Vintage Fashion Blog
Welcome to the elegant world of authentic vintage fashion from the 1930s, 1940s and 1950s. Here you’ll find original outfits, styling inspiration, fashion history and practical advice on wearing vintage in the modern world. Having worn original vintage clothing almost every day for more than twenty years, I share not only the stories behind these beautiful garments but also the experience of living in them. Every article is inspired by authentic pieces from my personal vintage collection, from impeccably tailored skirt suits and glamorous evening gowns to everyday dresses, knitwear and accessories. Start here: 1930s, 1940s & 1950s style guides, wardrobe inspiration and fashion history.
Vintage Outfit Ideas For a Bicycle Ride People often ask me if wearing vintage clothes every day prohibits me from doing certain activities. The answer to this is no, but as the question of riding a bicycle dressed in vintage clothes has come up more than on a few occasions, I thought I’d take the opportunity and expand upon this…
This visual feast consisting of over 100 1930s fashion illustrations is a bonus to my popular article on how-to-date vintage clothing. I hope that this post will help with your fashion history research or be an inspiration for your vintage outfit ideas because let’s face it, there is nothing better than the 1930s styles. Additionally, I created for you ten PDFs…
The best coats for autumn and winter-vintage style. [Edit 2025-the timeless chic] Do you love beauteous coats as much as I do but are unsure how to choose one or where to find luxurious outwear without breaking the bank? If the answer is yes, this article is definitely for you, as my shopping-on-a-small-budget prowess is legendary! The Best Coat for…
Have you ever found a book so fascinating on a topic, that it inspired you to follow up with another book and another until you fell down the rabbit hole of research? My journey began as a classic blue pill, red pill scenario. Of course, I chose the latter. Four weeks, seven books, and copious amounts of coffee later, It’s…
Outfit Ideas For Dressing Like a Femme Fatale!! And for those of you who love to learn, I wrote a brief history of the Fatale women depicted in literature and paintings in the 19th and 20th centuries. I don’t believe that there is one quintessential Fatale look. Black seems to always be the preferred choice for those trying to imitate…
History of CC41-The Utility Clothing Scheme A brief history of CC41-The Utility Clothing Scheme with examples of CC41 clothes from my personal collection. I’ve been fascinated by the history of CC41 – The Utility Clothing Scheme in Britain for years and I have a very strong penchant for buying garments with the CC41 logo, even multiples of the same item….
In this post, you will discover the history of the famous Handmacher brand synonymous in the 1940s and the 1950s with quality suits for an affordable price. I will also share with you some of the most beautiful examples of Handmacher clothes depicted in 1950s ads and pieces from my personal collection. To say that I have an abundance of…
The 1940s DuBarry Dress & Its Versatility The DuBarry brand was known in the 1940s – 1960s for simple yet elegant evening gowns, cocktail and prom dresses, as well as mother-of-the-bride wear. Today the label is synonymous, amongst us vintage girls, with the best that ready-to-wear vintage has to offer. I love how easy it is to dress up or…
Abbie Walsh accessories are the perfect match, for both, vintage and modern garments. The limited collections, as well as one-off pieces, are all handmade and embellished with beautiful beads and dreamy embroidery. And what makes them even more special is the original artwork created by the tattoo artist Heather Moore.
My name is Dominique de Merteuil. I’m a vintage fashion blogger, founder, and sole author of It’s Beyond My Control, your ultimate guide to vintage fashion from the 1930s, 1940s, and 1950s. With over two decades of experience, meticulous research, and a deep passion for authentic vintage clothing, I specialise in the styles, silhouettes, and foundation garments of these eras, which I wear daily. Through this blog, I share the timeless beauty of bygone eras, blending historical insight with real-life styling and original vintage pieces. My work is rooted in both scholarship and lived experience, bringing vintage fashion to life beyond the archives and into the modern wardrobe.
