Monthly Archives October 2010





Dear friends,

These are women’s jeans from the 1940’s. I found them in an antique mall in Missouri two weekends ago and I TOTALLY LOVE THEM! The have a sturdy brass colored zipper on the side and the stitching is orange. In these photos I have them rolled-up in the style consistent with how they would have been worn in the 40’s and 50’s. The saddle shoes might bring these up to the 50’s, but they are the closest I’ve got to period shoes to go with jeans.

Adding a scarf, either around the neck or as a hair tie, to this outfit, really ties it together. (no pun intended…)

Thanks for reading friends!

Best,
Nora Jane

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Dear Friends,

At our show in Tulsa, OK, the audience took it upon themselves to dress the part donning 1950’s cocktail dresses, fedoras, skinny ties and vests. What a good looking crowd!

I wore a dress that I received in the mail…yes that’s right, I am now acquiring vintage via USPS. After playing in Tulsa last year, the hostess of this house concert series, Andrea, sent me a package containing a Hawaiian Print Skirt, 50’s beaded sweater, earrings, a necklace, and this gorgeous 50’s cocktail dress…all of which fit perfectly! I love the deep V neckline, sexy red floral print, and bell-shaped skirt.

Should anyone out there have a vintage piece that they would like to donate to the Nora Jane Performance Closet, my P.O. Box is #68159, Nashville, TN 37206. 🙂

Thanks for reading friends!

Sincerely,
Nora Jane

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Dear Friends,

I picked up this sweet 50’s dress at the Appalachian String Band Festival in Clifftop, WV. A dear woman named Rochelle has a fantastic vintage clothing booth named “The Garage Mahal” and this was one of two dresses I took off her hands.

This dress has a full skirt, collar-bone friendly neckline, and the cotton fabric is the sweetest pale blue and white. I added a dark blue leather belt and matching shoes.

Thanks for reading friends!

Sincerely,
Nora Jane

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Dear Friends,

Once or twice before in my life, I have been given vintage dresses by kindly women who are looking for a good home for a dress, but never have I been given something that is so exactly aligned with the era and style of dress on which I have patterned my “look.” After hearing that I was wearing a true 1940’s seersucker romper (blog post to follow :), Nancy, resident of Middletown, RI, came up to me during the intermission of our show at Common Fence Music last night and told me she had several of her grandmother’s dresses form the 40’s in her closet. When she asked me if I would I be interested in adopting them, I jumped up with an enthusiastic, “Yes!”

The bootleggers and I stopped by her house first thing this morning wear I tried on this amazing garment. As we got in the car to drive away, Dave, my mandolin player, said, “I think that might be the best dress you own.” I think I might just agree.

Thanks for reading friends!

Sincerely,
Nora Jane

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