Sunday, 29 May 2011

Ladylike Lady


I came back from my travels more tired and dashed than I expected. 
As I haven't lost my faith in people completely - there are still few who make me think 'no, it's not the end yet'  - I realised there is less and less ladylike behaviour. 
I give a lot of credit to men because Who knows in the end what do they really mean...
But women I can mark...I was born with the license to do so.




No one is perfect that's why Christian Dior tried to save us from nature and we can try to save ourselves from boorishness.




- Cosmetics are precious for every woman (almost every ?) so No, we just don't use them or touch them. Unless we ask.




- Let's not underestimate power of casual conversation. That's much better than choosing to focus attention on your problems only or vulgar ignorance. 
'The World's belly button' syndrome is So Not elegant.




 - If you decide to stab someone in the back, please, don't do it in the living room with audience because blood is splashed everywhere and these stains are hardly ever removable.
Have enough brains to put white gloves on.




- Build your self-esteem. 
It helps not to offer yourself to every, even engaged man. That is So Not classy. 
And don't hit the bottom by stalking a guy who simply doesn't want you. Especially if he's with someone else. 
Otherwise for the question : Am I really hopeless and not good enough ???
Answer yourself : Yes...




- If you decide to let someone down, loose trust, turn the words, situations against someone, 
have in your mind That was the last time. For everyone's goodness say goodbye and move on. Alone. 
Because fixing requires more class and skills than understanding the first sentence.




- If you really have to show your bottom and constantly degrade your man by the dinner table with your guests...
slap yourself in the face and hide under the table. Please remain there until you apologise you were born as a woman.




- Self - assertion helps not to become a problem to others. 
Write it on your mirror with a lipstick. (if you use one)
Later on when someone asks you a favour:
say No and make less trouble
or say Yes, if you mean it, and do it effectively with a smile on your face.




- Don't play stupid. 
If something has happened it happened! 
You should always clean up after your mess.




- If you don't know what to say... well, it's hard to deal with own stupidity...
Stay Quiet.
Instead of f.ex.:
'Where is a beauty store? I wanted to buy a lip balm. But not the one that you have. Yours is sooo non-hygienic.' + disgust on your face.




- Never and ever do so or try to ignore The Lady of the House. If you've ever done that, once or more, stop reading that! There's no help for you anyway.
Do the World a favour and change your friends, job, yourself... change the planet!




- Notice that if strange injustice happens to you all the time, perhaps it has nothing to do with unfairness. Only twice it can be an accident.
Later on I propose to look in a mirror and say:
'Thank you. I did it to myself.'






I need to look at my tired face in a mirror and unfortunately I have to say  'Thank you for this all unpleasant experience again.' It happens I'm too exhausted to give a second, third or fifth chance and I need to say Goodbye forever.
As the old proverb says:
'If you play with excrements, you can get dirty'


No one is perfect. Not even real Elvgren's pin up girls
I try to improve myself everyday and learn from my own mistakes. That's why I'll never walk close to the pavement edge again when it's raining.










Friday, 13 May 2011

The 1950s look - Recreating the Fashions of the fifties. Mike Brown.



I like both periods, 1940s and 1950s but if it's about this book definitively I'd buy "the 1950s look" only. 
The 1940s part I already described HERE.


There's so many chapters and details. Men, gloves, belts, cases, children, teenagers... too many to show in one post. That's why I recommend to buy this book!
...and skip 1940s.




The book starts with so famous 'New Look' by Dior from 1947.






Of course everyone knows two main directions: pencil and wide skirts.




In the book you can find description how to make your own swing skirt.






There are two kinds of coat which I really like with pencil skirts.






This 'bum - freezer' jacket looks like the one worn by Elisabeth Taylor in 'What's my line' show. And she looked fabulous !


The main point of this figure look was underwear. Specially designed undergarments gave you what's the most important. Tiny waist and perfect uplifted breasts closed in bullet bras. Without the whole engineering it wouldn't be possible.
'Remember the fashion is under the fashion'









The ultimate solution is obviously a corset. And it always works.




However shaping underwear is really hard to find. Charnos looks good and bras fit perfectly but there's not much of shaping. What Katie Did has great bullet bras! stockings! and some corsets! but shapewear... Charnos doesn't even pretend it's shaping but What Katie Did is trying without any significant effect. 6 straps belts are really good but waspies press you everywhere but not in the waist. 
I'll never shop there for shapewear any more.


Accidentally I've found Valisere and their, already sold out, Body Perfection:
- shorts with adjustable, elasticated waist


- and suspender/waspie which is constructed in such an amazing way! 
It presses only where it should so you will never look like a sausage with your clothes on which is quite possible in What Katie Did.


When you put two together... it's like a gentle corset in your waist.
...and about going to the toilette then...well, I admit it's not so easy but still possible. 
Now when I think about it... it's like a totally different skill which you need to eventually improve.
Perhaps somewhere it's possible to find it. If you know where!! Let me know!!
I have few belts and shorts in beige and black but I would get more.
I've never tried but the belt has detachable straps so I assume it's possible to work on your waist without stockings. But who would like to do that?


I have no idea how  was it possible that Marilyn Monroe looked like this!
 You can't see any corset marks. Nothing.




Knit wear created The Sweater Girl look achieved by using special bra - kind of bullet bra.



There's plenty of cardigans on ebay or etsy. Very good is vintage Laura Ashley.
I got mine from eBay or second hand shops. This cashmere one was really cheap. Maybe because using these crazy buttons is really annoying. And because it's yellow...colour of sickness.


Another one I found in Reykjavik. It's made from angora and wool and should be dry cleaned. So seems to be a trouble unless you find out how to clean it by yourself.


Nightdresses. Very fashionable Shortie Pyjamas.

I love long nightgowns and babydolls.
These few I have from Agent Provocateur I like a lot but my Love says:
...that I look like a curtain in this one.

...I'm like disabled because I can not really quickly tie this one up on the back.

...I look like I dressed up as a little girl.
However the photo doesn't make you think of this comparison.
Well...I don't like few of his clothes and although I never say it loud I think we're even.

About furs...


I know furs look so glamorous! But nowadays, when there are so many artificial fabrics imitating real fur why not to use them? Why is it good to still support animals killing? And why stinky smell together with saprophytes is considered elegant? My friend will finally receive this nice photo on her facebook wall...
when I'll be in my mood.

Anyway... there is a lot of advices!
Hats.

Stockings.

Fortunately we have stay ups.


Never wear ANY nylons for more than one day without washing them !!!
...this Vintage hygiene problem...

Bags.

Gloves.

Shoes.


Glasses.


Jewellery.



It's very easy to find brooch like this on eBay for few GBP only.



Plastic surgery started to advertise.


And the strangest 1950s thing I could imagine.