Finding Vintage Fashion

Some of my favorite recent vintage finds

1950s black and white cotton fitted dress with full skirt www.etsy.com/listing/518270769

I found this lovely black and white 50s dress at the Gleaners. The Gleaner Thrift Store is a non-profit whose volunteers go out and glean food from the trees and gardens in the local area. I live in Southern Oregon so produce is very abundant  from spring to Fall. Harry and David's is a local company that grow fancy apples and pears in the valley for their gift boxes.

Now-a-days the gleaners also glean food from the local grocery chains and share with other food bank non-profits. The Gleaner Thift Store is one of those crazy stores that have great prices and a very scattered hodge-podge of goods. Although, I noticed in the last few weeks they are getting a bit more tidy in appearance, but so far the prices have still been great.

Are you always searching for the most beautiful and unique clothing that makes your heart jump and gives a jingly thrill. Yes, the trill of the hunt, stalking the stores, estate sales, and those posted yard sale - this way - signs.

Oh ah, and knowing what a long day it has been, but just one more stop, one more, and all day it has been a bust, other than a few okay nothing spectacular finds, but still a find none the less, just so the entire day is not lost chasing the elusive gold.

This is my now new technique for finding those lovelies...I do a craigslist search for garage sales and put vintage in the search bar, once it brings up all the vintage to offer at these sales I look through and see if any of them have clothing, usually they are for vintage collectibles, but every once and a while clothing will come up. I find that estate sale are the best because these are usually from homes of older folks that have hung onto their stuff and are now willing to part ways with their luscious belongings that they have been collecting for years, lucky for us.

white aurora borelis large pin www.etsy.com/listing/189375874

Sometimes when I am out driving for errands I'll pass a yard sale sign and check them out, you can kind of judge by a quick drive by if they may have anything of value worth stopping for, sometimes not and that is a bummer, stopping, getting out walking over not finding anything walking back to the car empty handed. I occasionally will stop at thrift stores because you never know just what they may hold. My favorite thrift stores are the ones in very small towns that are not all gussied up like a boutique, but are a hodge-podge of finds. and then there are the antique and collectible shops. I do like to check these out on occasion, because they do carry what I look for and sometimes I can get some very nice dresses for not to to much, sometimes. Here some more of my favorite recent finds...

1960s pink peignoir set by Kayser ~ sold ~ from an estate sale and shipped to Austria

I scored several 1970s maxi dresses and jumpsuit at the same estate sale as the peignoir.
www.etsy.com/shop/OsoVictoria

So, now that the weather is warming up here in the northern hemispere it is time to get out there a go for the hunt and find those gems. Best of luck! And, come back here and share your favs.

Harper's Bazzar January 1950 Fashions

Since I was out and about yesterday, I decided it was a good time to stop at my local university library and scan some more vintage fashion. It is always a challenge to find parking where I can spend more than 30 min. Fridays work best because that is when most classes don't meet, so yea, I was able to find parking fairly close to the library and spent several hours scanning.

I look for fashion that appeals to me and has a unique quality, as Nina Garcia would say "..we've seen this before..." 

So I'll be posting some of those with the exception of  the swimsuit ads from Coles, Catalina, Jantzen and Sea Mold that I'll save for this summer in the northern hemisphere. 

For beautiful drape and fine texture Enka Rayon in an exotic spaced print on a soft malleable crepe short dinner dress by Joseph Whitehead is good theatre against a background of palms - equally effective for summer in cooler climes.

Lots if details in this silk shantung dress sprinkled with three-cornered embroidered white dots from Henri Bendel at $125.

Two silk dresses..it's the pleated skirt or deep batwing sleeves for your New Year wardrobe from Henry Rosenfeld, on left comes in green, copper, turquoise, toast; on right green, toast, red, turquoise $17.95 each.

Is there a favorite and a particular detail that is appealing? Let me know in the comments below, thanks I am always interested in what others think of these designs, good or bad.

Harper's Bazaar 1939 Evening Gowns

I scanned these photos from Sept 15th 1939 Harper's Bazaar magazine a year ago and set them aside, can you do that on a computer? The first image is a yellow satin embroidered silver gown the second is a pale pink with silver brocade both from Mainbocher's.

Aren't these two lovely and so elegant, definately would call it dressing for a dinner party or perhaps a night to the theatre or opera.

Some Lovely Vintage Dresses and Collectibles Recently Listed

Want to see the new listing of  vintage dresses in my Etsy shop at Oso Victoria. These dresses vary from the 50s to the 80s and go from party wear to day and country picnic wear, all are worn to have fun and enjoy the day weither you are out for the evening dining and dancing or staying home and relaxing with a good book.  Styling and doing it with fashion is fun! 

Also, included are a few collectibles in my collectible and home decor shop at Camron D. These items are great for a party, camping, or the home hobbiest. 

Like what you see, leave a comment for your favorite, I love hearing from all my readers, also be sure to be a google follower, I would love to follow you back, thanks so much!

Vintage 1960s Hawaiian Kiyomi maxi dress in pink floral cotton size xxs $45

Vintage 1980s blue check empire waist cotton day dress country, size medium $22

Vintage 1950s Jr Theme floral chiffon full skirt fitted bodice party dress size medium or vintage Jr. 11 $150

Vintage 1960s aqua-turquoise party dress with silver thread brocade roses size medium $85

Vintage 1960 lavender blue mod sheath dress size med-lg $48

 Vintage 1960s Plastic Mod Flower Power Serving Tray $14

Vintage Solid Copper Moscow Mule Mugs by West Bend set of 7 $105

Set of 8 Vintage Libbey Gold Leaf Drinking Glasses on Frosted Glass $28

Vintage 1980s Muscongus Bay Lobster Smack Boat Kit $14

Some these lovies are perfect for a 'Mad Man' theme and all are wonderful to enjoy! Thanks for looking and please comment and share your favs, thanks!

Designing with Buttonholes

I love these vintage dresses. The buttonhole designs add a touch of individuality to these lovely dresses.

You can add a variety of collar or cuff designs by using this simple buttonhole technique.

More beautiful trim is added with this easy buttonhole slash design.Perfect for making those sexy lace up corsets

Scarves, ribbons and bows have nothing on these beautiful dresses. This design would work well with added sashes too!

Experiment with these techniques and design some extraordinary dresses that stand out and say oh-la-la!

Coming up designs with slot seams...until then happy sewing...

Spring and Summer 1950s Fashion

I just got back from Hawaii with visit to Oahu, Kauai, and Hilo on the Big Island visiting family and friends. I should say my body is back but my mind and spirit still seems to be in Hawaii. How long does it take to acclimate back to daily chores and weather. so with my spirit still feeling strongly attached to the beautiful tropical breezes, ocean sand and amazing sunsets here are a few summer styles tantalize. 

I love this swimsuit and the matching skirt is divine. I often worn a skirt over my swimsuit too!

The white linen middy dress, a streak of the hottest new color in town. No schoolgirl's look, the collar is a high loose turtle neck, the shoulder are cut-away, and it's cut to cling like jersey. $29.95

The printed empire dress, the dress with the high sweet waist. The print is one of the new wide-opened ones - a blue sky flecked with black and white wings. Silk shantung, $45. The bamboo mailbox, a line-for-line translation from the original. It's very closely woven plastic bamboo and very convincing take-off. By Ronay from $10.95 to $15

Two very pretty lemon frocks with hip and bodice waist smocking in Arnel and cotton, $30

Love these cool spring and summer fashions...

And, I should show you the Hawaiian fabric I bought while I was in Hawaii, can't decide what styles to make with them, I only got 2 yards of each so the full skirted dresses are out. I need to take pictures then I'll get them posted, maybe I'll find some patterns I like to show too, guess I had better get to looking through my pattern stash. Until then...

Vintage Vogue 1957 Dresses and Swimsuits

We are taking a trip to Hawaii for the next two weeks, so warm climate clothes are on my mind. We will be doing a little island hopping, Oahu, Kauai, and the Big Island and want I want to look my best, so if I had the figure I would definitely bring these dresses and swimsuits along.

In the best circles...Fashion circles endorse the animated sheath, the empire midriff, the pure silk shantung. social circles esteem the dress that swings from South to summer with poise and grace. In turquoise, navy, cognac, under $25.

Your own natural wonders...magnificently dramatized in an exotic primitive polished-cotton print...fashion purely to intensify the lure nature's glory to you. Turquoise/brown, rose/olive, blue/green and all black. By Robby Len 

Handkerchief cottons - little evening dressing on Caneel Bay. Here, and wherever evenings tend to be small and soft-climated,some of the best new directions go this way: cotton - thin and blowy and little-waisted. Blouse and full-length skirt plaided like Madras - red, citron, orange; the waist,wrapped high by a cummerbund (nice change of pace for skirt: a white silk shirt) by Toni Owen. top about $8, skirt about $18.

Beauty comes alive...with Ansonia elasticized fabric. The excitement in this picture is the Ansonia's new paisley, achieved for the first time in woven Jacquard, of elasticized Chromspun acetate and cotton. An inspiring way of bringing Jantzen's new scooped-neck swimsuit silhouette to life, with figure molding beauty that lives so much longer. In red, royal or black paisley, $22.50.

Everglaze bubblin-over...Two from Loomtogs: beach-plum print for a swimsuit, about $13. Jamaica shorts about $13. White on pink or blue. White blouse about $7.

Well with these beauties I am ready, packed and on my way. Hope you all get somewhere warm during these cold winter months if you live in the Northern Hemisphere.

Vintage Quilting Dress Detail Technique and Patterns 1940 ~ 1960

These techniques are from How to add Magic Style Touches to Your Sewing from white sewing machines booklet. The stitching and quilting techniques and some charm and unique detailing to your dresses, suits, or blouses

Here are a few vintage patterns that adapt well to the stitching and quilting techniques

Stitching or quilting detail perfect for the collar, cuffs and pocket flaps on this Advance 5390 at Penelope Rose $20

Simplicity 1935 at Penelope Rose $12

The stitching detail would look great trimmed down the front and along the peplum edge. Pattern at Penelope Rose $12.50

Quilting details work well with the front placket and side detail on the sleeves of this 1960s vintage 'sack dress' Simplicity 2341 Penelope Rose $8

Find a pattern that works for you and give this stitching or quilting detail a try, enjoy and happy sewing!

Beautiful 1950s Vintage Summer Dresses

We have had a super cold snap here in the Northwest these last few weeks, but now the weather is starting to warm up, getting in the upper 40s with some rain, so all the snow is melting. When it gets cold it is time to think of warmer climates and the lovely vintage dresses that you would wear, enjoy!

Love the print and darker muted colors of this dress, always love anything tropical. This print reminds me more of a tribal print with a Victorian twist. The bolero jacket is perfect for a little bit of cover up when needed, and even sweeter with that touch of bright yellow.

This organdy shuntung dress is spectacular for summer! It's sheer...it's washable...with a perky touch of white appliqued lace a the cool cap sleeves. In navy, grey, or brown.

Susan Ross strikes the high notes with singing colors in Avondale's Satin Stripe Chambray...the harmony with matching solid shades...in these sun-dress and jacket duets. Seated: light grey with red, lilac with green or yellow with gray. Standing: dark grey with yellow, green with pink or brown with blue. Sizes 10-20 About $9. Sanforized

I really would love to have the red and grey one, so cute!

What do you think of these for summer? Leave a comment

Cheers!