RETRO {AND RETRO INSPIRED} LINGERIE

LINGERIE:  Fashionable and possibly alluring undergarmets.

 I love lingerie , I know, I know, it's actually a french word which refers to ALL undergarments, but let's use the English meaning of "fashionable and possibly alluring", because it's so much more fun.

Luckily we live in a time when our undergarments don't so closely resemble torture devices.  Today's lingerie is meant to be seen, if only by our significant other, and therefore sexy on it's own.  The lingerie of yesteryear was meant to create curves where there were none, or mask curves where they were abundant, thus making women "fashionable and possibly alluring" when their clothes were on.  Big difference!

During the 1950's women and teens wore girdles and slips (or petticoats) everyday.  Curves were deemed mandatory for catching a man, who hopefully became a husband.  Girdles were rigid, although thanks to the use of plastics,  not as rigid as previous decades when they were still made with whale bones or steel.  Petticoats were horrible, itchy things that were "starched" with sugar and water and hung to dry.  Then there was the bullet bra.  Actually the bullet bra was an architectural marvel, made with sewn concentric circles making the cups cone shaped, which didn't require padding or wires.  The problem with the bullet bra was that is you didn't quite fill it out, you had to stuff the tips....not good.

Thankfully in the 1960's the girdle gave way to control top panty hose and the bullet bra was replaced with padded bras or underwire bras.  Yay!

"If God wanted us to be naked why did he invent sexy lingerie?"  Shanon Doherty

"You should spend your money on some nice lingerie.  You have to feel sexy."  Heidi Klum

"If you are wearing lingerie that makes you feel glamorous, you are half way there to turning heads."  Elle McPherson

                                                                 Modern interpretation.

"Lingerie has come out of the closet."  Monica Mitro

"Brevity is the soul of lingerie."  Dorothy Parker

"If you are a person who is classy, elegant, and modest, then the lingerie you wear is going to complement that."  Latoya Jones

What's your opinion of lingerie?  Do you think it would be fun to go back to girdles and bullet bras? Only occasionally?  

Have a beautiful weekend everybody...and join us next week for a new muse.

YANCEY

MID CENTURY STYLE: 40's, 50's, AND 60's

Let's talk fashion!  Mid century style of the 40's, 50's, and 60's.

 Today, I'm going to let the pictures do most of the talking.  Let's begin with the 1940's.

                                                          Authentic

Attention to detail was important in 40's fashion, especially for collars and sleeves.

                                                                       

The two piece skirt suit reigned supreme.

Casual feminine day wear.

                                              1940' modern interpretation

I love everything about this.  Her hair style is classic 40's; long with looses curls, parted on the side.

Notice how manicured her eyebrows are....very 40's.

                                   Authentic 1950's
   

Skirts became much fuller in the 50's and hairstyles tended to be shorter.

                                           1950's modern interpretation        

Has anyone ever looked cuter in a 1950's inspired dress?

It's all there.

                                         1960's authentic

Do I even have to tell you how much I love this picture?  LOVE.

 In the 60's, skirts became shorter (sometimes much shorter) and tighter.  Shoes had lower heels and makeup was either extreme or barely there.

Every ones favorite 60's vixen.

Mary Tyler Moore with a classic 60's hairstyle.

Hot pants!  Oh, those rebellious 60's.

                                      1960's modern interpretation

 I'm not quite certain if the picture below is authentic or modern, but I would absolutely wear this outfit.  Would you?  What's your favorite mid century style?

Have a beautiful day.
YANCEY

1960's FASHION

1960'S FASHION:  FRESH, FUN, MODERN

I'm not really a big shopper....for clothes that is.  I can spend hours in a vintage store looking for mid century treasures for the house, and don't even get me started on how much I love a good bookstore, but clothing stores...not so much.

This is the year it's all going to change, I've decided  2012 is the year I do something about my wardrobe, such as acquire one.   I've also decided that 1960's Modern will be my muse.  I love the simplicity of this style, it's really perfect for petites, and I'm definitely a flat shoes kind of girl.

I really need a plan though, without one I'm am simply overwhelmed.....so..... 
For winter....short skirts and dresses with tights and flat shoes will be perfect.
And, as for summer....slightly longer skirts and perhaps a kitten heel. 
I already have a vintage coat, lots of vintage jewelry and pocketbooks, and one huge pair of white plastic sunglasses that Audrey Hepburn would be proud to wear.
Let's get started...

These would be perfect with tights and cardigans for winter.  I love that these women are so passionate about their minis.

Scarf?  Check.  Plastic bracelets?  Check.  Hugh white sunglasses? Check.  Adorable convertible?  Perhaps one day.

These seem perfect for summer.  Love the kitten heels, easy to walk in and super feminine.

I had a pair of white go-go boots in the fourth grade, the last time I was actually cool.

Love the bag, love the dress, love the hair... love it all.

I already have two vintage straw pocketbooks like these.

Orange crush!!!

Such a fresh and pretty look.

 I definitely have a style crush on Zooey Deschanel and have several pictures of her on my latest story board for fashion inspiration.  I would love to go shopping with her....Zooey, call me!

 What's you favorite decade for vintage style?  How do you feel about 60's modern?  Where do you shop for vintage?  Any suggestions?

Have a beautiful day.
YANCEY