Weasley at The Union Square Holiday Market

Every year we go to the Union Square Holiday Market.  Since Weasley doesn't mind large crowds or riding in his stroller he always accompanies us.

 

 

 

Fancy Coats

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In the colder climates in the winter there is no more important article of clothing then the coat, after all its the first thing people see.  Sadly, while coats have grown warmer, lighter, and more wind and rain resistant, over the years, as the pictures below illustrate they have not gotten prettier.



                 2014 coat                             1940s coat

I have a few vintage coats I've collected over the years, I actually started wearing vintage coats before I started wearing vintage clothes every day.  Most of my coats are from the 1950s and 60s, and while pretty, are not very warm:

 

 

 

 

 

What I really wanted was a  Princess coat.  These amazing coats made in 1940s and 50s featured nipped waists, full skirts, and dramatic trims and collars, plus  they were made of thick wool and warm trims and would have kept the wearer toasty in even the coldest climes.

 

 

 

 



I could write more about princess coats, but it would be quite silly too, because one of my favorite vintage bloggers: Dividing Vintage Moments is a princess coat expert and has wonderful posts on the subject here and here.  

Suffice it to say that princess coats are a classic and coveted vintage clothing item and as such difficult to come by.  Imagine my surprise when I found my dream coat, and for a very reasonable price, at the Jersey City All About Downtown Street Fair.  It was really a case of a vintage find that was meant to be.  

I normally wear my vintage every where and am not too fussy about saving it for the best occasions, but with this coat I am very, very careful.  I've worn it only a few times and it stays wrapped in plastic to help protect it from the constant deluge of dog hair.   This is one coat I want to have for years and years to come.

My princess coat isn't the only festive coat around here this holiday season, Debra of Pug Possessed made Weasley an amazing and adorable Victorian style coat and top hat.  I have to say I think our coats look pretty good together

and we are staying warm!



Silent Film Sunday a Christmas Carol 1910

This version of Charles Dicken's Christmas classic was made by Thomas Edison's studio in 1910.

Fridays with Fred-Swing Time Dress

About a year ago, and my goodness can it truly be that long, I wrote an extensive post about one of my  favorite Astaire and Roger's films, 1936s Swing Time.   

This film is unique among the duo's 1930s musicals in that it is the only one that, even if indirectly, acknowledges the great depression that was ravaging the country.   Fred and Ginger play "ordinary folks" a gambling traveling show man and a dance instructor, respectively.   Perhaps due to these more pedestrian characters, the clothes in the film are some of my very favorites in the Astaire and Rogers series.  While the gowns of the 1930s are lovely, and Ginger sported many divine ones, its the everyday ensembles that really get me swooning and this film has a few of Ginger's best looks.

A beautiful plaid jacket with a cape back:

A simple winter dress with a curly fur coat and tilt hat (bonus points for Fred's adorable bowler):

And my favorite look a simple black dress with short puffed sleeves, an accordion pleated skirt and a silver bow collar:

I've wanted a version of this dress for a long time and thanks to the wonderful Etsy seller Sew Vintage Seamstress, I got the dress of my dreams:

 

 

I can't say enough about this dress!  It's so beautiful, comfortable, and just like the one in the movie!   Sew Vintage Seamstress also has the most amazing customer service.  I've worked with ALOT of Etsy merchants and she is definitely one of the best.   Not only did she exchange countless emails about what I wanted for my dress and clearly explain how to take measurements, she came up with an affordable way of pleating the skirt by ironing the pleats in.  

The dress is a bit dressy for every day wear but I've already worn out to brunch once and I plan to wear it quite a few more times this winter.   I knew the dress needed some good accessories so I paired it with black suede baby doll heels from Remix vintage shoes, seamed panty hose from What Katie Did, and a holly hair clip from Chatter Blossom on Etsy.  Chatter Blossom also has the most amazing customer service and the clips she made me have genuine dead stock 1930s lacquered leaves paired with sparkly beads.  They are simply the best Holiday hair accessory ever.

I can definitely see myself wearing this dress for many Christmases to come.  What are your favorite holiday clothes?

Product Review-Vermont Country Store Color Wheel

In my last post I mentioned my extreme fondness for Kitschmas (aka all the darling, quirky, fabulously tacky mid century Christmas ephemera).   I have a silver 1960s tree that is one of my prize possessions, I literally cannot imagine the Hollidays without a silver tree, shudder).    

I have long dreamed of a color wheel bathing my fabulous vintage silver tree in shining colors.

However I haven't been able to find an affordable one that also works on etsy or ebay and I've never seen one at a thrift shop around here.  When I found out the Vermont Country Store was selling one I ordered it immediately.  

I must admit my feelings are somewhat mixed.  I was a little disappointed when I saw the color affects where rather subtle at best, I had imagined glowing color changes, but as my husband pointed out we have never seen an actual vintage color wheel in action, so we have no way of comparing the Vermont Country Store version its forbears.   It was very easy to assemble and is relatively quiet, a big plus with so many pets in the house.

Here is a video of our color wheel in action:

 

If you want a color wheel of your own it is available for $39.00 and they also sell a modern version of the classic tinsel tree.  If my tree ever gets too worn this is the version I will be buying:

 

Merry Kitschmas

First I want to apologize for not visiting your blogs as often as usual recently.  I haven't felt well and it was taking a toll on me.   I'm still not 100% but getting better and I'm certainly cheered by Kitschmas!  There is just no better holliday for indulging in vintage Kitsch décor!  I don't pretend to have the amazing Kitschmas  itinerary as some vintage bloggers, like Atomic Red Head, but I do have a few kitschy items I adore.   Such as my 1960s silver tree:

and my 60s tree skirt:

I also have a few 60s ornaments from my late mother in law

 

I have a small collection of vintage 1950s and 60s Holliday cards that I treasure, my favorite ones have little notes on the back:

 



 



I love Star Trek and I get a trek ornament every year from my dear husband:

 However my favorite decoration is the Geeky Garland I made last year using my computer so I could create cards from my favorite shows:

 

 

All my decorations really cheer me up and put me in the mood to read my favorite Holliday book: David Sedaris's Hollidays on Ice its very special to me because it is one of the last things my Dad gave to me before he passed away three years ago.

 

 

What are your favorite Holliday traditions/decorations?