Getting a Head Start on Fall

Joan Crawford

Starred for fall success, Miss Crawford tops her travel suit with a dashing asymmetric wool felt charmer from The Couture Touch. The unusual-shaped, high crown is accented with a magnificent spray of feathers tucked into a grosgrain band. Circa 1940.

Joan Crawford

"Arrival at Port" grey wool suit with "fur" sleeve detailing is from Robert Tonner's Brenda Starr Collection. Gloves are from Debora West. Cigarette holder is from Mystyna. Awards Night Joan Crawford is from Robert Tonner for the 2009 Hollywood Ahoy/Sandra Stillwell convention.

Here are three more perfectly tailored toppers for 1940....

Mrs Blackburne at the Australian Doomben race meeting, 1940.
Photo courtesy en.wikipedia.org

August 1940
Photo courtesy archive.org

March 1940
Photo courtesy ravelry.com

Madra Lord's New Hat

Madra Lord

Miss Lord tops her sharply tailored 1940's ensemble with a spicy new hat to flatter even the most discriminating diva. Inspired by an illustration from a German pattern book, the small brimmed, felt hat features a high open crown to accommodate a marvelous feather spray. Silk tweed jerkin, hat, and color-blocked suede guantlet gloves are from The Couture Touch. Pinstriped shirt is from Robert Tonner's Brenda Starr Collection. Black skirt is from Sandra Stillwell, and the clutch is from Madame Alexander. The restyled "Siren in the Night" Madra Lord, enhanced with an Integrity articulated body, is from Ashton Drake.

Illustration from "Der Goldene Schnitt",
 1940/41.