This mod mini in grey wool is everything to love about the 60’s and yet completely wearable today. The only bad thing about it (aside from the normal problems of finding vintage in your size) is that it’s likely to be a workplace distraction — heck, this dress is so fab, it will garner attention wherever you wear it!

Retro Grey Wool Mini-Dress

Via my Shop It To Me Sale Mail, news that this Valentino silk-blend dress is 75% off. Not only is it a classic little black dress, but it’s damn-near timeless with the three-quarter length sleeves of sheer chiffon sleeves (with tapered buttoned cuffs) and V-neck with a layered chiffon ruffle collar.

Classic Little Black Valentino Dress

Deanna sent me this scan from a vintage (circa 1945) issue of Modern Woman magazine which has tips for preserving the fit of New Look foundation garments. Such care likely serves the collector and/or wearer of vintage lingerie pieces as well as the fashions which are worn over them.

Tips To Preserve "New Look" Foundation Garments

Personally, I never ever would have thought of hanging my vintage girdles to dry by the garters — I’m eager to try it and see if and how it might affect things.

Once you see this week’s “Wow!” in vintage fashion, you’ll agree this sheer black vintage organdy blouse “tops” the list for many reasons.

Vintage Sheer Black Organdy Blouse With Lace And Bow & Dot Pattern

The seller, Marie McLeod, points out that the construction is couture quality, with its vertical black Needlerun lace panels, nipped waist, flirty double rows of organdy ruffles (finished in hand rolled edges!), self covered buttons, hand finished button holes, and hand cast or French seams.

But even a fashion novice will swoon over the pattern of sweet bows and dotted lace alternating with sheer black organdy. They just don’t make them like this — or even looking like this — anymore.

Back of 1940's Sheer Black Blouse

This Solid Black Lace Bib Sophia Apron has all the elegance & flirtation of a little black cocktail dress!

Vintage Styled Glamorous Full Apron With Black Lace

Thanks to Deanna’s drooling over it, I not only discovered it, but found out that I could win one too! To enter, get yourself to the contest at Blommi.com and follow the rules. Or don’t. Because I really really want that glamorous, sexy black apron!

The second Luise Rainer film I watched was such a fabulous film that I’m now devoted to collecting everything I can from or about it.

Luise Rainer in The Toy Wife, 1938

Since this film is a period piece, I posted my review of The Toy Wife (1938) elsewhere — but I did discover something fashion related to discuss…

On the back of the old MGM promotional film still photo by Clarence Bull, the following is typed:

Grey Faille with blue velvet ribbon detail and corded bow fastenings is charming in this costume designed by Adrian for Luise Rainer, in the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer production, “The Toy Wife.” Bonnet of grey straw with blue and grey feather frou-frou and blue velvet tie.

This reminds me that once upon a time, movie stars, especially the actresses, were noted for the fashions they wore in films — not just the red carpets. Seeing such information that was distributed by the studios proves that fashions and designers themselves were part of the film promotion.

Today, if such photos and captions are provided and/or used, the caption probably has more to do with who the actress slept with, some arrest information or other bit of notoriety to gossip about. I much prefer to gossip about the glamour of film and the fashion in film, don’t you?

Back Of Photo Still

This vintage black wool circle skirt by Madalyn Miller features a working purse applique!

Vintage Madalyn Miller Circle Skirt With Purse

The cream wool felt purse with silver and black detail work has a working gold clasp that opens up, making it a functional vintage purse!

Working Felt Purse Applique On Vintage Black Felt Skirt

Available for sale at, and photos from, Wear It Again Sam Vintage Clothing.

Madalyn Miller Original Label

This vintage dress by Ida Mea of Chicago is a lot like the legendary eyes of Elizabeth Taylor: absolutely stunning in both shape and color. Created by layers of periwinkle chiffon over a pinked lavender shade of what I believe looks like a taffeta, note the incredible way the chiffon not only drapes, but is ruched and folded to create lines as well as depth. But the beauty doesn’t stop there — there’s ivory lace at the bodice, a shelf bust, and boning too.

Elegant Vintage Dress With Chiffon Overlay

Ida Mae Tag Inside Vintage Dress

I’m in love, love, LOVE with this elegant black vintage evening sweater! Detachable fox fur collar, plunging open neckline secured with a rhinestone clasp, and a lacy lining too. I’m rendered speechless — dreaming and hoping for such a sweater, but speechless.

Vintage Black Evening Sweater With Fox Collar By City Fur Co.

If you love black velvet, but you consider yourself more of a sex kitten, a la Pam Grier or Raquel Welch, how about jumpsuits in black velvet?

Pam Grier In Blacula

Foxy mommas, check out this retro black velvet jumpsuit with sexy fishnet insets and a rockin’ mod buckle at the waist.

Sexy Retro Black Velvet Jumpsuit With Illusion Fishnet Insets

Or play the coquette in this vintage Edith Phillips of Hollywood black velvet jumpsuit with black satin trim.

1940s Edith Phillips of Hollywood Jumpsuit In Black Velvet