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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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 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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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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Pattern Review: Decades of Style No. 101 The E.S.P. Dress
Hello Lovelies! Almost exactly a year ago, I finished making my first dress from Decades of Style’s ESP 101 Pattern. It’s a part of their Decades Everyday pattern collection that is meant…
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Review: Gracy Q 1950s Style “Sophia” Dress
Gracy Q “Sophia” dress in yellow Do you have a “best dress,” a frock or outfit that is your nicest, most polished look and, most importantly, you feel epic in? My “best…
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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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Review: “Rock Around the Clock” Dress by Emmy Design Sweden
The Emmy “Rock Around the Clock” dress in plaid, paired with “Evelyn” oxfords in tan/brown by Royal Vintage Once upon a time a girl met a dress and fell in love. I…
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Who’s That Girl? Meet Tina Vines
Who is that gorgeous new face on RoyalVintageShoes.com, our Facebook, and Instagram? Meet Tina Vines, vintage fashion enthusiast and entrepreneur. Tina modeled a beautiful original vintage western outfit for our mid-Summer photo…
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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…
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Oh Snap – A 1920s Photo Shoot
Back in April we did a photo shoot for the new “Deco Darlings” designs, showcasing two of our lovely 1920s and 30s shoes – Evelyn and Lillian. Because the Deco Darlings work…
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Oh Snap – A 1930s Photoshoot
A couple weeks ago we had the opportunity to shoot with a stunning woman, Rachel, who transformed from a hip, modern gal into a statuesque Joan Crawford movie star. Love these shoes.…
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Simplicity 8248 1930s Dress – Results and Review
Simplicity 8248 – 1930s Dress – made in rayon-like cotton. Ever since Simplicity released two new 1930s patterns last Fall I have been just dying to make one up. The timing seemed…