Manipulating Stripes

When is a stripe not a stripe? When it is manipulated into other patterns by the use of cutting and sewing. Designers can use seams to great effect in changing the directions of stripes. Seams can be used to form angles, zig-zags, diamonds, and a myriad of other designs, all with a simple striped fabric.

This vintage 1950's full skirted sundress makes great use of this technique. The designer has used a simple blue and white cotton stripe, and by cutting the fabric in to rectangles and sewing those rectangles back together with the stripes facing in different directions, he has formed a bulls-eye design in the skirt.

The skirt of this dress is formed from 24 rectangles, all seamed together so the stripes line up perfectly. That's alot of work for one dress, and is just another example of why I love vintage so much more than modern clothing!

See this dress and more at Couture Allure Vintage Fashion .

Fall Fashion Trend - Brocade

Beautiful brocades are bountiful for cocktail and evening dresses this fall as seen on the runway by Oscar de le Renta and Dries van Notten. These gorgeous fabrics have lots of texture and shimmer and are a perfect antidote to those little black dresses from seasons past. Stand out from the crowd during the holiday season!

If you're adding a touch of brocade to your wardrobe this fall, why not make yours vintage? Here are a few example available at Couture Allure Vintage Fashion .

A 1950's brocade dress & jacket

A 1950's draped brocade dress

A 1960's tone on tone brocade dress

Fall Fashion Trend - Capes

Drama is coming your way this fall, and what better way is there to show off your style than to sweep into a room wearing a sensational cape, such as those shown above by Derek Lam, Ralph Lauren, and Marc Jacobs.

Of course, capes are not new. From dramatic velvet evening capes in the 30's, to caped dinner suits in the 40's, to structured Mod styles in the 60's, and hippie ponchos in the 70's, we've seen capes return again and again. If you're adding a cape to your wardrobe this fall, why not make it vintage? Here are a few examples available at Couture Allure Vintage Fashion .

A 60's Mod era camel wool cape

A 70's wool herringbone cape with matching fedora

An 80's flowing black wool cape with faux leopard fur trim

See these capes and more great vintage coats at Couture Allure Vintage Fashion .

Fall Fashion Trend - Fur Trim

It's time to start looking ahead to our Fall and Winter wardrobes! Even though I sell vintage fashion, I feel its important to study current designer runway trends so I can help you stay stylish while adding unique vintage pieces to your closet.

Designers have been showing lots of fur coats in the last two years. While fur is still hot, we're seeing alot more fur used just as trim this year. Coats, jackets, capes, and suits are adorned with exotic fur at the collar, sleeve cuffs, front openings, and hems.

Here are a few vintage pieces from my store that will keep you "in style" this fall.

A gorgeous late 1950's Lilli Ann coat in pink mohair with a silver fox fur collar. Did I mention it's PINK?

A striking late 1960's grey tweed coat with raccoon fur trim at the hem.

A glamourous 1970's black leather trench coat with fox fur collar.

A sophisticated 1950's salt 'n pepper tweed suit with black mouton fur collar and cuffs.

See these items and more at Couture Allure Vintage Fashion .

What a Beauty!

It's not often that I run into a dress like this - what I like to call "Over the Top". This dress dates to the early to mid 1950's, when tulle confections were all the rage. And what a beauty this is!

Pink tulle is layered over more pink tulle with a lining of pink taffeta. Adorned with silver embroidery, silver beads, and silver sequins, this dress literally sparkles. Add to that the white ribbons that are woven over and under the silver beading, and you've got a real attention grabber! Notice how the skirt side panels are even more elaborate than the front and back.

And all of that embroidery and beadwork? Completely done by hand!

See this dress and more at Couture Allure Vintage Fashion .

70's Bohemian Brilliance

In the late 1960's, as hippies influenced fashion with their use of antique, folkloric, and ethnic clothing, mainstream designers began to incorporate these styles into their runway fashions. This dress from the early 1970's is an example of the use of folk art in high fashion.

There are no labels, but the designer has used a tablecloth with intricate hand-worked cross stitch as the fabric for the dress. The resulting dress is suitable for evening or entertaining at home.

See this dress and more at Couture Allure Vintage Fashion .

Day to Date

It's an age old problem...what do you wear when you've got to look professional at the office, but jazzed up for an evening out with no time to go home and change? This vintage 1950's outfit by Jerry Gilden solves the problem in a simple but effective manner. The strappy black fitted dress is perfect for a date. Add the matching overblouse for wearing during the day.

When it's time to transform your look, simply remove the overblouse, pop on some sparkly jewels and those fabulous heels you brought from home! Problem solved!!!

See this dress and more at Couture Allure Vintage Fashion .