Yes…I’m on a bit of a swimsuit theme at moment because it is very hot here today, and just because I adore these summery pics from the 1930s. The first one is from Tamarama Beach in Sydney.
It’s summer here in Australia and the warm weather is perfect for the beach or lolling about in the shade with a good book dressed in wide linen trousers and a 1930s floppy hat. So dear reader, I thought I’d post a small collection of items from Glamoursurf, a store that specialises in vintage swimwear and accessories. GS has some gorgeous original vintage pieces from brands such as Jantzen, Victory Knitwear, Catalina and Gordon MacKay.
I have always loved the streamlined elegance of vintage swimwear and I wish that some of that glamour and sophistication would make it’s way back into today’s mainstream bathing collections en masse. And even if you can’t afford to purchase anything, you can simply admire and be inspired by these beauties. Included are suits from the 1920s to the 40s.
So, I thought I would do something fun and write a regular post every 2 weeks that focuses on a particular colour. I will also include pics showing all sorts of vintage fashion items that were produced in varying shades of that colour, hopefully to inspire some new outfit combinations in the future and some possible purchases.
Red: So many shades and varities. Crimson, fire-engine, scarlet, vermillion, cardinal, blood-red and the list goes on. I chose red today because it is a courageous colour and I have needed a lot of that in the last few days. I usually wear red when I am feeling confident and happy. Here are some amazing examples of red vintage/vintage inspired items. How gorgeous are the 30′s bias gowns – stunning! The black and red cloche is also breathtaking.
* Please note that all photos are linked back to their original source.
Categories: Accessories, Clothing, Hats, Shoes
Fabulous Joan Bradley frocks from the 1934 Sears catalogue. My favourite is the brown polkadot number, a cute jumper-style but made as a one piece frock. Very cute. It also came in navy, which would be my preference.
Hi all. I apologise for my lack of posts this past week, but I have been pre-occupied with some personal matters, so felt very uninspired. But, I am back with some pics of some of my current Etsy favourites this week. Today I am focussing on shoes from the 20s, 30s and 40s and there some amazing examples for sale at the moment.
I do adore shoes from the mid to late 30s but find it somewhat difficult to obtain them in my size (8.5) so I am forever looking, looking. However, during my daily searches I always make a note of the beautiful examples I find so that I can show others. I hope you enjoy these lovelies…and maybe some of them will fit you.
* All items link back to their original source on Etsy
Categories: Accessories, Clothing, Shoes
For all our Australian followers, we hope you had a wonderful day off, celebrating life in this wonderful country of ours by doing the things that us Aussies like to partake of in summer. Whether it was going to the beach, attending a bbq or picnic or just hanging out with friends having a few drinks. Hope your day was grand and here are some lovely vintage Australian Home Journal covers and Home Budget inside pages from the 1920s and 30s to inspire you.
I was recently looking at some photos of my last trip to LA, which was back 201o. Many lovely friends were made there and I am so glad to be able to keep in touch across the miles via the interwebs. One of those buddies from LA (and from 5 years of hanging out on the Fedora Lounge) is fellow vintage fashion lover and sewer Shelley Johnson who is the owner of New Vintage Lady.
New Vintage Lady stocks one of the largest rotations of original plus size vintage patterns and reproductions. Shelley has developed her very own line of gorgeous plus size NVL patterns, designed in 1920s, 30s and 40s styles, including some amazing hats. She also has pdfs of original sewing books and magazines for sale in the Etsy store. And yes, the illustrations are also her own. Such a talented lass! So, take a look at these fabulous designs and be inspired to make some gorgeous outfits of your own.
You can also find the informative and fun NVL blog here.
I love 1930s knitwear and this is such and interesting piece. The angled features on the top and bottom of the dress and the stripes to match. Sometimes I wish I was whippet thin!!
You can find it here on ebay for sale!
So, I thought I would do something fun and write a regular post every 2 weeks that focuses on a particular colour. I will also include pics showing all sorts of vintage fashion items that were produced in varying shades of that colour, hopefully to inspire some new outfit combinations in the future and some possible purchases.
Teal: A lovely medium blue-green that reminds me of the sea off the islands of Perth and Thailand, cooler weather and rainy nights. As with my previous yellow post, I was inspired this week by a 1940s crepe, beaded gown that I have in my collection in a magnificent teal colour. Here are some beauties in various shades of teal. I think my favourite is the 1920s French opera coat…stunning.
* Please note that all photos are linked back to their original source.
Categories: Accessories, Clothing, Hats
I have been meaning to post this little 2 strip Technicolour film for a while now. It is quite amazing and seeing late 20s clothing and hats in all their coloured glory is mesmerising. I think my favourite hat is the black and white cloche and I love the green crepe ensemble.
You will notice that some of skirts are just slightly above knee. Contrary to what a lot of people think, these shorter lengths were generally only in vogue for a short period of time during the 1920s, from around late 1926 to 1928 and this quite often assists with dating a photo or piece of film. Hemlines soon plunged below the knee again in the early 1930s. Many thanks to Atqui on YouTube for uploading this.
Categories: Accessories, Clothing, Hats, Vintage VideosElmer Fryer was another wonderful photographer of Hollywood stars and celebrities. When I think of vintage Hollywood – Fryer and Hurrell always come to mind instantly. Fryer joined Warner in 1929 and during the 1930s he took portraits of Bette Davis, Kay Francis, Barbara Stanwyck, Myrna Loy, Louise Brooks, Loretta Young, Ann Dvorak, James Cagney, Errol Flynn, Henry Fonda and many other Warner Brothers stars. Sadly, Fryer died young at age 46, only 3 years after he left Warner Brothers in 1941. But, he left us a wonderful legacy to share in his photography.
I love the way Fryer designed his shots by using poses to suit the subject and to enhance their beauty. He seemed to have an uncanny sense of style and there is such an elegance to his work, especially with his use of black and white props, clothing and deep shadows. I adore the shot of Errol Flynn as I think it captures his personality perfectly – the handsome, cheeky, Aussie larrikin.
* All pics are linked back to their original sources
More stylish men from the era I adore most, the 1930s. This time featuring knitwear including swimwear, winter woolies and sportswear.
Source: Christian Montone
Bondi Beach, Australia, c. 1932. Source: Vintage Venus
German teenagers in the snow, c. 1930s. Source: Ipernity
Spectacular examples of sweaters (or jumpers as we call them in Oz), Plus Fours and knee high socks. Source: Fedora Lounge
Categories: Accessories, Clothing, Men's Fashion, Vintage Photos
Tagged: 1930s fashion, 1930s knitwear, 1930s mens swimwear, 1930s menswear
It is currently a hot summer day here in Australia and I feel the need to feature some fabulous swimwear for the occasion. For Luna, based in the UK, have a range of glamourous swimsuits that caught my eye when I came across them a while back. They are very cute and come in a range of colours and vintage styles and most have a late 40s early 50s feel. I would love to see a 1930s line one day, for those ladies like myself who adore 30s style.
And to all the gals currently wrapped up in winter woolies in the Northern Hemisphere, maybe these will inspire you for the summer to come.
Categories: Clothing
I was pulling out some of my books on vintage photography today and was reminded of how much I love Edward Steichen. I adore his simple lines and the way uses shadow and light. Steichen’s photos of gowns designed by Paul Poiret in the magazine Art et Décoration in 1911 are some of the very first modern fashion photographs and he helped define an era of glamour and elegance. Along with fashion work, he also photographed stunning portraits of movie stars and well-known faces of the day including Fred Astaire, Ginger Rogers, Charlie Chaplin, Gloria Swanson, Norma Shearer, Greta Garbo, Anna May Wong, Pola Negri, Loretta Young, Lilian Gish, Amelia Earhart and Joan Crawford. Hope you enjoy these classic images.
http://www.npg.si.edu/exhibit/steichen/
Categories: Celebrities, Clothing, Vintage Photos
Tagged: 1920s, 1930s, Edward Steichen, fashion photography, Gloria Swanson, greta garbo, Loretta Young
So, I thought I would do something fun and write a regular post every 2 weeks that focuses on a particular colour. I will also include pics showing all sorts of vintage fashion items that were produced in varying shades of that colour, hopefully to inspire some new outfit combinations in the future and some possible purchases.
Yellow: I chose yellow today because I was inpsired by a superb pale buttery yellow, early 1940s dress in my collection, and funnily enough – a 40s handbag to match. Not a colour I would probably wear myself, but lovely nontheless.
In my mind, yellow clothing always screams warm weather and sunny days. So, since it is summer here in Perth, a yellow gathering of items it will be for this post 
And oh so many shades…from canary and lemon to mustard, pale yellow and daffodil! Have also included one modern item in this group…but it is very worthy of being here
* Please note that all photos are linked back to their original source.
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Categories: Accessories, Clothing, Hats, Shoes
There are some very talented dressmakers and seamstresses out there designing making amazing garments that are to die for. One of my favourites is The Vintage Dressmaker, otherwise known as Irma Romero.
Irma is based in London and her handmade clothing range is based on vintage patterns that she sources in archives and old fashion magazines. She also uses vintage fabrics, buttons and notions for her designs.
I adore the classic lines and Art Deco stylings that Irma captures in all her 30s dresses, not to mention the adorable fabrics and fine details. Check out the wonderful 1930s collection on her website. All designs are bespoke and can be tailored to each individual customer’s needs. My favourites are the Jemima and the Cora. I particularly love detailing of the collar on the Cora, which can be worn open or closed by way of a large vintage button, giving it two different looks. I would love to have ALL these dresses in my collection…sigh.
Everyday men of the 1930s. Such wonderful shots of men relaxing, going about their everyday business and hanging out with friends. Even the casual clothing of the day never looks just ‘thrown together’. The various pieces of each ensemble always appear to be chosen with care. I LOVE the third pic from the top. Those chaps look like they are having a ball! Thanks to The Sartorialist for the last 4 pics.
Photo: Brian Hilligoss
Photo: Tin Trunk
Just because it’s the festive season…and these are all so lovely. The 1st Carole Lombard pic (2nd row right) is simply stunning. Can you guess who the first lovely lady is? It’s Lucille Ball.
So, I thought I would do something fun and start writing a regular post every 2 weeks that focuses on a particular colour. I will also include pics showing all sorts of vintage fashion items that were produced in varying shades of that colour, hopefully to inspire some new outfit combinations in the future.
Burgundy. It’s rich, dark, sensual and one of my favourite clothing colours, along with darker greens, browns, rusts, reds, black and navy. I’m not much of ‘bright colour’ girl (much to my father’s disgust…he always comments that I ‘wear too much black’) and I tend to accessorise with brighter pieces or wear a bright shirt with darker skirt/trousers etc. Burgundy usually screams winter and autumn to me but I do have items in cottons and linens in lighter shades and funnily enough; a pair of vintage suede burgundy lace up oxford shoes! Hope you enjoy this collection.
Categories: Accessories, Clothing, Hats, Men's Fashion, Shoes
Today it’s all about dresses – 1930s dresses to be specific, from some of my favourite Etsy sellers. Mid 30s is the era I love most but these dresses span the entire decade. If I was lucky enough to win the lotto (and if these dresses were in my size) – I would probably snap them all up!
As my friends know, I’m a big fan of vintage silk-velvet. There really seems to be no modern equivalent to it’s luxurious softness or the way it falls in a bias cut gown so I have included a beautiful burgundy example here. I also adore 30s knitted dresses and sets and I especially love the argyle sweater and skirt set that comes with a matching hat shown below from Top Tottie Vintage. So cute…but alas, too small for me.
All these dresses were currently for sale when I submitted this on Dec 11 so if you are interested in these items, just click on the pics to take you there. Enjoy, and thanks to all these wonderful sellers for always putting such quality vintage items in their stores.
* All items are linked back to their original Etsy source.
Categories: Clothing
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