The Knees Have It!

Jean Shrimpton, a photo by the coveted on Flickr

I was reading an old magazine from New Zealand the other day (I have a fascination with them - some would say bordering on an addiction!) and discovered that in January 1966 the knee was "in".

I myself have always disliked my knees - far too knobbly to be of any aesthetic beauty, but what would I know?  The NZ Woman magazine is far more superior of all things chic than me.

I quote"The moment is now.  The place is everywhere.  The knee is "in", to be shown to be appreciated.  A well-rounded knee beneath a short, pleated or slightly flared skirt need not be presented by only the teenage group.  Provided the thigh is shapely, the calf neatly turned, short skirts can be worn at any age."

According to this article even the Duchess of Windsor wears them ( and she would wouldn't she - a gay divorcee who married a Prince - how scandalous!)

I quote further "For the greatest impact these short skirted clothes need to be worn with complete assurance, with Jean Shrimpton swagger and elan.  The wearer must strut and stamp, her posture should be aggressive, defiant.  She must have a long legged swing from the hips"

So there you have it  - Jean Shrimpton  swagger, forget your knobbly knees just think "strut"!

Lusting after all things "Kayser"

I went on a road trip last weekend to Bendigo, Victoria to a big Swap Meet they have there.  It is mostly for vintage car parts ( my husband Kingsley and I love vintage cars, and own two), but there is amongst the car parts some gorgeous vintage finds for we girls and this is where I came upon these fabulous 1940's Kayser 15 denier nylon stockings sitting unobtrusively in their little box, needing a home.... Could I resist?

Of course not!! They are just amazing - stockings of such quality, 15 denier if you please, where only used for very special occasions and obviously these stockings haven't found one yet....

Maybe you have one - so check them out in my EBay store  here

Kayser are and were such a great Company for the stylish girl.  I also found some fantastic old magazines at the Meet, purchased from some very macho men, once again in the midst of their car parts, dating from 1929 to 1941 and here are some of the ads I found for Kayser in them.

 This one is taken from "The Australian Woman's Mirror of Sept 2, 1941  - a nightgown and bolero - so beautiful and elegant!

 This ad is taken from the The Australian Woman's Mirror of Sept 10, 1940 - even in Wartime one could look FABULOUS!!!!!!

And finally from The Australian Woman's Mirror of October 22, 1929, the above ad for Kayser Pure Silk hose...

I'm a "Change Daily Girl"!

1930's Crepe knickers

I was looking through some of my vintage knitting patterns the other day, of which I have many, (they are but one of my many addictions), and I came across this advertisement in a 1938 Lux Book of Knitting Designs.  I just love the line, "......and of course you know the golden rule for daintiness?  Never to wear undies twice without a Lux wash in between!"  And here was I thinking that everyone was a "change daily girl" - apparently not in 1938!  And aren't their slippers adorable - I would LOVE to own a pair of those babies!

So anyway, after reading this lesson in daintiness, I thought I would share with you two pieces of the 1930's underwear I have from my own collection, that have been handmade by some genius, with infinitely better sewing skills than my good self (which I have to admit are close to zero!).

I found these two pieces quite by chance whilst opportunity shopping and I absolutely adore both of them! The knickers have the most divine embroidered circles on the sides and are made of the softest crepe with satin binding.  The chemise is likewise hand embroidered and is in the softest shade of green I have ever seen, similarly made of crepe and satin bound.  Isn't the black embroidery on the chemise just beautiful?

I would never part with either of these items - they will not be up for sale - they are a exquisite part of a bygone era - a time when many women had the time and knowledge to create such stunning creations!