I have just come across a wealth of pictorial information via the New York Public Library Digital Gallery and I am so very thankful that this website exists to better educate and inform us of vintage fashions of the 1940s (and other decades!) through fashion design illustrations.

Imagine my excitement as I "leafed" through page after page of fashion designs illustrating coats from the 1940s with small notations. Some of these fashion terms I have not come across yet and I have tried to my best ability to include these terms and definition with the images below.


Plaid coat with four bias patch pockets covered with flaps. Spring 1940-1941


Wide cape sleeve on plaid coat. Spring 1940-1941


Frog closure on front of coat. Front flare. Spring 1940-1941.


Faille silk imported (not sure if that is the actual word, hard to read) in sleeves and edging closing. Spring 1940-1941.

What is FAILLE SILK?
I have seen the word "faille" before but never actually knew what it meant. So according to New York Fashion Center: "A slightly glossy silk with strongly defined soft, wide ribs, silk faille is heavy in weight but maintains a shallow, graceful drape. An exceptionally soft hand and readiness to take a crease makes this fabric beautiful for use in tailored suits and jackets. Silk faille retains a light sheen that draws attention to its premium silk fibers, without being too glossy for the workplace or formal settings."


"Dandy" Reefer. Double breasted with deep cuffs. Spring 1940-1941.

What is a REEFER coat?
I have never come across this term up until seeing these fashion illustrations. I always just referred to coats like these as trench coats. But according to Army Navy Deals: "The reefer jacket was of naval origin, and described the short double breasted jacket worn by sailors in harsh weather, when they perform duties such as reefing the sails."

and according to The Free Dictionary: "1. A short, heavy, close-fitting, double-breasted jacket.
2. A close-fitting, single-breasted or double-breasted coat."


Cape sleeve on lounge coat. Spring 1940-1941.


"Dandy" reefer coat with detachable tiered cape. Spring 1940-1941.


Fitted coat, soft bodice (?), set in flare gives front fullness ending in pockets. Fashion drawing 1938.


Yoke continuing to drop shoulder and skirt of matching faille silk or contrasting wool. Spring 1940-1941.


Fox collared boxy tweet coat. Soft nose on body beneath collar. Spring 1940-1941.

I just love these photos of the Miss America Pageant from 1945 held in Atlantic City in New Jersey. The winner of the 1945 Mis America beauty pageant was Bess Myerson, the first Jewish woman to win the Miss America Pageant. She later became involved in politics (she was New York City's first Commissioner of Consumer Affairs) and public relations.

These were originally unpublished photos from the LIFE magazine archives so I'm really happy they post photos like these online.



I adore this photo of Bess Myerson getting into a cab and getting her photograph taken. She looks very elegant and beautiful even with a kerchief in her hair!

Yesterday I spent nearly all day at my vintage atelier photographing tons of new vintage for the shop! Here's a peek at what will be stocked in the vintage shop today!
online vintage shop: ADORED VINTAGE

The weather has recently been taking a dip into the 60s in the mornings and I got a bit overexcited for Autumn in choosing today's outfit for work that by midday I was just down to the dress and the temperature had risen to the 80s.



Ahh well... at least for a little while I got to look like it was Autumn. This vintage polka dot dress is borrowed from my vintage shop and because it's a few sizes too big, I wore my trusty lightweight trench coat with it. I do that a lot with clothes that are too big for me...just throw on a small jacket over it.

I cannot believe tomorrow is already Thursday! Isn't that crazy, I feel like the week JUST started. Time is just flying by!

Last week was crazy busy. I'm still trying to get into a good schedule for photographing and listing vintage, my rhythm is a bit off, but with a bit more practice, I'll get it down.

Tomorrow I'll be listing all of these lovely shades of blues and peppermint greens in the vintage shop! There's a little dress to wear for every season of the year... so hence the name "Seasonal Blues"



I will be listing products throughout the week, so be sure to follow ADOREDVINTAGE on Facebook for the first sneak peeks!

Last week my fella and I went to the Pomona Antique Faire and we came home with quite a few treasures!

This antique fair didn't have any vintage clothes (much to my disappointment) but what we did find were lots of vintage photos, a World War II Red Cross poster (ahh!!!), and the boy found some new odds and ends for his living quarters.




I have to say, the best thing about this little flea market (it's only a couple times a year) are the people! Everyone was just so super duper nice and was so happy to talk to you about the wares they were selling. We had a good 10 minute conversation with a fella about his uncle and father who served in World War II and one sweet elderly lady was so excited when I picked up the miniature spy camera made in Japan. Gosh dangit I wish I had bought that! It was sooo cool and still worked!

It's looking a little boho 1970s up in here! Next week the vintage shop will be getting a couple Gunne Sax dresses and bohemian floral prints rolling in. Stay tuned...

A few years ago I practically lived in Gunne Sax dresses and my big floppy brown hat (and if you're no stranger to my outfit posts, you'll see that it makes an appearance quite often!) so seeing these prairie boho sundresses takes me back to my days living in Texas when the idea for AV started to form in my lil brain. Ahh...time has flown...



Be sure to check the vintage shop on MONDAY as these will all be arriving fresh in!

So tomorrow my lovelies is A Current Affair. And if you live in Los Angeles and you haven't heard of it, then Hear Ye, Hear Ye! I am here to tell you all about it!

A Current Affair is a one day only vintage pop-up marketplace held at the penthouse of the Cooper Design Building in the fashion district of downtown Los Angeles.

Time: 2-9 PM
Cost: $10 dollars (which includes an open bar, heeeyyy)
Payments: Cash, Credit, Paypal, Hugs + Kisses

Being a vendor at ACA is like putting one foot into brick-and-mortar world. Setting up a little 10x10 space to attract and enchant is no easy feat. The first time I was a vendor my booth was basically two racks and some clothes hung up on the wall. Then the second time around I went a bit overboard with the decorating and merchandising. Now, third time's the charm! I've been clipping little photos here and there for inspiration for my vintage booth tomorrow. And well, it's a happy medium between Version Numero Uno and Version Numero Dos.


My vintage booth at A Current Affair from Sept 2011. Photo courtesy of Glam Amor

Each time I've participated I came out with a better understanding of who my client is and who she isn't. So this time around I've decided to bring less of the things that I thought would appeal to the masses and bring more of what I love and adore because well, really I'm my own customer. And I think that's how all stores should really function. You can't try going to please everyone, but when you please THE ONE, then it's like vintage soul mate connection.

I know the main goal at these vintage shows is to sell, sell, sell. But I really look forward the most to talking with people and connecting with others. I have to clutch my heart when someone squeals with delight and notices minute details on an Edwardian dress. I think "Oh hooray, they get it, I have to talk to them!" At the last show I met this wonderful older Italian couple who invited my fella and I out to visit them in Italy. She purchased a 1930s silk peasant embroidered dress from me and she had said all my vintage just made her feel so happy and light. And I wanted to cry, really, because that is just the darnest nicest thing to say!

If you want to see more photos from past shows you can read this post and this post from the March 2012 ACA show or see the first time around in this post.

Just relax. Take it easy. Those kinds of words are always a bit hard for me to swallow. I am very much the kind of gal that's go-go-go so telling me to "take it easy, slow down" is much easier said than done.

I had set certain goals for myself and I completed them, but I somehow think as soon as I cross that finish line...I might as well keep going, I mean I finished so early!



It was nice to take a little detour through the hills and feel the wind in my hair. This was a little stopover on the way to Disneyland and while it was scorching hot (yet again) I did welcome the 15 minutes of simply not doing much but walking, chatting, and snapping photos with my beau.

And now for some pictures from Disneyland!


We had a fantastic time being goofballs at Disney (I LOVE Disney! I am such a happy go lucky kid there!) and I was super excited to try out the new Cars ride. I hate those photos they snap at you because I am always making the most atrocious faces like I am being dropped into the mouth of doom or something.

And little side note...dannng my man looks good!

So yay for taking a semi day off from work and taking a moment to enjoy life, laugh, and live a little.

Here is a first look at the vintage clothes & accessories making its way to the shop this week! I really adore this shop update for some reason and it's probably because I love these colors so much and I love that the prints and textures go with the changing of the seasons. While it's still scorching 90 degree weather in Southern California, I dream of being snuggled up in cozy knits and layering dresses with tights and cardigans.



All of these will be available in the vintage shop tomorrow and later in the week added to the Adored Vintage etsy shop as well.