One Minute to Midnight

For kicks, I thought I would share two of the most magical 1920s dresses I've ever spied: if I had the means, I would gladly wear either for New Year's Eve.  What would your dream NYE ensemble look like?

Source of Images: Old Rags

Stunning Subtleties

As much as I adore the dramatic effect created by the stark contrast of black vs. white on many 20s and 30s pieces, I must confess I am rather entranced by a subtler pairing of tones that I've noticed on several garments from the earlier 30s (including the beauty below, which is in my etsy shop): seems pairing rusts and browns with reds, burgundies, and mauves was rather popular? Stunning in a subtle yet sultry way, non?

Early 1930s dress: Adeline's Attic Vintage

1930s Dress, sold on ebay

Christmas Morning with Mr. and Mrs. Charles

Black Christmas

"New" 30s dressing table + "new" early 30s dress = Merry Christmas to greedy little meeeeee.  Happy holidays, lovelies!!! Yes, that's my little cavi spaniel flattened out on the bed haha.  He wishes you a Merry Christmas, too!

Chalet Chic

More cold climate vintage chic:  this time in the form of early 30s designer skiwear (with images taken by my favourite photog, Madame D'Ora.  Swoon! Images derived from the L'Officiel archive (by way of Giant Pants of the 30s and Back to the Ole Five and Dime on tumblr :)).

Maggy Rouff

Vionnet

More Bomb Girls

Some more promo stills depicting what may perhaps be a more accurate reflection of the costumes from the upcoming tv series Bomb Girls.

Cute, Cozy Cowichans

 Since the thermometer mercury is starting to drop, I thought I would post about some cozy vintage clothing.  Today's subject (inspired by stylish Cowichan wearers Dakota of Sweetheart of the Rodeo (below left) & Tasha of By Golly, By Gum, (below right), among others:  Cowichan Sweaters.

Although some may more often associate them with The Dude in The Big Lebowski, the Cowichan sweater has long-standing roots in Canadian West Coast First Nations history and culture (being a Canadian who lived on the West Coast for ten years, you can see why I'm partial to the subject).  Apparently, after sheep were introduced to the Cowichan Bay area by settlers, missionary sisters (The Sisters of St. Anne) shared with local Salish women their methods wool production and knitting.  

        

Cowichan Knitter

Late 1920s(?) Cowichan

According to one Cowichan Bay history site, "Mrs. Jeremina Colvin instructed them in the art of making Fair Isle patterns learned in her native Shetlands," so traditional Cowichan sweater construction may be said to bear this influence.  However, as has also been pointed out, "The Cowichan people quickly adapted their own designs to the knitting they learned from white settlers." This is reflected in the fact that "many sweaters have traditional Salish motifs on front and back, often killer whale, salmon, eagles or deer.  Traditional Cowichan sweaters were known for their water repellancy thanks to the wool yarn used.  They typically have a more muted colour scheme consisting of cream together with grey and/or oatmeal and/or dark espresso browns.

In the 40s and 50s, Cowichan sweater styles were taken in a different direction by producers of "novelty" sweaters with kitschy or sporty motifs. While fun and often cozy, these sweaters are often made of cotton and/or acrylic yarns, making them less water resistant than authentic Cowichans.

1950s novelty 'Cowichan' style sweaters, Beyond Retro Vintage Clothing

The Right Stripes

Going back through my archives of garments I've sold in my shop or ogled on etsy before they sold, I noticed a little trove of images of wonderful garments with holiday stripes.  Mmm, like wearable candy canes!! Sorry to tempt you with vintage deliciousness that is no longer available, but maybe they will inspire home sewers? Le sigh.

30s striped viyella dress sold by Adeline's Attic (by way of Top Tottie)

Irene Rich

30s/40s striped suit sold by Adeline's Attic Vintage

Myrna Loy and William Powell in The Thin Man

30s/40s dressing gown, seen on Dress-a-Day

Dolores Del Rio

Dress sold by Petrune

Bomb Girls

Just got word that a show about Canadian women munitions factory workers during WWII called "Bomb Girls" is slated to drop on January 4th.  Have a peek at the trailer for more (feels like a wartime version of Pan Am??).

Holly Jolly Dolly

So, I *finally* think I'm feeling the festive spirit.  The recent arrival of this 30s frock, which I've dubbed the "holly jolly dolly" dress, due to its slightly Christmas-y print and colour scheme and its sweet little collars, may have something to do with my yuletide mood.  It's really too cold for my little open-toed green remix 'Anita shoes, but sometimes attempts at colour coordination take precedence :).

Deco Droolery

I am such a fan of 20s and 30s garments with black & white (or ecru/off-white/ivory) elements.  Some deco droolery in my image folder: items that have long since sold on ebay or the net.  Le Sigh!

1920s coat with crocheted trimmings, The Way We Wore

Dreamy 20s/30s zigzag modern chevron dress: ebay

Early 30s Contrast Collar Jacket: ebay

Traces of The Thin Man

Love the look of the fashions in the Thin Man movies?  I sure do.  Some last-minute holiday gift ideas for the Loy and Powell lovers in one's life:

The "Powell" Fedora in tusk, Deckard Headwear

1930s Dressing Gown (which I think combines the charm of Nora's striped gown in the first movie with the ease of her lovely lounge and boudoir looks in more than one of the films in the series): Raleigh Vintage

Oh Boy, Myrna Loy!

Every year around this time, I re-watch The Thin Man.  Every year, after seeing Myrna Loy in the famous Xmas shopping scene (screencapped below by Casey over at Elegant Musings), I dig my favourite Persian lamb trimmed 30s skirt suit out and try a sartorial homage to the lovely Nora Charles, Loy's character in the film.  If it was a little warmer out, I would totally wear this ensemble around town whilst doing my winter holiday errands. 

1930s hat: ebay

1930s suit: ebay

30s/40s galoshes: Jaws Antiques (what luck that I found them, in my size, the day after drooling over Patricia's over at Lady By Choice!).

1930s satin rayon dickie: for sale in my etsy shop!

Oh, Anthro!

These days, it is rare indeed when a modern garment catches my eye and gets me opening my wallet. However, I must tell you that I ADORE this 30s-inspired silk flutter sleeved Flori dress that I got at Anthropologie on sale for $49.95 (regular $228.00)!! Really, this garment is a two-in-one deal because it consists of the sheer silk floral overdress AND a black slip that is that PERFECT mid-30s length (as we 30s lovers know, these slips are getting SO hard to find!).  I love that the dress even has the period-authentic strings-and-snaps details inside the shoulders to hold the slip straps in place!  All in all, this was a great investment. I'll try to snap a pic of me in the actual garment shortly.  In the mean-time, I thought I would also mention another 30s-inspired garment my friend Sara brought to my attention the other day: the Gabriella.  While it is clearly a knockoff of a 30s NIGHTGOWN, the Anthro site is calling it a slip. Oy! Still, the colour, the fabric, the lace detailing channel the elements of 30s lingerie I find quite swoon-worthy.  Too bad about the price ($198.00 USD)...still, it might be worth watching for it on the sales racks?

Great Gatsby: Great Scott or Hot Mess?

Riding on the coat-tails of some discussions I've been engaging in on other social networking sites, I thought I would share some more stills that have emerged depicting the costumes for the upcoming Baz Lurhmann Great Gatsby movie.  My thought (without having seen the movie, of course) is that, at least sartorially speaking, Lurhmann seems to be more interesting in using the 1974 Mia Farrow-Robert Redford film as the "primary" source he is adapting for 2012 audiences, rather than offering a direct translation of the original Fitzgerald novel into a film.   This seems particularly evident when one compares Carey Mulligan's lavender ensemble with one worn by Mia Farrow (and of course Mulligan's hairstyle has often been compared to Farrow's [but in other films]).

Similar echoes of the '74 film are apparent when comparing DiCaprio's get-up with Redford's

Now, as for which era/text they are channelling with Tobey Macguire (as Nick Carraway, at right in second image, in a mishmashed sweater look) or Isla Fischer (as Myrtle, directly above), I have NO idea.  To be blunt, both looks seem a mess to me, and, on the whole, I find myself wishing the costumes had a more straightforward 1920s aesthetic.  What do you think?

Les Feuilles Mortes

On my holiday last month, I forgot to snap some pics of this fantastic two-piece 30s dress + jacket set (Dear Golden) that I wore for an evening, so I thought I would take some today in the backyard, since its hues match the late autumn leaves littering the ground.