Poodle Parade

Although my favorite style decades are with out a doubt the 1920s and 30s, I do have a soft spot for the 1950s as well.  I particularly like the kitschier offerings from this era and as I'm obviously a dog nut I quite like the poodle home decor and accessories of the fifties.  Poodles experienced a rapid rise in popularity in the 1940s and 50s, becoming one of the most popular dog breeds in the country, and particularly beloved for their reputation of sophistication.  They where a standard in advertisements, illustrations, and fashion spreads of the era:


  
Image source

Image Source

Image Source

Gil Elvgren Illustration

The popularity of poodles lead to the creation of poodle lamps:

 salt and pepper shakers

skirts 

bookends

 

and purses.  

 I've wanted a poodle purse for awhile and I found a really cute  basket one on Etsy from PattiannPoodles.  She sells all sorts of adorable poodle stuff and shipment was super fast. 
 
 
I really like how the purse matches the dog print fabric on this dress I got onsale from Anthropologie.
 

 And yes there is a poodle (along with plenty of other breeds) on the Anthropologie dress, proof that poodle fashion hasn't disappeared entirely.   

Finally I have to share this photo of myself and my lovely friend Pat.  I wore the dress and the purse to a retirement party and got lots of compliments on the purse, thanks to PattiAnn.