Playing with Princess Seams

In the mid 1960's, when the simple shift dress became popular, designers began experimenting with seams to add some visual interest to what could be a pretty basic style. This 1960's coat is by a company named Irvama-Carmel. I don't know who the designer was, but I love the ingenious use of the S curve in the front Princess seams.

The seam starts at the neckline under the collar, and curves out over the bust, back in above the waist, and then out to the side seam. That seam incorporates the bust shaping and also provides placement for the faux pocket flaps. Why use a straight dart when you can do something so much more pleasing to the eye?

See this coat and more at Couture Allure Vintage Fashion .

Vintage Coats II

As promised, here are more vintage coats from our 2007 collection, now available in our store.

1960's Mohair Boucle Coat with Mink Trim

1950's Karakul Coat with Mink Trim

1950's Navy Cashmere Swing Jacket

See these coats and more at Couture Allure Vintage Fashion .

When's the Best Time to Buy a Vintage Coat?

NOW! We're listing our 2007 collection of vintage coats this week, and we've got some beauties for you! Shop early for the best selection. We're usually sold out early!

1970's Rust Wool Coat with Mink Collar

1960's Mohair Plaid Clutch Coat

1940's Purple Velvet Beaded Evening Coat

1950's Baby Blue Clutch Coat

More tomorrow!

See these coats and more at Couture Allure Vintage Fashion .

Purple Shoes!

Where were these shoes when I was in 8th grade? In 1967, these chunky heeled shoes were all the rage. We wore them with our neon colored mini dresses and bright tights. I would have died and gone to heaven if I could have had purple shoes!

I had the perfect hot pink dress that just cried out for these shoes. I would have worn them with matching pink tights, or maybe yellow ones..... Leave it to me to find the perfect shoes 40 years too late! Of course, I no longer wear a size 5 1/2 shoe, nor do I wear mini skirts, but purple is still my favorite color. I know you understand.

See these shoes and more at Couture Allure Vintage Fashion .

1940's Chenille Robe

Cozy, comfy, snug, and secure - that's how I feel when I wear a vintage chenille robe. Made from soft cotton, chenille was first popular for bedspreads. And a robe like this gets better each time you wash it.

But how can you be sure its vintage? Well, this one comes with the original cotton filled shoulder pads. You can't get more Joan Crawford than that! And, it's new, old stock, with the original tags still attached!

See this robe and more at Couture Allure Vintage Fashion .

Vintage Marimekko Knits

I've always loved the distinctive look of Finnish company Marimekko's bold patterns. What I didn't realize was that this company has been designing their clothing line since the 1950's. Did you know Jackie Kennedy wore Marimekko? Recently, I was lucky enough to purchase two rare vintage 1980's wool sweater dresses from a local estate. Both dresses were designed by Marja Suna about 1984. Suna joined Marimekko in 1979 and was hired to work on the company's knitwear. It was Suna's job to make the knitwear collections consistent with the distinctive Marimekko look and she achieved this with patterned sweater knits.

Both dresses feature an oversized cut with deep dolman sleeves. Soft and cuddly, they look great belted or not.

If you're a devotee of Marimekko, don't miss your chance to own one of these dresses, available now at Couture Allure Vintage Fashion!

Passion for Purses

Hello, my name is Jody and I am addicted to vintage purses. I have so many in my stash, I can't keep any more. But I also can't resist buying them. I mean, someone has to save all the vintage from those dark closets and attics. Someone has to bring these marvelous handbags back to life, right?

These are recent estate finds, and it is really hard to let them go, but it will be good karma to share the wealth.....right?

And so, it is my sworn duty to offer you this incredible 50's faux leopard fur purse. It's a beauty and it's huge!

Or how about this deliciously sweet box purse, in a unique oval shape, also from the 50's.

But wait! How can you resist this pearlized pink teardrop shaped bag from the 1960's????

Or this unusual green alligator bag from the 50's?

Do you see my dilemma? They're like potato chips! If I keep one, I have to keep them all. Please help me! Purchase these poor lonely purses and give them a good home! You'll be so glad you did when strangers on the street ask, "WHERE did you get that bag?"

See these purses and more at Couture Allure Vintage Fashion .

More from Maybelle!

Several months ago, we featured some of the hats from the Maybelle Farrell collection in our blog. Maybelle had such flair when it came to hats.

We've recently pulled another load of vintage hats from storage and there are several more from Maybelle's closet in the selection. Those of you who follow the fashion runways know that hats were featured prominently in several designer collections for Fall 2007. We think hats are the next big trend, but more on that later......

See these hats and more at Couture Allure Vintage Fashion .

Another Alix dress

In a serendipitous juxtapostion of two recent posts, today I listed this gorgeous vintage 1960's dress in my EBay store. It's another beauty by Alix of Miami. Didn't I tell you all their dresses are incredibly sexy? This one is fashioned from off-white lace over matching taffeta and the whole thing is covered with swirls of irridescent sequins. And doesn't it bring Marilyn to mind?

See this dress and more at Couture Allure Vintage Fashion .

For those of you who may have wondered why I haven't posted in awhile, I just got back from sitting under that palm tree on the far left on a beach in Jamaica. It was a much needed break from our long, cold Boston winter. The weather was perfect, the water warm, and the beach uncrowded. But now I'm back, I'm rested, and I'm ready to get back to work! I'm adding new vintage daily! Come check us out!

Happy Birthday, Mr. President

In May of 1962, Marilyn Monroe made a splash when she sang "Happy Birthday, Mr. President" to John F. Kennedy at his birthday celebration in Madison Square Garden. Ms. Monroe wore a skin tight flesh colored dress by Jean Louis which was covered with 2500 sparkling rhinestones and beads. That dress sold at Christie's Auction House in 1999 for $1,150,000.

This 1960's beaded dress captures the essence of Marilyn's sultry evening gown. Fashioned from pink silk, it is covered with silver beads and irridescent sequins. This is a true wiggle dress, as the width of the hem is much narrower than the width of the hips.

And from the same estate, another 1960's dazzling evening gown in chartreuse green crepe, covered in silver beads and sequins. Have some fun the next time you sing "Happy Birthday" to that special someone!

See these dresses and more at Couture Allure Vintage Fashion .

Rare 1920's labels

In all the years I've been selling vintage clothing, I have only had three dresses from the 1920's with labels in them, and two of those dresses just went up for sale today in my EBay store . The first is a stunning beaded dress dating to about 1921 by Lucy Perret, Paris. I can't find any information about Miss Lucy anywhere, but I would imagine she was a small custom dressmaker, as the dress is completely sewn by hand and has exquisite detailing.

The second is another outstanding beaded dress by Adair, Paris dating to about 1924. The House of Adair made beaded dresses in France for export to the Unites States, United Kingdom and Canada. This dress is also completely sewn by hand.

Finally today, we have a gorgeous 1920's black silk and ermine fur coat with a label from Porteous, Mitchell, and Braun, the finest department store in downtown Portland, Maine.

See these items and more at Couture Allure Vintage Fashion .

The Classic Shirtwaist

What's a shirtwaist? It's a dress with a tailored shirt style bodice, usually buttoned from neck to waist, and made with a full or straight skirt. Introduced in the 1930's, this style of dress has become a classic through the years and was especially popular in the 50's. Easy to wear and extremely versatile, this style of dress fits beautifully into the wardrobe of any woman.

I find vintage shirtwaist dresses frequently in my hunts, and always pick them up to offer to my customers, and they never last long! Savvy fashionistas know that these gems can be worn in many different ways. Add a belt and jewelry to dress it up a bit. Wear it with or without a crinoline. Leave it unbuttoned over a cami. Slip it on with a pair of sandals on a hot day. Wear it under a cardigan or jacket when the days are cooler.

You'll find shirtwaist dresses in every color of the rainbow fashioned in silk, cotton, rayon or wool. Full skirts, straight skirts, solids, prints. And of course, the quality of a vintage shirtwaist is far superior to anything made today.

See these dresses and more at Couture Allure Vintage Fashion .

Great Vintage Details

I love this vintage 1950's bombshell dress by Alix of Miami. I've never been able to find out anything about this company, but every dress I've ever found by Alix has had great style with outstanding details. This body hugging dress is fashioned from black silk shantung. It's got a built in bra for "full steam ahead" curves!

Now for the details. See that unusual curved insert between the bust? It serves to separate the breasts so you don't get the dreaded "uniboob" and adds even more visual interest to the bustline. But look what happens when you add the little cropped jacket that comes with the dress!

How about that? The button placket has the same curved treatment at the hem, and it completes the look. I just love the thought and planning that went into this suit so the two pieces really work together beautifully.

See this dress and more at Couture Allure Vintage Fashion .

Matching Plaids

I slipped this late 1940's day dress on my mannequin to take pictures and noticed how cute it is when worn. Its a basic woven cotton plaid with a slight flare to the skirt. The rolled collar extends into tabs that criss-cross and button. "Great," I thought, "someone's going to look adorable in this."

It wasn't until I sat down at my computer to crop the photos for use in the listing, that I noticed. I am absolutely in awe of the matching of the plaid on the rolled collar. The plaid stripes on the tabs match the stripes on the bodice perfectly! Not only that, but the plaid is also matched at the side seams and the center front and back skirt seams.

If you know how to sew, then you know how difficult matching plaids is. It takes time and planning, as you have to place the pattern pieces on the fabric in an exact position before cutting the pieces. Then you have to be very careful when sewing the seams that your fabric doesn't drift out of alignment. The larger the plaid, the more difficult the layout, and the more fabric you waste during the cutting process.

I am astonished at the amount of work that went into this simple day dress dress at the manufacturer. This type of attention to detail is lost in today's world.

See this dress and more at Couture Allure Vintage Fashion .

Years of Simmering Resentment

It's not often that I find vintage dresses with notes from the original owner attached, but this one caught my attention. This is a sweet day dress made in sewing class at college by Dorrice Trickey in 1935. It's pretty rare to find Depression era day dresses like this in such great condition, because it was a time of "making do" and wearing garments until they wore out.

My grandmother taught me to sew when I was 12 years old. One thing she always insisted upon was that I must use a thimble when sewing by hand. I didn't like it, I complained and groused, but I learned to use that thimble and gradually became used to it. Now I can't sew without one, and my family knows that my favorite thimble that fits just right better NOT disappear from my sewing table! With that in mind, here is the note that Dorrice attached to this dress:

"Made in Sewing Class at Farmington State Normal School. 1935 - Dorrice Trickey - Got a D because I didn't use a thimble".

I can just imagine Dorrice as a good all around student who prided herself on her high grades. But she just hates using that nasty thimble in Sewing Class! In a fit of pique, she decides she can complete her hand sewing on this dress just fine without it. And the teacher has the nerve to give her a D for that reason!!!!! Dorrice puts the dress away in her closet and vows to never wear it, but she can't throw it out - there's a Depression on. The dress sits in the back of her closet taunting her with that grade year after year. Her resentment simmers in the back of her mind, and when, late in life, Dorrice decides to donate her vintage clothing to a museum, she still remembers that D!

See this dress and more at Couture Allure Vintage Fashion .

A "Seam"ingly Simple Blouse

What's so special? It's a basic blouse from the 50's made from cotton broadcloth in stripes of olive and maroon. The cuffs fold back, it buttons up the front, its washable. So, what's the big deal that makes this blouse special enough to show you?

Take a look at that collar! Instead of taking the easy way out and cutting the upper collar from one piece, the designer has manipulated the stripes so they form a right angle with a bias cut seam. Those of you who sew, know that not only is a bias seam difficult to stitch without the fabric stretching out of shape, to get those stripes perfectly matched while doing so, is a task for an expert. All for a simple casual blouse!

I've said it over and over: it's the details that grab my attention and that make vintage clothing so special. You can't get quality like this at the mall.

See this blouse and more at Couture Allure Vintage Fashion .