What's (vintage) black and white and red all over?

Outfit details

1940s/50s cream lace hat: Gift from a dear friend ♥
Gold tone and clear rhinestone bow earrings: Either Payless or Claire's
Red cropped cardigan: Fairweather
1940s/1950s gold tone metal bow brooch: Probably thrifted or eBay (had for years) 1980s does 1940s/50s black and white floral print dress: eBay
1940s black felt purse with brass clasp: Gift from a dear friend ♥
Gold tone bangle bracelets: Payless
C. 1940s cream gloves with crochet detailing: Unknown, had for years (possibly eBay)
Black seamed nude stockings: eBay
Red patent pumps: Payless
Lip colour: MAC Russian Red


Photography by Tony Cangiano  

♥ ♥ ♥

You guys, I so knew that it was just a matter of time until I eventually penned a post with this title - I love puns and riddles both far too much to let the opportunity to reference the classic newspaper riddle go to waste. :)
 
Realistically though, this post could just as easily be called, "Wearing my winter colour palette in the summer", because really and truly, that's what I'm doing here. Red, my signature colour, is one that I reach for all year round, but I'm especially drawn to it during the icy cold Canadian winters, when no doubt the visual sense of fiery heat it imparts is a good chunk of the reason this Canadian lass is drawn to it so much.
 
With red, in winter's snow clad months, I most often pair black, grey and/or white (see posts such as this one and this one for two cold weather examples of such). This palette is classic, elegant, and often glamorous, but it can be cozy and sweet, too, especially, I find, if grey enters the picture.
 
So in love with this combo am I, that a couple of winters ago, I got so hooked on wearing it, I had to make a mental note to sport other colours, least folks started thinking those were the only hues in my closet. I can't help it though, winter after winter after winter, I reach for red and black, tossing in a little grey or white usually for good measure, and highly suspect that I always will (after all, when something works, it works!).
 
Yet sometimes I can't wait that long or an occasion really calls for these hues or I'm simply in the mood for them, and no matter the season, out they come to play. These particular photos were taken in late May and feature the delightful - and slightly more springtime-y - inclusion of some cream, care of this truly gorgeous 1940s/1950s hat, that was an awesome Christmas gift last year from a lovely online friend and fellow vintage blogger.
 
This is the first time I've sported it here on my blog, but certainly not the first before or since these photos were taken. This hat balances sophistication and curtness sublimely and speaks to me on so many vintage loving levels. It's made from stiffened lace, is fairly wide brimmed, weighs next to nothing, featuring a stunning dark crimson velvet ribbon with bows and long, trailing ends, and is in very good shape for its venerable age.
 
The classic and very pretty 1940s purse in this ensemble was also a gift from another completely dear friend and was the one I carried last year when attending the Victoria Vintage Expo. It too is very sweet and timeless, in nice condition still and a true favourite of mine.
 
In addition to those two near-to-my-heart accessories, today's black, white, red and cream ensemble features a lovely 1980s does 1940s/50s dress (that buttons up the back) with matching belt, a vintage appropriate red cropped cardi, c. 1940s cream gloves, 1940s/50s gold tone bow brooch, classic looking modern rhinestone bow shaped earrings, as well my beloved (modern) red patent pumps.
 
It occurred to me and Tony on the day when these photos were taken, that we hadn't done a shot in the wee wisp of an open front yard that we have in ages - as in, I don't recall any happening there last year (save for our Halloween photos) and very few the year before either in comparison to 2012's numbers. Thus, as the afternoon was starting to fade, we decided to remedy that, as it really is a handy little spot, when the weather and light are in a cooperative mood.
 
While Tony was waiting for me to finish getting dressed before going out, he turned the camera on our dog, Annie, who is usually too high energy to sit still for anything but the blurriest of images (so hence why to date, she and I have not shared a full on photo shoot - one day though, I sincerely hope!). However, that afternoon he nabbed a few in our perpetually low natural light condo (so hence the grain from the ISO here) and the one below was a favourite for both of us.





Clearly, as you can see, Miss Annie has the white and black thing down to a tee as well! (Plus her current collar is hot pink, which isn't very far from red - like human "mother", like canine dog-ter :D)
 
Favourite colour combos, like beloved single hues themselves, can - and should - be sported anytime your heart desires. Just because this palette is my -25C staple, doesn't mean I can't rock it - sans a few layers - when it's +35C as well. In fact, so much of the fun of highly adored colours and pairings is the enjoyable challenge of coming up with new outfits in which to rock them season after season, year after year.
 
Do you have any colours or pairings that you generally turn to in one season, but also enjoy donning at other times, too?

Alice's Pig (Gorgeous!) Coco's Crescent Dress Review

Outfit details

Carnation pink snood: eBay seller tina.g-2008
White plastic rose earrings: Claire's
Navy blue shrug: Sears
Coco's Crescent dress c/o Alice's Pig
Vintage gold flower brooch: Unknown (had for years)
Orange faux leather skinny belt: eBay
Gold tone metal bangles: Payless
1950s orange sheer gloves: (Probably) eBay
1950s/1960s pink handbag: Unknown (had for years)
Nude seamed nude stockings: eBay
Navy blue patent pumps: Payless
Lip colour: Clinique Raspberry Glace


Photography by Tony Cangiano

♥ ♥ ♥

Even if you're a a huge Lewis Carroll fan, you might not instantly get the reference in the company Alice's Pig's name, but once you learn that it stems from none other than that most beloved of childhood tales, Alice in Wonderful, the moniker suddenly snaps into place and suits this (relatively) new fashion brand delightfully well.

Based out of Brixton, South London in the United Kingdom, Alice's Pig is a 21st century women’s clothing line that looks to the past for much for its inspiration, while also keeping an eye on the trends of today’s world.

It was launched two years ago in May of 2013, and while it is not a vintage reproduction company, nor, would I say, one that strictly aims to replicate styles from decades past, a lot of their pieces do certainly have distinct notes of yesteryear style and are apt to instantly appeal to vintage wearing ladies the world over, very much including yours truly!

That's why when I contacted by the lovely brother and sister team of Amanda and Nicolai who created Alice's Pig, I jumped at the chance to collaborate with this exciting brand. From their dynamic website that presents the brand's offerings in a fresh, fun, interactive way to the fact that they offer free global shipping, to the old school influenced products themselves, there is a lot to appreciate and adore about this brand and their thriving online shop.

If you're wondering about the name, besides the reference to Alice and Wonderful, Amanda and Nico opted for this reference, in their own words, because, "The brand image comes from our love for Alice in Wonderland, where crazy is normal. The name is a reminder that colliding styles and cultures can produce something interesting and that there can be beauty and surprise in anything; even in a pig."

While Alice Pig's inventory is not mammoth at present, it is well curated and highly appealing, and I won't lie, I spent the better part of day debating which of their beautiful, stylish, and very wearable looking items to select as as wonderfully nice complimentary review gift (thank you so much for it, Nico and Amanda).

With pieces that the duo defines as a "modern, urban take on vintage style", I was intrigued and tempted by a number of their offerings (some of which, it should be noted, take their inspiration keys from later 20th century decades, whereas others look back further to the 1940s - 60s for elements of their sartorial DNA), but ultimately opted for the gorgeous Coco's Crescent dress.

From the elegant floral and bird pattern (which, when my mom saw it, on the day that these photos were taken, she swooned over every bit as much as I did!) to the fact this dress is lined, to the seriously cool element that is the built short-sleeve bolero that can be removed, if so desired (it attaches with the row of buttons across the upper chest area of the dress), to the classic silhouette, I was thoroughly hooked (ooohh, and don't even get me started on the tremendously pretty "tail feather" style panels on the back, that lend this piece such a joyful sense of movement with each step - plus, it has pockets on the front!!!).

The dress arrived in a flash, was securely and attractively packaged, and was even lovelier, to my eyes, in person than it appeared on Alice's Pig's website. We've been getting a lot of rain here in recent weeks and so finding suitable days, or even dry hours, for photos, on those days when we're out and about has been tricky at times. Thankfully though, a recent weekend jaunt north of Penticton to the absolutely charming town of Peachland (that has to be one of the best names ever for a town!), provided a few rain-free, if still overcast, moments for a shoot featuring this sophisticated floral print frock.

I have to say, as someone who has a closet does a very good job of emulating a lush garden, I'm no stranger to pretty florals, but this one really blew me away. Not only is it stunning, but its colour palette is fresh, fun, and very wearable, especially since it offers one a wide range of hues to pick and pull from when it comes to styling the rest of your ensemble.

The quality of the fabric here (100% polyester for the body of the dress and 100% cotton for the lining) is lightweight, breathable, comfy, and nice quality. The colours of the design are even, crisp, and delightfully vibrant. This is really a great dress and just the kind of thing I'd reach for if I had a wedding, garden party, tea party (fittingly, given the brand's nod to all things Alice in Wonderland :) ), baby shower, gallery event, or cocktail shindig to attend in the near future.

Interestingly, much like this Voodoo Vixen dress that I reviewed here last summer, this tremendously lovely frock from Alice's Pig is devoid of any black or white in its design, which can potentially make styling such a garment a little bit tricky. Luckily the generous colour palette of the flower and bird design paired with the standout navy blue buttons (interestingly navy blue does not actually appear in the pattern of the dress itself, but it certainly compliments the colours of it and the combo is nothing short of striking!) eliminated that potential hurdle and gave me a lot to work with on that front.

Looking at this dress, one could easily see it being styled in a 1940s, 1950s, or 1960s direction, just depending on what other accessories, as well as your hair and makeup styles, you opted for. I was in a 40s mood that day, so I teamed it with a carnation pink snood, white plastic rose earrings, cropped knit shrug, vintage sheer orange gloves (which I love to bits!), orange skinny belt, vintage gold tone floral brooch, pink 1950s - 60s faux reptile skin handbag, gold tone bangle bracelets, classic navy blue patent pumps.

That is, I'm the first to admit, a lot of colour, but thanks to the bold beauty of the dress' pattern itself, I think it came together and worked really well. I definitely have ideas for how I'm going to style this dress the next time I wear it, and plan to pull from the both the green and the gray in the floral design.

One thing that surprised me about this dress, especially because I had selected it part because of the hemline that was shown online, is that it is a lot shorter than I expected it to be. I'm barely 5'2" and have a 28" inseam, so my legs are not exactly giving any supermodels a run for their money in the slightest. I had expected this dress to hit me at more of a mid-calf point, but as it is, it barely skims my knees. I'm very thankful that it does though, because I virtually never wear dresses, skirts or cropped pants that don't clear my knees, due to reasons of personal modesty that are very important to me.

To their credit though, Alice's Pig does list the length of their garments online, but I guess because in the photos, illustration, and video, it looked a bit longer (and it was listed as being 112.5 cm/44.2 inches long in the size that I selected), I was still surprised that it was so short on me. No worries though. This somewhat shorter length works great for the roasty-toasty days of summer, and I just wanted to point out this fact, in case you are thinking of purchasing this beautiful Coco's Crescent dress yourself and were curious as to where it might hit on you.

Objectively and without a speck of bias because this was a review product (you'll never get a biased review from me, doing so would go against my own integrity to no end), I love this dress. I would have no qualms paying its £66.00 price tag, especially if I was intentionally buying it for a special occasion like the ones I touched on above, and I say that as someone whose modest personal budget making purchasing items from the UK quite the rare and special occasion. The fact that Alice's Pig offers free worldwide shipping, would seal the deal for me all the more.

I really enjoyed wearing this lovely dress, as it suits spring and summer sublimely, and getting a chance to review one of a new-to-me brand's offerings here for all you. If you haven't checked out Alice's Pig's fun website and offerings yet, I highly encourage you to do so.

And if you're interested in adding some of Alice's Pig's truly delightful fashions to your own wardrobe, the fine folks there have very kindly provided me with an exclusive discount code for Chronically Vintage's readers. Please use Alicespig10 at checkout, to save 10% off on all purchases between now and June 8, 2015.

Thank you again to Alice Pig for this gorgeous, vintage influenced floral print dress. I adore it to bits and felt like my frock had been painted by a talented artist, as the florals are off-the-charts gorgeous and the whole piece is a vision of loveliness.

The weather really doesn't get any better than this

Outfit details

Hair flowers: Arden

Red knit shrug: Fairweather

Marcasite and blue rhinestone floral brooch: eBay

1980s does 1950s floral print dress: eBay

Lilac belt: From a different vintage dress

1950s white gloves: Gift from a dear vintage friend ♥

Blue and yellow bangle bracelets: Forever 21

Vintage red and green twist bangle bracelets: eBay

Red vintage purse: etsy seller I Love Vintage Stuff

Nude on nude seemed stockings: eBay

White pumps: Payless

Lip colour: MAC Russian Red

Photography by Antonio Cangiano











{Tony snapping me taking iPhone photos, including this one of the gorgeous blue sky and calm waters of Osoyoos Lake.}

♥ ♥ ♥

There are some days when the weather is so gloriously, all-encompassing, almost devastatingly gorgeous that even as you're living them, your mind has a tricky time taking in just how marvelous what you're experiencing actually is. The day - Easter Sunday, to be exact - on which these photos were taken was one such a time.

Unseasonably warm, drenched in sunshine, and filled with skies so blue they would have dulled sapphires by comparison, I honestly believe this might have been the most beautiful (and certainly the toastiest) last day of March I've ever had the good fortune to enjoy, and that's precisely what we did.

Roughly the same distance away from Penticton as the city of Kelowna, but in the opposite direction, one finds the charming little town of Osoyoos, British Columbia, which is the last staging post in that direction before one runs smack-dab into the Canadian/US border.

Since moving back to the area last year, Tony and I have made our way down to Osoyoos several times, however on each occasion - no matter how pleasant the weather was when we left home, once we got there, we'd be hit with either a massive rain or snow storm, and thus had never gotten the chance to take any outfit photos on our travels.

It had become something of a running joke actually, and we'd nearly begun to wonder if we'd ever find ourselves there on day when sunny weather was plentiful (a fact that's made all the more humorous - and a touch ironic - by the fact that Osoyoos often gets some the warmest summer temperatures in all of Canada). Fortunately however, the gods of sunshine were on our side at long last on Easter Sunday and we managed to not only soak up the stunning weather, but also take some lovely pictures in the gazebo that's situated down by one of the beaches on Osoyoos Lake.

I'd spotted this quaint, romantic little gazebo while passing through town on previous visits and had tucked it away in my mind as a great spot to use for a future photo shoot. So warm was it that day (+25C at a time of the year when the average temperature would usually be about half that) that I didn't even realize until sorting through these snaps afterwards that my cheeks had picked up a little bit of a flush from the sun - that's certainly not something that happens every day this early in the year, let me tell you!

In celebration of Easter and the joyful mood I was in that day, I selected of my very favourite and most jubilantly hued (1980s does 1950s) floral dresses. The frock itself is bold and clearly the star of the show, so I kept my accessories fairly low key, opting for my trusty red vintage handbag, white gloves, white heels, four bangle bracelets, an elegant floral brooch, and a few flowers nestled into my hair. A light weight red shrug helped keep my arms warm, though as the temperature kept skyrocketing, I almost became tempted to slip it off.

I loved everything about this day. Not just the sublime weather, but the leisurely Sunday drive we took, the conversations Tony and I shared, the stroll around town, the fun photo shoot location (these are my first snaps to date which have been taken in a gazebo), and the fact that we finally beat the curse of the Osoyoos storm.

It was, in every sense of the word, a perfect Easter and the sort of magnificent springtime afternoon that one will treasure in their heart (especially when winter's icy wrath returns) for the rest of time.


(*PS* I am thrilled to say that a photo from this shot also appears in the latest fabulous digital edition of Hey Doll magazine in the reader vintage outfit gallery. In the same edition, you'll also find an article by yours truly, that first appeared here on Chronically Vintage last November, all about how to store vintage gloves.)

Pink is all it takes to make me smile

 

 

Outfit details

Large black hair flower: Arden
1980s does 1950s tropical floral print dress: etsy seller Fresh Vintage
Green cardigan: Old Navy
Purple orchid brooch: eBay
Black carved bangle bracelet: Ten Thousand Villages
Green vintage twisted bangle bracelet: eBay
Purple bangle bracelet: (probably) Forever 21 Vintage Saks Fifth Avenue black patent purse: etsy seller MKRetro
Black opaque tights: Arden
Black 1940s style shoes: Thrifted (Salvation Army)
Lipstick colour: Clinique Raspberry Glace

Photography by Antonio Cangiano

♥ ♥ ♥

So said Tony (about me) as we were leaving the Home Hardware recently after popping for something entirely different and walking out with the cutest little cotton candy pink miniature Christmas tree you ever did see! (We got it 50% on post-Christmas clearance.) I just about went weak in the knees when I spotted it, and proceeded to say, "Oh my gosh, oh my gosh, oh my gosh!" over and over as I made a rapid beeline in it's direction. Is it the same as a mid-century pink aluminum tree? No, but, by golly, it's pretty darn spectacular, if you ask me!

It's true though, you know, when I come across something pink that I love, and by the same token, when I wear pink and inject it throughout the decor in our home, it really does make me smile-inducingly happy, and tranquil, and extra girly feeling, all of which I adore. We weren't planning on doing a formal photo shot that evening (we'd been out for hours and I was completely knackered, plus Tony was on his way out the door to a raclette party, so he only a couple of minutes to take a few quick iPhone shots), but I was in such good spirits after the unexpected (gorgeous!) find that was this wonderful little tree, that I simply had to record how joyful I felt in that moment.

Adding weight to what I've talked about here in previous posts (such as this one) regarding wearing as much of my warm weather wardrobe as I can during the winter months, on that day I just happened to be sporting one of my most greenhouse-meets-tropical paradise inspired dresses. A cute 1980s does 50s number that is chock-a-block with vivacious hues and feel good flowers, and which I wore last year on my mom's birthday, but didn't get snaps of, so I've really been meaning to capture it on camera ever since.

Our little house is marvelous, and I truly love it to no end, but it rather lacking in available blank walls against which to take indoor outfit snaps. We keep experimenting with locations (the master bedroom, the living room, etc), and on that particular night, we gave the bottom of the staircase between the first and second floors a shot. It's not perfect, but it's not bad either, and I suspect other photos will transpire there over time.

I love my new little pink Christmas tree so much, I'm half tempted to keep it on display in my craft room throughout the whole year, perhaps sprinkling seasonal ornaments on it for other holidays. You know, come to think of it, that's not a bad idea. Money might not grow on trees, but (if they're pink) happiness sure can, and who can't use as much of that as they can get all year round?