Mostly Myrna

I'm looking forward to the upcoming release of the book, Myrna Loy: The Only Good Girl in Hollywood.  Isn't the cover itself gorgeous?

In other (somewhat related) news, I've heard buzz that Johnny Depp wants to team with Rob Marshall to do a remake of my all-time favourite vintage movie, The Thin Man.  If you follow my twitterfeed, you may have noticed some of us back and forthing about the prospect.  My first thought was: nooooooo, Don't even bother!  My next thought was: well, if you really have to try to mess with perfection via a remake, please let someone else other than Johnny Depp play William Powell's character, Nick.  

It's not that I don't think Depp is amazingly talented and perennially gorgeous.  I just think the role calls for someone more distinguished & dapper & wry.  My casting suggestion:  John Slattery, the chap most recently known as Roger Sterling on Mad Men.  IMHO, he has that perfect "insouciance," that mix of blithe languour and boyish spriteliness, not to mention that (feigned?) ability to hold his liquor hehe (Depp's played a lush, too, but if he DOES play Nick, he MUST find an alternative way to play a dipsomaniac--i.e. he'll definitely have to dump that cute but unsubtle "drunk-on-rum" Jack Sparrow slur).  

As for who should play Nora, well, I heard a rumour that Rachel Weisz is in serious contention.  She definitely has the looks to play the "lanky brunette with a wicked jaw" but could she bring the sass and class?  Maybe!  Interesting (though somewhat offputting) to ponder this remake prospect--though there's no question in my mind that Nora's costumes in the remake will never come close to the perfection of the Dolly Tree-designed ensembles in the original.  What are YOUR thoughts?  

Okay, I'm off for the weekend.  Sorry my posts have been sparse and dull lately. We've got a pretty great night out planned for Wednesday, though, so hopefully will have some fun things to post about next week.  xox, lovelies!

McCardell's Masterpieces

I was just going through my blog roll, and noticed Glamour Splash's reminder that today would have been designer Claire McCardell's birthday.  I think McCardell's work was chicer than chic; here are some of my favourite design/innovations of hers.  Do you like this designer? If so, what are your favourite designs of hers?

1)  1934 halter-trouser resort/sportswear outfit for Townley Frocks.

2) Popularisation of the "side cutouts" style maillot bathing suit for women in the mid-1930s. Not sure Joan Blondell is wearing a McCardell design per se, but her suit certainly captures the essence of the style.

3)  1956 cotton plaid dress.

Blossom Hunting & an Early Summer Knit Fit

Around here, the Victoria Day long weekend marks the unofficial beginning of summer.  Happily, the weather today was magnificently summer-like, which caused many of the trees to finally blossom.  To celebrate the harbingers of summer, the mister and I drove to the beautiful town of Dundas to hunt down some photogenic places with blooms nearby.  Being one who always loves an excuse for dress-up, I donned a top to toe 30s look directly inspired by my beloved knitting and crocheting pattern book ladies (hat is 30s crochet, top is 30s knit [with what I think is also crochet--or lacy knit?], skirt is 30s linen, shoes 30s leather hehe)!  Hurrah for summer! Hurrah for knitwear! Hurrah for outdoor outfit photos!

Sherwood Like the Rain to Stop!

Finally, after DAYS of rainy weather, I was able to get outside for a while.  Thought I'd do a little outfit post to show this 1930s feathered corduroy "robin hood" alpine/tyrolean hat which I have listed in the shop, as it is that frustrating smidge too small for my head.  Since trying it on with this 30s inspired nudeedudee number I had custom made last year, I am now even more acutely aware of how darn cute it is!! Suddenly, I'm feeling inspired to form a merry band and head for Sherwood Forest.  In the mean-time, the derelict treehouse and forest of weeds in the backyard will have to suffice. Le sigh! :)

Goody Goodies!

Whew! I've been busy listing tons of awesome things in my etsy shop, many of them being 30s items from my own personal collection.  Here's a sampling of the goody goodies for sale.  Get 'em while they're hot (and before I change my mind and rehoard, hehe!). Yes, I've strategically posted these hat-dress combos to show you some awesome outfit ideas :).  Blog title inspired by the song I've been obsessively hearing in my head for DAYS.

1930s blue velvet cap

1930s deep blue rayon dress with amazing illusion cutout panels

1930s brown boucle yarn cap with celluloid pin

1930s 'Pumpkin Spice' Orange and Brown Rayon Bow Dress

"New" Bow

Sometimes, desires outweigh necessities...case in point, I just couldn't say no to this incredible late 1920s "bow" gown.  Uh, hello, Schiaparelli-inspired trompe-l'oeil front bow!?!?! Whaaaaaaa!

One of Schiaparelli's 1927 "trompe l'oeil" knit bow sweaters

My new "bow" dress, Nelson Bridge

Let's Get Physical!

More cute, if abbreviated, workout wear!

Source: MothGirlWings

Run Girl Run!

Hello, lovelies! Seems like I've been neglecting the blog lately.  Dull weather is making outfit posts quite difficult.  Oh well!  On the upside, I went for a lovely hike in the woods today.  While in my sporting mood, I came across the cutest little jersey outfit online that apparently is part of a vintage late 1920s track/athletic outfit.  Looks just like the one worn with a belt and black shorts by a young Carole Lombard in "Run, Girl, Run"!  Gosh, even the athletic wear was cuter in the 20s! Speaking of vintage gym/workout wear, I snagged an adorable 20s/30s bloomer-legged gym outfit recently. Can't wait to wear this garment (with middy over top, no doubt) once the weather cooperates! In the mean-time, a link to more on gym suits

Source: ebay

See(berger)ing the Deauville Connection

Weird.  Last night, I finally realized that the "Deauville" photos I had reblogged earlier this year are actually photos from the book Elegance: The Seeberger Brothers and the Birth of Fashion Photography, which Lauren of Dear Golden had recommended to me recently.  By happenstance, when I went onto tumblr to share some of the other Seeberger images I found on the net last night, I discovered Miss Moss had just done a post on these very same images.  Anyway, aren't these fabulous??  Although my own real-life Riviera-resort plans have been put on hold indefinitely, I've got an epic Art Deco holiday trip to California planned & booked for the fall, so all I can think about is nautical resort wear, beach pajamas, and such.  Sigh, swoon! In the mean-time, MUST get this book ASAP!

Overall Cuteness

Continuing on with my previous posts containing both nautical touches and gardening overalls....

Source: AMT Vintage

The Fashionable Gardener

Looking through some old childhood photos, I noticed a couple of persistent patterns. For example, I seem to have always enjoyed gardening, and I have always loved to get a bit gussied for the occasion, right, Mom?? LOL! Happy Mother's Day, all!

Blouse: nudeedudee

Overalls: Allure Original Styles

More Water for Elephants

So, I FINALLY got to see the movie Water for Elephants last night. All in all, I found it a visually enchanting movie with a riveting and very emotional storyline.  It really brought depression-era America to life for me and provided an engrossing view of the brutal hardships faced by circus workers during this era (I say this as someone who has not yet read the book--tsk tsk).  As an animal lover, I found some scenes hard to bear (I had more tears down my cheek for the plight of Rosie the elephant than for the star-crossed lovers).  Despite the fact that I agree with reviewers who found a distinct lack of chemistry between Pattison and Witherspoon, I think they were solid actors in their parts. Witherspoon looked radiant and enviably svelte. Of course, Christoph Waltz did a glorious job playing the villian.  Anyway, that's my mini-review.  What I REALLY wanted to share are some more stills of my favourite casual clothes worn by Reese's character, Marlena. The satin gowns she wears are gorgeous, too, but it's the daytime wear that caught my eye.

In the Navy Once Again

Today was so warm and summer-like that I decided it was time to debut the amazing halter playsuit+ skirt dress that I had the amazing Kim of Nudeedudee make me over the winter.  I initially had plans to wear it on a cruise vacation that was slated for later this month. Alas, for various reasons, the cruise is a "no go," but that's okay.  This amazing outfit is going to get TONS of mileage this summer. I can see myself wearing it for everything from golfing to frolicking at the beach to camping/lounging at the cabin this summer.  Wahooooo!

Blondell's Dream Boat Fashions

Can't quite decide which is cuter: 1930s Joan Blondell or these 30s nautical inspired togs?

Image via Fuzzy Lizzie

Image via My Vintage Vogue

Image of item sold on ebay

May Day! May Day!

Okay, I'm clearly in love with cheesy, "punny" post titles.  Point is, I'm so happy it's May!  The grass is finally getting green, the sun has been peeping out now and then; hurrah!!  Thanks to the saving grace of the sun, I'm suddenly feeling energized to: garden (and slay the gigantic weeds already cropping up in the yard), fix up the old tree house in the backyard (needs a new ladder, for sure), get our backyard patio "lounging" situation "just so"; most importantly, I feel like it's actually time to be able to start wearing something other than rain jackets and boots!!  Since I've been blogging about 30s chenille clothing, I decided to try to work a little 30s chenille jacket I bought earlier this year into my spring wardrobe. It may be a bed or beach jacket, but I'm planning to make it more versatile by wearing it over spring dresses, like this 30s "sailor" frock that I am so in love with it's sort of ridiculous.

Chenille: Bed, Beach, and Beyond

How intriguing! Contrary to wikipedia's entry for "chenille," which suggests "in the 1930s, usage for the tufted fabric became widely desirable for throws, mats, bedspreads, and carpets, but not as yet, apparel," here are some images which suggest that chenille garments seem to have been rather popular, for bed, the beach, and possibly beyond, in the 30s and 40s? 

Image via Secret Agent Girl

Image via Corbis Archive

via Vintage Fashion Guild Forum