Dress Like Agent Carter - 1940s style

Yes we saw the new Downton Abbey. It was fabulous. More on that later. For now, let's talk AGENT CARTER! Agent Carter is the plucky love interest from the original Captain America movie. She holds her own in a room full of men, takes out a bunch of bad guys, and has fabulous red lipstick. Now she has her own TV show on ABC.

Agent Carter and Steve Rogers aka Captain America

The premise of the show is set just after WWII. The dedicated women who stepped up during the war to "free a man to fight" are getting laid off to make way for returning GIs. Agent Carter finds herself marginalized to secretarial work at the Strategic Scientific Reserve (SSR), a secret organization fore-runner to modern-day S.H.I.E.L.D. seen in the Avengers movies and on their own TV series, Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Not to fear, Agent Carter finds ways to save the world with the help of Howard Stark (Iron Man's dad) and his real-life butler Jarvis all while keeping the files at SSR HQ up to date.

If that's not a good enough reason to watch, Agent Carter is nothing but 1940s eye candy. Combine the 1940s fashion with an amazing lead character, a decent story line, and some poignant social commentary of the time and you have the works of a good show.

On that note, let's look at some of Agent Carter's fashions. In the first Captain America movie, she essentially wore variations of standard Womens Army Corps (WAC) uniforms.

Agent Carter in the WAC Ike jacket, shirt, tie, skirt, and brown pumps

In the show, she's out of the Army and working as a civilian, leading a double life as a simple working girl for the phone company and as a special agent clerk/typist/femme fatale. She gets a few more wardrobe choices. First off, THE SUITS! There's nothing like a good 1940s women's suit. We have loads of them in the shop. Check out the shoes she is wearing too. They have a nice secure strap with a chunky heel. Chic and SENSIBLE! If you going to run down bad guys, you can't worry about breaking a heel in the process.

Even her perky waitress friend, Angie, has sensible shoes. Such a cute diner uniform too. I'm taking bets on when she's going to dump a pot of coffee in an annoying customer's lap. You know it's only a matter of time and they'd totally deserve it.

Angie serves up advice and a mean coffee

You can't have a 1940s show without hats. I think this fedora steals the entire first episode. Seriously women, why don't you wear more hats? Princess Kate has cornered the market on fascinators. There needs to be a huge revival of killer hats and not just for royal-type events and horse races. 

Agent Carter - hatitude

There are other neat day looks like this sweet skirt and blouse combo on her friend and Agent Carter's classy day dress. You can catch the back the hairdo of the extra in the background as well. 1940s hairstyles aren't hard. All you need is some practice. bobby pins or hair combs, a good hair rat, and some hairspray. These days looks are also super comfy and practical. Wear them to the office. Wear them to get groceries. Most vintage day dresses have real, working, pockets as well. I can't even carry change for the vending machine in the pockets of my modern dress trousers. Give me a day dress any time.

More great 1940s day looks

Not to leave out the men of the show. They all sport sharp 1940s suits. All expertly fitted complete with pocket squares. Gentlemen, don't forget your pocket square. It draws the eye upwards and makes you look longer and leaner. Be bold with your tie too! Patterns are your friend. Don't use the old standard stripes or dots. Boring! We're actually a menswear specialist so guys, come on in! We have over 2000 vintage suits in our warehouse for you to choose from.

1940s suits - great ties and pocket squares

You don't have to be special agent to dress like one. We have loads of vintage looks at the store to get you started. From 1940s day dresses to men's suits, we have something for everyone.

BONUS! Check out this interview with the costume designer of Agent Carter.

How to Avoid Moth Damage - DIY Blog Post

Many of you who have visited the store have seen Deb, the short blonde behind the counter. In the latest installment of DIY Del Ray, she gives expert advice on how to keep moths out of wool clothing and out of your house. Have a question about how to care for your vintage items or how to remove a stubborn stain? Come on in to the store and ask Deb. She is a textile historian and has worked with museum textile collections.

Yikes! Clothes moths.