The Lady In Red

Fabulous knit from the November 1944 Everywoman Magazine.
I love the way the stripes match on body and arms. The editor was obviously
a bit short on ideas for a title though. Can any cardigan be called a jumper
just because it is buttoned up?


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The 1970s, Fashion and Me

After the response to my blog 'The Decade that Style Forgot?' I felt a comment wasn't enough to encompass everthing I wanted to say.

Firstly Yes, I agree about big floppy hats and I've found a picture of me wearing one c1973. But please bear in mind that this was in (gasp) London.

Bridesmaid 1973

Purdey I have always thought of as chic but I was a bit too young to watch The New Avengers when it was first aired, I came to evening TV around the time of it's follow up The Professionals and no-one can accuse that of being stylish.

In 1972 I was wearing this very lovely trouser suit a la Pierre Cardin. Which I remember very well and absolutely loved
Ready for my close-up.
But after this it seemed all downhill into big flares, (legs and arms) the dreaded crimplene and lots and lots of tartan.


1975 - Ughh!

Thinking back my grown up TV watching must have started around 1978 (apart from The Magic Roundabout of course). Kojak and Wonder Woman are hazy memories. The Liver Birds, and The Good Life were essential family viewing. Both the Daisy
and Purdey dolls passed me by but I did have a Bionic Woman doll who wasn't stylish at all and had really big feet that none of the Sindy/Barbie shoes would fit. However she did have a cool shoulder bag with a map and magnifying glass.

I was talking about this blog with my Mum and she agreed that (unnamed Yorkshire town) was indeed a backwater in fashion terms, there was ONE woman in the whole town who was truly fashionable, but she was Italian so doesn't really count.
Do YOU have a photo of yourself in scary 70s fashions? dare you show us? Or were you lucky enough to wear stylish clothes in the 70s. It's time to come out of the closet.

1930s Caped Evening Dress in Black Taffeta

I found this stunning dress at a fair last week, see it in all it's glory at
Wickedlady Collectables

The Decade that Style Forgot?

We all have our pet hates when it comes to fashion eras, it depends on when you were born. One thing I thought I would never say on this blog is that anything good came out of the 1970s. I reached my teens in 1980 so anything from the previous 10 years seemed anathema and where I grew up Margo Ledbetter was the doyenne of fashion.


Margo and Jerry.


Advert for Viyella Sept 1974. Oh yes, this was me.

So imagine my surprise, nay, astonishment when I discovered
Get Some Vintage Appeal written by Miss Peelpants. Bill Gibb: Who he? Ossie Clarke: who he? (or she for all I knew). But now I know, and how I wish I had known of them in the 70s. (Though I fear the inhabitants of my small town would have frowned mightily on the work of these designers and called forthrightly for woollen underwear.)
So here is a belated acknolwedgement that the 70s wasn't all bad. Though you will NEVER get me to admit that polyester is a Good Thing.


Bill Gibb Vogue Sept 1974 by Norman Parkinson. Same issue of Vogue as the Viyella ad above! Click for Big.


Telly Savalas October 1975, if only Kojak had worn this.

Thankyou Miss Peelpants. There is hope for the 70s yet.

Flash...aaahaaa King of the Impossible

Yes, this film has everything, all-American hero, crazy scientist, mad emperor,
men in tights, men in leather jockstraps, bondage, a girl fight, Peter Wyngarde,
70s pastel fashions, the best line in cinematic history ("What do you mean, Flash Gordon approaching"?) soundtrack by Queen, red and white spectator shoes, Timothy Dalton with a moustasche, harem girls, convincing special effects (ahem), Ornella Muti.. I could go on at length.


Yes there really are red and white spectator shoes in this photo.
Copyright Universal Pictures.

Vintage Wedding Giveaway Winner

And the bride to be is Miss Matilda, please send me your details via the email link on wickedlady Collectables.
Irene, also please send your details I have a lovely vintage wedding crafty runners up prize.

It's A Mad Men, Mad Men World

Get the look at Wickedlady Collectables using original 1960s sewing patterns.
I'm not going to do the whole MM analysis thing, it's been done before and well.
Just a few points related to the patterns I have in stock at the moment.


Slash necklines and tie collars were a very popular feature.

Shirtwaisters with full and slim skirts, 3/4 length and short cuffed sleeves were very popular.

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On the right a Shirtwaister with kimono sleeves.

Boxy collarless jacket with those 3/4 sleeves again - part of a suit. Keyhole neckline with buckle - quite unusual.

Vintage Wedding Thingy Giveaway

This is blog no 200, Wow, I didn't think I'd get here nor enjoy it so much along the way.

So, to celebrate I am giving away this really sweet wedding cake decoration, I'm not sure of the date really, but would guess 1930s-50s. The silver leaves are paper, green leaves and flowers are fabric on paper covered stems and the little bells are glass and make a delightful noise.



I think it would have been in a small silver vase on top of the cake. Length is 8 inches (20cm). Anyone can enter, I will send it anywhere in the world. Just leave a comment below.

Rayne Spectator Shoes

Three recently acquired pairs of spectator shoes, the black and red pairs are probably from the same collection, they have the same late 70s slim heel. The blue and white pair are by Bruce Oldfield c1985. All purchased within a couple of weeks of each other.


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The London Blitz in Colour

Recently discoverd in an attic is this 20 minute amateur cine film of the results of
the London Blitz, filmed by A.E. Reneson Coucher OBE. The film covers the period of Sep 7, 1940 to May 10, 1941.


John Lewis's Oxford Street


ARP Practising.

Go to West End At War to see it.

Very Much La Mode

Those of you who follow modern fashion trends will no doubt have realised AGES ago that capes are in this winter, I got it about a 2 weeks ago. So for those who want an older look than the 70s influence that seems to on the catwalks, may I bring to your attention this cute and simple pattern from 1938.


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In 1938 the fashion world was in the grip of a Victorian/Edwardian revival including
capes, lace mittens, crinolines and bonnets. This illustration has a very 1890s feel to it.

Me, although I like capes will probably unearth my Dad's aviator jacket from 1980 which I inherited some years ago, it looks remarkably like the ACNE version but is made of pure PVC and Acrylic.

If the Hat Fits..... How to make a large hat smaller.

Modern hats seem to come in just one size which is always way too large for me. Vintage hats were made usually in at least 3 sizes ranging around 20-23 inches.

The easiest way to start is by sewing small tucks into the hatband, if it doesn't have a hatband then, obviously, sew one in, this can be made of any fabric depending on how much too big the hat is. Many 1930s hats have a piece of chintzed cotton-like fabric, after the second world war grossgrain ribbon became most popular.





Sometimes the hatband is too stiff to successfully sew tucks, so another idea is to sew in a second hatband on top of the first, this can be made of any type of ribbon, though mostly I've seen velvet as it has bulk but is comfortable. If you don't need to reduce the size by much sew in a single layer of ribbon. If it is much too large you could double over some velvet fabric or ruche the ribbon as you sew it in.





In one extreme case I saw there was velvet ribbon and a piece of cotton wadding safety pinned to the hatband at the back, this worked quite well because the wadding was soft enough not to form a lump and mis-shape the hat.
If you don't want the change to be permanent you could tuck some concertina'd newspaper behind the hatband.


Making a small hat larger is very difficult unless you have a hat block and can steam your hat. However you can gain a small amount by removing the hatband but if you're looking for more than half an inch it's not going to work.

Oscar Speech Blog

Thankyou to all who sent their condolences, I really appreciate all the friends I have made here.

Miss R. xx