halter necks and bias cuts

A book review! Just received a copy of Maria Costantino's book, "Fashions of a Decade:the 1930s" for the holidays and decided to share some here with you. So more of a pictorial review than written. With pieces from the 1930s what more do you need?

"Style and Home", Germany, 1932....

Dress by Jean Patou of Paris...

Styles for men from "Simpson's Magazine", 1938.....

Patriotic styles by House of Jaeger.....

1939..tightly belted waists, wide brim hats....

Morning and afternoon wear...

Lucille of Paris, 1932.....

1933 mid calf length....

Lingerie in modern textiles....

Artificial crepes for the new "cinema frock"....

1935 beach wear in Krepe-Tex from Charnaux....

Winter 1935, low backs, bias cut gowns....

Elsa Schiaparelli's "Tear Dress" with cape, 1938....

Schiaparelli 1936....

Mainbocher, 1939.....

Motoring and sportswear, 1938...use of suede, leather and tweed...

Panty girdles in Lastex by Kestos Company of America, ideal for clingy bias cuts....

A lovely book chock full of info and eye candy!

~Ang

Waist Not

Perhaps one of the most underappreciated pieces in the vintage closet is the shirtwaist dress. Seen as too casual, too pedestrian to appeal to the vintage afficianado seeking more glamorous designer pieces, the shirtwaist often languishes in the boutique or website waiting for someone with a keen eye and imagination to see it for what it really can be.....

Easy to make (if you can sew?), patterns abundant? Check. (Piccy link to a great resource for patterns!).

Easy to wear? Check.

Easy care? Coming traditionally in cottons or jersey nylons....check again. Easy to accessories, both retro and modern? Check check.

In summery or autumnal hues, these dresses can be worn in warm or cool weather...easily accented or layered seasonally. Now quit passing these beauties by!

~Ang

Pinteresting!

Finally got on the bandwagon and checked out Pinterest....fully addicted already! Come see my boards, ranging from deco style, color themes, decor, food, photography, fashion and of course loads of vintage! Follow me so I can check out your pins!

Come play!

~Ang

Happy Birthday, Mr. Dior!

And thank YOU for the New Look!

~Ang

It's Two, Two....

Two coats in one! 1960s faux fur leopard print coat....

Reverses to jet black wool with leopard print wedding ring collar and cuffs! On the site now.

Pics are linky! Still plenty of cold days left in the season here (and cold weather always comes back!).

~Ang

Top Ten!

Giddy over this article in DEPARTURES MAGAZINE listing the top 10 vintage boutiques in the world, including Dorothea's Closet! A superb WRITE UP about the appeal of vintage to the fashion savvy and it's place in the sartorial conversation, with a few quotes from your truly!

To be mentioned at all is amazing, but in such stellar company!....LE MONDE du VOYAGE of Paris , ZOLA'S EVERYDAY VINTAGE in Dallas, TREASURE ISLAND in Naples, FL, COLLETTE in Southhampton, NY, TIME AFTER TIME in Chapel Hill, NC, GRANDMA TAKES A TRIP of Sydney, Australia, RELLIK of London, CORACHAN y DELGADO in Madrid, Spain & VICENTE GANESHA of Ibiza, Spain. Tip of the hat to you all and a big thanks to Departures Magazine!