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. 

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

Paul was liked by everyone who met him, not only here in Perth but all over Australia and the globe. He was one of those people who exuded happiness, warmth and joy, which is a rare thing these days. He was also a great dancer and loved the swing dance scene and all the friends and opportunities it brought him over the 10 years that we knew him. I’ve never known such a kind, generous, caring soul who was so full of fun and life and I will miss him terribly. Always smiling and joking around and never afraid to make fun of himself. I am so very glad to have had the time with him that I did.

I’ll never forget you Paulie. Love you always oxoxo

Below: Paul and I filming a dance sequence for the short film, ‘Swan Song’ in 1940s attire, 2005

]]> http://www.swingfashionista.com/2012/01/farewell-paulie-my-dear-sweet-friend/feed/ 2 http://www.swingfashionista.com/2012/01/1930s-hair-styles/ http://www.swingfashionista.com/2012/01/1930s-hair-styles/#comments Sat, 21 Jan 2012 17:57:24 +0000 Michelle http://www.swingfashionista.com/?p=7660 My interest in vintage hair began when I was a child, as I have always loved the 20s, 30s and 40s, but I actually began styling my own hair in vintage styles back 1999 when I started swing dancing. I have also run vintage hair workshops many times in the last 12 years. The 1930s softly waved and curled feminine hairstyles are my favourite and I drool over old pics from the time. I have a short middy cut myself so I can wear a 30s look when I want to. Sadly, ladies today don’t have the benefit of being able to go to the salon on a weekly basis to have their hair ‘wet set and styled’ as they did back in the day. The ‘beauty salon’ certainly was a different place back then. I once read in an old hairdressing magazine that around 50% of a salons’ business (from the 20s to the late 50s) came from ‘setting’ hair alone. Today it’s all about cut and colour.

Most of the waved and curled 30s styles required sculpting and constant upkeep. So wearing a hair net to bed with pin curls, wavers clips or rollers to maintain it was just part of every day life for ladies of the day, unless of course, you were lucky enough to have hair that waved or curled naturally and easily. Husbands and boyfriends back then certainly were used to seeing their ladies in curlers regularly. Was just part of life.

Women that could afford to go to the salon on a regular basis usually went for a ‘wet set and style’, which would last up to a week if you protected it while you slept. For those of you new to vintage hair speak, a wet set involved having your hair pin curled or finger waved in the style you wanted while the hair was wet, then sitting under a hood dryer for an hour or so at the salon, until the hair was completely dry. Then the hair would be brushed out and combed into the style required by the hairdresser. Certainly a lengthy process, but worth it for a week of hair that retained its style. This was a common practice right up until the 1960s in salons. Many ladies of the day (like my Nana and Grandmother) who weren’t flush with money, learned to style and set their own hair at home in the 30s, 40s and 50s for the most part and went to salon once a month.

Tips for 30s waves:
What many people don’t realise is that finger waves were actually designed to enhance, tame and smooth the waved, curly tresses of those lucky enough to have them. The waves and curls were stretched and moulded into the looks in the pics shown. But for those like myself who have dead straight hair (ugg) – I was given some invaluable tips a few years back from a lovely ex-hairstylist named ‘Lily‘ who is now in her 90s. This is how told me she used to set waves and curls for her straight-haired clients in the 30s:

- wet set hair with setting lotion under a hood dryer (or overnight) to give yourself a good curly base to work with
- THEN brush out the tight curls, smoothing the hair and relaxing it a bit
- use a styling comb to sculpt the curls on top and sides of your head  into soft waves and ridges and clip them into place with wavers (so much easier when the hair is already curled). It’s all about the sculpting.
- sculpt the smaller curls so they are softer around the back of your head/ears etc using the comb and your fingers. Spray on some hairspray to set.

So – curling first, drying, THEN waving for us straight haired lot! For years I wondered why trying to achieve soft finger waves was so much harder with straight hair … simple, because they were designed to beautify curly hair! So, salons of the day had to come up with techniques to help out the straight-haired gals like to me achieve these amazing styles too. Information has just been lost over the years as the older generation pass away. Anyhoo, here are some great style to inspire you. My fav 30s ladies are Carole Lombard, Myrna Loy and Ginger Rogers.

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.

You can find it here on ebay for sale!

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.

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.