I feel like dancing!

Thanks to all of you who voted for me, denisebrain is once again on the list of Lulu’s Vintage People’s Choice Award winners, and for the first time ever, this year I came in #1! 

Please see the great company I keep:

Many thanks again to Lulu for running this contest!

Reverse vintage convergence: Red polka dots

I love seeing vintage ads, patterns or magazine features showing vintage items I have on hand...I call these rare happenings vintage convergences. You can see what I’ve found so far by searching vintage convergence on my blog or by visiting my Pinterest board on the subject.

When I received the February issue of Vogue, I got the urge to share what might be called a reverse semi-convergence. No, that sounds a little close to a daring figure skating move. Anyway, I own a 1970s blouse with big red polka dots, so when I saw Lena Dunham in big red polka dots...

I don’t feel like wading into the kerfuffle about Lena’s photos being photoshopped. I use my simplistic photoshop skills to edit my photos. Would someone like to pay me $10K for the originals? Please??

I just think the cover shows a lot of character and is really fun. The only thing is, why get a new polka dotted shirt when you can wear vintage? 

Vintage Textron Ads

My February’s vintage resolution, you may remember, is to Dress Like a Star at Home.

On that line, you must see the magical late 1940s vintage advertisements for Textron. Textron was founded in Boston in 1923 as a small textile company, then boomed into production of parachutes during WWII. After the war, Textron made its name in lingerie, blouses and consumer goods, specializing in every step of manufacture and distribution “from yarn to you.” The name Textron is a combination of tex as in textile and tron as in manufactured fibers such as the artificial silk Lustron.

For their ad campaigns in the 1940s, Textron hired the young illustrator and fine artist Charlotte Joan Sternberg. Her art for the company is a series of magical scenes, beautifully rendered. Surely I would still be attracted to chic apple green and tangerine quilted rayon satin hostess pajamas, but if I saw them in an ad featuring penguins and the Northern Lights, I would find them absolutely irresistible.

All the above images seen at johannaost.com

From and the ghosts so silver blog

Advertisement for sale at atticpaper.com

Advertisement for sale on RubyLane

From dollhousebettie.com’s blog Partial Coverage

So, why just dress like a star at home when I can dress like a star strutting on a cloud with Rhumba Ruffles?

For more information:
Textron: Company History
The Art of Charlotte Joan Sternberg

Don’t forget to vote for your favorite vintage websites

Have you voted yet?


Friday this week is the last day to vote for Lulu’s Vintage People’s Choice Award. You may vote for up to 10 of your favorite vintage clothing websites, including your own. And yes, including denisebrain if you like! I’d be honored!

Better than chocolates?

Probably not, but slightly easier on the waist: Use the coupon code VINTAGELOVE for a 15% discount when you check out in the denisebrain Etsy shop, through February 15. 

February resolution: Dress like a star at home

You may recall that I have one vintage resolution per month this year, and February’s is to dress like a star at home. I have been doing some looking around and thinking, and discovered I’m probably not so much this—

as this—

Nancy Berg in Pauline Trigere pajamas/Milton Greene photo, 1964

The truth is I want comfort with my elegance and I like fun even more than glamour for myself. 

I keep coming back to items like dressing gowns, brunch coats and lounge pajamas. You can’t buy these at Marshalls or Macy’s. I know because I just tried to find similar to give as a gift to an old friend of the family. These are among the endangered species of clothing.

What many vintage dressing gowns, brunch coats and lounge pajamas have in common is a wrap style.

You know how many people now consider elastic waists and knit fabric necessary for comfort? Consider the wrap: It allows you to adjust the fit at the waist, and still has style. In fact, wraps are a great blend of style and comfort whether for dressing gowns, kimonos, Swirl-label dresses or iconic Diane von Furstenberg wrap dresses.

I just purchased these 1950s capri pajamas in woven cotton with a wrap top. They are comfortable, washable, pretty...and I could even get the door while wearing them. 

By jove, I think I’m on the right track!

Check out my Pinterest board on the subject for more visuals, including many vintage wrap styles.  

My funny Valentines

I love a certain type of vintage Valentine, the type that has a great drawing and a great pun or even double entendre.  (I can “television” when I see it - you’re on the “channel” to my heart...that sort!)

This may seem OLD HAT but —
Will you ad-DRESS this issue
with me? 

xox, denisebrain