Dear Vintage Goddess...

Dear Vintage Goddess,

I'm writing to say that I'm actually really tired of seeing "vintagey" things everywhere I go.  It's in the magazines, stores, furniture etc.  Why is this such a big trend and when will it go away?  I'm ready for something fresh and new, not recycled boring!!

I love your revamped blogs.  I mainly go to your website to get my daily giggle or thought provoking story.

Kimberly H.

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Dear Kimberly,

Retro Inspired
Modern technology

Love your letter.  I love the honesty and your thoughts.  Why do we love vintage so much these days?  Aside from the lovely garments and accessories which are featured on our website, people seem to really love the juxtaposition of old design and new technology - or old design combined with current sensibilities.  But you're right, why do certain decades seem to be really all the rage these day?

I think that too many chefs can ruin a broth.  Today's market is completely saturated with retro and vintage inspired gadgets and copies.  There's too much of a good thing happening now and the overexposure is causing this negative backlash.

I think that people like to feel nostalgic and the young people of today almost don't feel like vintage and retro things are old.  We look at it as the past comforting us in cool, fashionable ways in our present.  We hear a new mix from an old song and those of us who know the original tune, hear that, whereas the younger people hear it as a completely new song. 



"Mad Men" cast
A big reason for retro popularity

But to answer your question of why certain decades seem really popular and when will it go away?  This current movement is not just in the fashion industry, it's in furniture, industrial design and many others.  A widespread phenomenon like this didn't happen overnight.  It was years and years of building.  The 1950's and 1960's are far away from present to become mythologized and romanticized.  That's as good a reason as any.  When will it all go away?  I'm already seeing signs of it happening.  But watch out!  Another big trend is around the corner.  Let's have fun with it and embraced it!

Carol

OBSESSION OR JUST DRESS-UP?

listal.com

On a recent episode of Anderson, he did a segment on a 23 old woman who is literally obsessed with living a 1950's lifestyle.  She was as uncomfortable with current fashions as her grandmother would have been. 

Sitting prettily on the stage, this woman, let's call her Amy, looked like she was magically transported from a glamorous pin-up poster.  Her boyfriend said that she was the real deal.  In the 2 years that they have dating, he had never seen her out of 1950's clothing.  Her home was like a Smithsonian exhibit as well.  Amy said that from the age of 13, she went into the past and stayed there.  She loved her grandmother's clothes and everything from that era.

womens-fashion.lovetoknow.com

As much as the notion of beaming into the past appeals to me, Amy's mindset seemed a little too obsessive.  I felt she is hiding in plain sight from whatever she might be scared of in present day.  She would rather be in a permanent fantasy stasis than live in the today and now.

As part of the show's program, Amy was sent backstage to be "transformed" into a woman of 2012.  The team dressed her in skinny jeans, cute top, trendy dangly jewellery and reinvented wedge shoes.  Amy re-entered the stage looking very awkward.  Her boyfriend and audience responded very favourably to her make-over.  But Amy was looking uncomfortable in her new skin.  I thought she looked really age appropriate without the pancake face make-up, complicated up do and crinoline dress.  She had been trying too hard.  Amy liked her new look but couldn't wait to reverse the affects of her appearance.  She wasn't comfortable without her mask to hide behind.  Admiration of all things vintage should enhance one's life, not act as a security blanket.

Is Amy living in an unhealthy fantasy land?  Probably.  That funny little expression from Oscar Wilde comes to mind:
"Everything in moderation including moderation."


Carol

HAVE YOU GOT THE 501 BLUES?

I remember back in the days of elementary school, I made a weird promise to myself that I'd never wear jeans.  Don't know where that idea came from.  Now I'm known as the queen of jean who delights in denim!  So I found it really interesting that the famous Levi's brand is reintroducing their many styles from the past starting from their inception time of the 1870's.  Through their Vintage Clothing line, Levi's has carefully reproduced many of the (shirts and pants) styles in terms of fit, fabric and characteristics associated with specific time periods.  This way we get in touch with styles not normally available today, feel that vintage vibe and be a part of Levi's history.  A lot of the clothing look very current.  Here is a sample of what is available:

(all images and information courtesy of http://www.levisvintageclothing.com/)



1954 501®
One I Love

1920s Tee
Milk White



1930s Wool Check Overshirt
Biking Red

 

1920s Chino
Kangaroo





1930s Chino
Creston





1967 505®
Stock



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Stop Staring!

I came across this photo and just thought it was hilarious. You go Sophia! If looks could kill....

It prompted me to look for similar photos, which I found but the staring part seemed to be all about the same reason. I'm sure you can figure out the pattern here.

 

Well, let's stare at something more interesting, shall we?

Flower & Vine Vintage 50s Dress by sadiedeluxe on Etsy

1950s Sequined Batik Party Dress Set by craftycrowvintage on Etsy

1950s Pink Candy Stripe Cotton Dress by SLVintage on Etsy

IT'S RAINING CATS AND DOGS OUTSIDE AND I JUST STEPPED INTO A POODLE SKIRT!



andyfilm.com


We must have been watching "Happy Days"or something like that when Husband asked me about the origins of the poodle skirt.  'Why is it called that' he asked.  I said because it has a poodle on it.  Sounds really simple but this iconic fashion item is really what it seems, a fun and youthful piece of clothing that defined the 1950's.

anniepoodleskirts.com



The poodle skirt was the inspiration of American actress turned designer Juli Lynn Charlot in the late 1940's.  This full circle design was a nice change from the slimmer lines that had been in vogue in decades past.  War rationing gave way to peaceful abundance in the 1950's. 

Typically the poodle skirt was worn over a crinoline for volume with bobby socks, saddle shoes, blouse & cardigan, scarf and ponytail.  This ubiquitous fashion item remains a favourite today and someone always looks the part at a Halloween party.

It was easy to construct this skirt.  One would cut a circle skirt made of solid, brightly coloured felt material that could take ironed on appliqué such as a poodle.  Hemlines were just at or below the knees.  It was a simple design that translated well with the teens of that decade.

The 1950's was the first era of the teenager.  It was the first time that movies, books, gadgets and fashions marketed specifically for teens.  And the poodle skirt was the centre of attention in the midst of this youthful surge.  Apparently no "adult" woman would be caught dead in a poodle skirt!  This suited the young girls just fine!

So go rock around the clock in your poodle skirt.  I know you have one or want one!




Vintage 40s 50s Lavender Plaid Picnic Swing Sun Dress



8" DOLL HAPPY DAYS JOANIE FIGURE CARDED "NEW"



1950s Robins Egg Blue Tulle Swing Dress M515



Vintage Girl's Poodle Skirt 60s Costume 6 to 7



Age Before Beauty



Dell'Orefice then and now
fashionist.ca

Isn't it amazing that model Carmen Dell'Orefice has turned 80 years of age!  She is still a working model who has become such an amazing example of longevity in a business where anything older than this morning's muffin is normally scoffed at and rejected.  Carmen started her modelling career with a bang with a cover on Vogue magazine 65 years ago.

art8amby.wordpress.com

At age 13, Dell'Orefice was approached by the wife of famous photographer Herman Landschoff.  At the time, the young girl was reunited with her mother and living a very poor life.  Even after her official signing with Vogue, she still lived an impoverished life for many years.

Although Carmen lost her life savings twice, the first time to the stock market and the second time to Madoff, she remained positive and continued modelling.

I love this story about a girl from a broken family, who still managed to become a fashion icon of the world.  We live in such a disposable time of so much waste and reverence for all things new, it's good to know that a beautiful woman like Dell'Orefice is still vibrant in what is considered an ageist profession.

I'm reminded of the 1995 movie "Clueless".  There were some really funny quotes:

"Old people can be so sweet"

"Isn't my house classic? The columns date all the way back to 1972"







CARMEN DELL'OREFICE

Retro Oleg Cassini Suit, Taupe with White Trim M483



Vintage 1950s Satin Bullet Bra Sz 36 LL1052



Retro Bubble Dress, Silver Metallic Taffeta S142



Pretty In Pink

Featured in somelikeitvintage.com

 

It's the middle of April already.  And if you're a student, I'm sure you're anticipating the upcoming prom season.  I love the movie "Pretty In Pink" as I'm most definitely a child of the 80's.  This beautiful dress reminds me of a dialogue between main character Andie and her friend/employer Iona:

"Did you say you went to your prom?

- Yeah, sure.

- Was it terrible?

- It was the worst.  But it's supposed to be.  But you have to go, right?

You don't have to.  I mean, it's not a requirement.

A girlfriend of mine didn't go to hers.  Once in a while she gets a terrible feeling, like something is missing.  She checks her purse and her keys, she counts her kids, she goes crazy.  And then she realises that...nothing is missing.  She decided it was side effects from skipping the prom.

I don't know. Part of me says just go and get it over with, and this other part says it's a stupid tradition and what's the point?

Well, you know...You could say that life itself is a stupid tradition.  Don't analyse it. Just go."

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So as Nike says, just do it.  Go and have a ball, rock around the clock in this dreamy 1950's tulle and taffeta dress.  I guarantee you'll have a ball, especially if you look like a one-of-a-kind princess...

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More dreamy dresses to choose from...



Vtg 50s STRAPLESS Tulle Prom PARTY DRESS S

  

Vintage 50s Chiffon FULL SKIRT Prom PARTY Dress L XL

Another gorgeous gown from Some Like It Vintage!
Vintage Pink Chiffon 1950s Prom Gown, Lots of Ruffles, Small Size S132



Feed Me Seymour!

Last night I happened to catch on television one of my favourite musicals, called "Little Shop of Horrors".  It's about an ordinary guy named Seymour who finds a peculiar plant from outer space.  When placed in the window of the florist shop in which he works, there is sudden interest and this Skid Row store suddenly sees a boom in business.  But instead of water and nutrients, this plant craves human blood for sustenance.  Meanwhile, another employee named Audrey dreams of escaping her miserable life, leaving her sadistic dentist boyfriend and perhaps settling down with "suddenly successful Seymour"...

 Audrey sings a number called "Somewhere that's Green".  I love the lyrics as they truly represent a lot of the Utopian ideas of the 1950's packaged neatly into a sentimental song.

"...And I dream of a place

Where we could be together at last

A matchbox of our own
A fence of real chain link,
A grill out on the patio
Disposal in the sink
A washer and a dryer and an ironing machine

In a tract house that we share

Somewhere that's green.

He rakes and trims the grass

He loves to mow and weed
I cook like Betty Crocker
And I look like Donna Reed
There's plastic on the furniture
To keep it neat and clean
In the Pine-Sol scented air
Somewhere that's green

Between our frozen dinner
And our bedtime, nine-fifteen
We snuggle watchin' Lucy
On our big, enormous twelve-inch screen

I'm his December Bride
He's Father, he Knows Best
Our kids watch Howdy Doody
As the sun sets in the west
A picture out of Better Homes and Gardens magazine

Far from Skid Row

I dream we'll go

Somewhere that's green."

LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS CAN BE YOUR FUN...



Little Shop of Horrors (Keepcase)



LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS MAN EATING PLANT HAND PUPPET

Hell Bunny 50s Rocka ~SeXY Pin Up~Red Pencil Dress 8-18