Internet Weary

A recent article out of Melbourne, Australia has revealed a recent study of young adult culture wanting to return to a simpler time.

The age group of 16-30 year olds, has apparently had enough of partying and playing on the internet. The youth marketing agency Lifelounge surveyed 1600 young adults and found that they would rather stay home and listen to their parent's old vinyl records and wear vintage clothing!

Well, I can't say I blame them. Nostalgia & simplicity are influencing everything from purchasing power to entertainment choices, but I strongly believe it is not just the youth culture - whenever there is a rough spot in the road, we all wish for simpler times. There is nothing wrong with technology, but don't you find it can be overwhelming at times?

Let's reflect on simpler times:

Gentleman's Lounging Robe

Boyd's of St. Louis, Black Wool Split Tails, c. 1950s

Susan Evans Plaid Cotton Swing Dress, C. 1950s

Jerry Marsch For Mardi Gras Yellow Chiffon, C. 1960s

Clothes-Horse

Have you ever counted how many pieces of clothing you have? Do you often say to yourself you have a closetful of clothes but nothing to wear?

I do. And then I go and buy more. I am a clothes horse - an old term which actually refers to a clothes drying rack but now often humorously refers to someone excessively interested in clothes.

However, until the 1960s you might be surprised by how little people had. Most women would have three to five dresses, and then they might have, if they were a bit avant-garde, a pair of pants. They might have two pairs of shoes. By modern standards this is unheard of.

Also, all women sewed. They did not head down to the mall to pick up a new dress. It was either made by herself or her dressmaker, along with her entire family's wardrobe.

Times change. By the 1960s and the rise of ready-to-wear, sewing became unfashionable. I certainly appreciate being able to have a large wardrobe and purchase items quickly without waiting several weeks for something to be sewn with fittings in-between. Let's face it, life is just too busy to sew an outfit. But every once in awhile I have the urge to sit at the sewing machine and create something I know I would be proud of. Sewing takes patience...and if you have the time and patience, what a sense of accomplishment it would be!

Some patterns I found on ebay for inspiration:

My Vintage Vogue

The next best thing to looking at a fabulous vintage garment, is looking at stunning vintage photographs. My other love of beautiful photography and images has been captured over at http://www.myvintagevogue.com/. Jessica has been collecting images since a very young age, and what an eye she has. These images are stunning and conveniently categorized by decade. A beautiful section of movie star style and one devoted entirely to Audrey Hepburn. I suggest you hop on over there to have a look.

Here is a small sample to drool over!

"Stars with Style"

1950s

1940s

1930s

1920s

Size Matters!

Have you ever "tried on a purse"? Just like a piece of clothing, a purse needs to fit the body it is hanging next to. Wearing the wrong style, size or shape for your body type can be very unflattering. The part of the body that the purse rests on will be where the eye is drawn to.

Here are some tips.

If you are slim and tall like a model, you can pretty much wear any style purse. But, be careful of too small a size. Small bags will make you appear larger.

If you are short and petite keep in mind the proportion. Smaller bags should be chosen and worn close to the body.

If your hips are large you want to draw attention away from that area. Wear a shoulder bag with a short strap so the purse rests under the arm and above the hip.

If you are top heavy you will probably want to draw attention away from your bosom or waist. Use a fairly large shoulder bag with a long strap.

If you have great curves try a shoulder bag that ends just above the waist to accentuate your curves. Avoid ones that are either really big or really small.

If you are a plus size use a purse that is wider in width, like a hobo style. A small bag will make you look larger. Go for bags with short to medium length straps.

And please, avoid carrying something so large that it looks like luggage! Unless of course you are going to the airport.

Happy Birthday Canada!

It's July 1st, and here in Canada we are celebrating Canada Day. This is Canada's national day and a statutory holiday where we celebrate the anniversary of July 1, 1867. On that day, Canada was united as a single country, that contained only 4 provinces at the time. We now have 10 provinces and 3 territories and there are celebrations across the nation today. One of the greatest countries in the world, HAPPY BIRTHDAY CANADA!

Let's celebrate with ebay red!

Vintage Claire McCardell Dress

Less Skin Please

There was a time when a well-dressed lady was just that - a lady.

Whatever happened to being well covered? By this I mean showing less skin, legs, breasts and booty. Why do women think it's sexy to show everything? One does not look more attractive by showing more skin.

The timeless styles of vintage had class and sophistication. Almost all the styles exposed minimum skin yet made the wearer look fantastic! The latest fads and trends tend to encourage exposing more of our bodies, and we wonder why women still have a hard time being taken seriously in the work force. (Please, don't get me started!) They are simply attracting the wrong kind of attention and encouraging inappropriate behaviours from both men and women.

I'm not sure sometimes which generation is doing the most harm. The young girls and teenagers who wish to look older by exposing themselves, or the mature woman who wishes to look younger and tries too hard.

I apologize. This is somewhat of a rant. Part of my fascination and adoration of vintage clothing is not just the construction, fabrics, beautiful design or attention to detail. It is how it makes the wearer look classic, and feel confident focusing on the person within, not the flash of skin without.

This is what I mean, thanks to young hollywood.

Not good. Where's the dress Taraji P. Henson?

Thank you Jessica Biel.

Who Me?!?!?!?

Well, Alicia over at her Boylerpf Antique Vintage Jewelery blog, sent me an award! It's the Premio Meme Award. Merci bien, mon cher ami!

Rules: State 7 things about me and pass the award on to 7 others.

Well, I normally do not get personal on my blog, using it as a business marketing tool. But I've been having so much fun reading other blogs, that I feel like I've come to know so many people through their blog writing - laughing with them, crying with them, feeling the same emotions they are - which is remarkable considering how cold a place the internet can be.

Well, for those of you who are interested in 7 things about me here we go. For those of you who are not... :-)

1. I have a stunning Siberian Husky dog. His name is Arthur and was given to me 6 years ago by my now ex. Arthur saved my life many, many times and I owe him everything. My ex (read sidebar) held me hostage for 16 months, and during his tortures, my dog would come and sit next to me, causing the ex to stop his actions temporarily.

2. I used to be a concert pianist. I do not perform anymore and taught for 9 years. I love classical and jazz music, but play only classical. Jazz is very difficult to play! There are not a lot of musicians that can easily cross the boundary between classical and jazz - and I admire them greatly!

3. I have a black belt in Wado Ryu Karate and continue to train 4 times a week. A traditional Okinawan form of martial arts, I now teach classes and run self-defense seminars for women wanting to learn the basics of defending themselves.

4. I'm 40. :-) nuff said.

5. I want to be completely fluent in French. Almost there, working hard with my tutor.

6. I hate folks who complain about everything when they really have nothing to complain about. They are usually the ones who also have little or no manners. The word 'thank you' is simply not a part of their vocabulary. (Am I complaining here?)

7. I'm a workaholic. Prefering to be super busy for a long time and then taking a well deserved vacation is my idea of a great life. I can't imagine retirement!

Whew! I feel naked now that I've revealed things about myself.

Awards to my fellow bloggin' friends:

The Dino Lounge: Coolness is Timeless

Here's Looking Like You Kid

Couture Carrie

Beverly Hills Branche

Melissa's Smitten

Catwalk Threads

Chi Chi and the Greek