Throwback Thursday: Hello, Dolly!

Today's Throwback Thursday comes to us from Beverley.  It is a picture of her great aunt Dolly in the 1930s.  Wow, what an outfit this is! Particularly because this picture was taken in  the pre-war post depression era, not a time where people felt inclined to slip into their glad rags.

It's true that this frock is not exactly modern.  However, if it looks familiar it is because this dropped waist style of dress was re-popularized in the 1980s (Prom, anyone?!). As were smocked dresses. The small details are what I love most about this vintage outfit. Most notably, the scalloped edge of the smock on upper half of the dress, and the embroidery.  Doesn't it make you wonder what colour the smock is?!

A huge thank you to Beverley for sharing this vintage fashion moment with us! We'll see you back here for next week's edition 

of Throwback Thursday.

New Items Now Available

Where do the weeks go? Well, if this means spring is arriving quicker, then I'm all for time going faster!

Have a great weekend everyone!

1930s black evening gown with low back

1920s silk floral flapper dress

Antique wool and silk faille bustle gown

 

70s does 20s mustard chenille flapper dress

Thumbs up and down for this year's Emmy's...

Wow, it's hard to believe that we are in the thick of September.  That means that the 2011 Emmy Awards were broadcast last Sunday night.  I think that everyone waited with anticipation to see what Charlie Sheen would say.  But I for one love all the pomp and gorgeous outfits, especially when they showcase that vintage flair.  Here is a small sampling of those I loved and those I think greatly missed the mark:




Nina Dobrev looking sizzling hot in her gorgeous gown
and 19th century choker in darkened gold




Jennifer Westfeldt looked lovely in a
vintage, yellow Helena Barbieri dress



Phoebe Price might have thought she was
going flower power, but it's rather flower dour!

Yipes!  Joel McHale is looking a little too

svelte in this pencil thin tuxedo with powder

blue jacket!



Cojo, say it isn't so!




Actress Jayma Mays looking pretty in pink with a
definite retro vibe


So what do you think?  Chime in with your own favourites and nightmares...

Photos courtesy of Bing.com

My First Vintage...What Was Yours?

When I was a young teenager, and without a regular income, money was tight. In order to purchase clothing I would shop at the Sally Ann, Goodwill and second hand stores. This was how the vintage bug began for me as I would often find something that was just so different which happened to be 40 years old!

My first vintage purchase was a WWII fitted army jacket. I was surprised at the time how small it was - at first I thought it was a child's jacket. In a sense it was, as the man who wore it was most likely just a teenager himself. The thought of a soldier's piece of clothing in my hands was almost eerie...I was fascinated, but also very emotional. What happened to this young soldier? Did he die in the war? What was his position? The jacket looked like an aviator's jacket...was he a pilot? 

I was holding in my hand a little piece of history and immediately felt a connection to this young soldier. Feeling an obligation to preserve his memory, I bought the jacket and kept it wrapped and protected for years. I also wore it a few times and each time I wore it, I thought of this person and hoped I was helping his memory. I was immensely proud of this purchase and my heart felt happy.

I would love to hear about your first real vintage purchase. Did it evoke an emotional response? Why did you buy it? Do you still have it? Tell me in your comments below - let us all know! I'll leave this post up for a few days -- I think it will be interesting reading!

Vintage WWII Army Jacket

Vintage 60s Black Velvet Dress with Sparkles

60s Mod Tropical Shirt

Vintage Silk Cocktail Wrap Dress

Mod Pop Art Vintage Set

I HAVE A CRUSH ON YOU!

ruffledblog.com

 I am such a hope(ful)less romantic at heart.  But I'm not that mushy "Romcom" girl in the stilettos looking for her downtown man.  I am in fact a married woman who is always falling in love with "manly men" from bygone eras.  I suppose that is why I love the idea of vintage so much.  I think of women in beautiful vintage dresses on the arms of beautifully dressed men.

It's a very romantic notion to have of men being very gentlemanly, offering their hands when needed, opening doors, etc.  Some women might say that I'm killing any advances we have made in the feminist movement.  But why can't we women be both strong and feminine?  I like to think that these two traits could coexist happily in any woman.  I can kick some butt but still love getting roses and relax on occasion when a man wants to take charge of a situation. 

vintagedressup.blogspot.com

 

I asked for a number of DVDs for Christmas and I noticed that a lot of my choices are movies/television shows from different eras that show men in very brave or masculine light.  Forget about the metrosexual man who's sexual allegiance seems questionable.  What about the brutes with heart?  What about the guy in the dashing suit who can go seamlessly from a swanky dinner party to secretly saving the world in one night?!  I also love the bad guy who, deep inside, wants to be good.  But that's a story for another blog!

Here are some lyrics from Bonnie Tyler's hit song "Holding Out For a Hero".  It pretty well sums up my ideas very nicely!


"...Where have all the good men gone and where are all the gods ?
Where's the street-wise Hercules to fight the rising odds ?
Isn't there a white knight upon a fiery steed ?
Late at night I toss and I turn and I dream of what I need


I need a hero, I'm holding out for at hero 'till the end of the night
He's gotta be strong and he's gotta be fast
And he's gotta be fresh from the fight
I need a hero, I'm holding out for a hero 'till the morning light
He's gotta be sure and it's gotta be soon
And he's gotta be larger than life, larger than life..."

Some accessories for the hero in your life...

                               

Vintage Fashion Guild

The Vintage Fashion Guild is an international organization dedicated to promoting sellers of true vintage and antique items. The members of this guild are worldwide, knowledgeable and have an extensive collection of items. Membership is limited as the guild wishes to keep the quality of this organization high.

Some Like it Vintage has been a member for some time now, and I want to introduce you to the launch of it's new website. The re-design is very attractive and user friendly and the resource guide with forums are a wonderful source of accurate information. Browse the new site! This is a great place to source reputable vintage dealers, no matter where you are in the world.

Endorsed by Prince Charles

“Fashion clearly makes people feel good, but now it has to do the world good, too, by contributing to the creation of a virtuous circle, with nature protected at the center.”, Prince Charles.

You know you've hit the big time when HRH Prince Charles endorses what you do. The September issue of Vogue quotes Prince Charles' views on up-cycling clothing, repairing and re-using instead of throwing out and pushing the fashion industry to promote the same ideals.

Way to go Prince! Thanks!

80s Mini Sequined Dress

Vintage Spectacles

WWII English Boots

1950s Dark Brown Mouton Fur Short Swing Coat

Art Deco Celluloid Brooch

Able Grable

The Ready Hedy Housedress. The sort of frock a gal can do ANYTHING in.

Didn't think a housedress could be sexy? Think again!

Custom made by Abel Grable, in a variety of gorgeous colors for summer. $124

My New Favorite-Vintage Joan Barrie

My new favorite this week is this fantastic couture dress by Joan Barrie of New York. Wrapped like a gift, the two tone green has an iridescence to it. A stunning dress that is in near mint condition. What a find! 

Now available at Some Like it Vintage.com

SERIOUSLY .... In the Pink

My most recent acquisition of vintage clothes contained many beautiful pink dresses. I do not know why pink was such a dominant color this time around, but they are a stunning lot. Quick, how many shades of pink can you name?

Carnation Pink

Brink Pink

Blushing Pink

Persian Rose

Rose

Fandango

Magenta

Hot Pink

Lavender Pink....I could be here all day, but I think you get the idea!

All now available!

1950s Light Pink Chiffon over White Lace Swing Dress

1960s Pleated and Layered Chiffon Gown

1950s Cotton Ruffled Day Dress

1950s Vintage Pink & White Lace Chiffon Dress

1950s Full Swing Bright Pink Chiffon Dress

1970s Silk Chiffon with Sparkles!

Manhattan Vintage

It's just days away... The Manhattan Vintage Show and I'm wicked excited. If you've never been to this show, you are in for a treat. 80 or so dealers come from all over to ply their very best merchandise. Beautiful vintage as far as the eye can see. My favorite part is always the crowd. Just about everyone who comes, loves fashion with a vintage twist, my kind of folks!

So if you are in the New York metro area this weekend and looking to do some Spring shopping, come on by. Don't forget to visit my booth and say hello. I'm Melody from Tangerine Boutique look for me in the back row by the concession stand.

When: Friday April 23 1pm -8pm

Sat. April 24 11am-6pm

Where: 125 W. 18th St (Metropolitan Pavilion)

N.Y. City

Favorite Fridays!

Okay, I'm a day late...but here is my new pick for Favorite Fridays!

From Posh Vintage, this 1950's Lace Insert Lou Ette dress is made of black tafetta with beige lace inserts.Black and white combination's have consistently been a favorite for me...displaying sophistication and elegance with glamor all in one! An LBD that I would love to hang in my closet!

Supremely Supreme!

We all remember The Supremes right? To celebrate Mowtown Record's 50th anniversary, The Fashion Museum in Bath, UK has an exhibition on this month displaying the performance costumes worn by the Supremes. Over 50 outfits can be viewed.

The Supremes were the premier act of Mowtown Records during the 1960s and were the most commercially successful of Motown's acts. To date they remain America's most successful vocal group with 12 number one singles. At their peak in the mid-1960s, The Supremes rivaled The Beatles in worldwide popularity.

With the help of Mowtown choreographer Cholly Atkins, The Supremes did away with plain appearance and basic dance routines. Instead, they wore high-fashion gowns and wigs with dramatic makeup. Apparently they were instructed to perform as if they were before royalty - with grace and elegance. Motown wanted them to be equally appealing to black and white audiences, seeking to erase the image of black performers as being unrefined or lacking class.

Their costumes were indeed elegant. Often wearing full length gowns trimmed with furs and feathers or studded with jewels. Very glamorous!