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No Accounting for Taste

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  • Hey pretty eyes
  • “It’s February. Snow is still banked deep across many an Eastern state. But fashion shows already are in the air in Arizona, where a semi-tropical sun warms the desert land. There’s a crispness in the air, but spring already is crowding winter from the stage. And a luxurious outdoor setting again is ready for the El Desfile des las Modas del Desierto. This is the Parade of Desert Fashions.” Arizona Highways, February 1946 // #1940s #1940sfashion #1946ismyfavoriteyearforfashion
  • It feels like we’re having a real winter here in LA, which is kind of a ridiculous thing to say when it stays in the 50s most of the time but for us, that feels cold. It also means lots of layers which is a treat. Here, a #1950s printed cotton coat by Claire McCardell that probably had a matching sheath dress at one point, with the espresso linen vest and pant set from @revellecollection // #ootd #vintagestyle #clairemccardell
  • New baby toe beans 🐾
  • One week ✨🥃⚜️💜💚💛
  • In honor of Valentine’s Day, I wanted to revisit one of my favorite vintage fashion love stories: Graff Californiawear and its founders, Lee and Seymour Graff. “I still remember the day he came into the office. I was only 19 and as I walked the short distance to the counter to greet him I thought to myself, this is the man I’m going to marry,” Lee recalled. After a few months, they eloped in Arizona. “We had been dating, but faced one big problem. Seymour came from a very strict orthodox Jewish family and mine was Roman Catholic. A few months after we went into business, we decided we couldn’t go on the way we were, and Seymour said if I would agree to being married without making it public for two years, he would find a way of telling his mother within that time… the two years turned out to be five. We both lived at home but it would have been even worse if my family hadn’t been so terrific.” Meanwhile, their company’s success grew and became one of the most prominent sportswear brands of the era. Seymour died in 1974, and Lee took over until her death. “Looking back on my life, I realize I made two very fortunate decisions. First, and most important, was marrying Seymour Graff, and second was going into the womenswear business.” And we are very glad you did, Lee. // #happyvalentinesday #1940sfashion #graffcaliforniawear #1940s #fashionhistory #lovestory
  • I don’t care about Valentine’s Day but I do love a red dress // #1955 #1950sfashion
  • “Olive green, yellow and black stripes of Lorette fabric make this fall dress by Carolyn Schnurer alive. The standaway, scooped out neckline is filled in with a black knit turtle neck bib.” Associated Press photo as seen in the Omaha World-Herald, July 12, 1953. // #carolynschnurer #vintagead #ootd #truevintageootd #1950sfashion
  • Outfit details… I love this little Bakelite brooch my mom gave me for Christmas and its little paw print shape 🐾 Lorette was a washable wool and Orlon blend by Milliken that was introduced to consumers in 1952. It was advertised as a “household budget-saver” and “fabric magic,” being wrinkle-resistant but capable of holding pleats after repeated washings. Designers began using it in their fall collections that year, often with dramatic pleated skirts to highlight its resilience. This one is slim and straight though, from Carolyn Schnurer’s fall 1953 collection. // #fashionhistory #vintagepalette #vintagelabel #1950sfashion #bakelite

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About Me

My name is Jessica, and I love old things. I wear, collect, research and sometimes sell vintage clothing. This is some documentation along the way.

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No Accounting For Taste is a personal blog of Jessica Parker. All words and original photographs are copyright Jessica Parker, 2007-2018