Vintage Accessories, 1954

I was asking for blog suggestions over on Facebook last week and Fearie asked to see some vintage accessories for Fall.  Today a look at handbags, gloves, shoes, belts and jewelry, all from 1954.

The handbag has straps to carry your umbrella.  That's a felt necklace at the bottom.

Paisley gloves!  Me want!

Two alligator handbags with secret pockets.  The one at top holds jewelry and the one at the bottom carries your cosmetics.

Leather bucket bags and a silk scarf.  Trés chic and timeless.
 

Bracelets and gloves!

Couture Accessories - 1963

Accessories have become a very important part of a designer's work in the modern world. Never before has there been so much focus on a woman's bag, shoes, or boots. Where today's fashion magazines are full of advertisements for purses, you don't see them at all in vintage magazines. Here, from 1963, is a glimpse at accessories sold in the Paris Boutiques of some of the Haute Couture.

Tiny crystals dangle from big faux pearls in three strands from the Lanvin Boutique.

A rigid rhinestone collar with dangling rhinestone teardrops by Gripoix for the Lanvin Boutique.

Capucci used dramatic jeweled brooches instead of buttons on a white tea gown.

Roger Model fashioned an evening bag of black plastic links mixed with golden stars for Balenciaga.

A Roger Forest black crocodile bag with a rigid handle cut in one with the body of the purse and a Roman coin latch.
Roger Vivier showed black kidskin boots with new curved stacked leather heels. Roger Model designed this grey calfskin "country" handbag with a gold metal handle shaped like bamboo.

Roger Vivier attached dramatic rhinestone and pearl shoe clips to a black velvet sling-back pump for Dior.

Accessorize a Basic Dress - 1953

A 1953 magazine offers the following ideas to accessorize a grey dress by Henry Rosenfeld. Using accessories to change the look of a basic dress is a smart way to stretch your wardrobe dollar in today's economy. Spend your money wisely on a simple but high-quality garment that offers a blank canvas to decorate in many ways. Then look for less expensive trendy accessories that will give you a variety of looks for little money.

Here, the dress is worn with a V-neck top that peeks out at the neckline and a wide belt.

A white hat, ascot, and gloves give the dress a completely different look.

Tuck a scarf into the neckline and add wide bangle bracelets. Printed scarves in trendy patterns would also look great.

Wear a scarf or shawl as a topper, or add a jacket or sweater for even more looks.