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.
All About Eve Film Costumes Edith Head was one of the most celebrated in her field, a Hollywood costume designer who Bette Davis described as such “We may rehearse our lines, our movements, and our expressions, but until we finally slip into the costumes does everything come together so that we actually become the character. If we are not comfortable…
Jean Patou Sketches Directly from the JP Archives! I’m thrilled to share with you the incredible & probably never-shown-before Jean Paotou sketches courtesy of the official Jean Patou press office. Living Out of Boxes Filled with Fashion Books Moving house is never a simple task especially if it involves relocating not so much from one borough to another but to…
If I had to describe Veroni Deco designs with only a few words it would be visionary couture-extraordinaire. I’m a huge fan of Veroni’s latest all-red collection entitled “ The Chastity of Jessica Rabbit” and if I could I would buy every single one of her couture dresses, as I wouldn’t be able to pick a favourite one… It’s Beyond…
My love for 18th-century fashion started when I was a little girl who fell in love with a painting of Marie Antoinette in one of my mom’s books. I was mesmerised by the way the Dauphine of France looked; her pale skin, amazing hair and, of course, the dress, which could only be described as having escaped from a fairy…
Christina Crawford is Joan’s adopted daughter, and her hugely controversial 1978 biography of her mother was turned into a 1981 film starring Faye Dunaway. Mommie Dearest portrayed Joan as a cruel woman, an alcoholic and an abusive mother, an image that many of her adoring fans, myself included, have found difficult to believe. Nevertheless, the film has found a place…
It’s a story filled with suspense, love, crime and an unexpected twist. I was hooked after the first chapter and didn’t put the book down until I’d consumed it all. The author of Cross My Palm is Sara Stockbridge, known to all in the fashion industry as the 80s supermodel and muse to Dame Vivienne Westwood. She’s appeared in 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.
