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.
It’s Beyond My Control-Introduction to My Vintage Fashion Blog Welcome to my vintage fashion blog with a slightly modern twist. My name is Dominique de Merteuil. I’m a vintage fashion scribbler, fashion history nerd and the founder of the It’s Beyond My Control website I started in 2012. This post is merely an introduction to It’s Beyond My Control, along…
A Lady Needs a Hat! Discover vintage-inspired hats by Allginnedup! If I was a woman, I would be dressed in the same thing for a month and just change my hat and gloves. Maybe my shoes too; yes, I see what you mean but, really, it’s jewels that change an outfit. Manolo Blahnik Any lady or vintage vixen should not…
Recently, I was presented with a tuxedo, as a gift from a designer friend Ewa Godun. Its look is quite theatrical and we joked, that it would clearly lead to me taking to the stage as a circus lion tamer, a la American Horror Story with a hint of a Marlene Dietrich. A few too many Espresso Martini-motivated outfit changes…
The 1940s Fashion: Elegance, Endurance & the Art of Wartime Dressing Darling readers,Step with me into the formidable yet fashionable world of 1940s fashion, where elegance refused to surrender, even as the world stood at war. This extraordinary decade, often overshadowed by global conflict, birthed some of the most iconic silhouettes in fashion history—sharp-shouldered suits, nipped-in waists, straight skirts, and…
Styling tips on how to wear pink clothes and look elegant. Think pink! Think pink! if you want that quel-que chose. Think pink! who cares if the new look has no bust. Now, I wouldn’t presume to tell a woman what a woman oughtta think, But tell her if she’s gotta think: think pink! Funny Face, 1957 DISCLOSURE: As of…
Will it be Trousers for Women? If you think that trousers are uninspiring, not ladylike, and a Hollywood Movie Star would never wear them, think again. Trousers a la Katharine Hepburn – The Inspiration Inspiration can be found anywhere and in anything. Mr de Merteuil usually finds his in art. Although, he’s rarely satisfied by simply looking through the many…
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.
