Marilyn’s “Let’s Make Love” Aran Jumper

Posted on by The Girl
Reproduction of Let’s Make Love jumper

It’s still sweater weather and what’s wrong with that! When thinking about about my autumn-winter wardrobe, starting to pull on wooly socks and chunky knits is something I look forward to every year as the nights draw in and there is that fresh morning chill in the air. As we now enjoy signs of Spring, we have a way to go before there’s any chance of hot weather!

There’s a new addition this year. I finally found a pattern very similar to the blue Aran knit sweater worn by Marilyn Monroe as Amanda in the 1960’s film Let’s Make Love. Although not one of my favourite films, I do watch it for the songs and the clothes!

A definite highlight is Marilyn singing My Heart Belongs to Daddy in the blue Aran Jumper and black tights. I think it’s a good nod to casual Sixties dressing although obviously she is dressed for a rehearsal, not going out! The jumper looks lilac-pink during the number as the lights are pink.

Marilyn under the stage lights in the diamond version

Look carefully and you will notice two variations of the jumper are used in the scene. One with blackberry stitch and diamonds, the other with honeycomb stitch, V cables and a wider boat neck. Do you have a preference?

Marilyn wearing the V cable version and widened boat neck

For some interesting history about the origin and story behind the two versions of Marilyn’s jumper in Let’s Make Love, read Edel Macbride’s post and check out her beautiful knits while you’re there.

It would look great belted, with a pencil skirt or with slim black trousers or a pair of jeans. An Aran Jumper is a classic and can be styled into many eras. I particularly think of Goldie Hawn looking gorgeous in The House-sitter wearing an array of boyfriend jumpers with classic fit jeans or leggings.

I love the idea of a coloured Aran knit as I have generally seen them in neutral colours, and although this blue one is from the Sixties, it somehow feels modern and new. Maybe that’s just me.

Vintage Aran pattern available on Etsy from VintageKnitsPDF

Having knitted the vintage pattern from VintageKnitsPDF on Etsy, I now know the alterations I will make for the next one I knit. For example, extending the ribbed edge, shortening the ribbed boat neck and widening the central panel of pattern. However, the pattern is ever so close and it is a beautiful vintage knit.

Authentic vintage pattern – Aranbeg Maggie Aran jumper
With alterations to reproduce Marilyn’s Let’s Make Love diamond Aran jumper

Would anyone be interested if I knitted more, with the vintage pattern or with the alterations? I am also interested to know if the colour of the sweater with the pink lights on it is another colour you’d be interested in?

Commission’s taken. Check @thegirllovesvintage_shop on Instagram for items for sale.

Marnie’s Yellow Handbag

Posted on by The Girl

While there are already some informative posts about Alfred Hitchcock’s use of handbags in films, and Marnie’s Yellow Handbag from the opening sequence of the film Marnie, I am just looking at the sartorial beauty of the thing. For further reading, check out this one here.

Since seeing the film a number of years ago I have been searching in vain for anything remotely similar. When I say ‘remotely’, I actually have quite a few specifications. Like, the Actual Bag. Not too much to ask? Apparently.

Here’s a breakdown of the main features;

• Leather for durability, or a vegan (plant based) option that stands the test of time. Please throw me suggestions as I don’t have any experience with vegan leather yet.

• The easy nestling underarm size – big enough for all the essentials.

• The clasp closure with the ruching into the frame.

• The colour: bright yet muted yellow. Butter, maybe. Custard?

• No icky black sealing along the seams which is so often seen nowadays! Why?! It’s obviously cheaper than actually sewing it in, but use a matching colour, please! Anyone else irritated by this?

I used to have a purple mock croc handbag by Fiorelli in the right size and shape, with an amazing oversized clasp which a always got compliments, mainly from men! So when it flaked beyond it being respectable to go out in public I took it apart and kept the interior and frame clasp. This was in the optimistic hope being able to sew my own using some leather remnant I might find in The Yellow. However, with Lockdown #1-3 my chances of visiting Pittards factory outlet have so far been thwarted.

Ploughing through the internet for the easier option of buying, you’d think I would find something. Not likely! Nobody makes what I want to spend my money on.

Then, out of the blue a fashion ad popped up on my IG feed with Hitchcockian overtones, and I saw a glimpse of a Yellow Bag. Watch it here.

Finally, someone with the means to design and make the bag has been inspired by Marnie’s Yellow Handbag.

Salvatore Ferragamo SS21

Further searching following that excitement, I found another brand with the right style handbags for SS21. Neither is exactly right. If only Salvatore Ferragamo had the ruching, or the Pastaccino by Max Mara was available in yellow.

Pasticcino bag by Weekend Max Mara

Now, while they are out of my budget bracket, it fills me with renewed hope to keep watching the high street for cheaper options, if I don’t attempt making my own. Usually 2 or 3 years down the line. Patience is a virtue.

Any good YouTube tutorials out there?

Do you have an iconic bag you treasure or on your wishlist? Maybe a Kelly by Hermes? Or Grace Kelly’s little overnight case in Rear Window?

Starsky Cardigan

Posted on by The Girl

One for the boys (or not)

After a lot of interest in the Marilyn cardigan from the Santa Monica photo shoot by men and women, @butterflychildart, my partner in crime decided to work out the pattern for the famous cardigan worn by Paul Michael Glaser. He played Starsky in the 1970’s TV series Starsky and Hutch.

Starsky cardigan
Starsky and Hutch

Doing a research we discovered that there were two versions of the cardigan that starsky wears. There is only a slight difference in the bottom panel of pattern around the body. More than one was probably used in filming so they didn’t wear out is quickly! In some photos you can see snagged yarn where it got must have got caught rolling over car bonnets or fighting bad guys.

Monochrome version of Starsky’s cardigan
Starsky’s well worn cardigan

This cardigan is another example of a Cowichan style knit, Marilyn Monroe’s. The colours are typical of the 70s as well as the Cowichan style, mainly cream and different shades of brown. Perfect in the 70’s worn with denim!

As with the search for a pattern for Marilyn cardigan we found there were similar patterns out there, but none really matched the photos of the original. We purchased a pattern that was very close and then we had a guide to work from. This makes it so much easier to then make alterations as the sizes are already worked out. For instance, pockets were added. Also, the original belt looked like a single thickness of garter stitch, but we opted for double-sided knitting to strengthen the belt. It’s also nice a stretchy.

Even when it’s knitted, we could see more alterations were needed, mainly in the sizing so we needed to change the number of stitches to compensate for using the honeycomb brioche stitch instead of plain knit stocking stitch.

Starsky pattern
Starsky collar

I’d be interested to know if others looking at the photos of both Marilyn and Starsky in their cardigans, think the stitch looks chunkier and more textured than stocking stitch?

The finished Starsky version

As with the Marilyn cardigan, please feel free to get in touch using the contact page if you’re interested in having your own version – this one or the other, and in stocking stitch or honeycomb brioche.

I’ll leave you with another famous face sporting a Mexican knitted cardigan. Another pattern to draw up, maybe?

Steve McQueen looking cool in a cardi

Taking a break

Posted on by The Girl

I will be going back to the basic WordPress plan from July 2019, while we save for our new home. I still have plenty to post, but I just don’t have the time to post as often as would justify the cost. I’m keeping my website address, so please keep a look out for me posting again.

You can email me at thegirllovesvintage@gmail.com if I need to add you to my subscribers list manually again, or if you have any commission queries.

Please keep in touch, I am still taking commissions and selling handmade vintage reproduction pieces. Find me on Instagram @thegirllovesvintage and feel free to DM for commissions this way too.

Winter wedding dress

Posted on by The Girl

Fabric for wedding dress
Ivory wool fabric and pale green pin dot lyocel for winter wedding dress

Planning for a winter wedding, I wanted a dress I wouldn’t be cold in. I also had so many ideas I loved – From medieval and woodland fairy to a fifties style in red lace – and only one wedding!

I decided on a fabric, the most expensive I have ever bought (on a budget). I did get several samples sent so I could check the thickness and stretch, how it felt and folded.

I chose a natural white/cream coloured wool fabric and a pale green lyocel lining.

My inspiration for the dress shape was from the film Gigi, set in turn of the century Paris. I used a vintage Seventies maxi dress I have as the template for the skirt as I always get compliments and it fits so well.

Gigi Leslie Caron evening dress wedding feathers birds train wrapover edwardian parisienne

White or ivory silk or satin dress with bodice and train, decorated with black birds

The bodice needed to be planned and drawn out, so I learnt about folds and how to cut a pattern with folds on YouTube! There was lots of pinning and fitting to get the folds to sit right before using the pattern to cut the wool.

Toile ready to use as pattern pieces
Lining toile
Pinning folds and marking on toile
Marking folds on back toile
Cutting toile so folds lay flat
Wrapover front folds of bodice

I chose to join the two halves instead of creating a corset or bodice separately. Making it into a dress meant I could have lots of buttons!

Amazingly, in my search for feathers for the shoulder decoration I chanced upon hair clips reduced in Claire’s Accessories. I dismantled the clips from the feathers so I could tack them on. I chose this method so I can easily remove and re-attach them if it needs cleaning.

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As the dress did not have sleeves and I didn’t want to spoil it with a cardigan or coat, I decided to make a matching jacket, using a Victorian/ steampunk pattern as a template. This idea came from a page I had kept from a Vogue magazine. I also wanted to add some wool frills.

From my Vogue scrapbook – Edwardian lady theme
Rowan Kidsilk Haze knitted lace
Rowan Kidsilk Haze knitted and beaded lace

My mum and I knitted yards of lace in Rowan Kidsilk to decorate the edge of the skirt and the front of the jacket.

I am so happy with the outcome of incorporating two of my dream outfits for my wedding dress, using styles that suited my shape.

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I hope I get to wear it again for a party sometime!

For more inspiration look at my post on vintage wedding dresses.

Wedding photo credit: www.jamesmarcelle.co.uk

Rome and Tuscany outfits review

Posted on by The Girl

Rome Italy sightseeing fontana Di Trevi

Sorry for the long delay to write this review. I had a wedding to plan, my wedding dress to make and moving house! (Which also means I’ll be writing a post on my dress.)

While the weather is still cold it’s rather nice to think about holidays abroad in the sun. Maybe you’re about to go on a winter break somewhere sunny or need packing inspiration for your summer holiday. Here I review my holiday outfits from my 2018 summer holiday in Rome and Tuscany.

The weather was hot and we even had a couple of stormy days, which while in Rome wasn’t the best experience because of the mosquitos coming out to play and not so glamorously getting drenched in a downpour while at the Trevi fountain. Long sleeves and long baggy trousers would be ideal to protect yourself against the blighters.

As usual, getting full length photos of good quality was non-existent, as the group of us was fairly big, and by the time we’re all in a photo, we look quite far away!

Colleseum, cat eye sunglasses
Arch of Titus, blouse collar and vintage scarf detail
The Colleseum, Rome, Italy

I wore the striped cotton blouse I made based on a photo of Marilyn Monroe ( in a striped shirt dress) with a reproduction of a favourite linen skirt I owned that fell apart. I co-ordinated a true vintage square scarf. This outfit was my Roman Holiday homage. It was light and cool except for the belt because of the extreme heat in the colleseum.

A vintage outfit with comfortable footwear is always a good idea if you are going to do a fair amount of walking. I added gel soles to my flat sandals which made them really comfortable.

Leaning tower of Pisa cream Palazzo pants thirties repro striped blouse
Taking inspiration from Phryne Fisher

On our trip to Pisa I wore cream high waisted Palazzo pants from La Reroute, which I altered to fit. These were cool and easy, with no apparent creasing, unlike the linen. The blouse, made from the same remnant of fabric as the other blouse, was made using an original Thirties pattern. It wraps t the back and ties at the front. The shaping works well with What Katie Did bras. In this case, it’s the CC09 1940’s bra. I wore comfortable wedge sandals to keep my cream trousers off the floor!

I packed a cotton shirt dress which I could button over swimwear or shorts and was a flattering shape without a belt, although I did wear one to smarten it up.

Apart from a couple of days sightseeing, I spent time by the pool in swimwear and high waisted shorts. I didn’t stay vintage all the time, but there’s a good selection of vintage style and retro swimwear around. It all repeats eventually! For example, forluna.co.uk do a good selection, some similar to styles worn by Marilyn Monroe.

There’s no reason why vintage can’t be comfortable if you keep your destination needs in mind, like weather, walking and activities you have planned.

Rome and Tuscany

Posted on by The Girl

I am busy planning for a summer holiday to Rome and Tuscany. While I lately go more towards the Fifties, I felt like going for a Thirties theme for my sightseeing and going out clothes. While most of it is from memory from hours of ‘research’ throughout my life (I think I should probably have a degree by now in my specialised field), I refreshed my memory on a few of the summer holiday episodes of Poirot.

Here are a few of the best.

Poirot- Thirties holiday outfit
Poirot – Peril at End House
Poirot – Thirties blouse
Poirot – Peril at End House

While I still haven’t made any beach pyjamas, I do have some wide leg Palazzo pants. I can wear a number of different blouses, including a wrap blouse from an original Thirties pattern I have.

Thirties beach pyjamas
Thirties holiday snap
Thirties holiday snap
Thirties casual

A couple of exceptions are a Roman Holiday ensemble and my Marilyn inspired Niagara dress, in case we go out in the evening.

Audrey Hepburn in Roman Holiday
Audrey Hepburn in Roman Holiday

Marilyn Monroe Niagara dress
Marilyn Monroe Niagara dress

I’ll post my holiday outfits and see how well they worked in practice.

Miss Phryne Fisher pyjamas

Posted on by The Girl

There are so many outfits that the honourable Miss Fisher wears in Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries that I love, I want her whole wardrobe! I wish people dressed that elegantly nowadays. Even at home.

If you read about my love of lounge wear , you’ll know I liked a certain set of Phryne’s pyjamas. I have now made them!

Lounge wear – Backless vintage style pyjamas in the style of Miss Phryne Fisher
Backless pyjamas

I’m really pleased with the scalloped collar at the back and, although the tassle is heavier, I found pyjama tassles online for the back detail. The lace is appliquéd on by hand which took a long time, but I had fun looking for ready-made lace inserts, which meant the most intricate work was done for me. What can I appliqué next?!

Lounge wear – Backless vintage style pyjamas in the style of Miss Phryne Fisher
Lounge wear – Backless vintage style pyjamas in the style of Miss Phryne Fisher – back detail

These pyjamas are really comfy and look so glamorous I may only use them as lounge wear. The cord is soft and doesn’t seem to be uncomfortable to lean on. However, it is detachable.

I think I could change the collar to more of a V-neck, and embellish the front of the collar. Also, if I found some appliqué the right size, the hems of the trousers could be decorated too.

Miss Phryne Fisher’s pink backless pyjamas – front
Lounge wear – Backless vintage style pyjamas in the style of Miss Phryne Fisher – front

Are these pyjamas you would wear? Would you like to see them in my Etsy shop?

What other outfits would you like to see recreated?

How to wear vintage hats – Part 3

Posted on by The Girl

Sorry for the delay in posting, I’ve been busy sewing! Let’s look at some hat styles from the Fifties and Sixties.

Marilyn Monroe hat test in ‘Love Nest’
Marilyn Monroe and Jane Russell in ‘Gentlemen Prefer Blondes’ – beret and pink hat

In the Fifties, smaller more subtle hats that fitted close to the head were available, but you could still find fun and fancy hats too. The beret is a perennial favourite for most decades.

Fifties velvet rose hat – side
Fifties velvet rose hat – side
Fifties velvet rose hat – back

The hat above is one of my purchases from the 2017 Goodwood Revival. It needed a bit of cleaning, using baby wipes,  but it came out well.

Modern red tilt hat dressed with flowers
Modern red tilt hat dressed with flowers
Cream lace tilt hat with flowers and black net
Cream lace tilt hat with flowers and black net
Cream lace tilt hat with flowers and black net

Lilac jumper and embroidered skirt by Butterfly Child Art

Strawberry dress from original Fifties pattern by The Girl Loves Vintage

If you get a chance to see Grace Kelly’s hat collection, you may be surprised at some of them as they go into the Sixties. Audrey Hepburn and Doris Day also sported some amazing hats. You just have to be daring enough to wear them.

Pink Audrey Hepburn wearing a Sixties turban style hat with white flower
Audrey Hepburn wearing a cream sailor/ pie crust hat
Audrey Hepburn wearing a Sixties giant navy flower fascinator
Audrey Hepburn wearing a Sixties black pill box hat with white feather pom pom
Audrey Hepburn wearing a black sun hat with cream scarf

The hats in the Sixties are best worn high or far back to create that beehive look.

Pink pill box hat with net – front
Pink pill box hat with net – back
Pink pill box hat with net – front
Pink pill box hat with net – side

If you’ve got longer hair, this works well with Sixties styles, as you can style it straight, with flicks or create volume and pin it into a bob, Doris Day style.

Pink and navy Sixties hat – back
Pink and navy Sixties hat – side
Pink and navy Sixties hat – front
Pink and navy Sixties hat – front

My brother calls this the brain hat because of the shape, and I have to admit it does remind me of Mars Attacks! So don’t mess with me when I wear it!

Straw bucket hat – front
Straw bucket hat – side
Straw bucket hat – front

This bucket hat is a modern buy, but reminded me of Doris Day! I sometimes style it for the Twenties too.

Wide brim sun hat
Casual floppy hat
Sixties turban
Fur hat

Furry Dr Zhivago hats are popular again at the moment, but they were fashionable through many decades. Marilyn Monroe wore one in the early Sixties.

Faux fur Russian style hat
Faux fur Russian style hat
Faux fur Russian style hat

Black wide brimmed hat
Black wide brimmed hat and gingham dress
Little flower covered smartie hat

What other styles would you like to see? Or what styles do you find difficult to style?

Mending a feather hat

Posted on by The Girl

Jpeg

Vintage dressing often includes hats, and there are lots of examples in old films. Before I post Part 3 of How to Wear Vintage Hats, I thought I would share how I mended one of them. Often bargains are damaged, so learning how to mend vintage is a valuable skill.

This lovely Biba hat was missing a few feathers when I was entrusted with it. I managed to find a multi-pack of natural coloured feathers in a craft shop. Finding the right notions to fix things is the most difficult part!

After picking out the best colour and size, I trimmed the fluffy bits off the feathers.

I experimented with a black Sharpie pen to draw on spots to match the original. I glued the ends to slide under the feathers already fixed onto the hat.

Jpeg

I think I managed pretty well matching the feathers. Can you spot the replacement feathers?