The Palm Beach Story

Last night we watched The Palm Beach Story (1942) which stars Claudette Colbert and Joel McCree. Claudette Colbert's clothing is gorgeous and was designed by Irene. One of the most chic and unusual outfits in the movie was one that Claudette, who was riding on a train on her way to get a divorce, fashioned out of a Pullman blanket and men's pajamas creating a skirt from the blanket and a blouse and turban from the pajamas.

You can purchase The Palm Beach Story for $7.99 over at Amazon

Cry Baby & 1950's Fashion

The other night Chris and I went and watched Cry Baby at a local movie theater.
I saw this movie when it first came out back in 1990 with my friend and her mom. I have watched the movie since then- but, only on the small screen. So, it was a real treat to see this fun campy adventure on the big screen again. The night we went and saw the movie my outfit for the evening was part drape and part square. The square part of my ensemble was my full skirt (Traci Lord's character Wanda states "I wouldn't be caught dead in a full skirt") and the drape part of my ensemble was my seamed black fishnet tights, black eyeliner and deep red lipstick. Being a fan of 1950's fashion I enjoy both the full skirted look and the wiggle dress. I highly recommend going out and renting Cry Baby and relishing in it's fashion, comedy, drama and musical sequences!

Vintage Inspired Academy Award Red Carpet Oscar Fashion 2008

I don't know how you felt about the fashion choices during last night's red carpet walk at the 80th Academy Awards-frankly I was disappointed with the showing of uninspired gowns.
I feel that last year the actresses looked much more glamorous.
Anne Hathaway and Nicole Kidman are usually sure bets at arriving in glamorous style, and Renee Zellweger looked pretty as well this year...

Anne Hathaway in a red single shoulder Marchesa gown decorated with red flowers.

Nicole Kidman wore a black Balenciaga gown with an amazing L'Wrenn Scott diamond necklace.

Renee Zellweger in a strapless Carolina Herrera silver beaded gown.

Atonement & Keira Knightley's Green Evening Gown

    Atonement, the book, was loaned to me by my friend Annie, who, like me, doesn't usually read fiction.    
    I started reading the book and was immediately sucked into it by all the vivid descriptions of the events that unfold. I was impressed with how well Ian McEwan described the clothing, especially the green evening gown that was worn by Cecilia during the most pivotal points in the story.
    I quickly finished up the book and was invited to go see the movie with Annie (she had already seen it once before). This was the first time I had ever read a book and then immediately seen the movie. I was unsure how I was going to feel about the film after having vividly imagined it in my mind as I had read it.
    The film turned out to be gorgeously filmed and very well produced.
    It was great to see the gorgeous green gown that Keira Knightley wore up on the big screen while portraying the role of Cecilia Tallis.
    This green gown, that is such a show stopper, was designed by the movie's costume designer Jacqueline Durran.

    Wouldn't we all like to own such a glamorously gorgeous gown?!?
    Well, today I gathered together three stunning vintage evening gowns from the 1930's to share with you...So, that we might all have a chance at owning such a luscious piece of fashion heaven...

Incredibly Gorgeous 1930's Evening Gowns

1930's purple silk crepe gown with rhinestone detailing at the front of the straps.
Measurements are 36" Chest and 28" Waist
You can purchase this gown for $495- over at Contentment Farm

Black velvet gown with diamante straps.
Size: 10/12
You can purchase this gown for 300 GBP over at Vintagedress.co.uk

1930's blue rayon crepe gown with beaded straps and an Art Deco rhinestone buckle on the back.
Measurements are up to 37" Chest, 31" Waist and 38" Hips
You can purchase this gown for $145- over at Robin Clayton Vintage

Diana Rigg as Emma Peel in the Original Avengers

Diana Rigg's character Emma Peel in The Avengers was a true 1960's style icon.
Her character would always wear incredibly mod black and white outfits.
In the opening and closing credits of the show she is shown clad in black patent leather.
What more could you ask for than a beautiful, stylish, intelligent, kung fu weilding intelligence agent!?!

Check out the Emma Peel worthy black patent leather ensemble posted below...

Vintage Patent Leather Suit

What a sexy and unusual ensemble!
Perfect for adding a heaping dose of 1960's spy girl allure to one's vintage clothing collection!
This two piece suit ensemble is from 1960 and was designed by Azalea.
You can purchase this unique suit for $950- over at Vintage High Fashion.com

*Black patent leather is a big trend for Fall/Winter 2007/2008*

Chic & Cool 1950's Pant Set

The vintage ensemble pictured below reminds me of the outfit Fran Jeffries wore in the original 1963 Pink Panther movie (pictured above).
This sort of after ski attire was popular in the 1950's and 1960's.
The original Pink Panther movie is a must see for vintage lovers!
There is very chic attire featured throughout the movie.
To watch a video clip of Fran Jeffries singing Meglio Stasera (It Had Better Be Tonight) by the fireplace in Pink Panther head over to You Tube

Black wool pant set with rhinestone detail near pant waist and cuff of sleeve.
A chic and cool ensemble to wear while sitting by a roaring fire after a day of skiing!
Measurements are 34" Chest, 26" Waist and 38" Hips.
You can buy this ensemble for the reasonable price of $125- over at Woodland Farms Antiques & Vintage

Top 10 Oscar 2007 Red Carpet Vintage Inspired Looks

Rachel Weisz in a Vera Wang gown.

Naomi Watts in an Escada gown.

Nicole Kidman in a Balenciaga gown.

Jennifer Lopez in a Marchesa gown.

Anne Hathaway wearing Van Cleef & Arpels jewelry.

Gwyneth Paltrow in a Zac Posen gown.

Kate Winslet in a Valentino gown.

Cate Blanchett in an Armani Prive gown.

Kirsten Dunst in a Chanel Couture gown.

Maggie Gyllenhaal in a Proenza Schouler gown.

*All of these photos were taken from In Style where they have many more pics from last night's festivities*

Manly Mondays! William Powell

This is a postcard from the 1980's featuring a picture of Myrna Loy and William Powell from 1936.
You can "Buy It Now" for $20- over at Pack Rabbit Posters on eBay.

An original photograph of William Powell.
You can "Buy It Now" for $44.99 over on eBay

An original autographed photograph of William Powell that he signed "Immortally yours, William Powell"
You can "Buy It Now" for $799- over at History For Sale on eBay.

    William Powell is one of my favorite leading men from the Golden Era of Hollywood.
    In his movies My Man Godfrey and The Thin Man series his characters were witty, debonair and funny.
    A major part of what gave Powell his debonair look was his mustache.
    If you look at the photograph pictured above of Powell without his mustache he doesn't appear so debonair as he does with his mustache.
    It always such an odd thing to see a man that you are used to seeing with a mustache without one.
    Their faces all of the sudden look so naked and alien compared to what you are used to.

    Today I have gathered together some vintage grooming kits and razor blades to share with you.
    Whether you opt for the clean shaven look or the debonair-the choice is yours!