Pinup Girls and Poodle Skirts

Posted on September 28, 2016 by Fan

Yasmina Greco Pinup Poodle Skirt

Pinup girls and Poodles are quintessential of the 1950s so I wanted to do a post for you all about the origins of the Poodle skirt and showcase one of my all time favorite Poodle skirts made by a brand you might not be familiar with – Dangerfield Clothing.

Yasmina Greco Pinup Poodle Skirt

Rockabilly gals, Pinup dolls, and retro/vintage fashion enthusiasts can thank Juli Lynne Charlot for the Poodle skirt. Per Wikipedia – Juli Lynne was a young woman who wanted to be in fashion but she had no money for the new styles. In 1947, at the age of 25, Charlot was invited to a holiday party in Los Angeles and wanted to create a dress especially for the event. Not having money at the time Charlot decided to make her own skirt for the Christmas party. Charlot stated in an United Press International article of February 25, 1953 that, “If I had known how to sew, or had the money to purchase better materials, I would have never made the circle skirt.”

Yasmina Greco – Pinup Poodle Skirt and Purse

Today, when we think of 1950s clothing, the image that most often pops into our mind is the poodle skirt. Most vintage collectors know Charlot as the designer of some of the very best and most clever circle skirts to come out of the 1950s. It was quite fashionable at the time for women to be accompanied by dogs on leashes so Charlot decided to make a dog-themed skirt. And thus the iconic poodle skirt was born. Charlot’s creations were more than clothing – they told a story – and became conversation starters. Read more about Charlot and her company on Wikipedia–

In these pictures taken by my hubby Gary I am wearing my favorite Poodle skirt by Australian brand Dangerfield Clothing

Yasmina Greco with Luna Pinup Poodle Skirt

The skirt is incredibly well constructed with a built-in petticoat hem and the white Poodles are adorable with red flowers and bows and they really pop against the fabric making them standout beautifully. This is such a great novelty print skirt!! I am wearing my Heart of Haute Lily top in red and added my vintage Poodle purse and red heels. This outfit is perfect for the Autumn and winter and not too heavy as all the fabrics breathe. Even my my fluff ball Bichon Frise puppy dog Luna decided to join in for some pictures!!

Review: Bernie Dexter Chelsea Red Dog Bombshell Dress

Posted on July 25, 2016 by Fan

Yasmina Greco – Bernie Dexter Chelsea Red Dog Pinup Dress

In a recent post I wrote about my visit to the Bernie Dexter pinup rockabilly store while on a trip to Oregon and shared how I’ve never had good luck fitting into Bernie Dexter styles. My very first photo-shoot was in a Paris style and it was tricky getting my breasts into it so, I didn’t think Bernie Dexter dresses were made for serious curves and large breasts. I was always a bit saddened because the prints are stunning and so many gals gush over their Bernie Dexter dresses but, they didn’t work on my body…until today when the awesome and helpful lady working at the Bernie Dexter store handed me a rare gem to try on in a magical style called Chelsea!!!

Yasmina Greco – Bernie Dexter Chelsea Red Dog Pinup Dress

I had come into the shop wearing a vintage style dress with poodles on it so the print of this Chelsea was perfect; it was the Red Dog dress with many dog breeds as the print. The lady at the shop told me the dress came from their London location recently. I slipped the Chelsea on and my-oh-my was I pleasantly surprised. The fit was the very first thing I noticed…. especially the part that my well-endowed bosom fit into the dress. Next, I noticed that this dress reminded me almost immediately of the Jenny dress from Pinup Girl Clothing of which I own several. The Chelsea dress is made of a very light weight cotton fabric and I found the very lightness of it to be fun and flirty and with the addition of a petticoat perfect, the dress does not loose shape or structure. The fabric lightness is ideal for summer. Next I noticed the dress has an attached tie-belt, which is fabulous for nipping in the waist. I am wearing the Chelsea in a size 2XL and although quite roomy in the waist, the belt takes care of it. The dress was incredibly comfortable and I did not feel like my breasts were squished at all. I could easily spend an entire day in this dress. I felt like a bombshell!! My only wish would be the addition of adjustable straps and then you could decide how much or how little breast would show.

Yasmina Greco – Bernie Dexter Chelsea Red Dog Pinup Dress

Bichon Frise Brooch

Here are some pics of me with my puppy dog Luna, how fitting right, since the dress pattern is all about dogs, yay!! I styled the dress simply with only a petticoat, cropped black cardigan, red shoes and my sparkly rhinestone Bichon Frise puppy dog brooch because my Luna is a Bichon Frise. For a day to evening look I would add a lovely vintage purse with Poodles on the front. Adding a lovely vintage mustard yellow cardigan and pair of shoes would look fabulous as well. I look forward to adding many more figure flattering Bernie Dexter Chelsea’s to my wardrobe and I am confident I will be Pinup perfect!!

Bernie Dexter Red Dog Pinup Dress

Pinup Rockabilly Style at the 2016 Petaluma Antique Faire

Posted on April 30, 2016 by Fan

This year it sure felt like the Petaluma Spring Antique Faire came earlier as I remember it happening in May but, no, it came as scheduled at the end of April. It was a breezy, cool, sunny day so it was really perfect weather for such an event.

I decided to wear my pinup girl rockabilly red polka dot circle skirt by Hemet and sold at Inked Boutique. I am wearing the XL but this skirt has part elastic in the waistband and is stretchy so if you want a firmer fit then I’d suggest sizing down. I wanted the skirt to be the main focal point so I added a simple white tank and red cardigan. I had my hair simple and tied with a sweet white sheer bow. I did have my winged eyes and red lip and for antiquing I like a purse that can worn cross-body so I got to wear my pretty Poppy flower Coach bag that my husband gave me as a gift a while back. I was ready!! I will say that folks were so sweet to me and kept telling me how great I looked. The bright colors of this outfit are sure eye-catching!! Folks appreciate the Pinup look.

We got to the fair mid-morning. It was in full swing. The day was gorgeous. We walked the show, went from booth to booth, vendor to vendor. The fair has something for everyone and takes up several blocks in downtown Petaluma. Some of our favorite were not at the show this year, and we wondered why…. we always look forward to visiting the booths of our favorite vendors but, not this year. There seemed to be a whole lot more shoppers than in years past so that is great for the show. A lot of dogs too, the show does bring out folks and their dogs so you constantly have to dodge baby carriages and dogs. Since the weather was so perfect I’m guessing that is why so many more shoppers came out. Dealers seemed to have an abundance of vintage garden ornamentals for sale this year, it felt like everywhere you looked there were iron fences and metal sculptures mixed with crates and plaster yard ornaments.

We did end up with a neat vintage 50s metal fan with turquoise base, and it works!! I also got a lovely vintage flamingo planter for my ever-growing collection of vintage flamingos. We had a nice lunch of fish and chips at a super cute little place a block or so by the show. My hubby was so sweet and snapped pics of me throughout the faire. Next show is the Fall show in September so we will be back. Right now I have a lot of projects I am juggling with modeling gigs, magazine shoots and of course work but I really want to try and get up to Portland for the big July antique show and spend a couple days visiting my twin sister and her family. Spring has been busy and I will post up soon all the magazine I have had the opportunity to appear in as I have been getting a lot of questions from you all. Hope you all are doing great!!

Beverly Hydranges by Heart of Haute

Posted on April 23, 2016 by Fan

Hydrangeas are my all time favorite flower. When I first saw this Heart of Haute Hydrangea print dress in the Beverly pattern, I ordered it as quickly as I could because I knew it would fit my curves exquisitely and the quality would be outstanding. I was not disappointed!!

For these pics I posed next our blooming Rhododendrons because our Hydrangeas haven’t bloomed yet.

The colors on this Hydrangea print are so vivid and bright; they really pop!! The Hydrangea heads are like magnificent floral globes. The Beverly dress features an empire waist with fitted seams, a full swing skirt, round collar with adorable bow tie. This dress is not only work appropriate but is so feminine and flirty that it can also be worn shopping and going out to dinner. In these pics of me, I wore it out to dinner that evening with my hubby and had so many people admiring me and complimenting me on how pretty I looked!! I added a cardigan and the dress has so many great colors that matching it with a cardigan and petticoat will not be a problem for you. In these pics I am not wearing a petticoat and the swing skirt is still very full. For reference, I am wearing the dress in size 1X to fit my breasts and have lots of room in the waist but, the the dress ties in back so it takes up the extra room in the waist.

Heart of Haute is a quality brand owned and operated by mother-daughter team of Teresa and Mandie Becker in California. All clothing is made in the USA and is vintage inspired. You can find dresses, skirts, tops, sweaters and accessories at this fabulous shop. Customer service is dynamite and your orders are shipped quickly and packaged with great care. Heart of Haute regularly has new items that will surely have you lusting for their latest designs and you can be confident knowing you’ll look like a gorgeous bombshell every time!!

Nifty 50s Retro Diner Novelty Print Skirt – Perfectly Pinup by Banned Apparel

Posted on April 20, 2016 by Fan

Let’s start this post with the obvious ‘This skirt has a fabulous 50’s retro diner print’ and bright colors making it a stand out favorite!! Skirt is may the alternative UK clothing brand ‘Banned Apparel’ and they have a full range of vintage and retro inspired clothing items from skirts, dresses, shoes and more. I am a big fan of Banned Apparel and find their items to be top quality. Banned sells most wholesale but they do have a USA website as well.

I first saw this stunning Retro 50’s Diner Novelty Border Skirt on the ShopVDM website and pre-ordered it immediately. The folks that run ShopVDM are delightful and ship very quickly. I was really excited when my skirt arrived and found it to be exactly as pictured with a soft yellow background with bright colors that make up the boarder print scene of a diner, waitress and classic cars; there are even atomic starbursts on this print!!The skirt is very light so it will be perfect for warmer weather. My hubby was really sweet and snapped a few pics of me wearing the skirt, I do have a petticoat underneath and love the shape it gives the skirt, I paired it with my Heart of Haute Lilly top in blue and added a wide belt. I am wearing the skirt in a size XL and find it fits true to size without stretch. I think this will be a favorite of mine to wear to the upcoming classic car shows. Pair this one with a fun novelty bag and you ready to go out for the day!! ShopvDM is taking pre-orders now for another round so hurry and get yours before it sells out!!

Alameda Antique Faire Pinup Style – The Oblong Box Shop MCM Furniture Novelty Print Skirt

Posted on April 8, 2016 by Fan

Seeing the bright orange, turquoise teal blue, atomic starbursts, Mid-Century Modern lamps, sputnik wall clock and 1950s furniture, was all it took for Pinups everywhere to desperately need the new MCM Furniture novelty print skirt in their wardrobes. It sold out almost immediately!! It is truly perfect for the Rockabilly event Viva Las Vegas and of course, everyday wear.

The novelty print Pinup Girl skirts from The Oblong Box Shop are all designed and drawn by Denialle Von Fitch in her colorful, witty, happy style. The prints have lots of brilliant colors and pair easily with many tops. The skirts have an extra 1” inch on the waistband so you can move the button over, thus ensuring a perfect fit as the skirts fit very snug having no stretch or wiggle room. There’s even a side pocket for your lipstick or phone. Skirts are made from 100% polyester and I think it is great because they do not wrinkle and hold up incredibly well for all day wear and travel.

I recently got to wear my new MCM Furniture print skirt on a all-day antiquing excursion that is known as the Alameda Point Antiques Faire held the 1st Sunday of each month and has over 1,000 booths and is located just a little south of San Francisco in the city of Alameda. I usually wear a XL in these specific skirts and find the fit is indeed very snug as the fabric does not stretch. This time, I went with the 2XL and it was very roomy in the waist so, instead of moving the button forward 1” inch, I will move it backwards and see if I can get my perfect fit. I sure could have put on a wide belt with it but I thought I’d rather be comfy for a full day of antiquing. The day was lovely and sunny with a light breeze. I paired the skirt simply with a white tank-style top and yellow cardigan. My yellow purse matched perfectly and my comfy Ralph Lauren shoes worked out great. I received so many compliments, smiles, looks of admiration as hubby and I walked from booth to booth and aisle to aisle looking for goodies.

Hubby snapped some pics and the one where I am standing next to the vintage stamp machine got so much attention as folks thought I wasn’t real, they thought I was a mannequin!! How awesome is that!!! The brilliant colors on the skirt are an eye-catcher and you will be smiling ear-to-ear. Skirt is so comfortable too. I added a very light petticoat but a fuller one would really look great and make the skirt puff out a bit to really show off the great novelty print. Continue reading →

Crazy4Me – The Modern Bombshell Lifestyle by: Yasmina Greco

Vintage Fashion, Mid-Century Modern, Collectibles, and Everything in Between

Tag Archives: rockabilly

Pinup Girls and Poodle Skirts

Review: Bernie Dexter Chelsea Red Dog Bombshell Dress

Pinup Rockabilly Style at the 2016 Petaluma Antique Faire

Beverly Hydranges by Heart of Haute

Nifty 50s Retro Diner Novelty Print Skirt – Perfectly Pinup by Banned Apparel

Alameda Antique Faire Pinup Style – The Oblong Box Shop MCM Furniture Novelty Print Skirt