Tuesday, November 30, 2010

W.E. Costume Sneak Peeks

Okay, so some are skeptical about the actual plot, thematic depth, etc., of the upcoming movie, W.E. (2011) with Madonna at the helm, but I'm sorrrry, from a fashion-obsessed blogger's perspective, the costumes I've seen so far=chicer than chic. That zigzag patterened suit that looks like it fell from my Lucien Lelong book (though I think Simpson was dressed more by Mainbocher and Schiaparelli)??? EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE........ Oh sorry, I had a fashion-induced apoplectic fit there.  For more on W.E. visit Enchanted Serenity's blog!











Wallis Simpson Sotheby's Auction

Ooh, what a deliciously eery coincidence.  I've had Wallis Simpson on my mind and only just now discovered that Sotheby's in London is auctioning many of her jewels TODAY, including the famous flamingo.





Flamingo, 1940, Cartier:

Monday, November 29, 2010

Wednesday, November 24, 2010

Addressing and Dressing the Chaps

It's about time we address the chaps, isn't it?  As some of the vintage menswear listings over at FabGabs illustrate, there is nothing so dashing as a well-dressed vintage-loving gent! Some of my favourite pieces:






Snow Suits Me Just Fine

How ironic! They have snow on the West coast of Canada, where I used to live, and we're sunny and warm over here out "East," which is usually blanketed with the white stuff by this time of year.  Still, a girl can dream about walking in a winter wonderland....and along those lines, I thought I'd do a post in honour of the darling 30s snow/ski suits I've been drooling over for a while now (The Painted Woman's past post on the subject certainly fanned the flames).  I *know* that even if I could find one in my price range and size, these vintage ski and snow suits would be less than perfectly practical for wear during more active winter activities like cross-country skiing because a) they are vintage and I would probably pop seams and b) they are wool, which can get a person TOO warm when you're already getting warm from exercise.  Still, I would totally wear the jacket from one of these sets around on my winter walks--maybe I'd don a whole set for a fun snowball fight or trip down the hill on a toboggan?  Hey, by the way, Eva Dress has a pattern so a person could make their own vintage style snow suit! Or if you have $$$ and want a custom 30s style wool jacket made for you, there's at least one etsy shop that can oblige.



1930s Ski Suit with Plaid Jacket: Marie92001
1930s catalogue scan: Wearing History

1930s Snow/Ski Suit: Love Spy







Tuesday, November 23, 2010

My Tea Cup Runneth Over

I want to take a moment to thank all you wonderful bloggers who have been showering me with blog awards!  I am ashamed to admit I've started to lose track of all the lovelies who have sent these kind acknowledgements my way, but please know I am grateful for each and every one! Thanks, too, to all my fabulous followers and commenters.  Without you, the tea table would be oh-so-boring, not to mention bare!  I truly never imagined Tea with the Vintage Baroness would get to the point of having 460+ followers over this past year.  WOW.  I am so thrilled and so flattered.  Now, I know some of the awards require you to list 15 people whose blogs you would like to recommend for the award, but I am afraid such a list is too daunting a task for me to tackle.  HOWEVER, I do think a little gratitude giveaway is due shortly....more on that some time in the near future.  In the mean-time, THANKS AGAIN for the awards!!!

A Fine Romance

Ginger should have been wearing the booties from my last post in this scene from Swing Time, another film I enjoy re-watching this time of year. The winter scenery in the clip reminds me to say to the weather gods:  enough of this rain business....we know it's inevitable, so send on the snow already.

Cute to Boot

Of course, many of us vintage gals have galoshes (or overboot[ies]), especially GAYTEES, on our list for winter must-have footwear...and with good reason, as they have the potential to protect our vintage heels like nothing else.  I had a pair of 30s Gaytees, but perhaps foolishly let them go because I found that vintage galoshes made of thin rubber don't always have enough traction or warmth for the icy, slippery winter conditions of the streets and roads where I live.  I think they are perfect when you are dashing from house to car or if you like the convenience of being able to slip these light overboots on and off, without having to lug a pair of heavily boots and shoes around with you.  However, for longer stints walking outdoors, I'd love a vintage pair of booties or boots; again, though, I must remember the fact that the salt and sand used on the icy roads can be staining and damaging to vintage footwear....and of course vintage boots of this sort in my size are scarce.  As a result, I've sort of got my eye on a cute pair of vintage inspired booties by Trashy Diva.  Made of leather and fabric and with a giant bow in front I think they are just adorable!! Does anyone own these booties? Are they warm and good quality?  Any other vintage repro boots anyone can recommend?

Vintage 30s/40s fur trimmed overboots, Dingaling

1930s Gaytees ad, Cemetarian

Victorian by way of 30s/40s inspired booties, Trashy Diva

Monday, November 22, 2010

Get Your Knickers in a Knit

Like many of you, I have been trying to improve my knitting and crocheting skills, in large part to get good enough to tackle some of the more advanced vintage patterns from the 30s especially.  The list of projects I dream of tackling is ever-expanding.  Alas, at some point, I am going to have to get a bit realistic about what I will be able to make and what shall remain a pipe dream.  To whit, after seeing a wonderful pattern for a crocheted brassiere, circa 1933, posted by Miss Rayne, I have thought handmade undergarments might be a fabulous thing to make during the dark winter months.  For NOW, though, I'm absolutely in love with the CASHMERE bra and knickers set I've seen for sale @ Anthropologie (though I wish the bottoms were a tad less skimpy and a bit more like the longer style shown in many vintage knitwear guides)!!!  Santa Baby, are you taking this down as well?  As I was composing this post, I was wondering whether anyone knew where a person could get a 30s or 40s inspired knitted step-in, and then I just visited Snoodlebug's blog this morning and noticed she found a very vintage-inspired vest (like a slip), which would be even more ideal than the one in the pic at the bottom of my post, as it's not bifurcated. Too bad the company doesn't appear to ship to Canada. Wonder if I can find something similar, as I really want my knickers in a knit this winter!!!









Saturday, November 20, 2010

Ribbon Dress Pattern

Eureka!  Just spotted a copy of a 1940s ribbon dress pattern for sale on Etsy:  and the original in the pattern book image was modeled and created by Joan Crawford, no less!  I've also found images of ribbon dress patterns from the 50s and 60s.  Clearly, this was more than a passing fancy!

1940s Ribbon Dress pattern copy available in Baby Dee's Etsy shop



Friday, November 19, 2010

Wrapped in Ribbons

Despite being head over heels in love with 30s knitwear, it wasn't until fairly recently that I noticed just how many dresses from this era were knitted and crocheted not out of yarn, but out of ribbon...ribbon which, to me, looks and feels like bias tape in some cases!  I only own one such frock (great, something new to pine over), but find the whole notion of a dress made of ribbon incredibly romantic.  However, they are certainly not nearly as cozy as the other vintage knits. Brrr, I'll be saving my dress for an outing in the spring or summer.

30s dusty blue dress on ebay a while back

30s/40s ribbon dress, Cat's Eye Vintage

Black ribbon two piece dress with unique coat of arm style patterns: ebay

1930s Ribbon dress, Bohemian Bisoux
1930s locket, Jean Jean Vintage






Thursday, November 18, 2010

Pssst...


"Nora? Nora Charles? It's Hazel here.  Yes, yes, that's right. I'm the stiff who models the clothes for Adeline's Attic Vintage.  Listen, doll, I had to call you while the boss is out.  Why?  Well, she's offering 15% off from Nov. 18th to 25th on all Adeline's Attic stock...but this offer is only for followers/readers of Casey's gorgeous blog, "Elegant Musings."  Oh no, the boss is back. Promise to keep this under your hat, okay?"

Wednesday, November 17, 2010

Am I Blue?

I'll return to the subject of GLITTER shortly, but for now, I ask....am I blue? Well, in a sense; I'm loving the blue items I've spied online recently.  If I had infinite $$ and the super power of being able to shrink my hips and feet at will, these beautiful beauties, featuring blissful midnight-ish blue would be mine in a heartbeat.  Sighs...Drools. 





Tuesday, November 16, 2010

The Very Thought of You

That voice, those looks, that charisma: oh, Al Bowlly, the very thought of you....! G'night all!

Glitter

I know, I know, some of you haven't even had Thanksgiving yet, but my way of staving off the November doldrums is by dreaming of the glitter and glow of the Christmas holiday season.  One of my current mini-obsessions: glittery headgear.  What a fun way to add a little glamour and glitz to a holiday ensemble, such as a little black vintage 20s or 30s dress, perhaps? Like twinkling stars in an inky winter sky...



Starlette Crown, handmade by Giant Dwarf


1920s Headband, The Butler's Cottage

Dorothy Sebastian, adding glitter to her birthday suit ;)


Feathered and beaded headband, Baroque and Roll


Carmel Myers










Monday, November 15, 2010

Brooksie's Birthday

"A well dressed woman, even though her purse is painfully empty, can conquer the world."

Happy belated birthday, Brooksie, baby!  

Sunday, November 14, 2010

Pretty Mary K

After hanging out with the Mary Kay ladies, I can't stop this classic Elliott Smith song from playing over and over in my head.

A Vintage Day and Mary Kay

Sometimes I never know where a day is going to take me.  Recently, the wife of an acquaintance of my husband's invited me to come along to what was said to be a vintage fashion show and auction going on today. Well, it turns out there was no auction and the "vintage fashion show" involved about six volunteers from a local historic site talking about their costumes, so the only authentic vintage in the room was the 1930s knitwear ensemble I was wearing and the hats from the 40s, 50s, 60s, 70s, and 80s worn by other attendees.  Ahem!  That's okay, it ended up being a rather cute day. Highlights:  1) arriving at the church in a pearly pink Mary Kay cadillac owned by Betty, the lady in the leopard hat below; 2) chatting with some lovely ladies over a spot of high tea.  I DO still think that Canada has a serious lack of a thriving vintage scene (I envy you Londoners to the core), but Betty has advised me that I just may end up being in charge of organizing a REAL vintage fashion show for next year. Yikes!











Friday, November 12, 2010

The Thin Man "Mou-vember" Challenge

Usually, I re-watch the movie The Thin Man around Xmas time; however, my husband has entered this moustache-growing contest for a prostate cancer "Mou-vember" charity challenge, and I have been trying to convince him that the only acceptable moustache on him is the William Powell, so we've started the Nick and Nora-athon early.  This inevitably has led me back to the fashions of this film....I know from others' blog posts that I am not alone in obsessing over the awesomeness of the costumes worn by Myrna Loy and designed by Dolly Tree in this movie.  Of course, the holy grail for many of us is the famous striped gown, which of course, I hope to make or own a reasonable facsimile of at some point in my life.  In the mean-time, there are a few gems in my vintage closet that make me feel straight outta The Thin Man whenever I slip them on.  Here are a couple of outfits loosely inspired by Nora Charles that I am eager to wear this winter (actually, I might wear the first one to a vintage auction event on Saturday...). Oh, the movie stills are from Casey's Elegant Musings (Casey, I hope that's okay I've used them.  Your screencaps are so clear and high quality, they are the best for illustrating the outfits!). I realize that both outfits are missing the all-important hats and plaid skirt, but as I noted above, I was going for my own loose interpretations of Nora's outfits, using the clothes I currently own. Maybe I'll make a version of that skirt and those hats this winter.  SO many plans!  Yep, I'm nutso alright!  Have a great weekend!




Even my dog is in training to be an Asta stand-in.  See, I'm totally nuts!

Thursday, November 11, 2010

A Delicate Matter/A Matter of Delicates

Gertie's post about long line bras and girdles today reminded me of a subject I have been meaning to blog about for ages:  the matter of delicates; OR what to wear under vintage garments.  I've been asked how 1930s women got that more streamlined silhouette needed for many 30s dresses and gowns and what I wear under my fitted dresses.  I can assure that I am by no means one of those enviably bump and squidge free beings seen in the pages of vintage magazines.  My secret?  Corselettes!  Instead of wearing a brassiere and girdle, I wear this all-in-one foundation garment that I find prevents any bra-line bumps or waist level muffin tops like nothing else;)  I've seen ads encouraging the wear of corselettes under everything from bathing suits to sportswear to eveningwear, so I guarantee this was the undergarment of choice of many a svelte starlet.  I have a vintage corselette from the later 30s-40s that I wear, but it lately just doesn't have the same holding power it used to, so I've got my order in to Santa Baby to get me one (or two) of the vintage-inspired corselettes from What Kate Did (anyone tried these? Thoughts?).

 Image of corselette from 1930 by George Hoynignen-Huene

Bon Ton Corselette ad from 1932 issue of The Home Annual Magazine




1930 Gossard Corselette ad from Red Book magazine












Monday, November 8, 2010

Elfin Fashion, Art Deco Pixies, and a hat for a Sophisticated Gnome

Before the costumers for Harry Potter borrowed design ideas from 30s fashion for their wizardly wardrobes, 30s design drew from the elves, pixies, gnomes, and other creatures of the mystical realm  Examples:

1930s "Sophisticated Gnome" hat:  Etsy

1930s Art Deco Pixies bookends:  sold on Etsy

1930s dress with elfin (or is it Robin Hood) inspired details: Etsy. In case you're wondering why I was grabbing at the Wisteria in that manner, I was pretending to be Jill and the Beanstalk.  Husb. thinks I looked more Keebler Elf or Elf from Santa's workshop.  Great, now am worried about wearing this dress out in public, as may be told to get back to work at North Pole (or local mall). 


(does anyone know what caused the elvish "trend" in the 30s? Is it an extension of the Robin Hood influence re-ignited by the Erroll Flynn film? Perhaps I'm mistaking one for the other?).