Mid Week Rummage: YSL Pantsuit for the City

I found an old issue of Life magazine with Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward on the cover (Life, October 18, 1968). Unfortunately, some lovely young person wrote over most of the magazine...like on the cool ads. Beware when the kids are quiet....Anyway, I started looking through the mag anyway and came upon this:

"the chiffon see-through with the ostrich fluff around the hips (left) is St.Laurent's and the pants variation is by Galitzine. New York stores selling copies of the St. Laurent report that most buyers also choose the optional underpinnings. Galitzine usually sells hers with a bra to private customer."

Yves Saint Laurent showed his fall line and part of it was see through. I remember seeing something about it in the paper,  a see-through blouse, and didn't even want to approach my mom about that one. The heading was "See Through Break Through" and told about the launch of the transparent shirt and the topless bathing suit by Galitzine in 1964. While both had a lot of attention, nobody really bought into it, at least not in the US. In '68, YSL decided to try again. I still don't think it worked.....however, he did bring pantsuits to the city. 

Top photo: "Betty Saint (left) from his Paris salon, wears his wide-legged outfit and Faye Dunaway his jacketed black wool. Faye also bought a see-through dress---without the underpinnings.......Some restaurants are still in a quandary about whether or not to permit pants, but Miss Stutz for one says, 'I would rather change restaurants than change my clothes."

This was big.....real big. Before that it just wasn't acceptable to wear anything but a dress or skirt in the office or at school. It's hard to imagine when women in pants was not accepted. 

"At an unusual appearance at a New York fashion show, St.Laurent happily receives the applause of models who are all wearing his pantsuits.".....none in see-throughs...

Post by Eileen Patterson....who is GoofingOff

Remembering Oscar de la Renta

Last week the fashion world lost a one of its greatest designers, Oscar de la Renta. His beautiful dresses were seen by so many. The designs were flattering and beautiful.

The scarf pictured is an Oscar; pure silk, rich with color, ready to accent an outfit.  21 inches square and in excellent condition. It is in the MissEileen Vintage shop.

 

These lovely patterns were in my GoofingOff Sewing shop when I first started. Beautiful Vogue American Designer patterns; true Oscar....flattering, and sensuous; just the way a woman wants to feel when she dresses up. 

 Though Mr. de la Renta is gone, his influence will continue to be felt in the fashion world.

Post by Eileen Patterson

Fashion Week: Miss Eileen’s Etsy Picks 9.9.11

September is such an important month. Not only is it National Sewing Month but the autumnal equinox occurs, school begins, the Jewish High Holidays are during September, and last, but in no way least, Fashion Week just started. For someone like me, not quite the fashionista, Fashion Week is something that happens in NY and will filter down to my local Wally World eventually, but to a fashionista like my beloved daughter, it is a downright cause for celebration. Lucky her, this year she is going to be in NY for fashion week. Nice. Hope she sends me pictures. I would like to know what I might be wearing (or most likely NOT wearing) next year.
In any case, I’ve been looking around Etsy again for some of the coolest shops with the most wonderful items. I learned a long time ago that cool designs will be copied and mass produced too soon by folks in other lands. Often you will find the coolest on sites like Etsy and Artfire.
Here’s what I found.
 

Black Leather with Metallic Blue Bow Tie Necklace 14 inch Length Beautiful Repurposed Leather Silver Chain Accessory by A Little Leather

Bows are classic but I like the use of leather. A little different but still traditional. Cute and understated.

 Blue Inductor Earrings by GeekkiBoutikki

I still can’t get over the idea these beautiful earrings were once electronic parts. Recycled is always chic.

                                                         Swirly Pop Felt Bag by YUMMI by CraftasticParties Love the use of color in this bag. Brings a smile to my face whenever I see it.

 

Cranberry Small Pleasures Mini Shoulder Bag by LBArtworks 

 Love the design and the use of natural wood for buttons and hardware.

Paisley Ink Iku Dress Baby Doll Style by ThreeLittleDucksAust 

A style from the 60’s updated. Love it!

 

Stepping Out Black Faux Fur and Leather Spats by KimKatBags 

Good way to change the look of shoes and these are cool!

Bolero Jacket Shrug In Black Trimmed with Elegant Black Chinese Silk Long Sleeved by PixiePocket

Beautiful shrug that graces any dress it is worn with.

 

Empress Style Dream Coat by Enlightened Platypus Amazing coat!

OK, those are my picks. What do you think?
Post by Eileen
Etsy Shops
GoofingOff


MissEileen


MetalWoodsnWater
and
GoofingOff Artfire

Don’t forget to check out the costume pattern sale going on now and remember to use the coupon code HALLOWEEN for 40% off all costume sewing patterns!

Miss Eileen’s Etsy Picks 9.2.11 September Song

Congratulations to last week’s Etsy Picks winner J Davis Squared and the adorable Personalized Piggy Bank College Fund. Be sure to watch for the interview.

Labor Day Weekend is here, the last the three big summer holidays, and our last chance to say good bye to summer. Labor Day also marks putting away the white shoes and getting out the fall wardrobe (or at least shopping for fall clothes).

Picking Pumpkins Vintage Print Caftan Dress by Crazy Hot Clothes  Beautiful fall colors updated. Lovely.

 Felted Olive Green Wool Woman Scarf by Chopard  Breathtaking.

 Brown Wool Women’s Knit Shawl Shrug New Fall 2011 by Chicca Style Love this. Great for those cool autumn nights.

Brown Jasper and Carnelian Gemstone Bracelet by LindaB142 Fantastic colors.

Scarf Accessory in Fall Colors by Fiber Artsy Need to dress up a simple dress? Here’s how you do it!

 Flower Clips made from Recycled T-Shirts - 1 flower by Urban Eco Beauty When you want to add just a little something.

 Romantic Eco Hot Southern Mess Denim and Lace Skirt by Dress Me Love Lee So cute!

 Crocheted Shawl/Poncho by Larrie2121 I love orange!

Well, those are my picks. What do you think? Hard to pick just one? I know, they are all incredible. Each one is a winner. Pick one, pick two, that’s up to you. Poll is on the upper right corner and you have 6 days to vote. Winner gets a feature interview.

 

Post by Eileen
Etsy Shops
GoofingOff


MissEileen


MetalWoodsnWater
and
GoofingOff Artfire

Don’t forget to check out the costume pattern sale going on now and remember to use the coupon code HALLOWEEN for 40% off all costume sewing patterns!

Barley Girl Fashions

As a seller of sewing supplies, I often wonder what happens after the pattern or fabric leaves my shop. Is the pattern something held dear by a collector or a fashion someone loves and wants to create? Is the fabric turning into pillows or dresses? What happens???!! Well, Katherine Wells, of Barley Girl Fashions must have read my mind. A while back she bought this pattern 

used it as a reference, and made the most incredible creations. Here’s a sample from her site, Barley Girl Fashions.
    


Thank you, Kathy, for showing me your creations. I love what you are doing!

Don't forget the costume pattern sale going on in the GoofingOff Etsy and GoofingOff Artfire shops until October 1. Big selection for adults and children.
Post by Miss Eileen...just goofing off.

Miss Eileen’s Etsy Picks July 8, 2011

Good Friday, everyone! How was your Fourth? Lots of fireworks? We had some rain so the fire ban was lifted and there were plenty of fireworks. We are into hard core summer now, Beach, sun, fun. Let’s take a peek at what I’ve found on Etsy.
Can’t go to the beach (or anywhere else) without something to carry all those summer essentials.
        Vintage Geraniums Summer Carry All Tote by GreenBugBags Made from repurposed vintage thrifted fabric
                                 Funky Cute Tote by JitterBag Colorful and cute.

                Stylized Pink Lily Flower Small size tote bag by Amy305

        Simple Tote Blue and White Crisp and Clean by NJayedesigns
                Hip 3 Color Fabric Messenger Sling by Bagabilities  Good size for sightseeing and carrying light.
                          Essi Tote in cobalt faux suede by Raramodo  What a fabulous weekender!

                                     Vintage Tote by 2ChicDesigns
                 Large Whimsical Hand Painted Cat Tote by Ceinnamoss
So, what do you think? Cute bags? Check out my treasury on Etsy for more bags  MissEileen’s Etsy Picks: Just Bags. Voting starts as soon as I put up the poll in the upper left corner. Winner gets a feature blog interview.

Enjoy!
Post by Eileen Patterson.
Goofingoff Sewing Supplies                                             GoofingOff.etsy.com                                            Goofingoff.Artfire.com
Vintage fashion and home decor                                                        MissEileen.etsy.com
Unusual and unique finds                          MetalWoodsnwater.etsy.com                          MetalWoodsnWater.artfire.com


In case you wonder how I decide what goes on the blog, I look for new shops, cool ideas, repurpose and recycled items or supplies, and great pictures.

Vintage Hat Identification: Oh So Lucy and Ricky

I love vintage fashion. I love to watch old movies, not just to hear Fred sing and dance with Ginger, but to look at the old fashions and styles. I love the way Katherine Hepburn worn pants and the gowns that Carole Lombard wore were fantastic. The hats were to die for. Just love them, so imagine my excitement when I snagged a box of vintage ladies hats and gloves. I felt like I hit the lottery. I kind of did, the vintage ladies’ hat lottery. Woo Hoo for me! Now my problem is ID-ing the hats. I want to put them in my MissEileen shop for the world to see, only thing is I am so OCD that I need to know what to call them (other than hat) and how to describe them properly.

Yes, I have my fanatic moments and this is one of them. I know a pillbox, a beret, and a cloche, but I get a little lost after that. I do know when to ask for help so I am asking my readers to please HELP! Here’s the awesome beauties.

This is a light blue hat with netting, a big bow, and combs to keep it in place.

This pink beauty is made of a straw-like material and has sheer pink fabric around it. It is further embellished with teardrop pearls.

Here’s the gloves that came with it. Look like they were worn to a wedding or church function.

I think this is a pink raffia with netting…..I think.

 

 

This is sort of a half hat with netting.

This hat is of the same sort of material as the pink one with ruffles all around.

A green velvet headband, sort of.

The headband type with matching gloves.

I know the next two, just want to show them off a little.

A black and white pillbox hat in faux fur with black bows and rhinestones.

 

Turquoise blue pillbox in felt.

So, what do you think? Anybody know the right names (I am so anal)? They are kind of cute. Just need the right purse and shoes. Sigh. Oh, so Lucy and Ricky.