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So today, in order to do my little part in diversifying the 50s/60s styles we see running through our blog feeds,we're talking about preppy.
Some of you are thinking "noooo, not preppy!" but I encourage you to hang out--I promise there are no critter covered burmuda shorts in my sewing queue! My vintage prep-inspired plans include:
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2. A Practical A-Line Skirt: I have several vintage skirt patterns that I always put aside in favor of a quick and easy (and twirly!) dirndl, but I would like to make another a-line skirt like the yellow one I made last year. I really like the shape of the one on the right here, but I don't have an exact pattern in mind for this project yet. I do have some nice plaid though... Am I ready for some serious plaid matching? We shall see.
3. A Pair of Navy Cigarette Pants: Since Gertie's pants were successful, I'd like to make another pair of those in navy. I'll probably eventually make another pair in black since the puppy poked holes in the original, but navy really does coordinate with most of my closet, more so than black, actually.
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Since preppy style is intended to be timeless and classic--you could find all of these items at a Brooks Brothers today or in their first women's collection in 1949--if you are going for a really retro look, I would amp up the hair. Now is the time for pin curls!
xoxo,
allie
ps: if you are dying for more information about this style, here's a little mini-history--"Ivy League" style began in the first quarter of the 21st century, but really gained ground in the 50s. Northeastern college men (notably at the Ivies, which gave the style its name) began dressing in a distinctive manner furnished by Brooks Brothers and J. Press. if you are interested in men's fashion, there are a ton of blogs devoted to this style, but i'll leave it at that and move on to the ladies.
"Seven Sisters" can be thought of as the women's version of Ivy League style. it is named after a group of colleges (which were all at that point women only) that mirrored the Ivy League (then all men only). it is generally more androgynous (relatively, I mean, it was still the fifties!) than your average ladies' wardrobe and borrowed heavily from Ivy League menswear--in some cases, even wearing the exact same Brooks Brothers shirts as the men, just in smaller sizes. the photos i used here all came from the Vassar archives flickr account.
Ivy League style has become popular in recent years, with the men's fashion blogging world really going nuts over ivy style. there seems to be less interest in the ladies' version, but if you want more there is a whole book about it!
"Seven Sisters" can be thought of as the women's version of Ivy League style. it is named after a group of colleges (which were all at that point women only) that mirrored the Ivy League (then all men only). it is generally more androgynous (relatively, I mean, it was still the fifties!) than your average ladies' wardrobe and borrowed heavily from Ivy League menswear--in some cases, even wearing the exact same Brooks Brothers shirts as the men, just in smaller sizes. the photos i used here all came from the Vassar archives flickr account.
Ivy League style has become popular in recent years, with the men's fashion blogging world really going nuts over ivy style. there seems to be less interest in the ladies' version, but if you want more there is a whole book about it!
I love the preppy style of the midcentury! But as a girl of the opposite shape - busty and thicker waisted with no rear to speak of, unfortunately these styles tend look terrible on me, or at best, a bad satirization.
ReplyDeleteIsn't it funny how different styles are more flattering than others? It's all about finding that balance, I guess.
DeleteWhat a fun style! I don't know much about this particular range of fashion, so I appreciate the photos! good luck with your sewing plan!
ReplyDelete