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

Love, Lulu Mae

Chicago based accessories designer, Agnes B. Miles is an inspiration behind the beautiful line of headwear called Lulu Mae. Her pieces are made of vintage papers, buttons, antique jewels and exotic feathers. Exquisite work - hats, headbands, whisps and garters and a custom couture bridal section. Each piece is a work of art!

"Inspired by the strength and impeccably elegant style of the women of the 1930’s and 1940’s; Agnes models every piece she designs and creates after them. To her it is more than just vintage, it is a style of an era that represented a turning point for women and what they were capable of enduring. It gives her a great satisfaction to know her wearable art makes someone feel beautiful confident of her style and of who she is. After all, self-confidence, assurance and poise is what makes the modern woman sexy and sophisticated."

Visit http://www.lovelulumae.com/

Is That A Chair On Your Arm?

No, not a chair, but look closely at your beach bag and you will notice a similarity. From patio furniture to picnic baskets, straw and rattan have long ruled summer. It's only natural that woven styles eventually worked their way into fashion.

Women used straw bags as early as the 1900s. More women carried them in the 20s, and again in the 40s, but it was in the 50s and 60s that the bags experienced widespread popularity. This was largely due to Jacqueline Kennedy carrying a straw bag - suddenly everyone had to have one.

In addition, the crafting movement of those decades had many women using seashells and other appliqués to decorate straw bags that often served as beach totes. Bags in bright colors and neutrals became a way to complement the lighter feeling of summer clothing.

Though interest waned in the 70s and 80s, there is again a new interest in straw and rattan bags.

At the end of the season, use a bit of soap and water to gently dab the bags to make sure oil from your hands doesn't stay on the straw. Oils could cause the straw to become discolored.

Mini-me?

Mary Quant

The Original White Mini

What does the 50th anniversary of the Mini car have to do with vintage clothing you ask?

The mini skirt. That small piece of fabric ending above the knees that sort of resembled a skirt and caused such a sensation in 1960s Swinging London. Although there is still debate on exactly who invented the mini skirt - Mary Quant or André Courrèges, one thing is certain, the mini is here to stay.

Last month in the UK, Mary Quant attended the 50th anniversary of the classic car. She said that her invention was not named for the fact that it provided 'mini-mum' coverage of the legs, but was in honour of her favourite car.

The acceptance of the miniskirt was greatly boosted by Jean Shrimpton who wore a short white shift dress to Derby Day in Australia in 1965. It caused a sensation among the conservative classes.

In 1988, Quant designed the interior of the Mini car. It featured black and white striped seats with red trimming and red seat belts. The Quant signature was on the hood badge and seats as well as her daisy on the steering wheel. The headlight housings, wheel arches, door handles and bumpers were all in nimbus grey rather than the more common chrome or black finishes. Only 2000 of the cars were released in the UK, and a number were also released onto foreign markets. The special edition Mini came in two body colors - jet black and diamond white.

The gathering of 35 000 "Miniacs" in the UK showed some very unique models, including a chrome one designed by David Bowie, a limousine stretch, the original white mini and a 'mini mini' - or is that a 'mini - me' ?

Vintage Esther

Remember Esther Williams? The queen of MGM pool parties? Well, since summer has arrived that means bathing suit season is also here. There has been a noticeable turn back to Esther style swimsuits - more fabric and more covered. If you are looking for a string bikini, you won't find it here! Again, it's a call to buying a more classic and subtle piece for your summer wardrobe. Something that will last a few years and adjust to possible weight changes. What woman doesn't love that?


I love these swimsuits. They are classic styles and I think incredibly sexy, fitting a variety of body types. A very athletic look I think. Esther was an incredibly fit woman in her day and those suits made her look like a triathlete. She did not need any 'sports performance enhancers'.

Now I just need to find a vintage bathing cap and I'm ready for the next pool party.

Visit Esther Williams website: http://www.esther-williams.com/

All Things Gucci

I'm about to shoot myself in the foot. I'm in the vintage fashion biz, but am often stymied by the prices of high end labels. Granted, these items are consistently well made with exceptional detail and material. But $50 000 for a Hermès purse? Not on my watch.

The price for high end label items has become a marketing game. In the last 25 years, to splash a logo on a piece of clothing or accessory was (and unfortunately still is) a sign of being hip, in, wealthy, in-the-know. The problem comes with my old adage...is the item really, really worth it? Certain items are worth it, but most are not. Within the cost of that $50 000 Hermès bag is the splashy and fancy store it is sold in. The Parisienne address - the luxury magazine advertisements. It costs lots and lots of money to promote and that is what the consumer is paying for.

However, there are great deals to be had if you are in the market for a Gucci. I've just found this website http://www.guccibay.com/ that scouts, sells and finds auctions for only authentic Gucci items. Many are from ebay, but they do the work for you.

A Return to Tailoring

If you group fashion styles into decades ie: 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s etc., someone somewhere will have a good idea of what you are talking about. If you look closely, fashion is often a reaction to the decade before.

1930s advertisement

Take the 1930s for example. The style of the 30s has similarities to today. After the stock market crash of 1929, there was a return to a more modest and womanly form. Skirt lengths were lowered to 6 inches above the floor and tailored outfits were the style. It became poor taste to flaunt one's wealth. Hard times typically see an increase in investment pieces like well-made suits and jackets. The 1930s saw a practicality in day clothes across all classes of women for the first time ever.

1920s flappers

....the complete opposite of the flapper 20s style that had abandoned corsets, raised hemlines, bared arms and had no waistlines. The age of overt decadence had disappeared.

Today, we have returned to tailoring, more serious colors and the dress has taken it's feminine centre stage following the frivolity of the late 90s and early 2000s. Again, it's in poor taste to flaunt one's wealth, so please leave your Hummer in the garage! Today, the well-to-do are turning to these investment pieces again which are still luxurious, but not obviously so.

But not just for the well-to-do. We can all own a well tailored suit and I suggest you do that as it will be a piece to own for years to come!

Fred Perlberg

"Fred Perlberg was a young man when he started working for the Italian, Cantori family, in the early 1900's, who were also designers. When the Cantori's returned to visit Italy, they were killed by Mussolini. Fred was just 20 years old when took over their business."

The dresses of Fred Perlberg are some of my favorites. It was actually a mid-priced line of party & dance dresses. Today, they are commanding much higher prices and are well worth every penny!

Two from our current collection:

Visit http://www.simplyperlberg.com/ where Danielle has an exquisite collection of Perlberg dresses.

www.vintageous.com

Love Your Car Seat Covers!

For those who recall the TV sitcom 'WKRP in Cincinnati', there is a classic line referring to Herb Tarlek's outrageous suits.

Venus to Herb: "Somewhere out there there's a Volkswagen with no seats".

In fact, one of Herb's suits actually WAS made from the seat covers of an old Volkswagen.

While I do not recommend a suit made from old car seat covers, I wholeheartedly love these purses made from them by Kim White of Los Angeles!

Each Kim White Handbag is tagged with the year and make of the fabric, so you know exactly what car your bag comes from (i.e. 1983 Camaro or a 1978 Ford Mustang). Kim White handbags specialize in automotive fabrics from the 1970’s and 1980’s. www.kimwhitehandbags.com

You Are A Jewel!

I mentioned in a previous post that up until the 1920s fashion and status and wealth were completely linked. A wealthy person would only buy real diamonds, pearls and other precious gems. But beginning in the 1920s, one could wear costume jewellery and get away with it thanks to Coco Chanel cleverly mixing the two.

A crystal brooch or fake pearl necklace could renew an outfit at a lesser cost. It was the same with other accessories too - belts, hats, ornamental buttons, scarves, gloves, bags and silk corsages all added an instant and affordable update.

When clothing was more expensive, women were able to stay in style by changing their accessories.

Here are some fabulous jewelery accessories from one of my favorite vintage jewelers on etsy: Boyle Antique & Vintage Jewlery

These will make any outfit spectacular!

Art Deco Purple Glass Gold Gilt Dangle Jeweled Czech Necklace

Enamel Rhinestone Glass Gold Filigree Pendant Deco Necklace

Sterling Marcasite Blue Lapis Stone Art Deco Brooch