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February 19, 2012

Back in the Day

I've always loved to play dress up. Even when I was teaching, I'd have "Hawaiian Day" when we studied Hawaii. "Favorite Author" day when we studied the classics. And "Civil War Day" when we studied the Civil War. Not only would the students come dressed up, I would too. And we'd wear our costumes the entire school day.

Of course, I don't teach anymore. But, I still manage to do my share of dressing up at my Getaway With Dee events each summer. As part of my fascination with dress up clothes, I comb through all kinds of vintage clothing sites. Pinterest has offered a plethora of new places to explore.

Here are some of my favorites from my recent finds:

On the left is a two-piece tan silk shantung dress. The two pieces are a skirt and cuaisse bodice with brown faille trim. It is from the trousseau of Della Miles Bertch, 1887. On the right is the matching coat with hood and matching parasol. I found this on Rhonda Gibson's Pinterest page.

I found this cotton Civil War dress (circa 1865) on Kelly Cochran Davis' Pinterest page. This, too, would be two pieces--a skirt and a bodice (with a bazillion kinds of undergarments underneath). I particularly love the circles and dots along the skirt. The sleeves are super fun also.

Last is this bathing suit ensemble (also from Rhonda Gibson's page). The embroidered red-orange wool serge suit by LY and J Nathan has wool braid trim. It was worn by Emily Tinne in 1910 during her honeymoon in Ireland. Her orange cotton sateen bathing cap has waterproof rubber backing.

My favorite part of the outfit, however, are her linen espadrilles (aka shoes). An orange anchor is embroidered on the linen. They have cotton jute soles and cotton laces.

Do you still play dress up?

posted by Deeanne on 02/19/2012

Comments: 8

kym said...

I loved to dress up when I was younger. I would either dress as Scarlett O'Hara or Laura Ingalls Wilder. Now, years later, I still love to dress up. A few months ago I went to a mystery dinner show that was set on the Mississippi River in the early 1900's. I took advantage of that and dressed in a Downton Abbey outfit. It was so fun!

2/24/2012

Deeanne Gist said...

Oh, that sounds fun! I love Downton Abbey!

2/24/2012

kym said...

As do I. I don't watch much TV, but with Downton Abbey, I never miss an episode.

2/24/2012

Ashley said...

I belong to a book club, and we often use the books we read as an excuse to dress up. For example, every year we have a Great Gatsby-themed garden party in which we read a Fitzgerald novel and dress as flappers. We always have a great time! I say you're never to old to dress up! P.S. I love Downton Abbey too! I would love to be able to dress up in clothes from that period; they're so beautiful!

5/30/2012

Deeanne Gist said...

Ashley, Be sure to check out our ideas for book clubs. We have some great ideas for dressing up and playing games and refreshments, etc. Click on the "bookstore" link at the top of this page. Then click on the "Book Club Perks" icon in the sidebar. If your club does any of the activities, be sure to take pics and send them to me! :D

5/30/2012

Ashley said...

Thanks for the book club ideas! They’re great! I’ll be sure to tell my book club about them. I’ll certainly send some pictures your way if we do the activities! :)

6/14/2012