Lots of new things!

Terribly, terribly slack on this blog at present, but I have been very busy resurrecting my Etsy shop.
I am aiming to put up at least ten new items each week - including vintage fashion, magazines and patterns, so please take a look!  I will even start listing powder compact soon......

I will start doing some outfit posts too, despite, and probably because of, not losing any weight. I think another positive role model for the not so slender vintage lover may be a good thing.  If I see another young sexy rockabilly image I may scream....

Anyway, don't  forget you can see my range of mags and ads on tumblr. Things like this - 

And keep up with me personally on instagram.

Oh, and you may have noticed the larger font this week. What do you think? Better or not? 

Have a lovely weekend,

deb xx

Vintage Beauty - 60s Hair

Here in North Queensland it's hot. Most of the time. Now that my hair is longer, I tend to wear it up every day - it takes me about two minutes to do a French roll with bobby pins, and I don't have to worry about 'the frizz' caused by the humidity.

I do dream about short hair though.  In reality, however, it takes much more work than long hair - mine always needs wetting and re-drying in the morning - and you have to get it cut more often to keep the style. And is short hair vintage?  Well it can be - think Audrey Hepburn and Jackie Kennedy (these shots from 1962).

  

Of course these lovely ladies have very natural colored hair, but along with short hair came the desire for interesting colours.

1962 ad

I actually quite like this style - but I know the fringe would never sit like that for me, and she probably had to use gallons of hairspray!

Short hair was very popular in the 60s, but you didn't just get it cut short, you had it styled - you could get 'the Jackie' or 'the Audrey', or even 'The Cabbage' or "the Chou.'

They look like quite a bit of work!  but of course in the 60s help with styling at home was at hand - with the hair-dryer!

1964

I remember my mum using one of these when I was little....I must try and find a photo......

Now of course we have straighteners, curlers, instylers etc, but why is it (most of ) us women feel the need to change our hair style and color so often?  Seriously - I have only one friend in her 40s who has never coloured her hair - and she's had the same long straight style since her 20s.  I in the meantime have been straight and long, curly and bobbed, pixie cut, many shades of blond, brunette, black, red and even purple.  I think now I am naturally grey, but I'll give it a few more years before I let it take over.  

What about you? Natural, short, long or none?

Vintage Fashion - Looking at Shoes

As someone who finds it difficult to find comfortable, and stylish shoes, that don't break the band, I am always fascinated by vintage shoe ads that show stylish, comfortable walking shoes at an affordable price.

Ads like these, by Natural Bridge Shoemakers.

1942

At $5 to $6 these shoes are the equivalent of around US$55 today (multiply by 8.88) and $58 Australian. slightly dearer were these 'Vitality whites' at $6.95, or US$62 today.

These Selby shoes, made near the end of the war are slightly more expensive, and no wonder, but at their most expensive are around $114. However there were still cheaper brands available, like these  Rhythm step shoes.

1944

1950

By 1950 the Natural Bridge shoes were upto $8.95, or US$79.50 today - while in Australia not all shoe brands even gave prices in their ads.

1952

Today in Australia it is hard to find a decent shoe like the ones above for  under $130. Even Brands like Homy Ped and Footrest start at $130. Natural Bridge shoes by contrast, which are still being made and sold in the US, retail at under US$60.  their secret? They are no longer made of leather, but of Leather-like Urethane - great for vegans! and I have to say, I really like these ones....

VIRGINIA - Red Smooth $54.95

So I ordered my Natural Bridge shoes from the US, and even with postage they were under $75.  I got black, and although they are a little narrow (I would order the wider fitting next time - there are about 5 to choose from) they are super comfy as far as the arch/bridge of the foots goes.

The red really is nice, don't you think?