Simplicity Fashion Preview - 1956 -"...and lots of dolls too!"

What's more endearing than doll clothes? These are for Miss Revlon, Cissy, Ginny, Muffie, Alexander-Kins, Betsy-Wetsy, and Tiny Tears. Which doll did you have and love?

Simplicity Fashion Preview - 1956 -"Santa Express arrives with gifts for everyone"

These were cool gifts then ...and now. Aprons, stuffed toys, slippers, pajamas, hat, clothes...these will all be favorites today too!

Simplicity Fashion Preview - 1956 -There's Christmas In The Air!

This handout has lot's of good Christmas ideas from Simplicity and the dresses shown are amazing. I think 1956 is a high point for fashion!

Chen Yu Nail Lacquer - 1943

"Chen Yu

For centuries and despite all wars, beautiful hands with long and well cared for have been attractive.
These hands are an inspiration ...
And now they can be more charming than ever
Use Lacquerol basis.

The most beautiful varnish to your nails"

This is from a 1943 La Familia, a magazine that comes from Chile. But we don't need to translate this to get the message. These are some nails!

Johnny Cash sings about Thanksgiving

This is a little out of character for this blog, but it's lovely and I wanted you to see it.

"Costumes Parisiens" from 1831 - Three Fabulous Gowns!

This trio just gets better the more you look. The shoulders, that hair-do(!), the hats and the amazing amount of work that it took to make these pieces. Please do click twice and imagine the team of people it took to achieve this.

Would the white ensemble have been a wedding dress?

"Mode Z" - Three Gowns from 1810

This print is on thin paper glued to a loose sheet, but on the front it does say "Mode Z 1810" and "No. 7". The mystery deepens when we look at the outfits shown. I'm going to assume this is Mama, daughter and maybe the governess? (Her outfit is so much simpler...but I could be completely off base.) But Mama has a veil over her face. And her cape is pretty precarious. Also she looks like she's in danger of a wardrobe malfunction.
Her daughter has a simple gown with some sort of pantalets underneath. To bad we can't get a better look at her bonnet, she's dropped it.
Our governess is wearing a hat that almost looks like it could be a hair do. But I do like the little leaf shaped details on her jacket and cuffs.
Please click on these twice and really see the details in both the outfits and the drawings.

"Dinner Dress" - 1828 Exquisite!

This loose sheet says "Plate 28, Vol.XII" and "No. 71 of R. ACKERMANN'S REPOSITORY of ARTS (?) Pub. Nov.7 1828" in very fine print. But we are really here to look at this marvelous outfit. The puffed sleeves covered with sheer fabric, the scalloped and tasseled neckline, and that hat...that amazing hat. Enjoy!

Morning Dress - 1814

This is from a collection of prints I have. These came to me already removed out the books they were once in so I don't have much information. This one is marked on the back Plate 4 / Vol.XI, 57 /July 1814.
But do click twice and look at these details. Imagine the work that went into making this, and wearing it. Amazing.

New Hand Knits - 1962 - It's even more about the models!

Here's a last look at these beauties. And pay extra attention to the make-up...these gals knew how to do it!

New Hand Knits - 1962 - It's more about the models!

Here are some more of these fascinating women. This was the standard that you were to live up to. Is it any wonder the sloppy sixties came next?

New Hand Knits - 1962 - It's all about the models!

Aren't these women fabulous? I started looking at the fashions they wore (so very Mad Men!), but found myself looking at their beautiful faces, the make up and the hair...oh, the hair. I get that there is some serious wig action going on here, but even wigs have to be styled. And these gals are styled. Hours went into getting these looks. And then you needed the right jewelry (don't miss the bracelets) and even the right perfume. And of course the right underwear...this was work! To make a work of art.

Dressmaking Made Easy - 1928 - Altering Patterns Part 3

More altering patterns, for "Prominent Abdomen, Larger Bust, Smaller Back, Larger Hip, Narrower Shoulders, Rounded Back, and Flat Chest". That should cover everything!

Dressmaking Made Easy - 1928 - Altering Patterns Part 2

Today we learn how to alter patterns for the taller or shorter figure, but you still must be shaped like Olive Oyl!

Dressmaking Made Easy - 1928 - Altering Patterns Part 1

Here is the complete how-to of altering your patterns if you happen to be a tall skinny gal in 1928 with square or sloping shoulders.

Dressmaking Made Easy - by Laura Baldt - 1928 - McCall Company

This is a lovely book from 1928 published by The McCall Company, authored by Laura I. Baldt and we have a lovely picture of her. We'll see a couple of pages covering "The Dress Form". (More to come!)

What is she doing??? This just looks rude.