"Work"

Photos by Twila Jean

Sometimes I might have too much fun at work. When Twila Jean and her kidlets visit, we play in the dress up box, gawk at new merchandise, and take lots of pictures.

That particular day I wore one of my favorite 50s dresses, it's one of those you see online that are always absurdly expensive, but I think I got it for...$24? Maybe less, either way, it was a steal. And I just got this belt and couldn't wait to wear it, though I think it would look better with something with a nice drape and flow.

Those last three pictures capture batman (Margaux) defeating the bad guy (me). Hehehe.

Dress-Red Light

Belt-Magpie

Shoes-Nordstrom Rack

Gloves-Estate sale (cut the fingers off after I wore through them)

"Wife Dressing"

When I was asked to to a review on a re-released edition of Anne Fogarty's "Wife Dressing", I jumped at the chance. Anne Fogarty is the woman who is credited with bringing Dior's "New Look" to American housewives. She is best known for her love of full skirts and petticoats, and nipped in waists (she was blessed with an 18 inch waist, though she attributes that to wearing shapewear everyday). Although she was a prominent designer, she thought of herself first and foremost as a wife.

All three times.

Now, the title may have you rolling you eyes, but there are few instances where Anne (I'm going to call her Anne and pretend we're good friends) brings up dressing for your husbands sake. It's full of advice and timeless tips that women have, over time, forgotten. I could relate to so much of it, I wondered if Anne and I could have actually been friends once upon a time.

When I get dressed in the morning I think through what my day will be like: what I will be doing, the climate indoor and out, how long I will be away from home if at all, how much I will be walking, who I will be with, the list goes on. Point is, I put what some might think is too much thought into dressing, whereas reading what Anne wrote, that is just what every woman should be doing for a successful outfit. She talks extensively about brining a tote, or large bag with you when you will be out of the house all day, full of things you may need. Shoes to change into for evening, fresh gloves for a lunch date, different jewelry, makeup, etc. You would carry a small clutch in the large bag and keep the large bag in your car, office, or whatever you choose, and take out the clutch when you go out to lunch, shopping, etc.

She writes about personal experiences and describes outfits in detail, and some of her choices really surprise me. I thought she would be quite a traditional post war era woman, but she has some non-traditional favorites, such as tweed cocktail dresses, mink purses, and thinks the little black dress is a tad overworn.

I really enjoyed her book, she assures the reader that "You are you. You are not the model in that photograph or the girl beside you in an elevator or a woman eating lunch at the next table." I enjoyed her advice for cocktail parties, hosting dinners for husbands bosses, and especially her recollection of packing a suitcase of nothing but petticoats only to have it opened at customs and burst into a fluffy mess.

In a way it made me a bit sad that such care and pride is no longer practiced with dressing for modern times, but that is a post for another time. I do recommend Wife Dressing to anyone seeking timeless advice in dressing, a bit of a giggle, and some insight into the life and thoughts of a great american designer. And while I think wardrobe isn't quite the secret to a happy marriage, I do believe that it's something that can lift the spirits and make one feel good about oneself. I think Anne and I could agree on that :)

Published in 2008 by Glitterati Incorporated


Life Image

McCalls Pattern magazine, spring 1960

My grandma picked this pattern magazine up for me at an estate sale and I've been coveting all the glorious spring fashions. They remind me so much of Nicole, and I love how crisp everything looks. Especially the tiered dress, I see ones like it now but the tiers have drooped, a little starch and patience with an iron can fix that though! I think this spring I will starch and iron my full skirted dresses, they get a little forgotten when it comes to ironing, but I love the way these look. Enjoy!








Image 1 pattern #5315, 2 #5311, 3 #5288, 4 #5326, 5 #5295, 6 #5324, 7 #5313, 8 #5293

And the winner of the Giveaway is Nelly_farran-lee! Email me at solanahraquel@gmail.com within a week and I'll give you the details :)

Thank you everyone for entering!

Beta Boutique giveaway!

Green cardigan, Crocheted bag, Floral skirt, Peter Pan collar,

Giveaway time!

Beta Boutique is offering a $40 gift certificate to one lucky Vixen Vintage reader! They have a great selection of vintage clothing and accessories, I've pictured some favorites above. All you need to do to enter is take a peek at Beta Boutique and post a link here of your favorite item. For an additional entry just like their Facebook page, or follow them on Twitter and comment here again :)

This giveaway is open to international readers, and applies to vintage, not handmade items. I will close it on Tuesday night.

Good luck!

Another cat sweater. Are you surprised?

Yeah. This exists.

My grandma found this for me at an estate sale last week, and I loooooove it. The tough look on the kitties faces makes me giggle. It's completely handmade, and in such perfect condition I have to wonder if maybe someone's granny made of for them and they hated it and never wore it :D

Either way I think it's awesome, and colored in an intarsia chart for all you kitty knitters out there. Ok, it kind of looks like a five year old colored it in, but you get the general idea :)

Sweater-Gift from my grandma

Skirt and scarf-Urban Eccentric Vintage

Blouse-Camas Antiques

Bird pin-Estate sale

"Holy cat lady Batman!"

Photos by Sam

So I kind of think this is going to be cat week here since I have another new cat sweater to show you guys this weekend.

Ok, well, every week is cat week, lets not lie to ourselves.

Cassie Stephens sent me this adorable kitty belt (it's reversible too!), and right away it reminded me of Batmans bat belt. Only a cat.

Then I thought "duh, Catwoman."

So there you go, if Catwoman sat around drinking tea and knitting, she would totally wear this. Or maybe her less badass little sister would wear it. Kittywoman.

I am Kittywoman.

Also I've never really shown off this sweater well enough, I got it in September and am just now posting the little kitten details. I love how juvenile it is, even has kittens on the buttons!

And the socks my mama got me for Valentines day, such cute kitty love!

Dress-Red Light

Cardigan-Tea With Gladys Vintage

Belt-Courtesy of Cassie Stephens, just ask for a custom kitty belt, she's a dream to work with!

Shoes-Gianni Bini, from Urban Eccentric Vintage

Socks-Gift from my mother

Kitty loves vintage

This week I did another closet rotation (winter spring), which involves taking everything out of my closet, vacuuming and dusting, and picking and choosing things from storage and from my existing rotation for a new wardrobe. As soon as I put some clothes on the bed, Hobbes made himself right at home!

Also, everyone must read these great posts on the history of synthetics, over on the Tuppence Ha'penny blog :)

Northwest girl, circa 1954

Photos by Ruth

As much as I love my tailored suits, and peep toe pumps, I'm still a northwest girl at heart. I love my Pendletons, would eat salmon every day if I could, and am one of those crazy people who love the rain ;)

Today I went with my grandma to the outlet store at the Pendleton woolen mills, and was kicking myself for not bringing my camera! The mills were built in 1912 and have become so beautiful with age. Today there was a thick blanket of fog all around, it was so picturesque. Hopefully next time I'll bring my camera!

We also stopped at a yard sale, where I found this fantastic thermos set, with the bag, two thermoses, and a sandwich box for only $1! I've always coveted them, but they're either missing pieces, damaged, or way too expensive. Lucky day!

Flannel lined jeans-Meow

Pendleton 49er and 1950s sweater-Red Light

Shoes-A gift from my mother

Socks-Urban Eccentric Vintage

Bandanna-Estate sale

Pajamas at the grocery store, continued

I didn't really ever think I would need to explain myself further, but apparently, I have to explain my thoughts in great detail for them to be acceptable to some.

I do not like dirty, filthy, soiled, pajamas at the grocery store. Period.

I shop at a large grocery chain, that has great prices on food. It's always busy, and about 30% of the customers shop in their dirty pajamas. What's the chance all of these people are physically unable to change into clean pants? Very low. I've never seen anyone in a motorized wheelchair in pajamas. I've never seen anyone in crutches in pajamas. When I say I don't like dirty pajamas at the grocery store, where I'm buying food, I mean I don't like it when people with my physical capabilities don't even think it's worth putting on pants for the sake of the other customers at the store, the employees, and most important, themselves. You want to pop into the pharmacy for some medicine, whatever. The corner store for milk? Fine. But these people are taking an hour to grocery shop with no rush. They could have spared 30 seconds. I'm going to go out on a limb and guess that most of the people I offended wear pajamas to the store. Have a little respect for yourself. Forget about what other people think, but seriously, you don't even think you're worth a clean pair of pants? Thats sad.

I judge people. I know, it's crazy, I do what everyone else does. If someone dressed differently, I do not judge them, I applaud them for having the courage to do so. A lot of people said that wearing pajamas at the grocery store is their choice, and how is that any different, or any less brave than wearing fur in public?

Really?

The difference is, people who dress differently, or wear fur in an anti fur world put thought into their self expression. It's purposeful, not lazy.

Not everyone can dress in the clothing I do. But everyone has a pair of pants. Some people said they'd never come back to Vixen Vintage again because of what I said, and to that I say good riddance. You really think I'll care that someone who doesn't understand that this is my blog with my opinions, won't come back? No, I really don't.

I've turned off the comments on this post because I think most of what needed to be said by you was said in the last post. I also don't want to repeat myself to those who still want to argue about it.

xoxo
Solanah

Grocery shopping

I know I've brought it up before, but people wearing dirty pajamas at the grocery store grosses me out. I'm all for everyone having their own style, and taste, but this is different. This is not only disrespectful to the public that sees what you've been sleeping in for the past month, but more important, it shows YOU don't even respect yourself enough to put clean pants on.
When I feel down, or tired, or just plain I-want-to-stay-at-home-all-day-and-knit, I know putting on a favorite dress, hat, or bakelite bangle will cheer me up throughout the day.
Lots of people use their children as an excuse. Um, no. Lame excuse. Yesterday I saw a mother in her pajamas at the market, followed by her teenage daughter, also in pajamas. Her mother didn't change into pants, so why should she?

Luckily my mother wears cashmere sweaters ;)

Dress-A gift from my Aunt

Cardigan-Thrifted

Petticoat and shoes-Urban Eccentric Vintage

Purse-Michael Kors

Ava ear warmers-Courtesy of Always Winter Somewhere

Vintage pajama, fondu, white elephant, un-valentines, cocktail, party.

Saturday night I made it out to one of Julie's fabulous parties, this time with a vintage pajama dress code! It was fantastic to see all the colors, fabrics, and glamorous silhouettes all in one place. The cozy mood was set with a fire in the woodstove, fluffy pillows on the floor, and endless yummy foods and cocktails. Everyone seemed so at ease, pajamas and loungewear are definitely an icebreaker! The girls were all in loungewear and dressing gowns from the 30's to the 60's, and the boys had classic p.j.s or smoking jackets.

This is what I wore, Julie snapped the pic of me last minute (thanks Julie!), I just had to show what I wore too! I found this Thursday at Magpie, almost by chance. It was hanging on the back of a pillar, and I've been looking for a tailored wool dressing gown and loved the clean late 1930s lines. When they took it off the wall for me, I saw the polka dot silk hood and was sold! It's like something you see in old movies that you think couldn't possibly exist in the "real" vintage world. It was perfect to wear to the party too!