Vintage Fashion Dirndls

With a super curvey look, a traditional folk dress known as the dirndle was the perfect icon for 1950's hourglass style.

Lilli Ann: 1955 Jacket, a Closer Look at the Diamond Details

This Lilli Ann label diamond design is a show piece of geometric drama.

Lilli Ann, 1949 Jacket: A Closer Look at Details and Dates in a 1940's jacket

Lilli Ann suit designs from the 1940's have a distinctly different silhouette from the suits produced in the 1950's.

1950's Patio Dress: Close up

This patio dress from the 1950's is a classic type. It features the signature tiered skirt in tiny pleats lined with rows of silver and turquoise rickrack and woven trim, called a 'broomstick' style.

Early 60's Fabric & Fashion: American Fabrics Magazine, 1961: Creslan, Vycon, Zantrel, Syl-mer

American Fabrics magazine has a wealth of information on fabrics and fashions from the era. This 1961 publication says alot about the 1960's. At the top of the list would be the increased use of synthetic fibers and finishes to create better performing, color retention and easy care apparel.

Gilbert Adrian: 1950's Suits by California Designer

This 1950's newspaper advertisement for suits is a great showcase for fashion designer Gilbert Adrian.  This regional ad appeared in 1951 while he was at the very height of his career as a fashion designer with a salon that catered to Hollywood's young and fabulous. The fashion illustration is drawn to capture all of the style details that Adrian was famous for, in a layout that uses two suits in different scale, thus calling attention to the larger image. As was common at the time, the artist is not credited.

Gilbert Adrian, American Fashion Designer: 1947 Suit Jacket, Part 2

This black wool jacket by the California designer Gilbert Adrian represents a significant contribution to twentieth century fashion design. By all of its details, along with the silhouette, this design is a classic Adrian piece. The wide shoulders still reflect the Joan Crawford styling that Adrian would ‘invent’ for her movie characters in the early 1930's, long before Paris showed the wedge silhouette.

Retro Swim Suit to Sew: Vogue 9255

Clockwise, from top left: Vintage Shaheen pattern, Tiki print, blue hibiscus

Finding a good vintage swimsuit pattern is hard to do. How to sew a retro style swim suit has just been made easier with modern sized Vogue 9255.  It seems to offer just the right style for sewing up a two piece bathing suit in a retro style. This vintage reprint sewing pattern is perfect for cottons and quilting fabrics too.

Glibert Adrain, American Fashion Designer: 1947 Suit, Part 1

Looking closely at a 1940s vintage jacket by Gilbert Adrian can help us understand its style and silhouette. Originally from a 40s suit, this press photo of designer Adrian’s black wool jacket from 1947 shows fashionable accessories on the model, such as her dark gloves. At that time, hair and hats were often small and fit close to the head for a more modern post-war look.