Antiquedress.com : My favorite website to dream on

If you need a touch of beauty and glamour to perk up your day, click right now to see the website for Antique Dress . She has just gorgeous things listed.


Fabulous coat.* c. 1926/1927: read description Here

Simply divine Victorian Corset

Sassy 1940's set

Also look at the museum collection. Here are some gems:

1912 Pink Silk Gown



1914 Gold Lame Hobble Gown



1930s Floral Lame Chiffon Gown

I'm crazy in love with these c. 1900 Camibloomers !

Click to see the rest of this c 1900 Dressing Gown Confection




1930s Nightgown & Peignoir

Oh, if I were a rich girl!

*Cleery's possibly hypocritical fur disclaimer: I would not personally buy new fur items, but I figure with vintage fur, you're just ensuring that it doesn't go to waste and the animal(s)didn't die in vain. Thank you for reading my blather.

Vintage 1940s film: A Yank in the R.A.F.

A YANK IN THE RAF(1941) Original Theatrical Trailer

The casual sexism in some of these old films is getting to me. In A Yank in the R.A.F., showgirl Carol Brown (played by Betty Grable) has two suitors, Tim (Tyrone Power) and Wing Commander Morley (John Sutton). Tim is an American, a former boyfriend of Carol's, and a bounder who cheerfully admits that he is a worm. Morley treats her respectfully and speedily proposes to her. Guess which one she can't do without?

I picked this one up because I figured that the early World War II setting (this film came out in 1941) would please my husband, and I would be happy looking at the fashionable Ms. Grable. K. enjoyed seeing the planes, many of which, he tells me are no longer around today in flying condition. I had the pleasure of seeing Betty looking smart in military uniform and showgirl dress. She also appears with her bangs down. No pompadour! Check out the trailer above to see what I mean.

Vintage 1940s Film: State Fair

Emily sings




Eleanor can't go to the fair!

This film of State Fair came out in 1945 and apparently was the second version of the story, with a 1933 and 1962 film bookending it. This one has Jeanne Crain starring as innocent country girl Margy, with Dana Andrews as Pat, her newspaperman love interest. Margy has a boring

fiance back on the farm and is filled with general dissatisfaction, but when her family travels to the State Fair and she meets Pat, things definitely perk up. Her brother Wayne (Dick Haymes) has a lovely girl at home, Eleanor (Jane Nigh), but then he meets sexy redhead Emily (Vivian Blaine), a savvy woman with a great singing voice and a secret (interestingly, it appears that Ann Margaret played this part in the 1962 remake). Margy and Wayne 's parents (Fay Bainter and Charles Winninger) have fun at the fair too, with potential prize winning pickles, mincemeat (with a secret ingredient!) and a great big boar named Blue Boy. They also take in a slightly naughty show together, with a chorus line of pretty girls in little red costumes.

Since this is a Rodger's and Hammerstein musical, I found the songs pretty enjoyable, especially "It's a Grand Night for Singing" and "Isn't It Kinda Fun." The ladies' costumes tend to be sweet rather than slinky, except for the glamorous Emily, but they are still quite pretty, as you can see above. I love the red velvet and cherries number!

Many of these photos came from: http://curiousmel.blogspot.com/

Dress like a 1940s lady

I believe that I've mentioned that I'm crazy about vintage things and particularly, for the purposes of this post, the styles of the 1940s. So, while browsing a favorite site, The Fedora Lounge (see link below) I was pleased to see a discussion of the basics of a forties wardrobe.

Vogue 1941
Originally uploaded by myvintagevogue

http://www.thefedoralounge.com/forumdisplay.php?f=19

I thought that I'd make a checklist for myself, based on what these wise ladies say:

• Red lipstick
• Sportswear separates: skirts and blouses mixed with sweater vests, jackets, and sweaters
• Gored skirt, slightly below knee
• Short sleeve sweaters
• Cotton day dresses (nicer that house dresses)
• 1 or 2 tailored suits
• Jacket over day dress
• Wool, rayon, cotton and crepe
• Full briefs, tap pants or bloomers in silk, rayon or cotton, worn over
• Open bottom girdle
• Slips in silk, rayon or cotton
• Rayon mesh stockings or leg makeup
• Lisle stockings, cotton or cotton and wool blend
• Black market nylon or silk stockings
• Black and brown accessories that match
• Snoods, head scarves
• Gloves
• Bobby socks with skirts
• Good black pumps
• Black or brown low-heeled oxfords
• Saddle oxfords and brown loafers for casual
• Working gear, overalls, men's work shirts
• 49er lightweight jacket

Also, I just checked out Fashions of a Decade: The 1940s by Patricia Baker from my library. It should provide fine weekend entertainment!