Recreating a look - Dior The Bar Suit Part I

One of my goals for the new year is to recreate the iconic Bar Suit.  It isn't exact, but then of course, if it was the true suit we'd be talking $$ and nice vacation homes.   I love to recreate looks and this one is so much fun to do.  I've got a few other things I need and then hopefully sometime early this year I'll be able to put the complete look together.   This has been a great journey for me because I've also been learning about the construction of the garment and also what appeals to me is how was this "New Look" received back in the day?   I've got a few articles from the magazines of this time period (Spring 1947) to also share along this journey.

You will also notice that I am choosing a black hat.   I prefer this over the straw version and a black hat is what was shown at the infamous Dior collection launch of 1947.

Here is a sneak peak at my work in process ensemble, all vintage period pieces:

How lovely is this Dior compact?  I couldn't help but purchase it.  This is not vintage, of course.  

The lapel line and the buttons are eerily similar to the Dior version.

A real deal Dior bar suit:

Image from FIDM museum

My Vintage Journey Conclusion

This is the end in my series of vintage inspired photographs taken this fall.  When I started to write this blog post, Frank Sinatra came to mind so let's go with the flow....

A quote from good ol' Frank...

And now, the end is here

And so I face the final curtain 
My friend, I'll say it clear 
I'll state my case, of which I'm certain 
I've lived a life that's full 
I traveled each and ev'ry highway 
And more, much more than this, I did it my way 

Ahh good ol'Frank, a swinging cat.  He certainly knew how to throw a party (if in a former life I assume I was invited too.  It better have been in Vegas. lol).  I was looking up quotes of Frank and came across this one that I thought was pretty funny!

"I feel sorry for people who don't drink.  When they wake up in the morning, that's as good as they are going to feel all day." 

I'm, for the most part, this person but I had to laugh:)  Happy Belated Birthday Frankie! <December 12th>

So onto my last series....

This is my favorite picture of the whole photo session just below.  I think I shall look back at this photograph with fondness when I am eighty.  It was a perfect autumn day and I'm glad I was able to capture these moments of fall.   My outfit was completely vintage.  The coat hailing from the 1930's.  The umbrella I picked up off of ebay and was a great find.  I'm not sure of the era of the hat but it seemed to fit perfect with the outfit.

Yes, the cliche swinging on a lamp post, couldn't help myself:)

Thank you all for viewing my photographs from my first vintage photography journey.

Cellar Door

I once heard that the words "cellar door" were the most beautiful in the English language because of the combination of sounds.  I think I had heard this from my high school French teacher.  One of the few things I remember from high school.  A fact I just learned is that JRR Tolkien was interested in this sound combination.  So, now instead of "hello" you may greet your guests and friends with "cellar door".

This Lilli Ann coat is from the 50's.   There is just something about Lilli Ann when you put on one of these coats, it's magical.  They really do live up to their name and you feel like you are wearing a piece of history.  I was fortunate to pick this lovely coat up at a big discount because the hem needs to be fixed.  I'd love one day to be walking around at a mall or on some obscure trek somewhere and run into someone else with a Lilli Ann coat.  Wouldn't this be an interesting connection?  

In case you missed my post about the history of Lilli Ann, here it is.  If you follow me on Pinterest, I also have a couple of files set up for Lilli Ann garments.

The true color of the coat is more like the above.  Below you can see the contrasting fabrics and design elements.  Another great feature of this coat is that it has pockets!  This must have been a very new feature.  I also like that it has longer length in sleeves.  I have a late 50's Lilli Ann coat and the sleeves aren't as long.  I think because they figured you'd be wearing the long gloves.

Here is a more up close image of my new shoes, vintage 40's.

Lilli Ann Dreams

Well, if you follow my blog, you all know how crazy I am about Lilli Ann garments.  I have two posts to share on Lilli Ann acquisitions.

I wanted to start out with this beautifully structured gray Lilli Ann suit.  The texture of the suit is quite interesting and I hope you can pick up on it in some of the photographs.  I'm thinking it is an early 50's Lilli Ann.  If I ever find a similar dated vintage ad, I'll be sure to share it.  I bought this suit on ebay for just under $50.  The lady who originally owned it had worn it to her wedding.  I love hearing the stories of past owners.  It had a couple of small stains on the skirt which I was able to get out very nicely.  This suit is so well made and of course, madly divine to wear.  It is a big anomaly that I should pay this low amount for a Lilli Ann suit but I'd like to think that it was meant to be that I should own such a lovely suit.   I prefer the length of the skirts on 40's and 50's suits.  I think designers get a bit carried away today and also did in the 80's with skirts that were (are) way above the knee.  I bought a very inexpensive 80's Dior suit that I will talk about in a future post where I love the top (has a very retro feel) but the skirt I'll need to part with.  

 

For some reason, I ended up with no photograph of my shoes!  But, no worries they will show up in my next post.  They are really lovely 40's black shoes that I recently purchased.

I also wanted to mention that I am giving true vintage 40s stockings a go.  These were fun to wear and it is interesting to immerse oneself into period fashions.  I do feel a difference in that these panty hose did not seem to "hug" the leg like modern day but they do seem a lot more durable and able to stand more wears than the modern counterparts.

This Lilli Ann suit has very beautiful accents as you can see with the rhinestone buttons and the flip multi-colored arm cuffs.  It's a shame they don't make such lovely suits like this today.  I added a rhinestone 50's brooch that I purchased off of ebay ($18) and I was sure to check that it wouldn't leave any marks in the suit before I fully added it.

I bought this beautiful canary yellow sterling deco ring off of ebay that will need a trip to the jeweler to be resized.  This ring has some beautiful details etched around the stone and on the sides.  I think this  I love all the details in the rings in the deco period along with all the colorful gem stones.  If I'm lucky, one day I might own a nice platinum one but I honestly I think some of the costume and sterling versions can be quite nice.  The bracelet is from Claire's and I thought it had a very retro feel. I normally don't buy jewelry that isn't vintage because I find I can have a piece of the past for the same amount if not less than something that is cheaply made today but this bracelet sparkled and caught my eye.

Here's another up close visual on the ring:

The blouse I am wearing is truly a work of art and amazing.  I saw it listed on Shrimpton Couture during the summer and immediately snapped it up.  I believe they are having a 25% off sale right now. This knit blouse has some beautiful beading and lace work in the collar area and is from the 1940's.  I think it fit the suit perfectly.  And, with a beautiful blouse like this there is no need for a necklace.

A New Year A New Dress Part 1

I have been meaning for many months to make a dress from a pattern.  I'd like to take you all along on my dress journey.  I will keep you posted as I progress.   I bought this pattern from Eliza M's because I wanted a current pattern and wanted to ease myself into the dress making experience.   I love to sew so this should be a fun experience for me.  I used to make quilts so I have no excuse about a sewing machine and threads.

I'm labeling my dress progress so that I shall be held accountable and actually do this <smile>.

I bought the pattern a few months ago and immediately set out looking for vintage rayon material. I wanted a pattern with polka dots.  I figured this would be a nice neutral start.  I didn't want to do anything with too much pattern for my first attempt at a dress.  I came across the below polka dot print and only paid $18 for six yards.  This shop has some very inexpensive fabrics.  I'm thinking red would be smashing color for this style dress but maybe for the next one. I also have more than enough for mistakes lol.

So, this also brings me to another item of discussion.  I started also to look at vintage patterns.  I came across Vogue Original patterns which had famous designers of the day contribute designs to pattern for home sewing.  I was shocked at the price that some of these "just patterns" command!
Check out this Jacques Fath dress pattern that just sold for $260, for the pattern!  Most of the patterns in the Vogue Original line by designers are running around $50 for patterns from the 50's.

When I has looking up these Vogue Original patterns, I came across a BIN for the one below just listed for $15 so this shall be my next venture.  I am very intrigued by these patterns from famous designers of the day.

Did you know they also have patterns attributed to famous movie stars of the day?  I'd love to try a 30's Carole Lombard dress!  This one is for sale on etsy right now.  I am hoping to find a cheap one on ebay one day.

Happy New Year!

I didn't want to leave the last post of this year on a downer so I wanted to wish each and everyone of you a very Happy New Year!!!   I hope next year brings you all your heart desires:))


I love this quote from Oprah:

Cheers to a new year and another chance for us to get it right.  ~Oprah Winfrey

As we speak, my daughter is brushing my hair and attempting a braid in my hair...what more could I ask for?

Christmas Greetings

Merry Christmas everyone!  I also wish everyone a blessed new year!  I hope all your dreams come true!  My flapper friend also wishes you a great holiday season.