1950s Luau Dress

This weekend Vince and I attended a 1950's Luau themed party hosted by one of my professors. I wanted to have appropriately themed attire to wear. Although I already had several 1950's dresses that would have suited the bill, I also had this fabulous fabric lying around and a reprint vintage Butterick pattern that I had been itching to make something from. So, I opted to make a quick 1950's dress.

This dress was very satisfying to sew because it could be completed in a weekend...unlike so many period dresses that I sew. I used the bodice pattern from the vintage Butterick pattern but wanted a fitted skirt because of time constraints (making the appropriate undergarments for a fuller skirt would have been time consuming) and because I adore the 'wiggle dress' style that was popular during that time. So I drafted a pencil skirt pattern to attach to the bodice.

Naturally, since it was a last minute dress there were a few things that I would change if I were to re-do it...and I probably will go back and revamp it before I the next time I wear it.  All things that could have been forseen if I had done a mock-up first. But, all in all I was happy with the result. Mostly because I adore the fabric - it has been sitting in my fabric stash for at least five years. I tried selling it on etsy but didn't have any luck - now I'm very thankful that it didn't sell!

It's hard to see in the picture, but I was able to find a fabulous vintage cocktail ring that matched the rust colored design in the dress perfectly - only about an hour before the party started. And earrings to match the vintage yellow bracelet that I already had. Perfect!

Butterick 4792
(Out of print but can be found on etsy or ebay)

This is a great pattern that would work well for a modern dress, especially with a narrower style skirt.

Dior New Look Hat

In Millinery class we are blocking wool felt hats. I'm creating a Dior "New Look" inspired hat with trim inspired by this original. Isn't it fabulous?

Dior's "New Look"

Fashion

"One should either be a work of art or wear a work of art." - Oscar Wilde

"Fashion fades, style is eternal." - Coco Chanel

"Fashion is not something that exists in dresses only. Fashion is in the sky, in the street, fashion has to do with ideas, the way we live, what is happening." - Coco Chanel

"Style is knowing who you are, and what you want to say, and not giving a damn." - Gore Vidal

1950-60s Evening Wrap

I'm excited to share with you one of my latest thrift store finds! I love thrifting. I try very hard to keep myself from visiting Goodwill every morning...often I fail at this. Last week, while visiting my favorite store, I came upon this adorable Vintage black satin wrap from the 50s or 60s. Sadly it was missing the evening gown that went with it. For $5 I snagged myself a cute evening wrap to wear to the Symphony Orchestra on Friday night. I paired it with a black satin White House, Black Market Dress (also a thrifted treasure) and a Vintage necklace and I was set.

The wrap has short sleeves in it with a wide ruffled edge. I especially like the way it is open at the front neckline, allowing the dress and jewelry to show.

This picture shows the adorable wide ruffled edge on the wrap. The design is by Emily Wetherby. I'd love to make some variations on this cute wrap to wear with other sleeveless dresses. It would be cute in a shorter length, and also in different weights of fabric - knits, silks, sheers.

The Fashions of 'Mad Men'

The Fashions of 'Mad Men'

Love the Fashions of the Women of AMC's hit TV show 'Mad Men'? As the show kicks off it's 3rd Season (1963!) I find myself even more enchanted by the lovely frocks worn by Betty Draper, Joan Holloway, Peggy Olson and of course, all of Don's women. ;)

The Fashions of the 1950s & 60s were glamorous, feminine, and charming works of art. Wearing them evokes a feminine beauty rarely captured in our modern day attire. Retailers often turn to fashions of a past era when designing their clothing lines, but sometimes the original is far more beautiful than any knock off. The detailed pleats, folds, and gathers are even more stunning in the originals and the fabrics far more delightful. Thankfully these gowns are still available for our enjoyment and available at our local thrift shops, vintage stores, and on Ebay and Etsy.

Over at my home decorating blog, 'In Pursuit of Glamour', I've posted some favorite 1950s dresses spotted over at Etsy.
Check out my post!

Betty Draper (January Jones)

Always beautiful, Betty looks fashionable and pulled together even in her darkest moments (that's Hollywood!).

Don Draper chit chats with his 'other women' past and present.

The 'other woman', Bobbi Barrett.

This gal's got obvious glamour. She's one bad cookie but oh, those earrings, that sophisticated hairstyle, and that dress! It's a good thing for the audience that Don is so bad, I guess, otherwise we'd miss a lot of great moments in 1960s fashion.

A Vintage Dress

A Vintage Dress!

Can you believe this lovely silk dress was thrifted for under $5? Isn't it gorgeous? It was just perfect to wear to an evening wedding that we attended a few weekends ago. I topped it off with two feather hair clips from the kiddie department of Michael's - thanks to a tip about these lovelies from a fellow blogger.

I should have taken a picture of the back of the dress. The fullness of the skirt is at the back where it is knife pleated at the center back. It's really quite a lovely effect. The style of the dress gives such a great hourglass figure. I'd guess that this dress is c. 1950-60s. It reminds me of the TV show 'Mad Men' which is set in the 60s.