May 1940. Marie Claire. Though the term “capsule wardrobe” wasn’t coined until the 1970s, the idea stretches much further back. The general purpose of such a collection is to have a wardrobe…
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LacedNYC – A New York Party to Remember
The Bathtub Ginnys perform at LacedNYC Once upon a time, Abby and I went to New York to meet up with our favorite people – Cynthia of Redthreaded and Dandy Wellington –…
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Meet our New Theatrical Footwear Line!
American Duchess Spring/Summer 2019 Theatrical Line We are trying lots of new things this year in shoe-company-land. For years we have (rather unexpectedly) supplied historical footwear to the opera, ballet, and theater,…
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Historical Reproduction Winter Boots For You
It’s that time of year when the weather goes cold and you’re wanting a nice pair of boots to slog around in…historically, of course. Ladies of the past had a broad assortment…
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Fall Pre-Order is OPEN!
American Duchess F/W2018 Pre-Order is open Aug 30 – Sept 20 at AmericanDuchess.com Ladies! It’s time for NEW historic shoes and boots! It’s “go big or go home” this Fall and we’ve…
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Where to Find Great War Era Sweaters
Original advertisement for 1919 sweaters – image from Wearing History (click through to visit her blog post on these sweaters) I don’t know about you, but when I see September on the…
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I’m Going “Durrells” For the Summer
Or forever. Fans Addicts of British television will be familiar with the wonderful series “The Durrells” (or “The Durrells in Corfu” if you’re here in the US where for some reason we…
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Podcast Episode 15: Jazz, Dandies, and Vintage Style with Dandy Wellington
Hi All! We’re back with the first of our “second season” of Fashion History with American Duchess! Our first episode is with our talented & well dressed friend, Dandy Wellington. Lauren and…
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A Little History of “Amelie” Satin Pumps
Amelie Victorian & Edwardian Satin Pumps with Clip-on Bows by American Duchess It’s that exciting time of year when we here at American Duchess present all the new Spring/Summer shoe styles for…
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PRE-ORDER! Spring Historic Shoes!
Ladies, it’s time. It’s February 1st. We promised you a pre-order and a pre-order you shall have! We have four fresh new styles for you covering pretty much all of the 19th…
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Podcast Episode 13: Flappers, Fringe, and Fashion with Zoë Beery
Nope. Hi All! This week on Fashion History with American Duchess we speak with the amazing Zoë Beery, a writer for Racked, about her article on how flappers didn’t wear fringed dresses (at least…
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Please Vote! New Victorian/Edwardian Pumps in *Colors*
Shoes from J. Ferry, 1885-1890. The Met, 2009.300.1579a,b Ladies, for the first time *ever* we are able to offer a range of colors in one of our new styles for next Spring.…
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Podcast Episode 12: Chelsea G. Summers and the Birth of Vintage
Hey Y’all! Abby here and I am so excited to share with you all the latest episode of Fashion History with American Duchess. We’re really excited about these next couple of episodes…
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Pattern Review: Decades of Style #2502 – 1925 Zig Zag Dress
Hello Lovelies! Abby here, reporting for 1920s vintage-y fashion-y goodness! Today, I wanted to share with y’all my snazzy new 1920s dress I made for The Gatsby Summer Afternoon in Oakland earlier…
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How To Make a 1920s Miss Fisher Wardrobe
For Costume College 2016, one of the classes I taught was about making a “Miss Fisher” wardrobe, developing your style based on the popular Australian murder-mystery show set at the end of…
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The Gatsby Picnic in Pictures
Lauren, Abby, and Tina at The Gatsby Oh Gatsby Summer Picnic how I love you … let me count the ways! This year Abby and I ventured over the hill to one…
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The Vintage Makeup Review – with Lauren & Abby
Whether you’ve gone fully down the vintage style rabbit hole of everyday dress or you need a faceplan for an impending costume party, today we’re going to share with you our discoveries…
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Pattern Review: Decades of Style #2005 1920s “Baltimore” Dress
My Decades of Style “Baltimore” dress in green and ivory striped cotton. This past weekend was one of my favorite events of the year, the Oakland Gatsby. This annual end-of-Summer picnic is…
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Getting Ready for Gatsby
Hello Lovelies! Abby here — and let me tell you — I have 1920s on the brain! Now that Costume College has ended, the Royal Vintage travel schedule has died down just…
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A Very Vintage Trip to the UK
Hi! I’m Lauren – remember me? I’ve been away for awhile on a much-needed vacation to the UK. Hooray! Vacay! It was a wonderful, restful and also stimulating trip. We did many…