It’s been a while since I did an outfit post, so I used that as a proper excuse for dress-up to wear this outfit while I had the chance! With winter around the corner I didn’t want to let *another* year go by without trying this set on.
I’m wearing a vintage two-piece dress from the 1940s that I bought from a friend. This set is rayon and printed all over with fun old-west scenes, including can-can girls, trains, and cowboys! I’m a total sucker for anything Old West… especially anything vintage novelty and Old West, so I love this little set to pieces! One of my favorite parts is the pleated peplum. I used to think I couldn’t pull off this era at all, but I think after getting the hair and makeup and hat all together I really need to second-guess my glossing over this part of the 1940s. It was really fun to wear and I felt like an old Hollywood starlet :) Another neat part about this suit is the label. It’s called “A Filmland Creation- Miss Hollywood Jr” with a copyright underneath of 1935, which, I assume, is when this company was founded. This two-piece dress most certainly does not date that early… just look at those massive shoulder pads! Those things would stop bullets. I could probably fall asleep on my own shoulder on an airplane and wake up well rested.
The hat I found on Etsy and bought specifically for this dress, so it was the first time to trot out both pieces. The shoes are my tried and true vintage pair I wear with nearly everything and found at a flea market ages ago.
These photos were taken at Leo Carrillo’s Ranch– a public park now in the city of Carlsbad, Ca. It’s quite a neat place to go- totally like stepping back in time and a fun bit of Hollywood history.
Hope you’re having a great week so far! Just a few days left ’til Turkey Day here in the USA! Nom nom nom.
Stephanie
November 22, 2011 at 6:25 pm (12 years ago)Love it! I’m not much of a Western fan myself but this is just too darn cute!
Lauren
November 28, 2011 at 10:42 am (12 years ago)Thanks! It’s funny, cause I usually think of over-the-top crazy novelty for vintage western, but the pattern is almost hidden in this since it’s just black and white! I had to restrain from adding something more goofy like a giant cowboy brooch. Lol!
Reagan Foy
November 22, 2011 at 6:49 pm (12 years ago)This is fantastic! If I lived a lot closer to you I’d probably knock you down and still this outfit right off your back…unfortunately I could never live up to how great you look in this outfit!
Lauren
November 28, 2011 at 10:43 am (12 years ago)HA! I got all sorts of funny mental images from that! Me laying face down in my slip in the dirt in the middle of the rancho ;)
Thanks!
wacky tacky
November 22, 2011 at 7:33 pm (12 years ago)“I used to think I couldn’t pull off this era at all…” I’m glad that phrase had a “used to.” This outfit was made for you and you the outfit! Too cool! I would love to see a close-up of the print!
Lauren
November 28, 2011 at 10:38 am (12 years ago)Thanks! And oops… I meant to add photos of the print and forgot! I guess I better do another post :)
Beth
November 22, 2011 at 7:42 pm (12 years ago)I’m not nearly brave enough to try wearing a hat like that. How do you do it? You’ve got a knack for hats!
Lauren
November 28, 2011 at 10:38 am (12 years ago)Haha! I will stick all sorts of crazy things on my head. I guess it’s kind of fun… makes it silly. Hats make me happy :)
Jill
November 22, 2011 at 9:02 pm (12 years ago)Amazing dress, fabulous hats, and gorgeous photos!!
Lauren
November 28, 2011 at 10:43 am (12 years ago)Thanks!
Jeanie B
November 23, 2011 at 12:33 am (12 years ago)All the elements I love – 40’s, Cowboys, Glamour. It’s sublime.
Lauren
November 28, 2011 at 10:44 am (12 years ago)Thank you!
Marie
November 23, 2011 at 2:15 am (12 years ago)Wow, what a great outfit and a lovely piece of history! It really looks great on you, love it!
Lauren
November 28, 2011 at 10:44 am (12 years ago)Thanks! :)
Carys
November 23, 2011 at 2:53 am (12 years ago)I love this outfit, it’s so unique!! Vintage novelty prints are always so cute!
From Carys of La Ville Inconnue
Lauren
November 28, 2011 at 10:44 am (12 years ago)Thanks! I agree, I love the old novelty prints!
BoPeep
November 23, 2011 at 7:17 am (12 years ago)“A Filmland Creation” What a gas! Must say I keep seeing old western/Mexican themed outfits more and more. I may be sucked in afterall!
Lauren
November 28, 2011 at 10:45 am (12 years ago)Yes, tes! Join the western club. Not that one exists, but you know, I just want to see more western/mexican themed outfits :)
Dakota
November 23, 2011 at 8:24 am (12 years ago)That’s one of the best ’40s outfits I’ve ever seen!! It’s just gorgeous, and the print is too charming. It does suit you marvelously; you look so old Hollywood!
Lauren
November 28, 2011 at 10:45 am (12 years ago)Thank you so much!
MissRayne
November 23, 2011 at 9:22 am (12 years ago)Love the whole look and your hair definately suits you like that
Lauren
November 28, 2011 at 10:46 am (12 years ago)Thank you! I can’t wait till it’s a little longer so I can do it properly without a hat covering it ;)
Annie
November 23, 2011 at 12:47 pm (12 years ago)You’re a ringer for Barbara Stanwyck in these pictures. I love it!
Lauren
November 28, 2011 at 10:41 am (12 years ago)Thank you so much! She’s one of my very favorite old stars!
MissRayne
November 23, 2011 at 1:28 pm (12 years ago)Another quickie… I was reading a 1943 British Vogue a couple of days ago and they called those massive shoulder pads. ‘Gallant American Shoulders’. Cute!
Lauren
November 28, 2011 at 10:39 am (12 years ago)How fascinating! Thanks for that! :)
mala_14
November 23, 2011 at 2:40 pm (12 years ago)You look lovely! So glamorous. The pictures really remind me of Lauren Bacall.
Lauren
November 28, 2011 at 10:39 am (12 years ago)Thanks! That’s who I was named after :)
Nadja Eleonora
November 24, 2011 at 10:24 pm (12 years ago)I love the second photo! It’s so romantic! I love your hat, I want one to! This may not be the apropriate question but what keywords did you use in your serch when you found it?
Lauren
November 28, 2011 at 10:40 am (12 years ago)Thanks! I think I just searched “1940 hat” or something like that, and scrolled through the listings. When Etsy was a bit smaller I’d just search for “vintage hat”, but I don’t have the discipline to sort through all the listings anymore now that the site has gotten so big!
Desiree
November 25, 2011 at 7:12 pm (12 years ago)I love these old novelty prints. They’re so much fun.
Lauren
November 28, 2011 at 10:46 am (12 years ago)Thanks! I’m such a fan of novelty prints, too :)
Lauren
November 27, 2011 at 10:23 am (12 years ago)Love it!!!!
Lauren
November 28, 2011 at 10:46 am (12 years ago)Thank you! :)