Black velvet (outfit #39)

Every once in awhile you get lucky...really lucky!  I found this black velvet, 1940s frock at a thrift store in the Halloween dept!  The beading on the cuffs and collar are nearly perfect.  The velvet covered buttons are all intact, and it is perfectly my size.  I paid something like $12! The tag reads,  "New York Creation,  N.Y. Dress Institute," which is a design guild that started in the 20s.  My hat has a huge iridescent coq  feather and was thrifted.  My gold beaded pumps echo the beaded design on my collar. How serendipitous.

An ad from 1941 for the New York Dress Institute

Happy Sunday!

Fall leaves (outfit #38)

I'm trying hard to deny the seasons, it is NOT winter, I swear!  This dress has all the perfect Autumn colors; pumpkin, mustard, olive, sunflower yellow, and tomato bisque red.  This rayon, late1940s dress came from an estate sale.  I initially thought the dress was later, because the pattern seemed late 60s and the colors are so saturated.  I love it when I get to meet the people who know the history of a dress and give me the accurate details.  It's by a maker called Pornette... no, seriously!  It has a really interesting tri-split collar and a matching belt.  My mustard colored gloves are from a different estate, and my multi-colored t-straps were thrifted.  I have accomplished one of my 2013 goals, and am wearing my first ever bullet bra.  I purchased it on Etsy as vintage deadstock, and am totally loving it!

Happy Sunday!

Green with envy (outfit #37)

Today was insanely, painfully, bitterly cold!  I think it was only about 12 degrees in the shade.  I chose this dress, because in the middle of winter, everything is brown and dead.  I'm already dreaming of the days when little spring bulbs start to peak out, and the grass starts to turn that perfect spring bud green.  My 50s dress is from ebay, and has the sweetest lace smocking on the bodice.  My vintage mint green belt was a gift from my friend Sam, at the Robot Exchange. My green and white spectator pumps were thrifted and then hand-painted by me.  It was really popular to match all the details of your ensemble in the 1950s.  Hats, shoes, gloves, purses, etc were all coordinated.  Since finding matching shoes seemed like such a daunting task, I created my own.

Happy Sunday!

Sweater set (outfit #36)

Forgive how over exposed these photos came out, but it's hard to find good, complimentary light for photos in the winter.  I purchased this lovely sweater set from the Robot Exchange.  The label says, An Original by Olga, and they really are such beautiful and unique pieces.  The sweater has a side zipper, ties in the front, and has embroidered flowers on the back of the collar.  The skirt has rhinestones on the flowers and a built in crinoline (which is pink!!)  I saw this outfit on the mannequin and had to try it on.  When my friend Sam told me the width of the waist, I almost gave up, but after some wiggling, we were able to get it zipped up!  I will admit, I had to lose about 5 lbs to really fit into this set, but I think it was totally worth it!!

Happy Sunday!