It isn't every day that I wear cherries...

Outfit details

C. 1930s black plastic ball tipped hatpin: Unknown, had for many years
1930s/1940s wide brimmed green straw hat: Jardin Antiques
Glittery gold tone metal round shaped earrings: Claire's
Red cropped cardigan: Fairweather
Cherry print vintage style Hilda Dress (no longer in stock): c/o Voodoo Vixen
Green faux leather skinny belt: eBay
Green plastic bangle bracelet: Forever 21
Assorted vintage bangle bracelets: Most likely all thrifted from various sources
C. 1950s pink ruched gloves: Unknown, had for years
C. 1950s wicker, velvet and millinery cherry handbag: Lu Lou's Frou-Frou
Nude seamed nude stockings: eBay
Red patent faux leather pumps: Payless
Lip colour: MAC Russian Red
Special Offer: Voodoo Vixen has very kindly extended a 20% off coupon code on all of their online merchandise to my readers. Use the coupon code Vintage20 at checkout between now and July 31st to save 20% on anything your heart desires from their wonderful website.


Photography by Tony Cangiano  

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But when I do, you better believe that I bring my crimson fruit filled A-game to the table! :D

I've never been the sort who follows trends or is drawn to overly common things - indeed, such is no small part of the reason why I opt to sport vintage fashion - and I will just about always cheer for the underdog. Thus, while I do very much adore cherries, given their immense commonality in the vintage/rockabilly/pinup girl/retro style world, I would say that I've somewhat sidestepped them, both consciously and subconsciously over the years.

That isn't to say that I haven't rocked cherries here before, because I have (e.g., in this fun 2013 outfit) - and I am very partial to cherry themed jewelry - but I don't reach for them everyday by any means. When I do, I like typically try to select pieces that have that little something to special to them, that helps to ensure they don't blend into a sea of basic red and black fruit prints.

This gorgeous and immensely feminine looking mid-century vintage style Hilda Dress from Voodoo Vixen nails that to an absolute tee for me.

Not only does its pattern go beyond the usual cherry print, but it includes the colour pink and the most adorable little jars of cherry jam on it (seriously, I can't even!).

I have very fond memories of picking and helping my mom to can, cook and bake with cherries when I was growing up (as detailed in this post from five years ago), so the moment I laid eyes on this beautiful dress, I knew that it had passed my cherry litmus test, so to speak.

I've had the pleasure of working with Voodoo Vixen here twice over the years (both times in 2014) and was really delighted when they recently contacted me about teaming up again this summer. They kindly sent me this enchanting Hilda dress, which - perhaps not surprisingly given how pretty it is - has already sold out, for review and I sincerely want to thank them for it.

On one of the very few sunny weekend days that we've had in the past couple of months, after a full and exciting day of vintage shopping, errand running, and MEC visiting (for Tony) in Kelowna, we returned home to Penticton and took a small trek on foot up part of the very first mile or so of the famous local KVR (Kettle Valley Railroad) Trail.

To my mind, the KVR Trail and the views that it offers are some of the most stunning sights to be seen and experienced around these parts, and I felt like they would suit my first vintage outfit post of the summer really nicely (likewise for this Voodoo Vixen dress itself).

It was early evening by the time we got there, but luckily the sun was still out and did a delightful job of bathing us in its golden warmth as the day wound down.

This dress, like the other two garments that I've received in the past from Voodoo Vixen, is well made from a medium weight fabric with a hint of stretch to it.

I should note that this dress came with a matching belt, however, even on the smallest hole, it was a good couple of inches too big for me and as it is a fabric belt, not a leather/faux leather one, I didn't want to damage it by piercing a tighter hole. Instead I'll wear it with garments like my denim capri pants that hit me lower down on my torso and thus not on the narrowest part of my waist.

Voodoo Vixen frocks aren't always super long, so before selecting this product, I spoke with my VV contact who confirmed that it would hit below my knees (for a sense of scale, I'm just barely 5'2" tall), which is a personal must for me with all dresses and skirts.

I wouldn't mind a few more inches of hem length here, but am equally okay with where it falls now and do very much appreciate a shorter hem length (by vintage standards at least) during the roasty-toasty summer months.

Having a fairly petite bone structure, garments are often too big for me in the shoulders. This dress has cap sleeves and is a little too big there, which while not tight, does make lifting my arms a bit tricky, as the cap sleeves become micro sleeves on my upper arms and restrict them a touch.

This is by no means a big issue at all (and I could always have them removed by a seamstress, if so desired) and I had no problem whatsoever comfortably wearing (and climbing a gentle hiking path in!) this dress for about ten hours straight on the day that these snaps were taken, so really, this is not an issue and I only mention it for the benefit of others who may be small shouldered as well.

This lovely vintage style frock is fun, sweet and just a blast to wear. I love the subtle keyhole detailing at the neckline, the functional pockets, the becoming a-line skirt, and of course the endlessly enjoyable red, white, pink and green cherry print that it is bedecked in from top to bottom. I'd recommend this dress to anyone and do so hope they bring it back into stock for those who may wish to add a "Hilda" to their own old school wardrobes, too.

A dress this vibrant and fully patterned doesn't need a ton of further embellishing, but naturally a few accessories were in order, including a wonderful c. 1950s wicker, velvet and millinery cherry purse that I've had for a few years now.

It's one of my favourite bags I've ever owned, however it is in rather delicate condition however, so I only bring it out once or twice a year, as a general rule. I couldn't think of a better dress to partner it with than this charming Voodoo Vixen one, so out it came to play in the warm June sunlight.

Vintage pink gloves, a quintet of bangle bracelets, one of my beloved 1950s Austrian glass fruit brooches, my equally adored green 1930s/40s wide brimmed straw hat, simple gold tone circle shaped earrings, and red pumps complete the look, which really does seem like such a fitting sartorial note to launch the summer - especially since local cherries are in season again right now.

It's true, I might not wear cherries all the time, but I love when I hit upon a piece that really stands out from the crowd for me and which I know I'll happily reach for many times over the years.

This whimsically sweet cherry print dress from Voodoo Vixen is just that and I look forward to spending many a happy summer in its company - this one very much included!

How does your vintage garden grow?

{An ideal way inject a hefty, but not glaringly in-your-face dose of vintage fruit charm into any wardrobe, this beautiful mid-century straw hat features an abundance of cherries (that also look a bit like red grapes), green leaves, and darling little white blooms that all add up to one seriously summertime perfect chapeau. $25.00 from Sweet Geek Vintage.}




{I love it when unexpected fruits and vegetables show up in fashions, so naturally I fell hard and fast for this cute and colourful Hallabaloo Mango Earrings featuring slices of a fruit that is rarely depicted in wearable form. $8.00 from Trashy Diva.}




{Throughout high school, my favourite Bonne Bell Lip Smacker flavour was, hands down, lime (which came in a sparkly green tube and lasted for ages), so the moment I spotted this handmade, natural lip balm in the same scent, I knew I had to include it here. The beautiful art nouveau illustration on the packaging is an added bonus of happiness for all of us vintage lovers. $3.00 for a 0.15 ounce tube from Get Lippy.}




{Celebrate one of the summer garden's sweetest vegetable offerings with a vintage celluloid necklace dangling merrily with delightful red bell peppers. $62.00 from Mella Vintage.}




{Bypass the usual beach coverups this season and slip on a cute, cozy vintage v-neck strawberry embroidered sweater instead (or wear it to stay warm and keep the 'squitters at bay on moonlit summer nights). Fits, when stretched, up to a 40" bust/19" waist. $69.00 from Joie De Vivre Vintage.}




{Is it a white carrot, a parsnip, a skinny rutabaga? You decide. What is certain is that this delightful vegetable shaped brooch brings both cuteness and elegance to the fashion potluck care of its colour palette, sparkly little crystals, an expected shape. $17.00 from Chronically Vintage on Etsy. (*Note, this item has sold*}




{I am seriously in love with this cherry print Tea Dress in Cherry Cream. It marries the fun of cherries with the classic sophistication of a shirtwaist style dress for a look that celebrates the spirit of fruit patterned fashions of the 40s and 50s so superbly well. Available in modern ladies sizes Small to XL. £59.00 from Vivien of Holloway.}




{Goodness gracious did I have to whip out the willpower when I came across this stunner! Tempted as I was/am, I'm guarding my pennies closely, so this sublimely lovely vintage wicker strawberry and vegetable adorned novelty purse will get to go home with someone else (super lucky lady!). $55.00 from Sugar Cookie Lady.}



{Make the most of summer's sizzling heat while it's still here by staying cool and looking off-the-charts cute in this wonderful two-piece vintage reproduction cherry print playsuit comprised of a great halter crop top and high waisted shorts. Available in modern ladies sized small to large. $90.00 for the set from Blue Velvet Vintage.}



{Glam, fun, and oh-so-sweet, these marvelous Rockerfeller heels feature red and green grapes and will make your feet look so stylish even Dionysus would be jealous! Available in modern ladies (European) sizes 36 to 39. $165.00 from Miss L Fire.}

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Now, while I adore the outdoors and everything that Mother Nature nourishes us with from her bountiful soil, what I'm talking about here today is growing the garden within your own closet, not the one in your backyard (an area, having never had a a garden of my own to tend, that I wouldn't feel very qualified to talk about in the first place, beyond a general appreciation of gardens and of agricultural history).

As we bounce merrily along through the eight month of the year, one that is so abundantly rich in freshly picked fruits and vegetables that it almost seems like a spoil of riches, I cannot help but think of clothing and accessories that depict these staples of humanity. Interestingly, fruit centered items have been having quite the moment this year, with designers (from Moschino to Kate Spade to Stella McCartney), high street, and fast fashion labels alike all hopping on the delicious fashion band wagon.

Ask any vintage wearing gal whose been sporting or even just interested in old school threads for a day what some of the most beloved patterns in this fashion realm are and I'll bet you a silver dollar that she'll list cherry prints as one of them. She may even say "fruit prints" in general, and she'd be spot on in either case. Fruit, and to a lesser extent vegetable (and other kinds of food) print garments are nothing new. They were quite popular during the mid-twentieth century, especially the 1940s, 50s and early 60s, and saw a revival later on in the fashionista's heyday that was the 1980s.

Whether we're talking about Carmen Miranda's famous fruit hats, 1930s and 40s Bakelite fruit jewelry, or produce adorned 1950s novelty print skirts, there was no short of scrumptious, stylish and flat out fantastic fruit and vegetable items to be had for one's wardrobe during decades past, or nowadays for that matter and the wearing of such pieces is an instant way to really help imbue your daily style with a great dose of whimsical wardrobe fun.

Unlike flowers, for example, which can be markedly sophisticated, even somber at times, fruit and vegetables rarely take on such a serious air in the fashion world. They are, by their very nature, youthful, lively, and lighthearted. They remind us of summertime (or winter, if you live south of the equator), no matter when in the year we wear them, are representations of the very stuff of life (food) itself, and tend to spark enjoyable childhood memories, too, of everything from tucking into slices of watermelon bigger than our heads to fruit flavoured candies aplenty.

Though cherries (a fruit I shared some of my own treasured recollections of back in this 2011 post) may have long held court in the vintage, and especially vintage reproduction (and rockabilly, fashion world, and are of course utterly fabulous, they are by no means the only fruit on the clothing produce shelves.

These days, more than ever, as the selection here today - the mere tip of the iceberg in this category - shows, we can avail of items adorned with images, or in the very shapes themselves, of everything from lemons to pineapples, apples to strawberries, grapes, bananas, melons, and peaches, to name but a few. And don't forget your vegetables either. There might not be quite as many veggies in the fashion world, but that doesn't mean that they aren't out there. Carrots, asparagus, mushrooms, tomatoes, onions, and pickles are just some of the green grocery worthy veg themed and printed items to be had - and one never knows, veggies might just be the next hot fashion trend in 2015.

I've always loved (underline that big time) fruit, vegetable and food themed and shaped clothing and accessories. Even as a little girl, I flocked to such pieces, a love spurred on in part by my (then) town's annual summertime berry festival, which shone the spotlight on strawberries, raspberries and blueberries, all fruits that are grown in the area. This interest was further fueled when we moved further north in the province to the Okanagan, a land famous the world over for its stunning abundance of fruit, including pears, apples, peaches, apricots, nectarines, grapes, and tons upon tons of juicy red cherries.

Even if you don't usually go in for novelty print and themed fashions, there's a vintage, reproduction, or vintage appropriate fruit or vegetable themed item out there for you. A simple, for example, gold or silver toned pair of stud earrings or a cute fruit shaped clutch handbag is a terrific choice - and let's not forget the abundance of fruit themed shoes that are to be had these days. A charm bracelet, printed scarf or even a pair of socks depicting a yummy garden offering are all great options, too.

While one can, and should, wear fruit and vegetable themed clothing the whole year round, these carefree, colourful fashions lend themselves so exquisitely well to the warmest months of the year, August very much included, so before autumn rolls around, bringing with it a cornucopia of its own fantastic, produce (pears! pumpkins! corn!), why not treat yourself to something from the produce side of the fashion spectrum.

An apple print frock (for example, Hell Bunny's fabulous Shelia dress) might not keep the doctor at bay like the healthy treat it depicts, but it will help ensure that the wearable garden in your vintage wardrobe is tip-top shape! :)