Throwback Thursday: Sunday Best

After a two week hiatus, Throwback Thursday is finally back! This vintage fashion moment was sent in by Sharon, who is the little tyke on the left. This photograph captures mother and daughter in their Sunday's best.

I love the cut and style of Sharon's mother's day-dress. A far cry from the full as can be skirts of the 1950s, this early 1960s dress has a tailored pencil skirt with clean classic lines. This style of dress has been brought back decade after decade, the cut is so classic that it has become timeless. We are seeing a demand in day dresses of this sort in vintage fashion as well as in contemporary wear.

The dress is beautiful, but my favourite item by far is the mock doctors satchel. Those who know me can attest that I am constantly in search of quality vintage bags in this shape! For those of you who accessorize minimally, as I generally do, unique shapes of clothing and the few accessories worn speak volumes. Also, If you look closely you can see that little Sharon has her own purse to match her adorable outfit as well.

A huge thank you to Sharon for sharing this heart-warming vintage fashion moment which demonstrates the timelessness certain styles can achieve! Look for another fantastic retro fashion moment next Thursday. 

Throwback Thursday: Here Comes the Bride

Wedding season is coming to an end as we approach Autumn. So, what better time for a bridal edition of Throwback Thursday?

This photo was sent to us by Arnolda, it is of herself on her wedding day in the 1960s! Doesn't she look incredible?  This wedding dress comes across as very of its time, especially with the feather trim on the hem and neckline. It is a very unique dress. Although quite feminine, this dress has a few touches that are mostly seen in men's fashion. The fabric added below the bust line drops to the low waist, giving the illusion of a cummerbund. Arnolda is also wearing boutonnière, what a clever touch for dress that is on the less ornate side! 

This dress may be dated, but with some minimal alterations it could be worn at any modern wedding. Full length sleeves are especially popular with brides following the Royal Wedding. The key to the perfect wedding dress is the same as with any outfit, you must make it your own. It is clear that Arnolda did!

A huge thank you to Arnolda for sharing this beautiful vintage fashion (and life) moment with SLV! We will be back next week with another look into the fashion of the past.

It's Vintage Ossie Clark

Mr and Mrs Clark and Percy

I have yet to own an original Ossie Clark - but when I do, believe me you will be the first to know! Original Ossie Clark pieces are in high demand, particularly in London, and is a label to covet.

Mr. Clark was a major fashion designing influence, in what is famously known as the swinging sixties in London, England. Influencing many current fashion designers, his studies of architecture were an invaluable tool - allowing him to recognize the fundamentals of height, proportion and volume and apply it to his fashions. It is often said his wife Celia was his muse as she designed the fabrics prints from which he created his fashions. The two worked in tandem - one could not have designed without the other. Her patterns inspired his lines.

1969 Dress of the Year, Bath Museum

The Happening Dress

Ossie had many famous clients including Mick Jagger, The Beatles and Liza Minnelli demonstrating his international success in New York and Paris. Originally, the exclusive London boutique Quorum featured his designs, but due to less than successful business management, the UK fashion house, Alfred Radley bought Quorum and the Clark designs.  This expanded Ossie's audience and introduced the Ossie Clark for Radley collections.

By the 1980s however, the punk rock scene was taking over and Ossie's designs were considered dated. He met an early death at the hands of a former lover, and was stabbed to death in 1996. He was only 54 years old.

Imagine if he was still designing....



 

Shift with Ease

The shift dress is a long staple in a woman's fashion wardrobe - beginning as far back as the 1920s. The original flapper dress was a shift dress - a type of garment that is loosely fitted with simple tailoring. Fitting many sizes and practically all body shapes, it became popular once again in the 1960s.

I love the shift dress. It's versatile, comfortable and stylish. I prefer the fabric to be a crisp cotton or linen as it holds it's shape well and remains tailored. Perfect for all seasons depending on the fabric it is made from, it can be belted, loose, accessorized or worn plain. Think Audrey Hepburn or Jackie Kennedy. Timeless and classic style.

Of course, it's vintage! This 1960s Alison Ayres cocoa linen shift dress is now available. $75

Autumnal Melancholy

That beautiful harvest moon we had a few days ago, coupled with the official beginning of Autumn can make for a melancholy mood. Summer is over, temperatures are dropping and perhaps some memories are lingering of warm, romantic nights.

Perhaps this is why there are so many songs of Fall that are of a wistful, contemplative, almost woebegone nature. Autumn Leaves is the first tune that comes to mind, in particular the Frank Sinatra version.

Others that reflect this time of year:

Autumn of My Life

It Was A Very Good Year

Autumn in New York

Early Autumn

Autumn Serenade

Indian Summer

September Song

But Autumn does not have to be dull! Check out these cheerful and seasonal vintage items. All now available.

Vintage Scottish Green Plaid Cape Wool

Vintage 60s Wool Plaid Jumper Dress

Vintage 60s Off White Twill Cape

Vintage Red Wool Cape

Wallflower Vintage Presents: Mad Men's Joan

Whether you're a fan or not - you've heard of Mad Men - a drama about 1960s Ad Men. I have to admit, I watch it for the clothing and decor. The show is slowly turning a corner into the mid-60s and I do hope they keep on truckin' right into the 70s! The longer hair is starting to enhance the younger men's heads and the hemlines are not the only thing receding. The women's hair is getting poofier reminding me of the ever-present Dippity Do in my childhood bathroom.

One of the characters in Mad Men is Joan, a secretary who could run the agency were she a male. (Remember this is the mid-60s). A strong personality with a penchant for picking the wrong men. My featured dress today looks like something head-strong Joan would wear.

Golden Age of Travel-Fly The Friendly Skies!

Fly the friendly skies! Remember that phrase from United Airlines? If you do, you are most likely my age or have an affinity for retro advertising. This Creative Vintage dress is modeled on an airline stewardess style, complete with winged brooch. An unlined polyester fabric with small floral motif and gold threading throughout, the rayon neck scarf is attached to the dress. The brooch is removable. Back zipper, skinny gold-tone belt and ready for your next voyage!

Length 34" (86.5cm)
Bust 38" (96.5cm)
Waist 36" (91.5cm)
Hips 38"

All of our garments are cleaned and ready to wear.  

Now available $115.

Ready, Set, Go!

My new favorite tool is the visual thesaurus.  Recently exploring it, the word set came up frequently and inspired me to write this particular post.

Let's have a look and you will see what I mean. 

So we can set something down or set something up. We are often inflexible and set in our ways. That theatrical play I saw last week had a beautiful set design and the jelly cake I made did not set and was too soft. My neighbor set in motion an argument and his set attitude was established. And this vintage 1960s dress set is a lovely custom made outfit.

I love words. Cool.

Now available from Hurdy Gurdy Man Antiques & Vintage.

Happy Canada Day!

July 1st is Canada Day. To celebrate, red is the color of the day. I hope all the Canadians had a wonderful holiday!

Gent's vintage lounge slippers, faux reptile skin.

 

Easy Street Pilgrim 60s Red Patent Leather Shoes

 

Red Peignoir Set c. 1970s

 

1960s Red Satin & Chiffon Gown

Red Satin Slippers with Marabou Trim

Taking Time to Smell the Roses

I live on a lovely lane by the sea, and on my morning walk I pass by a home with a beautiful rose garden. Roses fill this yard and the owners have made sure to plant a row of roses right by the fence so people walking by can appreciate the smell. In this yard I see crimson, peach, yellow and white and some colors are divine mixes of two or three.

This made me think today about our love affair with the rose, and how it has been translated into fashion. Some roses are bright and bold and others are dainty and delicate. There are tea roses, cabbage roses and wild roses. We've managed to represent just about every type of rose into the garments we've worn over the years and I've selected a few lovely rose adorned pieces of vintage fashion for your enjoyment from members of the Vintage Fashion Guild. http://www.vintagefashionguild.org.

For cocktails in a swanky bar, we have this divine late 1950's rose print hourglass cocktail dress in a delicious mix of greens at The Vintage Vortex, http://www.thevintagevortex.com. She is in near mint condition and a definite head-turner!

If the beach is your destination, check out this adorable 1960's black and white stylized cabbage rose print swimsuit, available at http://www.propervintageclothing.com.

When dancing is on the agenda, this sultry 1940's black rose cocktail dress from Posh Girl Vintage will have you doing the Tango in high vintage style! http://www.poshgirlvintage.com.

A night on the town in this stunning 1950's rose creation from DeniseBrain Vintage will earn you a basket full of compliments! http://www.denisebrain.com

And finally, you will be a vision in white chiffon as you walk down the aisle in is rose adorned confection on your special day! Exquisite 1950's ruffled wedding dress available at http://www.coutureallure.com

Back to Back

From 1930 -1968, the Motion Picture Production Code was implemented and enforced in Hollywood to govern the movie industry. This code was  a set of rules that spelled out what was acceptable and what was unacceptable content in movies produced for a public audience in the United States.

Before 1930, there was a great degree of sexual content in movies. Hard to believe actually, but Hollywood was quite risqué. When the production code was put into place, costume designers had a difficult time trying to outfit their female stars. They were used to Jean Harlow with her plunging necklines but were now forbidden to expose this much of a woman's front. The answer? Low back lines! A sexy, yet elegant alternative that is still in demand today.

A backless dress can be a source of inspiration or a 'pain in the back'. Depending on how comfortable you are with showing the back, the correct underpinnings must still be worn. If you are investing in a backless dress, please invest in the proper bra - no bra straps showing please!

A 1980s blue cotton backless showing just enough back for a daytime modest look. Available at Rokit, $60

A halter dress by Fred Perlberg that by definition of being a halter, is backless. Now available at our store, Some Like it Vintage for $215.

This Just In! Christian Dior Dress with Bolero Jacket

Sometimes a garment will come into the shop and for the life of me I cannot figure it out. The only way to understand some garments is to put it on the mannequin. This dress came into my shop and was a conundrum to me. I enjoyed the colors, but could not understand why a bolero jacket would be attached to a dress. In my chronically practical ways, to me a jacket must be removeable. A lady should have the option of covering up or not.

As much as I love Christian Dior, I think all designers have moments of 'What was I thinking?'. I adore this outfit, but will be honest, the double zippers and attached jacket do not entirely make sense to me. But, that is the beauty of fashion...it is unique and often times, experimental.

What do you think of this dress?

 

Vintage 1960s Christian Dior Dress