What to wear to Gatsby this year?

 I was surfing eBay the other day and came across two amazing vintage magazines from the 1920's.  Due to my ever so slight obsession with the 1920's and figuring out my outfit for the next Gatsby Summer Afternoon, the two magazines made it into my shopping cart and are now in my hands.  I couldn't resist the great cover on Mode Pratique (above).  The Costumes are perfect for a sporting afternoon.

This cover of Le Petit Echo de la Mode is even more sporting and just what I've been thinking to do for the last couple of years.  If I start now, a sweater could be knit and a tennis skirt and blouse sewn.
Who out there wants to do this with me? 
Here are two more images from the magazines.  Such great inspiration!!!!!

This last one, is less "sporty" but couldn't resist including it.  Love the elegance of the time!

And here is a photo that is reminiscent of the time.  My grandmother Franny's friend within the Singer Midget Troop.  I think it's from the 1930's and not the 20's, but sporting just the same....

An Afternoon of Vintage Heaven

 

This last weekend, my daughter, Emma, some friends and I went to the Vintage Fashion Faire at the O-Club,  on Alameda Point.  We had such fun watching people, perusing stalls, trying on hats and living the lush life.  The couple above were the darlings of the show.  Looking their vintage best from head to toe.

Maya looking at posters from the 1920's

Oxford Shoes from the 1930's from Luxe Vintage Clothing

1920's Hat, Deco bag and Pumps from the 1980's (also from Luxe Vintage Clothing)

There were lots of vintage Fox Stole's at the Show.  This one was my favorite, though I hesitate to call out a favorite...

Two Future Mad Men?  No, just two boys from MKretro

Hounds tooth Suit anyone? Also from MKretro

I was really into this feather hat and I'm a little sad that I didn't buy it. 

The hats were everywhere and they were all affordable.  Why didn't I buy that hat?

Nice Shades! and this too, is from MKretro

Pretty Sweet too!

Wouldn't this be a fun display for a little boudoir?

Kelley's favorite necklace.

Vintage patterns

This was a really pretty little display of shoes, hat and Tulle dress

1960's Cocktail Dress

So much fun!  Can't wait for the next one.

Suspect Walks into Jail Office

Interesting things come in vintage pattern envelopes....

Headline:  "Suspect Walks Into Jail Office"
Copy reads: "A dapper young fellow, wearing blue corduroy trousers and a dark sweater, walked into the sheriff's office Monday and addressed Chief Deputy Sheriff George Beckstead thus:
"I am Jack Bunce, 22. My address doesn't matter. You want me for a burglary."
And it's just as well that he did, for deputy sheriffs were preparing to jail him within a few hours as a suspect in the burglary of the Texas Oil company service station at Thirty-third South and State streets last Tuesday.
Mr. Beckstead said Bunce admitted taking eight tires from the service station and selling...."

________________________________________________________________________________

Goes to show, you never know what you get with vintage stuff.  This was so much fun to receive after a frenzied Etsy and Ebay splurge where I purchased four vintage 1930's patterns for my daughter and myself.  This pattern is a homemade additional collar pattern for the young girl's dress.  Here are a few more images of the pattern and the dress I'm now working on. 

Dress in progress

Pattern envelope and instructions

Newspaper collar pattern

Work in progress.....

More on the dress itself later.

Vintage Remodeled Wedding Gown - Part 2

Well, it's done and listed on Esty. 
Here is the before photo:

and here are some after photos:

Voila!

Vintage Re-Done Wedding Gown

Here is the before photo of this late 1960's silk organza and lace wedding gown.
Here the sleeves have been removed and I'm starting to develop the neckline.
The sleeves in this photo are still attached and I'm beginning to remove the lace from around the neck to see what it looks like underneath.
The sleeves have been removed and neckline lace is off, revealing a nicely shaped neckline and much wider without the lace. A little more attractive I think.
The lace on the dress is actually quite nice. The cheap lace around the neck is being removed. to reveal quite a pretty dress.
I'm beginning to remove the lace.
In developing the neckline, I'm deciding it would look good with straps instead.
Now I need to cut the neckline and re-shape the lace on the bodice.
Lace is cut and pinned in place.
I need to peel back the lace at one point to decide where the neckline should be.
Here is the side view of the gown as I'm shaping the neckline and changing the style.

Above you will find the beginning of a gown remodel. The dress above has about 6-8 hours of work in it already including the tub soak it took after I received it from the Ebay Seller. I still have some more work to do before it's finished, but luckily it's just bodice work and a lot of hand sewing. This dress has a terrific detachable train.

More photos to come as it evolves.

Franie and the Midgets

My grandmother Frances (grandma Fran) lived quite an interesting life. Not only has she been my style icon from day one, but her life was rich with such interesting stories. This one is about her time with the Singer Midgets in the 1930's.

For some reason related to the fact that her father was a wild animal dealer, my grandmother and her brother Bob (Frances and Robert Heger) were assigned with the task of entertaining the entertainers, when they came to town. Apparently over the course of the years, they became quite good friends. My grandmother would hang out with them off stage and in their dressing rooms. She told me tales of squeezing her waif like frame into their tiny costumes which made everyone laugh. She was particularly fond of a fellow named Gabor, who is pictured in one of the photographs with Fran.


The diminutive size of these wonderful "little people" made them a delight to all, however, I think they must have struggled quite a bit and were bound for a life of entertainment. Because of this all of their clothes were hand tailored and fit like a glove.




It always pleased me to hear the stories my grandmother would tell, especially after seeing the Wizard of Oz. She was particularly keen on me watching the film and I did, on TV, in her living room on her golden striped velvet divan. It was a wonderful discovery to come across all these pictures, once again, after she had passed. I hope you enjoy them as much as I do.