THE ART OF MODELING

 

At first I thought the prompt models’s outfit was a jumpsuit – especially with the date shown to be 1967 as jumpsuits were very popular then.  On enlarging the photo, however, I realized it was a 2-piece outfit.  On the other hand, I am modeling a jumpsuit I made - in December of 1967.

This model is modeling a Catalina swimsuit in 1956.  The print and color appear to be a little different from my Catalina suit that same year, but the style is exactly the same with all those ruffles.

My suit was pink and white with little brown gingerbread men on it.  I loved it.

I loved perusing Seventeen magazines for ideas.  This modeled dress gave me one.  I didn’t care for the neckline, button front, or long sleeves, but I liked the full skirt, polka dots, & big red belt, soooo . . . 



I made my own version with plain round neckline, no buttons, short sleeves with navy blue polka dots outlined in red, and a red belt!

And how advantageous an online picture of a model can be!  While looking for something else online one day, I happened on this dress being modeled and was happily surprised.  It’s the exact same wrap-around dress I wore to my 20-year high school reunion and had my reunion picture taken in.

Originally I had a wallet-size picture of this portrait in color, but I carried it in my wallet and lost it when my purse was stolen.  Luckily a black & white version had been printed in the 20-year reunion ‘yearbook’ so at least I had the photo that way.  Then I saw the model modeling the dress in color so now the two pictures sit side-by-side in my photo album!


I did a little modeling in my early 20s for The White House in San Francisco, but my daughters decided to get into the modeling scene early on.  This is my youngest at age 9.  Perfect form.

Middle daughter was a bit bolder at age 10 – more in keeping with our prompt picture model’s style this week!

A couple of years later they were modeling in an actual fashion show.  Here, middle daughter models a hooded robe for the local Lioness Club’s annual “You CAN Afford It Fashion Show” which featured clothing from area thrift shops. That’s yours truly in the background commenting on the outfits as the models strolled down the ‘runway’.

Youngest daughter models an adult-size “Onesie” for nighttime comfort.

Middle daughter onstage in a casual outfit with her sis waiting in the wings for her turn.

And then the youngest was out there in her own outfit to show off.


Six years later youngest daughter had another chance to show off her modeling skills when she modeled for her high school’s fashion show featuring choices for the right prom dress.


Funny, I don’t remember the dress she actually wore to the prom that year?  I don’t think it was any of those she modeled, but I’m not sure.

:->

La Nightingail 

P.S.

As I mentioned earlier, I was a great fan of Seventeen magazine and its models wearing pretty things.  This issue is from 1955.

This one’s from 1959.  I loved this outfit and always meant to make it for myself, but never got around to it.

I did get around to cutting my long hair like this model’s, however.  I remember taking a nervous breath as the hair stylist chopped off my long ponytail.  Ack!  But it turned out okay.


:->

Comments

  1. Barbara RogersJune 16, 2023 at 5:45 PM

    I didn''t even make it to 17 years with interest in the fashions of the day. So I'm glad that you did all tthese fun things, and I especially like that ruffled swimsuit.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. La NightingailJune 17, 2023 at 9:17 AM

      I did enjoy being in style/fashion, but I had to do it myself on my grandmother's old Singer sewing machine when I was in my early teens until my Mom got a newer machine. One of the first things I bought after I went to work, however, was my own sewing machine which I could keep in my room and sew on any time I wanted. And yes, that ruffled bathing suit was, and has always been, my favorite. Only thing was, it was a cotton blend so didn't shed water like other suits so it was really more of a sun suit. I still swam in it, though - it just took longer to dry.

      Delete
  2. Mike BrubakerJune 18, 2023 at 7:45 PM

    Wow! What a wonderful fashion show to create from our Sepia Saturday prompt. You had me laughing all the way through! Of course being a guy I don't know much about fashions styles, though I did go through a phase of bell bottom pants, colorful wide ties, and paisley shirts. None of it remains in my present wardrobe except for a few ties and a wide leather belt which I still use for work jeans.

    Just a few years ago I finally donated my JCPenney blue polyester suit to Good Will which my mother bought for me in 1973 when I needed a suit for daytime concerts. It had semi-flared trousers and modestly wide lapels but gave good service over the many years. Just a few months ago I gave my old double-breasted tux with broad mafioso lapels to a musician friend who had lost all his clothing in a house fire a few days before. I hadn't worn it in 10 years and was a bit embarrassed that it had a faint green tint of mildew. But a little vinegar cleaned it up enough for our concert and more importantly the tux fit as my friend played principal cello and was seated on stage right next to the audience,

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. La NightingailJune 20, 2023 at 8:25 AM

      I think women, young women, looked better in bell-bottom pants than men (young men) did. I remember the wide ties & fancy shirts. In the '70s my husband was playing drums for a small combo that entertained on weekends for a dockside restaurant in Crescent City. I bought him a purple shirt with a wide purple & yellow paisley tie to go with it thinking it was a neat combo for a drummer. For a long time he wouldn't wear them but finally one night he did & they apparently helped garner more attention than usual from the ladies so from then on he wore them and other somewhat flashy shirts and ties he had. I remember wondering if I should have encouraged that, but after several years of marriage and 3 kids it made him feel young again which was a good thing. :)

      Delete

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