2019-10-16 22:06
I loved coming across this fabulous ad in the September 1976 issue of Cosmopolitan magazine. It features the divine model Margaux Hemingway for Babe fragrance. Margaux, who was the granddaug… Read More
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Vintage thoughts from Finnfemme - a practical fashionista, writer, and vintage clothing seller.
2019-09-19 21:47
Crochet a Fluffy Angora SweaterHere is a lovely vintage 1980 angora sweater pattern for you to crochet! This sweet fluffy, furry angora convection is in simple crochet, rounded at neck, ribb… Read More
2019-09-11 20:04
Angora Sweater Knitting PatternAngora sweaters made a comeback in the 1980s big time. So soft, fluffy, furry and feminine! This beautiful knitting pattern is from the Fall 1980 edition of Mc… Read More
2019-09-04 19:54
Bubble-Stitch Crocheted DressThis is a really groovy vintage 1970 crochet pattern for a bubble stitch dress. It’s modeled by the lovely Susan Dey, before her Partridge Family TV stint… Read More
2019-08-29 22:47
Red and Black Crocheted ShawlHere’s a very dramatic vintage 1974 red and black shawl to crochet! The shawl consists of a series of motifs crocheted to each other on the last round, the… Read More
2019-08-21 21:56
Pick a bouquet of rainbow-hued posies for this openwork shawl.Perfect for autumn, this is an absolutely stunning dahlia flower shawl for you to crochet! Colorful rainbow flower motifs are jo… Read More
2019-08-19 21:04
This is such a pretty crochet pattern from Women’s Day Granny Square magazine, circa 1974. Unique stained glass shell, is an ingenious assemblage of fancy geometrics. Created by Barba… Read More
2019-07-24 05:38
It might seem a bit odd to post a vintage 1970s Christmas recipe in July but this is in response to a reader’s request. She wanted to know if I had the recipe for a braided orange brea… Read More
2019-06-06 19:37
Camay Soap, February 1945Beauty routines were so much simpler in the 1940s. According to this Camay soap ad from the February 1945 issue of Ladies’ Home Journal magazine, you could hav… Read More
2019-05-11 21:46
Vintage 1945 DUZ Soap for Wartime WashingLaundry is eternal, even during wartime. This is a great vintage 1945 ad for DUZ laundry soap, on how wash all your clothes during those trying days… Read More
2019-04-17 23:56
The Pin-Up Reds by Coty Originals, 1972In the early 1970s, there was a definite ’70s does ’40s makeup and fashion trend. This 1972 Coty Originals ad is a great example. Coty was… Read More
2019-04-11 00:45
Side-Wrapped Coat, Vogue Knitting Spring/Summer 1968I love this beautiful knitted coat pattern from the Spring/Summer 1968 issue of Vogue Knitting magazine. It looks very current for being 5… Read More
2019-04-06 21:54
This charming Modess sanitary napkin ad is from the October 1940 issue of Woman’s Home Companion magazine. It was likely at the start of their long-running advertising campaign of usin… Read More
2019-03-23 21:59
This is a fantastic vintage 1960s Mondrian style/stained-glass effect blanket to crochet! Afghan-stitch throw is worked on a giant-size hook with two strands of yarn. Five strips, each with… Read More
2019-02-28 20:59
Crochet this slim, gently shaped dress in rows of single and double crochet. Has yoke and lower border of popcorns, and back zipper opening. Perfect for spring!
~Marilyn Read More
2019-02-18 23:09
This Max Factor ad from 1945 is very glamorous! It is for the original Pan-Cake foundation makeup created by Max Factor for Technicolor pictures. Pan-Cake was touted as creating a lovely new… Read More
2019-02-14 19:53
Happy Valentine’s Day, dear friends! I thought I’d share this Pretty in Pink vintage 60s crochet pattern. Swinging skirt with rows of shells in graduating sizes is easy to work f… Read More
2019-02-02 22:17
This is a beautiful vintage 1973 crochet pattern for a Flamboyant Afghan. The granny squares are crocheted in a lucid pattern that uses simple chains and double crochet. From the nimble fing… Read More
2019-01-24 22:54
Perfect for springtime, this is a lovely vintage 1966 cardigan sweater to crochet. I love the open, airy design. It is so pretty in pink, but you can make it in any color you wish! Instructi… Read More
2019-01-16 21:54
Here is a really pretty vintage 1966 crochet pattern for a knee-length buttoned coat. I love the 3/4th length sleeves and collar, and its intricate airy design would be perfect for springtim… Read More
2019-01-11 22:11
Max Factor cosmetics was founded in Los Angeles, California in 1909 by Maksymilian Faktorwicz, a beautician from Poland. Max Factor specialized in movie makeup, and demonstrated the importan… Read More
2019-01-10 01:34
This cringeworthy Lux soap ad is from the May 1939 issue of Ladies Home Journal magazine. Wow, talk about shaming women! To have your Dad confront you about your husband “neglecting&rd&hell…Read More
2018-12-17 19:56
Yardley’s signature scent, English Lavender, has been around since 1873 when it was launched in England. It was popular during the Victorian era in England, and was imported to the USA… Read More
2018-12-14 23:37
This is a stunning vintage 1967 knitting pattern for a Nordic ski sweater and cap. Knit this patterned pullover in the Scandinavian way: tubular to the shoulders on a circular needle. Metho… Read More
2018-12-13 01:38
This really pretty Coty “Air-Spun” Face Powder ad is from 1939. Facial powder seemed to be the most popular makeup foundation in the 1930s and 40s. Women applied it directly over… Read More
2018-12-10 22:09
This is a classic knitting pattern from 1967 for a men’s yoke-design pullover in knitting worsted. Body is knit on a circular needle, sleeves on two needles, to underarm; then they are… Read More
2018-12-09 01:44
This is a great vintage 1960s knitting pattern for a mod look ski sweater. It has interesting texture with a unique cowl neck and front detail. This would be a fun wintertime knitting projec… Read More
2018-11-27 23:30
This February 1965 issue of Woman’s Day magazine – complete with ink doodles and stains – is a treasure trove of 24 high fashion international sweaters to knit. Alas, the k… Read More
2018-11-24 00:00
This is a fabulous vintage 1966 knitting pattern for a gorgeous Fair Isle/Nordic cardigan sweater! Perfect for the holiday festivities and winter warmth. Get started knitting this classic be… Read More
2018-11-17 22:39
Being of Finnish heritage I have an innate appreciation for Finnish design, especially Marimekko. I just love their gorgeous bold prints and simple styles. Marimekko’s holiday designs… Read More
2018-11-16 23:48
This fabulous 1973 Christian Dior nail polish ad is very forward-thinking; it feels modern and on-trend. Even the use of one word with a period – Twilights. Dior. – is very curre… Read More
2018-11-15 21:59
This is a really cute crochet pattern from 1973. Whip up a batch of bright little granny squares using three pretty colors in two combinations. Note the nice shaping achieved by the use of t… Read More
2018-11-14 22:26
Since 1970, Yardley of London had a huge hit on its hands with their glorious Pot o’ Gloss. In 1973 they came out with Pot o’ Shadow, which came in the same type of cute pot that… Read More
2018-11-13 22:42
I love the expression on this adorable little girl! This is a great vintage 1973 crochet pattern for a Toddler Poncho. Ever see a granny square with a hole in the middle? Now you have! Perha… Read More
2018-11-09 19:45
Granny Square Mosaic Skirt, 1973.
Presenting a fab vintage 1973 granny square crocheted Mosaic skirt pattern! Duplicate the vivid stained glass colors of these dramatic squares or ad lib you… Read More
2018-11-07 23:10
This is a fabulous vintage 1965 knitting pattern for a Scandia Classic Cardigan sweater, in a super-bulky thick/thin wool blend yarn. These chunky knits are always in style. Perfect for thos… Read More
2018-11-05 21:20
Jerry Hall started her modeling career in 1975, when she was discovered sunbathing on a Saint Tropez beach by fashion agent Claude Haddad. This 1975 series of ads for Celanese Arnel loungewe… Read More
2018-11-02 19:58
Flingy Tri-Square Shawl, 1976.
Three giant granny squares that started small and just kept growing! Helen Bullett designed it in rich earth colors, joined the completed squares with single c… Read More
2018-10-31 20:36
Crochet a Granny Square Floppy Hat, 1976.
Since today is Halloween (BOO!) I was inspired to post this candy-corn-color crochet pattern. Thick glossy yellow and orange rug yarn makes a brilli… Read More
2018-10-29 19:31
Vintage 1940s Hare and Tortoise Zip Cardigan Knitting Pattern
This is a fabulous graphic sweater knitting pattern from the 1940s! Featuring a lively tortoise and hare frolicking across the s… Read More
2018-10-28 23:11
Long Tailored Vest Crochet Pattern, 1976.
This is a fab vintage 1976 crochet pattern using granny squares to make a long tailored vest! Knee-length vest designed by Sally De Gaetano is made… Read More
2018-10-24 22:25
The 1976 Virginia Slims Tennis Sweater. Model: Cheryl Tiegs
This is a Virginia Slims cigarette ad from 1976, featuring model Cheryl Tiegs modeling the ‘tennis, golf, visit Aunt Martha… Read More
2018-10-22 21:43
Long & Silky from Clairol, 1976.
I had long hair in the 70s – at least until I got my Dorothy Hamill wedge cut – and I loved it. My hair was thick, straight, and my natural r… Read More
2018-10-18 23:11
Just in time for winter, you will love knitting up this Peruvian sweater jacket that’s in tune with all of Mother Nature. A bold red stripe on each sleeve accents the rich natural Ande… Read More
2018-10-17 21:00
A fleecy soft pullover to knit yourself in fluffy French angora yarn, 1972.
Right: A white sweatery flow into a scoop neck and trumpet sleeves. Below: A classic red cardigan with dolman slee… Read More
2018-10-15 21:02
Frederick’s of Hollywood Passion Fashions, 1975
A lot of 70s women’s fashion magazines had Frederick’s of Hollywood ads in the back pages. But Cosmopolitan ALWAYS had a Fre… Read More
2018-10-13 00:01
Princess Mara Ruspoli for Chanel No. 19 Perfume, 1975
This is a hauntingly beautiful ad from 1975 for Chanel No. 19 perfume. Princess Mara Ruspoli – all cheekbones and haughty gaze &nd&hell…Read More
2018-10-10 04:36
An Easy Jumbo Stitch Poncho and Hat to Knit, 1976
I love this fabulous Boho 70s chunky, jumbo stitch poncho and hat! For spectacular and warm winter dressing. Capture the rosy hues of a fros… Read More
2018-10-08 22:49
The Apple Polishers Pot o’ GlossYardley of London, 1972
Another great Yardley of London Pot o’ Gloss ad from 1972! This one is for The Apple Polishers – The rich apple colo… Read More
2018-10-04 23:28
Bare Halter Dress and Skirt/Strapless Sundress
Tie-On Caftan, Tunic Top and Sundress
While flipping through the June 1976 issue of Glamour Magazine, I saw not only this fabulous Boh… Read More
2018-10-01 20:48
Dorothy Hamill for Clairol’s Short & Sassy, 1976
Dorothy Hamill became America’s Sweetheart after her gold medal ice-skating win at the 1976 Winter Olympics in Innsbruck, Aus… Read More
2018-09-27 00:55
Pot O’ Gloss. The sexpots from Yardley. 1976
I thought I’d exhausted every last Yardley Pot O’ Gloss ad from the 1970s, but I FOUND ONE MORE! This ad is from 1976, when the… Read More
2018-09-24 20:37
Catherine Deneuve for Chanel
The classically beautiful French actress, Catherine Deneuve, did a fabulous ad campaign for Chanel in the 1970s. What could be more perfect than an iconic French… Read More
2018-09-20 21:54
Marimekko Liidokki Dress, 1974
I was delighted to come across this fashion spread in the January 1974 issue of Glamour magazine because, MARIMEKKO! The utterly fabulous and iconic Liidokki s… Read More
2018-09-17 21:04
Maybelline Waterborne Eye Shadows, 1971.
Pale pastel eye shadow was the look in the early ’70s. It was all about “a new wave of colors”, but they had to be muted. This 1971… Read More
2018-09-13 22:22
Style: Five Easy Pieces
In the early 1970s, there was a brief period of time when the so-called Dolly look was the trend in the USA. Based on the Biba look that was all the rage in England… Read More
2018-09-10 21:48
Absolutely the ultimate in jeans, created by Linda Sampson.
The March 1971 issue of Ingenue magazine featured this incredible pair of decorated blue jeans. These one-of-a-kind jeans were cre… Read More
2018-09-07 22:01
It’s an original “me”. I tie-dyed it with Rit!
Tie-dying was really hot in the 70s, with the hippie/boho vibe going strong. Most of tie-dying was for T-shirts, clothing, an… Read More
2018-09-05 22:42
March 1971 ‘TEEN Magazine Half ‘n’ Half Cover Girl
This is one of the most notorious ‘Teen magazine covers, which today seems rather quaint. Featuring Bonnie as the m… Read More
2018-09-03 23:20
Landlubber Jeans, Seventeen Magazine, August 1975
This is a great Landlubber ad that shows just how huge jeans were in 1975. I mean literally huge! Very wide-legged all the way down, not jus… Read More
2018-08-27 20:57
Frye Boots – Seventeen, August 1975
The iconic Frye Boot, as we know it, made its fashion debut in 1975. Super chunky and sturdy, it fit right in with the mid-70s earthy ‘back to… Read More
2018-01-18 00:57
Crocheting was making a hip and trendy comeback in the 1970s. This is a great ad for Coats and Clark wool yarn, which features his and hers “Rib Ticklers” that you could crochet… Read More
2017-12-21 00:05
Farrah Fawcett has always had the most incredible hair known to mankind!
This December 1973 ad for for The Speed Styler by Lady Schick features Farrah who was a relatively unknown model. Thi… Read More
2017-10-31 20:01
Happy Halloween!
This is a great mystically spooky ad from the October 1971 issue of Seventeen magazine. It is for Styx fragrances, and features a black-cloaked model saying, “I’… Read More
2017-09-21 21:49
Chanel was apparently going with the hippie boho flow in the ’70s.
This 1972 ad for Chanel No. 5 perfume shows the iconic glass Chanel perfume bottle superimposed over an embracing cou… Read More
2017-09-16 22:50
This is a cool ad for American Motors’ 1972 Gremlin car. I think it turned out to be a total lemon, if I remember correctly, but it was a pretty sharp looking car for early ’70s… Read More
2017-09-07 21:49
“Have you ever had a bad time in Levi’s?”, begs the question. Well, no, as a matter of fact! Levi’s were a mainstay in my wardrobe in the ’60s and ’70s. I… Read More
2017-08-25 22:41
I recently snapped up this beauty of a catalog at a thrift store. “POP Fashions to knit and crochet in Bear Brand and Fleisher Yarns”, dated 1965. This was the height of the Mod… Read More
2017-07-13 04:23
Ever since the 1970s – where the boho peasant look reigned supreme – I’ve been in love with Mexican embroidery and textiles. On trips to Mexico, I stocked up on colorful ha… Read More
2017-06-17 23:05
I love this American Wool Council/Alley Cat ad from the August 1972 issue of Seventeen magazine. Betsey Johnson teamed up with the Wool people, as she had done with the Cotton people previou… Read More
2017-06-10 20:27
This super fab Alley Cat by Betsey Johnson ad from the August 1973 issue of Seventeen magazine epitomizes early ’70s fashions for me! This is a look I adored, with all its crazy prints… Read More
2017-05-19 23:43
Fashion in the 1980s was not only the New Wave, neon-colored, spandexed, Flashdance attire that we always think defines the style of that decade. There was definitely a more classic side, wi… Read More
2017-05-14 00:47
BIBA fashions, designed by Barbara Hulanicki, were all the rage in London in the ’60s and ’70s. The “Biba Look” or “Dudu Look” was described by Hulanicki… Read More
2017-05-13 00:40
Betsey Johnson of Alley Cat designs were hot, hot, HOT in the early 1970s. The problem, for most of us teenage girls, was that her fashions were on the expensive side. Oh, how I drooled over… Read More
2017-05-11 20:19
Dr. Scholl’s Exercise Sandals have been around for a long time. At least 47 years if you go by this June 1970 ad from Seventeen Magazine! I am struck with how current the model in the… Read More
2017-05-09 19:04
I ran across this unusual ad in the August 1970 issue of Seventeen magazine. It advertised the Bulletin Board Bag – a $9 wood purse with rope handle – that had a four-sided cork… Read More
2017-05-07 00:05
Being the vintage Yardley of London freak that I am, I thought I had exhausted all the Seventeen magazine Yardley advertising from my personal collection. But, no; I just found an amazing tw… Read More
2017-05-03 22:00
I ran across these fabulous Slavic/Ukrainian fashions in my February 1971 issue of Seventeen magazine. This folkloric style was extremely popular in the 1970s, and is experiencing a resurgen… Read More
2017-02-07 21:18
It was really cool to see the photos of Christie Brinkley (63) modeling for the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit, along with her daughters Alexa Ray Joel (31) and Sailor Brinkley Cook (18). I tho… Read More
2016-12-22 22:43
The past several weeks have been cold in the Seattle area. Actually, more like FREEZING. It’s the kind of cold that seeps deep into my bones and won’t let up, no matter how many… Read More
2016-12-19 22:35
In 1957, the Earth shoe was developed in Denmark by Anne Kalso. The idea was for a negative heel shoe – a shoe with the heel lower than the toe. The concept was that these shoes would… Read More
2016-12-16 20:17
I was (and still am) a devoted pen freak. There is just something satisfying about having a writing utensil in-hand, creating with your own handwriting. My pen obsession likely began around… Read More
2016-12-12 03:46
Mix, Munch and be Merry with Chex Party Mix. It’s the snack you make up fresh!This is a fab recipe from the December 1969 issue of Ingenue magazine for that classic snack, Chex Party M… Read More
2016-12-10 19:28
“It’s another feeling. It’s another Chanel.”This is a really pretty Chanel No.19 perfume ad from the December 1974 issue of Mademoiselle magazine. It features a gorge… Read More
2016-12-09 23:21
This is a great December 1969 ad for Maybelline Frosty Whites eye shadow and eye liner. It has a sparkly, wintry feel to it, with the luminously pale model decked out in Frosty Whites makeup… Read More
2016-11-30 23:35
Tie-Dye was HUGE in the early 1970s, and Rit Dye Co. was having a heyday. “Rit invents ELECTRIC SATIN – Simplicity says it’s shocking!”This 1970 Rit ad showcased tie… Read More
2016-11-28 21:12
Cheryl Tiegs was a fresh-faced, natural looking model in the 1970s. With her California girl looks, she was the perfect face for Cover Girl’s Clean Make-up line. Clean Make-up was supp… Read More
2016-11-28 03:52
Here is another great ad from 1971 for Pure Magic ‘Shimmy Dippers’ by Max Factor. The Shimmy Dippers were hypoallergenic eye glosses and lip glosses that ‘come in perky lit… Read More
2016-11-02 23:03
Maybelline makeup was a mainstay in the 1970s. Not as hip and groovy as Yardley of London or Love Cosmetics, but it did its own thing. Blue and pastel eye shadows were huge at the time, not… Read More
2016-11-01 21:41
Betsey Johnson was the up-and-coming young fashion designer in the 1970s. Her fashions were kicky, fun, and married the Mod to the Bohemian. These two designs are from the October 1971 issue… Read More
2016-10-30 03:41
This 1971 advertisement for Swank jewelry is straight out the the Age of Aquarius! Featuring ’70s-hipster models, the necklaces were in in the shapes of New Age signs and symbols. They… Read More
2016-10-25 00:22
“Kiss him in his favorite flavor.”This is a really hip and groovy 1971 Yardley of London ad for Slicker Lip Polish. More specifically – Lip Licks: Give him a lick. A sip of… Read More
2016-10-21 21:20
Once again, I went through my personal stash of vintage magazines from the late ’60s/early ’70s looking for any Yardley of London ads that I may have overlooked. Voila! I found o… Read More
2016-10-12 02:59
I found these fab vintage Marimekko towels at a thrift store today. I had seen them there before and though that they were cool, but today I actually looked at the label – Marimekko fo… Read More
2016-10-05 23:27
From the September 1985 issue of Vogue magazine, this is a fabulous advertising spread of Yves Saint Laurent ~ Rive Gauche fashions and footwear. Photographed by the iconic Helmut Newton, th… Read More
2016-09-29 20:44
This 1985 Prell shampoo ad featuring one of my favorite models, Christie Brinkley, is pretty awesome. First of all, THAT 80s HAIR! Thick, full and natural-colored; she was in possessio… Read More
2016-09-25 00:40
Wearing pantyhose – or any type of leg covering – was practically a requirement in the 1980s. No woman went bare-legged ever (well maybe in the heat of summer, but it was questio… Read More
2016-09-04 02:17
Being half-Finnish, I am a huge, HUGE Marimekko fan. Of course, Marimekko is the iconic Finnish fashion and lifestyle house noted for their bright colors and bold designs. I love all of thei… Read More
2016-08-30 21:40
I’ve been a huge perfume fan my whole life. So perusing through the September 1985 issue of Vogue magazine, I was reminded of the many scents that I wore and were popular that ye… Read More
2016-08-27 22:49
“New from Paris. Turbulent, seductive colours for lips and nails.” Chanel, in the 1980s, was emerging distinctively under its fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld. This 19… Read More
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