Earlier this year I acquired a stack of women’s magazines from the 1940s. Reading them made me realise two things – how much I love 40s fashion, and how lucky I am to have been born in modern times. If you have ever read some of the advice columns in a magazine from the 1940s then you will probably know what I’m talking about! Perhaps one day I shall share some of my favourites on the blog, but only in a tongue and cheek way of course. Have you ever read a magazine from the 1940s? I enjoy them not only for the fashion but for the stomach churning recipes and very concerning health & relationship advice…
After a week of cold winds and wearing my coat everywhere, we finally had a warm sunny day. I took advantage of this by wearing the lovely Nancy dress by The Seamstress of Bloomsbury on a bike ride. While normally I would hesitate about wearing a dress to ride my bike, the Nancy dress comes with a slip to wear underneath so there is no fear of wardrobe malfunctions! I made a short little video in my instagram story of me riding the bike where you can see that the skirt stays put the whole time. So if you prefer a ladylike look instead of wearing jeans like I often do when I ride my bike, this is a great dress for that!
While I was taking the Nancy dress for a test ride, I also had the pleasure of wearing a fabulous new lipstick by vintage beauty and skincare legend Margarita Bloom. In these photos I am wearing Rita in Glamorous Red from Margarita Bloom’s Rich and Famous range, and I look forward to sharing my thoughts with you about it soon. It might just be my favourite 40s red yet!
Wearing:
Nancy dress courtesy of The Seamstress of Bloomsbury
Bait Footwear heels
So ladylike in the pastels. Great shoes, great bike, great photos. Looks like great fun.
Such a pretty dress and your bike is sweet too. I would love a bike, but alas, nowhere to keep one x
What a beautiful dress
xo
http://www.laurajaneatelier.com
You look beautiful, what a pretty dress. I know what you mean about advice columns in old magazines, I have a few copies with the most shocking advice – like basically shut up and do what your husband tells you to do!! I too am so glad to live in the here and now, I really value the privileges I’ve had in terms of education in particular. I wouldn’t swap that for all the vintage dresses in the world! xx
Such a cute dress and so great with your complexion and hair color!!! And hey I love the video on IG too!! Adore adore!
You really look beautiful in this dress, I love the 1940’s style and that retro style bike is so cool! xo
I am so looking forward to those lipstick reviews 😀 you know, I don’t look half this elegant on a bike. And also my bike is bright yellow and a child’s bike so that doesn’t help!! You are making up for where I lack. And I love how it’s winter for you and you’re wearing an outfit I would barely get away with in summer…!
Practical and incredibly pretty! What a winning combo! You look fantastic, and as always I love your cute bicycle!
Yikes! Those columns sound like they would be super depressing. I guess it’s good we can laugh at them now but it’s horrible to think that back then before the internet and before women had access to the knowledge that we do now, they would have legitimately written to the magazine for advice and received that as their only guidance. 🙁
Anyway, you look beautiful as always! And avoiding wardrobe malfunctions while riding a bike is definitely a priority!
littlehenrylee.net
How splendidly lovely! That dress feels like the fashion equivalent of a breath of fresh, sun-kissed springtime air. So sweet, charming and fun!
xoxo ♥ Jessica
What a sweet dress- it looks perfect for cycling in. I always ride my bike wearing dresses, and people wonder how I can do it- it takes a bit of technique, but I love it 🙂 So, a dress that doesn’t ride up when biking sounds like a wonderful thing to have!
Also, vintage magazines didn’t get much better even into the 1960’s. I picked up some “Woman and Home” magazines from 1965-1967, and some of the articles, and a lot of the advertisements in it are pretty depressing too!
Such a gorgeous outfit! I think I know what you mean, my granny gave me a book from the 50s called “the perfect housewife”. It is fun to read but I’m very happy I’m living in modern world. 😉
Many hugs
Sandra
Simply gorgeous look ~ this dress is so stunning and I love the colour palette. And, how gorgeous is your hair here? Love this look, it’s such a beautiful style for you. ❤
xox,
bonita of Lavender & Twill
The more I see dresses from the Seamstress of Bloomsbury, the more I want one for myself! Of course, I guess that’s kind of the point, isn’t it? They always look so pretty and so well made. This is really perfect for a nice bike ride. I’m frequently in skirts when I’m riding, and it’s always a bit embarrassing to flash half the city because your skirt won’t stay in place. I’ve tried the trick with the penny and the rubber band, but it just never works for me. A good slip is really where it’s at!
I don’t really get the women who say that they were “born in the wrong era.” I love the clothes too, but I don’t want to go back in time! I’m very happy with all of the rights that I have right now, thank you very much.