Whatever Happened to the Bed Jacket?

Friends, when is the last time you saw someone wear a bed jacket who wasn't starring in a 1940's film noir?

Hone Your Vintage Styling Skills: a Resource Guide!

One of the challenges of putting Cathy in vintage outfits from different eras is accessorizing them correctly and giving her the right period look.

Vintage Fur Follow-up!

Readers, surely you had an inkling just where my recent, surprisingly polarizing vintage fur blog post was leading...

1939 McCall's Dress UPDATE + "Cain't Say No" (to Debi)

So much to cover today, friends, so let's get to it.

First, remember Debi and her arguably shark-jumping 1940 McCall Project?  Did I mention that I own a swimsuit pattern Debi would like very much to have?  Well, readers, after considerable whining and emotional blackmail -- on my part -- I've decided to give it to her.

1939 McCall's dress -- the muslin

Greetings, friends!  I am happy to report that my flu-like illness (which was probably flu) is finally behind me and I am slowly returning to normal: my normal, which is not very normal at all.

The (Confusing) World of Vintage Pattern Reissues

Readers, do you ever lie?  I mean, do you ever say something without really thinking and then, later, realize that what you said doesn't reflect your honest opinion?

On this blog, from time to time, I've opined that such-and-such pattern company should reissue this-or-that pattern.  Usually I say this because I think it would make good business sense for them to do so.  But my true opinion is that I find vintage pattern repros about as compelling as a faux-limestone Nefertiti bust for sale at the Metropolitan Museum of Art gift shop. 

We're a Hit + Vintage Pattern-palooza!

How thrilling these last few days have been, readers.  Our show, Noah's Very Unusual Insight, was a hit (despite fierce Februrary weather in October), and we're definitely going to do it again -- perhaps in the same space, perhaps on tour and coming to a city near you! 

My Favorite Gown

I'm a big old movie buff. 

In early April we talked about glamour, the good the bad, was it still around and did we even care.  For me, if there's one garment that epitomizes what glamour is all about, it's the evening gown.

Cathy models the 1937 Hollywood dress!

The purple dress finished, yesterday Cathy and I set out for another fun-filled fashion shoot on the gritty streets of Gotham.

Is Glamour Dead?

I just borrowed what looks to be an interesting book yesterday entitled, "Glamour, A History" by Stephen Gundle, a British writer.  It's a study of the concept of glamour throughout history: its origins and its varying definitions during different eras (the 1930's and 40's in particular), up to and including the present.

Style Wars: Ginger vs. Marlene

After digging around the vintage sewing blogs lately, I've noticed a surprising appreciation for the style of Ginger Rogers.

Casey's article last month about Thirties film fashion is an excellent example.

While Ginger is best remembered as Fred Astaire's dancing partner, she was a tremendously popular dramatic and light comedic actress in the late Thirties and early Forties, winning an Academy Award in 1940 for "Kitty Foyle." 

I love a movie fashion show...

..and this one is immediately followed by a glorious dance by Astaire and Rogers, from the film "Roberta."

Gowns designed by Bernard Newman, head costume designer at RKO Pictures.

TRIVIA QUIZ - Can you name the tall blonde in the feathered cape?