There’s only one brown, and it’s not bad – Cognac, which would make a nice silk evening gown or scarf. Radiant Orchid is a rich pink-purple that reminds me of summer, and Sangria is a hot cranberry tone that says fall without getting all tweedy. Two strong blues, Misted Yellow, and Aurora Red keep things from feeling too chilly. Primary colors are chic and seasonless!
Now that Thanksgiving is over and nighttime temperatures drops below 40 degrees Farenheit, it might as well be winter. That means it’s time for warm, vintage-style daywear and festive holiday frocks! This post is about the daytime stuff!
I picked up the Margie skirt in red and the Gretta top in coordinating red check, which you can see at left. I got my regular Heartbreaker size, XL (42-32/33-48″). As usual with Heartbreaker, the Gretta top arms run on the lean side and the waist is roomy. The Margie skirt waist is true to the stated size chart measurements.
Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays. There’s the food, the family, the official start of the Christmas season…and Black Friday sales. I celebrated with some fun vintage-inspired items from Pinup Girl Clothing and Kate Spade, several of which I was able to share on my brand new Instagram account.
I’m at this really transitional point, bodywise. I’ve been too small for most dedicated plus lines for years, and yet, I’m only just now finding awesome designer vintage that really fits me ( at 42-32-48″). Luckily, I managed to find two beautiful late ’50s/early ’60s designer pieces that fit me perfectly!
First is a gorgeous coral lace Emma Domb gown, vintage size 16. It’s floor-length with a crossover bodice.
Most people are familiar with Emma Domb’s famous mid century prom dresses and elegant evening wear, but I was a little surprised to learn that the Domb label came out of San Francisco, which essentially makes this dress local to me!
Planet Pinup spider bow with interchangeable charms.
While gothabilly aesthetics have been strongly represented in the realms of retro and pinup fashion for some time, it takes something truly special to represent the rarified holiday quality of Halloween for this recovering goth girl. Halloween requires something more than black, or bats, or zombies, or skeletons. Sometimes it’s hard to pinpoint exactly what makes something Halloween as opposed to garden variety macabre, and indeed, there is no special formula. For me, it’s a know-it-when-I-see-it kind of thing.
Here are some new, pinup-friendly Halloween-themed pieces that scream Halloween to me…
Since the weather’s finally turned, it’s time to share some autumnable vintage and vintage-inspired dresses and separates!
Collectif Simone Doll Dress in grey houndstooth.
First up is Collectif’s Simone Doll dress in grey houndstooth, a late 1940s/early 1950s-style day dress with a princess-style skirt. First introduced last fall, it’s available in four fall-appropriate colors.
Since Collectif’s measurements are all over the map and their website provides virtually no guidance in this regard, it’s best to ask around to see how a particular style or fabricway fits! On the advice of friends, I chose the UK size 16 and wasn’t disappointed. At 42-32-48″, I had no major fit issues. There is a bit of extra room in the shoulders and the drape of the fabric makes it a good idea to wear Spanx underneath to avoid lines, but nothing to make me run screaming.
As a person whose style is by definition not very trendy, it seems silly for me to care about Pantone’s seasonal color palettes. If you think about it, though, it does make sense. Even if I wear primarily vintage and vintage reproduction clothing, current color trends are going to affect any new accessories and repro-used fabrics I’ll be considering. So, why not do a little planning ahead? Forwarned is forearmed!
My friend Monica gave me a Trashy Diva gift certificate for my birthday, so I used it to get the fabulous Jaclyn Dress in the Big Band Bows print! This one’s got a warm summer print (fruit, flowers, and bows), but the colors and cut make it totally autumnable, too! I adore the cutouts on the neckline…they’re super-1940s!
I was warned that the invisible zipper would be tough to get past the waist seams, but it wasn’t that bad. I will say that the neck opening – while perfectly comfortable to wear – is a bit close when pulling the dress over your head. So, do your hair and makeup after you get dressed to avoid getting foundation on your clothes and messing up your coiffure. Additionally, my size 14 size charted a 33.5″ waist, but I flat-measured it closer to 32″. That wasn’t an issue for me, but it might be for you.
Trashy Diva Jaclyn.
I’m wearing it here with my 1950s copper “Sealife” earrings and cuff by Matisse Renoir and my Remix Gloria wedges, a great 1940s repro shoe!
