Friday, May 15, 2015

I Don't Have a Thing to Wear

Here we are in Paris of the 1920s through 1931
and I don't have a thing to wear!


Girlfriends!
Time for some serious shopping,
don't you think?

Shall we start with French perfume?



I believe I'll wear this Quelques Fleurs lotion
by Houbigant Paris that my sister Deb ordered
from Vicki Archer's French Essence shop,
thinking that it would be perfect for
my Paris birthday.

You're right, Deb, it is divine!


Come on girls, choose your perfume and let's go on to the rue  de la Paix for lingerie by Mirande. I'm a simple gal so I'll buy a day set of underwear trimmed with hand tucking and Irish crochet. Sister Jenn's getting a sports set for tennis of white linen.

My guess is that my daughter Christy is choosing alluring lingerie to wear for her husband, but sister Teresa may just be planning on dropping quite a few francs at Hellstern's. Do I see two handbags on her arm? (There's a family story behind this, folks!)

A brown crocodile bag (and matching heels), and a black antelope bag by Patou with a turquoise clasp? Teresa!

(Remember, dear readers, your consciousness wouldn't have been raised far enough in the 1920s to be against wearing fur coats or crocodile shoes. I even remember a pair of brown crocodile high heels my mother wore in the 1950s and her silver mink stole.)

Our sister Deb didn't leave without buying a black Crepe de Chine evening bag and heels to match by Hellstern. And then she bought three bracelets by Patou of onyx, turquoise, and coral!

My sisters are always chic!
Here they are at Jenn's son's wedding in Palm Springs.




Hurry, girlfriends, before we go to the boulevard Saint-Germain  to order handkerchief linen monogrammed sheets sent home, let's go to Schiaparelli's to buy scads of stockings!

Now it's time to visit a few little dressmaking houses. Maybe they'll do a rush job for all of us traveling with Dewena's Window.

I expect to spend a little birthday money here as some of these birthday cards had money tucked inside.


Speaking of birthday cards, thank you, dear Poppy, for your sweet one! Is your beautiful daughter Liberty here with you on our trip?

Honora, so glad you left Pondside to join us! Since you and I share the same birthday, why don't you go first and show us your silver lame (can't get the little mark on that e) wrap by Louiseboulanger, worn over your dress of navy-blue moire. You're so elegant, Honora!


Your time now, Lorrie and Tanna. Lorrie from Fabric, Paper, Thread wears a Venitian red velours de Lyon coat and dress trimmed with blue fox by Paquin.

And Tanna of The Brick Street Bungalow wears Paquin's pale pink satin coat trimmed with Kolinsky over black crepe. Terribly chic, ladies!


Jemma of At Home with Jemma, is that you in the House of Worth gown of pale pink embroidered net? You say you are wearing a flesh-colored satin slip under that lovely creation? I hope so!

Marcia Pilar, how utterly soigné you are in your Mainbocher navy-blue faille!


Step up, Sheri, the oh, so lovely mother of the mother/daughter trio of Red Rose Alley. That Augustabernard violet-blue crepe dress with the narrow fuchsia sash is so feminine, and I won't even ask who the man is. Nice touch with the white carnation worn at your waist, Sheri!


Here's Rue of An Old-Fasioned World wearing Cheruit's yellow satin evening gown with a brown sash. And Deb of  Frugal Little Bungalow, is that you with Rue wearing Cheruit's midnight blue chiffon gown with the green and gold sash? Are you girls flirting with Maurice Chevalier? 


Kimberly of the Nutbrown Cottage, I see you're stashing away as many diamonds on this trip to Paris as a squirrel does nuts in autumn! 

Sandra of Thistle Cove Farm is a seasoned world traveler and knows that this robe d'interior by Chanel of heavy gold satin will see her through any number of at-home supper parties.


Debbi of Debbi's Front Porch, my new Beach Gypsy friend, I haven't learned your taste yet but surely a beach gypsy would like to wear this Chanel tea gown of bud-green chiffon? What do you think?

Ah, my girlfriend of mystique from Nib's End, you with the silver words flowing from your pen, tell me what designer you would choose. Your wish is my command.


I know I must have forgotten someone who expressed a wish to travel to Paris with us. Please forgive me! And surely at least one of my friends here doesn't care for the gown I've pictured on them, or with their likeness? Do you know how difficult it is to find a pretty Parisienne model from those long ago days, especially when I'm only using pictures from the vintage fashion magazines in my personal collection and not pictures from the internet?

The choices were getting slim. There is this one…


Or would anyone prefer this one?


Maybe someone would want to claim this danseur? 


Did you girls enjoy shopping in Paris? Personally I think these sun suits that Nora and CC are wearing are darling, and I bet they make it to Paris someday with their mom of excellent fashion sense.


Oh, what about me? I forgot to choose a dress in Paris!
And I just don't have a thing to wear.
Only this robe d'interior of my childhood.


Au revoir until the next post when a special guest will join us.


[Again, all fashion pictures were from my collection of vintage Harper's Bazar and Vogue magazines, and from a treasured book, Paris in the Twenties.]

18 comments:

  1. OH OH LA LA! ma chere amie!
    i have soaked up evey picture every word.
    now i'm going back and savor it again!
    while everyone is shopping... i of course am breaking my diet with macarons
    and cafe au lait ... flirting with a frenchman that strongly resembles louis jordan!
    later i will change into my little ivory satin slip ... by chanel ... no bra of course...
    and it really IS a slip! i will daringly dance the night away with my louie...
    and breakfast along the seine on croissants and berries. then to sleep...
    perchance to dream of this ladies birthday celebration of the upmost in Paree!
    and btw...
    those pictures of little dewena in her robe... nothing could be more chic.
    it's ALL THERE. even then! just look at that. adorable in the extreme!
    and she bears such a striking resemblance to our precious moment!!!
    love and hugs... and more fun! thank you!!! XOXOXO♥

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  2. I was ABSOLUTELY Flirting yes! :)

    This series of yours is too funny...girls just wanna have fun :)

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  3. I'm not fashionable. I wear whatever is comfy to be in my gardens and play in the dirt. I was not born with a speck of sophistication in me.
    Brenda

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  4. Thank you for allowing me to tag along. Something black and white and ingenue by Coco would be nice.

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  5. I have an untapped skillset, apparently to remain always, ability to spend a fortune on bedding. Would also like to be the engineer that created the machines to manufacture the exquisite bed linen.

    I don't ask for much.

    XOT

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  6. oh my, how did I miss all this?! Well, I have been away from my laptop . . . Looks like a lot of fun Dewena. I'd definitely take some Parisian perfume and lingerie!

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  7. Those Parisiennes are going to be all over Nora and CC, adoringly fussing over them, presenting them with French froufrou dresses, and sweet bonbons!

    Your sisters are beautiful, beaming with elegance and charming smiles, and I can easily imagine them being the hit of the party at very chic soirees!

    All your girlfriends are sure to have a ball in the city of lights!

    I love sundresses in the summer, with pretty sandals and Jackie O shades - simple and chic! My perfume of choice would be infused with freesia - something I've been trying to find for years. Did you know that the French have just developed a perfume with the fragrance of family members?!! Unbelievable, but true!

    Have a lovely weekend, my friend!

    xoxo
    Poppy

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  8. These fashions make me long for those times Dewena. So elegant and sophisticated. I've always thought the 20's in Paris would have been a wonderful time. Have you seen the movie, Midnight in Paris? I think you would like it.

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  9. Did you say NAVY BLUE silk?!? Be still my heart. How did you know? ;)
    I LOVE LOVE LOVE every detail of this series. Summer's almost here, let's travel some more.
    Your sisters look gorgeous, Dewena, and Nora and CC stole the spotlight. ((Hugs))

    Thank you for tuning in to the message of my (I Crave Color) post SPOT ON. I crave genuine hearts that recognize genuine hearts beyond their flaws. You, lovely, are priceless.
    xoxo

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  10. So many sweeping skirts...so many choices...I can't decide...

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  11. Dewena,
    You have me in my favorite color, Purple, of course. I love it! And how did you know I loved carnations? Such a pretty picture and especially what you said about me and the girls. I truly appreciate that, my dear. That totally looks like Rue too, she's so lovely and vintage. This has been a fun time traveling with you to Paris, and I've enjoyed every bit of it.

    Thank you for the birthday wishes, Dewena. It meant so much to see my cherished friend pop in and say hello. :~)

    love, ~Sheri

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  12. These have got to be the best dressed ladies in all of Paris! Si belle!

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  13. Of course I was flirting with Maurice Chevalier! Who wouldn't? ;)

    I love that yellow dress, Dewena. It's perfection!

    You were an adorable child.

    xo

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  14. What a fun post! Love the photos of baby you! Loved all the wonderful couture choices. I'm not so into the 20s but I love the era at the turn of the century (1880-1918) and then from a bout the mid-thirties to the mid-40s...This was such fun! Is it really your birthday? If so...have an awesome day!

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  15. Oh, I love everyone's outfits!! But, I especially love my Paquin's pale pink satin coat trimmed with Kolinsky over black crepe. I feel all so very special wearing it!! =) Thank you, dear Dewena! blessings and hugs ~ tanna

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  16. Dewena,
    I chuckled when I saw your comment because I'm still going around with 'Sherry Baby' in my mind too. It's a hard song to get out of your head, isn't it? I first heard it many years ago, and was especially fond of it in high school. Thanks for stopping by, dear Dewena.

    love, ~me

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  17. What a fun shopping trip that was! Everyone looks divine in their outfits! Please don't tell my hubby about all the diamonds. He just wouldn't understand. ;)

    Poor Dewena! All that shopping and you still can't find a thing to wear??

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  18. Merci, Dewena, for the shopping trip. I love my red velours gown trimmed in blue fox and feel so glamorous when I wear it. I'm sure to attract the attention of my favorite male. Although he's Norwegian Irish and not French at all, he's very romantic. I definitely want some of that Parisian lingerie and perfume.

    Hope you will soon find a stunning gown to suit your taste!

    Thanks for pointing this post out to me, I would have missed it had you not mentioned it in your email.

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