Author: Michelle

Vintage colour swatch…yowza yellow

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. 

20s-yellow-stars   

\

  1930s gown vintage dress   

CELLULOID Earrings Yellow Swirl 1930s

 

New ‘Vintage Dressmaker’ collection – A homage to the 1930s

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.

Claudette- Early 1930s inspired dress in wool crepe with leg o' mutton sleeves     Claudette- Early 1930s inspired dress in wool crepe with leg o' mutton sleeves

 

Elise- Wartime inspired late 1930s printed cotton dress     Elise- Wartime inspired late 1930s printed cotton dress
Jemima- Mid-1930s inspired plaid dress     Jemima- Mid-1930s inspired plaid dress
Myrna- Early 1930s inspired afternoon dress     Myrna- Early 1930s inspired afternoon dress
Cora- Mid- 1930s inspired butterfly-sleeved silk dress with bakelite button     Cora- Mid- 1930s inspired butterfly-sleeved silk dress with bakelite button
 RESERVED FOR HEYLOUILOUI- Vera- late 1930s inspired cotton teadress with fan effect     RESERVED FOR HEYLOUILOUI- Vera- late 1930s inspired cotton teadress with fan effect

1930s Men’s fashion snap shots: 1

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: Tin Trunk

Michelles Etsy picks of the week…hats

Hi all. Sorry that I missed a week of blogging my etsy favs, but I was away for Christmas and New Year on a jaunt the country. Anyhoo…time to start off 2012 with some of my favourite vintage headwear from the 1930s and 40s. I am a big fan of 1930s ’tilt’ hats and ‘toppers’ or straw fedoras that tip towards the eye. So very flattering and sophisticated and I adore the balance they give to the face. For those new to vintage ‘hat-talk’ here is a little background …

Unlike today, hats were an essential part of every womans’ daily wardrobe and were not just worn for special occasions. As a lady, if you went out during the day before 6pm – it really was expected that you wear some type of headwear and that included church, shopping, going to the movies, posting a letter etc. The variety of hats available was endless (except during WW2 when rations were imposed – and ladies would improvise and make their own) and there were so many styles, colours and different hat materials on the market that you could pretty much find headwear to match any outfit you owned and for any season. Hat-pins and clasps were also extremely popular and could make a drab hat look quite special. Milliners were everywhere and huge sections of department stores were dedicated only to displaying and stocking hats.

I have also included a lovely 1930s hat pattern below for those among you who are creative. This great little pattern is produced by my friend Shelley from her very own New Vintage Lady line. Hope you like these beauties as much as I do 🙂

* Please note that all photos are linked back to their original Etsy sources.

Hat 1950s 50s Beret Tilt Hat Vintage Forward Tilt w/Autumn Leaves ...Do 1930s 30s LAYAWAY Available     1930s tilt hat, vintage 30s hat, boater with flocked flowers     30's 40's Vintage Wide Brim Profile Hat Unused Old Store Stock 22

1930s tilt picture hat, 30s vintage navy brimmed tilt     Vintage 1940s Straw Tilt Topper Hat Chocolate Brown Millinery Flowers Grosgrain Ribbon     Vintage 1940s 50s Hat : Beanie-Style Straw Hat

Your Sunday Best - Early 1930s Straw/Horsehair Brimmed Hat w/Pink Velvet Flowers & Pearl Pin     The London Blitz - Late 1930s WWII RAF Blue Felt Turned Brim Topper w/Velvet Bow & Pave Pin     1940s Red Straw Hat

NVL 1930s Cap Hats 23 head PLUS SIZE     1930s Hat - dark blue straw sporty 30s English hat with cream and blue trim     1930s hat - sporty chestnut brown with lovely band - 21" - never worn.

Vintage Hat 1940s Helen Joyce Slate Blue Straw Derby with Flowers     Don't Toy with me 1930s 1940s Black Tilt Toy Hat Must See     Vintage 1930s Green Straw Tilt Topper Hat Orange Floral Roses 1940s Perch

Delicious Vintage Rare 1940s Bakelite Cherry Blossom Sunday Hat with Veil     Betmar Bloomingdales Pillbox Black Felt Faille Frou Frou     70's Does 30's Straw Wide Brim Hat with White Ribbon & Flower 22 1/2

Book discount for Louise Brooks fans…

Well, I am rested and back from a camping and a trip and ready to start 2012! Here is a little something I stumbled across for all you admirers of Art Deco icon; Louise Brooks. The Louise Brooks Society is offering a 25% discount off the book, Diary of a Lost Girl. Go to this link to find all the info you need to get book the discounted price. The offer is only open til January 6th, 2012.

Book Description from Amazon

The 1929 Louise Brooks film, Diary of a Lost Girl, is based on a controversial and bestselling book first published in Germany in 1905. Though little known today, the book was a literary sensation at the beginning of the 20th century. Spirited debate and lawsuits followed its publication. By the end of the Twenties, it had sold more than 1,200,000 copies – ranking it among the bestselling books of its time.Was it – as many believed – the real-life diary of a young woman forced by circumstance into a life of prostitution? Or a sensational and clever fake, one of the first novels of its kind? This contested work - a work of unusual historical significance as well as literary sophistication – inspired a sequel, a play, a parody, a score of imitators, and two silent films. The best remembered of these is the often revived G.W. Pabst film starring Louise Brooks.This new edition of the original English language translation brings this important book back into print after more than 100 years. It includes an introduction by Thomas Gladysz, Director of the Louise Brooks Society, detailing the book’s history and relationship to the 1929 film. This special “Louise Brooks Edition” also includes more than three dozen vintage illustrations.