70s Does 20s? Vintage 1973 Sandler of Boston Chunky Shoes

Sandler of Boston Shoes – Mademoiselle August 1973 – FINNFEMME

This is a really interesting take on selling shoes. Sandler of Boston was advertising their very chunky 1970s shoes and boots as being reminiscent of your “mother’s mother” shoes she wore in the 1920s. This was a stretch, as no shoes in history were as monstrous as 1973 shoes! Certainly not 1920s Flapper shoes, which were really quite streamlined and elegant. 🙂

~Marilyn

Zingy Betsey Johnson/Alley Cat Separates, 1973

Alley Cat by Betsey Johnson, Mademoiselle for August 1973 ad ~ FINNFEMME

Just when I think I had finished scouring my old fashion magazines for anything Betsey Johnson, I FIND ONE MORE! And this has to be my favorite.

OMG, these ‘zingy, snappy cotton separates’ are the BOMB. With Betsey’s delightfully quirky yet intricate styling, they are SO fun and happy and whimsical. I wore a lot of Betsey Johnson designs in the 70s, but they were sewn for me from Alley Cat’s Butterick patterns by my mom.

The prices may seem cheap for 2021 standards – Corduroy jacket ($32), Corduroy pant ($22), Corduroy checkerboard hat ($8), Clown print shirt ($24), Ribbed sweater with clown patch ($16), Quilted clown print pant ($30) – But when you’re making 50 cents an hour as a babysitter in 1973 as I did, it was quite out of reach.

I’m just so glad I got to live through the 70s as a teenager/young adult. So many fantastic fashion memories! 🙂

~Marilyn

Sew a Vintage 70s Great Gatsby Cape and Vest (Free Pattern)

Mia Farrow and Robert Redford, Family Circle May 1974 – FINNFEMME

The May 1974 issue of Family Circle magazine featured instructions on how to make the natty lapel vest and beautiful chiffon cape worn by Robert Redford and Mia Farrow in a scene from the 1974 film, The Great Gatsby. Patterns are below:

Happy Sewing! 🙂 Marilyn

Caleche Perfume by Hermes Paris, 1973

Caleche by Hermes – Mademoiselle December 1973 – Finnfemme
Caleche by Hermes – Mademoiselle December 1973 ~ Finnfemme

This is a beautiful vintage 70s Hermes Paris ad for Caleche perfume. The House of Hermes has been creating the finest fashions in Europe for the finest people in Europe since 1837. Featured are lovely photographs of some of their illustrious patrons: Czarina Alexandra, Anna Pavlova, Lady Randolph Churchill, Colette, George Sand, and Empress Eugenie.

Caleche perfume was launched in 1961, and was created by Guy Robert. It is a very feminine combination of flower, wood, and chypre. I was surprised to find this gorgeous ad, as vintage Hermes advertising seems to be few and far between!

~Marilyn

Carol Burnett in Blackglama, 1973

Carol Burnett in Blackglama – Mademoiselle December 1973 – FINNFEMME

“What becomes a Legend most?”. Blackglama had a legendary ad campaign in the 1970s starring well-known American women modeling their lustrous minks. This fantastic 1973 ad features the fabulous Carol Burnett. Legs for DAYS, baby!

~Marilyn

Swedish Christmas Tree for the Birds

Christmas Tree for the Birds – Mademoiselle December 1973 – FINNFEMME

Here’s a festive eco-friendly holiday project to try! A Christmas tree for the birds is a lovely tradition that began in Sweden in the 16th century. Perfect for feeding our hungry feathered friends in the 21st century (particularly during a pandemic). 😀

You decorate the tree with various bird-friendly foodstuffs: garlands of popcorn, cranberries and stale bread. Pine cones stuffed with peanut butter and rolled in birdseed, and hanging apples, carrots and Indian corn. You can make up a batch of suet cakes: mix up equal parts of melted beef suet and sugar syrup (3 parts water and 1 part sugar boiled together). While still soft, add nuts seeds or breadcrumbs. Form into balls. Chill and hang with string. Thanks to the Audubon Society for the recipe.

Sprinkle a wide circle of seeds around the trunk for ground feeders (pheasant, quail, snipe). Fill a plastic container with sunflower seeds, cut a notch in the rim for perching and nail to tree.

~Marilyn