Fear not the poodle skirt

Outfit details
White stretch headband: Claire's
Black rhinestone earrings: Payless
Black knit top: Thrifted (Value Village)
White lace trimmed cotton camisole: Fairweather Black cinch belt: Hip Hop 50s Style
Royal blue poodle skirt: Hip Hop 50s Style White lace trimmed crinoline: Pettiskirt Style
Black and white plastic bangles: Claire's (the black ones at least, I know were from there)
White 1950s gloves: Gift from a dear vintage loving friend ♥
Black vintage patent handbag (not seen, used earlier in the day): etsy seller A Vintage Revival
Black opaque tights: Arden
White pumps: Payless
Lip colour: MAC Russian Red

Photography by Antonio Cangiano  

♥ ♥ ♥

There are, undoubtedly, few items of clothing more iconic or evocative of the 1950s than the poodle skirt. Though circular skirts with wide sweeps were by no means a new fashion invention by the time the fifties rolled around (in recent times, Dior and his gorgeous New Look had already been employing them heavily from 1947 onward), it was American actress/singer/designer Juli Lynne Charlot who is credited with the invention of the the poodle skirt as we know it today (also in 1947), which she whipped up to wear to a holiday party.

Not being a sewer herself, she simply cut a large circle of felt, then a smaller one for her waist to fit through, and appliquéd Christmas trees onto it. Others who saw her delightful creation quickly wanted a similar skirt of their own which lead Juli to start selling them, and the rest, as they say, is history.

Commonly (both at the time and to this day) made from sturdy felt with an appliquéd poodle with or without a leash and collar (or other design, such a cats, horses, birds, flowers records and/or music notes, to name but a few), towards the hem of the skirt, there are few the world over who haven't at least seen a picture of a poodle skirt.

{A fabulous trio of 1950s poodle style felt skirts featuring fun novelty appliqués. Image via The Vintage Dancer's terrific post on the history of 1950s skirts.}


So tied to the 1950s are they in fact, that they've long been called into play as a quick and easy way to represent the look for Halloween and costume party ensembles, and as such some of us for whom mid-century vintage looks constitute our everyday attire, and is in no way costume-y in our eyes, tend to sidestep away from wearing poodle skirts (if you've already got everyone and their dog asking you when you go out if you're headed to a costume party, aka fancy dress party, there can be a bit of a natural aversion to wearing items that are all the more costume-esque in the eyes of the non-vintage sporting public).

I know that, as much as I truly love poodle skirts (the first "repro" item I ever had was a pink and white gingham poodle skirt that my mother made for me at my request, yes, for Halloween, when I was six years old and which I proceeded to wear once I got home after school nearly every day until I was nine years old), thus had been the case for me. One could find numerous 1950s circle skirts in my closet at anytime, but there was nary a poodle adorned one in sight (much as I'd thought about buying one plenty of times over the years).

As such, I was really excited when the fine folks at online retailer Hip Hop 50s Shop contacted me a little earlier this year to see if I'd be interested in receiving and reviewing one of their poodle skirts. I let them know right off the bat that I'd be styling it in a real world 1950s way, not a modern Halloween 50s inspired way, and they were completely on board with that, so things took off from there.

Boasting a wide range of colours, Hip Hop's poodle skirts are available in both adult and children's sizes. Adult skirts on their own (the site also offers poodle skirt outfits) retail for a very reasonable $32.99, children's are $24.99. There were many colours that called my name, but the gorgeous royal blue that you see in today's photos won out for me in the end. It's a hue that I adore, but own little of at the moment, so it felt like a really good choice.

In addition to poodle skirts and cinch belts, Hip Hop 50s Style also offers a range of related garments and accessories, including nylon net crinolines, fun jewelry, classic black and white saddle shoes, a rainbow of chiffon scarves (something that I really need to buy more of myself in the coming year), cute poodle tops, and charming cat's eye glasses.

As well, one can find a small assortment of vintage inspired dresses that channel a great 50s vibe. Hip Hop 50s Style has shared with me that they're looking to branch out into offering more vintage appropriate/repro style garments such as these dresses, which will no doubt appeal to many a mid-century wearer.

My skirt arrived in good time, was very well packaged and even came with a surprise gift, the classic black elastic cinch belt that I wore with it here (which I just love and, believe it or not, didn't own one of, because the risk of the nickel, which I'm very allergic to, in the belt used on belts like that had scared me away from buying one before). I can honestly say that the quality of this felt poodle skirt is excellent. It features a sturdy, flexible black elastic waistband, high quality felt, a charming white poodle appliqué, a rickrack leash that's stitched on (not merely glued or just tacked down, as those on many store bought poodle skirts tend to be), and a full, wonderful sweep that easily allowed me to get one of my beloved Pettiskirt Style crinolines underneath.

This past weekend Tony and I had taken a day trip to the small town of Armstrong, which is about an hour and forty-five minutes away (more on what we did, and where we shopped, there will be featured in a post of its own at some point in the new year that I'm really looking forward to writing). As many of you know, such a trek is tricky for me because of my health at the best of times and when I make journeys of such a length, comfortable vintage clothes are a must. I'm happy to say that this skirt was as comfortable as a cloud, while (thanks to the fact that it's felt) not wrinkling in the slightest during the whole trip.

As well, it was wonderfully warm, especially when worn over opaque black tights and a crinoline, as I did here. The temperature outside that day was at about freezing, but it might as well have been a balmy May day as far as my legs were concerned. A black vintage appropriate thin knit top with monochromatic fabric flowers that I thrifted last year atop a white lace trimmed cami, classic white pumps, three lovely fauceted plastic bangles, the cinch belt from Hip Hop 50s Shop, a simple white headband, and one of my favourite vintage purses rounded out the ensemble.

By the time we got home, night had fallen and sleet was coming down in buckets, so we opted to shoot against a narrow white paper photograph's background that we have downstairs in our basement. I'm really glad that we did actually, because it allowed the poodle skirt to be the star of the show here, without any kind of distraction going on in the photos.

Though I did get four "Are you going to a costume party?" type questions from strangers while out and about that day, they didn't actually phase me any more than the when I'm asked the same question while wearing other vintage, repro or vintage appropriate garments. In fact, it felt really good to rock a poodle skirt again for the first time since I was about 14 years old and I couldn't help but feel a little silly about not adding one to my current vintage wardrobe sooner. They're cute as a button, warm, comfortable, easy to style in a myriad of directions, and just plain enjoyable to wear - I'll readily admit to taking more than one twirl in mine that day, just to watch its generous shape fan out in the icy breeze.

Even though poodle skirts have come to be seen as more costume-y than many other garments from that era, that doesn't mean you need to shy away from them, if they're a style that you adore. If you want to tone down their inherent costume quality, try partnering yours with a cardigan or twin set, halter or bustier top, 1950s blouse or shirt, vintage or vintage appropriate stockings and shoes, and your hair styled in a fifties approved manner (instead of "just" a ponytail, which can often read as Halloween-y, especially if you tie a scarf around your neck or ponytail itself).

Add some great vintage jewelry, a handbag and, if so desired, gloves and/or a hat, and you're good to go. While women of all ages wore felt circle skirts in the 50s, the iconic poodle skirt was most often donned by teenagers and very young women, so if you're wearing one, keep its youthful vibe in mind when styling the rest of your ensemble.

There's a reason after all, why the poodle skirt remained as such an integral symbol of the 1950s in the decades that followed: they're fun, beautiful, and representative of the teenage culture and styles that really emerged in full force in a way never before seen during the fifties. And though they may sometimes be seen as costume-y today, that's no reason not to sport one yourself. Many people who don't wear vintage themselves already see our attire in that light anyhow (unfortunately), so what difference does it make if you add another yesteryear style to your wardrobe that falls into that camp anyways? None, I tell you, none at all.

I love that my closet now houses a well made, classically lovely poodle skirt. It's not genuine vintage, but it channels the spirit and look of those from the 50s splendidly. I really want to thank Hip Hop 50s Style for providing me with this beautiful royal blue poodle skirt to review. I sincerely appreciate it and eagerly look forward to wearing my skirt in many different outfits in the months and years to come - with plenty of twirling involved each time. :)

The thrill of finding one of your vintage holy grails (at an amazing price, to boot!)

✯ Day 349 of Vintage 365 ✯

We all have them, those elusive vintage items for which scarcity and/or price make them rather hard, if not downright veering on impossible, to track down.

Sometimes we're able to find the general item we're after, but it's not the right size (if I had a dollar for every time this happened to me I'd likely be a millionaire by now!) or the mark-up is so absurd it's laughable (sorry, but there’s no deadstock, non-designer labeled department store dress from the 1950s, no matter how gorgeous it is, that’s worthy of a price tag in the upper hundreds, as I've seen on a few occasions).

Many times there's a certain element to an item that makes it particularly tricky to find. You may, for example, be after a vintage canister set, yet not be able to find one in good condition that fits the colour scheme of your kitchen. Old school shoes really aren't that tricky to come by, however they generally fit those lucky tiny-footed gals (aka, size 6 and under) best, while the rest of us are left daydreaming about authentic swing dance heels in larger sizes.

For most of us there's a budget element involved with our vintage shopping. All but those with the deepest of pockets generally have to keep price in mind when scouring the web and real world haunts for vintage treasures, and this can certainly put some items further out of reach.

I've yet to met a vintage wearing gal who didn't have a long standing wish list of items she was trying to find that matched all of her criteria (correct sizing and colour, as well as over all condition, and of course price). There are certain pieces though, that get bumped up, in my books at least, a little higher than just wish list status.

These are are the proverbial holy grails of our vintage hunts. We type their names into etsy, eBay and Google searches constantly. If a friend is going second hand shopping without us, we let them know to keep their eyes peeled religiously for said items, and these pieces always at the top of our letters to Santa when Christmas rolls around.

Interesting, I've found that sometimes it's an item’s scarcity (and/or the ability to find said piece in my size) that elevates it into the realm of vintage holy grail, more than (just) the price. What makes certain things more sought after than other varies wildly from person to person. I know that for me, many of my most beloved and wished for vintage items are ones that I've been fantasizing about for years, if not decades, of my life.

They sprung from a seed of inspiration somewhere along the line, their roots nestling firmly into my psyche and soul, and so they remain, like the top of Mt.Everest, a distant, almost unachievable feat that I strive towards knowing full well the scoop of the challenge they present.

Fascinatingly however, especially if price is not your biggest deterrent, and you’re willing to put forth a hefty dose of patient (and certainly some elbow grease, when it comes to tracking down your beloved items), one's vintage holy grails can be unearthed. Every once in an extra special while, you can even score one for a rather fantastic deal.

Though, I've found, garage sales and tiny thrift stores (of the sort staffed by sweet grey haired women who love to chat as they ring up your purchase) are the best places to stumble up a dream item at an unbelievable price, despite the mass popularity of vintage clothing and other yesteryear items, paired with the sheer volume of folks who shop online for such things these days, the web can still deliver a knock-out deal on a grail from time-to-time, too.

For years now I've been on the prowl for a black quilted circle skirt in my size that didn't cost the moon. As with most of my grail and top wish list items, I'd allotted a relatively generous budget in my mind for this particular garment, but even that didn't seem to be enough to unearth one that was, in a nod to Goldilocks, neither too small or too big.

A good year or two ago, I'd actually just come to the point where I figured I'd end up making one myself some day when I got a sewing machine and had polished my skills enough to know how to add quilted stitching to a garment. Yet even with that in mind, I continued to periodically dig around the web for a black quilted circle skirt.

That particular item of clothing was on my list because a.) I adore just about all 1950s circle skirts, b.) I've been smitten with quilted circle skirts for as far back as I can remember, and c.) I don't currently have a plain black circle skirt and can really feel the hole that not having one leaves in my vintage wardrobe.

You can imagine my excitement then when, around the end of November, I happened to spy on eBay that was listed in the right size (the skirt’s listing - which I'll tell you right now, I won - said it was the right size, but I've been burned plenty of times before - so all I can do is keep my fingers crossed for now) for an absolute song on eBay.

{The eBay seller's photo of my soon-to-arrive black 1950s circle skirt, an item I'd been daydreaming about adding to my vintage wardrobe for many years.}

 

I found the auction a couple of days before it wrapped up and tossed my bid into the ring (I later upped that amount, as I really, really wanted to win, though in the end my first price limit was more than enough to ensure the skirt came home with me). To my absolute delight, I ended up winning the skirt for a mere $16.00 plus shipping to Canada (from the States).

As you can imagine, I was over-the-moon elated about this! Here, after several years of fastidiously hunting for one of my vintage holy grails, I found it in the right size (again, hopefully the measurements stated in the listing were accurate), colour, and for one heck of a stellar bargain! I'd have happily paid five or maybe even ten times that amount for this skirt, and couldn't believe how much I lucked out.

It's moments like winning that skirt actually, which help make the countless times you can't find something that fits your criteria easier to put up with. As you click through page after page on etsy of (for example) 1940s sundresses looking for precisely the right one, only to come up empty handed for the twenty-fifth time, it's memories of those highly sought after pieces you've already scored that truly aid in reminding you that just about everything, no matter how rare, can be discovered eventually.

It has been an age and half since I last found any of my grails, let alone one for such a great deal, and chances are it'll be awhile before another one comes along. But that's ok, I'll be floating above the ground on a cloud of happiness over this score for quite a long time to come. Just look up for the redheaded gal wearing the black quilted circle skirt and you'll know it's me.

Vintage 365: Great deal on a vintage inspired Mexican print circle skirt

✯ Day 58 of Vintage 365 ✯

 

While the dog days of summer may seem eons away at this very moment (who else is still looking snow square in the face?), reality is that before we know it the balmy return of spring straight on into July and August will very quickly be upon us one again - which is all the more reason to start thinking about your vintage summer wardrobe now.

Many of us are major skirt fans (*enthusiastically darts hand in the air*), and I'd venture to guess that every last one of us adores a good bargain! Pair those two things together and you wind up with this splendidly y pretty 1950s inspired Mexican sequin circle skirt from Fever Vintage.

 

 

Designed to look just like the gorgeous block print skirts of the fifties (which often go for well in excess of $100.00 now on etsy and from other vintage sellers; trust me, I've been eyeing these beautiful block print, ethnic skirts for ages), this eye-catching number features gradient (ombre) colouring in the cool-as-a-May-breeze hues of serene green and blue, which are paired with a gorgeous Hawaiian/Asian themed print in bold black.

Currently on sale for the wonderfully reasonable price of $14.99 (down from $49.99), this charming circle skirt (which is available in ladies sizes small through XL) would be sublime to take on holiday, wear to the beach, sport at a barbeque, recline in at a picnic, or wear to just about any other breezy, causal summer event you can think of.

Though the colours are vivid, they aren't so intense as to make this circle skirt tricky to pull off. Pair it with anything from a black halter top to a pale blue twin set for an elegant summer look that is sure to channel chic 1950s vacation allure for countless summers to come.