MPB Day Prep!

Readers, tomorrow is MPB Day, and like so many of you, I have devoted today to prepping for the big event.  I may skip the egg white, avocado, and wheat germ facial but the ultraviolet sunlamp is a must.

Problematic Placement of Design Motifs or "No Bullseyes, Please!"

In the 1960's, a lot of people did drugs, which is the only explanation I can come up with for McCall's 8190, above.

Look, everyone loves a good border print, but some motifs don't belong "south of the border," if you get my drift.  The best comment came from a Pinterest follower (this pattern is in my Worst Women's Patterns Ever board) who dubbed this "Fruit of the Womb."

Beach Jacket Bingo!

Readers, when you go to the beach -- I mean when you're literally walking on the sand -- what are you usually wearing besides a bathing suit (assuming you're not on a nude beach, of course) --  maybe a sweatshirt or windbreaker, right?  Or just spray-on Banana Boat, SPF 60?

When Bad Instructions Happen to Good (Vintage) Patterns

Holy mother of Zeus, friends -- I nearly pulled my hair out today trying to parse the instructions of my vintage Forties swimsuit pattern, Advance 2467.  I had an easier time with Beowulf.

What is it with gay men and women's fashion?

Readers, in life, some questions are eternal.  Why are we here?  Are there dogs in heaven? Whatever happened to Deanna Durbin?

Sexy, Sexy Pattern Grading

A quick apology, readers: I misspoke.  There is nothing sexy about pattern grading.  You could do it in the nude, and there would still be nothing sexy about pattern grading.  Have you ever tried it -- either way?

Which way should stripes go?

Leave it to designer Thom Browne -- he just has to be different, doesn't he?  I need a Dramamine.

Things I Don't Get, Vol 4: The Empire Wedding Gown

Friends, you often hear it said that a woman is never more beautiful than on her wedding day.  You also hear it said that a woman is at her most radiant when she is expecting.

Peter Speaks: The Singer Buttonholer VIDEO!

Readers, who doesn't enjoy watching a buttonholer video?  I know I do!

Coming to MPB this August...!

Readers, whatever happened to Teen Time magazine?  I found a copy at the flea market and what a great read it is -- provocative and oh, so real.   I especially enjoyed Connie Stevens' cautionary tale "Liquor, Sex, and You" which totally opened my eyes to the teen parking-and-necking phenomenon.  Better late than never.

Cheap Fashion and the Canvas Sneaker

Readers, thank you for all the thought-provoking comments you left on my recent post about the book Overdressed: The Shockingly High Cost of Cheap Fashion.

I came face to face with the cheap fashion dilemma last Sunday, when I decided to treat myself to a new pair of canvas sneakers before my vacation.  I didn't want anything fancy, just a pair of canvas slip-ons -- Vans or something similar.  So I walked up along 34th Street, where there are tons of athletic shoe stores, as well as north of 34th on 8th Avenue.  The selection is tremendous -- practically every style from (nearly) every era is available, it seems.

"I'm back!" + Vacation Ambivalence

Friends, I'm back from my break -- also known as a vacation -- actually just four days on Fire Island, where we sublet a place from a student of Michael's. 

As many longtime readers know, I'm not into vacations.  Traveling with two chihuahuas is not relaxing.  And while Freddy loves the beach, Willy doesn't -- he's constantly smelling other dogs in the air, and he's afraid of every dog other than Freddy, which is a drag for him and for us.

Have you read "Overdressed: The Shockingly High Cost of Cheap Fashion"?

Readers, who was it who said, if something can't go on forever, it won't?

Mens Linen Blazer: The Farewell Tour

Readers, this is it: my final linen blazer post.   So much to say.  Where to begin?

I did indeed wear my linen blazer out to dinner last night.  We had a major thunderstorm yesterday that cooled things off considerably, and by evening there was a refreshing breeze that continues this morning.

Peter models the blue linen blazer!

Readers, today is a very special day, and not just because it's National Caviar Day (look it up).  Today I present my linen blazer photo shoot, completed early this morning just before the thermometer hit ninety.