There’s vintage fashion for warm weather this month at denisebrain! Please have a look at my latest theme for a little inspiration:
Because of your purchases in the last two weeks, I am able to write a check for $221 to the Save the Manatee Club. I know it will be used well!
If you like to add your donation to the cause, visit savethemanatee.org
It’s Earth Day and a very good day to remind you that vintage clothing is a chic way to go green.
I also want to remind you that 25% of every purchase from any of my shops through the end of April will help endangered manatees through the Save the Manatee Club. Please read about how far they've come, and how much is left to do, by reading that organization’s Earth Day message.
An early effort
...and more recently.
This is also the anniversary of denisebrain, which I started in 1999 on Earth Day. 1999...can you believe it? I scarcely can!
An early effort
...and more recently.
Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that. -Martin Luther King, Jr.
On September 11, 2001, I sold this raspberry suit to a woman working in the Pentagon. A few days later I heard from her, apologizing for taking so long to pay, but she'd been very distracted by events. I don't even know how she remembered the suit at all.
I remember the reaction of the world to 9/11, particularly the raw, on-the-street reaction of ordinary people all over the world. To them, we were still an ideal. We were Hollywood, Mickey Mouse and Mickey Mantle, T-birds and T-bone Hawkins, Coca-Cola, Apple, Ella and Elvis, Martin Luther King, The Statue of Liberty, great teeming New York, Ben Franklin and Thomas Jefferson, golden waves of grain, cowboys and Indians, the railroad, good public schools and libraries, flight, baseball, front porches, The Blues, purple mountain majesty, Mustang cars and horses, Helen Keller, Star Wars, Marilyn Monroe, Broadway, jazz, rock-n-roll, hip-hop, sportswear, white hats and silver spurs, The Alamo, the circus, buffalo and Buffalo Bill, the Bill of Rights, beat poets, Janis Joplin, Thomas Edison and Henry Ford, the gramophone and the light bulb, Emily Dickinson, Walt Whitman, Ernest Hemingway, Mark Twain, Thoreau and Emerson, Jim Thorpe, Jesse Owens, Michael Jordan, Kennedy, FDR, Oprah, Bob Hope, Einstein, Abraham Lincoln, emancipation, Muhammad Ali, the Smithsonian, the moon. We were hope. We were, as John Gunther reminded us in the 1947 Inside U.S.A., “the craziest, most dangerous, least stable, most spectacular, least grownup, and most powerful and magnificent nation ever known.”
That was what was attacked, and what remains. That is what is worth preserving and improving upon forever.
It's a dark and stormy night in the big city.
Suddenly a woman screams!
Then there is the sound of running in the hall!
Where is the Maltese Falcon? And where did she get those killer shoes??
For the answers to these questions and more, who do you call? Who else but...
My July theme is up!
{click on image to view...and sound up!}
My latest theme is up...how about taking it for a spin?
{click on image to view...and sound up!}
Little me, in pink as usual
I'm sure you would never know from looking at this blog, my store, my business card, etc., that I love the color pink! ; )
So why didn't I think of this before?!
Please visit my latest theme [click on image]:
...and watch for lots of great pink vintage finds in the upcoming weeks.
Betty is 99 years of age. That in itself is cause for respect, but if you had to follow her repeatedly up a flight of stairs in her own home you would find even more reason for respect.
I was fortunate to meet Betty last year as she was preparing to leave her home for a retirement home. I presume she has some health issues that make staying home tricky, but she seemed to be doing pretty well, with the help of her niece.
Betty has clothes that were a conspicuous result of being a manager at one of Spokane's late-great department stores, The Bon Marché, to which she had been lured from The Crescent department store when The Bon, as it was called, was just moving into the area. She told me she "set up The Bon" for its opening in 1946.
On her style, Betty said that she wasn't fond of fussy, frilly things. Her clothes have just so many cute details and extra flourishes, they are of very good quality, with a number of the better American department store labels such as Suzy Perette and Lilli Ann. Materials are mostly wool, cotton and silk.
Cotton piqué dress with Matisse-like print
On how she obtained her clothing, Betty said that her husband and she were from rural Idaho, and grew up poor on small farms. Her husband was an Air Force pilot during WWII, and I had the sense from talking with her that they felt very fortunate to be together, to have survived The War, and to be better off than they'd ever been before. Betty said her husband spoiled her, buying her very nice clothes. Of course, her work image had to be important to Betty.
I have quite a few more to show still, but here is a sampling of Betty's items that I have sold or am selling.
All photos with links in their captions will take you to the item still for sale, the rest have been sold.
60s items, a wool knit set made in Italy for The Bon Marché; silky dress by Ranelle
Late 40s Prestige Junior cotton dress; Alex Colman cotton top and full skirt
Venito di Roma knit suit; Lana of Austria handloomed wool outfit
Billy-Dee black cotton dress; McKettrick sundress and bolero
50s brown rayon dress; brown print R & K Originals dress, also from the 50s
Lilli Ann Knit coat and dress; Leslie Fay circle print wool dress
40s spoof news-print blouse, about which I blogged (here); 50s red faille coat dress
Yellow print embroidered sheath dress; Jerry Gilden Spectator yellow print sundress
A third Lilli Ann dress & coat set from the 60s; cream knit dress by Corona Vienna
Suzy Perette sheath dress
Betty was and is a very petite lady—most of her clothing is size 2 to 4—but her sincere kindness is generous in proportions. She found it hard to give up her clothes, symbols that they are of her good and productive life, her loving marriage and all the respect she has earned. Knowing that others would actually wear and enjoy her clothes today pleases her and really eases her in letting them go.
Wouldn't it be wonderful if a new wearer of Betty's clothing has as long and happy a life as she is having, and passes the clothing on to another generation when she is 99?
The women I meet to purchase their clothing bless me not only with their clothes, but with their stories, photos and memories. I have highlighted others in the past, such as Lovely lady lot, You're a sight to see Mrs. Gordon, I love my vintage clothing sources, A tiny fraction of Mrs. Alexander's clothing, Another favorite source and The suitcase lot.
I was fortunate to meet Betty last year as she was preparing to leave her home for a retirement home. I presume she has some health issues that make staying home tricky, but she seemed to be doing pretty well, with the help of her niece.
Betty has clothes that were a conspicuous result of being a manager at one of Spokane's late-great department stores, The Bon Marché, to which she had been lured from The Crescent department store when The Bon, as it was called, was just moving into the area. She told me she "set up The Bon" for its opening in 1946.
On her style, Betty said that she wasn't fond of fussy, frilly things. Her clothes have just so many cute details and extra flourishes, they are of very good quality, with a number of the better American department store labels such as Suzy Perette and Lilli Ann. Materials are mostly wool, cotton and silk.Cotton piqué dress with Matisse-like print
On how she obtained her clothing, Betty said that her husband and she were from rural Idaho, and grew up poor on small farms. Her husband was an Air Force pilot during WWII, and I had the sense from talking with her that they felt very fortunate to be together, to have survived The War, and to be better off than they'd ever been before. Betty said her husband spoiled her, buying her very nice clothes. Of course, her work image had to be important to Betty.
I have quite a few more to show still, but here is a sampling of Betty's items that I have sold or am selling.
All photos with links in their captions will take you to the item still for sale, the rest have been sold.
60s items, a wool knit set made in Italy for The Bon Marché; silky dress by RanelleLate 40s Prestige Junior cotton dress; Alex Colman cotton top and full skirtVenito di Roma knit suit; Lana of Austria handloomed wool outfitBilly-Dee black cotton dress; McKettrick sundress and bolero
50s brown rayon dress; brown print R & K Originals dress, also from the 50sLilli Ann Knit coat and dress; Leslie Fay circle print wool dress
40s spoof news-print blouse, about which I blogged (here); 50s red faille coat dressYellow print embroidered sheath dress; Jerry Gilden Spectator yellow print sundress
A third Lilli Ann dress & coat set from the 60s; cream knit dress by Corona ViennaSuzy Perette sheath dressBetty was and is a very petite lady—most of her clothing is size 2 to 4—but her sincere kindness is generous in proportions. She found it hard to give up her clothes, symbols that they are of her good and productive life, her loving marriage and all the respect she has earned. Knowing that others would actually wear and enjoy her clothes today pleases her and really eases her in letting them go.
Wouldn't it be wonderful if a new wearer of Betty's clothing has as long and happy a life as she is having, and passes the clothing on to another generation when she is 99?
The women I meet to purchase their clothing bless me not only with their clothes, but with their stories, photos and memories. I have highlighted others in the past, such as Lovely lady lot, You're a sight to see Mrs. Gordon, I love my vintage clothing sources, A tiny fraction of Mrs. Alexander's clothing, Another favorite source and The suitcase lot.
It’s a new year, and my new theme is up, because I get a kick out of you! Click the image to view.
The denisebrain December theme is here! Please have a look (and listen) by clicking on the image.
Wishing you and yours a magical holiday season!
Care to take vintage clothing for a spin this month? Get inspired by my November theme, Dizzy.
Click on image to view, sound up.
These 1950s lucite-heeled shoes (recently sold)
are in this exhibit:
and these early 70s Fox & Fluevog shoes (on loan from my collection)
are in this exhibit:
are in this exhibit:and these early 70s Fox & Fluevog shoes (on loan from my collection)are in this exhibit:
Earth Day and I go way back—I remember being very excited about the very first one in 1970, and drew this poster for my father.
Fast forward to Earth Day 1999, when I decided to give the vintage clothing business a try. This is the first dress I sold.
You know that vintage clothing is generally better made and more interesting and beautiful than anything new, but today especially, remember it is recycling. That is one of the main reasons I love doing what I do.Happy Earth Day!
Time out from the Théâtre to introduce my April theme, The Hunt for Vintage Charm! (Click on image to view)
I've always loved the labels in Misty Harbor coats. Sometimes you will find the Irish blessing-like Misty Harbor Wish: "Health to wear this Strength to tear this—and Wealth to buy a new one" And you will always find the little tag at the neck, "Wear in Good Health."
The coats are charming, usually tricked out with extra buttons, hidden tabs for keeping the lower button placket shut in a gale, and with interesting pockets inside and out. I've never seen one that wasn't washable.
They're cute, they're happy, and they wish you good health...what more could a person want?
Do you have New Years resolutions? Here’s what I have:
I also have a personal manifesto. You might call this my permanent resolution list—
What is giving you the resolve to wear vintage this year?
Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens ...what are your favorite things?
Please click on the image for my latest theme, Favorite Things then stop by denisebrain for vintage items that might become favorites!
Catch some great vintage at denisebrain!
I'm always reeling in something great for you, so stop by denisebrain and get hooked!
Click image to view, and sound up please!
I have had a lovely and touching response to my recent blog about my mother, both on Blogger and on Facebook. One thing I didn't mention about her, although I hinted at it with the line "she was different from me in many ways" is that she really wasn't terribly into fashion. Conversely, my father (about whom I
) was very much a clotheshorse.
Since I have made a career of clothing, I guess I lean toward my father in that way, but both my parents influenced me greatly in my own style. Since I feel I am a bit unusual having parents that were of such a different era, I thought I'd share with you some of the style secrets of the Wilds household, some from my mother, some from my father, some both.
1. Invest in a few good things, rather than many inexpensive things.
2. Emphasize what is best about your appearance even if doing so runs counter to current trends.
Mama always tended to highlight her waist
3. Have some jewelry that matches your eyes.
My mother's sapphire blue ring, made "to match her eyes" by a grateful
man that my grandfather had assisted in finding work
4. Wear classic takes on current trends.
5. Tartans are good.
Papa in a tartan shirt
6. Honor the people who give you clothing or accessories by wearing their gifts when you meet with them.
7. Dresses/skirts are more comfortable and flattering than pants.
Mama with their beloved dog Cappy
8. Find a favorite fragrance and stick with it, likewise lip color. My mother's signatures were Woodhue Cologne by Faberge and Cherries in the Snow lipstick by Revlon. Timeless they are indeed, with both still available (Woodhue reissued at
and Cherries at most any drugstore).
9. Learn to take care of things yourself, including cleaning, mending and ironing. Enjoy these tasks as an investment in yourself and your loved ones.
Mama ironing
10. Natural fibers are greatly to be preferred to man-made.
My parents in sweaters
11. To get just what you want, learn to sew (knit, crochet) your own clothing.
My mother's Singer Featherweight machine...one of my most cherished possessions.
12. Get to know fabrics so you can make good decisions about what you like to wear, how to clean the fabric and what it is like to sew. (I can recommend The
series,
All About Wool
,
All About Silk
and
All About Cotton
. Although pricey, these are an invaluable starting place for understanding basic fabrics. These books include fabric swatches...a huge bonus!)
13. Always have a cleaned and pressed white shirt ready to go.
My father in a perfectly pressed white shirt
14. Wear gloves.
15. Have things altered or tailored to suit you (or learn to do it yourself), don't just accept shoddy fit.
16. "Handsome" clothing can be more flattering to a woman than something ultra-feminine and frilly.
Mama in a trenchcoat
17. Learn interesting ways to tie scarves. (Find some suggestions
.)
18. Even for casual occasions, dress with style.
Papa at a picnic...
...and with my brother at the beach
19. Dress appropriately, but individualistically. Don't be afraid to express yourself.
Papa in white, ca. 1930
20. 2nd hand clothing can be your best bet for quality, style and affordability. (I certainly took that advice to heart!)