Iron Orchid Vintage

Retro Photo Shoot: The 50's Couple

Before Christmas I had the pleasure of photographing my dear friends, Mananya and Owen, for a vintage inspired photo shoot. They're a very loving couple, and so natural together in front of the camera. With Valentine's Day around the corner I thought it might be nice to share some photos of my afternoon with them.

When I arrived at their home they were both looking quite dapper; Owen had already set the mood with a 50's music station on Pandora, and Mananya was baking up a fresh plate of cookies.

Mananya, who's been my friend since we were in high school, has always been fashion forward, but I think she pulled off 'retro' seamlessly in this vintage dress. She has the most beautiful smile! Did I mention that she also prepared a roast?

Owen is naturally dashing, himself. Needless to say, no one had to help him pick out an ensemble. I love his attention to detail (ahem...pocket square!).

It's always a pleasure for me to photograph my friends, but I had a ton of fun playing with the color effects, too. Many thanks to my lovely friends for a fabulous photo shoot.

Labels: 1950's retro, mad men style, photo shoot, vintage 50s dress

Day 25: My Best Joan Holloway Outfit

Anyone else going through Mad Men withdrawals? I totally am! We're going out to dinner with some friends tonight and I wanted to wear something unique, effortless and chic, so I pulled out this amazing Mr. Blackwell wiggle dress that I've been on the fence about adding to the shop. I can't deny that it makes me feel like I'm wearing something straight out of Joan Holloway's jewel-tone wardrobe. I'll probably be walking with her swagger all night, too!

Outfit Details:

Dress: Vintage 1960's Mr. Blackwell

Purse: Vintage 1950's Clutch (with awesome wristlet!)
Bracelet: H&M
Ring: 3-Finger Ring by BCBG
Shoes: Seychelles

Labels: 30 days 30 outfits, 50's blue dress, blue vintage dress, jewel tone, mr blackwell, outfit post, vintage 50s dress

Day 9: Tea in the Toile 1950's Day Dress

I read somewhere that a good cotton day dress could take you into any season when paired well. I'm hoping this pale green, toile print dress will look seasonable when accented with some subtle gold and green accessories and a warm little sweater. Don't I look ready for a cup of tea and a game of cards with grandma? Well, if we're talking about my grandma, I should probably correct that to a Turkish coffee and a game of backgammon!

Outfit Details:
Dress: Vintage 1950's Forever Young, by Puritan Dress
Sweater: Abercrombie and Fitch
Purse: White House Black Market
Shoes: Charles David
Brooch: Vintage 1950's Heirloom
Earrings: Etsy

Labels: 30 days 30 outfits, Outfit Details, outfit post, sage green, toile, vintage 50s dress

To the Legion of Honor in the Woods Dress

What a wonderful and relaxing weekend! After a tasty brunch out in the city, I went to see the Isabelle de Borchgrave exhibit at The Legion of Honor. It was a fascinating retrospective of her work filled with painted paper dresses that were made to resemble dresses from the Medici era through the late Victorian era. Please follow the link above to see some examples and even a video of the artist, photography was not allowed so I don't have any photos to show. It won't be up for much longer, so if you have a spare moment to scoot over to the museum and see it in person, I would highly recommend it.

For the occasion I wanted a bright splash of color, and there's no better dress in my closet for the job than the "Woods Dress"( I call it that because the print looks like little slats of wood).

The little boy's green coat just kills me!

(I want to recreate this look!)

Outfit Details:

Dress: Vintage 1950's Day Dress

Jacket: Elevenses

Shoes: Urban Outfitters

Ring: Saks 5th Avenue

Labels: elevenses, legion of honor, vintage 50s dress

Easter in the Vintage Pink Polka Dot 50's Dress

Do you have a vintage dress that you just can't wait to spend the day in? This is the first time I'll have ever worn this dress, and I'm tickled (pink!) that the weather is being cooperative enough for me wear it. I wasn't in the mood for a full crinoline today and was a little unsure about what kind of an under-thing would go best, so I opted for a fully skirted slip, which seemed to add just enough volume to keep the dress styleable in a contemporary way. Easter is very casual for us and we haven't got any other plans for the day except for a big brunch with my auntie and cousin, whom I'm so excited to see. There's something about those festive and bubbly polka-dots, though, that makes me wish we were having an egg hunt.

Outfit Details:

Dress: Vintage 1950's

Denim Jacket: Urban Outfitters

Shoes: Malous

Ring: Brilliance Found, Etsy

Labels: Outfit Details, outfit post, outfits, vintage 50s dress

"I Go Out Walking..."

Ok, here it is: I'm a karaoke fan, and tonight I'm channeling my inner Patsy Cline! I picked up this black-and-white checkered dress a few months back when I was in LA for my dear friend's baby shower. The organza-like ruffles are super sensitive and have begun to unravel, which I don't quite know how to stop, but I just couldn't resist the twirl and ruffles Before we go out, though, I'm going to get a haircut. Just in case I decide to go shear-happy I thought it best to take a photo in my outfit, but since it took forever to grow out my bob I doubt I'll do anything dramatic...yet.

Outfit Details:

Dress: Vintage 1950's

Belt: Anthropologie

Boots: Frye

Earrings: ?

Tights: H&M

Labels: anthropologie, frye, knee high boots, Outfit Details, vintage 50s dress

The Day-to-Day Plaid Gray 1950's Dress

By now I'm sure you know about my love for all things plaid and/or tartan. When I bought this dress I sort of thought it was going to be a bluish color, but I was pleased as punch to open up the parcel and find that it was a crisp, dark gray! It's a junior's dress, but shows no signs of wear and fits just perfectly. Perhaps equally important, I didn't have to alter it one bit! A lot of 1950's dresses are fashioned at a 42 inch length, but this one was a 40 inch length- which is precisely my preference. I thought to play it safe at first and add a solid colored, matchy-matchy scarf to the dress, but then I changed my mind and took this opportunity to mix and match patterns instead. It's a simple dress and perfect for day to day (I'm wearing it here without a crinoline), but now I'm getting all sorts of fun ideas about how to remix it and give it a new life. By the way, does anybody know of any good tutorials for retro hairstyles for ladies with longer hair? I'm curious if you have any favorite sites that may cover up through the mid 1960's. If you do, would you let me know? I'd like to try a fun new (old) style. Tschüs!

Outfit Details:

Plaid Dress: Vintage 1950's dress from Decades Baltimore

Shoes: Made by Elves

Navy Purse: Vintage 1960's

Scarf: Gift, (hand-dyed & handmade!)

Earrings: ?

Bracelet: It is actually a necklace that I picked up at a jewelry party

Labels: Outfit Details, outfit post, vintage 50s dress

Early Spring Preview: Vintage Day Dresses and Vintage Separates

I know that the weather has been crummy lately, but I've got a few fancy Iron Orchid Vintage spring previews to cheer you up! A few items have already been updated in the shop, but I'll be adding more throughout the weekend and into next week.