A 1940s Aesthetic Guide
By Frankie LopezGBACG President The following links are my personal recommendations to achieve The 40s Aesthetic. Here are some resources and techniques to achieve this quintessential look. Hair Lotta Body Setting Lotion I typically dilute this in a spray bottle, and use it for my wet sets. This brand has been around since the 1970s and it is a great […]
Dior: The Day the Hem Stood Out
by Frankie Lopez. Published June 29, 2018, as a Facebook note. Post World War II, Europe and America were still reeling from devastation. Cars, clothes, rubber, and other consumables continued to be monitored and rationed. On either side of the Atlantic, wearing clothing that squandered fabric was considered unpatriotic and wasteful. Fashion was of secondary concern, and the style at […]
Turning Circles: how to draft a circle skirt pattern to your measurements
by Cybele A. Baker. Published in the September/October 2016 issue of Finery. The circle skirt has very little fabric at the waist and flares out to a full circle at the hemline. It can be any length you want but varies from person to person as it is reliant on your specific measurements. This is why you don’t see many […]
Care and Feeding of Men’s Hats
by Cable Car Clothiers, Reprinted with permission for the January/February 2013 issue of Finery Your hats will actually improve with age with proper care! This is a brief guide explaining how: Touch your hat with clean hands; oils from your hands may stain a light hat. When you put your hat on or take it off or need to adjust […]
Book Reviews: Vintage Hairstyling and Retro Makeup by Lauren Rennells
by George McQuary, First published for the July/August 2012 issue of Finery Lauren Rennells’ book Vintage Hairstyling: Retro Styles with Step-by-Step Techniques, 2nd Edition can be used in two ways: First, as a look book. Take it to your favorite hair stylist, point at a picture, and say “Make my hair do this for tonight”. Or you can take the […]
1930s: As Was the Fashion of the Time
by Suzette Davidson, First published for the May/June 2012 issue of Finery During the 1930s, tailored suits and day dresses made a strong impression as they became more accessible for day wear via “off-the-rack” clothing manufacturing. The industry was changing with the development of new synthetic materials and dyes. In addition, the zipper, or slide fastener, was first being used […]
Red Lips and Cat Eyes
by Ariyana Kylstram, First published for the November/December 2011 issue of Finery What do Elizabeth Taylor, Marilyn Monroe, Audrey Hepburn and Grace Kelly have in common? They were all different faces of beauty during the 1950s, and each used two common techniques to give herself the hallmarks of 1950’s beauty: red lips and cat eye liner. Elizabeth Taylor was the […]
Collecting Vintage Today
by Judith Hollenberger, First published for the March/ April 2008 issue of Finery Since the days of the $4 thrift store Victorian bodices are gone, what’s a person who wants to start collecting vintage clothing to do? First you must decide what you want to collect, for what purpose, and for how much money. Victorian? Art Deco? Display? Study? To wear? […]
Sewing Hints for Vintage Patterns
by Sally Norton, First published for the January/February 2006 issue of Finery Using vintage patterns creates a whole new set of issues and requirements. The hints listed herein should help make your experience more enjoyable. Prior to 1960, most people sewed many of their garments and sewed for their homes: curtain, linens, tablecloths and napkins. Sewing expertise varied, of course, […]
