Femmes Gone Fatales

Perhaps you too have a wholly imaginary life, in which swanning around in a gown such as this is a completely reasonable and moreover fairly compulsory activity. To complete the picture there'd be a pitcher of iced martinis; an art deco penthouse with a starlit terrace; a suave Indiana Jones type who cleaned up nicely -- all of which seem the ideal complements to a negligée as immaculately of its period as this one.

Silk satin: check. Bias cut: check. Lace detail: check. Racy lines: check. Back when it was made in the 1930s it was meant to be worn only briefly, on the cusp of night, but if you've got an amazing figure and the right foundation garments you could make it work for earlier evening as well. The gown is within reach if you are a clever bidder. And if you're a clever winner the scenario will match as well . . .

Vintage Go Braugh

Don't do many many holiday theme posts here at FP, but green is one of my favorite colors (after yellow and blue). So here's a little lineup in honor of the saint we call Patrick, whose special day will be here before we know it. All items courtesy of the fine sellers at Etsy.

The darling pin above is of sterling and enamel, and dates to the late 19th century. It's in beautiful shape and is tiny enough to nearly escape notice, which is oftentimes what you want when otherwise the rivers run emerald and the bagels are intentionally green.

Another option for a more discreet wearing of the color is to keep it indoors. This vintage Vanity Fair babydoll nightie is exactly what I mean.

If instead you wanted to go a more traditional route and flaunt your shamrocks in all their glory, could you possibly do better than this cashmere sweater? In the clover indeed.

Lingerie as Outerwear: How to Wear a Vintage Corset

The news has appeared in at least three major fashion outlets, so it must be true: London girls are wearing lingerie to go out clubbing. This is a trend I haven't personally witnessed, but then I don't get out as much as I used to.

Apparently, the ladies are following the example set by Rihanna and Lady Gaga, whose own redoubtable stylists are viralizing a look most recently manifested in the high fashion realm by John Galliano, who sent models out in their handwashables in his haute couture show for Dior in Fall 2009. Galliano, I reckon, was himself inspired in part by the lovely Dita von Teese, who channels Rita Hayworth, on the high road, and Gypsy Rose Lee on the low, and so on and so forth on back to Eve, for whom a mere fig leaf was coverage enough.

Anyway, lending evidence to the most recent outbreak of underwear, reporters say, is the recent sale of a $1,470 Bordelle corset out of Selfridges department store.

Which is fine if you have $1,470 to burn. What I advise, as ever, is forgoing the crowds and expense of retail shopping and, with the aid of an excellent tapemeasure and an accurate eye, have a look at online vintage sources to see what's on offer.


Above and below are a pair of vintage corsets that would do brilliantly as outerwear, especially if:

1) accompanied by a a chiffon or slightly stiff-textured yet transparent shawl wrapped several times around the shoulders
2) or even more vampily, a fur shrug
3) or a very lacy black bolero
4) try not to wear vintage lingerie with sequins, denim, leather or other clashy textures unless you're Rihanna or Gaga.

(corsets here and here on eBay).




(photo of Dior Haute Couture model by Monica Feudi/Gorunway.com, from Style.com)

How to Wear A Vintage Bedjacket Right Now

British model Daisy Lowe shows how (click on pic to enlarge): skintight leggings, stonking red heels, plain white tee and a beautiful black-lace-and-ribbon bedjacket. Her lacework cost £250/$421.

And here's one on Etsy.com for $40/£24. How easy is that?

(photo of Daisy Lowe by Willy Vanderperre for British Vogue, November 2009)