fashion for faith in four colors: retro chic
Showing posts with label retro chic. Show all posts
Showing posts with label retro chic. 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.

Monday, July 2, 2012

Book Outfits ~ Changeless

So, Fashionable Reader, I am procrastinating terribly and have decided to post one of my occasional book outfit posts. Today, we will take a look at Changeless.


Book the Second of the Parasol Protectorate is all greys and black and teal. I've two outfits influenced by this book and formal one, as you see above and the flowing, which is more casual.


I love Alexia's dress on this cover, it's probably my favorite. In fact, I had it made up for me from Clockwork Couture.




 One of the things I really love about the Changeless cover is the range of teal to turquoise in both the dress and an script background slashes.


Here are some Retro Rack friendly images I've collected inspired by this cover, starting with some fun vintage pieces.

1912 Tunic dress Museum Purchase

 1930s Timeless Vixen Vintage; 1932  The Metropolitan Museum of Art

 1940 nov; 1953 Norman Norell  The Metropolitan Museum of Art

 1960 Hubert de Givenchy  The Metropolitan Museum of Art; 1961 Roger Vivier for Dior,  The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Here we have some retro images.






And here are a few modern takes on this color pallet.





Some interior design inspiration from this color pallet.



Something for Sophronia to wear in the Finishing School Series

1860s  The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Something for young Prudence to wear, in between the Parasol Protectorate and the Parasol Protectorate abroad books.

1885 Girl’s Dress  The Los Angeles County Museum of Art

And I will leave you with . . . cake!


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