Hawaiian print time!

A series of shots from Monday.  I love this Hawaiian print shirt!  I love Hawaiian print in general but for some reason only the boys get the really cool patterns and the girl shirts I've seen are always insipid or ugly.  This one is the exception!  Martini glasses, cherries and tropical blossoms on a pretty pink background.  I love wearing my cherry earrings with this top.  I snagged the earrings from Hydra, a shop for leather, gothic and alternative wear in downtown Tucson; it's a fun store and definitely worth a visit!

I'm still mastering the self-portrait that shows my whole outfit!  As soon as I get that down you'll get the whole enchilada! :)

Back to the vintage stuff!

Ok, ok, I realize that I've gone perhaps a little overboard with the outdoors blogs when, after all, the title of my little slice of the blogosphere is "Retro-fy me."  But I've been having so much fun hitting the hiking trails over the past few weeks and have snapped such fun pictures that I couldn't help myself!

Having said that, I want to get back to some vintage-themed blog posts.  I've been watching a bunch of old films these last few weeks and snagged some great albums to review.  I have had to reorganize my vintage jewelry now that my hair is finally back to it's original ash blonde (consequently all the orange stuff I used to wear now clashes horribly but pink, pearls and rhinestones are my new best friends!) not to mention purchasing new clothes for work now that the Old Pueblo is starting to warm up a little.

 But perhaps the biggest and most exciting news of all is that I've bought a ukulele!

Image seen at seagoat musings on blogspot.

Image seen at seagoat musings on blogspot.

Image seen at geschicte der ukulele

The tiny instrument came with a piece of paper with maybe a dozen chords on it so I busted out my music notes and constructed my own chord chart for it.  It sounds really good, especially with some old standards, like some of the songs of Peggy Lee.  Stay posted for an online performance!

How to add a little retro to your daily look

• Red lipstick.  This is probably the most effective and easiest way to add some retro glamour to your look.  Red looks good on everyone, but the shade of red you wear does make a difference.  Olive toned skin would look better with a orange-toned red.  Porcelain-skinned beauties usually look better with a blue-ish red.  Some women may look better with a brick red, others with the purest red, think Crayola, they can find.  But strong red lips were the look through the 40s and 50s and a bold lip has been popular for a lot longer (think silent screen vixens).  If you are channeling the earlier Clara Bow-era look, you might want to pair your lipstick with smoky eyes, otherwise keep the eyes simple, a little mascara and brown eyeliner for daytime or some liquid black liner for nighttime and you have instant 40s-50s Hollywood va-va-voom!  I consider myself lucky; after I went redhead I discovered that most red lipsticks look good on me, with the exception of a very blue-ish red, so I actually own several in different shades.  (If the 60s are more your thing, rock the mod look: black lining the eyes, maybe even fake eyelashes, and pale, pale pink lipstick!)

• Vintage jewelry.  This is an element of retro-wear that is close to my heart since I collect vintage all the time.  If you don't have any pieces from relatives (always the coolest source for vintage anything!) hit your local thrift store or antique store and check out the jewelry case.  Pearls never go out of fashion.  You can wear a long strand if you are channeling you inner flapper, a choker if you are feeling a little like Breakfast at Tiffany's, or a shorter strand to showcase your bosom.  Cluster earrings are great for a 1950s look.  Enamel button earrings were popular for a several generations.  Screw back earrings date to the turn of the century to the early 50s so you can easily spot an older piece.

• Polka dots.  This is more specific for the 1940s, but nothing says WWII quite like polka dots.  Or khaki come to think of it!

• Western wear.  The western look was popular from the 1930s-50s so if you have a western button down or some cute western wear, pair it with a pair of capris, jeans or a bell shaped skirt, slap on that red lipstick and voila!  Instant retro!

• Color palette.  1940s: think browns, khakis, greys, tans, black.  1950s: light pink, black, red, gold.  1960s: bright colors, pinks, yellows, oranges, greens, corals, bold blockish colors.

• Silhouette.  The 1920s into the 30s was all about the long, flowing silhouette.  In fact this is coming back into fashion right now.  Think long slip dresses, slender draping fabrics and shapes, the Flappers and Art Deco chic.  The 40s and 50s were all about the hourglass shape.  Think Joan from Mad Men, Marilyn Monroe, Jayne Mansfield or Sophia Loren.  And if you are blessed with a ballerina figure, why not wear a boat-neck top, tights and flats a la Audrey Hepburn?

Even if you don't go all the way retro every day of the week, even a few of these elements scattered amongst your wardrobe can help you channel your inner bombshell any time!

The Fashion of Frankenstein

I've been watching some vintage horror films the last few nights and some of the costumes in Frankstein (1931) with Boris Karloff were so incredible I had to share them here.  The lovely actress is Mae Clarke in the role of Elizabeth, Henry Frankenstein's fiance.  This post is fairly picture intensive, so be patient.

Elizabeth's all-lace dress fits her like a glove, and the scalloping around the sleeves and bottom hem of the blouse is just exquisite.  The 1930s still had that slim silhouette that was so predominant in the 1920s but the waist of her dress emphasizes her curves beautifully.  I love her triple strand pearl necklace and drop earrings, and, it's a little hard to see in the picture, there are two heart shaped brooches (?) attached to the neckline of her dress.  Her pin curls are absolutely perfect!

 Elizabeth's sun dress was a little harder to see in this scene, but again it has a very flowing, lengthening feel to it.  She is wearing the same necklace as in the earlier scene along with a big hat to shade her face from the sun.  The trend in hats throughout the movie is very "cap" like, hugging close to her short curls.

Elizabeth's wedding dress is absolutely fabulous.  It's a little difficult to see in the picture but her dress features a sweet heart neckline and the lace sleeves are somewhat transparent.  Her veil is one enormous piece, trailing several feet behind her as she moves through the Frankenstein household.  It hugs her head like a cap and is pinned just above her ears with two sprigs of flowers.  By far my favorite costume!

Bathing Beauties

One of the articles that appeared in this month's Zocalo magazine was entitled "Bathing Beauties: The History of the Swimsuit".  It traced the evolution of bathing suits from heavy wool swimming dresses that were worn with hats and full stockings to the one-piece and the earliest bikini (interesting trivia: the bikini was created during WWII to save fabric due to wartime rationing!).

Retro-style bathing suits are coming back into fashion right now.  Here are some great retro-style options to be found online.  Drool away!

Broad Minded Clothing

Pinup Couture

Victoria's Secret

Pinup Couture

 

 

 

I really, really like the last Marilyn-style swimsuit but I fear the pink would clash with my red hair.  I actually found a suit very similar to the black Pinup Couture suit seen above at Old Navy for super cheap but its not on the website.  I will have to take pictures next time I hit the pool. ;)

Retro images

We have a local glossy magazine called Zocalo which is a fairly recent publication but it has great articles on downtown happenings, fashion, music and art.  This month's cover caught my eye.

Apparently this is an actual mid century advertisement created by Tucson tourism officials.  It originally appeared on the cover of "Enjoy Tucson".  I just love that perfectly green lawn which is not usual in today's more eco-conscious landscaping.  And don't you just love her outfit?

The peasant or desert look was popular in the 1950s and you can still find some great vintage patterns online.  And genuine vintage pieces in this style can be found in most of the vintage/costume shops on 4th Ave.