To parents of little girls who love wearing poodle skirts

Please always ensure that you encourage and support them in doing so, because...

Little girls (and boys) who show an interest in old school clothing as a child sometimes grow up to be vintage fashionistas (or fashionistos) with an unending love of, and appreciation for, the history of the decades they adore sporting the clothing of, and who...

{You may remember this poodle skirt filled photo from last December, when it first appeared here in this post.}

Find, as I do everyday of my life, that they feel more comfortable, confident, beautiful, and happy in clothing styles from decades long gone.

They are not odd for wanting to eschew some or all modern fashions, or for embracing elements of the past. Children, as with adults, often have very distinct sartorial voices of their own, and these should never be silenced.

While some kids may just want to emulate the cast of Grease, West Side Story, Dancing in the Rain, or any number of other classic Hollywood films that we show to children once they're old enough, and thus may lose interest in vintage fashions as quickly as they do the hit pop song of the week, there is a handful out there who will not – particularly if you help make their decision to wear yesteryear styles a completely positive one.

Like many skills and traits, I believe that a passion for vintage fashion often begins very early on in life, and should be nurtured if spotted. As a little girl, I asked her if she could and my mother very sweetly sewed me the adorable pink and white gingham poodle skirt pictured above for Halloween, which  I wore around the house after school most days for at least three years straight after that night back in 1991.

My mom never said anything against me doing so, and I cannot begin to thank her enough for this (one harsh word from anybody in my life back then, as I was an incredibly sensitive child, could potentially have discouraged me to the point where, unthinkably now, I abandoned this important love).

As the years passed and I read every historical fashion centred book having to do with early and mid-twentieth century in both my school and town's public library, my passion for vintage fashion only intensified. By the time I hit high school, though I did sometimes wear modern fashions, my heart lay on the side of my closet which was slowly amassing a collection of 1940s and 50s pieces culled (back in those days usually just for a few dollars at most) from local second hand shops and yard sales.

Then, as now, my mother says that she thinks it's awesome that I wear vintage and don't look, from a wardrobe standpoint, like most people you see everyday. As with many of us, I don't dress the way I do to intentionally stand out, it's simply a by-product of appearing so different from the vast majority of folks in today's society. In dressing as I do, I bring an immeasurable amount of happiness into my life (a point I talked in much greater detail about in this post).

The clothing that I don has a soul. It tells a story, not only of my own wardrobe choices, but of a very different, yet not actually all that distant, time in our shared human past. I cannot fathom at this point my life, a world in which I didn't wear vintage (or repro or vintage appropriate clothing) nearly all the time.

It is so much a part of who I am, and how I see myself. It bolsters my self-confidence (which I see as being very important for someone like me who is incredibly shy, introverted, and has some self-esteem issues), makes getting dressed a phenomenal joy, and doesn't harm a fly. There is nothing wrong with anybody of any age wanting to, and actually, wearing vintage styles or adding elements of the past to their modern day world.

I've always considered myself very lucky actually. The universe does not tap everyone to be a vintage lover, yet it did so with me, and I don't take that honour lightly. I cherish the fact that I wear, try to preserve (a point that Hannah from Just Peachy, Darling is very actively engaged in as well, and which this post was written in part to help celebrate), and get to share my passion for the past with other, be they cut from the same (vintage) cloth or otherwise.

So mothers and fathers of the world, if you child - whether they're a girl or a boy - seems interested in wearing and/or studying the fashions of the past, pat them on back, tell them you love what they're wearing, and sew them some repro or take them to your newest vintage store on the double.

I promise you, they'll grow up to thank you for it - especially if they're part of the next generation of full-time vintage clothing wearers for whom collecting, preserving and sporting yesteryear fashions is as natural as drawing breath.

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. :)

On the first day of vintage Halloween...

✯ Day 293 of Vintage 365 ✯

 

Chronically Vintage started a twelve day series of vintage Halloween related posts!

Though technically the Twelve Days of Christmas refers to a dozen days that begin with the 25th of December and end on January 5th (the day before Epiphany), many of us think of this countdown as leading up to Christmas Day itself (I know I certainly do). Thus, in that spirit, I thought it would oodles of fun to mark the coming twelve days until the 31st with posts devoted to Halloween.

While each day won't feature a set number of items (two grinning Jack-o-lanterns or seven scarecrows scaring, for example), it will play host to a different Halloween topic, each of which I hope will help fuel the fires of your excitement over October 31st.

An image that recently stoked my flames and had me swooning something fierce is the one below featuring a very tiny-waisted 1950s woman in a marvellously festive spider web print circle skirt - complete with spooky arachnid and its soon to be (fly) victim!

{Vintage photo of a beautifully stylish 1950s woman sporting a spider web adorned skirt via Starlet Showcase.}

 

Now, given that the blog that I found this great vintage shot on didn't feature any background information on it, I do not know where this photo hailed from originally. Thus, I can't say for certain that it was even intended solely for Halloween.

Skirt circles (also known, if they featured an applique or stitched image on them, as poodle skirts) with whimsical images of all kinds were highly popular during the 1950s, so it's not beyond the realm of possibility that this skirt was intended for year-round wear.

Regardless of if it was sported twelve months a year or just in October, there's no denying that it's almost frightening (especially for those like me with arachnophobia) spider and web motif is immensely well suited to Halloween.

I'd love to come across a skirt like this online or at a vintage clothing store, or (and this seems more likely) make a similar version myself to be worn on those Halloweens when I was in the mood to be more chic than macabre.

I hope that this wonderfully pretty fifties look, with it's Halloween overtones, has helped put you even more in the mood for the 31st, and that you'll really enjoy the next eleven instalments of this series of vintage Halloween blog posts.