Wow... Talk About Awesome!

I was watching a showing of "Immitation of Life" with Lana Turner and Sandra Dee yesterday; and while I KNEW it was a good flick, and one of my mom's favorites.... I just kept gasping at the outfits!  I mean.. every time there was a scene change and Lana waltzed back into the room.. OMG.. another Awesome outfit.  I just kept drooling.  It was very  undignified. lol.

So.. below is my attempt to TV screenshot,  and transfer to my puter, then to blog of some of those, and the first one... Oh yeah.. I'm gonna be sewing THAT one!!

This one was sooooo sparkely!  And look at the close up of those pretty little loops on the bodice.

Although she never menitoned it, I'm pretty certain that 'mommy's" similar outfit must have been inspired by this one!

Another one I have to have for ME!!  I think I already have a similar pattern lurking around somewhere:

The great thing about Jean Louis' fashion in this movie, seem to be his care for a strong visual statement whether his 'model' was coming or going!

I love how the turban flows right on into the front collar, over the brooch attached shoulder, and on down the back.

Camel Hair Nightmare

Snarrrf!!  Snarrrff!!  I'm very Saaaad. :(:(
      After finding this totally Awesome pattern of a retro coat like my mom used to have and looking for THREE days over the world (and my hometown) for suitable fabric to make it;  I Now see WHY my mom was so 'conversational' about her beloved 'camel hair' coat.  It was FABULOUS!!  And to make it over again in THIS day and time would run an easy $500.  SO.. I guess I'll just post the picture and admire it from afar for now.  (Read below pic for more)

The reproduction of this coat in my mind HAS to be perfect.  The feel and lay of it have to be just so-so and That requires making it out of Camel Hair.  (Yes.. it even said so on the back of the package!)  After a quick search on the internet, i found the price ranges from 'on sale' at $39.99 per yard to $129.99, and I'm afraid the former is only a medium weight for slacks, etc. and just wouldn't do.
     I'm familiar with what I want in this coat, because back in 1970 I had a shorter version in Red!  I Lo-o-o-oved that coat.  I'm sure I thrifted it somewhere, and had I known the future, I sure would have taken better care of it and kept it!  It was doomed to have the back ruined by an oil leak on a motorcycle who's 'sissy bar' left a clean stripe right down the middle!  So much for my 'biker chick' days.  (All 20 of them! :)
     So.. for now, I won't be happily slaving over my Slant-O-Matic with visions of myself twirling around in my new, warm, retro coat.  BUT... ??? hmmm... maaaaybe.. just maaaybe that awful old blanket fleece could work if I add some drapery weights to the hem?  *grin*  Well... it's worth a TRYyyyyy!
     Whee.. guess I'll be heading to the fabric store tomorrow after all!  (Vogue patterns are $3.99 tomorrow! lol)
  

The Rocket Bra Chronicles

My recollection of bras in the 1950's and '60s was anything but heartfelt. Rocket Bras. That's what I've called them ever since the invention of foam and latex! I certainly didn't have to put up with the irritation of plain cotton bras with spirals of stitching in the cups to make your boobs look like a couple of dunce caps turned on their sides through a sweater! We have Victoria's Secret now, for God's sake! Spandex, stretch lace, stretch straps, comfort straps, spanx, and COLORS!! Right??? Right???!!

I remember as a small girl hearing my mother rave happily on about an occasional favorite item. Melmac, Kool cigarettes, shirtwaist dresses, and Maidenform Bras. She gave several impassioned diatribes on how' no other bra would fit her ample blessings and small rib cage' all at the same time, while offering 'the support she needed'. Yeah, I know.. she sounded just like one of those tv commercials for the thing!

Well... I have to tell you: Today I am reformed! In my vintage shopping excursions I was the cautious purchaser of a MaidenForm Long Line bra, circa ? 1966 ?. I picked it up as a fluke. You know.. I figured I'd just sell it on Ebay to some 'nut' that wanted to use it to.. well.. nevermind.

Since it was about my size I gave it a try on, and after the initial squirming and arranging, and all those hooks and eyes, I have to say it was quite comfortable. No - more than comfortable - it was... Secure! I suddenly felt my posture improve. I felt like I actually COULD wear one of those form fitting 1950's sheath dresses and not stoop over. It was positively Enlightening!! I felt... ?? DRESSED!

Maybe it's because I'm 'squishier' now. As middle age has set in I seem to be living in a body I'm not terribly familiar with. Or maybe, just maybe, we've all become so fooled with the latest inventions in clothing, that we don't realize what we're missing from our (supposedly) restrictive past. The Rocket Bra? It's an experience I'd like to put forth that all you ladies should try some day!