That's a Bra

I love to keep up with what TOM & LORENZO of Project Rungay have to say about modern fashion. They're witty, charming, catty and most of the time right. I also see things I don't get to see with my head buried in vintage fashion all day every day!

For instance, this. Dolce and Gabbanna Spring 2015.

That's a bra. And a crinoline. The hair, cute...love the lace socks with strappy shoe. But that is a bra and a crinnie. So today's get-that-couture-look tip o' the day is to invest in a black vintage 1950s/60 longline bra and a full 1960s nylon crinoline. Bam. Under $150. You're welcome.

Some bras from DOROTHEA'S CLOSET VINTAGE to get you started!

vintage vanity

Vintage Vanity Fair lingerie highlighted today over at the Facebook page, all day long. Pop in and look, add your own images! Pictures are links...

sister sister

The Callot Souers (sisters) were comprised of Marie Callot Gerber, Marthe Callot Bertrand, Regina Callot Tennyson-Chantrell and Joséphine Callot Crimon. A group fo French designers, they learned their skill from sister Marie, initially starting by working antique lace and ribbons on blouses and lingerie...graduating to dressmaking. Noted designed Madeleine Vionnet apprentices with the Callot sisters, and American designer Elizabeth Hawes wore their designs far past when it was considered "fashionable", happily sporting elaborate and exotics laces and embroidery. Their work is a tremdous part of early 1900s and 1920s fashion.

Callot Soeurs ( Marie Callot Gerber, Martha Callot Bertrand, and Regina Callot Chantrelle)

~Ang

fulfill your dreams

In a Maidenform bra! Especially if your dreams include being pointy!

Maidenform was founded in 1922 by Ida Rosenthal and Enid Bissett, who created support by sewing 2 cups into a dress with an elastic strap between them. Patented in 1925, Maidenform went on to make vests for carrier pigeons (who better to come up with a fitted garment for a roundish thing in constant motion?) and parachutes for the troops during WWII. Support for women, birds AND men!

~Ang

Just a Wedding In June....1930

In years of collecting and dealing in vintage clothing, I had never come across a collection of pieces so well kept and poignant as the one I was recently asked to sell. What follows is the complete bridal trousseau stored for 79 years, from a wedding on June 20, 1930. The beautiful silk dress, with the original pattern it was made from, and silk ribbon headpiece adorned with wax flowers. The stunning silk peignoir for the honeymoon, also with the original pattern it was made from. A fantastic silk jersey step-in chemise with whittled waist and full legs and silk stockings worn beneath the wedding dress. White silk gloves. But beyond the wearable pieces and patterns, there is more. The invitation (making it fantastically easy to date the pieces!). A newspaper article with recipe suggestions for the June bride. Ribbons and bows, napkins and a gorgeous tablecloth all used at the reception. And to top it off...a paper bag of rice.

As I shot the pieces that not only make up a superb vintage collection of wedding epehemera, but as a whole created a magical day in one woman's life 70 some years ago, a song came on the radio that made me take pause and revisit the invitation for the date. Amazingly....June.

The entire trousseau will be available soon on my site on the bridal page. My hope is that it finds a new life with another young bride, to be worn again and celebrated for its beauty....then cherished as a source of happy memories for years to come. It is truly an amazing thing to see all of these pieces still together after all these years!

~Ang

Site Updates 2/27

New stuff added or about to be to DOROTHEA'S CLOSET VINTAGE!

DAILY UPDATES! Note that I've added a Twitter widget to the front page of the site that I will be updating daily as things are added throughout the week, so a quick check there will keep you in the know. Follow me on Twitter as dorotheascloset!

Still winter here so I've added a few coats worthy of wanting even late in the season! 60s wool boucle with scalloped mink cuffs & wedding ring collar....

70s chevron pieced mink trenchcoat with caped back...

A few pairs of shoes....

40s harlequin diamond design in snakeskin and white suede....

40s burgundy peep toes....

40s latticework vamp slingbacks.....

40s babydolls with peaked, winged vamp accents....

30s silver leather dance shoes....

30s gown of baby blue sheer organdy and black jersey rayon....

Merlot silk velvet 30s bias cut gown.....

50s skin tight wiggle dress, surprisingly by Jantzen!....

60s white silk wiggle dress with military inspired popover jacket.....

Metallic gold wool woven 60s dress.....

50s black textured rayon cocktail coat....

Brushstroke print 60s wiggle dress....

50s yellow cotton voile shirtwaist dress by L'Aiglon...

50s salmon pink sundress....

VERA veggie print 60s blouse....

VERA butterfly print 60s blouse.....

60s polka dot ruffled summer dress....

Breathtaking 50s wedding gown....strapless embroidered tulle gown with full length, Victorian inspired lace overjacket, so Grace Kelly!....

Lingerie! Shocking pink sheer chiffon & nylon 50s nightgown by Vanity Fair.....

60s nightgown in shades of coral done in an ombre effect, by Vanity Fair....

Pure French silk 30s bias cut nightgown....

20s silk bed jacket....

Lots of slips!....

Lots of summer dresses coming this week!

~Ang