For
the Month of March and to continue with Lorraine Loomis-Konig series
defining "Dressed To The Nines," Here's one dress with The Luck Of The
Irish...For
the Month of March and to continue with Lorraine Loomis-Konig series
defining "Dressed To The Nines," Here's one dress with The Luck Of The
Irish...
March
2007My exploration of “dressed to the nines” and the occasions for which we would in days gone by dress in this manner continues with a look at the lucky month of March and a St. Patrick’s Day Ball.
Leprechauns are sure to leap at the chance to dance with my model Shirley in
this chartreuse ball gown from the late 1940’s. My model’s name is
reminiscent of the era that she was born in, named as she was after the tiny
curly topped star of Hollywood, Miss Shirley Temple. She too has her hair
arranged in curls although they are no longer short like Shirley Temple’s,
but hang down to her shoulders in the current Hollywood starlet style of
Betty Grable or Gene Tierney. Her dress is absolute perfection for
celebrating St. Patrick’s Day at the country club. World War II has ended
along with its shortages. They are just a memory. This voluptuous taffeta
gown incorporates Victorian style with it’s swept up bustle back and
charming décolleté.
Shirley’s scalloped neckline is adorned with silver beads and faux pearls
forming the outline of a floral pattern. The beaded design is finished with
matching chartreuse sequins culminating in a center flower both on the front
and back of the dress. A simple string of pearls finishes this sophisticated
look. The back metal zipper demonstrates the advance in dress making by the
zipper relocation from under the arm to its present day placement in the
back. With the availability of metal now that the WWII shortage is over,
zippers are all the vogue. However, she will now need the help of someone to
“zip” her up. Let us hope that his hands are warm!
This French made stunning silver and gold beaded bag with its cameo clasp
holds all she needs to refresh her lipstick and powder her nose. Dance cards
are no longer de rigueur of the day although she still has a silk
embroidered hankie tucked in there. Her cotton hankies are at home in her
every day handbag or in her baby blue, quilted, satin hankie box. “Kleenex”*
and its disposable convenience will take a decade or two more to become
commonplace and make the hankie obsolete. Gone soon enough will be the day
that mothers and grandmothers teach their young girls how to embroider
dainty flowers or their initials on these lovely little squares of fabric.
Tatting around its edges will become almost a lost art.
Shirley and her partner trip the light fantastic on the dance floor as they swing to the likes of crooners such as Frank Sinatra, Dick Haymes, and Frankie Laine and the newest singing sensation on the scene, Perry Como. It will not be long and Nat King Cole will be topping the charts. The ease with which they woe their listeners sets the stage for the post war life of country clubs, martini lunches and flashy new automobiles.
Women are no longer “Rosie the riveters” but, back in the homes greeting
their husbands in pearls and heels. Corsets are back now too since rubber is
no longer rationed. Shirley’s generation is too happy having their husbands
and boyfriends back home to begin questioning whether this is all a step
forward or backwards for the fair sex.
Tonight all of this is very far away as lovers fill the dance floor. The bandleader waves his baton and strikes up his band with their rendition of “Kiss Me, Kate**, surely Irish eyes will be smiling.
This is the girl with the vintage heart signing off and wishing you all that is magically delicious!
Join me, the girl with the vintage heart, next month as I reminisce about the days of parading in your Easter Bonnet!
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Dress courtesy of Contentment Farm.Thank you Candy! |
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