Aussie Curves - Maxi Skirt Photo Challenge

I know, two blog posts in one day, but this one has a deadline!

I have been blogging a lot about body image and acceptance lately, and my change in attitude - accepting my fat, curvy self.  This new self acceptance has in part been inspired by some wonderful plus size bloggers, and also in particular Corpulent, The Fat Nutritionist and  Gold Poretsky at Body Love Wellness. Thank you ladies.

Loving my Mid-Century Body and a new direction

If you have been reading this blog for a while you will know that I am a curvy gal.  I have been for a while - probably the last eight years or so, when I had my twins and started eating a pack of tim tams a day -  it was the only food I didn't have to prepare and could eat one handed!

This despite the fact that it was my healthiest pregnancy - I was on a no sugar diet as I didn't want to get pre-eclampisa or have to stay in bed, drank about 3 litres of water a day and didn't even look at alcohol.  Exercise was a chore - my hips almost gave out on me due to hormones softening everything, and all I could manage was a lap around my local shopping centre - it was air conditioned and being pregnant with twins in Queensland heat in summer is not fun  I also managed to to float around the pool a bit, which was lovely as I actually felt weightless for once.

Looking Back at Mid-Century Melbourne Cup Fashions

The Melbourne Cup, the race that stops a nation, is upon us again. Are you going, or celebrating somewhere else?

Since the first Cup in 1861, it has always been an opportunity for racegoers to show off their finest digs.

In 1962, the Victoria Racing Club committee established 'Fashions On The Field' at the Cup, a competition meant to "woo more women to the race".  Oaks day, held the week before, was traditionally ladies day at the races. Today 'Fashions On The Field'  attracts more than 1,100 entrants and offers over $400,000 in prizes.

I thought I'd have a quick look back at some mid-century racing fashions for the Cup. Firstly, from 1941, Australia's third year in WWII, when men (and I hope women) in uniform were admitted free to the course - some simple suits and gay hats.....

These are fashion illustration suggestions for the 1950 Cup.

 

And here is what women were actually wearing in 1950.

By 1954 the new look and longer length skirts were popular

In 1960 there was a special prize for anyone wearing wool to enter, with prizes totaling 2000 pounds.  These ladies could have been in the running in their wool coats.  They are standing next to the newly installed escalator at the course.

By the 60s hats were even less about protection and more about matching the outfit. The hats in 1961 took three main forms....

As for me, I am at work today....I don't usually wear flowers in my hair at the office, but it's cup day.  Even the girls at police prosecutions dress up!

We are closing at 1.30  (2.30pm Melbourne time) to be home in time to watch the cup on TV.  I'm thinking a rainbow trifecta with  Green Moon, Tres Blue and Red Cadeaux.  How about you?

For more Melbourne cup vintage images, see my  tumblr blog.

Deb

Vintage Outfit Post and a Garden

I recently bought this dress on Etsy, and today was actually cool enough for me to wear it for the first time.

An Outfit Post - at last!

Yes, an outfit post.

For someone who hates getting their photo taken, this is a big step.  But I just received my latest vintage dress in the post - all the way from the Oak Park, Illinois,USA - and had to wear it today.  I also changed my hair color (didn't quite have time for the rollers to set though, hence the messy hair). A whole new me!

My 11 year old daughter took these photos before we left this morning - hence the ring in's and interesting angles!

Wardrobe Update - The Reveal - Autumn Capsule Wardrobe

Wow, what a busy week!  I cleaned out my closet, listed lots on ebay (and made abut $300 if I don't count the horse gear I sold) and worked out my 'capsule' wardrobe.
This was last week (plus another half metre of my husband's hanging space on the other side of the walk in robe):

before

This is now:

After (blurry, sorry)

       

And it fits into two suitcases!

Working from my 1930s plan I set out last week, this is the list of what was suggested and what I have for Autumn/Spring wear - not really vintage, but often a vintage feel and often thrifted. You'll see the colour scheme is black, white, grey, brown and orange. (I have put what each item cost me in brackets).


The Wardrobe

Dresses
Suggested:
2 cotton, for summer street wear
4 rayon, 3 fair quality, one inexpensive house dress
1 wool dress
1 rayon party dress

Actual:
2 cotton dresses (black and white, 1 bought new 2011, 1 op shop 2011 total - $50)
2 rayon work dresses (black and white and leopard print, 1 new this year, sale $20, 1 op shop $2)
1 rayon party dress (op shop this year, $2)
1 pair long pants (black, op shop last year $2)
1 pair long wide leg silky pants (brown, new this year, sale $5)
1 pair 3/4 pant (grey, new last year, sale $10)
1 pair shorts (black, this summer, $30)

    

     

  

Other (buy every other year)

Suggested:
1 wool skirt
1 sweater
1 blouse
1 smock (to wear over dresses while at home)

Actual:
I wool skirt (gored, lined, brown, thrifted last year $2)
1 orange short sleeve cardigan (new this year, sale $35)
1 Short sleeve silver sweater (thrifted this year $2)
1 gold knit shrug (new 2010, $30)
2 blouses (I black with white spots, one leopard print, both new 2011, $20)
1 orange knit top with bow (thrifted last year, $2)
3 T-shirts - black, leopard, orange sleeveless (various total $20)

       

Shoes

Suggested:
2 pairs medium quality street shoes
1 pair medium quality dress shoes
1 pair evening slippers, every other year
1 pair inexpensive white shoes
Rubbers/sand shoes 1 pair every other year
House slippers

Actual:

2 pairs medium quality street shoes (one brown, one grey, new 2012 sale $30 total)
1 pair medium quality dress shoes (leopard print wedges, new this year, sale $20)
1 pair good dress shoes (black peep toes, new in 2011, $120)
1 pair evening slippers (silver and bag, shoes new 2011 and vintage bag total $50)
1 pair inexpensive sandals (orange, new this year, sale $12)
I pair dressy flats (gold thongs, gifted)
Sand shoes (orange,new this year $15)
Pair orthopaedic thongs (black, not shown, new, $35)

      

 

 

Accessories :

Suggested
3 handbags at $1 each (or fewer and better)

3 pairs gloves, 1 leather, 2 fabric
Umbrella, every other year
3 handbags at $1 each (or fewer and better)
4 felt hats, two heavy, two light
3 pairs gloves, 1 leather, 2 fabric
handkerchiefs, dozen per year

Actual
2 satchell bags (new, orange, Myer sale $70, black thrifted $5)
1 large handbag(vintage, snake skin, bought 2010, thrifted $5)
1 evening bag (vintage, black, bought 2010, $10)
2 small bags with straps (1 gold, vintage, 1 leopard print, bought 2009 total $20)
1 tiny evening bag (vintage, silver, bought 2012, $15)
1 Umbrella (black, not shown)
2 sun hats (1 black wide brim, 1 orange narrow brim, one new this year, sale $15)
1 beret (new, black, this year sale, $20)

   

 

Underwear

Suggested:
2 under-vests, rayon or knitted
3 knit rayon bloomers
2 panties, 1 rayon, 1 silk
4 slips, 3 rayon, 1 silk
2 corsets or girdles
3 brassières
3 nightgowns, 1 cotton, 1 rayon, 1 cotton flannel
Flannel bathrobe (every 3 yrs.)
Rayon kimono, every other year
20 pairs medium silk stockings


Underwear Actual - (won't show these!)
2 pairs body shapers ($40)
2 slips, (1 black 1 white, vintage, op shop $3)
6 brassières (2011, 2012 total $200)
2 nightgowns, 1 cotton, 1 rayon (gifts)
Cotton kimono (vintage, op shop $5)
6 pairs stockings/pantihose (op shop new in packets $10 and gift)


Need to unpack coats from storage for winter - suggested:

Medium quality fur-trimmed coat, every 3 years
Wool spring coat, every other year
Raincoat, every 3 years


Need to buy:
Comfy Black dres/swork shoes (the pair I have hurt my feet, for dress only) - estimated $160
Another hat/beret - estimated $20
dozen handkerchiefs - estimated $20
stockings as needed- estimated $20
slippers (gift)

Would love:
30s style suit
Felt hat
Black wool skirt

In total my wardrobe has cost me about $902 , that is $232 for clothes, $258 for underwear, $252 for shoes and $160 for accessories.  Not bad really. Under $1,000!

I worked out last week that my budget would be $3,400 for the year in 2013 (with $850 for personal care).  That means you could expect to spend about $284 for clothes per month (and $70.85 for personal care). I think I am doing pretty well on my budget, don't you think. I may be able to afford that suit after all!

Next I have to go through my stored winter clothes. Our winter here is short, only about two months (June , July), so we don't need many warmer clothes.  I had a suede jacket and boots my first few years here, but I haven't bother to update these lately.

Deb xx

Not 'sew' good - my wardrobe update

Well, the sewing isn't going too well.  I managed to cut out the wrong size skirt pattern - I measured my bust, but not hips, it seems.  So it turned out a little small, an then I cut it down, thinking to put on a simple waistband, and that didn't really work either.  I also remember now why I love the long, slim 30s silhouettes - flared skirts, even the slightly flared ones of the late 30s and early 40s, are not a good look on me. A good lesson I think!

Lane Bryant dress for stout women, 1930s

I think I will definitely buy a suit (when I can afford it), and stick with making dresses.

via

You'll see from previous posts that I have a slight obsession with blue and orange at the moment.  Yesterday when I was walking through our local department store, looking at winter shoes, I almost tripped over a rack of dress with a big '$20 and under' sign.  I had to look of course, and behold - blue and orange!

A simple, sleeveless linen/rayon shift, with a 3/4 length hemline, so a 30s feel, even though it's not fitted, and perfect for our hot days here.  And I love the pleating detail.  For the price of $17.50 (down from $159) I really could not have made it.  It was a size too large, so I had to take in the side seams - so I managed to do some useful sewing after all!

I also managed to get some vintage look blouses at the thrift shop. And a brown pin stripe suit, which is too small but I couldn't resist - I can wear the jacket undone, and maybe turn the pants into a skirt.

All that for $10, plus a few other things for the kids. The blouses will be good when the weather cools down, if it ever does, and should go well with the brown gored skirt that I bought last year (also thrifted).

I am trying to find a nice winter felt hat, and a pair of black shoes, as my favourite pumps have died. I'll start taking photos of outfits soon, and I really need to clean out the closet. Maybe I'll do a post about that, so I can work out what I have and NEED - properly.

Deb xx

My vintage wardrobe update & 1930s suits

We've had a few cooler days here, and my thoughts are turning to suits.

Tailored suits of the 1930s featured the long, slim, naturally curved look, much like the dresses of the day - no extreme hourglass silhouettes.  A sleeveless or short sleeve blouse can be worn underneath, and changed daily giving the suit a different look. By the end of the 1930s, skirts were slightly fuller and shorter (like the pattern I am using for my skirt), but still knee length or below, and the shoulders become slightly padded, ushering the looks of the 1940s.

My vintage wardrobe update

As much as I love the red, white and blue colour scheme, I have decided to base my 'new' vintage wardrobe on my new favourite color, burnt orange, and also navy blue. While in Brisbane a few weeks ago I had a manicure, and I picked Revlon's  'Inflame' for my nails.

I just fell in love with the colour, and while in Myers bought myself a new handbag, or 'tote' - the first in many years.  It's almost red it's so dark orange/tangerine.

I have just realised that this colour is very similar to the Pantone colour of the year last year -

Here it is in an original 1930s dress.

1930s stain dress in tangerine

I would love to find some fabric like that.  I have bought my first two patterns though,  (it was two for one at Spotlight), actually preproduction 1940 patterns, not truly 1930s.  They look simple enough for me. I hope.

 

I also bought some seersucker fabric for the dress in a navy print with touches of that tangerine colour that I thought looked quite vintage.

I also found navy blue suiting fabric at the thrift shop, 2m of one sort and 3m of another crepe fabric, and a silky print that might make a nice blouse.

So my plan for now is:
A navy skirt
Navy pants
Two patterned short sleeve or sleeveless blouses
A navy jacket - short sleeve I think
A dress in the navy seersucker

I would also like to find a nice greyish-beige fabric to make the pants and skirt and maybe another jacket. And another dress.  I would love to knit or crochet a shirt sleeve sweater, if my knitting improves, although I do have a short sleeve cardigan in tangerine, and a knit top in a similar colour that looks sort of vintage. I wore the cardi with my favourite vintage style blouse the other day.

I have made something this week too! I just finished a scarf, using this 1930s pattern (which I'll put on my free patterns page).

Little Scarf

I'm finding the knitting quite relaxing, although I am still learning as I go. This scarf actually turned out to be too small for me - they obviously had thinner necks in 1930 - so I am going to give it to my daughter for her birthday in a few days time.  She has been following my progress carefully, and I know she loves it.  If you try the pattern, I suggest you measure your neck and make the neck piece at least that long.

I'll have to try and find a tangerine coloured wool and make another one, a little longer.


Deb xxx