What is a Maillot - Defining Vintage Fashion Terms

A Maillot is a one piece bathing suit and was first used in the 1920s to describe tight fitting swimwear. Remember, bathing suits in the earlier part of the 20th century looked more like sundresses with full skirts and sleeveless styles.


Usually when I see the word "Maillot" to describe a bathing suit I imagine a strapless or heart shaped bust bathing suit or one with vintage inspired details such as ruching at the waist. To me, a Maillot is synonymous with the bathing suit styles of the 1950s.


Now a days we just call it a one piece. But if you want to be a bit more fancy, you can say you're planning on sun bathing in your gorgeous maillot bathing suit instead of sunbathing in your one piece. *hehe*

Image credits: 1.] Vintage Maillot Advertisement by Catalina Swimwear, 2.] Yellow Maillot With Matching Swim Cap, 3.] Maillot Pin-up at the Beach, 4.] Modern Maillot, 5.] Vintage Inspired Maillot, 6.] Anthropologie.com

Backstage at BALMAIN in 1954, A Glimpse At Couture Fashion by Mark Shaw

From a never published series for LIFE magazine, "Balmain Backstage in Paris 1954" shot by Mark Shaw. There are so many delightful details in these photos, you really must take some time to look over them and see the hidden delights. The box purses, the satin gloves, the oh so lovely shoes.

Do you notice how well kept all the assistants are too? A lot of modern day backstage photos show assistants that look a bit... rushed... if you will.

Oh goodness, look at those under things! Granny panties and couture! HAHA!

And you might also take notice, some models back then were pretty much as thin as the models in present times, but were just "softer" in appearance.

What Audrey Hepburn Wore to the 1967 Oscars

Nominated for "Best Actress in Leading Role" at the 1967 Academy Awards for "Wait Until Dark", Audrey Hepburn always dazzled at the Oscars with her classic and feminine style.

Although she didn't bring home the coveted golden statue (the award went to the other Hepburn, Katherine), Audrey Hepburn looked impeccable in her Oscar ensemble.


At the 1967 Academy Awards, Audrey Hepburn wore a two piece ensemble designed by Gubert De Givenchy.

It consisted of a sparkling vest with white flower embellishments that allowed a peek at Audrey Hepburn's navel. A giant white bow tied at the vest that was decorative enough so Audrey could forego a necklace. The vest was accompanied by a long, floor grazing white skirt that was very slim in cut.

Image credit: Audrey at the Oscar's

Mid Week Inspirations & Wisdom, A Garden of Dreams

"Let us dance in the sun, wearing wild flowers in our hair." Susan Polis Shutz



"To be overcome by the fragrance of flowers is a delectable form of defeat." Beverly Nichols


Image credits: 1.} The Home that Love Built, 2.} Last Days of Summer, 3.} Tattered Wings, 4.} Fields of Recollections, 5.} Haze (lost link), 6.} Nature's Garland, 7.} Lost in the Blooms, 8.} A Familiar Beauty, 9.} The Scent of Flowers Lingers

British Actress, Vivien Leigh Accepts Her Oscar for "Gone With the Wind"

Her voice is so marvelous, isn't it? I do wish this footage was in color, I would so love to see the color of her beautiful vintage floral print gown!

The Most Beautiful Things: Vintage 1940s Apparel from the Brooklyn Museum Costume Collection

Is it odd that my second thought after seeing these photos (my first being "Why can't I own all of these?!?) was "I wish these were all available in my shop!" The product photography is quite sumptuous too, I might need to take up the AV product photo quality to "museum worthy" *hehe* One can dream!

Vintage Pin-Up Heels & Ladylike Accessories from Aldens Catalog 1955

Vintage peep toe slingbacks, so darn cute! I love the chic little details on these, especially the tiny bow on the back of the ankle. I'm simply dying over the navy blue slingbacks with the white dashed threading, can't you just see those being remade today?

All of these shoes are quite classic and if you can't hunt down the vintage pair, a quick pop over to Endless.com will probably result in a vintage inspired pair. I'm not quite sure about gloves, I've never cared much for them, although I still think they are quite appropriate for the opera. I do however, ADORE the white "double nylon" pair for $1.09 (save .40!) those are just so cute!

Image Credits: All scanned catalog images from Cemetarian -Alden Catalog 1955

Rumpled Preppy: Our Favorite Looks from Marni Resort 2010

An oldie but a goodie (isn't it odd that resort 2010 collections are sooo last year? HAHA) Preppy classics never go out of style though, that's why they're classics! I'm especially loving the color palette of this collection: Midnight Navy, Coco Brown, Cafe Au Lait, and just a hint of Peony Pink.

Pre 1920s Fashion & Beauty Advertisements

I cannot imagine having to wear a maternity corset! The thought of it seems so painful! I do love that in the advertisement the mother-to-be is sewing a little bonnet for her new baby, so sweet. I love the blouses from this era (early 20th century, 1900 to 1920) They were all so delicate and feminine and featured many details I look for in modern day blouses such as eyelet, broderie anglaise, petite pleats, scalloped lace... I've recently acquired an antique blouse but unfortunately it's much too small therefore will only look lovely as a display piece. *sigh* Oh well.

Image Credits:
1.} Maternity Corset, 2.} Corsets from the Sears Roebuck Catalog (c) 1908 , 3.} The Mother's Magazine (c) 1916, 4.} Pearline Ad (c) 1896, 5.} 1919 Dressmaking Lessons Advertisement, 6.} Good Housekeeping Vintage Ad for Talcum Powder (c) 1906, 7.} Coconut Shampoo Ad (c) 1919, 8.} Gordon Dye Hosiery (c) 1905

10 Iconic Vintage Movie Dresses

In no particular order, and yes, we're slightly biased as we not only love the dresses featured in our "Top 10 Iconic Classic Movie Dresses", we're also fans of the movies they're in!



Well, the last one isn't quite a dress... however, who can't help but love Sandy's sexy all black ensemble?

Honorable Mentions:
Jessica Rabbit in "Who Framed Roger Rabbit"
Disney's Snow White
Glinda the Good Witch of the North