Indian Summer

We are having the most beautiful Indian Summer here in Yorkshire, so this weekend we decided to go to Bridlington for the afternoon (along with most of the rest of the county, it seemed). Brid is a seaside resort with one foot still firmly in the past. It is a delightful mixture of old and new. There are traditional sweet shops, bucket and spade emporiums and not a few old fashioned dress shops. (Think Are You Being Served and you won't be far out).


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My favourite is Ernest Whiteley's because it is the complete package. An Art Deco shop front with arcade and island window. You can walk into the shop from the front and exit into a side road behind the window with the mannequins. The business is 108 years old and is run by the grand-daughter of the founder. The interior is c1950s with peg-board wall displays and tables with goods nicely arranged which are sheeted down for the weekend. The counters are glass with fitted drawers and shelves. And best of all the goods are traditional. A notice in the doorway proudly proclaims that you will be shown to a seat by a mature assistant and you will not be hurried in making your choice.

Hurrah for civilised shopping!


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I felt the display of mannequins in the island window was particularly good, my husband thought they were playing Chinese Whispers (Send 3 & 4 pence we're going to a dance), but I think its most likely that Lily and Judy on the left are gossiping about Brenda - far right, who has been seen out with A MAN!

A La Botte Rouge

I bought some old postcards of film stars recently and part of the card protection for posting was this pc of the church of St Michel in Limoges. However far more interesting, to me anyway, is the branch of A La Botte Rouge in the foreground.



I would think the card dates from the early 1960s (it was posted in 1967). The building is still there in rue Ferrerie, but the shop is gone, the company does still exist though with branches in other towns across France.

Lotus Shoes 1941

These three adverts span the introduction of clothes rationing which occurred on June 1st 1941.


May 1941. Click for larger picture

During the first two and a half years of the war there wasn't much change in the styles and manufacture of shoes, as can be seen from these adverts the shoes are multi coloured and have fancy heels, studs, decorative stitching and closures. It wasn't until September 1941 that the utility scheme and austerity rules were applied by law restricting heel height, materials and style.
Initially a pair of ladies shoes required 5 coupons, however this changed over time due to shortages of materials and labour.


July 1941. Click for larger picture

If there is one style of shoe which epitomises the war era in Britain it is the low wedge. I have at least 30 adverts for this style of shoe spanning the years 1939 to 1952. In fact the sandal at the top of the advert is still made with slight variations today. The big difference between the wartime versions and today is the materials used. In the 30s and 40s the sole was made of a thick piece of leather and the wedge was wood, so the shoes were quite heavy.


September 1941. Click for larger picture

Polka Dot Couture #3 Travis Banton 1936

Made for Claudette Colbert's private wardrobe.



See his costumes for Claudette, Marlene and Mae West in colour.

Dita Von Teese for Wonderbra 2009: Party Edition

Dita's second collection for Wonderbra is launched in Europe today.
This year it is the retro-chic 'Party Edition' Collection. Similar to last year are the long girdle type suspenders and lace over satin designs.
See the full range at Party Edition by Dita



You may remember her 'Sexy Science By Dita' video from last year in which a blonde lab technician turns into a raven-haired stage beauty.

In the UK House of Fraser & Debenhams already have stock.

Rayne Shoes: 1950s Diamonte Evening Shoes

This stunning pair of mid-late 50s silk satin stilletos were made especially for a Mrs Tracey.
Her name is written on the inside.



The rose-red silk is squared with a thin black line which looks like fishnet and each crossing point has a round crystal in cuff.



This was the pair that started me collecting Rayne Shoes in earnest along with the
Silk Stiletto Mules from the same seller.

Fantasy Wardrobe #3.

I have to say that there are lots of dresses I would wear with these shoes, but I'll limit myself to two, first is a John Cavanagh dress from 1956.



and secondly a stunning halter dress with full skirt and draped bosom.

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Find lots more patterns to fuel your fantasy wardrobe at
Wikia Vintage Patterns

Jean Kent & Gabrielle Ray

When Jean Kent made Trottie True in 1949 she really got int the spirit of the
times by posing for some Victorian style publicity shots.






Compare this with the real thing from the Edwardian era. The beautiful Gabrielle Ray
a Gaiety Girl who starred alongside Lily Elsie.






Miss Ray was most famous for being photographed, there are un-numbered 1000s of postcards of her mostly from the 1900-1914 period.

1940s Hair Styles

If, like me you have hair that just WON'T. Then you will be pleased to know that many 40s film stars had artificial aids too. Rita Hayworth, apparently, had 2 people do her hair every day and it took a couple of hours.



At the height of the Edwardian hair revival in the mid to late 40s lots of people had hair that WOULDN'T so like their mothers and grandmothers they got a little extra help in the form of false pieces.

1939 Evening Tunic Pattern

I often find pieces of vintage fabric when I'm out buying for my website but usually they are small remnants which have limited uses. So I was very pleased to find this pattern for an evening tunic which takes only 1 yard of 36" material. It dates from Summer 1939 and was in the June issue of Woman's Fair a magazine for young professional single women or newly marrieds.



Click for bigger picture. Hope you can read all the instructions.