Debutante Clothing :: A vintage clothing and fashion blog for unconventional style where vintage and runway meet.

I have a love-hate relationship with 50s dresses. I love the silhouette of a feminine wasp waist and a full circle skirt, and I'm seduced by slim pencil skirts, but who on earth has the natural dimensions to fit a 36-24-38?

When Dior created his iconic New Look, Mademoiselle Coco Chanel blasted him for creating torturous shapes which she dubbed "Fifties Horrors". So were women just healthier? Naturally endowed with envious curves? Was it something in the pre-atomic water?

Actually, the fantastical body shapes of the 1950s were carefully bound, sucked in and smoothed out through a clever device - the girdle.

Thank goodness for technology and research. Now, through the use of highly elastic and breathable fabrics, we can achieve the same perfectly contoured shape with products which are much less binding. I have personally tried Spanx and find them to be very comfortable and boy do they stretch!

You can find all of these and more magical body shapers at Bare Necessities

Vintage 1940's Poirette Peach Satin Zipper Girdle $130
1960s Satin Girdle $59

Chanel and Anna Sui shamelessly paid homage to the intricate era of Art Noveau and Deco with their RTW accessories for fall. It's kind of refreshing to see another decade being used as reference besides the usual suspects of the '50s and '60s. And let's face it, most designers are influenced by the past. But are these too much of a literal interpretation? What do you think?

This one is a blatant copy, unless it is indeed the same bag used as runway accoutrement.

all bags on left: Chanel, Chanel, Anna Sui
all bags on right: 1930s mesh purse, available at Jewels USA $95
1920s long chain mail purse, available at Bobby Deenes Vintage, $225
antique beaded purse, not available but an exact match, at Dorthea's Closet, $225

Several biopic projects depicting the life of Coco Chanel are in the works. Along with a made for TV movie on Lifetime, a film starring Audrey Tatou and Alessandro Nivola will be released next year.

But critics have not received the Lifetime series warmly.

A NEW made-for-television film, Coco Chanel - which claims to be "freely inspired by the truth" - has been savaged by critics for its lack of structure, factual inaccuracies and "wooden" acting.

Mademoiselle would not be pleased!

source: Vogue UK website

I have to admit that boho/hippie chic is not my style. I think I am too short to pull off long layers of miniscule floral prints and too tan to look good in earth tones. And while I love Anna Sui's modern take on the boho look, I still can't get on board personally.

Until I found this...

Metallic. Candy colors. Short skirt. And sexy. If all boho dresses looked like this, I'd snatch the patchouli right out of your hands and smoke a fashion peace pipe with Rachel Zoe.

available at Vintage-a-Peel
£175

What do you get when you cross a vintage, guest artists, rugged hardware and subculture appeal? Karyn Cantor fused all of these elements and more in her one of a kind collection of jewelry and accessories -- Classic Hardware.

Karyn has been the President and head designer of Classic Hardware since 1995. Her love of vintage and unique style blend into a funky, fun and conversation worthy collection of accessories for those of us that want something to the left of conservative. Although the pieces are funky, there are quite a few items that completely office ready.

Classic Hardware is so delightful, it has caught the eye of mainstream media and has been styled for various TV shows including Bones, Nip Tuck, Roller Girls, The Chris Isaak Show, Sex in the City, Friends, News Radio and Caroline in the City. Celebrities who wear Classic Hardware include Paris Hilton, Eva Mendez, Madonna (in her HOLLYWOOD video), Mandy Moore, Carmen Electra, Christina Aguilera, Hillary Duff, Jennifer Love Hewitt and singers Lucinda Williams, Neko Case, Exene of X and Jane Wiedlin of The Go-Go's.

I bought two necklaces at the Hootenanny -- one is a camelia type resin flower in black and white with a rhinestone in the center (very Chanel like) and the other is a picture box necklace with a Mexican maiden and gentleman courting. I pretend it's me and my husband. I'm not wearing them here, but you can see Julie Wanda (left) wearing the adorable heart bracelet and a complimentary necklace.

Do take a romp through the online selection and pick up a little piece of joy!