With Valentine’s Day weeks away, the arrival of our Hearts Afire collection couldn’t be more timely. The inspiration behind these two vintage reproduction styles was centered around heart motifs and love (more on that in this blog post on designing Gretel and Ginger). Our Ginger Pumps and Gretel Shoes are sweet, sensual, evocative, and the perfect touch to any vintage Valentine’s ensemble. In anticipation of Valentine’s Day, we’re rounding up some vintage outfit inspiration to help you put together a Valentine’s Day look sure to set hearts aflutter!
Let’s start with something iconic- the “Jezebel” sweater, designed by Susan Dannenberg and featured in Life magazine in 1947. Dannenberg was known for creating hand-knit sweaters bedecked with novelty motifs, like the heart-and-dagger sweater in the photos above (arguably her most famous design). A “Suse” sweater, as they are known, is a boon find for vintage collectors.
We adore this sort of novelty iconography in fashion. You could even re-create this sort of design yourself, using a short-sleeved sweater and felt appliqués. Paired with a voluminous skirt, a pencil skirt, or even trousers or slacks, a sweater like this would look just adorable with either Ginger or Gretel!
Gretel was partially inspired by folk art with hearts, particularly when incorporated into repeating patterns in a Tyrolean style, or in border motifs and prints. In the second half of the 1940s, “dirndl skirts” were a popular option in womenswear for spring and summer. More voluminous than the structured skirts of the early 1940s, these folksy skirts were playful and nostalgic, often featuring novelty motifs. Imagine either of these skirts with a pair of Gretels! Whether or not the print has hearts incorporated into it, the silhouette would be perfect for a fun and romantic Valentine’s Day look.
This 1940s sewing pattern illustration features heart-bedecked fabric AND heart pockets. A heart-shaped pocket on a vintage skirt or dress would be the perfect way to tie in your outfit with the hearts on your Gingers or Gretels. You could even add some heart pockets onto an existing garment in your closet…
Aside from hearts, Valentine’s appropriate colors are a fabulous way to put together an outfit. This Harry Frechtel suit in red gabardine paired with Ginger in crimson suede would be an absolute knock-out.
Avondale cottons ad from the late 1950s or early 1960s, for home sewers.
If you have red or pink pieces in your wardrobe already, you can pair them together to create a specific silhouette, then add Ginger or Gretel for a cohesive look. Adding a themed brooch or jewelry would be a perfect finishing touch.
If we lived in a fantasy world, we might pick this stunning Ann Lowe creation from the early 1950s, compete with red velvet bows on ivory tulle to pair with crimson suede Gingers…
Or, perhaps this famous Balenciaga evening gown with tiers of pink taffeta to go with our pink or black Gingers…
…or even this gold silk confection from the Connecticut Museum of Culture and History to pair with our gold Gingers!
Our Hearts Afire collection is in stock and ready to ship now, just in time for you to snag a pair for Valentine’s Day. If you put together a Valentine’s Day outfit with your Gingers or Gretels, please do share it with us on Instagram!
