Vintage Lingerie Pin Ups an Advertising Trend

I love the charm of the old fashioned styles of the 40’s and 50’s. The vintage pin up girls are illustrated so beautifully. There is such an innocence to them.

Lately I am seeing them everywhere. There seems to be a trend towards using these retro style images to sell many products. I guess these go naturally with alcohol but I have seen some surprising items as well. I must admit I bought these wagon wheels just because of the cover. Wagon wheels were always a huge treat as a child and I loved them. Did they always taste like that?

Barbera, Italian wine, has an attractive pin up gal with a distinctly Sofia Lauren style. The garters and stockings showing under the flirty dress says it all. Not a great deal of skin showing but such a provocative look. Love the matching shoes!

I was creating an Italian meal and had to have the wine with dinner. I had never bought it before but it just completed the table decor.

Red Rider Beer is sporting a fast paced red head on a gorgeous red beach cruiser. Again we see the garter accidentally showing. Red always catches the eye.

You would think this advertising is intended to sell product to men but it is working on me. I have such a soft spot for this era in lingerie, fashion, design and artwork.

Our world has become so high tech that a little glimpse into the simpler life is a treat.  I find myself buying for the images. I guess the advertising is working…

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Liz makes a slip the STAR...

Hollywood has lost one of it’s most shinning stars. I watched the life in review as the world said goodbye to Elizabeth Taylor.

I have always been a Liz Taylor fan and always will be. 

Cat On A Hot Tin Roof is one of my all time favorite films. I am a fan of Tennessee Williams plays so when you add Liz Taylor and a stellar cast of actors you have a master piece.

I love how Liz turned an old fashioned full slip into a star!


Liz plays a strong woman, named Maggie the cat, who tries to win back the affections of her aloof  husband.
Set in the steamy climate of the deep south Maggie spends the majority of the movie wearing only a full slip.

 

But this is no ordinary slip.

Liz Taylor looked glamorous while exquisitely undressed in that famous full slip.
This slip not only became the star of the show but also the image or icon of the show itself. It is incredible when a costume portrays the character so completely. It has become just as famous as the actress.

 The costume designer, Helen Rose, created the ultimate slip for Elizabeth during production in 1958. This was a full slip made of pure silk, completely lined in silk to guarantee nothing would show through. The slip was perfectly fitted and skin tight. If you watch the film carefully you can see the invisible hidden zipper on the side seam.  You may also notice she does not wear a bra.

Silk moulds and moves with a body like no other fabric can. This slip  looks like a regular slip but it was created with the magic of movie costuming skill. Yes it is a slip but it has that extra star power.

No one else wears a slip that looks quite as commanding.
   
In 1960 Liz does it again! Another outstanding slip for the star of Butterfield 8. Once again Helen Rose created the slip but this time with a splash of contrasting lace in a warm coffee color showing 2 layers at the hem.

The sensual silk, the body hugging fit and fully lined to show Liz at her best.
       
Check out this clip to really see the dramatic slip in action (3 1/2 mins). This slip is powerful and sexy yet so little skin is shown by todays standards.

The slip has moved away from popularity. This is a shame because there is something magical about wearing a slip. Your clothing slides and moves easily on top of it. If your clothing shifts and the slip shows, what a wonderful surprise for the onlooker who happens to notice!

If you want to feel like a 1950’s movie start….pull on a slip one morning and walk tall. See  how glamorous you will feel.

There will never be another Liz Taylor. In her honor I vote to bring the slip back into vogue! How about you?

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Christmas Stockings

“The stockings were hung by the  chimney with care in hopes that Saint Nicolas soon would be there.”

A quote from my favorite Christmas story/poem “ The Night Before Christmas”. The story that has been read to me or I have read every year of my life. In truth I know it by heart but I love the old images in the book far too much to miss.

We all love this story and most of us partake in this quaint Christmas tradition of hanging stockings Christmas Eve. In my house on Christmas morning the Christmas stockings are always a wonderful treat.
Have you ever wondered how it all began?

The stockings or hose pictured in this fantastic ancient painting show you the style of the stockings of the day. We will never know for sure but here is the legend behind the Christmas stockings.

It is thought that around 300AD a kindly young bishop began the quest of leaving secret gifts for needy people and disappearing without thanks. His fame grew until he was named Saint Nicolas.

It was common in days of old to leave stocking to dry overnight pinned to the hearth.

A nobleman mourning the loss of his wife was said to have thrown away his fortune leaving his 3 daughters without a dowry and thus unable to marry. When the generous Saint Nicolas heard of the girls’ predicament, he rode his white horse past their house, in the dead of night on Christmas Eve and tossed little pouches of gold coins into the chimney. By chance they fell into the stockings hung to dry and were found Christmas morning.

Thus began the Christmas Stocking tradition. The legend of Saint Nicolas made it’s way to Holland where he became Sinterklaas  leaving treats in wooden shoes. Eventually the legend hit North America where he became Santa Claus filling stockings with presents.

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Looking back for Remembrance Day

HERE IS A POST FROM REMEMBRANCE DAY ONE YEAR AGO.

I LOVE THE WAR TIME POSTERS AND IDEAS.

 Click the link below to read this article.
                  War time Bras - Make do and mend.





I HOPE YOU WILL ENJOY THIS RE-POSTING....









Click  to read

Wartime Bras – Make do and Mend

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Romantic Silk Corset

Exploring the corset – Day 4

I adore this antique silk corset from the 18th century. It is part of the Metropolitan Museum Costume Institute Collection. It is not on display at this time.

Items such as this are a treasure. There is not a huge collection of ancient clothing to study. The properties of textiles naturally breakdown and fall apart. Most old garments were subject to moisture and sunlight. Both killers of fabric. Most often now these items are safely stored to preserve them and only shown for special exhibits.

This is a beautiful example of the corset style of the 1700’s.  It is thought to have been Spanish in origin.  When corsets were first being worn they were elaborately covered in decorative fabrics. These corsets became a feature piece of a woman’s costume. It was not until later in history when the corset became an undergarment.

The corset was never worn on bare skin as they are today. The corset was always worn over a soft cotton or linen garment called the chemise. This, soft shirt like garment, would show slightly above the corset at the neck and extend to the knees. The more elaborate the details, the more wealthy the woman. The purpose of this garment was to protect the corset from the body. It was easy to wash a chemise but not a corset.

This corset style waist is long in the front and short in the back. When it was worn the small tabs at the waist would spread open to accommodate the full skirt. The purpose of this corset was to keep the front bodice flat. The corsets were fitted with a stomacher, a solid plate of wood, metal or ivory that would slide in the front panel to keep it rigid.

The stomacher would often be carved and decorated beautifully even though it would never show. The pieces of the corset that fasten with the silver hooks would have been reinforced with bars called Busks.
The corset was originally called a stay. If you unlaced the back and open the hooks the corset was in 2 pieces. For this reason the corset was often called “a pair of stays”.
All women wore corsets. Not all were as lovely as this beautiful piece.

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Exploring the Corset - Day 1

I am proclaiming November as “Plus Size Corset” month at http://www.plussizebrasandpanties.blogspot.com/ .
Corsets are fascinating! I love the photos of them through history and at present. I always enjoy admiring  the beauty and workmanship involved in a corset. It is a transforming garment that never stops amusing me.

Corsets seem to be grabbing my attention even more than usual so I am going to run with it even though I have done many corset posts in the past.

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Welcome to the official:

  Corset November at Plus Size Bras and Panties Blog

Exploring the Corset

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For 30 days I will explore a wide variety of corsets and images. Prepare to get your fill. 
Let’s start our corset journey by admiring this photo by Horst.



This is an iconic corset image. In black and white it shows the form of a woman in a corset. She appears to be a modern woman yet dressing in the historic garment. I find this photo to have a slightly sad appeal to it. The woman looks a bit melancholy, not rushing to be anywhere, just enjoying her quiet time alone.

This Mainbocher corset photo was taken in Vogue’s Paris studio in 1939.

The photographs of  Horst are famous for expressing an era.  Horst was a German born American fashion photographer who began working for Vogue in 1930 as a young artist. He went on to photograph the rich, famous and fashion elite!

For 3 decades he photographed the collections of Coco Chanel and fondly called her “the queen of all things.”

Horst’s work remains popular today. He was a wonderful, productive artist up until his death at 93.

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Lucky red underwear for the Year of the Tiger

Christmas is over and our New Year has begun. On Feb 14, 2010, Chinese New Year, we enter the year of the Tiger and celebrate Valentine’s Day. This is a special year with the two falling on the same day.

If you were born in 1914, 1926, 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998 or 2010 you are a Tiger!

The Tigers of this world are among the kindest, most caring people. Kindness aside they are capable of protecting their family and friends with the fierceness of the wild cat. This year will be a prosperous year both personally and career wise for Tigers.

Every twelve years the Chinese horoscope cycle ends and you will have your year. Tigers during the year of the tiger you may risk an unlucky year. The luckiest color in the Chinese horoscope is RED symbolizing loyalty, success and happiness. Wearing red during your year will ward of the unlucky trend.

Underwear is a common way to wear lucky red for both men and women.

The Chinese department stores are overflowing with red underwear at this time of year that are purchased as gifts. Need a change of your luck? Try wearing red underwear!

Gung Hay Fat Choy! (Happy new Year)

Do you wear red underwear?

Brenda
Owner/Designer & Fashion Consultant
http://www.plussizebrasandpanties.com/
Brenda@PlusSizeBrasAndPanties.com
Plus Size Bras, Plus Size Panties, Plus Size Shapewear, & More

Rigby and Peller vintage style bullet bra

I wanted to spotlight this new retro design because I think it is just adorable.

Rigby and Peller are a London, England based foundation garment company celebrating 70 years in business. They have commissioned a special, limited edition set to commemorate their longevity.

I would not wear it, I would not pay 300 dollars for it but I LOVE it. I think this was so beautifully done that it deserves admiring.

They have taken a very strange yet popular bra style from the 50’s and revamped it in a seductive soft pink satin. The conical bra originally looked bullet proof in a heavy white nylon yet their version has a romantic and innocent appeal. Attention to historic form is shown in the stitching detail of the cups and placement of the seams.

The panties worn with the bra have a high waist and are covered in ruffles over the butt. This gives a childlike element that works wonderfully. The mood is perfectly cast in the photograph with the dusty light and tactile backdrop. It almost looks fluid.

At first glance I was taken by this photograph. As I have looked at it further I continue to be impressed by the sophistication of the presentation. All design elements come together in color, balance and style. This makes my mind wander through costume history. I picture a slower time with soft gentle light and structurally tailored clothes. This reminds me that I love beautiful lingerie and all it's vintage charm.

This is a visual treat for you. I know very few would wear this however many may appreciate the presentation and the satisfaction of viewing a fashion statement . This is a show piece lingerie set made for petite girls. The size range is 30C-34DD.

For all you fashionistas….enjoy!

It is available to order at Rigby and Peller

Would you wear this style of vintage bra?



Brenda
Owner/Designer & Fashion Consultant
www.PlusSizeBrasAndPanties.com
Brenda@PlusSizeBrasAndPanties.com
Plus Size Bras, Plus Size Panties, Plus Size Shapewear, & More

Wartime Bras - Make do and mend.

It was just Remembrance Day. The day to remember and honor all who sacrificed so much during those hard years.

This has made me contemplate life at that time. The lifestyle, the music, the fashions and the lingerie situation during the war years. Every aspect of human existence was impacted by war, including lingerie.

The major influence on all clothing, during the war, was the rationing of most products including fabrics. There was a small variety of fabrics available, to begin with, and most of them were being used in the war efforts. The most obvious being wools and cottons used for uniforms. The most popular fabric used for lingerie at the time was silk and it was being used in massive quantities for parachutes. It was rationed and saved for military use. Nylon was later perfected for use as a replacement for silk in parachutes. Some nylon and rayon were also used in lingerie manufacturing.

Bras of the day were called “utility bras” and were functional, durable and simple. They were often made in cotton mostly of a soft pink shade. If you happened to be in the military, a utility bra was part of your military issue uniform.

Women turned to making their own lingerie out of necessity. Bras were often not available to buy except by special order and who had money for that anyway. Foundation garment manufacturers started to manufacture tents and parachutes in order to stay in business, so could only make their lingerie by special order.

The catch phrase in England was “make do and mend”. Women were inspired to make their own garments from old clothing, wedding gowns, and hand me downs. If a parachute was discarded or found it was a prize to be used for many things including bras and panties.

This was such a terrible time in history yet I can’t help being charmed by the fashions of the era including the lingerie. The 1940’s continue to be one of my favorite fashion eras and always will.

Brenda
Owner/Designer & Fashion Consultant
www.PlusSizeBrasAndPanties.com
Brenda@PlusSizeBrasAndPanties.com
Plus Size Bras, Plus Size Panties, Plus Size Shapewear, & More