Vintage Love - The 1940s Glamazon vs the 1960s burlesque

I adore both of these images. The one above is a Hoffman fabric advertisement from 1947 American Fabrics and the one below is from Man Magazine, 1964. Both show a side of women not common of the time (well - there has always been nudity!). But I think both pieces depict the different eras of women and how they were portrayed. The strong 'glamazon' was huge in Hollywood and general advertising in the 1940s. Then we get to the prim and proper 1950s housewife with undercurrents of unhappiness. And then we see our burlesque queen below, coy and daring. Both women are wrapped in gorgeous fabric and both are just so beautiful in their own eras and times.

xNess

Watch out, hippies

On this cold Monday morning I am dreaming of huge knits - I love wraps and often live in one. This is more unique copywriting from the 1969/70 edition of American Fabrics magazine - I love the humour in this writing style - and I hope you enjoy it, too...

Watch out, hippies!

xNess

Sex and the Single Knit

The Winter 1969/1970 American Fabrics magazine I am currently reading is good for so many things - learning about corduroy is one and looking at the fashion and textile forecasts for the coming season that year is another. Here are two excerpts - Direction Number 3 and 4 have been expertly written - I thought you would get a kick out of reading them, too...

Have a fabulous weekend, everyone!

xNess

What I wouldn't give to walk into this fabric shop...

I have found myself reading my Winter 1969/1970 American Fabrics (issue 85) magazine snuggled up in bed these past two nights. It is the first day of Winter today, but it has been cold in these parts for some weeks. My thick comforter and hazy bedside lamp have called me away from the chills already. I read a really interesting article on home sewing in this edition - and I just adore this main photo from the article. Not only is it quite funny (as the 'new' fabric shop is now 'old'), but it also struck me that this is probably my fantasy shop - or, one of them anyway. Others would be fabric shops from the 1960s, 1950s, 1940s and so on. Have a look at those thick, lush bolts on the top floor...wouldn't you just love to walk down that window-framed aisle and touch them? I wonder what colours these beauties are, too? Oh, what a fantasy I have!

It's a mystery, alright...

In our digital era of seeing everything (whether you want to or not) I think there is one element that is dying. Mystery. Where is mystery going? I love a little bit of mystery. I think our ladies past knew exactly how to put a little mystery into their looks and lives. Isn't a little bit of mystery good? Not knowing everything is challenging and exotic and it gives you impetus to want to know more.

A little bit of mystery is a hint of what is to come. How romantic.

Early morning luxury!

I am such not the morning person - I am at my best at night and sometime after 10.30am. Before that it's not pretty. I need two vanilla coffees to start the day and then I am somewhat functional. I think I need a teasmade. It seems to do everything bar bake the bread and get the kids up - but I am sure a modern version does all that, yes?

Image sourced from Tatler and Bystander magazine, November, 1951

1960 masculine 'humour' - Man Magazine

Man - burlesque and bombshell - November 1960

I am no where near the end of these Man magazines I picked up - so I decided to take some more shots this morning. This one is November, 1960. I have also taken shots of the 'cartoon's in the edition and will pop them up later...

I love these vintage shots...perhaps I am over the modern day look and only see beauty in the old?

Before and after five - vintage style...

Before and after five in the 1950s and 1960s, according to Man magazine. I love that bikini - I love the drapey bits!

Those gals weren't pushovers...

The flip side of the 'stereotypical' Man Magazine photos and illustrations is the strong woman archetype. This stance was very popular throughout a lot of the issues we have - the 'I am strong, just try' look. Legs wide, hands on hips - I think the look is fabulous! Actually - it's kinda the classic woman stance, isn't it? I think I do it a lot to my little boys...when Mama has got something to say, that's how I say it, I think! Oh dear...

Man Magazine - glamour pics

I feel like I've had these Man mags for a lifetime, not just a week! These are some of my favourite glamour shots - the first and third shots are by Helmut Newton. It's time for new to have an arvo break and then I'll be back uploading new stock - I've already uploaded some lovely 1930s remnants - perfect if you're a vintage fabric collector!

Man - burlesque and bombshell - Thursdays's centerfold

I spent all of this morning in meetings to find a better postage option for our customers - and I think I have found the right choice! But that put me totally behind for the day and I have completely forgotten my Man centerfold of the day...here is Thursday's gal...

Women with tattoos in 1963...yes, they existed!

I had no idea ladies had so many tattoos in 1963! I thought tattoos didn't really come in to society until the 1970s and even then it was men who got those 'green' tattoos - it's rare that I have come across ladies who are 60+ with ink decoration! I have ink decoration myself - fond memories of Byron Bay in the 1990s - but good ol' Cindy Ray is one out of the bag for me...she would be quite common these day, though. I love her back design...

And thanks to the lovely Leisa for pointing us to Ms Cindy's Facebook page - amazing!











Image and article taken from Man Magazine, 1963.

Man magazine - Marilyn Monroe in 1954

I had just finished taking photos of around 30 pieces of fabric, so I was transferring the files from the camera onto the computer. While it was transferring away I decided to flip through a 1954 edition of Man magazine. Lo and behold! Great Scott! Holy Photos, Batman! Here is the divine woman herself - Marilyn Monroe.

Man - burlesque and bombshell - Wednesday's centerfold

I am getting back into the swing of things this afternoon - this morning I was away, enjoying myself and patting doggies and drinking yummy coffee and talking vintage fabric. A perfect morning, methinks...

So I am now catching up on emails and orders and shall start taking some shots of new arrivals this afternoon. And we are continuing to put out vintage fabric into the new collections on the site - we're over half way there - yee har!

No time to chat, but I wanted to show you my favourite Man centerfold and another favourite pic - I love the lavender on her twin set! And those pearls...we need this look back, I think! The centerfold is very JH Lynch, don't you think?

Man - burlesque and bombshell - Tuesday's centerfold

Today's burlesque centerfold is from Man magazine, May, 1964. I love her red, red, red - I don't know if you can see the detail, but the bodice has little drop pearls and the hips has a hint of black lace.

These magazines are filled with old illustrations, too...





Women are depicted in various forms - whether that's the dominant, submissive, coquettish and then there's the 'plain housewife and the secretary' type drivel. If nothing else, I love the illustration style and use of colour.

I have a day of packing and listing on the website in front of me...I have a lot of remnants from 20s to 40s and all sorts of fabric, right up to the kitsch 80s. Here is some vintage fabric eye candy for you (beware of those 80s electrics!)...

Man - burlesque and bombshell - Monday's centerfold

Thank goodness some of these Man magazines still had their centerfold - I love them! This girl is from September, 1959...

Man - burlesque and bombshell - Part 2

I am finding Man (the magazine) has some great pics and shows the 'other side' of 50s and 60s life not necessarily depicted in Home Beautiful or House and Garden. I even found a girl covering herself in tattoos in a 1963 edition - I'll post that this week. For now - some burlesque shots - and I'll feature a centerfold each day this week, too - they are truly fabulous!