Easy Alteration for a Vintage Dress

I found this fabulous vintage dress at the thrift store for $12!

 

 

The waist and length were perfect.  The bodice, well, not so much.

 

 

I think Jane Mansfield may have worn this!

 

(Please disregard the mess in the background ~ this is our basement.  What a mess!)

 

A quick alteration was in order...

 

First, I slipped it on, inside-out, and pinned it along each side, from the arm holes, down to the waist.  Then I took it off and with a water-soluble pen, marked a line to sew:

 

 

I'm not sure what the fabric is (it feels like cotton but must be some sort of blend), but since it doesn't really fray, with pinking shears I snipped along the edges where I sewed the new seams:

 

 

I love the tag!  Pat Perkins was a dress manufacturer during the 1950's and 1960's.

 

 

Daughterlypoo snapped these pictures of me arriving at the train station in NYC to visit her:

 

 

 I'm definitely treasuring this dress!

Modern Styling With Vintage Hats

Inspired by Carrie Bradshaw, my daughter Natalie and I have been on a mission to find ourselves vintage fur hats.

When we get together (she's in Philadelphia and we're in Florida), we scour vintage shops and flea markets in search of discarded hats needing new homes.  Natalie's brown fur hat find:

I love this picture of her ~ so chic!

When we visisted her and our son-in-law, Daniel, recently, we stumbled into "vintage hat nirvana" in an old dress shop.  No, I didn't buy the hat I was modeling ~ a bit too Phyllis Diller for my taste ~ but I did get the one in my hands:

These are the ones we bought:

So fun!  The hunt, and of course, getting to spend the weekend with two of our favorite people.

Natalie also has a Carrie-inspired skirt:

I love this!  Think I'm going to have to dedicate an entire future blog post to this skirt!

Mad Men is Returning!

Mad Men season 4 returns in just a couple of days, on July 25th -- I'm giddy with anticipation!  Love, love, love this show, especially the fabu early 1960's fashion and the dum-dum-dum dramatic story lines!

Not only are the clothes to die for, but Betty can rock an updo:

This particular 'do was so high and twisty I was dizzy with amazement; I had to pause the TV to get a better look at it!

AMC's Mad Men blog (http://www.amctv.com/originals/madmen/)

is hinting that the ladylike outfits worn by the female characters will be replaced by the "mod" look of 1964 (where the series picks back up).  Mini skirts and go-go boots?  Hmmm, this should be interesting.

While cruising through the blog I stumbled into their "store" and found Mad Men Barbies!

Smart move on Mattel's part -- like so many other designers and retailers, they're riding the poplularity wave of the series.  Betty and Don Draper, Roger Sterling and Joan Holloway are now dolls styled in the super cool clothing and accessories from the show.

As an apron lover and creator, I can't get enough of seeing the Draper's housekeeper, Carla.  I wish they'd expand her character but in the meantime, I'm intrigued by the aprons she wears in almost every one of her scenes.

About a year ago I picked up my own version of a "Betty Draper" dress at my local thrift shop.  I couldn't believe I found this and paid just $6.00 for it!  It's a little snug across the top but if I sit/stand up straight it's not too bad.  Here's my best, ladylike pose:

If you happen to be in need of a retro apron, reminescent of Mad Men, how about...

..."American Beauty-Blue?" I made this apron by repurposing an authentic, vintage, 1950's tablecloth.  It's so pretty with its vibrant flowers and long waist ties that adjust to fit and flatter almost any flirtatious figure (gee, wouldn't Carla look pretty in this?!). Check out my online store at http://www.retrorevival.biz/cart/ to view my entire apron line.

July is winding down...don't miss out on a chance to win this month's blog giveaway:

Become a follower of this blog (if you aren't already), leave a comment and you're entered.  Drawing is July 31st.  Good luck!