Wardrobe staples

My new job at the theater allows me to dress up a little more, as opposed to the dance studio where I wear a less than exciting mix of tank tops and yoga pants from Lululemon and Gap. After finishing grad school, I felt a little strange putting together fancy outfits for the blog when all I really wanted to wear were oversized button-downs and jeans. I still lean towards jeans these days (especially for late evening shifts), but I try to put in a bit more effort every now and again. And I do feel more myself in outfits like this one--all dresses and layers and vintage clothes with history.

I will say that while I love my pretty rayon 40's dresses and vintage wool sweaters, they're such a pain to clean! I'm also getting to a point where my most treasured vintage pieces seem almost too precious to wear, so sturdy cotton dresses like this plaid number quickly become wardrobe staples.

Outfit details:
1950's dress purchased from my friend Amanda
Thrifted H&M striped top
Coach belt
Nine West heels

Gay Disguises for Hallowe'en Revelers

At an estate sale a few weeks ago, I bought four issues of a party planning magazine published by Dennison Manufacturing Co. in the 1920's. (The magazine apparently changed names several times. The first three images in this post are from Party Book, 1929, and the last two are from Parties, 1928.) The magazines were hidden in the basement under a pile of dust and are especially cool because they're discards from the Sewickley Public Library. They still have their original borrowing cards stamped with due dates ranging from 1929 through 1966! I have a small collection of vintage costumes, but they aren't nearly as elaborate as the costumes that the magazine insists can be made from only crepe paper and cardboard cutouts! (By the way, clicking on any of the images will open a larger version in a new window.)