Dina Merrill

My favorite film that she starred in was "The Courtship of Eddie's Father" in 1963. Dina's character is a fashion consultant and her fabulous wardrobe was designed by Helen Rose. This is from Dina's biography on IMDb.

"It would have been pretty difficult for willowy actress/model Dina Merrill to have pulled off playing a commoner on stage, film or TV in her day. She reeked of elegance and class. The epitome of style, poise and glamour, the New York-born socialite and celebrity was born Nedenia Marjorie Hutton on December 29, 1923, the daughter of E.F. Hutton, the financier and founder of the Wall Street firm that bore his name, and heiress Marjorie Merriweather Post, of the Post cereal fortune. Although Dina made elegant, elaborate use of her upbringing over the decades, she handled it all positively and graciously without tabloid incidents, instilling these same refined credentials into a large portion of her characters."🎬

Click on this link to read more about her:  https://m.imdb.com/name/nm0581277/bio/

#dinamerrill

#helenrose

#oldhollywood

In Celebration of the "Forget Me Not"

This is how I styled our Teri Jon powder blue, chiffon evening gown from Glasscock Boutique. I was inspired by this beautiful "Forget Me Not" bridal bouquet. I styled the outfit suitable for a mother of the bride or groom. I chose the double strand pearl necklace with the Aquamarine stones because pearl accessories are classic wedding attire. I chose the Aquamarine and diamond earrings because they are a set with the pearl necklace. I chose the white heels for their blue stone and pearl embellishments. I chose the pearl evening bag with the crystal clasp to coordinate with the necklace. I like these classic accessories because they would be easy to wear with other special event clothing. Imagine them with a simple white dress in the warm months and a black dress in the cool months.💎

This second collage is how the majority of my Lovely Readers styled the evening gown.

Thank you again for playing this Style Challenge. The next time you need an outfit for a special event or the Kentucky Oaks or Derby please check out the selection at Glasscock Boutique and Glasscock Too. They will give you the personal service so lacking in most clothing stores today.

https://shopglasscockboutique.com/collections/teri-jon-1

#kentuckyfashionbypamelaowen 

#stylechallenge 

#terijon 

#glasscockboutique 

#motherofthebride 

#motherofthegroom 

#summerwedding2023

#aquamarinejewelry 

#forgetmenotbouquet

Susan Street Blog Photos

These collages show outfits styled by fashion blogger Susan Street. Her first blog, "Fifty Not Frumpy," was a huge hit. She has helped many women over the years update their personal styles to look more put together and chic. Susan's outfits are usually what she already owns. She has a knack for styling her clothes using the same pieces over and over. These collages show 18 of her outfits. I wanted to point out in each of the first seven collages how her outfits look very stylish (pictures on the right ) or not as stylish or slimming on the left. Of course her styling had a lot to do with her plans for her day or evening. The last collage shows her in white pants/jeans with four different black tops. For women who aren't comfortable dressing up, a black hip length top or tunic over white bottoms is perfect for evenings and special events. If you would like to visit Susan's website click on this link:

https://susanafter60.com/biography/

#kentuckyfashionbypamelaowen 

#fashionblogger 

#susanstreet

#over50fashion

#over60fashion 

#maturefashion

Hermès Handbags

A little Hermès (pronounced air-MEZ) handbag history.

The first two pictures are of Jane Birkin. In the most current one she's seen carrying her famous "Hermès Birkin Bag." She was often seen carrying a basket instead of a handbag even to semi-formal events. She would often wrap a scarf around the handle. I think the Hermès handbag was a great improvement and more secure. The third picture is of the "Birkin" named in her honor. They're very expensive and I don't know anyone who owns one. I found this account of how the bag was named for her.

"After an in-flight conversation with the chief executive of Hermès, Birkin became synonymous with one of fashion's biggest luxuries: the Birkin bag. The purse was designed specifically for the actress and encompasses her sophisticated simplicity."

The other famous Hermès handbag is the "Kelly Bag" named in honor of Grace Kelly. You can see by the two pictures of her how perfectly proportioned it was to her frame. I found this account of how the Kelly bag got its name. 

"Alfred Hitchcock has been credited with bringing the handbag into the limelight. In 1954, Hitchcock allowed the costume designer Edith Head to purchase Hermès accessories for the film "To Catch a Thief," starring Grace Kelly. According to Head, Kelly "fell in love" with the bag. In 1956 she became Princess of Monoco was photographed using the handbag to shield her growing belly from the paparazzi during her first pregnancy. That photograph was featured in Life magazine. Princess Grace was a fashion icon, and the handbag immediately achieved great popularity. Although the handbag instantly became known as the Kelly bag, it was not officially renamed until 1977." 

The other pictures show information about Hermès handbags that I thought you might find interesting as well as a list of designer handbags that have increased in value over the years. If you ever find handbags designed like these you should buy them. I'm not suggesting that you buy knock-offs, or fake designer handbags because that's illegal but bags made in similar designs might work well for you. 

#hermès 

#hermèsbirkin 

#hermèsbag 

#hermeskelly

#janebirkin 

#gracekelly 

#designerhandbags

Mr. Mainbocher on Memorial Day 2023

On this Memorial Day I would like to honor Mr. Mainbocher. He's famous for designing the uniforms for the Navy WAVES and the Coast Guard SPARS during World War II. Mr. Mainbocher is credited with the invention of timeless designs still worn today, such as the short evening gown, the strapless dress, and the sheath. 

"Though the moniker “Mainbocher” is more famously associated with the fashion capitals of Paris and New York, he was originally born Main Rousseau Bocher on October 24, 1890 on the west side of Chicago, Illinois. It was during the early years of World War II that his keen eye for functional, feminine designs caught the attention of a surprising client: the United States Navy. One of his faithful customers and former colleague at Vogue was Josephine Forrestal, wife of the then Undersecretary of the Navy, James Forrestal. In 1942, she was tasked as the “civilian advisor of uniforms” for the newly established Navy WAVES, and approached Mainbocher about designing the official uniform for the Navy’s women unit, which would also double as the uniform for the Coast Guard women’s unit, the SPARS. Securing a stylish uniform design for the WAVES and SPARS was critical, as it was not meant to be merely ornamental; the uniform was to be a vital tool in legitimizing the idea of women in the military. Many Americans were anxious that service in the military would upend traditional gender norms and diminish the femininity of the servicewoman, including prospective WAVES who had reservations about serving in a male’s uniform. The uniform had to be standardized to befit a military unit, but also highly practical and able to be worn well by women working both desk duties and manual labor jobs. The Navy was also interested in recruiting women who were educated and poised, and needed a flattering uniform that would attract such candidates. And overall, the uniform was needed to create a sense of pride and patriotism in the women who wore them, avoiding the negative feelings the Navy women reservists of World War I, more popularly known as the Yeomanettes, felt about theirs."

You can read the entire article here:

https://text-message.blogs.archives.gov/2022/07/26/mainbocher-designer-of-the-best-dressed-women-in-the-world/

#memorialday2023

Kentucky Oaks 2023 Style Challenge

This is how I styled our Suzannah London pink floral, Tea length dress. I chose the pink hat with the white flowers and green leaves by Dee's Derby Hats because I liked the color combination. I chose the green leaf Casa Castro earrings to mimic the green leaves in the hat and dress. I chose the light pink, J. Renee, "Devika," low heels because they're close to the background color of the dress. I chose the light pink, Dolce & Gabbana handbag for its color as well. The Kentucky Oaks is a race for 3 year old Fillies (female horses.) It's held the day before the Kentucky Derby that is held on the first Saturday in May. The Oaks is on the Friday before. The winning horse in the Oaks race receives a garland of pink Lilies. Many women AND men wear pink to the Oaks to show their support for women's health issues like breast cancer.🌸

Thank you for playing this Kentucky Oaks Style Challenge.🏇

#stylechallenge 

#kentuckyfashionbypamelaowen 

#kentuckyoaks2023 

#churchilldowns 

#suzannahlondon 

#deesderbyhats

#casacastro

#jreneeshoes

#DolceGabbana

Kentucky Oaks Style Challenge

Here are the results of my Kentucky Oaks Style Challenge. My Lovely Readers have styled our Suzannah London, pink floral Tea length dress beautifully! The hot pink hat from our local Louisville Dee's Derby Hats is very exciting when seen with the dress and accessories. The earrings are made of genuine faceted Peridot and pink quartz in 24 k gold vermeil by Judy Bliss Jewelry. The low heel, pink patent leather shoes and handbag are both available from FARFETCH but are different brands. Since they wouldn't be worn right next to each other I think they would still look nice together. The heels are by Age of Innocence called "Jacqueline" and the handbag is a "Mini Moonbag" by Eera. The matching accessories give the outfit a #Vintage look.🌸

Thank you so much for playing this Style Challenge. I have included the individual pictures of the dress, hat and accessories so you can see the beautiful details. I hope you had fun and I hope your Kentucky Oaks horse wins on Friday!🏇

#stylechallengereveal

#kentuckyfashionbypamelaowen 

#kentuckyoaks2023

#churchilldowns 

#deesderbyhats

#suzannahlondon

#judyblissjewelry

#farfetch

Happy May!

Fashion Models Over 60

All of these beautiful women are fashion models who are over 60. Don't let your age keep you from doing the things you've always wanted to do.😉

#womenover60

#womenover60style

Portieres or Door Curtains

Hanging drapes in doorways can make cool rooms warmer in cold weather as well as looking very elegant. If you use a search engine you probably need to enter "doorway curtains." These pictures from Pinterest show the many beautiful ways they can be used.

"Portieres – otherwise known as an archway drape or curtain, were first used in castles. With the high ceilings and large rooms of Victorian homes, they made their comeback. They then became so popular they were used in all architectural styles from mansions to apartments through the 1940’s. Portieres were great for closing off unheated rooms, keeping out drafts, and keeping heat from a fireplace or stove confined to a room for extra warmth and out of the halls where it was less needed."

#portieres