All posts filed under: 20th Century

Glimpses of the past

Whenever I am down south visiting my in-laws I like to pick up a selection of old photos from antique shops (don’t ask me why the North Island antique stores never seem to have such a thing). This year I focused on two collections – my long-running ‘Fancy Dress’ collection, and a just-started ‘Aprons’ collection. And I got a few other pretty things as well. I’m just tickled about my two fancy dress finds. The back to this one reads “myself in fancy dress as an old English lady”. I think it is 1930s. I love the paisley fabric of her dress, and the ‘bonnet’ made by tying a bow over a brimmed hat, and how terrifically bad the whole outfit is. There is something so delightful about how amateur it is. The second fancy dress photo is much more professional. It’s a studio setting, and the costumes are quite elaborate: Awww… It’s Aladdin and Jasmine! Or just a generic harem girl and Arab sheik. The photo is signed ‘With Love, Roma’ and is pasted …

There is just something about red shoes

Published by The Dreamstress

I just love red shoes. They are like happiness for your feet. Amazingly, I’ve owned very few red shoes, because the modern ones just aren’t as pretty as my historical ideals. Want to see some of the ones I lust after? This pair is darling, but so practical. If a modern shoe company came out with a replica, I would buy them in a heartbeat! This pair may not be quite as practical, but, oh, that fabric! And just imagine how gorgeous these shoes would have looked when worn, with the little tassel swaying jauntily with each step. Darling! Actually, now that I think of it, that tassel and buckle is something I could do myself. I must make it happen! I like the juxtaposition of the tasseled pair and this much more recent pair. I’d wear either in a heartbeat. Speaking of red and black shoes, the next pair is more red than black, but I think we can agree they deserve to be featured. They are embroidered in strawberries after all! Speaking of …

I want to go to this party!

Published by The Dreamstress

These dresses are all from June 1920. Aren’t they scrumptious? I’d wear the one on the left with the roses on its bodice, or perhaps the dark one coming down the stairs, or perhaps the one on the far right – such a gorgeous back! The description for the frocks reads: Which would you wear?