Both the in the fur variety, like my darling Mr. Tuvok, and the collectible 1950's variety as seen on the purse.
The 1950's might not have been the golden age of everything, but they where definitely the golden age of the poodle. Poodles where everywhere. In advertisements,
on skirts, sweaters,
knick knacks, purses, book ends, mirrors, lamps
even toilet seat covers!.
There is a whole book devoted to the mid century poodle collecting obsession. I've never read it but you can buy it used on Amazon.
Maybe there not everyone's cup of tea, but to me these delightfully kitschy 1950s and 60s poodle images just put modern dog graphics to shame.
So ubiquitous was the mid century poodle that I was actually shocked to learn that according to the AKC poodles where only the decade's 7th most popular breed. Regardless of the ranking, the poodle and the 1950s are forever linked.
Sadly today, I feel the poodle has fallen a bit out of favor. Doodles are popular but poodles don't seem to get the same respect they used too.
I am also troubled by the modern trend to groom a poodle into looking like some other breed of dog. I have written before about how I want Mr. Tuvok to be groomed in a traditional pet poodle style, and that can be a challenge. Groomers have told me that most people tell them to make their dogs look less like a poodle. A sentiment that really kind of angers me, poodles are a wonderful breed, why would you want to disguise that? Smart, companionable, athletic affectionate, and in a range of sizes, they really are fantastic. Let's have some poodle pride!
With my love for dogs and vintage I can't get enough of dog themed vintage clothing, so when I saw that my favorite novelty skirt designer, Girl In A Whirl, was adding 1950's Mexican style tourist jackets to her wares I knew I wanted where my poodle pride on my sleeve with a poodle themed jacket. I messaged Girl In A Whirl designer, Rebecca and told her I was dreaming of a jacket with little black poodles on it. I wanted the poodles to have the classic well groomed 1950's look and to be wearing red berets. Rebecca understood exactly what I meant and my new Girl In A Whirl jacket is perfect!
The picture's here are from two different occasions. First I am wearing the jacet with Freddies of Pinewood jeans and a striped top. The second time with with my Marie Guye western jumpsuit. Both time's I wore my red Chatterblossom hair flower and of course my poodle purse.
I also added gold tone poodle scatter pins to the neck of the jacket. I have had these forever and I forget where I got them but they only cost a couple of bucks and they are perfectly at home on the jacket. Proof that it always pays to take advantage of a vintage deal even if your not totally sure what to do with the item.
Because Rebecca is so talented the details of jacket are incredible.
The front of the jacket has red whip stitching and the poodles are wearing red bow ties to match their berets.
There is even a little K on the collar!
So the front is perfect, but the back is even better. The poodles on the back are playing with a red and blue ball.
They have little sparkly blue eyes and light blue bows, as well as berets:
I really think they look just like Mr. Tuvok!
Even the red ball is carefully stitched with blue ribbon to match the poodle neck bows.
I'm just so happy to have this jacket in my collection and so grateful to Girl In A Whirl for making it for me. I know Ill be enjoying it, along with all other things poodle, for years to come.
