Image 01

Lady Violette

The Romantic Lifestyle

Archive for March, 2011

Superb Vintage Green Coat & Hat Trimmed in Real Beaver Fur for Saint Patrick’s Day if You Are 3 years Old!

Wednesday, March 16th, 2011

Bambur Original sz~3T Green Wool Coat & Hat with Beaver Fur Trim

This is a fabulous wool coat and matching hat trimmed in real beaver fur from the early 1950’s. It fits a stylish little three year old perfectly! It is adorable! I rescued and restored it. When I found it it was damp and very very dirty. It was a risk as I didn’t know if I would be able to get it clean enough and mold free enough to use. I had to have it professionally dry cleaned. Then I restitched most of the lining. I replaced the buttons with new ones – several of the originals which had been dark brown were missing. I didn’t have the same type. But I did have a full set of black velvet ones off of an old jacket that would fit. So I used those. The coat is by Bambur Originals in Tennesee. It was made in the early 1950’s. The adorable matching hat has little earflaps that fold down to cover the ears when needed! They are tucked inside as currently pictured. Two long ties extend from the hat to tie under the chin and keep it on. I got the coat ready just in time for Christmas to wear over holiday dresses but then I realized it is perfect for Saint Patrick’s Day as well! We are certainly getting a lot of use out of this one! It was well worth the expense and effort to fix it! It is on top of my glass coffee table which is placed on top of my green Karistan carpet with wildflowers on it for the photo! I am posting vintage items in green this week in honor of Saint Patrick’s day. I have decided they can be any size and for anyone in the family!

Share

An Amazing Kelly Green Ball Gown from Emma Domb Circa 1960’s

Monday, March 14th, 2011

This is an elegant vintage 60’s formal gown of heavy green silk shantung lined in China silk. The front is a classic figure fitted column. The back is a cape like skirt attached to a yoke with dramatic covered buttons. I particularly like the side view with the cape like effect of the drape.

Designer Emma Domb was American and famous for her bridal gowns, prom dresses and ball gowns. This is an austere model for her as most of her dresses were full skirted tulle concoctions. This green, in person, is about as strong a kelly green as you can get so it seems perfect choice to wear for Saint Patrick’s Day Ball to me!

Front is a Simple Long Shift

Side View with Elegant Drape

Back Has a Cape Like Skirt

Classic Emma Domb Label

Detail of Yoke with Covered Buttons

Share

From I. Magnin and Perfectly Fit for the Mad Men Saint Patrick’s Day Party!

Sunday, March 13th, 2011

Silk Dress with Jacket

Silk Paisley Brocade Dress with Jacket

This is an adorable circa 1962 emerald green silk paisley brocade dress suit with jacket. Even more amazing it is new old stock from the prestigious San Francisco store I. Magnin, which means it was never sold and never worn and still has the original tags on it!

Backview

It is perfect! A real gem!

Beautifully Fitted Bodice

Share

Vintage Shoes of the Week of Saint Patrick’s Day ~ Green of Course!

Sunday, March 13th, 2011

 

 

 

 

Green Metalic Leather and Silk Chiffon Evening Sandals

In the spirit of Saint Patrick’s Day a fantastic pair of green evening sandals that lace up the leg and tie. These are made of green metallic leather with silk chiffon ribbon ties. I will give a couple of views as they were a bit difficult to photograph! Especially without a model!

These were made by BCBG Max Mara and seem just the thing to wear with a Green Greek Goddess Style Evening Gown.

They are designed to wear crossed over, laced and tied at the ankle like a ballet slipper. Very very sexy shoes!

I found these while vintage shopping and they were not my size! They were a size 9 and 1/2 and I wear a 7 and 1/2 But they were fantastic and in great condition.

From the Front & Center

I had to buy them and I kept them around for a while as pieces of art, then, trying to edit down my shoe collection I sold them on eBay. My criterion being that they didn’t fit me so I should probably part with them.

As usual the woman who bought them got a great bargain and really loved the shoes. And as usual, I miss them! I’m glad she appreciated them though!

I always feel bad when I sell things on eBay and take a total financial loss. These were amazing because of the color and the design. And they have 4 inch heels. They are yummy and precarious and very dangerous to wear! No part of the shoe hugs the foot so there is nothing structurally designed to hold them on. They are what my brother calls danglers, the kind of shoe you wear to the opera and simply dangle your feet in the aisles to be seen for the pleasurable sensual and visual effect. Do not try to walk far or on uneven surfaces, run or dance in them. Because you could get easily hurt! But they would be lovely for a photo shoot! These definitely fall into the category of shoes as primarily art pieces! That is their highest and best use as shoes. And a perfectly justifiable use I might add!

Share

Saint Patrick’s Day is Just Around the Corner ~ One is Supposed to Wear Green!

Saturday, March 12th, 2011

Green Gaberdine Suit Circa 1948

This is an amazing opportunity that comes around once a year to get out the gorgeous green vintage items from the 1940’s and 50’s when the exact right color of Irish green was popular for suits, hats, and dresses.

I have some amazing pieces in my collection and I think posting them in my blog during the week before St. Patrick’s Day is the perfect way to show off several! And inspire people to plan the right special green ensemble in advance of March 17th!

Here is a beautiful late 40’s suit worthy of any Hollywood heroine! It is the epitome of femininity!  There is no label in it so I do not know who designed it.

The structure of this suit is just beautiful! Note the princess seamed bodice, wide lapels, shoulder pads of just the right proportions, nipped in waist that tapers to a point in the back elongating the lines of the torso, and the graceful peplum. It is made of wool gaberdine and is lined in rayon crepe of the same green. The skirt is unlined as was customary of the times because women wore half slips under their skirts.

It has hand sewn self-bound buttonholes and black shiny buttons which are probably bakelite. I think it would be perfect worn with black suede pumps and a little black suede box purse and, of course, the perfect little black hat. I think Lauren Bacall would have worn this on Saint Patrick’s Day!

The A-line Skirt

Detail of Peplum Jacket

Detail of Jacket Tailoring

Back View of 1940's Green Suit

Share