Category Vintage Fashion Blog

Mystery Vintage found in Lawrence, KS

by Nora Jane Struthers in 1940's, 1950's, 1960's, Vintage Fashion Blog

Dear Friends,

I bought this charming wrap-dress last week at an antique mall on Massachusetts Ave. in Lawrence, Kansas– which happens to be one of my all-time favorite vintage shopping towns! This dress is so soft. Seriously- it’s crazy soft. The top is red with small white polka dots and the skirt is a unique purple color featuring two roomy pockets each trimmed with the red and white polka dot material. The beauty of a wrap dress is that, if it fits at all, it always fits perfectly.

The mystery of this dress is, I cannot figure from what decade it hails! The fabric and the wrap style would point to the 1940’s but hemline may be too short for that era. The fit evokes sixties, but the buttons are reminiscent of the early 50’s. Can you help me solve the mystery?

Addition clues:
-ruffle around collar
-white buttons up the front bodice
-one white button fastening the top if the back
-the fabric is thin, made of natural fibers- cotton, I believe

Alright friends! Let me know your best guess!

Best,
Nora Jane

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1940’s Waitress Uniform – or Disney Character?!

by Nora Jane Struthers in Vintage Fashion Blog

Dear Friends,

I found this dress 3 years ago in the 8th Avenue Antique Mall in Nashville.  I tried it on and fell in love, but they were asking $80 for it and just could bring myself to spend that kind of money on it.  I returned one week later with intentions of bitting the bullet and buying it despite the price tag, but it was gone!  I’ve searched for it there many times since that day to no avail.

Then, a few months ago, I was driving past one of my favorite East Nashville vintage shops – Fanny’s House of Music – on a Saturday.  They had rack upon rack of vintage clothing set-up on the lawn outside the shop.  I parked my car and started searching through the beautiful pieces.  I was shocked when I slid aside a polyester 70’s jumper and revealed this beautiful dress!  It found me!

Beautiful Blue 1940’s Waitress uniform
This dress truly has an ingenious design.  It’s a wrap dress and it has interchangeable front pieces.  So, if you spill coffee on the front of your uniform, you can just go into the back, undo the buttons, switch up the wrap, and voila!  You have a clean uniform on again!

I love the color and the durable cotton material.  I do feel a bit like a Disney Character in it though as I mention in the H&M Life fashion Feature Video:

Thanks for reading Friends!

Best,
Nora Jane

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Overdressed

by Nora Jane Struthers in 1950's, Vintage Fashion Blog

Dear Friends,

I am at the 77th Annual Old Time Fiddlers Convention in Galax, Virginia camping with my dad and PJ and many of my best friends. While visiting with dear friends Johnny & Mary, Mary told me she had brought one of her mother’s dresses from the 50’s with her to show me. So tried it on and my oh my, what a beautiful garment! She told me I need to take it home with me. Thank you so much Mary!

I did feel a little overdressed next to the mallard camper….

Thanks for reading friends!
Nora Jane

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Mexican Circle Skirts circa 1950 in Berkeley, CA

by Nora Jane Struthers in 1950's, Vintage Fashion Blog

Dear Friends,

For about a year now, I have been gawking at hand painted Mexican circle skirts on EBay but I’ve never bid on one as they’re always up in the hundreds of dollars. Today I found three beautiful skirts at Mars in Berkeley, CA– all under 50 bucks. I would most certainly taken one home with me if they had been darker/brighter colors (which work best on stage.).

I will continue my search.

Thanks for reading friends!!

Best,
Nora Jane

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