Saturday, April 30, 2016

March Accessories: Snowdrops


Several weeks ago we had the appearance of the first snowdrops of spring.  I forgot to post these photos then but our recent cold spell reminded me of these wonderful little flowers that hint at a promise of warmer weather to come!

The snowdrops were also the perfect backdrop for my accessories challenge.  Back in January, I made a black crepe dress using one of my 1940 McCall patterns.  Aptly named "Tabula Rasa" or blank slate, my plan is to see how many different ways I can accessorise this dress over the course of the year.


The dress is a perfect companion to my latest obsession – Miriam Haskell jewellery.  Miriam Haskell was a costume jewellery designer from the late 1920s to the late 60s.  I absolutely adore her early 1940s pieces and am saving up to buy a special piece from that period.  My dear David gave me a 1950s/60s Haskell set for my birthday consisting of a fantastic white beaded necklace, matching bracelet and earrings.



As we were heading out the door to go to the park, it started raining.  So I reached for my umbrella, a cute black and white polka dot frilly thing that David picked up at a charity shop for me, and it turned out to match perfectly!


And the shoes! Let me tell you about the shoes!  As some of you might know, I'm allergic to the chemicals they use to tan leather, so I have to be extra careful about my shoes and I'm always on the lookout for cute vintage looking, non leather pairs.  On my recent trip to the States, I stocked up on some Aris Allen swing dancing shoes--and I love them all!  Seriously, cutest shoes ever and very well cushioned.  I know I am not supposed to wear these outside (because they are meant for the dance floor) but I do anyways! I have these exact shoes in black too.

Here's a close-up of the necklace and earrings:


As we were having a stroll around the park, the perfect sunset appeared.  I just love the look of the trees with the sun in the background:


Overall, I'm delighted with my new accessories and love the white on black look.


I'm already plotting and planning for future mix and match ensembles.  What colours do you like best with black??
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Monday, April 25, 2016

1940 Fashion Trend: Hoods

Hoods, hoods, hoods...one of my favourite features of 1940 fashion!


 The April magazine has this to say about McCall 3678:
"One Important Thing about spring dresses is--hoods.  Look at the princess dress on this page, No. 3678.  We show this dress in summery white to make sure that everyone understands that hoods have nothing to do with winter.  Hoods are not to keep the ears warm, not even to shade the eyes, not to preserve the finger-wave, but just for style. They are now a big spring and summer fashion!"]
My version of McCall 3678:

According to the April 1940 McCall Advance Paris Style booklet:
"There are three things here of utmost fashion importance--the hood, shown on a dress for the first time, the big pockets, which you see everywhere, and (view B) the return of the fly closing.  Not only is this princess dress smart in light-weight wool with its hood lined with printed crepe, but it's being made all of print, too.  The hooded printed dress is something as new and as fresh as tomorrow morning.  No. 3678  Sizes 12-20. 50 cents" 
Hoods were all the rage in 1940.  Here's a few hooded patterns from other pattern companies.  DuBarry has some really cute ones.  I just love the double-breasted hood jacket from DuBarry 5097 (especially with the cute Scottish cap!)


Simplicity has some classic hooded patterns.  I just got Pattern 3322 from one of my favourite reproduction pattern sellers Lady Marlowe Studios.  I can't wait to make both the trousers and the hooded blouse.  I also love the cross-over dress (Simplicity 3352):


I love how unique the Hollywood 1940 patterns are!  Especially the low-cut hooded jacket that lets the bow of the dress peak through:


Now to my favourite pattern company!  I have McCall 3715--which is a beach robe.  The polka dot version on the May Style News is so cute! The lining of the hood even has the reverse polka dots:


Some of my favourite hooded patterns from the 1940 catalogue are the loungewear and nightgowns:


Not to be outdone, Simplicity has a pretty awesome hooded robe pattern:


Hoods also made it onto evening gowns.  I love the sheer hooded blouse of McCall 3771:


Look how chic the lady in the white hooded blouse of the DuBarry pattern looks:


Of course, hoods are found extensively on jackets, capes and coats from 1940.  Here's a few McCall pattern examples:



Which of the hooded patterns are your favourite?
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