Tiki Time!

I had fun putting together yet another outfit that takes inspiration from 1940s tiki style! These thrifted gaucho pants led the way! I paired with a keyhole tank top worn backwards for a less casual, more vintage look- something I've done before here and here. For the finishing touch, I added the striped tote for a bold and unexpected contrast.

The Details:
Top- old from the juniors section @ Belk
Gauchos- thrifted 90s (with tags still on!)
Espadrilles- thrifted
Earrings- Walmart
Tote bag- hand me down from Julia
Sunglasses- vintage- now sadly gone- got swept away by the waves at the beach :(

Tiki Cocktail

Here's how I styled a fun thrifted look that takes inspiration from different decades!

The Breakdown:
Square neckline and dress print =1940s Tiki
Flippy hair and bold graphic earrings= 1960s
Chunky platform sandals=1970s

Inspiration: Vintage Tiki Poster & Tiki Swimwear

The Details:
Dress- thrifted
Handmade bag- gift from my mom
Earrings- Gina's Beauty Supply 
Shoes- Nine West (gift)
Hat- thrifted

Interested in learning about Tiki fashion?  Click here to read a neat post from another blogger.
Image sources- vintage Tiki poster, Tiki swimsuit. Linking up at Ta-dah Tuesday &  Thrifters Anonymous. 

Inspiration to Outfit

Have you ever noticed that a look is usually more interesting when it mixes multiple references?

Inspiration:

           Edwardian elegance   +   40s casual  =   ???   
                

                                



     

My look:

Outfit details:
Lace camisole- thrifted
Shorts- stolen from husbands closet
Belt- borrowed from another dress 
Straw clutch- thrifted
Slingback flats- thrifted


Inspiration image sources: 
Edwardian dress via Etsy seller My Favorite Vintage 
Edwardian sitting lady via Lady Audley from the text- Decades of Fashion  
1940s girls in shorts & Butterick shorts patterns via cemetarian 

What I Wore Wednesday

This is the story of one of those items you've had in your closet with the tags on it for years- but for some reason have never worn.... enter blue jeweled top.

I am in love with all things glitzy so I was never able to part with it and now I'm glad! (I'm definitely seeing a DIY jewel embellished top in my near future!)  I was going for something dressy but comfy enough that I could walk around town in. The top just didn't seem right paired with anything other than bold color so I went for all blue. The deeper blue of the jeweled neckline ties in the blue of the skirt. Love that the blues are a slightly different shade- makes it interesting enough to work. Totally digging the 1950s vibe! 

I was quick with my hair as you can see so I just pulled it back and did a lazy girl's casual version of the faux 40s bang roll= I just brushed some hair in the center, rolled it under to the crown, and used 1-2 bobby pins to secure it underneath. I read about the correct way to do it here by the elegantly beautiful Fleur at Diary of a Vintage Girl. I love the idea and plan to pick up a rat so I can do it correctly soon!

P.S. I totally realize it's lacking perfection in this photo, but I was able to redo and it stayed even & secure the entire day!

 

Outfit Details: 

Jeweled top- Joseph A. @ Belk 

Skirt- Primark

Sunglasses- thrifted

Sam & Libby flats- thrifted

nail polish- Crowded by Urban Outfitters

Happy Wednesday!

Flamenco Re-Fashion

If you know me, you know I enjoy a good fashion challenge! So when I had literally five minutes to get ready to go to the theater to see a play with the in-laws and my husband for his birthday... creativity set in! As they say...necessity is the mother of all invention. (More of my thoughts on that later). We were visiting so I had very little with me (not completely true) and had to throw something together pronto! In this case, my eye was drawn to an old dance costume piece that my sister-in-law gave me a few days earlier as she was cleaning out her closet of old dance costumes (where are the rest of them??!!)

It was a black lace Flamenco style petticoat to be exact.

Out of sheer (literally) necessity, I added black leggings and then added the only decent dressy top I had in my suitcase. Usually I wear lots of all black but this time I actually wanted to show the color/texture contrast through the skirt so I chose this ivory top. I finished with a black stretch (thrift store) belt to tie it together, black 40s-inspired patent pumps (kensie girl), tied my hair back in a bun, and threw a cherry blossom behind my ear off the tree in the yard!

1940s pumps

When we snapped a few photos I imagined myself as a glamorous Latina Flamenco dancer..... :)

.

I love the movement you can create with these frills and ruffles!

So if your wondering what Flamenco is all about....
It's an expressive Spanish dance style that combines energetic footwork with dramatic arm and hand movements. The costume choice is strategic in enhancing the dance movements through the tight waist line with full skirt (or pencil skirt that fishtails out like this one) highlighting the hip movements. And don't forget all the flounces, frills and ruffles (even on the arms) that are so integral to emphasizing the drama of the dance.

 Other aspects of the Flamenco look are usually a low neckline with center-parted hair pulled back in a low chignon (to emphasize the neck) paired with accessories like hair flowers, scarves, large earrings (dangle or hoop), fans, beaded necklaces and rows of bangles.

Perhaps the most famous Flamenco fashionista, Carmen Miranda (1940s). Love the huge pile of beads and her signature head piece brings the look into fantasy land!

The flamenco dancer Manuela Vargas, 1963. Love the placement of her flowers. 60s cat eye makeup but her straight brows, spit curls and drop earrings are channeling a twenties vibe.

Left: 1951 Flamenco dress; Right: 1946 Flamenco-inspired evening ensemble.

Flamenco look with 20s finger-waved hair

OK, so I am now officially inspired...I see myself doing another look like this in the future with more color, drama, accessories, punch, just STUFF!

 

Image sources:
http://amare-habeo.tumblr.com
http://www.theduskzone.com
http://thespillblog.co.uk/2011/09/09/friday-night-flamenco-solo-artists-2/
http://rascalkosher.blogspot.com/2009_05_01_archive.html
http://www.farfetch.com/art187.aspx

Old Hollywood Glamour at the drugstore

If you are a lover of vintage and love beautiful packaging (who isn't?) then you must know about this great little find....


It's Coty Airspun Loose Face Powder- the original formula back in time from the 1930s in a similar packaging to the original. Only thing is... now its in a plastic container versus the original cardboard box packaging. There are many dealers selling the original boxes on ebay so if you come across a cardboard one hold on to it! I came across the powder in my local CVS a few months ago for $6 and had to scoop it up! It looks gorgeous just sitting on the dresser but luckily I like what it does- mattes the skin and sets makeup. It comes with a fluffy powder puff and is offered in a range of colors including Translucent (which I will probably get as well), but the color I have is neutral (best if you want a more warm/yellow tone).

Here's what the display looks like.

Parisian Francois Coty started out selling fragrances and powder during and after the years of World War 1 in Europe. Interestingly enough, he became incredibly wealthy during this time- enter the beginning of the lipstick theory! Coty developed his cosmetics offerings to compliment his fragrances...even the lipstick was scented to mimic the fragrance. The beauty and quality of the packaging was of utmost importance to Coty, as evident in the ads below. Many women even re-purposed the empty boxes when they were empty, using them to store sewing notions.

1940s ad featuring shade recommendations for blondes and brunettes.

1940s ad featuring the variety of "fragrance" options available- each in their own specially designed package.

Left to right: L'Origan, L'Almant, Paris, Emeraude.

"TO BE IN FASHION TODAY, FACE POWDER MUST BE FRAGRANT TOO!" 1932 ad explains the seduction of Coty's "haunting fragrances" featured in the powder.  

1935 ad features women dressed in a variety of modes- from sportswear to evening wear, illustrating that Coty is for every gal! 
(This ad is an interesting illustration of the decades new popularity of active outdoor lifestyles simultaneously existing alongside the deco decadent glamour).

What a great way to add a little vintage glam to your makeup bag!

Sources:
Adclassix.com
Elizbeth Z. Coty collection 
Francois Coty: Fragrance, Power, Money (book) 

http://nancyfashionfancy.blogspot.com
http://vintagepowderroom.com