How About a Blouse Instead of That T-Shirt?

One of the things I find sad about modern fashion is how casual we've become. Now that jeans and t-shirts are ubiquitous, it seems many of us have lost our flair for dressing well. Though knits are comfortable, most modern t-shirts and knit tops are made of such cheap fabric that they look a bit bedraggled after only a few washings. Why not choose a vintage blouse instead?

A vintage blouse is a great way to bring the past into your wardrobe without breaking the bank. And if you have trouble finding vintage dresses that fit, a blouse will be more forgiving, especially if you don't have a tiny waist. Pair a vintage blouse with a skirt, pants, or even jeans. Layer it under a jacket or cardigan for a look that is polished and different. The blouses shown here are all from 1962.

Shapely Classic blouse printed with blue and green leaves. Sold in 1962 for $5 (about $37 in today's dollar.) Hat by Sally Victor.

Lady Manhattan shirt with French cuffs adorned with big jeweled cuff links. Sold in 1962 for $6 (about $44 in today's dollar.) Hat by Emme.

Vera silk blouse in white with big black dots, worn with a black silk scarf. Sold in 1962 for $12 (about $88 in today's dollar.)

Mollie Parnis white silk blouse with button and buttonhole detail all the way around the collar. Belted in black patent.

Do you have blouses in your wardrobe? Have you ever tried a vintage blouse? Should I carry more vintage blouses at Couture Allure?

Read more...

Suits for Spring - 1962

Suits were an important part of every woman's wardrobe back in the day. Women would often buy a new suit for Easter and then wear it for years and years. These incredible feats of tailoring are from 1962. Do you wear suits?

Christian Dior

Lanvin-Castillo

Pierre Cardin

Pierre Balmain

Yves St. Laurent, from his first collection for his own label.

Read more...

Vintage hats - 1962

Rose Valois

By 1962, hats had begun to wane in popularity, especially with younger women. Jacqueline Kennedy hated wearing hats, and only did so due to the protocol of her husband's office as President. Hat shapes changed to accomodate the larger bouffant hairdos of the time, and we see many bubble and Breton styles.

Claude St-Cyr

Paulette

Lanvin Castillo

Jean Barthet

Read more...

The Look of Suits - 1962

It's 1962, and women's suits look very different from just a few years earlier. Jackets are shorter and boxier. Skirts are also shorter and slim-cut, often with a few tiny gathers over the hips. Many suits consist of a dress with matching jacket. But they're all elegant and supremely lady-like.

Maurice Rentner suit in red, white, and navy. The wool suit comes with a white cotton pique blouse decorated with the same ribbon that edges the jacket. Hat by Emme.

Frank Gallant wool tweed in a mix of black, brown, and white belted and buttoned in leather. Sold for $190 in 1962 (about $1350 in today's dollar). Hat by Mr. John.

Branell linen and wool blend tweed in pale beige with black silk binding and buttons. Sold for $185 in 1962 (about $1314 in today's dollar). Hat by Mr. John.

Travilla white wool boucle flecked with orange suit with an orange silk chiffon blouse. Hat by Sally Victor. Jewelry by Cadoro.

Marquise diagonal worsted wool in sandy beige with a buff-color silk blouse. Straw breton hat by Mr. John. Sold for $215 in 1962 (about $1527 in today's dollar). Hat by Mr. John.

Read more...