"It's not about the dress you wear, but the life you lead in the the dress"
During my time traveling round New Zealand and Australia, I noticed the popularity of vintage stores/market stalls...they were everywhere. Nothing like the occasional boutique you'd see at home (unless you live in a big city like London and Manchester). It made me want to open my own vintage store in Durham or Newcastle (a big dream yes!)
These shops were bursting with vintage treasures: dresses, clothes, shoes, sunglasses, bags, hats, skirts, trousers, scarves, pearls, earrings...it was hard to just buy a few little things.
Most of all I loved the dresses. There is something about vintage dresses that make them so much more feminine, classic and beautiful than what we see in stores nowadays. When we think of the iconic looks of Marilyn Monroe, Sophia Loren and Elizabeth Taylor we are drawn to their devastatingly beautiful dresses. Whether it was a cute polka dot tea length day dress or a stunning shimmering cocktail gown, the ladies of the 20th century sure knew how to dress.
I even had the change to visit a superb exhibition at the Museum of Brisbane called Costumes from the Golden Age of Hollywood which showcased the costumes of local collector Nicholas Inglis. They had costumes from so many different films, worn by the iconic actors and actresses of the Golden Age - I was in my element. (Shame you weren't allowed to take your own photos).
I wish I was born in that era! The exhibition was full of the most amazing costumes you've ever seen, I wanted to try them all on, I wanted to make my very own costumes - I left feeling very inspired! I think when I go home I might try my hand at design and dressmaking, just as a hobby first see how it goes, after all my Grandma was a dressmaker, perhaps it will run in the family.
Now I want to look at dresses more specifically by era...
1920's-1930's
This was the era of flappers, sparkles, beads and lace. Think Art Deco and The Great Gatsby!
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| from buzzfeed.com |
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| from vintagedancer.com |
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| ohhmrsjames.com |
Lets not forget the cute daytime dresses of the 1930's that give woman the chance to look feminine and smart at the same time. Q patterns, puffed sleeves and sharp hemlines.
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| modcloth.com |
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| pussinloubootins.blogspot.com |
1940's-1950's
In the 40's and 50's waistlines were more defined with bigger, fuller skirts that were sometimes stiffened with interlinings and underskirts. While the 30's and 40's were similar in style, the 50's marked a shift in dress shape and size. And of course there was the birth of the ever so popular swing dress - an absolute must for the local dance hall.
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| topvintage.nl |
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| lindybop.co.uk |
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etsy.com  
I could honestly sit here for days sharing photographs of these beautiful dresses. Women back then certainly knew how to dress - smart, feminine and beautiful. I might try my hand at making some of these designs. I bought a template in a vintage store in Napier, NZ so with the help of my little Granny Iris I'm gonna try to design and make my very own vintage creations. I'm also inspired my vintage jewellery and shoes (posts of which will follow!) so I reckon I'll give that a go as well.
Whenever I'm feeling doubtful about whether or not I'd be capable or designing and creating I always think of that quote Hilary Swank's character says in P.S I Love You...
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