Feature Friday: Types of Vintage Dresses

Today's Feature Friday dives into vintage fashion, particularly dresses and their different styles.

The A-Line

Form fitting around the chest with a cinched waist and flared out skirt, usually ends at the knee.

Shirtwaist

The top half resembles a men's button-down shirt and the bottom is a dress. The bottom can be A-Line or Shift style.

Tent

Not form fitting. The flare begins at or just below the chest. The fabric is often pleated. 

Shift

Also not form fitting. No flare. The style is straight and box, usually ending at the knee.

Sheath

Form fitting around the chest, waist, and hips. There is no flare, the bottom falls straight and narrow from the hips. They are usually sleeveless with a high neck.

Wiggle

Form fitting around the chest, waist, hips, and knees. It narrows toward the bottom ending at the knees or mid-calf. 

Feature Friday: Mood Rings

Today's Feature Friday focuses on Mood Rings - that cool piece of jewelry that contained a stone that changed color depending on your mood. Some people believed in them, some didn't think they worked. What did you think?

The Mood Ring was invented by a jeweler named Marvin Wernick in the late 1960’s. Wernick discovered the process when he went on an emergency call with a friend who happened to be a doctor. The doctor used a strip of thermotropic material on a young boy’s forehead to check his temperature which gave Wernick the idea for the mood ring.

Even though the technical discovery of the mood ring was by Wernick, credit is most often given to Joshua Reynolds for what became one of the biggest fads of the 1970’s. Reynolds was the first to popularize the rings in 1975 and even though they were a fad in the 70’s, they continually resurface for periods of time throughout the years.
The ring consisted of a liquid crystal thermometer in a quartz or glass stone that changed color depending on the temperature of the finger of the wearer.

When a person’s body temperature increases the temperature of the liquid crystal increases, and takes on a different molecular structure at every temperature. Each molecular structure reflects or absorbs different wavelengths which are responsible for the color change in mood rings. The color of the ring actually changes because of body temperature, not because of mood.

When the liquid crystal was calibrated with body temperature, it was also calibrated for color. Average body temperature displays a blue/green or teal color on the mood ring. The following is a list of all the colors and there corresponding moods, starting with the coldest temperature:

Black: depressed or down, really cold outside or a damaged ring
Brown/Gray: anxious or nervous
Yellow/Amber: tense and excited
Green/Teal: average day and average body temperature
Blue: calm and relaxed
Violet/Purple: happy or passionate

The rings initially sold for $45 in a "silvery setting" or $250 for gold.

They were short lived in the 70's and mostly worn by young girls. However, they did make mention in pop culture including a Peanut's comic strip where Peppermint Patty gets so angry at Charlie Brown that her mood ring explodes.

The Mood Ring re-emerged in the 1990's and this time came in different styles, not just the traditional oval stone. Some were bands, heart shaped, triangular and so on.

Sources:
http://www.wisegeek.com/what-are-mood-rings.htm
http://www.complex.com/style/2011/09/the-90-greatest-90s-fashion-trends/mood-rings
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mood_ring
http://www.bestmoodrings.com/blog/how-mood-rings-work

Feature Friday: Crocs

Do you remember how popular these shoes were when they first came out?

I had never heard of them until I slowly started seeing every other man, woman, and child wearing them. Did I ever become one of those people? Nope. They just never really got my attention.

Either way, today's "Feature Friday" will focus on the history of Crocs and how they became so popular!

The idea of Crocs was created by three friends on a boating trip one day in 2002.

All Crocs shoes are made with Croslite™, a closed-cell resin that gives each pair of shoes its soft, comfortable, lightweight, non-marking and odor-resistant qualities.

Their first debut was at a boating show in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Many people weren't impressed by the look of the shoe but needless to say, all pairs sold out by the end of the day!

In 2003, they introduced a separate line called "The Nile" which was geared towards women.

The friends opened their first mall kiosk in 2004 and today, have more then 400 stores around the world.

And what about the alligator logo? They actually didn't have one until a few years later! The alligator, named Duke, was introduced in 2005.

As the brand's popularity continued to rise, the company created a charity called, SolesUnited, now known as Crocs Cares. Since 2008, more than 3,000,000 pairs of shoes are donated to children and families around the world.

In 2010, the company expanded their style of shoes to flip flops and sneakers and today they also have boat shoes, loafers, boots, and slip on shoes that change colors called "chameleon."

So do/did you own a pair of crocs? What color? What style? Share your comments!

Feature Friday: Our Upcoming Campaign on Indiegogo

As you may have heard, our Studio is launching a campaign this Wednesday, July 1st on Indiegogo called, "Help Save Our Costume Closet." 

The main goal of our campaign is to cover the costs of maintaining the Costume Closet for the next year, which includes the rental fees and other overhead expenses for that part of the studio, cleaning costs, and material costs for any repairs needed. We have recently implemented several new marketing tactics and slimmed down our operation as much as possible. Now we need the time and capital to see it through.

Our Costume Closet consists of rare, unique and vintage pieces, as well as complex costumes we have built in-house. Our passion is to provide beautifully built, clean, and creative costumes for schools, theatre and dance troupes, film studios, and individual clients for theme parties, galas, Renaissance Festivals, Comic Con, and beyond.

Our Studio rent is $3,000 a month and the past several months have proven difficult in making ends meet. We do not want to give up our costume closet, as it took 16 years to build, and we love it greatly. But storing these costumes takes up most of Unit J, which is half the studio and half the rent – a whopping $1,500 a month.

We have our peak seasons for the Costume Closet (Spring: Bridal/Prom, Fall: Bridal/Halloween), and the in-between months of alterations as our bread and butter. This income alone is not always enough to cover the expenses of garment building and maintenance, let alone to allow us to take that next big leap. Now we need the capital to grow and bring in the costume clientele to match the level of our custom clientele.

Please visit any of our pages (Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, etc) or our website (www.sewingdesignstudio.com) on July 1st for the link to the campaign. There will also be a video from the Studio with more information about the campaign. If you are unable to make a donation, that's okay! Please share any post from us with your friends and family. Any help is greatly appreciated.

Feature Friday: How to dress like Grace Kelly

Today's Feature Friday will focus on the fashion of Grace Kelly, courtesy of About Style.

1. The Circle Skirt

In the 1950s, Grace often wore dresses that featured a fitted bodice, a nipped-in waist and a full skirt, a silhouette known as the “New Look” made famous by Christian Dior, one of Grace’s favorite designers.

2. Simple Separates

Grace looks cool and casual as she sits on a makeup counter wearing a sleeveless black mock turtleneck and plain beige pants in 1954. The black top pops against Grace’s porcelain skin and light features.

3. Minimal Accessories

When Grace Kelly won the Academy Award for Best Actress for “The Country Girl” in 1954, she turned heads in a gorgeous sea foam gown designed by famed Hollywood costume designer Edith Head. The simple 1950's bag and minimal jewelry ground the ensemble.

4. Solid Colors

Grace often wore solid colors, specifically blue, pink, white and her favorite color yellow, like this Asian-inspired dress she wore to the Golden Globe Awards in 1956 where she won the award for World Film Favorite (Female). When shopping for a gown, select a solid color that complements your skin.

5. Simple White Shirt

Even in this casual white shirt and red-and-blue silk scarf, Grace looks stunning in this outfit circa 1955. One of Grace’s best accessories: red lipstick.

6. Tailored Pants

Just a few days before she left Hollywood to marry Prince Rainier III in Monaco in 1956, Grace wore this collared shirt with belted tailored pants that accentuated her tiny waist. With a printed scarf in her pocket and simple flats, she looks effortless and fuss-free.

7. The Kelly Bag

Originally named “sac à dépêches” when it was first produced in 1935, this Hermès bag was renamed the Kelly bag in 1956 after Grace Kelly carried it in front of her to hide her pregnancy. The Hermès Kelly bag is still one of the most coveted bags today. Can’t afford a Kelly bag? Opt for a structured vintage 1950s handbag.

8. Starlet Sunglasses

On the set of “Mogambo” circa 1953, the ingénue exudes Hollywood glamour in her dark sunglasses, pants and simple strapless top.

5 Iconic (but very different) Wedding Outfits

Since it's wedding season, today's Feature Friday will highlight a few iconic (but very different) wedding wear choices by women. Not everyone follows the usual white dress and that's okay, because it's great to show our individuality. Below are 5 of the most iconic, nontraditional wedding outfits brought to you by simplybridal.com

#1 Marilyn Monroe

Marilyn's bridal wear consisted of a dark broadcloth suit with a white fur collar at her wedding to Joe DiMaggio in 1954.

#2 Mia Farrow

Completely opposite to the ball gown trend at the time, Mia wore a clean, fun and perfectly mod skirt that captured the era beautifully. This was her wedding to Frank Sinatra in 1966.

#3 Yoko Ono

Yoko's unconventional outfit is a statement of her personality and individuality. A mini-skirt, blouse, knee high socks, and big floppy hat replaced the traditional wedding gown. Wedding to John Lennon, 1969 - holding their marriage certificate.

#4 Gwen Stefani

Gwen's 2002 wedding to Gavin Rossdale was a Galliano that was a dip-dyed silk faille that kept her rock image while still being a princess on her big day.

#5 Ellen DeGeneres

Zac Posen was the creator of this relaxed, elegant white pantsuit with a sheer loose top under a stylish vest. 

What did/would you wear at your wedding? Would you go the traditional route or add your own personal flair? Comment below!

Feature Friday: Penny Loafers

Today's Feature Friday is the penny loafer, the classic unisex shoe that still remains a popular fashion staple.

Penny loafers originated in the 1930's and were modeled after the shoes of dairy farmers, which were leather with straps across the front.

The Spaulding family from New Hampshire made an American version of the shoe, and called them "loafers" after the cows who loafed around the milking area.

Six years later, shoe manufacturer G.H. Bass & Co. put a stylish spin on the utilitarian shoe by calling it the Weejun, and adding the now-iconic strap detail with slots for pennies so that the wearer always had money to make a phone-booth call.

Penny loafers will always be known as an exceptionally sturdy slip-on. Bass Shoes & Co. is still dedicated to making them with the same bench-crafted and hand-stitched material that made the shoes so comfortable in the first place.

Today, many other famous brands -- Ralph Lauren, Ermenegildo Zegna and Allen-Edmonds have followed suit, making sure that quality control remains at the forefront.

Penny loafers came to college campuses in the 1950's and 1960's and quickly became a fashion trend. Today it's the genuine leather insoles, comfortable linings and cool colors that make people step up and pay anywhere from $50 to $500 a pair.

Do you have a pair of loafers?

Source:
http://www.ehow.com/about_5056990_history-penny-loafers.html

Feature Friday: How to Never Regret a Fashion Purchase

So you're in a store and you see a ton of clothes you love. To your luck, it's also on sale...many items are on sale and you're instinct is to buy, buy, buy! But will you regret it later when you get your credit card bill? Retail stores are excellent at getting you to open your wallet because we all love a great deal! Today's Feature Friday will provide some good questions to help you never regret a fashion purchase again!

Ask Yourself:

Am I getting this just because it's on sale?

A lot of people will buy something they don't necessarily need just because it's on sale. Sure, a bargain is great but is it something that you will actually wear? Or will it just take up space in the closet?

Does it fit right this minute?

It's important to get something that actually fits you in the present time. If you lose weight, you can always get it altered. But you don't want to get something you can't wear right away because you don't actually know when you'll be able to wear it. 

Am I comfortable in it?

Sure, it may look GREAT on you but if it's not comfortable, is it worth it? This specifically makes me think of shoes. You've been eyeing that one pair of shoes but there's a catch - they're so uncomfortable! Keep looking, there's always something better - that's comfortable!

Am I getting this because it's part of a deal?

This is similar to the "sale" point. It's so easy to get trapped in the "Buy one, get one" deal or the "Spend this amount of money and get that..." I think this is one of the most common ways to end up with buyers remorse. The best way to decide on this is to actually ask yourself the other questions!

Do I own items to wear with it?

You found a shirt in an awesome color/print. Suddenly you realize you have absolutely nothing that will go with it! The buyer's remorse comes in after you make other purchases to accommodate the shirt so that you have a complete outfit. But how often will you wear the outfit? It's best to find clothes that you can dress up or down and use in different ways for multiple outfits.

Do I have a place to wear it?

I ask myself this question a lot. I've found beautiful dresses that fit perfectly but then I ask myself, where can I wear this to? Unless I have a specific event, I always put it back.

Is this item too high-maintenance?

Another question I ask myself. I've passed up several garments because it's "dry clean only" or really delicate fabric like silk. I don't want something that will have to be taken to the cleaners all the time or may fall apart after one wash. The expensive stuff always seems to do that - right??

Am I getting this just because it's a brand name?

If you found two pairs of pants that were practically identical but were different brands - which one would you choose? It's true that you always get what you pay for - but in some cases, just because it's a certain brand, doesn't mean it's any better or worse than the other. 

Am I filling a wardrobe gap? 

Is the new dress shirt in a color that you don't have? Or does it look very similar to all the other shirts you own? Give yourself different colors to choose from!

Does it feel like me?

I actually see this a lot - people have tons of clothes and some of these items you'd never expect them to wear (or even buy) in a million years! It doesn't fit their style and it always ends up in the closet on a shelf. If you find yourself second guessing, just put it back. If you really thought it was right for you, you'd know instantly.

There you have it - some simple (but thought provoking) questions to help you in your future clothing purchases! Good luck!

Feature Friday: Cardigans

Today's Feature Friday focuses on cardigans, that comfy, run out the door sweater that is perfect for mildly cool days.

The "cardigan" was named after  the 7th Earl of Cardigan, James Thomas Brudenell, a British military commander during the Crimean War.

They became popular in in 17th Century France as well as the British Isles, where fisherman adopted this heavy, hand-knitted wool apparel to stay warm on cold days.

Once created with wool, a cardigan generally has buttons or other fastening pieces in the front. These buttons will help to close the front of the sweater either from the bottom to the top or perhaps only to the middle of the torso, depending on the style and the cut. Some cardigans will also have zippers instead of buttons that can help to secure the sweater in the front.

The most famous wearer of the cardigan sweater is said to be Mr. Rogers - the children's TV show host. You may remember that Mr. Rogers used to change into his cardigan at the beginning of every television episode.

I think it's pretty safe to say that cardigans are available in almost any color imaginable. They can be that last piece to really make an outfit, or just a quick on-the-go garment to keep you warm.

How many cardigans do you own?

Sources:
http://www.fibre2fashion.com/industry-article/1/64/the-history-of-the-cardigan-sweater1.asp
http://www.cardigansweater.com/what-is-a-cardigan-cardigan-sweater-history.html

Feature Friday: Trench coat

Today's "Feature Friday" will talk about the history of the trench coat, which became very popular after World War I. It was originally developed for the British military.

The material from which trench coats are made, gabardine, dates back to the 1870's when designer Thomas Burberry (1835–1926) developed a unique wool material that was chemically processed to repel rain.

Jackets made of the fabric were first used in the Boer War fought in South Africa between the British and Dutch settlers in 1899.

This new material was untearable, virtually crease-proof, and resistant to the elements, while remaining porous and well-ventilated enough to be comfortable and cool for the wearer.

The classic World War I-era trench coat was double-breasted with four buttons, reinforced shoulder or gun flaps, straps at its sleeves, a buckled all-around belt (with distinctive brass "D" rings designed to hold one's water bottle, hand grenades, or sword), slotted pockets, and an adaptable collar. It was typically lined with wool. 

While these features have altered somewhat over the years, the trench coat has never gone out of fashion, remaining a popular all-purpose coat with both men and women. 

Among its wearers are a number of famous political leaders, actors, and literary figures, including politicians Winston Churchill (1874–1965) and Ronald Reagan (1911–), actors Humphrey Bogart (1899–1957) and Katharine Hepburn (1907–2003), writer George Bernard Shaw (1856–1950), and General Norman Schwarzkopf (1934–). Fictional characters who have become identified with the trench coat include Holly Golightly, the heroine of the novel and film Breakfast at Tiffany's (1961), and Peter Sellers' bumbling Inspector Clouseau from the Pink Panther comedy film series (1964–82).

Do you own a trench coat?

Sources

http://www.fashionencyclopedia.com/fashion_costume_culture/Modern-World-1900-1918/Trench-Coats.html

http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-29033055