Vintage Style Show at the Ohio Valley River Museum

Back in December I did a style show at the Puskarich Public Library. After the show I was approached about doing a style show at the Ohio Valley River Museum in Clarington Ohio on April 23rd for their Ladies Day at the Museum. After much debate with my husband, I decided to do the show. So off I went looking for models again. Charlie and Brandi graciously agreed right away and I asked Sarah and Abby if they were interested it was a quick resounding yes.

The Ohio Valley River Museum features exhibits on Ohio River riverboats, locks and dams exhibits, and more.

The morning of the style show started out a little over cast but beautiful. Since the ride down was over an hour we (models, my 2 girls and I) either carpooled or met at the museum. For this particular show I was asked to keep my speech part short since there were vendors

Good Afternoon and Welcome to the Ohio Valley River Museum. My name is Kristen Willis of Kris’s Vintage Clothing. Today I will be showcasing outfits from the 1950’s to the 1970’s. I hope you enjoy this step back into yester-year.

So let us begin.

Sarah: Is wearing a 1960s Candy Jr Pink and White dress decorated with small embroidered flowers

Charlie: 1950’s Blue strip dress with large white collar and cuffs gives this dress a school Marm look.

Abby: 1950’s lipstick red double button front khaki a-line skirt. Very bright red skirt made of khaki material. A 19560’s white cotton blouse with double buttons pairs nicely with the skirt.

Brandi: 1950’s White and Teal Blue Pin Vertical Stripes Shirtwaist Dress.

Sarah: 1950’s/1960’s Light blue and white print sundress.
Sleeveless dress with large white buttons down the front of the dress, almost a shirtwaist appearance

Charlie: 1970’s Pale blue dotted Swiss sleeveless maxi dress Pale blue dress with floral bouquet print on dotted Swiss material.

Abby: 1960’s Inspired by 1920’s Drop Waist Ivory dress trimmed with black ric-rac and 10 buttons

Brandi: 1950’s Aqua Patio Dress trimmed with white lace and black grosgrain ribbon

Sarah: 1950’s/1960’s White sleeveless sundress Sleeveless white sundress with 2 horizontal stripes across the waist, pleated skirt and an accordion folded pleat bust.

Charlie: 1950’s Navy Blue Shirtwaist Dress. Pin Up style shirtwaist dress, the buttons end just past the waist, heavy pleated skirt

Abby: 1950’s Pretty green and white checkered sundress is sure to to be eye catching.

Brandi: 1960’s Blue and white stripe dress with a bright red bow

Sarah: 1970s/1980s Floral Summer Maxi Dress.You can wear on or off the shoulders this dress has ruched bodice that is stretchy. Long flowing skirt with a ruffle

Charlie: 1950’s Dark Gray and White checkered shirtwaist dress.

Abby: 1950’s/1960’s Dress has a blue and white bodice print and a solid blue skirt along with matching blue bolero

Brandi: Vintage 1960’s Red and White Checkered Gingham MOD dress with white flower print all over the dress

Sarah: 1960’s flower power mini dress. Large print flower print dress with long sleeves, button cuffs, zipper down the back and small square collar.

Charlie: 1970’s Jody of California Halter Top Bohemian Maxi Dress, Patch work like details makes this dress the perfect for any summer activity.

Abby: 1950’s Sleeveless sky blue and white stripe shirtwaist sundress

Brandi: 1960’s MOD bright floral print dress Drop waist bright floral print dress inspired by the 1920’s drop waist dress. Print is a mixture of flowers, foliage, and butterflies in bright colors such as pink, light green, light blue, yellow and white

Abby’s picture was missing from the camera for this dress

 

 

Sarah: 1960’s Youth Fair Sleeveless Green Checkered Dress. Adorable checkered print dress with large belt loops as a decoration. Each loop has 2 buttons on the top of the loop for decoration only.

Charlie: 1950’s Sage Green, Beige, Tan and Brown Stripe Shirtwaist Dress

Abby: 1950’s Yellow linen dress. Front has a faux zipper look, the metal zipper is down the back.

Brandi: 1950’s Blue Floral Patio Dress.

Sarah: 1970’s Pink and white floral print A flirty number just begs to be worn to a Summers eve party or out for coffee with friends.

Charlie: 1950’s Pale purple halter dress is ready for any Pin Up photo shoot.

Abby: 1950’s Champagne colored lace dress, lace is floral pattern. Perfect for a vintage wedding dress or a cocktail party.

Brandi: 1960’s White and navy blue color black a-line sheath dress Great Navy blue color block down the center of the dress with a small white panel going across right below the bust complete with decorative blue button

Sarah: 1960’s Gold and White Lace Shift Dress. Ivory dress with gold and white lace overlay, there are small gold flowers over the lace

.Charlie: 1970’s Aqua prom/debutante dress Wear the lace shawl collar on or off the shoulders, with a half tulip skirt over a ruffle lace tiered flouncy skirt

Abby: 1960’s Minty blue/aqua jacket, this mid length jacket is perfect for spring showers or chilly mornings

Brandi: 1970s sleeveless ivory wedding dress with a high collar is reminiscent of Victorian Revival

That concludes our styles show for today, I want to thank each of my models for helping me showcase each of these outfits for you. I also want to thank the Ohio Valley River Museum for inviting me to share my love of vintage with each of you. Have a wonderful weekend and enjoy the rest of your day.

 

Winter Fashion Show

Good Afternoon and Welcome to the Vintage Winter Fashion show, I am Kristen Willis owner of Kris’s Vintage Clothing.

Before we get started I want to thank the Puskarich Library for hosting this event and letting me share my love of vintage with each of you. I would also like to thank the lovely ladies who agreed to be my models for this fashion show.

Coco Chanel said “Every Day is a fashion show and the world is the runway”

So let’s go back to the days of glamour and style, when a party meant dressing up in your new outfit instead of jeans and a t-shirt. Not that there is anything wrong with jeans and a t-shirt but who doesn’t love getting dressed up for a night out on the town? I know I do.

This afternoon we are showcasing party dresses and winter apparel from the 1950’s to the 1980’s. While each era has their own unique style I am drawn to the 70’s maxi dresses and the 50’s and 60’s winter coats. Where looking glamorous was an everyday occurrence and not just for special occasions.

So lets go back and talk about Frannie’s clothes. This story begins almost 8 years ago long before I opened my Etsy shop, even though selling vintage clothing is something I had wanted to do for a very long time.

My older sister’s Grandmother passed away unexpectedly, my sister is the only grandchild of Frannie Udeck. She was a woman of many talents and one who loved to play bingo and she played several nights a week and from the stories I’ve been told she was quite the character. I only remember meeting her once and that was at my sister’s wedding almost 16 years ago now.

After she passed away, my sister was told by her Dad to go in and take whatever she wanted because he was just going to have an estate auction since there wasn’t anything that he wanted in the house not to mention he lived in Florida while Frannie lived here in Ohio.

Frannie’s whole house was a treasure trove of trinkets, jewelry, clothing and dolls. It was like stepping back in time to the 1970’s.

My sister knew her grandmother kept all of her clothing from years past and instead of throwing them away or selling them, so my sister told me come on up and take whatever I want.

Frannie’s clothing were the very first thing I ever had for my shop, most of it is from the 1970’s occasionally the 1960’s and very few pieces from the 1980’s. Her memory lives on through each item I sell from my shop, here is a small sample of clothing found in Frannie’s Closet.

April K. is wearing one of my favorite Frannie Dresses, The epitome of the Little Black Dress with the addition of bling, rhinestone cluster below the breasts.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

April J. is wearing a white with silver lurex dress, I’m honestly surprised if Frannie wore this as she was quite short in stature. This is your formal style Maxi dress, if you aren’t familiar with a maxi dress it is a floor or ankle length dress.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Brandi is wearing a black dress with white and silver paisley skirt.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

April K. is wearing another one of Frannie dresses in a pretty blue with silver accents around the collar and cuffs, It is paired with a pretty set of gloves.

 

 

 

 

 

 

As it is the Holiday season, let us look back at to the dresses of yesteryear where gowns were beautiful, flowing and alluring.

Elise is wearing a J.C. Penney dress that just flows around her.

“J.C. Penney had its origins in the store opened in 1902 by James Cash Penney (1876-1971) and William Henry McManus, who opened the Golden Rule dry goods store in the small mining town of Kemmerer, Wyoming. This store was so successful that the partners opened more stores. The headquarters was moved to Salt Lake City in 1909 and in 1913 the name was changed to J. C. Penney Company when Mr. Penney acquired majority holdings in the company.

As the company grew, more and more stores opened and the company acquired other companies. The first of these was Crescent Corset Company, which J.C. Penney bought in 1920. They also began developing their own store brands, starting with Big Mac work clothes for men in 1922. By 1930 there were over 1000 J.C. Penney stores.

In 1963 Penney’s distributed a catalogue for the first time. Also in the 1960s they started offering more than just dry goods, adding appliances and other durable goods. Today J.C. Penney still relies heavily on house brands, such as Arizona Jeans Company And a.n.a.”

The Red dress that Charlie is wearing is one of my favorite red dresses I currently have, the beautiful bodice with its embroidery gives this dress an elegance and stands apart from everyone else at any party this is worn to.

Before we go any further, real fur and faux furs will be showcased during this fashion show, if you have anything against real fur please note that these animals have been dead for several decades and we do not want their death to be in vain. So let us continue

 

 

 

 

 

April J wearing a short black faux fur jacket, great for brief moments in the cold winter air.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Dress April is wearing is white lace dress with pinkish red skirt, a bow accent really makes this dress pop.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Elise: is wearing a beautiful cream Faux Fur Coat by Intrigue, this is the kind of coat you that will keep you warm and fashionable on your way to and from any event this winter.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Underneath the white faux fur coat is a beautiful red dress, that is ready for any event wither it be a Christmas party or a night at the opera.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Charlie is wearing a Chocolate Brown Velvet Cape Perfect for Fall and Winter to keep you toasty warm. 3 large buttons are the only closure for this lovely cape. I would say this is an open size cape.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Underneath the coat Charlie is wearing a golden yellow dress which is fully embroidered bodice and mid-way down the skirt. Features a large bow at the back of the bodice, a metal zipper down the back, short sleeves, full pleated skirt and an attached crinoline.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Brandi is wearing a purple gray coat with real mink fur collar and cuffs by , I love the rich brown of the mink. “For many women in postwar Britain a fur coat – preferably mink – represented the height of luxury, the ultimate object of desire. In popular culture the ambition to own a fur coat became a defining quality of femininity, tantamount to a secondary sexual characteristic.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

Brandi is wearing a empire waist dress with scalloped collar and cuffs, showcasing a yellow skirt, I feel this dress is something that Snow White would wear.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Elise is wearing a heavy green coat with real artic fox fur at the collar, I love the look of artic fox it is one of my favorite fur as it is very soft and luxurious.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Elise is wearing a metallic green strapless dress, when I found this dress it had a string of green and purple feathers attached to it by 4 stitches and the skirt had been hemmed up and it was very uneven. Once I removed the ugly feathers and took the hem down this ugly duckling turned into a swan.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Charlie is wearing a plaid dress that came my way via Carol Spiker, and it looks just gorgeous on Charlie it is by Celyne Design INC. The shimmering gold within the plaid is brought out by the necklace Charlie is wearing.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Brandi is wearing a Nieman Marcus sweater set. “Carrie Marcus Neiman, Al Neiman, and Mrs. Neiman’s brother, Herbert Marcus, founded Neiman Marcus in 1907. The first store was in downtown Dallas, Texas. From the beginning the goal of the trio was to establish a store in which customer service was unsurpassed. “It’s never a good sale for Neiman Marcus,” Herbert Marcus said, “unless it’s a good buy for the customer.”

In 1925 son Stanley Marcus began working at Neiman Marcus. It was Stanley who developed the image of Neiman Marcus as a luxury department store. He started the tradition of having in-house fashion shows and beginning in 1938 he established the Neiman Marcus Award for Excellence in Fashion. Stanley Marcus became the president of Neiman Marcus in 1950. The following year, in the Neiman Marcus Christmas catalogue, the store started what has become one of their most famous features — the addition of unusual and very extravagant gifts. The publication of the catalogue is always a much-awaited event, with lots of press coverage.

Today the Neiman Marcus Group includes the Neiman Marcus stores, Bergdorf Goodman, and the Horchow catalog.”  

 

April  is wearing a lovely teal green Leslie Fay 2 piece outfit. “Leslie Fay was the clothing business founded by Fred Pomerantz. In 1942, Fred Pomerantz began making uniforms for the women in the US armed services. The government had done a study of statistics concerning the measurements of the typical female figure, and this information was provided to Pomerantz in order to help him make uniforms that properly fit.

After the war ended, Pomerantz decided to produce a line of women’s clothing using the same sizing as he had used during the war. In 1947 he founded Leslie Fay, which he named after his daughter. Leslie Fay became a major maker of affordable and attractive dresses and sportswear marketed toward the middle aged.

In 1965, Herbert Kasper joined the firm, designing under the Joan Leslie label, a slightly higher priced line.

Through the 1980s, the company continued to prosper, but in 1993, Leslie Fay was bankrupt, having suffered a scandal involving fraud. Compounding their problems was a strike at their manufacturing plant, which resulted in the firing of all workers, and the ultimate closure of the factory, one of the last large unionized clothing manufacturing factories in the USA.

The company was able to reorganize and remain open. They are not known for a fashion forward look. Their lines include Joan Leslie, David Warren, and Outlander, which are marketed mainly through department stores.”

April J is wearing a beautiful plain skirt by P.S. I Love You, I have spent hours trying to research this brand to no avail however it is the epitome of a Christmas skirt.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Charlie is wearing a lovely wool outfit by Albert Nipon. “In the early 1970s, accountant turned fashion designer Albert Nipon turned a small maternity clothing company based in Philadelphia into an internationally known producer of ultra-feminine, beautifully tailored women’s dresses and suits.  By 1984, dress sales alone reached $60 million and Nipon counted Mary Tyler Moore, Barbara Walters, Rosalynn Carter and Nancy Reagan among his many loyal customers.  Nipon’s fall was as rapid as his rise; in 1984, he was indicted for tax evasion and bribery in an IRS investigation and served 20 months in a federal penitentiary.  After his release from prison, the Nipon company declared bankruptcy but survived intact, eventually expanding into men’s apparel.” 

 

 

 

 

 

Brandi is wearing a homemade plaid skirt and a Pendleton jacket. The Pendleton Woolen Mill of Oregon opened in 1909, producing Indian blankets. In time, the blankets were used to make bathrobes and coats. By 1924 they started making the famous Pendleton man’s wool shirt and by 1929 they were producing a full line of menswear.

Even without the jacket this plaid skirt is lovely with just a white blouse. 

In 1949 Pendleton began developing a line of sportswear separates for women. Most notable was their ‘49er jacket – hip length, long-sleeved casual jacket with wide collar, patch pockets, and large shell buttons down the front. The 49er is still being made by Pendleton today.

 

 

 

April is wearing a Pendleton skirt in teal green and bright reds.

“For many years, Pendleton raised their own sheep and spun and wove the wool. They sold the fabric as well as the blankets and finished clothing. At one time Pendleton used 1% of all the wool produced in the US.

Pendleton worked exclusively in wool until 1972, when they produced their first spring line. Blue Pendleton labels indicate men’s clothing, and white labels are on women’s.” 

 

 

 

 

Elise is keeping warm and professional in this Hannah Troy outfit complete with blouse underneath. “Hannah Troy was a ready-to-wear firm that specialized in adaptations of Italian designs. Troy began her business in 1937 and remained open into the late 1960s. She was known for clothes that fit the petite woman, and specialized in both day dresses and evening wear. George Saman was the designer of the label in the late 1950s, and Murray Neiman did the designing in the 1960s.” 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Brandi is wearing a tweed dress with jacket by Galeries Layfette the material is from Armand Hallenstein. From a little research I was given Armand Hallenstein was a fabric supplier and several stores made their house designs using exclusive fabric from Armand Hallenstein.

 

 

 

 

 

After Christmas is over New Year’s Eve and traditionally black and white were worn to New Year’s Eve Parties, Here is a small sample of black party dresses.

April J is wearing a Little Black dress by Oleg Cassini. “Oleg Cassini (1913-2006) first started designing in 1936, working for various stores in New York City. In 1940 he went to Hollywood where he designed costumes for 20th Century Fox. There, he met and married actress Gene Tierney in 1941. By the early 1950s he was back in New York, where he was designing under his own name. His look was very sexy and, at times, flamboyant.

But he was best known as the “Couturier to Camelot,” and his fashion collaboration with First Lady Jackie Kennedy. That collaboration had a profound impact on the way American women dressed, with the “Jackie O” look coming to mean simple designs with easy fit, straight lines, boxy jackets, and very restrained use of trims or ornamentation. Since the mid 1960s, he did little top line ready-to-wear and licensed his name extensively in swimwear, hosiery, foundations, sportswear, fur, and costume jewelry, to name but a few lines of products.

One of Oleg Cassini’s last lines was the Platinum Collection, made to order evening and bridal gowns based on his 1960s designs for Mrs. Kennedy.” 

 

 

April K, is wearing a black dress in the New Wave Style by Wild Dress, When I first spotted this dress the skirt is what drew me in and I knew it I needed it in my shop.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Charlie is wearing a formal black velvet dress with white off the shoulder draping by Bianchi. “House of Bianchi was a famous name in bridal and formal wear that started back in 1949 in Boston and Medford, Massachusetts, by the family of its namesake. Its designs were sold by bridal shops nationwide until 2001, when it suddenly closed its doors without fulfilling its commitments to orders being processed at the time. The sudden collapse of the venerable company has been blamed on a change in management and on financial difficulties.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

Brandi is wearing another one of Frannie’s dresses, many of the clothing I found in Frannies closet did not have labels in them other than Dry Clean Only, Size tags and ILGWU. “ILGWU or the International Ladies Garment Worker Union, was formed in 1900. In 1935 the union became part of CIO. In 1974 the labels were changed to a red, white, and blue color scheme. This was in conjunction with their efforts to urge Americans to not buy imported goods: Buy American: The Job You Save May Be Your Own. The ILGWU remained active up until 1995, when they merged with another union, Amalgamated Clothing Workers of America, to form UNITE.”

 

 

 

 

 

April J wearing a beautiful and elegant faux fur wrap shawl will keep you toasty warm during those cold snowy months of the year. Beautiful orange satin lining, with a eye hook fastener in the front and arm ribbons on each side.  Built in shoulders for a form fitted look.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 April J is wearing a polka dot dress that has ruched sides in plain black, front panels are black with gold polka dots. Sleeves have slightly puffed shoulders and are sheer with polka dots all over them.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

April K Is wearing a Gorgeous silver bead applique on the right shoulder, it is in the shape wings, and there is also an applique on the matching belt.
The beautiful draping front gives this dress an elegant look.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Charlie is wearing a 1960’s Piano Shawl of black brocade and seed bead appliques all over it, this shawl or cape if you will is homemade and originally had fringe all around the hem when I found it. The fringe was in such disrepair and had large sections missing I eventually removed it all together for a cleaner look.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Charlie is also wearing a Frannie Dress Beautiful 1950’s Brocade Black Dress with a contrasting black leaf print all over the dress. Metal Zipper down the back of the dress. Simply a Gorgeous Dress great for a party dress or the new Little Black Dress in your closet.
This dress originally had fur on the cuffs, however they were uneven and weren’t in the best of condition so I removed them and hemmed the sleeves.

 

 

 

 

 

 

That concludes today’s fashion show, I want again thank the Puskarich library for hosting today’s show and being very supportive of my small business.  I also want to the lovely ladies that modeled for me today. Brandi Stearns, April Kovaks, April Jones, Charlie Edwards and Elise Davis.

I would also like to thank my oldest daughter Katherine who is wearing my youngest Abigail and for helping keep the models moving and in order for me today.

Before we close is there any questions?

Thank you for coming, I hope each of you have a lovely Holiday season.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Western Wear Outfit of the Day

County Fair season is almost upon us and with it comes the many looks of western wear. Today I am going to show case one western outfit that can be found in my shop today. I’ll have the links for each piece at the end of this blog post for you to check out.

Pictured is a pair of Wrangler jeans from the 1970’s/1980’s, a 1970’s Coral Pink blouse by Daffodil and 1970’s Zodiac Cowgirl boots.

One thing I love about vintage is that you can mis-match eras to make your own look. Although this particular outfit is relatively from the same decade the idea is the same.

Here is another example of vintage western wear.

I have featured 2 different pairs of boots because everyone has their own style they like to wear, on the top shows the Zodiac boots again and on the bottom a more tradition style pair of cowboy boots from the 1980’s along with a 1950’s dress.

So grab your favorite western type of outfit and lets go to the fair.

Links

Wrangler boots

Daffodil Blouse

Zodiac Boots

Cowboy Boots

1950’s Dress

Until next time,

~Kristen

Outfit Of The Day: Winter Outerwear, Holiday Party and Christmas Party

Many times I hear “I don’t have anywhere vintage clothing or how to wear it.” Guess what they are just clothes exactly like the ones sitting in your dresser and closet at home.

Winter Outerwear consists of a beautiful gray coat with real fur collar and cuffs, I added a hat and a red flower brooch for a pop of color.

Coat Link Here

Hat Link Here

Brooch Link Here

Holiday party outfit is elegant yet simple, a lovely brown dress paired with red shoes and a poinsettia apron. The perfect hostess ensemble 

  

Dress Link Here

Apron Link Here

Shoes haven’t been added to my shop yet, but check the many other pairs of shoes I do have listed.

Christmas party, I know you ladies love to be the Belle of the Ball at parties and this outfit has all the right pieces to do so. To be honest if my shoulders weren’t as wide as they are I would have kept this dress, it is probably my favorite dress in my shop.

Coat Link Here

Dress Link Here

Headband Link Here

My Every Day Vintage

In a previous post called Every Day Wear Vintage I talked about wearing vintage every day rather than just out and about. I have the hardest time finding vintage pieces that I can wear due to being long waisted, however I think I may have finally found a way round it besides wearing empire waist dresses all the time.

I was looking through some vintage hair style tutorials when I came across one that I tried the other day, however I am incapable of doing victory curls so I modified it and did a front bump (is there an actual name to this style?)

I first saw this tutorial on Facebook and I followed the link to a Tumblr account which had actual written directions here.

My favorite vintage hairstyle blog is by The Freckled Fox, great tutorials and directions are given on her website. Definitely worth checking out, I used her tutorials when I ask my hair dresser to put victory curls in my hair for a party last year. 

Here is my version of the photo up above.

I know the photo’s aren’t the best since my 8 year old was helping me that day. 

As I started with I am wearing my every day vintage almost everyday now, I may need to find a few more blouses to finish out my closet.

 

Scarf, Blouse and shoes are vintage. the pedal pushers are new. 

Every Day Wear Vintage

I want to start a new trend of vintage wearing. A majority of women who wear vintage are usually seen wearing dresses or something of that sort. I want to bring back the every day wear that women so long ago wore. Clothing that women today will not be afraid to wear around the house or running a quick errand.

How will I do that by showing you a few pieces of every day wear that will be available in my shop soon if not already.

Each of these garments are meant to be worn every day rather than special occasions or outings. 

  

Blushing Pink

 

 

Blushing Pink, an array of pretty vintage pieces in variety of pinks.

 

Creative Challenge Part Two Week 4: Vintage:

 

If you can’t tell I love vintage everything, I even read about vintage in my spare time I love it so much. My submission is actually this first photograph. Our county fair starts on Tuesday and I have been submitting entries in the Antique Division called Old Clothing which really should be renamed to vintage clothing but I digress. This 1960’s black dress has sequin sewn all over it so it catches the light and sparkles. It is a drop waist dress so any body type can easily wear it and look great doing so…as I like to say you would be “One Hot Mama!”

 

 

This photograph show my fair entry last year (2013).

2012’s entry. I won first place and Best of Show that year.

 

KVC Fashion Show

Today I had the privilege of putting on a fashion show at my local library as their Mother’s day/Spring event. Fun was had by all who attended. I am attaching photographs and my speech along in this blog post for each of you, I hope you enjoy it.

Hello and Welcome to Kris’s Vintage Clothing Fashion Show, I am Kristen Willis owner of Kris’s Vintage Clothing and your host for today. I am glad that you were able to make to our fashion show and I hope you have an enjoyable time.

Coco Chanel said that “Fashion fades, only style remains the same.”

I believe that to be completely true, time has shown that different styles have made a comeback. Some of them good and some of them we just wish stayed buried in the past.

Today I am going to show you 3 outfits from the 1950’s to the 1980’s, a day dress or outfit, a business suit or dress and a formal dress from each decade.

As little girls we all loved to play dress up with our own box of dress up clothing or in our Mothers closet, wearing vintage clothing gives you the same feeling as dressing up as a child did.

The 1940’s were a pivotal time in our history of fashion. After the Germany invasion of France, American fashion was liberated from the thralldom of Paris. This allowed American designers to step up to the plate and change the history of fashion, a few of these designers were Claire McCardell and Bonnie Cashion. These women a part of a pervasive force in fashion world.

1940 Day dress:  Elise is wearing a 1940’s Swing Coat with pink floral print lining.
Fabulous rayon faille in an A-line, swing silhouette. The coat is worn over a 1940’s Princess Peggy Blue and White Polka Dot day dress.

1950 Business: Hali is wearing a Sportsteen Wool plaid suit of greens, yellow, black and purple with a white cotton ruffled blouse. Isn’t she ready for the office?

 

1950 Formal: Brandi is wearing a Soft yellow wiggle dress with floral print brocade. It features three quarter sleeves, and a metal zipper. Accessorized with faux fur shawl, white gloves and a pair of glitzy shoes. Doesn’t she look ready for a Hollywood party or movie premier?

One thing I love about vintage is that many pieces can be worn today, mix and match a few different eras, You can simply, add a vintage accessory such as jewelry, belt, scarf to you outfit if you do not want to go full vintage. I actually add vintage costume jewelry to my outfits quite often.

1950 Day: Elise is wearing a Navy Blue shirtwaist dress by Coquette (\kō-ˈket\), a perfect for around the home or even to wear while grocery shopping at the local market

The Golden Age of Hollywood is known not only for its cinematography but also the style of elegant and glamorous clothing the women wore. One such designer is Gilbert Adrian. Adrian was known for a wide range designs from the flower-festooned munchkin costumes in The Wizard of Oz to the elegance-defining “Gowns by Adrian” worn by screen stars like Norma Shearer, Barbara Stanwyck, and Joan Crawford— He was copied by the hundreds of thousands of women and other designers seeking an elegant everyday design. In the 1960’s we saw a change in the appearance of women’s day dresses, the shirtwaist style gave way to the modernistic short skirt. This style is known as MOD.

1960 Day:

Josie is wearing a black and white polka dot dress by Vicky Vaughn still in the shirtwaist style seen in the 1950’s

Brandi is wearing a green and white polka dot mini dress and go-go boots. As you can see that though these dresses are from the same decade the style differences are vastly different.

1960 Business: Shelby is wearing a pale peach linen suit complete with a pencil skirt and a white ruffled blouse, I love the buttons on this suit they look almost like large sweet tart candies.

One designer of the 60’s is Rudi Gernreich who actually got his start in fashion while working in his aunts dress shop as a teenager before fleeing to the United States during the Nazi invasion of Austria. In 1948 he became a free-lance designer. 16 years late he opened Rudi Gernreich Inc. He is best known for his futuristic clothing which he continues to create until his death in 1985

1960 Formal is worn by Josie, a robin’s egg blue party dress with lace overlay on the bodice and tulle netting underneath the skirt.

The early 1970’s brought us the Hippie and Bohemian style of clothing however while other ’70s designers tried to make their clothes look like art pieces, Bill Blass focused on what the typical American woman would want to wear. Clean, modern, and simply elegant designs like the ones from the Seventies are still incredibly in fashion today!

1970 Day: Hali is wearing lovely purple paisley day dress by Downtowner. The hot pink on this dress alludes to the bright and bold nature of the 1970’s.

1970 Business: Brandi is wearing a raspberry suit by College Town with a white bow collar blouse, accessorized by a silver tone rose brooch and earrings.

1970 Formal: Shelby is wearing a basic little black dress banded at the waist with velvet and rhinestone applique to give it that bit of bling. I do believe she is ready to paint the town red in this dress.

The 80’s was all about brands. To be truly hip you had to have the most exclusive brands. Polo Ralph Lauren basically invented the 80’s preppy look that was so popular, especially amongst the wealthy. Check out most 80’s teen movies, and the arrogant popular guy will be wearing the preppy style a la Ralph Lauren! One of the most influential looks, Polo Ralph Lauren continues strong even today.

1980 Business: Josie is wearing a quintessential 80’s business or office dress, navy blue and white stripes, and slightly puffed sleeves.

1980s Formal: Elise is wearing an Alfred Angelo Flirtations dress, originally made for prom, it unique style can gives it almost a fairy-tale look.

1980s Day: Shelby is wearing a gorgeous floral dress for every day wear by Dawn Joy Fashions. With its fitted waist and flowing skirt, this dress is ready for a day of errands or Sunday brunch.

I asked each girl to pick an outfit that appealed to each of them.

Hali loves the look of this 1980’s formal dress by Zum Zum. With it’st White lace romantic blouse flows into a long black skirt. Not to mention the racy slit half way up the right leg.

Brandi choose a 1970’s Aqua blue empire waist maxi dress with 2 layer sheer bell sleeves.
Semi deep v-neck points down towards a diamond shaped rhinestone applique at the center of the empire bust.

Josie loves polka dots, so she choose this lovely 1970’s Magenta shirtwaist dress with black polka dots. It as a black faux handkerchief at the breast pocket, pocket is still usable. There are 4 black buttons down the blouse of the dress, this dress has three quarter sleeves and an accordion skirt.

Shelby loves the look of a drop waist, so she decided on this 1960’s drop waist dress inspired by the 1920’s. Ivory dress is trimmed with black ric-rac and has 10 buttons. Plastic zipper grace the front of this dress along with its stand up collar. This dress is sporty enough for a game of tennis but jazzy enough for every day wear.

Elise is wearing a 1970’s burnt orange 2 piece outfit from Sears, the pants while a culottes also give a small credit to the bell bottom pants of that era.

Thank you for coming and I also want to thank each of my models Elise, Brandi, Josie, Shelby and Hali for modeling each of these beautiful vintage outfits for today’s show without them this fashion show wouldn’t have been possible.

Again thank you for coming and I hope each of you have a lovely afternoon.

The lovely ladies at the library provided the decorations and the refreshments for the show, they did a beautiful job. If anyone has a recipe for Strawberry Rhubarb Pinwheel Cookies please pass it on, they were scrumptious.

 

Spring Outfit of the Day

 

 

A Spring Outfit of the Day.

1970s Light Blue Dotted Swiss Sleeveless Dress,

1950s White Gloves

1980s White Heels

Vintage White Double Strand Necklace