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.

Vintage Ski Sweater Style in DIY Del Ray

Did you see the great write-up we got in DIY Del Ray about our vintage ski sweaters? Fabulous pictures and some history on these hand-knit gems. Come on down to the store and see them for yourself.

1940s ski sweater

Ain't No Party Like a Gatsby Party - 1920s Fashion

It's that time of the year - Christmas then the big New Year's party. There's been more than one of you who have come in looking for 1920s clothing for a Gatsby party. Thanks for coming in to the store. We can help you find the right look.

First off, we do have fabulous 1920s vintage clothing. See our previous post on our amazing vintage cloche hats. We also have vintage day dresses, some evening dresses, and art deco jewelry.

1920s velvet burnout dress

1920s velvet robe

For party attire on a budget (or without the use of excessive Spanx as you'll need them if you wear the original dresses), we can help you get the 1920s look that will stun all of your friends.

First off, a bit about 1920s fashion. I know all of you want this look:

No no no!! Wrong!

This look did not exist. It is a costume look based off of caricature of college students from the time. 

Caricature of a Flapper

These are real flappers from the 1920s:

Real Flappers from the 1920s

Scandalous, no? Well for the time, they were. They drank, smoked, and wore their skirts RIGHT ABOVE THE KNEE! Everyone else wore their skirts below or at the knee. Some of the flappers even cut their hair! Quell horror!

So what did the average person look like in the 20s?

1920s advertisement

1920s Everyday Look

For evening, there were some amazing beaded dresses in the 1920s. Again, originals are rare and they cost thousands. You also wouldn't want to wear one to a party lest you get snagged and have to watch in horror as thousands of hand-sewn beads tumble helplessly to the carpet. Fear not! Coco Chanel invented the "little black dress" or LBD in 1926. This simple black dress enabled women to go from a less formal cocktail party to dinner just by changin accessories. We have a great selection of period-looking LBDs in the store. 

To give you the real 20s look, throw on a vintage kimono. This will not only keep you warmer on cold evenings but double as a great house robe the day after your vintage party when you are lounging around in your PJs. 

1920s Embroidered Kimon

1920s Kimono-style Robe

1920s Kimono fashion

Add some solid t-strap heels or any pump with a strap and a solid heel (no stilletos! No!), some blingy jewelry, and one of our feather facinators in your hair, and you'll be set. 

Baby It's Cold Outside - Vintage Coats and More!

Owners Shelly and Gene have just gotten back from a whirlwind buying trip to Minnesota and the store is loaded with lots of new vintage!

New vintage clothing!

First and foremost - vintage coats! The queen of the coat in the 1940s, 1950s, and 1960s was Lilli Ann. Her coats are high quality, fashionable, and often used designer fabrics like Blin Blin from Paris. We have several amazing Lilli Ann coats in the shop for sale among others.

Fabulous Lilli Ann Coat in Mohair!

Petite Lilli Ann Coat with fur collar.

We also have loads of vintage sweaters and 1940s dresses that we are pricing and getting ready for the store. Photos to come.

Check out these amazing vintage purses! They go great with many outfits and are easily large enough for your cell phone, wallet, and all your other things.

Vintage pony purse.

Vintage pony shoulder bag.

This is just the tip of the iceberg. Check Facebook and Instagram often for pictures of new items as they come back from the cleaners. You won't be disappointed. 

The Vintage Style of Taylor Swift

A couple came into the store the other day and said that their 13 year-old daughter was really into vintage. My first thought was "Congratulations on raising such a classy young lady." As they were looking through the racks for her Christmas present, one said to the other, "You know where she gets it from - Taylor Swift."

Now, I'm not a huge fan of Taylor Swift (though We Are Never Getting Back Together may or may not have been on my ipod on repeat after a certain break-up a couple of years ago) but I know she is a major style icon. Today, she sports a retro, vintage, pin-up look that is unique among pop-stars in sky-high heels and expensive designer clothing.

What's great about Taylor Swift's retro style is that anyone can pull it off. Young, old, slim, curvy, tall, short, you name it. It looks good on everyone. Vintage clothing is also incredibly affordable and quality. If you take good care of it, it will last a lifetime. You can also put together a look that is uniquely you. Come on in and find your vintage look today! Don't let Taylor hog the spotlight.

Andrea shows that vintage
 works in the office.

Beatrice with her vintage jacket
and blouse. So cute!

Vintage 70s done right! 

Vintage Accessories for Every Outfit

We know you. You come in the store and browse through our fabulous vintage clothes. We hear you sigh, "I just don't know how to wear vintage." So we help you out and suggest some wonderful vintage dresses for you to try on. But you hesitate to take the plunge into wearing vintage. It's OKAY. We understand. Wearing vintage can take some time, like going swimming. Some people will dive right in. Others will sit on the side of the pool and dangle their feet, getting used to the water.

Vintage accessories are an easy way to get into wearing vintage. We all want that signature piece for our wardrobe. That one piece that we can wear with practically anything - jeans, a business suit, or a cocktail dress. That piece will always get compliments and we will never get tired of wearing it.

Puruse some of these vintage accessories and dip you toes into wearing vintage.

Vintage purses - These are a great way to get into vintage and most importantly, holds your cell phone and wallet. We've lots of styles at the store from classic handbags to sassy vintage tooled leather handbags from the Southwest.

Vintage shoulder bag

Vintage tooled leather purse

Vintage Rings - Chunky jewelry is very "on trend" right now. Vintage cocktail rings come in a variety of styles and will set you apart in the crowd. Check out this vintage ring below. It's a lovely blue Czech art glass in sterling silver.

Vintage cocktail ring in Czech art glass and silver

Vintage necklaces - This will be your "go to" piece. The perfect neckace or pendant will go with jeans and a t-shirt, your work dress, and your cocktail dresses. Every time you wear this piece, you will get compliments. People will remember your piece and say, "I love it when you near that necklace!" What will be your "go to" piece? Chunk 70s silver? Art deco glass? Bakelite beads? The possibilities are limitless. Come to the store and find yours today.

Vintage charm in honey jade 

Vintage style silver locket

Vintage glass necklace

Vintage Brooches - Brooches are so versatile. You can wear them on a suit jacket, on a blouse, on your coat, or to pin up a scarf. You can also hang them on a chain and make them into a necklace.

Vintage snail brooch

WWII Plane Pin

Do you have some ideas now? Are you ready to try some vintage? Come on out! We have something for everyone and will help you find your signature piece that you will wear for years to come.