American Duchess Historic Shoes Blog
"Manhattan" Button Boots - Now Open for Pre-Order
It's time! The new "Manhattan" Victorian and Edwardian Button Boots are now open for pre-order. I've been talking a bit about these new boots in previous posts and on Facebook,...
1940s Hair Styling Inspiration
It's Sunday. I was meant to do a 1940s photo shoot today, but it's raining. Yup, rain in the desert. It rains 10 days a year here, and I manage...
Review: Hand Bound 18th c. Style Book by Paul McClintock, From Common Hands Studio
Hand made sketchbook with historic marbled paper cover and tooled leather binding - From Common Hands Studio I recently received a fabulous gift: a hand-made custom blank book from Paul...
Tuesday Shoes-day: 1920s Shoes Inspiration
Lately I've been working on the second collection for Royal Vintage Shoes. Wait, what? You haven't even seen the first collection yet! I know, don't worry! I'm having to adjust...
How to Wear Vintage Menswear Without Looking Like a Man
Marlene Dietrich - famous for many things, one of which was rocking this look For centuries, women have been working elements of masculine dress into their wardrobes. Clear back to...
6 Reasons to Watch and Love Canadian WWII Drama "XCompany"
We history geeks sure do love a good costume drama, but these days *good* costume dramas seems harder and harder to find. It might have good costumes but a terrible...
The Truth About Real Women's 1940s Pants
Joan Bennet When the present interprets the past, it always adds its own ideals on top. This is how we can identify "70s does 30s" and "80s does 40s" -...
What It's Like to Be an Extra on a Historical Documentary, pt.1
This time last year I was cast in a Weather Channel documentary on The Donner Party, filming right here in Northern Nevada where the ordeal took place. Casting It was...
I'm No Pinup
The actual me: I can't draw a cat eye; I don't often wear dresses; my car isn't vintage; I'm covered in dog hair. I've been into vintage fashion a long...
Wearing History "Smooth Sailing" Blouse Review
Wearing History "Smooth Sailing" blouse made from the excellent printed pattern, worn with the ready-to-wear "Smooth Sailing" jeans. The pattern also contains piece for these pants. Late last year I...
Exclusive Manchester Regency Boots - Pre-Order Open!
It's been an age in developing our recreation of the famous Manchester Art Gallery c. 1820 Grecian booties. Voted as our Cycle 6 Exclusive, the Manchester Regency Boots are finally...finally!...finally!...
Professional Shoe Hunting Adventures in Vegas
View from (almost) the top Last week I went to Magic in Vegas. That sounds glamorous, but Magic is the name of the USA's largest fashion trade show, and when...