Friday, December 9, 2011

A vintage take on centuries-old styles


The other day while picking through a pile of clothing at a local thrift store, I came upon a nondescript blue hat. Even though it likely dated to the mid-century, the hat itself was not memorable, but what was nestled inside of it deserves an entire journal entry.



1950s hat bag

The brown paper bag to which I am referring, was crumpled up and stuffed inside the dark blue hat to give it support so it would not lose its shape. I reached inside, pulled it out, and flattened it out enough to recognize that it was printed with stylized sketches of women's headdress fashions from the last 600 years drawn in a stylized 1950s manner.

The time periods depicted range from the 14th century...


...all the way through the 1920s.


This choice of bag design intrigues me because it suggests an awareness of how contemporary styles fit into the continuum of historical fashion.











It is difficult to choose a favorite amongst all these gems, but if I had to single out just one drawing, it would be the profile of a woman in a Wulsthaube, a style that historical costumer Alyxx calls "silliest fashions ever to come down the pike."


As with the plastic bag from the vintage recycling post, I will ask again: is anyone interested in embroidery patterns based on these sketches? I bet the finished product would look lovely hanging in a frame on somebody's wall...

5 comments:

  1. I love the style of these illustrations. These would make a great embroidery piece!! What a treasure! Thanks for sharing.

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  2. Cool! What a neat surprise inside of that hat.

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  3. @Lisa Glad you enjoyed them. The style is quite eye-catching. I'll convert some into patterns and post them in the next few days.

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  4. That's immensely cool! Love the idea of using them as embroidery patterns!

    xx Charlotte
    Tuppence Ha'penny

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  5. I love little surprises like this, but it's not common to find something as interesting as this! Great that someone had put this bag in the hat and saved it, maybe accidentally.

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The Hausfrau eagerly awaits your thoughts.