fashion for faith in four colors: red dress
Showing posts with label red dress. Show all posts
Showing posts with label red dress. Show all posts

Thursday, August 30, 2012

Inspired by 8 Femmes

This evening I present to you, Fashionable Reader, lust objects inspired by the movie 8 Femmes.



Ensemble  Christian Dior, 1956  The Chicago History Museum
 
 
 Coatdress  Christian Dior, 1947  The Kyoto Costume Institute



 Miz Mooz Fall 2012

 
Geoffrey Beene, 1963-1969  The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Ecarlate  Christian Dior, 1955  The Victoria & Albert Museum

 1950s b Timeless Vixen Vintage





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

Monday, August 27, 2012

Modcloth for the Rack

I don't normally shill, Fashionable Reader, but I do like Mocloth. I also think, in the main, they are overpriced. However, currently they are having a sale, so I'm lying up a little under the weather and thought I might poke about and pick a few Retro Rack favorites.

Bathing Suits




Why I like it: black and white check, bow detailing at the neckline brings attention up to the face, side rouching and linear seam detracts from chest size, halter top shows off shoulders.


Why I like it: just look at that color? So good. It's like a cocktail dress for the beach. Halter top shows of nice shoulders, rouching hides chub, long full front seam allows for larger bust.


 Why I like it: gingham, I do love gingham, halter top shows of nice shoulders, rouching hides chub, I'm a little concerned by the angled sides and the short front seam allowing enough room for the bust, but I might risk it for this suit.


Why I like it: red with white dots, so cute, seaming is very flattering, boy short bottoms are comfy (and require so much less shaving), nice thick supportive straps, white edge at neckline to draw attention upward to the face, very 1930s look.

Dresses



Why I like it: dark black lace detailing at the neck drawing attention up to the face, higher neckline giving Rack lots of room, darker lace over the chest area with lighter blue and less lace down the bottom again dividing and drawing attention away, seams in the hips allowing for volume. Not in love with the cap sleeves, but . . .



Why I like it: black peter pan collar and cream color gives innocence to shorter skirt length, detailing at the neck drawing attention up to the face, higher neckline giving Rack lots of room. Wide belt and lots of picks over tummy to hide all sins, shorter length made sweet by blue ruffle.


Why I like it: cross front but not a warp, pegged high and enough to cover the Rack, very vintage and muted color pallet, design of dress nips in at lower ribs normally smallest part of the body so worth emphasizing, sash detail, nice full skirt not too long would look adorable with flats.



Why I like it: what you thought there wouldn't be a steampunk pick? And steampunk for a hot day? Practically impossible to find.

Skirts



Why I like it: A-line is a practically perfect shape for anyone, adds volume to balance out the Rack but not too much to make a lady with hips too hippy. Teal is a nice unexpected choice, pair with a black top to keep attention down towards the legs, again, great with flats.


Why I like it: Such a cute pattern, I have thing for anything equestrian, a little fuller than an A-line but still not too much volume, and pockets, I love pockets!  Again a nice pattern draws attention down away from chest, pair with a brown top to keep attention towards the legs, again, great with flats.


Why I like it: a pencil skirt with a fish tail and in cherry red? What's not to like?

Others



 Why I like it: Ladybug nail art, see Blameless.



Why I like it: The only top I chose, a pussy cat, not sheer, with half length sleeves. So flattering, slimming, feminine, and minimizing. Modcloth has it in other colors, but I like of like the turquoise.

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

Monday, August 20, 2012

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.