Showing posts with label retro. Show all posts

Tuesday, October 26, 2010

Dress the Part II

Today we will explore the world of pre-made retro togs.

My all time FAVOURITE place to shop are my local thrift stores… for those of you who don't have good shops I have the following suggestions.

For authentic clothes, the #1 best place online that I've found is Etsy.com

You can find nearly anything in any size if you are patient enough to search for it.

I've even found plus size vintage clothes:

1940's Dress
Current Size 18W-20W

1940-50's dress
Current Size 18W, Misses 20

1930's Day Dress
Current Size 26W-28W

1940's WWII Dress
Current Size Misses 14-16

To search for these and more vintage clothing items on Etsy, be sure to search in the vintage category. For example… Here is a search for a vintage extra large dress

A great resource for a modern take on vintage clothes is an online shop called ModCloth.

Unfortunately, most of their clothes are too small for me, but none the less, check this out!

Below are some of my fav. Modcloth finds!

Monday, October 25, 2010

Dress the Part

Sometimes finding vintage togs to fit modern bodies is next to impossible. Most of the clothes I've found from the early 20th century that are in good wearable condition are too small for me to wear. Not a problem that's new to me, at 6 feet tall I am an expert at finding clothes that DON'T fit.

But today, with the internet and reproduction patterns, this is slightly less of a challenge.

First up: Reproduction Patterns

Authentic 1940's Pattern

Reproduction of 1940's Pattern

My Great Uncle James Watt loved antiques. I always loved going to his house, it was chock full of antique furniture and collectibles. (That may have influenced my current love for all things early- mid twentieth century.) One thing that Uncle Jim said that has always stuck with me is this, "Don't buy antique furniture for practical living - stick with reproductions." He felt that antiques had their place as display pieces, or as art. But modern living is just too rough and tumble for delicate antiques. I believe the same goes for antique clothing. Authentic period clothes can be amazing and beautiful. Some are even durable for modern use. But most, are best kept as study pieces for display and to aid in learning historical sewing techniques and reproduction pattern making.

For clothes that will last and will not break your heart if they get damaged from use, stick to reproductions. And to be sure that you are getting both the quality of workmanship and fine materials I present to you the option of reproduction patterns!

Authentic historic patterns can be an amazing find, but keep in mind that terminology and sewing techniques have changed quite a bit over the last several decades.

Butterick B5152

Vogue V1043

Click on any image to find the resource to find that pattern.

Tomorrow we will look for finished authentic and reproduction clothing.

Tuesday, October 12, 2010

A Retro Diva's Best Friend

I was scouring the net this week looking for cool vintage images to play with when I found Ms. Casey Brown's blog "Elegant Musings." People, this girl is my alter ego.

Not only does she have an AWESOME blog that is chock full of retro living tutorials but she also does tutorial VIDEOS people! How this girl has not landed a television show is beyond my imaginings.

Check out this video on how to give yourself a quick and easy 1940s 'do, then go to her blog and be amazed!

Friday, September 10, 2010

Favourite Blogs

Last weekend I was at a friend's wedding and was able to PAR-TAY with some good friends from college. The topic of conversation made its way to blogs and I promised to post some of my favourite blogs that I've found and read.

1) How About Orange - I check this blog about every other day, which is great, b/c that's about as often as Jessica Jones, graphic & textile designer extraordinaire, publishes a new post. She has all sorts of links and tid-bits about crafts and design.

2) This Mama Makes Stuff - This blog I check in with about once a week. It is well stocked with crafts and altered art (and clothing!) Carrie Lundell publishes this blog and, honestly, I don't know when the woman sleeps. She is a runner, biker, great mom and is CONTINUALLY crafting and blogging. When I grow up I want to be Carrie.

3) Things Your Grandmother Knew - I have to be careful about reading THIS blog. I tend to get sucked in, and read until my eyeballs ache. I don't know who manages this blog, but they are right up my ally when it comes to retro living and vintage chic.

These are, or course, not the ONLY blogs I read. I'll post more each week!

Enjoy for now!

Cheers!

Thursday, May 13, 2010

My Kind of Store

Clothes…

I hate my clothes.

I wish Tim Gunn were my uncle. I keep a picture of him on my refrigerator to remind me to take care of my appearance. Yes, as a mother of three, I am sad to say that I am 'one of those' women who have succumbed to ponytails and t-shirts. I dream of being that glamour mom, you know, the one with perfectly coiffed hair, an outfit that doesn't look like she had to do the 'sniff' test before donning it. They type with manicured nails, walk with hair-free legs, and dress their children in co-ordinated outfits.

I know these women exist. They are there to show us what could be, and we (I'm talking to all the moms out there who have succumbed like I have) tell ourselves that these mothers must have unhappy children who are robots or will grow up to be heartless, money grubbing Wall Street types. But I don't think that's true, at least not for all of them.

And I'm not talking about keeping up with the Jones'. I am talking about looking our best. About "making it work."

It has to start somewhere, and for me, it begins with clothes.

I have found my perfect store. It's called Mod Cloth. The ideal me would have these clothes in her closet and what's more, she'd wear them!