fashion for faith in four colors: 1970s
Showing posts with label 1970s. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 1970s. Show all posts

Wednesday, July 25, 2012

Comic Con Outfits ~ Day Four Red Gingham

Gingham always seems to have a bit of a retro feel to me, no matter what you do with it. It says homey country kitchen, apple pie, picnics.


Oh what a beautiful morning,
Oh what a beautiful day,
I've got a wonderful feeling,
Gingham is coming my way.

A hem, sorry, getting a little carried away there. Where was I? Oh yes, gingham. A member of the check family, I believe. Most often seen in black and white, red and white, or blue and white.


 It took me a long time to come around to gingham. Like pink it felt to girly and sweet to me. It just seems very very difficult to make gingham edgy.


But I cam around to gingham when I spotted this adorable tennis dress in a local vintage shop. It was muslin and looked very cool and light, and something that woudl pair with flats. All top concerns for my wardrobe and upcoming Comic Con.


 It was labeled 1970s but I think it might be more late 1960s. Here's a range of vintage red and white gingham from 1940 ~ 1970.

 1940s; 1950s Red & White Gingham Summer Dress

 1960's mod red & white gingham dress; 1970s gingham summer dress mod drop waist box pleats

Mine would seem to slide in at late 1960s but I suppose it could be 1970s.


It's actually meant to be tighter and shorter on someone a bit larger than me, but I liked it so much as a more 1920's loose feel (and this way it fit the Rack). I walked away from it the first time and then went back after contemplating it for a couple weeks, luckily it was still waiting for me.


I wore it with cream accessories and cream flats. I made a silly little hat out of a knitted pettit four that a reader gave to me in Portland. (More on that in a separate DIY blog to come.)


As I said, gingham as been around forever. Here's a little retrospective . . .

Before the turn of the century:


 1840-1845  The Metropolitan Museum of Art

The 1930s


The 1940s







The 1950s







The 1960s 




And some modern takes on gingham. 

 Some even manage to be almost not retro.





Right is a pink gingham from Rusty Zipper.



 Left also from Rusty Zipper.



 Words cannot describe how much I want this outfit.


Next up, silly DIY hat. I leave you with self much appreciating a lovely cup of tea at Comic Con mid day. Small pleasures make all the difference.


Retro Rack is also on facebook where I post additional images and fashion thoughts.

Tuesday, May 22, 2012

Recently Acquired ~ Day Dresses

So, Fashionable Reader, I sacrificed my longed for vintage cream day dress on the alter of a cute retro blush-colored 1920s flapper dress instead. Still, I could not resist the sway of the day dress and turned my attention to patterns.


With ComicCon coming up, I felt I was justified in investing in one for such an august occasion. After all, what's a girl to wear to stand out at ComicCon but adorable vintage dresses? ( I watched the new Morgan Spurlock documentary Comic-Con Episode IV: A Fan's Hope, it is fantastic, and insightful, and preparatory!) Something cool that packed well, with a nice full skirt.

I was shopping on Haight Street (where I found the blush dress) and I happened upon this newly opened shop: Relic Vintage. Sweetheart of an owner, knows his stock extremely well. We got to talking, I told him my Rack Woes, and he suggested this dress:


So cute! A light packable rayon, little sleeves, full skirt, matched belt and even better . . .


Comes with a jacket! You know how I feel about matched dress suits. I love them. I love them son. This one fit me beautifully so it came along home.

1950s Day Dress Relic Vintage $75

It cost a little more than I like to spend on a dress but it ticked so many boxes . . . of course, had I known what was to come, I might have passed on it. I haven't had a chance to wear it yet, you'll have to wait for the ComicCon photos, I think. We shall see, I might take it down for the Sunnyvale Library Event.

 1902  Whitaker Auctions; dress made of china

Later that same week, I was visiting a newly opened shop in Alameda, Juniper Tree Vintage Fashion, and what did I find? Another rayon, packable, perfectly fitting 1950s day dress! In shades of cream, brown, and blue. With neck pleating and a bow belt! Sigh. Of course I bought it. I have no will power.

Juniper Tree Vintage Fashion 1950s $85


Just look at the belt, how cute is that?

This dress reminded me of all those beautiful soft colored flowered tea dresses of yore.


 Norman Norell, 1954  Augusta Auctions; the lovely Charlotte of Tuppence Ha'penny

This one is lined, so it's a little warmer than I'd like, but lining always helps for durability and indicates a higher quality, plus the pack-ability and ease of wearing really sold me on it. It's the kind of dress you can pop on without thinking about it. Great for weddings and picnics and any other daytime occasion. Easy to dance in, too. I liked it so much I wore it for an outing to the Alameda Vintage Fair that very Friday.


And then, because it was muslin, light as air, and (you guessed it) red, I also picked up this adorable check tennis dress. The label said 1970s, I think it could be a little earlier, late 60s. It's so cute with flats for the beach or a very hot day.

1970s Red Check Jumper from Juniper Tree Vintage Fashion $38

I do love me some check.


 Retro shoes; 1942 add

I feel a little like I planned to buy a full skirt and ended up with yes, two full skirts, but also two sort of 1920s cuts. Which normally I avoid. There must be something wrong with me.


Next up, Fashionable Reader,  I'll shall report on the wonderful Alameda Vintage Fair, a blast was had by all. There are silly pictures. And I may have bought something Parasol Protectorate related!

*enter obligatory Monty Python god-speak here*

Retro Rack is also on facebook where I post additional images and fashion thoughts.