December Seasonal Accessorizing

For a dramatic effect, layer a rich wool boucle plastron over a basic dress.  Add a matching hat, gloves, and handbag.

Miss Gene Marshall

Costume Credits:  Dress, handbag, and necklace are from Ashton Drake.  Plastron, hat, beaded gauntlet gloves, belt, and earrings are from The Couture Touch.  Caribbean Kiss Gene Marshall [re-coiffed] appears courtesy of Monolithic Studios and Ashton Drake.

I hope you enjoyed this series inspired by the make do and mend era of the 1940s.  With interchangeable accessories, you can always be fashionably dressed with a minimum of time and expense.

Bibliography:

The Complete Book of Sewing by Constance Talbot, published 1943.

November Seasonal Accessorizing

Add a sequin collar to a basic dress.  A detachable collar is a great way to transition a daytime dress for dinner, cocktails, or the theater.

Monolithic Studios' director Miss Ivy Jordan in the knit dress from "Warmest Wishes", an FAO Schwarz 1998 Fall Exclusive designed by Tim Kennedy.  A detachable sequin collar replaces the original cowl neck scarf transforming this dress from daywear to evening sophistication.  Dress and gloves are from Ashton Drake.  Hat, fur muff, and waist corsage are from The Couture Touch.  The sequin collar was recycled from another doll.  Lady Director Ivy Jordan is from Integrity.

A pearl encrusted green velvet tie-on collar from Hattie Carnegie is the perfect addition for a late-day dress.  Photo is from the October 1, 1943 issue of Vogue magazine highlighting new ways to wear new accessories.

October Seasonal Accessorizing

Rejuvenate a solid-colored suit, dress, or coat with the addition of plaid accessories.

A marvelous plaid hat along with a matching wing-collared dickey adds panache to Gene Marshall's suit ensemble.  The jacket is a restyled coat dress from D.A.E. Originals' Tour d'Argent.  Skirt, gloves, and cigarette holder are from Ashton Drake.  Hat, dickey, belt, earrings, and styling are from The Couture Touch.  Blue Belle Gene Marshall, enhanced with an Integrity articulated body, is from Ashton Drake.

A hat, a dickey, a pair of gloves, a belt, or just a handbag.  You don't need a large area of plaid to enliven a basic suit or dress.

A fabulous plaid handbag is all that is needed to complement this Couturier suit from Vogue Patterns, circa 1943.

September Seasonal Accessorizing

Transform a jacket by adding braid or cording trim.  Depending on how it is used, the effect can either be subtle or dramatic.

Ivy Jordan

Even a small touch such as black cording shaped into a cluster of medallions to form a pocket motif adds distinction to a tailored jacket.  Suit ensemble is from The Couture Touch.  Gloves are from Integrity.  Handbag from Randall Craig.  "V for Tea" Ivy Jordan is from Integrity.

During WWII unrationed braid was available in a variety of colors and unique designs.  In addition, furniture departments carried fringed sofa edgings that could be creatively utilized as trim for clothing.  Here are two examples from the September 1941 issue of British Vogue magazine.

Madra Lord

Black loop braiding adds panache to Integrity's remodeled suit [Sparkling Sepia].  Following the seam line, the braiding was hand tacked to the jacket and the ends were tucked under the hem.  Hat and gloves are from The Couture Touch.  Scarf is from Ashton Drake.  Handbag from an unknown designer.  Spotted in Manhattan Madra Lord is from Jamieshow.

This Harzfeld's department store fashion ad from the September 1942 issue of Harper's Bazaar features a Nettie Rosenstein beige and black wool suit trimmed with black passementerie.

Madra Lord

From the archives, the white crepe jacket [Par Excellence] from Robert Tonner's Brenda Starr Collection is embellished with black trim giving it that distinctive forties look.  Scarf and matching gloves are from The Couture Touch.  Hat and skirt are from Sandra Stillwell.  Booties and doggies are from Ashton Drake.  Deep Rose Madra Lord is from Integrity.

August Seasonal Accessorizing

Pair a dark dress with a hat and matching bag in rich, saturated hues such as jewel-tone colors.

Monolithic Studios' film star Gene Marshall pairs a burgundy suede pillbox and matching handbag with a black silk cocktail dress from Bogue's Vogues.  Fur shoulder drape is from PD Root.  Gloves from Ashton Drake.  Jewels from an unknown designer.  Cigarette holder is from Mystyna.  Hat, handbag, and styling are from The Couture Touch.  White Orchid Gene Marshall is from Jamieshow.

Turquoise provides a pop of color for Miss Marshall's chic black satin dress from Integrity.  Gloves are from Ashton Drake.  Hat, handbag, belt, earrings, and styling are from The Couture Touch.  Cocoa Crisp Gene Marshall is from Integrity.

July Seasonal Accessorizing

Anne Adams #4881 Pattern

Doll up a basic dress by adding flowers at the neckline and for extra flattery repeat the flowers on your hat.

Ivy Jordan

Embroidered flower motifs, recycled from vintage veiling, were applied in an asymmetric fashion on the bodice of Miss Jordan's two-piece navy dress as well as on the hat trim.  Dress [Ladies Who Launch] is from Integrity.  Handbag is from Robert Tonner's Brenda Starr Collection.  Earrings from Mattel.  Cigarette holder from Ashton Drake.  Hat, gloves, and styling are from The Couture Touch.  Pearls and Pink Ivy Jordan is from Integrity.

June Seasonal Accessorizing

Welcome summer by incorporating prints into your wardrobe.  Wear dresses in classic dotted fabric.  Brighten a dark solid dress with collars and matching cuffs in cheerful florals.

Jazz great Violet Waters steps out in D.A.E. Originals' delightful pink dress punctuated with tiny black all-over dots.  Gloves and re-shaped hat are from Sandra Stillwell.  Styling from The Couture Touch.  Heat Wave Violet Waters (newly coiffed) is from Integrity.

An advertisement for rayon fabrics shows the extensive range of prints that were available in the 1940s.  Photo courtesy Sew Weekly.

A pink floral collar with matching cuffs revitalizes film star Gene Marshall's basic black dress [Dark Desire].  Dress, belt, waist corsage, gloves, earrings, and newspaper are all from Ashton Drake.  Hat, detachable collar/cuffs, and styling are from The Couture Touch.  Warmest Wishes Gene Marshall is from Ashton Drake.

May Seasonal Accessorizing

Add a fresh touch of white to a conservative costume with a jabot.  The traditional jabot is fashioned from white lace and either gathered or pleated into straight ruffles.  However, as you will see, a jabot does not have to be made of lace to give the same effect.

Madra Lord accents her tailored two piece ensemble with the lace jabot borrowed from Gene Marshall's Little Black Dress costume.  It has been updated with a new black bow and tiny black beads.  Top and jabot are from Ashton Drake.  Hat, gauntlet gloves, skirt, and belt are from The Couture Touch.  Handbag is from Randall Craig.  Pool Pose Madra Lord is from Integrity.

A unique pearl encrusted "jabot" dresses up Gene Marshall's Little Black Dress.  The "jabot" is actually a beaded applique with tiny magnets attached to the back.  A festive belt, white gloves, pearl jewelry, and detachable lace cuffs complete the look.  Dress, cuffs, and gloves are from Ashton Drake.  Handbag is from Robert Tonner.  Styling from The Couture Touch.  Creme de Cassis Gene Marshall (restyled) is from Ashton Drake.

And from the archives:

The original lace jabot from Miss Marshall's Little Black Dress is paired with the dress from Madra Lord's Dark Desire.  Both from Ashton Drake.  Wool herringbone jerkin and coordinating gauntlet gloves are from The Couture Touch.  Shoes and belt are from Integrity.  Hat is from Robert Tonner.  J'Adore Gene Marshall, wearing a restyled wig cap from Phoenix Gene Marshall, is from Jamieshow.

April Seasonal Accessorizing

Bring back a corsage with spring flowers for a jacket as well as a hat.  Repeat the color of the flowers in your outfit.

A single bloom is all that is needed to refresh film star Gene Marshall's smart suit ensemble.  Jacket is from Robert Tonner's Brenda Starr Collection.  Top and handbag are from Ashton Drake.  Hinged bracelet is from Facet's by Marcia.  Hat, gloves, skirt, and styling are from The Couture Touch.  Cocoa Crisp Gene Marshall is from Integrity.

This marvelous hat by Legroux Soeurs was the inspiration for Miss Marshall's topper.  Illustration is by Rene Gruau for the 1939 cover of Chapeaux mode.  Courtesy HPRINTS.

March Seasonal Accessorizing

Begin to add a touch of spring with detachable collars and cuffs in bright colors and patterns as well as in white.

Playful dots on a bright green background gives film star Madra Lord's basic black dress a chic way to transition to spring.  Dress [Dark Desire] and belt [Embassy Luncheon] are from Ashton Drake.  Gloves from Sandra Stillwell.  Hat, earrings, and detachable collar and cuffs are from The Couture Touch.

Featured in the February/March 1940 issue of Vogue Pattern Book, a detachable bib-style double collar trimmed with ruffles in fresh white.  Matching narrow cuffs and a delightful white floral accented hat complete the look.

Miss Lord shows her softer side in an alternative variation:

A subtle play of patterns highlight this stylish bib-style collar and matching cuffs.  Dress [Dark Desire], belt [Embassy Luncheon], handbag [Star Wardrobe Collection], and restyled hat [Doing Her Part] are all from Ashton Drake.  Gloves from Sandra Stillwell.  Detachable collar and cuffs are from The Couture Touch.

A yoke-style collar with matching cuffs in a spring floral pattern gives Gene Marshall's "Little Black Dress" a fresh, updated look.  Dress and gloves are from Ashton Drake.  Restyled hat is from Sandra Stillwell.  Purse from Madame Alexander.  Detachable collar and cuffs are from The Couture Touch.


Careless Kisses Madra Lord is from Integrity.

Cocoa Rose Gene Marshall is from Ashton Drake.

February Seasonal Accessorizing

Add a fabric turban in a print or rich jewel-tone solid and match to gloves or scarves.

Monolithic Studios' director Ivy Jordan tops her coat with an animal print turban that coordinates with her embroidered gloves.  In addition she keeps the floral trend, adding a corsage to the bow at her neckline and repeating the flowers on her muff.  Coat and gloves are from Ashton Drake.  Fur muff is from Integrity.  Hat and styling are from The Couture Touch.

Bright flowers and a matching satin bow accent film star Gene Marshall's solid colored turban.  The pink gloves as well as the scarf print match the floral detailing on the hat.  Coat, gloves, and newspaper are from Ashton Drake.  Hat, scarf, belt, and styling are from The Couture Touch.  Miss Marshall's belt bag was made using a Barbie-sized handbag.  The original chain link handle was tucked inside the bag and a new faux leather handle was tacked to the back of the purse.  The belt simply slides through the new handle.

Credits:

Turbans were fashioned from scrunchie ponytail holders.

Lady Director Ivy Jordan (re-coiffed) is from Integrity.

Gene Marshall is from Ashton Drake.

January Seasonal Accessorizing

Brighten a winter coat or jacket by adding a flower corsage in a rich, vivid color.  Carry a muff and repeat the flowers on the muff, or match your gloves or handbag to the flowers.

Monolithic Studios' grande dame Miss Madra Lord accents her tweed car coat with dramatic roses matched to the piping on her handbag.  The corsage is actually the hair ornament from Ashton Drake's Pinque Passion evening ensemble.  Hat, jacket, skirt, and scarf are from The Couture Touch.  Handbag and gloves are from Sandra Stillwell.  Top This Madra Lord, enhanced with an Integrity articulated body, is from Ashton Drake.

Director Ivy Jordan wears a tweed wool suit ensemble updated with rich florals that were salvaged from Ashton Drake's The Perfect Gift.  The fur collar from Sandra Stillwell's Lotta Moola costume was fashioned into the dramatic muff.  Suit is from Ashton Drake.  Gloves from Sandra Stillwell.  Suede, detachable, wrist gauntlets were added to the gloves.  Hat, ascot, belt, bar pin, and gauntlets are from The Couture Touch.  Lady Director Ivy Jordan is from Integrity.

Changing accessories with the season is one of the easiest ways to look fresh and up-to-the-minute.  Join us each month as we highlight ideas for updating a wardrobe with seasonal accessorizing.