There are days when I need to concentrate on something I can enjoy. Not necessarily something grand—perhaps just comforting in its familiarity or with a charming je ne sais quoi.
That’s what this is: A joy list. Not a greatest-hits reel of my vintage fashion life, but a few things that make me smile.
You might have your own list—I'd love to hear it. For now, here’s mine.
1. Big Buttons
I like big buttons and I cannot lie.
2. A-Lines
They feel free and easy, and you can belt an A-line if you want to go with a figure 8 instead.
Found on an Edwardian nightgown
3. Careful Mends
The look of a mend that was done with care—whether perfectly neatly or not—warms my heart.
4. Bows
There is a small child in me that can never get over bows.
5. Circle Skirts
They beg you to take them for a spin.
This hand-knit sweater had a secret inner pocket embroidered with “You’re so sweet; are you a flower in disguise?”
6. Hints of a loving hand
Home sewn, home knitted, home crocheted, home mended— “Made especially for you by…” I love them all.
7. SCROOP
Scroop is the word for the rustling sound made by taffeta when moved. It’s a crunchy swishing sound—a fabric exclamation point. The expressive yet practical late 18th-century word scroop blends scrape and whoop. Moving in taffeta is moving with elegance, but the word alone makes me happy.
8. BRIGHT HALF SLIPS
In the 1960s, as some women turned away from the serious underpinnings of the 1950s, half slips became unapologetically mod, groovy—even psychedelic.
9. BEACH HATS
The sort of hat that was designed to keep the sun out of your eyes became an item that put all eyes on you. They usually involve straw, bright colors and a sense of humor.
10. Novelty prints
Well, duh. I wish I could wear nothing but novelty prints.
Is woman’s best friend dogs or pockets? Why choose when you can have both!
11. Interesting Pockets
Trompe l’oeil, angled, contrasting color, bias-cut—give me all the pockets!
Lavender sheep grazing near a yellow castle? Where do I sign up?
12. Novelty Labels
The Vintage Fashion Guild’s Label Resource has four pages of these charmers. Spend some time with them when you need a break.
These are just a few of the things that keep me company in the work I love. Vintage fashion has a way of sneaking happiness into the smallest details. There’s no real science to this list—just what made me grin as I wrote. If your joy list includes rhinestones, rickrack, or ridiculous hats, I think we’d get along just fine.