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.
Why I fell in love with sequins! Some people need sequins, others don’t. Edith Head History of Sequins-Fashion Trivia Edith Head, one of my favourite Hollywood costumiers, once famously said, “Some people need sequins, others don’t.” She made that comment to the press in reference to a dress she designed for Grace Kelly to wear at the 27th Academy Awards…
Best Ideas for Styling Saddle Shoes! In this article you will learn; Saddle shoes – definition Saddle -Piece of leather on a shoe, usually in contrasting colour, stitched from forward shank, at one side, over vamp to the other side. A Dictionary of Costume and Fashion: Historic and Modern by Mary Brooks Picken Disclosure: This is a sponsored post and…
Faux fur from Helen Moore is the best winter (and beyond) accessory for a vintage girl. And if you wonder who would wear faux fur in the summer, wonder no more. I would wear it regardless of the season. Their sumptuous and very 1930s-looking Slim Vixen scarf is the perfect example, as it would make for an ideal addition to…
The 1950s Outfit Ideas to Wear in Autumn! Autumn is without a doubt my favourite time of the year. It’s also the most vintage-friendly season. I can wear a 1950s skirt suit, like the Handmacher beauty in the picture below, or a dress, without the need of having to cover it with a coat. In this post, I will show…
“Old Age Ain’t no Place for Sissies.” Frankly Forty! “Old Age Ain’t no Place for Sissies.” I heard someone say once that the ‘beast’ known as Hollywood forgives everything from a small indiscretion to a huge scandal and even a month at a Betty Ford clinic but not birthdays. This resonates so well with a quote attributed to the great Miss…
The queen of the silver screen once famously said I never go outside unless I look like Joan Crawford the movie star. If you want to see the girl next door, go next door. Always glamorous, known on and off the movie set for being a true perfectionist, with a distinctive style adorned and copied by fans all over the…
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.
