Posted in Arts, Events, Fashion, Uncategorized, Vintage, tagged 1960s fashions, Beat poetry, Beat poets, City Lights Bookstore, fashionable poetry, fashionable quotes, hats, Lawrence Ferlinghetti, San Francisco History, San Francisco North Beach on March 1, 2021| Leave a Comment »
Time wears down the pencil.
Lawrence Ferlinghetti (1919-2021), American Beat Poet, publisher, owner of City Lights Bookstore, SF icon.
Mr. Ferlinghetti liked to don a hat. From his Navy cover to a fedora, beret to beanie, bowler to Greek fisherman’s cap, over the years he wore them all with unbeatable flair.
RIP.
Posted in Events, Fashion, Uncategorized, Vintage, tagged 1960s fashions, clutch style handbags, evening handbags, Gaymode, New Years Eve 2020, pandemic 2020, safe New Years Eve, vintage fashion, vintage handbags on December 31, 2020| Leave a Comment »
This shimmery gold 1960s clutch says, “Take me to a New Year’s Eve cocktail party!”
Local Bay Area vintage fashion enthusiasts might remember a little shop called Madam Butterfly, located on College Avenue in Oakland. That’s where I found this evening bag on sale right before the proprietor went out of business.
The inside label says Gaymode, which was a mid-century handbag manufacturer that specialized in raffia and other fabric bags. This is such an elegant yet simple clutch, just the right style touch for an evening out. But of course, there are no evenings out this pandemic New Years Eve.
Still, wishing all ODFL readers a Happy New Year. Keep it safe and celebrate at home so we’re all here this time next year.
Posted in Events, Fashion, Uncategorized, Vintage, tagged 1960s fashions, holiday style, structured handbags, twelve days of vintage handbags, vintage fashion, vintage handbags, vintage shopping on December 28, 2020| 2 Comments »
I bought this bag at a vintage show from dealer Jula Isola (City Vintage). A structured style with faux fur, this bag hails from the 1960s.
Modern designers sometimes take inspiration from vintage handbags and I can see this one lining the shelves of a Kate Spade boutique. Large and roomy, I use this bag for special lunches or tea out with friends (when we could do that) or daytime holiday celebrations. It will have to stay inside my closet this winter but I look forward to sporting it again in the future.
Come back tomorrow to see the next vintage handbag.
Posted in Fashion, Uncategorized, Vintage, tagged 1960s fashions, fashion designers, fashion history, fashion trends, historical fashion in modern fashion, matching in fashion, Michael Kors, mini-skirt, Twiggy, vintage fashion, vintage style, women's style on August 19, 2020| 2 Comments »
One of the assignments in the fashion history class I recently completed was to find historical fashion references in current fashion. In magazines I looked for examples covering ancient clothing to the 20th century and matched with historical images from books, plus I had to write a comment.
The late 20th Century: Mini-Dress
The simple silhouette, high waist and short hem of Michael Kors design revisits (yet again) the mini-skirt fad of the 1960s. (Additionally Kors use of brocade fabric and jeweled embellishment feels a bit 18th century Baroque.)
Of course I love the matching hat! Plus you can’t see very well, but the mules are made of the same dress fabric. Go matchy, matchy!
This is the final installment of Finding Historical Fashion Today. I hope ODFL readers enjoyed the series. If the stats are any indication, you did.
There will be more historical fashion posts in the future. Stay tuned.
Posted in Events, Fashion, Uncategorized, Vintage, tagged 1960s fashions, holiday cards, holiday style, twelve days of Christmas on December 29, 2018| Leave a Comment »
On the fifth day of Christmas my true love gave to me … a cute dog in a sweater.
Such a great dress with the Santa cuffs and collar. The red gloves and whimsical Christmas tree umbrella are a nice touch. This was another one of my holiday cards sent out a few years ago.
Posted in Arts, Events, Fashion, Uncategorized, Vintage, tagged 1960s fashions, de Young Museum, handcrafted, hippie fashion, The Summer of Love Experience on April 14, 2017| Leave a Comment »
This quintessential hippie look is not usually my style but I was immediately drawn to it, particularly the denim skirt. I think perhaps because of my recent adventure into sewing, I see clothing a little differently.
I’m inspired by the idea of reuse and patching denim pieces to create something new. But even more exciting to me is the exposed hand stitching in various bright colors. There is something very charming about that.
In our modern era of massed produced fast fashion it’s exciting to see handcrafted clothing that people took time with and cared about.
Find some Summer of Love favorites for yourself at The Summer of Love Experience: Art, Fashion, and Rock & Roll on now through August 20, 2017 at the de Young Museum, San Francisco.
Be there or be square!
Posted in Events, Fashion, Uncategorized, Vintage, tagged 1960s fashions, fashionable quotes, Marlo Thomas, That Girl, That Woman on January 23, 2017| 1 Comment »
When I launched my television series That Girl in 1966, I never expected to set fashion trends. I was just excited to be bringing something groundbreaking to viewers: TV’s first independent working woman. Still, my character’s colorful, mod outfits resonated with That Girls everywhere. Her wardrobe announced that a new kind of woman- and a new age – had arrived.
– Marlo Thomas, star and executive producer of the television series That Girl, 1966-1971.
Ms. Thomas goes on to say in a recent interview that she has discovered, since maturing from a girl to a woman (she’s 79), that there are few sartorial choices for women such as herself that “express who we are.” What she finds are bare midriffs, slits up too high, etc. She wants a look that is covered but not covered up.
Marlo Thomas models clothing from her new line That Woman.
Inspired, Ms. Thomas set about creating clothing that announces another new kind of woman:one of age and style.
Her clothing line is called That Woman and it debuted this month on HSN. The line offers fashions for women over 40 that both compliment and empower. Included in the 15 piece collection are dresses, tops, skirts, pants, and dusters.
Hey, have you ever watched That Girl? It’s a vintage sartorial treat! Check it out on Youtube.
Posted in Fashion, Vintage, tagged 1960s fashions, Barbara Hulanicki, Swinging London on December 6, 2010| Leave a Comment »
Beyond BIBA
One of my favorite sources for style inspiration is Barbara Hulanicki from BIBA. Hulannicki was among the hot designers of 1960s Swinging London. Her shop, BIBA, was known around the world and attracted trendsetters of the time, like Julie Christie and Mick Jagger. Click here to read more.
OverDressed for Life 