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

Get Out the Old Photo Album

Photo courtesy of CD - my sister-in-law

I love coming across old photos like this.  The bride was a blushing 20 year old on her happiest day.  This is the wedding of my sister-in-law's parents back in October of 1968. 

Mr. B. looked like a dashing tv host with those trendy glasses and tuxedo.  By the 1960's, men's formal wear had evolved in a way that every man could own a tuxedo without the big ticket price.  Unlike today, most men purchased their wedding clothes as they could wear them again and again for formal occasions. Notched lapels came into fashion again and the 2 or 3 button fronts, as well as flap pockets made tuxedo jackets look more like suit jackets.

Mrs. B. looked ever so sweet in her simple and elegant wedding gown.  Dresses in those days were typically A-line with 3/4 length sleeves, with or without trains and with very few choices of fabrics.  The large, tulle veil was so indicative of that time as well.  Designer William Cahill was considered the "king of bridal" during the 40's and 60's.  His influences can be seen in many wedding albums from these times. 

I love this photo because they look so young and fresh with dreams in their eyes.  They look excited and bursting with happiness.  This lovely couple had 2 beautiful daughters and are blessed with 4 grandchildren.  I hope that someday, someone will look upon our wedding photos with a smile and admire the fashions of our day.

Carol





BRA-VOgue!

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I was watching a recent episode of the television show "Pan Am" when I noticed that Christina Ricci's character was wearing a deadly, pointy bra.  In fact all the women were wearing bras that would make an 80's Madonna quite proud!

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Why were their bosoms like pyramids?!  Well-formed ladies from the 1960's wanted to emulate current sirens such as Lana Turner and Jane Russell by wearing the very popular, conical supports popularly known as the bullet bra.  The previous decade was the start of women wanting to look Hollywood glamorous.  They had been deprived from the war and depression years so it was time to celebrate being a woman and enjoying some luxuries that were becoming available. Every woman wanted to look like the pin-up sweater girls.

I must say though that these poor women must have been feeling constant discomfort until more comfortable fabrics such as nylon replaced the corset-like contraptions.  They were also easier to wash.  

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It's amazing that the silhouette of a woman can so easily determine from which era she derives.  I must say that these 1960's women with such upturned bras, look so unnatural.  This pointy style also allowed smaller breasted women to feel boosted.  My underwire bras have been good to me!

The bullet bra went out of style in the 1960's as underwire designs came into vogue with softer fabrics and more natural looking profiles. I'm grateful for our current "support systems" but I am still in awe of gorgeous women like Marilyn Monroe who sported the bullet with flair.

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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FLYING HIGH ON FASHION



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I am happy to see that the new television series called "Pan Am" has survived its freshman season so far.  At first this show interested me because of its retro connection to "Mad Men" which is all the rage these days.  I am of course more interested in the show as I am a vintage girl at heart.

I have become firmly invested in the story lines and the main characters.  What I find truly amazing and mesmerizing are all the incredible fashions that are displayed in every scene.  One would think that a show based on airline stewardesses would have them in uniform most of the time.  But it's nice to see them in times of leisure and sometimes even surrounded by luxury. 


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I would love to have the figures of these actresses as their outfits look like second skin most of the time.  I wonder if that "Pan Am" company issue girdle really does come into play?!  From the cute little hats on their heads, to the the prim gloves to cover their delicate hands, down to the spotless shoes, the costume designer has gone to great lengths for authenticity and fab stylishness.

There are few men featured on "Pan Am".  But the two main pilot and copilot always look the part as dashing men about town.  There are also some guest actors who have taken my breath away, dressed so sharply and dashingly.  Ahhhhhhh,  another reason to keep tuning in...



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jenniferfabulous.blogspot.com

 

jenniferfabulous.blogspot.com



 

Goran Visnjic looking very dashing as Luka on "Pan Am"
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dailymail.co.uk



 

WELK-come to Family Hour

Would you be surprised if I told you that I loved watching the Lawrence Welk show?  No, I'm not a grandmother, nor the age of one.  Back in the 1970's, my family and I gathered on the sofa to watch the hourly show that was full of "champagne music".  It was such a pure, family-oriented show with great examples of singing, dancing and instrumental playing. 

If you watch it today, you might recoil from the rather scary hairstyles, the heavy make-up and strangely matching costumes.  The women were often dressed in chiffon and feathers.  The men looked somewhat dashing in their ruffled tuxedo shirts and jumbo sized shirt collars.  Powder blue was probably the most popular of all the colours both in clothing and make-up.  Because the show aired for more than 31 years, the audience got to see such a array of fashions from the early 1950's to the 1970's. 

The group seemed like a really loving family.  The music was very smooth and easy listening.  Like the Carol Burnett Show, this television program brought together our multi-generational family to watch something that exuded innocence and fun.

My husband thinks it's scary that I still remember the show's closing tune.  I still hum it in the shower.  Maybe I am supposed to be from another decade!  "Good night, sleep tight, and pleasant dreams to you,

Adios, au revoir, auf wiedersehen to you,

And now, 'til we meet again,

Adios, au revoir, auf wiedersehen...."

Have a look at all the "vonnerful" women of the Lawrence Welk show...

 

  

Look at all that's vonnerful, vonnerful...

Classic Episodes of the Lawrence Welk Show: Volumes 1-4

Vintage 60'ss Cyan LACE Chiffon POUF SLEEVE Maxi Gown Dress L



Vintage 70's Ruffled Tuxedo Mens Dress Shirt Blue 15 1/2 34





A Date with Oscar

It was another fabulous night at the Academy Awards.  There were funny moments, sad moments, touching moments and strange ones.  I like to think that this prestigious televised show is about honouring those who have excelled in the process of making movies.  But let's face it, the red carpet is all about "who are you wearing" as if to ask an actress if a clothing designer is actually draped over her.  Let's have a look at the highlights and the lowlights of Sunday night's fashions.

Here are some of the very best:

  

  

Feathers are the stars of this gorgeous gown.
The styling is current but the feathers take
us back to past decades.

 

      

Gorgeous 1960's vibe to this dress
and Witherspoon's hairstyle



  

Williams' look is very remniscent
of  Mia Farrow in the 1960's



  

Here are some fashions that have missed the mark:



Bonham-Carter may have thought
she was going to a "Harry Potter"
dress rehearsal as she is looking very
vintage goth but just scary





This very prim, retro gown
doesn't really seem to
suit the grand occasion




Although the feathers are pretty
and retro, the styling of this
dress looks disjointed

Have your own Oscar moment whenever the mood hits you...

The Academy Awards: The Complete Unofficial History Revised and Updated

ACADEMY AWARD CLOTHES 3 Piece Black Suit Custom S/M



Vtg Academy Award Winning Dark Navy JENNY Leather Purse