tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1991166428290808171.post5932780380947005391..comments2023-10-20T08:27:40.314-04:00Comments on male pattern boldness: 50's Glam Alert -- The Opera CoatPeter Lappinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05109154527996679077noreply@blogger.comBlogger38125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1991166428290808171.post-1347079356216628472012-10-23T21:17:56.042-04:002012-10-23T21:17:56.042-04:00Swing coats are FABULOUS! I have a pink wool vint...Swing coats are FABULOUS! I have a pink wool vintage one that cost $1.09 at the St. Vincent DePaul thrift store, a vintage black wool one with all over embroidery of fans that set me back a whole $11.00, and the Vintage Vogue pattern and big plans! I still miss the black swing coat trimmed with red piping and lined in red that I wore, pregnant and not, in the 80's. I'm 5'2'' and slender and think these coats look great on almost anyone. A tall, big-boned friend of mine made the Vogue pattern and looks great in it. fabric fanaticnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1991166428290808171.post-22632114348402603192012-04-19T19:12:50.666-04:002012-04-19T19:12:50.666-04:00Thanks for posting it for all to see. For the rec...Thanks for posting it for all to see. For the record, I love swing coats, especially over skinny pants with ballet flats a la Miss Hepburn in Sabrina.Alice Mhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16837715495593639879noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1991166428290808171.post-35766371571404092092012-04-19T17:42:04.961-04:002012-04-19T17:42:04.961-04:00I wish I knew -- I found the pic online and I can&...I wish I knew -- I found the pic online and I can't remember where. It's looks to be a Butterick, however, from the artwork. Sorry!Peter Lappinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05109154527996679077noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1991166428290808171.post-24614129510798980282012-04-19T17:30:29.557-04:002012-04-19T17:30:29.557-04:00I love the pattern just above the house coat. ( Bl...I love the pattern just above the house coat. ( Black coat and print dress with a red print dress to the right.) Could you share the maker and number?Alice Mhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16837715495593639879noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1991166428290808171.post-52229714759472321112012-04-19T17:29:53.157-04:002012-04-19T17:29:53.157-04:00I love the pattern just above the house coat. ( Bl...I love the pattern just above the house coat. ( Black coat and print dress with a red print dress to the right.) Could you share the maker and number?Alice Mhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16837715495593639879noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1991166428290808171.post-20352651440810388032012-04-15T15:44:28.413-04:002012-04-15T15:44:28.413-04:00But the key element it creates is mystery!! You wa...But the key element it creates is mystery!! You want to see what's underneath that coat and nothing is more tantalizing to the male eye! That is simply called allure! It's pleasing and you watch that woman hoping to get a glimpse of what's underneath! On a side note, many young women are also returning back to the veil in their wedding dress choices, no doubt inspired by the recent royal wedding and again that is exciting to see in the eyes of those present at the ceremony. The simple act of lifting the veil makes the bride the true and only star as everyone want to see her radiant happy face!! Bring back mystery, subtle refinement and above all ALLURE!!Scorpioninbluehttp://scorpioninblue.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1991166428290808171.post-40516844621082769272012-04-13T16:59:11.147-04:002012-04-13T16:59:11.147-04:00I love the opera coat. So elegant! Can't wai...I love the opera coat. So elegant! Can't wait to see the finished coat. Are you making it for Cathey?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1991166428290808171.post-38759369958275535342012-04-13T02:42:13.654-04:002012-04-13T02:42:13.654-04:00I would make an opera coat out of a deep red velve...I would make an opera coat out of a deep red velvet and cotton flannel lining if I had the chance. :)Sergehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05423854116494784014noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1991166428290808171.post-55729950037223911572012-04-12T15:25:12.342-04:002012-04-12T15:25:12.342-04:00I have always wanted to make a really full coat in...I have always wanted to make a really full coat in rainwear fabric. But in the Bay Area we have so little rain, I can't justify the expense, unless I find a really good deal in the second hand store. <br />Those full coats in the 50's had to fit over those really full "new look" skirts. And I think the use of tons of fabric was in response to the skimpy amounts of fabric used during the war years. Never had a really full coat in the 50's, I was too young to have any interest. <br />Cathy will be so comfy even though dressed up, in a really full coat. So many pregnant women have to grin and bear the fact that their coat will no longer meet in the middle! But somehow those hormones keep her warm, coat or no.Ustabahippienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1991166428290808171.post-32736364928238913742012-04-12T14:30:47.231-04:002012-04-12T14:30:47.231-04:00Ohhh, I do love them. But I want you to see me in ...Ohhh, I do love them. But I want you to see me in my wiggle dress! As a former fat girl gone glamorous I have a hard time wearing things that make me look big. I worked hard for this figure and I want to make sure it hits you in the eye...Michellehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06793295526771577222noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1991166428290808171.post-46426116129975802872012-04-12T10:36:30.043-04:002012-04-12T10:36:30.043-04:00This contrast won't be noticed unless the swin...This contrast won't be noticed unless the swing coat is worn open. It's just a slightly lower brow version of the cape shown in that top photo.Wyrdnesshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09947824967268734495noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1991166428290808171.post-5879939538348405582012-04-12T08:31:31.427-04:002012-04-12T08:31:31.427-04:00Yes, Scorpioninblue, I totally agree! Dramatic con...Yes, Scorpioninblue, I totally agree! Dramatic contrast is the thing!Scrapianahttp://www.scrapiana.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1991166428290808171.post-32638536976630360232012-04-12T02:20:59.298-04:002012-04-12T02:20:59.298-04:00I have had a couple of "Opera" coats in ...I have had a couple of "Opera" coats in my life. One was a flesh pink gabardine with a satin lining, peter pan collar, 3/4 sleeves. I didn't wear it much because the lining kept sagging and I couldn't figure out how to fix it. <br /><br />Another was a black gabardine cape with hood. Very plain, and went over formal wear that I found myself wearing quite a bit during that period. I always wanted to make it with a faux fur hood, but alas never did.<br /><br />The best was a rayon standard opera coat that was navy rayon blend, unlined, 3/4 sleeves and peter pan collar. I always referred to it as my Della Street coat. (I was madly in love with Perry Mason and used to fantasize I was Della Street.)Alaskapsychnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1991166428290808171.post-51670375344606299462012-04-11T23:07:16.179-04:002012-04-11T23:07:16.179-04:00I have SO many patterns that have these coats, inc...I have SO many patterns that have these coats, including one or two modern ones. I LOVE them, but I've never made one. I can't imagine wearing it, except maybe for a very special occasion. I don't have many of those.<br /><br />Cathy's will be stunning, and she will be stunning in it while she "waits". Love the floral lining. Inspired, that is!Sondrahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00545551379122441851noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1991166428290808171.post-17702738433703770792012-04-11T22:47:06.232-04:002012-04-11T22:47:06.232-04:00I love opera coats!!! I agree they are the height...I love opera coats!!! I agree they are the height of glamour. And yes I have worn one - in the finals of Miss Pinup Australia, I made one to wear over my vintage ballgown. Haven't worn it since though... but its Autumn in Australia and I'm thinking about sewing for winter... I might just make myself a knee-ish length one! <br /><br />And I love the idea of matching the lining an opera coat to the dress underneath - but then I think I wouldn't want to wear the coat with a different dress. My wardrobe would end up full of dresses with matching coats that I rarely wore.<br /><br />Might do it just once though!Beccie Leathley (Sew Retro Rose)https://www.blogger.com/profile/02088942931608827770noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1991166428290808171.post-303295396726927732012-04-11T21:35:43.778-04:002012-04-11T21:35:43.778-04:00Vogue 1083 is gorgeous. Good luck with it!Vogue 1083 is gorgeous. Good luck with it!Peter Lappinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05109154527996679077noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1991166428290808171.post-51075594306877416622012-04-11T21:29:45.262-04:002012-04-11T21:29:45.262-04:00I'm making one now, using Vogue 1083, one of t...I'm making one now, using Vogue 1083, one of their reissued vintage patterns from 1953. I've finished the wool shell and set it aside because spring came early, but it's fabulous.<br />I'm not tall, but by shortening the coat a couple of inches, redrawing the side seamline to take full advantage of the 90" circumference at the hem, and shortening the turned up cuff width a little, the proportions are now fine for my 5'4" frame. I also used one smaller size than I usually do for dress pattern from Vogue. It is a lot of volume.<br />Coincidentally, my mother gave me her fur coat from the early 50s last fall, and it is the same style. She is 5'2" and the fur coat looked fine on her and it looks fine on me.BetsyVhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14824251716471351275noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1991166428290808171.post-78904798294622298232012-04-11T21:22:01.574-04:002012-04-11T21:22:01.574-04:00I.Love.the.Opera.Coat!!!I.Love.the.Opera.Coat!!!Ellenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12191713016037761271noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1991166428290808171.post-6132162802504061242012-04-11T20:54:04.321-04:002012-04-11T20:54:04.321-04:00My aunt said you wore a very figure hugging dress ...My aunt said you wore a very figure hugging dress with the baggy coat. Well, she did anyway. I actually like them, not on me of course. I think you would have to be very tall, thin and have a graceful neck.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1991166428290808171.post-22253510246886317912012-04-11T20:44:12.311-04:002012-04-11T20:44:12.311-04:00Oh yes, I love these. I ended up sewing one to wea...Oh yes, I love these. I ended up <a href="http://w38th.blogspot.com/2011/06/navy-blue.html" rel="nofollow">sewing one to wear over my wedding dress</a>.... i mean, if you have an evening wedding, it's like the best opportunity ever to flounce around in a floor length silk coat! ;)wendyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02325131782150858859noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1991166428290808171.post-90253829642339995352012-04-11T20:38:15.439-04:002012-04-11T20:38:15.439-04:00LOL!LOL!pcolaspikehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17367706141518152121noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1991166428290808171.post-57995715526653234852012-04-11T19:06:38.362-04:002012-04-11T19:06:38.362-04:00Oh, man, I love an opera coat! One of the greates...Oh, man, I love an opera coat! One of the greatest influences in my wardrobe and sewing career was a white opera coat lined with brilliant orange sparkly fabric that matched the stunning deep cowl back dress underneath. It was worn by Doris Day in the film Do Not Disturb - pictures can be seen here http://www.eveoutofthegarden.com/2011/09/do-not-disturb-doris-day-rod-taylor.html<br />When she entered the room the coat was closed and gave no hint of the dress underneath. I also loved Cher in one in Moonstruck. One day I will sew one for myself.Carolhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11274649006496918800noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1991166428290808171.post-63710640865591745562012-04-11T18:47:40.260-04:002012-04-11T18:47:40.260-04:00I have a lovely black one with a Peter Pan collar....I have a lovely black one with a Peter Pan collar. I love it and it really is the thing to wear when your dress is one that begs for a crinoline. Only problem I have is I always end up having to explain to someone that I am wearing a swing coat, not a parka.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1991166428290808171.post-32750792614988996282012-04-11T16:56:53.048-04:002012-04-11T16:56:53.048-04:00Yes, but then again, there is
this
(from the trul...Yes, but then again, there is<br /><a href="http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b345/cakehole/56cloakthing.jpg?t=1327145564" rel="nofollow"> this</a><br />(from the truly marvellous archives <a href="http://patrimoine.jalougallery.com/" rel="nofollow">here</a>)<br /><br />Kate in EnglandAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1991166428290808171.post-43610599927467338022012-04-11T16:42:59.134-04:002012-04-11T16:42:59.134-04:00I made a velvet cape similar to Audrey Hepburn'...I made a velvet cape similar to Audrey Hepburn's in the first photo to go with my senior prom dress. I'm sure I looked odd with my hooded cape and opera-length gloves but I felt so glamorous. I must dig it out of the storage bin and wear it more often. <br /><br />I agree that the flowery material would much better suit Cathy as a lining for a soft coat. You wouldn't want to draw too much attention away from her figure.Meganhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04056949323155624136noreply@blogger.com