About Me

My photo
Lover of anything vintage. I spend my free time looking at antiques,watching and collecting classic films,and reading some of the greatest literary classics known to man.This blog is just my way of sharing my interests with other people.
Showing posts with label fashion. Show all posts
Showing posts with label fashion. Show all posts

Wednesday, October 17, 2012

Baby,it's cold outside!

We're halfway through the month of October!  The leaves are turning, and so is the temperature.  There have been chilly days already, but temperatures will continue to drop, so it's important to stay warm, and to look good while doing so. So, if you're going to step outside to a chilly day in the fall of 1948, then I guess it's up to us to let you know how to do so in style. But first, there are a couple of important things you should know...

First of all, you should know that, no matter what, turbans are out! I know you still see them occasionally, and at times it is more than tempting to wear one (if for no other reason than to keep your ears warm), but don't commit that fashion crime! Now that war is over, you can find hair pins and curlers again, so it's time to get back into your beauty routine. Throw that turban out! A fashionable hat is more than acceptable, so try opting for that instead.

NO
Yes!
Due to WWII, there were many shortages on fabric, many warehouses and industries were shut down or put on hold--mass production on things like clothing articles was brought to a halt, and that effected even the Haute Couture fashion industry. WWII ended in 1945, so now, two years later in 1947, Haute Couture made a spectacular comeback thanks to Christian Dior, who developed the "New Look," which is a refined and elegant style, recalling previous eras of fashion that emphasize rounded shoulders, a tiny waist, tea-length and wider skirts, gloves, and hats. Oh, and high heels, of course! Even though this revolutionary "New Look" for Haute Couture took place in 1947, it is still prevalent now, in the fall of 1948.

Some of the haute designers to look for this fall are:

JACQUES FATH

This talented and self-taught French designer has some fabulous designs out for this fall. Look for his labels when shopping for a daytime outfit that is suitable for low temperatures on colder days, like this one, which is modeled by his wife, Genevieve:

ELSA SCHIAPARELLI

If the wider, more bouffant skirts are not really your style, then you might be interested in Italian designer Schiaparelli.  She sticks to the more classic and sleek lines, like this afternoon dress:

MADAME GRES

Perhaps you have an engagement or special occasion that you need to dress up for, but you don't need a fancy cocktail dress. You need something warmer, mores substantial. If that's the case, then Parisian designer Madame Gres has something for you:

CHRISTIAN DIOR

The French designer who brought about the comeback of haute couture will obviously always have something to suit your needs, no special occasion necessary:

ELIZABETH HAWES

American designer Elizabeth Hawes can keep you warm, yet simply elegant this fall, in a well tailored coat like this one:

MAINBOCHER

Perhaps you'd like a stylish coat to keep you warm for that special occasion you're headed to with that killer Madame Gres dress? If that's the case, American style guru Mainbocher is just the man:

It's definitely important to stay warm on these chilly days, but it's also of equal importance to look your best. So, hopefully this information can help you do just that during this Fall of '48!


Wednesday, July 6, 2011

"I can never buy a garment without thinking about the woman who owned it."-Phoebe Swift

A Vintage Affair

2011 novel by Isabel Wolff


I know what you're thinking: 2011?That's not very old.

And you would be correct.

It's a modern novel with some very vintage twists and throwbacks.


PLOT


The story centers around Phoebe Swift, who lives in England, and has recently quit her job as an auction house buyer in order to fulfill a dream by opening her own vintage clothing shop, Village Vintage. Phoebe is also trying to adjust to her new life without her best friend, Emma, who died recently. To acquire new merchandise for her shop, Phoebe goes to auctions, buys and sells online, and also makes house calls to inspect and buy peoples vintage clothes.

Through this, she meets an elderly woman named Mrs. Bell, who is a WWII survivor from France, and is dying of cancer. While inspecting some of Mrs. Bell's clothes, she is highly intrigued by a child's handmade blue coat. When she asks Mrs. Bell about it, the older woman tells her that it is not for sale, and she does not want to talk about it.

Eventually, Mrs. Bell comes to trust and admire Phoebe, and does tell her the story of the blue coat-a story of friendship, and betrayal. A story that Phoebe finds she can surprisingly relate to.

The book takes you through all of Phoebe's adventures while she looks for new clothes, new friends, new lovers, and a new start at life.

If paints a colorful picture of the south of France in the 1940's, and gives the reader a look at some of the most prominent names of vintage fashion.

It's funny, touching, historical, romantic..

And I loved it.


If you're interested in reading it for yourself, head over to your Barnes & Noble.

It's also available in paperback, and for NOOK books online: