Tag Archives: must have

Vintage Must Have: Snood

Posted on by

Okay, so this isn’t really a must have for all vintage-loving gals. But it is for those who love the 1940s.  Today’s vintage must have is a snood…

Snoods have a history dating back to the Renaissance, had a revival in the mid 1800s, and came back into vogue during the 1940s due to World War II for rather practical reasons.  Women entered the war effort in full force by working in factories, which required them to keep their hair out of the way and snoods were the answer.  But soon snoods found their way into everyday fashion during the 1940s and early 1950s.

One of my favorite bloggers really knows how to rock a snood, please check her and her equally fashionable husband on their blog Lost in the 50s.

Most snoods are simple and of this crochet design I am wearing.  However there are loads of patterns to make beautiful, stylish and complex snoods to go with your outfits, such as this pattern available on Etsy.  So if you know who to wield a crochet needle, you can make some yourself!  There were also fabric snoods as well.  As snoods became more of a fashion accessory as opposed to a working girl’s staple, many milliners began to incorporate snoods of either the netting kind or fabric kind into their hats.

Snoods can be worn with various hairstyles in the front; pompadours, victory rolls, and look great when paired with a hair flower too!

I buy most of my snoods from April’s Bag. She makes wonderful snoods and sells them at really reasonable prices.  Arthelia’s Attic is another stellar Etsy seller dealing in snoods, including the beautiful deluxe snoods.

Outfit
Snood: April’s Bag
Sweetheart Necklace: Gift
Sweetheart Charm Bracelet: Pieced together from various shops
Earrings: Expo
Sweater: Bombshell Vintage, Portland
Skirt: Buffalo Exchange, Portland
Vintage Stockings: …who knows…
Shoes: TJ Maxx…I think

Vintage Must Have: Muff

Posted on by

It’s finally getting chilly, with temperatures not even going above 50 degrees! So it’s certainly time for my favorite winter accessory…a muff!

I’ve always had an adoration for the cozy little hand-warmer. The muff was a must for ladies at the turn-of-the-century and made a comeback in a small form in the 1940s and 50s.  What is also great about muffs is that they can also act like a purse.  Most muffs have a zipper on the backside or the inside of the muff where a dame can store her essentials.  Often it’s just room for your wallet and lipstick, but sometimes that’s enough.

Additionally, most muffs have a long strand that allows the muff to hang from the neck when the hands are not inside, or a small Lucite bracelet or fabric strap attached so the muff may hang like a wristlet.

Outfit
Hat: Don’t quite recall…
Cape: One of my few Ebay purchases
Dress: Red Light
Tights: Nordstorm
Shoes: Buffalo Exchange
Muff: Thrifted

I actually loved muffs, and hated flowers, so much that I opted for a white muff instead of a bouquet at my wedding. And the fact that we got married in December aided to that choice.

I’m sure you’ll be seeing loads more pictures of my other vintage muffs as the winter months continue.

Vintage Must Have: Crinoline

Posted on by

A crinoline (also known as a petticoat) is a must have if you’re a fan of fuller skirts.  The full skirts and circle skirts of the 1950s and early 1960s require a crinoline to produce that classic silhouette seen in so many magazines of the time period.

I have several crinolines, because, well, I need them.  Yes, need.  I have full skirts of varying lengths, and for me, one crinoline simply doesn’t do the job.  (As much as I wish it would since crinolines tend to take up a lot of space.)  Not all of my dresses that require crinolines are of the same length.  If a crinoline is too long, it peeks out and looks bad.  Although a one inch peek is considered acceptable.  If a crinoline is too short, the last few inches of the dress fall straight down, and it looks unattractive.  I have two large and long crinolines that serve well under my classic circle skirts that I have made (view them here, here, here, and here), and are very similar to the ones that Jumblelaya sells.  I have a smaller, shorter one that I picked up second hand that is perfect for some of my squaw dresses.  One very similar can be purchased from Pin-Up Girl Clothing.  I also have one that is in between these two that I recently found in the attic.  You can also layer your crinolines to add more poof in your skirt.  I once wore three for an AlexSandra fashion show.

Crinolines can be successfully stored in pillow cases or vacuum bags and it won’t harm them one bit.  They tend to be very good at springing back to life.  However if they do have any severe wrinkles, a quick pass over with a steamer will do the trick.  Don’t have a steamer? Take your crinoline into the bathroom with you while you shower!

I would also like to note that this dress is a perfect example of how to use of a half-slip (read more on slips here!).  Obviously my bodice does not allow for a traditional full slip, so I have put on a half slip between myself and my crinoline.  Additionally, crinolines can be a tad rough, unless you purchase one made of super soft nylon.

So get out there, and add some poof to your life!  You’ll find yourself swishing as you walk.  It’s quite fun.

Vintage Must Have: Sheer Blouse

Posted on by

Summer is in full swing, and that means it’s hot, hot, hot!  Some of my favorite summer staples are my sheer blouses that I have acquired.  Often made of nylon, sheer blouses are some of the best ways to beat the heat while also looking elegant and refined.

But remember ladies, slips are quite required when wearing a sheer blouse! I like wearing a colored slip under mine to add a bit of color and contrast.  Read more on slips in this post!

The most common design for sheer blouses is the pleated front look that I have showcased here, however, in the below Etsy treasury you can see there is a wide variety of cuts and styles.

For those new to the sheer blouse scene, I’ve compiled an Etsy treasury to showcase a selection of blouses.  I have focused mainly on ones from the 1930s through the 1960s.

Stay cool out there!

Vintage Must Have: Slip

Posted on by

Now that we’ve discussed bullet bras, girdles, and stockings, there is one more element in creating the perfect vintage foundation to your garments: a slip.  I know many ladies who do not wear slips, and I’ll openly admit, I did not start wearing a slip on a regular basis until a few years ago, but now I can hardly image going out without wearing one.

Slips serve several purposes, the most important being protection.  Slips serve as a layer to protect garments from perspiration, and reduce the amount of times an garment must be cleaned, therefore furthering the longevity of the item.  I also find getting dressed is easier when wearing a slip.  Slips create less friction than your skin, thus garments slip or pull on easier, lessening the strain put on garments when dressing.  Additionally, slips can create a level of comfortably.  A slip can reduce, if not prevent, the itchy discomfort produced by some fabrics, such as wool.  Slips also act as a smoothing factor.  Bras and girdles can create some bulk, however, slips work to smooth them out.  I also like slips when I go out shopping.  I like being able to have a plain top or bottom when trying on separates.

For the most part, slips fall into one of two types – full slips and half slips.  Full slips are built like a dress.

They are perfect to go under dresses, as well as top and skirt combinations.  White slips are lovely and the most practical, but I particularly like colored slips for my vintage sheer blouses that I wear during summer.

Half slips are akin to a skirt, with elastic in the waistband to stay up.  These are nice for when you are wearing a top or dress that is strapless or has a unique neckline that would show the slip’s straps.

I recommend purchasing vintage slips for several reasons. First is that vintage slips are of significantly better quality.  Not to mention, they were made under better labor conditions.  Additionally, vintage slips are simply designed better.  All of the vintage slips I have come across are cut with shape in mind, and have curves, unlike contemporary slips, which are cut straight, creating more bulk, and tend to get stuck in zippers.

Vintage slips can be found nearly anywhere and everywhere.  From thrift stores to high-end vintage shops, such as AlexSandra’s.  She has a great selection of vintage slips in a range of sizes in both her regular shop and her bridal shop.

For more on vintage foundations…
Vintage Must Have: Bullet Bra
Vintage Must Have: Girdle
Vintage Must Have: Seamed Stockings

Vintage Must Have: Seamed Stockings

Posted on by

Last week I discussed girdles and how essential they are to creating a period correct foundation for your garments.  I also mentioned that I use them mainly for the garters to hold up my stockings.  For everyday use, I wear new seamed stockings.  I do this for a few reasons.  Vintage stockings are becoming increasingly hard to find (and thus rather expensive) and can become brittle.  I have ruined several pairs within minutes of putting them on.  However I covet vintage seamed stockings, buying them whenever possible, and wear them for special occasions.  Recently I went to AlexSandra’s Vintage Emporium  and I asked her if she had any seamed stockings.  AlexSandra brought out a bag full of new-old stock stockings.  Most were seamless (perfect for 60s outfits) however I found some fully-fashioned pairs of stockings…including these with the amusing brand of “Hard to Find”

But don’t fret fellow stocking lovers, I left a few pairs for you!  In fact, AlexSandra just listed these stunning NOS Lilly Dache stockings in her bridal shop, Union Made Bride, along with many more fully-fashioned pairs!.  Those in the Portland area can also visit AlexSandra’s brick-and-mortar shop for vintage delights.  For details on her hours and location, please visit her website.  Additionally, I have two pairs of deluxe stockings (stockings featuring some sort of design or detail) currently for sale on Etsy.  You can view them here and here.

So what does “Fully Fashioned” mean exactly? Here is a perfect diagram to understand:

As for new stockings, there are a range of price points, quality and shops you can purchase new stockings from. Once again, Secrets in Lace (yes! It’s like a one stop shop for all vintage style foundation garments!) offers up new fully-fashioned stockings, including items from Dita Von Tease and Bettie Page collections.  What Kate Did also supplies a range of stockings, including seamed, although not fully-fashioned, stockings, perfect for everyday wear, which is who I have been using lately.  Previously I purchased Leg Avenue stockings from various websites (including 3 Wishes) and shops around Portland.

When shopping for stockings, you want to avoid the items described as “thigh highs” because a thigh high is very different from a stocking.  Thigh highs are of stocking length, however, in the welt they have rubber bands around the inside of them for them to stay on, thus supposedly rendering garters superfluous.  However, these tend not to work, and/or are uncomfortable, resulting in an almost tourniquet like experience.

Additionally, I want to make note, if you travel by air frequently, or do not enjoy being touched by strangers, I do not recommend wearing a girdle or garter belt and stockings when traveling.  Garters do show up on body scanner images and even if you show and tell the TSA officer what is creating the anomaly, they will still pat you down.  At some airports they simply pat down the area which the anomaly shows up, other airports will conduct a full body pat down.  And I am speaking from experience from multiple occasions.  For air travel, I suggest purchasing seamed pantyhose, another Leg Avenue product, available here as well as many other websites.  Although, I will admit, I find them difficult and of poor quality.

I think that just about covers it! If you have any remaining questions regarding stockings or girdles, please do not hesitate to ask!

For more on vintage foundations:
Vintage Must Have: Bullet Bra
Vintage Must Have: Girdle
Vintage Must Have: Slip

Vintage Must Have: Girdle

Posted on by

In the last segment of my “Vintage Must Have” series I tackled bullet bras. Now let’s go a little further south and discuss girdles.  The girdle was the mid-century answer to the corset. And while it can take a few inches off your waist, I find them more necessary for holding up my stockings.  While there are a few variations on the girdle (panty girdles and one piece girdles), my favorite is the open bottom girdle.

The open bottom girdle comes in two types.  The first is one that slips on, but has hook and eyes as well as a zipper for final fastenings.

The other is more like a tight mini skirt that you wiggle your way into.

So, a girdle holds up your stockings, has the ability to whittle your waist, and you want to know the bonus?  It gives you that Marylin or Joan wiggle – and you don’t even have to try.

I have run across vintage girdles everywhere from thrift stores to estate sales to the finest vintage clothing stores.  Girdles are also available on Etsy.  However if wearing what was once someone else’s foundation garment isn’t your gig, you can find new girdles to purchase on-line.  Secrets in Lace offers up some beautiful girdles including ones with leopard print panels! And who doesn’t love a little leopard print?  What Kate Did also offers a small selection of various girdles.

For more on vintage foundations…
Vintage Must Have: Bullet Bra
Vintage Must Have: Seamed Stockings
Vintage Must Have: Slip