Ultrasuede: In Search of Halston

I thought it was so funny after I posted the scan from my Halston book that I found out about this new movie. I must see this!

What are you doing for the weekend? Any exciting plans?

I'll be at home and alone this next week as Mr. B is going to California for a training conference. *tear*

But because of his departure, I ordered a couple of new scents off of Etsy to try from seller Opulent Alchemy. She apparently does pretty good dupes or types of famous fragrances. We shall see. I ordered a copy of Tom Ford's Tobacco Vanille and Fresh's Tobacco Caramel.

Halston reshapes and revives the sweater set. March 1973. From the book Halston: An American Original by Elaine Gross and Fred Rottman. Click on the photo for a closer look.

Hello again!

Sorry for the long absence. Sometimes life gets in the way and the exploring/expressing oneself takes a back seat to other more pressing although less satisfying things. You know how it is if you have a blog yourself.

Anyway, in the midst of my absence, I got a new printer/scanner! Yay! So when I'm suffering with a lack of inspiration for posts, I'll just scan an image from one of my many vintage fashion books for your perusing pleasure!

So here's the first image: from the book Airports and Stars which is full of B&W photos of American as well as Italian cinematic stars getting off of airplanes or in airports. This is a great window into what was worn by stars during the mid 20th century for traveling, who wanted to look their best but no doubt be comfortable as well.

This is Lucia Bose' in 1955. I really enjoy this photo because while her dress is quite 50's notice her hair is something that wouldn't be seen in this country until the 60's and even 70's in some places. Proof that Europeans have almost always had the edge over us Yanks in the trend department. Click on the photo to have a closer look.

I hope everyone has been well! I've missed you all!

Iconic Shoe Styles

1. The Frye Campus Boot - introduced in the 1960's

There are certain shoes styles that every woman needs to have at least one pair of in her closet. These are shoes that have stood the test of time, shoes that haven't faded away only to resurface, these are shoes that just plain haven't gone anywhere since they were introduced. The apparel equivalents to these shoes are the white t-shirt, blue jeans, khaki slacks, and the navy blazer.

Also interesting to note, none of these shoes will hurt you. As much as I love heels, there is an overall love/hate relationship with them and the general population, which is why they have taken on so many forms over the decades. The shoe industry has to keep revamping them to keep them interesting and to keep women from saying, "Aw, to hell with all of these aches and blisters, I'm wearing flats!" The following list of shoes have never needed tweaking, they are just that. damn. good.

What are these shoes, you ask? Print this list out ladies, for the next time you go shoe shopping. I would never lead you astray and these are shoes that you can wear till they put you in the ground. Talk about investment pieces!

2. The Bernardo Miami Sandal - introduced in 1960

3. The Jack Rogers Navajo Sandal - introduced in 1960

4. The Dr. Scholl's Exercise Sandal - introduced in 1968

5. The Jack Purcell Tennis Shoe - introduced in 1935

6. The Sperry Top Sider Boat Shoe - introduced in 1935

7. The Bass Weejun Penny Loafer - introduced in 1936

8. The Repetto Ballet Flat - introduced in 1956

I hope everyone has a wonderful upcoming weekend! If anyone has anymore questions they've been wanting to ask me, send them my way! I get a real kick out of answering them! Just type them into the little formspring field on the right!

Were you to do personal shopping, what would your rates be?

Haha, I'm not sure! Being a personal shopper is always something I've wanted to do, either independently or through a department store. My current location impedes me from doing it through the latter so I suppose independent is the way to go! I've been told throughout my life by friends and family that I would be a great buyer and/or personal shopper. I did my internship at a buying office and LOVED IT!

Anyway, I think the best thing for anyone to do if they would like to consider having me work with them would be to contact me at fashiontemptress@gmail.com and I'm sure we can work something out.

Thanks for the inquiry!!!

Ask me anything

How do you find the perfect item? You make the best fashion discoveries!

I search, and search, and search, and search until I find EXACTLY what I'm after. I am very much a gatherer. It's no big deal for me to spend hours on Etsy or eBay looking through pages of things to find something that catches my eye or fulfills something that I've been looking for. Also, I have no problem going into thrift stores and literally spending hours in just one, thumbing through every single piece of clothing that they have on the racks, you can find the best stuff that way!

For example, I recently went to a Goodwill in Austin and came out with a pair of Carolina Herrera sunglasses for $2, a Charles Nolan skirt for $5, and 10 designer button down shirts for Mr. B for $5 a piece. But, that was after spending, I know, a good hour and a half in that store flipping through everything on almost every rack. Great vintage and thrifted things can be had if you have the patience to look for them.

Also, I have a great knowledge of well made fabric and also fabrics used for clothing during certain periods. One tip when looking for vintage, stay away from the knits unless you're looking for vintage sweaters. Hardly anything, until about the late 60's on was made out of knit. There are some early examples of course but the chance of coming across that in your local Goodwill is rare. Look for high quality woven fabrics in wool, linen and cotton. Fabrics like these will not only be more likely to have maintained their integrity over the years but the overall shape of the garment will be better as well. Overall, even with modern pieces, unless it's a layering piece like a t-shirt, I stay away from knits. They get stretched out, they pill, and they lose their color more quickly. Sure they are more comfortable but it's very hard to keep a Jersey knit shirt looking the same after 10 years whereas with a woven fabric shirt, it's quite easy with the proper maintenance.

Whew, ok I rambled a bit on that one! Hope you aren't asleep by now!!

Great question as well, thanks so much for asking!!

Ask me anything

Do you wear vintage/vintage inspired clothes every day or just on special occasions?

I don't wear vintage items absolutely everyday but I do wear them on a pretty regular basis. I tend to find that the easiest vintage pieces to work into everyday outfits, for myself, are the embellished cardigans from the 1950's, handbags, skirts, and coats when the weather is chilly. I would say that the one type of vintage item that only gets worn on special occasions would be my vintage shoes as all of them are heels and I only wear heels at particular times.

When I wear vintage, I never wear actual vintage from head to toe. I always incorporate modern pieces with vintage pieces, even if it's a modern piece that looks vintage.

That was a great question, thanks so much!!!

Ask me anything