Dior Spring Collection 2010

So I caught come pictures of the Christian Dior spring collection at Paris Fashion Week and I have to admit that I am torn. There were a few pieces that I really enjoyed, like the longer dresses, a few tops and a pair of fabulous high-waist pants; not to mention some amazing heels. Overall, I really enjoyed the designs themselves. Then there were issues, even with the pieces that I liked. Most of my issues are about the styling of the models and the pairing they did.







The two main things that bothered me were A-how horrible the clothes fit the models and B-the looks didn't actually create an entire "look" for me, personally. I saw them all as individual pieces.

Addressing issue number one...
I can't imagine trying to dress someone who weighs less than 46 lbs., but you would think designers, especially Dior whom I adore, would think maybe the clothes are a bit too loose? How do you put a high-waist pant on someone who doesn't have a waist?!
Look at the image above with the pant. Gorgeous color, the buttons are amazing but they look about two sizes too big! The blouse is the same story. If they would have used models that actually have a shape (besides straight up and down) then I think the clothes would have looked a million times better.

I admit I am bias when it comes to clothes with a "vintage feel." I think if you're going to do vintage, go all out. I understand though that they want to create new, modern pieces and not re-create something from the past.

Issue number two...
This isn't so much about the design of the clothes, it's more the styling. Again, I know they want a modern feel to the collection, but there is no way I would pair this GORGEOUS top with that skirt.



How perfect would that top be with those pants above? Especially on someone who actually eats! The same goes for the pink floral top above. I could never pull off those "not quite capris-not quite shorts" pant anyway, but that is the last top I would try to pair it with.

My last big bitch; this is the OCD talking even though I know I'm not the only one who picked up on it, was the fact the bangs whether they were clipped in or real were CUT CROOKED!. Seriously? You're sending models in Dior down the runway with crooked hair. I have a hard time leaving the house if my bangs are crooked. Someone get them some scissors asap.


You can check out the rest of the collection along with other designers from this years Paris Fashion Week and past shows here.

I’m constantly getting inspiration for either clothes or hair from movies. I wanted to list a few of my favorite flicks that offer amazing clothes, or even more amazing hair-do’s or both! Not all of these are necessarily from the 40’s or 50’s, but they still did a dammed good job and they make me wish I could do hair on set of era-specific movies. : )

One of the first that comes to mind is A League of Their Own. This is a great movie in general. I’m a huge Tom Hanks fan and I just adore is character in this film. I follow him on Twitter and he just seems like the nicest guy! (P.S.-The part where Bettie Spaghetti receives the letter about her husband dying in war makes me bawl every time.)
Anyway, there are some fabulous looks in this movie. My favorite happens to be later in the film where the gals are all staying in one house and the two main characters (Geena Davis and Lori Petty) get into a tiff because Petty’s character Kip has just been traded. Geena Davis’ whole outfit is wonderful.

Her hair wrapped up in a scarf with just a few curly tendrils peeking out in the front, with a great silk blouse tucked into a high-waist pant. In this scene, her scarf is placed pretty well at the hairline. Now, I’ve seen this look and attempted more than once and I’ve come to the conclusion that either my head is too big, or my scarf is too small…I’m going with the latter.


Unfortunately, I couldn’t find a picture of this outfit, so I had to go with a screenshot and of course I couldn’t get a decent one of the entire ensemble. So here is a close up where you can see the pockets and buttons on the pants. It was hard to tell, but her shoes almost looked like they were possibly a Ked-style shoe, a simple white tennis shoe perhaps. Here’s the link to the scene, maybe you guys can figure it out.
Another scene that has an outfit I love (albeit a bit cleaner) is where Geena Davis and Lori Petty are walking home from the baseball game in the beginning of the film.

Again, Davis has a great high-waist sailor style pant, with a simple plaid blouse tucked in. Her hair looks to be parted down the middle and pulled back by either bobby pins or a barrette, still curly even after a game of ball. : )
Replicating either of these looks would be pretty simple, if you’ve got the pants. There a few different places online you can get them, I have yet to find a thrift store that has them, although the next time I got to Boomerang I’m going to ask about them.
Etsy- These are only $75 which really is pretty average I’m finding and the fact that you only pay $5.00 shipping is pretty nice also.
Heyday Vintage
Viven of Holloway
Freddies of Pinewood
Violetville Vintage-These are more expensive because (according to the site) they are actual vintage pants from the 1940’s; hence the limited size. The great thing about this site (if you can get past the prices, ouch!) is not only the selection but you can search by era which is very convenient.
Avenue.com- I found this great pair for the more voluptuous ladies, and they’re on sale too! They are a more modern cut but they would still look great with a baby-doll style t
reVamp Vintage- Also some really great pieces, but also very expensive.
Make Me Chic-Obviously not pants but these shorts are ADORABLE and they’re only $12.00! Sold.


Another more adventurous option is going to the thrift stores of course. As I mentioned earlier, I’ve never found an actual pair of high waist “sailor style” pants but that’s not to say you can’t improvise. I plan on doing this myself this weekend and I will definitely post pictures on how it goes.
Let’s say you find a pair of nice pants that you think could work for a high waist look; there are a few things you should do before you buy and some things you can do after you buy to change them up a bit.
Before you buy::

1-Try them on!!!
The golden rule of thrifting, from my point of view. Whether they’re from the 1980’s or the 1920’s, clothes fit differently throughout the years. Sizes change, cuts change, fabrics change so be sure to make sure they fit before you spend the dough! Especially when it comes to finding a pant or skirt that you want to replicate a specific look, on the hanger it may look to fall at just the right place on your body but once you try it on it could sit too low (which is usually what happens) or they could be too short in the leg. So just double check before trucking on.
2-Wear the right undergarments:
I, in no way at the moment, have a flat tummy. I also have huge hips and along with that comes a huge toosh. I’ve come to terms with these facts and now embrace them. Taking those things into consideration, I must prepare what I wear underneath so the clothes on the outside will look their best. Your two new best friends are waist cinchers and high waist, tummy flattening undies. The cincher you can either get online or at a thrift store. I even saw more modern styles at Macy’s recently.
The undies, I own two different kinds both purchased from Target. One in white and one in black of course, but the white pair has more stretch and they are not as restricting. These are perfect for pants, pencil skirts or form-fitting dresses. They offer enough stability in front to smooth you out without the possibility of bulging. The black pair, I use mostly for dresses usually with an a-line or flowy skirt. This pair is much stiffer, the fabric is thicker (it almost reminds me of a swimsuit type of fabric) and there is no question that you’ll have that flat tummy appearance. The one draw back, at least for me because of my shape is the sizing. If I go a size up, they tend to be too big in the stomach, if I go my normal size or smaller, they fit perfectly up top but are a bit constricting in the thigh which is why I limit their use to flowy skirts or loser fitting clothing. Since I have lost weight, both of my waist cinchers are too big and really no longer server their purpose. Essentially, they are shorter, less complicated, less clenching than a lace-up corset but offer roughly the same results. I also recommend, depending on your body type, wearing a pair of the aforementioned undies with the cincher to keep the silhouette consistent. If I am out and about, I’m usually dressed to the nines either way, but if that isn’t your style, at least try and take a pair of unmentionables with you while you’re trying on clothes, in most cases with this type of lingerie, you’ll be able to don a smaller size too!
3-Try to buy an “outfit” not just “a pair of pants”:
This can give you two options. When I shop, I try and visualize what I could wear with a particular garment and I try to start with the things I already own. (I’ve been told I do a lot of squinting when I shop!) I have more tops than bottoms for some reason so when I’m picking out a top; I try to think whether or not it will go with my capris, denim and/or skirts. When you’ve picked out a great pair of pants, think of how many outfits you can create with them paired with the clothes you already own (that includes shoes!). If nothing really comes to mind or you’re just not sure then go for the gold and buy a blouse as well. This way you can still test them out with your old clothes without being stuck with a pair of pants that you can’t wear.
4- Changing them up:
So you’ve got the pants and you’ve got a blouse to wear with it but you still want to fix them up a bit or they don’t have the EXACT look you want. The easiest way to remedy this is buy six to eight large size buttons (color is up to you, depending on the pants) and just sew three or four on each side either in a straight vertical fashion on the front like so..
Or you can sew them closer to the pockets either in front or behind…
This will definitely give you the more recognizable “sailor style” pant.

As always, if you have discovered or spruced up a great pair of pants to make an even more amazing ensemble, please email me pictures with a description so we can show it off!!

Sweaty Bettie!

David and I braved the ridiculous heat and humidity this weekend to attend the 36-Home garage sale I had mentioned on Friday. For some reason, I was under the impression that all thirty-six homes would be right next to each other, on one or two streets. I was sweatily mistaken. They were spread out over two to three blocks, and there surely wasn’t thirty-six of them…more like ten.
Pickin’s were pretty slim, especially for a Saturday but this sale went from Thursday, Friday to Saturday instead of the usual Friday, Saturday, Sunday. However, I did manage to pick up six pairs of earrings (.50 cents/pair), a set of red bangle bracelets ($1.00) and a brand new pair of red patent peep toe flats ($5.00). I was pretty happy with my finds. David didn’t find too much other than High Tension on DVD for two bucks. We didn’t think to check the disk before we bought it and of course there is a giant scratch on the back. We haven’t tried it yet though, forever the optimist I still think it will play. Oh and I do have pictures of my new treasures, just not on this computer. Tomorrow, I promise!
After sweating at the garage sale, we got to sweat some more with our friends at their adorable daughters’ 3rd birthday party, followed by even more sweating at the brother-in-law’s block party.
I thought by wearing a dress that I would stay fairly cool but when the humidity is 94%, you’re pretty much shit outta luck no matter what you wear. It was so bad, I had pin curled my hair the night before and had this great wave the next morning, by 10:30 am, it was almost completely flat. Pin curls will last almost three days on me, depending on styling and washing. I was pretty devastated. So I just threw the back into a nice little bun and it worked out.
The pin curl set I used was pretty simple. The first top rows rolled up, the row after rolled down then repeat! I did the same set for my bangs which gave them a nice fluffy curl. The front and sides (which were just victory rolls) were pretty reminiscent of the “For the Boys” hairstyle below, just done in a different way, with the back left down.

This is my new green dress which I love! I picked it up a few weekends ago at Boomerang for $26. The belt also came from boomerang for $6. The dress has a matching belt, but it's of the thinner variety and for this day it just wasn't working for me. Again, sorry for the angry expression! It sure felt like I was smiling! haha. I need to invest in a new camera. I tried many a time to get a good whole-body shot to show of the dress but it just would not work. The dress originally came just below my knees but I took the 3-inch hem out and it sits well and perfectly past my knees. I need to get a petticoat for it because it would make it seem like an entirely different dress. I wore my trusty black/cork wedge sandals.
I was inspired while watching “Pin Up Girl” with the simply adorable Betty Grable. The hairstyles in this movie are amazing!

The fact that it is in color allows you to see every wave and curl and it made me very jealous haha!

I'm not mad you, I'm mad at the DIRT!

I finally bought one of my favorite movies on DVD. There’s an FYE not too far from our house and they were having a buy two used, get one free sale. So I picked up Team America, Fear and Loathing (replacing my never-returned copy) and Mommie Dearest!

I absolutely adore this movie. It’s been my favorite for a long time. I remember watching it on TV when I was a kid, not really knowing who Joan Crawford was or why she was so “dammed mad!” all the time. I watch it now and it’s just me swooning over the entire movie. From the hair, the clothes, her house…the eyebrows!

I have not read the book the movie is based on. I have severe OCD when it comes to books-to-movies. If I see the movie first, then read the book and there are the slightest differences, I can not finish the book. This has happened to me many times before. If I happen to read the book first, and the movie changes even the smallest details, if I notice it the movie is then ruined for me. Example: In the movie Interview with the Vampire, his Brad Pitt’s characters age is 25. In the book, he’s 28 and it drives me crazy. It’s the same with remakes, especially with horror movies but that is a whole ‘nother long post. If you have read the book and seen the movie, shoot me an email and let me know what you think, if the movie did the book justice.

Although I had seen this movie many times, I still didn’t know a whole lot about Joan Crawford herself. Thanks to Wikipedia, I learned quite a bit. The more I learn, the more I love her. She was actually from Kansas City, MO, which I live in a suburb of. And just as her personality shows in the movie, she didn’t have the easiest life. It’s a really interesting story and I suggest you check it out.

I though Faye Dunaway did an Oscar-worthy performance throughout the entire film. The resemblance physically is remarkable.


Granted, Faye is shown as an older Joan in this picture, but still! That’s pretty God damn close if ya ask me!

I was unaware that when this movie originally came out, it wasn’t well received. I just assumed everyone loved it! There is a special features section on the DVD that talks with the cast, the producer, director, etc…Faye was noticeably absent. Later in the feature, they start discussing the opening of the film and how the critics just hated it. A few months after the original release, Paramount saw that the movie was gaining a reputation for an unintentional comedy. I can understand that view, there are a few scenes that border on campy or extreme, but at the same time I think Joan was a bit of an extreme person. Those scenes could be completely true to life (minus the rose garden scene-never really happened, great scene though.) According to this little featurette, Faye completely shuns the movie, despite the cult following that it has amassed today.

Everyone always talks about the “wire hanger” scene, which is terrifying. She has the cold cream on which just enhances her features even more, and some of the expressions she makes are really more for a horror film. I was actually planning on getting her face from that scene tattooed on me somewhere…I may still do that.
I don’t have one favorite scene; I really enjoy the entire movie. It shows both sides of her, when she gets excited about getting the movie part and then turns right around a chops off her daughters hair for “making fun of her” as she play acts in front of her mothers mirror.

A lot of people say none of the beatings or rampages ever really happened. I am no where near a Joan Crawford biographer; I just know the movie and what little I have read about her. You will have to form your own judgment of her and her actions, real or otherwise.

I still think she’s fabulous.

Greetings from the steamy mid-west!

Ruthie Holiday here, and from today forward I shall be posting not only pictures, but any videos, links and general information from yesteryear. I’m terribly enamored with hair, fashion and the lifestyle of the 1940’s and 1950’s. I work full-time, (part of the reason I started this blog was to have something to keep me sane at work), but I will do my damndest to post more than once every three months. If you have any questions or suggestions for posts, please feel free to email me and I will dutifully see to it!

As I noted in the title of this post, it is disgustingly hot and humid here in Missouri, and taking some inspiration from another blog I just love (check out www.diaryofavintagegirl.com) I attempted a few different up-do’s recently. I have really long black hair, which is in desperate need of a trim. I tried to wear some pretty basic 1940’s curls for most of this week, (I’ll have pictures of those a little later on) but much to my chagrin, the humidity destroyed them by five o’clock. It was really discouraging too because I was so proud of how they initially turned out. That’s the way she goes I guess.

So here is a break down of the first style I tried. The original steps of this styles can be found in this amazing book, Vintage Hairstyling: Retro Styles with Step-by-Step Techniques. If you don’t have this book, I highly recommend you pick it up. It has everything from pin curls, to finger waves and victory rolls. It also has make-up and even tips on 30’s and 40’s nail styles. I’ll be doing a post on the half-moon nail coming up soon!

*WARNING* This is my first tutorial ever. I know I should have more pictures, especially towards the end, but I was short on time. Next time will be better!

This style was pretty easy as it just involves a basic curl set, three ponytails and a bit of creativity styling the back. Because I was doing this before work, my time limit was a bit cramped and I had to rush through the curling of the back portion of hair. Instead of curling all of my hair, I separated the front section and only curled the back. If you’re able to roll victory rolls without having to curl your hair first, you can do it this way also. Of course, because of my length and the fact that I’m also in the process of growing out my bangs, it didn’t look exactly like the book but I was still rather happy with it and will add it into my repituar.

“For the Boys”- Step 1: Curl
As I noted earlier, I only curled the bangs and then the back.


I used a smaller curling iron for this portion to get tighter curls. You can also pin-curl this portion the night before and it has even better results. I did some curls rolling forward and some rolling back for variation. Let them set.

Eventually, you'll have a small pile of curls like this...


Step 2: The Rolls
As I mentioned earlier, since I don't have to curl my hair to get victory rolls, I just separated the sections I would need and rolled them first. To do this, grab your portion of hair, bring it out to the side and slightly up (combing as you go to keep it smooth), wrap the end around your index and middle finger to secure a hole (the size depends on your preferences) pinching the hair to maintain that curl, roll the curl into the hair until you reach the scalp, bobby pin from the back first until the roll is exactly how you want it, then pin from the front and douse with hairspray! You can also do rolls with a little bit of backcombing, but that will be a later post! I sincerely apologize for my lack of pictures in this post, like I said, I was in a bit of a hurry and this is my first tutorial.


The lighting in my bathroom is pretty piss poor, hopefully you can still see what's going on here. You'll repeat the roll on the opposite side, then spray!

Step 3-Curl the back!
I just use a larger curling iron to do the back, then I set the curls with alligator clips to let the curls cool.



Step 4: Back to the bangs
Take a small-tooth comb or your fingers, and just lightly brush the curls up, just to break them up and give them some space. It's your preference as to how fluffy you want them. I adjust the brightness and contrast to hopefully it's easier to see.



Step 5: Ponytails
Try and let the curls set as long as possible, the longer the better. I could only let mine rest for about twenty minutes or so. Usually, it's between forty-five minutes to an hour if possible.
Once you let them down, you've already got a great vintage hair style. You could easily spray and go at this point!

(I don't know why I look so angry in this picture! haha)

Making three different sections, tie them into ponytails with the smaller pony tail holders.


You will then twist the ponytail to the point where it will almost colapse into itself, forming a small bun. Pin the bun, but do not twist all of the hair up. You will have the bun pinned and the ends of the hair still hanging. You'll do this on the other two sections.

Once you get here, just pin the curls up wherever you desire them and then spray.



Of course you can play with this look and really make it your own.