fatal Apple" red lipstick, which the model wears. And in small letters, a second tag line tells us that the suit is by Pattullo. Jo Copeland was the designer for Pattullo, and she was recognized as one of the most talented American designers of the time. But I probably didn't need to tell you that. The gloves say it all!

Product Review and Giveaway! Vermont Country Store Herbal Shampoo

GIVEAWAY NOW CLOSED

Last week I posted about my memories of the original Clairol Herbal Essence Shampoo from the 70s. It was such a great product but the original is no longer made. I had found a comparable shampoo at Vermont Country Store. They specialize in hard-to-find products and have a wonderful selection from the practical to the quirky.

After that post went live, I was contacted by Vermont Country Store and they sent me several bottles of the shampoo so I could review it and give some away to my readers!

I'm not a person who loves flowery scents. My perfume of choice is K.L., which is a scent that combines amber, cloves, orange, and cinnamon in the most wonderful heady fragrance. K.L. was discontinued long ago, and I hoard the few bottles I have left. My potpourri, sachet, and incense choices always lean toward woodsy, spicy scents like cedar, bergamot, and eucalyptus. That's why I have such fond memories of the original Herbal Essence shampoo.

I've used the Vermont Country Store Herbal Shampoo for several days now, and while it is not exactly like the the original Clairol Herbal Essence, it is as close to any current product on the market that I have found. The scent of the Vermont Country Store shampoo has more of a "soapy" undertone and lacks what I remember as the pine fragrance of the original, but it does have a wonderful herbal and spicy scent that lingers for several hours after I have shampooed. And it's no wonder, as the list of ingredients includes extracts of thyme, marjoram, sage, basil, ginseng, lavender, green tea, ginko, coneflower, and marigold. I love it and I hope you will too!

GIVEAWAY NOW CLOSED

Vermont Country Store has generously provided five 16 oz. bottles of their Country Herbal Shampoo for me to give away to you, my dear readers. How do you win?

1. Hop on over to Vermont Country Store's website and take a look around. I especially love their Brands From The Past section.
2.. Post a comment telling us about your favorite find (excluding the Herbal Shampoo) from Vermont Country Store here, and you're entered to win!
3. Please include a valid email address in your comment so I can contact you. Comments without a valid email address will be disqualified.

I'll draw 5 winners next Monday, September 20. Good luck!

UPDATE:  Vermont Country Store has discontinued this product.

New at Couture Allure - Vintage Couture Evening Gowns

New at Couture Allure this week are some incredible vintage evening gowns including two couture pieces. If you need a vintage formal gown for a fancy affair, we have a wonderful collection with more to come!

1950s pale pink tulle strapless ballerina length dress by Rappi.

1960s Victoria Royal navy silk chiffon gown with beaded jacket.

1970s Ross Platos black velvet gown with organza wing.

1980s Victor Costa taffeta gown with mink fur cuffs.

1980s Michael Novarese couture velvet evening gown.

1970s Hanae Mori couture silk evening gown.

Weekend Eye Candy - Elsa Schiaparelli, 1939

Leopard skin booties designed by Elsa Schiaparelli for her Fall 1939-40 season. The pair shown here were part of the designer's personal wardrobe and one of her favorite pairs of shoes. They were shown in the exhibit "Shocking! The Art and Fashion of Elsa Schiaparelli" at the Philadelphia Museum of Art in 2003.

Photo from the book that accompanied the exhibit.

Friday Charm School - How to Handle Stairs and Cars Like a Lady

Welcome to Friday Charm School! Today, we'll look at how to get in and out of a car and how to go up and down stairs like a lady. There's lots of information to practice this week, but if you add these skills to our previous lessons, you'll be noticeably more poised!

Getting in and out of a car in a "bottoms up" or "legs sprawled" position can be unflattering and embarrasing (remember Britney?). Here is how to do it with poise and grace.
1. Stand close to the car facing the same direction the car is pointing.
2. Place the foot nearest the car on a line just in front of the seat, and the outside foot one step forward.
3. Lower yourself with your weight carried on your thigh muscles until your head is clear of the car roof and sit on the outer edge of the seat.
4. Swing your knees to the front and bring your feet inside the car.
5. Arrange your skirt.

To get out of a car:
1. Lift your derriere slightly off the seat and straighten your skirt, pulling it gracefully to cover your knees.
2. Slide to the outer edge of the seat, knees together.
3. Place the foot that is nearest the door on the curb, bending the other leg at the same time to keep the knees close together.
4. Step out with the other foot and lift yourself from a sitting position with your thigh muscles, keeping your back straight.

Have you ever had nightmares about making a grand entrance that involved coming down a staircase? Here is how to handle stairs like a lady.


1. Balance is key. Use your best posture. Don't bend your head to look at the stairs. Glance down with your eyes only.
2. Don't lead with your head. Move with your body erect, head up, weight on the back foot and placing your full weight on the front foot as the torso comes over it.
3. Place your entire foot on the step without letting your heel hang over the edge.
4. Take your time!
5. On narrow stairs, place your feet sideways.
6. When getting on busses, trains, etc., face in the direction the vehicle is moving and hold the handrail. Step up with your feet sideways on the steps.

How do you handle stairs when wearing a long dress? You don't want to trip on the hem or hold your dress up too high.

In a narrow skirt, bend your knees and grasp the fabric of the skirt a few inches above the knee. Lift the skirt until it is just above your ankles and glide up or down the stairs.

With a full skirt, use both hands. Bend your knees slightly and grasp each side of the skirt a few inches above the knees. Lift the skirt until it is just above the ankles.

Vintage Designer Gowns in the Fine Print

When flipping through vintage magazines, you often see the most spectacular evening gowns in ads for other products. If you stop and take a moment to look beyond the product being offered, you'll see some incredible pieces, and the designer's name is often featured in the tiny print at the bottom or along the sides of the ad. Here are some examples from November of 1958.

This ad for Revlon Touch and Glow foundation shows a gown by Ceil Chapman.

This ad for Revlon "Fifth Avenue Red" lipstick and nail polish was a two page spread and featured this gown by Arnold Scaasi.

Cadillac worked with high-end fashion designers in the 1950s to produce expensive and exclusive garments to feature in their car ads. This one says, "Mother daugher ensemble designed expressly for Cadillac by Ines da Roma."

This ad for Intimate perfume shows a romantic image of a gown by Philip Hulitar.

Another Philip Hulitar garment, this voluminous blue satin evening coat was featured in an ad for Trifari jewelry.


The ads that frustrate me, though, are those for Modess feminine products. They featured a new and amazing evening gown every month, but the ads did not give attribution to the designers. Don't you wonder who was the genius that made this gold brocade gown with mink fur cuffs?

Bubbles, Bubbles Everywhere - 1958

Judging by the ads and features in an October 1958 magazine, the bubble skirt is the style of the moment. Aren't they beautiful? So feminine and so graceful.....can't you imagine floating through a party in one of these?

Left to right:

- Whitney yellow silk satin brocade dress with bows. Sold in 1958 for $295 ($2,225 in today's dollar).

- Jane Derby black and white stripe with ostrich feathers at the hem. Sold in 1958 for $200 ($1,509 in today's dollar).

- Scassi lavender satin. Sold in 1958 for $350 ($2,640 in today's dollar).

- Samuel Winston red chantilly lace over orange silk lining. Sold in 1958 for $225 ($1,697 in today's dollar).

From left to right:

- Talmack red and gold metallic brocade. Sold in 1958 for $255 ($1,924 in today's dollar).

- Harvey Berin emerald silk satin. Sold in 1958 for $125 ($943 in today's dollar).

- Ben Reig black silk taffeta with rhinestone pin worn at the hem. Sold in 1958 for $275 ($2,075 in today's dollar).

- Talmack violet silk taffeta. Sold in 1958 for $160 ($1,207 in today's dollar).

Harvey Berin by Karen Stark offered this silk satin bubble skirted evening gown.

Pattullo-Jo Copeland silk satin cocktail dress has the look of a huge bow at the back skirt. Sold in 1958 for $250 ($1,886 in today's dollar).

Jr. Sophisticates silk peau de soie bubble dress was offered in green, brown, black, or red. Sold in 1958 for $70 ($528 in today's dollar).

Here, an ad to sew your own bubble dress from a Suzy Perette original design offered in Advance pattern #8812. If you want to make this dress, I found one copy of the original pattern at Ruby Plaza.

Handelsman and Raiffe

Handelsman and Raiffe was another of the high-end coat and suit manufacturers in New York. I can find very little information about this company, but judging by the few ads I've located, they made gorgeous and expensive garments. Harry Raiffe was the designer, and the company's label was Rafi, New York.

Above, front and back views of a Rafi princess coat from 1954. Fashioned of a wool/rabbit hair blend, the coat was available in gray, black, navy, red, and ivory. Sold in 1954 for $135 (about $1,103 in today's dollar).


From 1952, a glorious full skirted Rafi suit in Forstmann wool with a little lace collar. The skirt was lined in Pellon for added body. Sold in 1952 for $130 (about $1,078 in today's dollar).

From 1957, a Rafi apricot silk suit trimmed in lynx fur. Sold in 1957 for $185 (about $1,446 in today's dollar).


From 1958, a Rafi blue wool suit with a dramatic portrait collar. The jacket is lined in the same floral silk that fashions the chemise blouse. Sold in 1958 for $125 (about $953 in today's dollar).

From 1959, a Rafi reversible double-faced wool coat was noted as being light weight and perfect for travel. Sold in 1959 for $110 (about $830 in today's dollar).

Remember the Original Clairol Herbal Essence Shampoo?

Wow, what a trip down memory lane! This 1972 ad for Clairol Herbal Essence Shampoo brings me way back. When I was in high school and working at Woolworth's, I loved this shampoo so much, I bought it with my own money and did not share it with my 4 sisters. The pine woods scent was unlike anything else on the market. I had long straight hair at the time and would get wiffs of the scent almost all day. As Clairol said, it was "clean and fresh and fragrant with the cool, green essence of mysterious herbs and enchanted flowers".

Clairol discontinued this shampoo long ago. Their new line of Herbal Essences shampoos are nothing like this original. Believe me, I've tried. When I came across this ad today, I did a search for it, and I am not alone in wishing Clairol would revive the original. But I did find this:

Vermont Country Store has come out with what appears to be a great alternative. According to the overwhelmingly positive customer reviews, this product mimics the original scent to a T. I've not tried it yet, but I'll be sure to let you know my opinion when I fill up my shopping cart and get my order!

UPDATE: To read my review of the Vermont Country Store version, click here.

UPDATE #2:  Vermont Country Store has discontinued their version of this shampoo.  Check the comments for other suggestions!

New at Couture Allure - Vintage Designer Dresses

New this week at Couture Allure are several vintage designer dresses and some fabulous fur muffs, as well as the most wonderful 1920s flapper era purse!

1990s Gianfranco Ferre couture silk cocktail dress.

1980s Holly's Harp matte jersey dress.

1970s Lanvin logo print shirt dress.

1920s flapper era purse with black ostrich plumes.

1950s black velveteen full skirted party dress.

1940s raccoon fur muff.

1940s black taffeta dress with winged shoulders.