Vacation Time! Are You Taking Vintage in Your Suitcase?

I am headed off for vacation and road trips for the rest of this month, but not to worry!  My assistant will be in the office to ship your orders and answer your questions while I'm away.

If you're going on a vacation of your own, I hope you'll be incorporating vintage into your wardrobe.  Need last minute ideas?  There are still lots of vintage and vintage inspired summer dresses, separates and accessories available at Couture Allure.

1970s cotton polka dot sundress

1960s Kahala cotton hostess dress

1970s hand embroidered peasant blouse

1980s abstract print cotton skirt

1950s 3-strand bead necklace

1970s large straw tote bag

1980s Benetton leather belt

How About a Blouse Instead of That T-Shirt?

One of the things I find sad about modern fashion is how casual we've become. Now that jeans and t-shirts are ubiquitous, it seems many of us have lost our flair for dressing well. Though knits are comfortable, most modern t-shirts and knit tops are made of such cheap fabric that they look a bit bedraggled after only a few washings. Why not choose a vintage blouse instead?

A vintage blouse is a great way to bring the past into your wardrobe without breaking the bank. And if you have trouble finding vintage dresses that fit, a blouse will be more forgiving, especially if you don't have a tiny waist. Pair a vintage blouse with a skirt, pants, or even jeans. Layer it under a jacket or cardigan for a look that is polished and different. The blouses shown here are all from 1962.

Shapely Classic blouse printed with blue and green leaves. Sold in 1962 for $5 (about $37 in today's dollar.) Hat by Sally Victor.

Lady Manhattan shirt with French cuffs adorned with big jeweled cuff links. Sold in 1962 for $6 (about $44 in today's dollar.) Hat by Emme.

Vera silk blouse in white with big black dots, worn with a black silk scarf. Sold in 1962 for $12 (about $88 in today's dollar.)

Mollie Parnis white silk blouse with button and buttonhole detail all the way around the collar. Belted in black patent.

Do you have blouses in your wardrobe? Have you ever tried a vintage blouse? Should I carry more vintage blouses at Couture Allure?

Going Braless - 1973

One would think by looking at an issue of Vogue from 1973, that we women let it all hang out. I can remember going without a bra when wearing a darker colored shirt or sweater that didn't allow things to show through, but I never wore my blouses unbuttoned to the waist. And I didn't go braless when wearing t-shirts or other garments made from thinner fabrics. While these photos are titillating, they don't represent the everyday woman of the time, but that is often true of images in Vogue.

St. Laurent Rive Gauche pink silk crepe de chine blouse, unbuttoned and untied. Sold for $135 in 1973 (about $693 in today's dollar).

St. Laurent Rive Gauche black silk jersey blouse, unbuttoned, and skirt. Set sold for $355 in 1973 (about $1822 in today's dollar).

Missoni rayon knit blouse, unbuttoned, with elastic waist was available in white or navy.

Black poly/rayon crepe tunic, unbuttoned, and wide leg pant pyjama by Leonard Fashion. Set sold for $300 in 1973 (about $1540 in today's dollar).

Blassport black wool gabardine one-button suit worn with nothing underneath. Sold for $200 in 1973 (about $1027 in today's dollar).