"A Quarter to Nine": Colenimo's Sartorial Ode to Ruby Keeler

These days, I like my vintage straight up, unless I'm going somewhere more casual and then I'll wear a vintage blouse with jeans and vintage accessories.  Now, I am no purist snob, I assure you.  I adore the skill with which other fashion bloggers are able to effortlessly remix clothes of various styles and decades.  I used to be similarly fearless in my younger days.  Lest I come off as a complete codger, I will admit, once in a while, I peek at what is going on in the world outside my little 30s vintage cocoon.  Example: I was surfing around online and spied a vintage-inspired collection that, for the first time in quite a while, I actually sort of liked: Colenimo's Fall/Winter 2010/11 series, "A Quarter to Nine."  The last time this happened was when I was digging the now defunct Lyell's Fall 2007 photoshoots.

Unsurprisingly, I'm pretty sure the main reason I like the Colenimo collection is because it is described by the company as having been inspired by 1930s Ruby Keeler and other Busby Berkeley girls.  Personally, I see lots of Coco Chanel inspiration, too, in the very limited presence of "frou frou" in favour of sleeker menswear style tailoring and fabrics (and in the use of the sailor style striping on those cute leggings).  The reality is that I very likely could not ever work several of these looks in my advanced age (esp. those dang ubiquitous above the knee length dresses), but these outfits remind me that sometimes 21st century reimaginings of 30s fashion can yield great real-life wardrobe inspiration for the likes of this backward looking baroness. I also sort of love the sultry makeup and hair. The midnight blues, creams, and mustard yellows are heavenly colors.  In the end, what I'll simply end up doing (where possible) is look for the vintage original blouses, capelet-dresses, and such that inspired these modern pieces in the first place, but maybe I'll be able to combine them in new ways that keep me from looking like I'm trying to dress like an extra from a 30s period film (and, believe it or not, NOT looking like I'm in costume is exactly what I strive to do a lot with my vintage style anyway). OR not.  Hehe. Old dogs, new tricks...you know how it goes. Final note: I'm not exactly sure I see the Ruby Keeler/Busby Berkeley inspiration.  To me, the dark makeup and such seem more 20s silent-screen star than 30s hoofer.  AND where are Keeler's signature tap pants?  Hmmm....what do you think?