2017 is all about new beginnings and for many it means refreshing their wardrobe. I would LOVE to do an add-on to my vintage collection this year (not restart) but due to current situations in my life and space I’m all about the virtual window shopping instead. So thank you Pinterest for allowing me to fill up my “closet” with so many fantastic vintage goodies.

Lets go shopping in my virtual closet friends!

Disclosure: Some of the links on my blog from Etsy , eBay, are Affiliate Links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.

Note: If you click on an item and it is no longer available, don’t fret! The websites I have provided are updated daily with 1000’s of new & vintage items. Just do a quick search and see what you find.

1940s Rayon Dress. This would be marvelous on the dance floor. Who ever now owns it, is one lucky gal.

1940s Rayon vintage dress — Source: Etsy

1940’s Green Emerald Swing Dress dream.

Vintage 1940s Dress . Emerald Green . Pleated Sleeves — Source: Pinterest

As I continue to look for a new job, I’m always thinking about what my first day, future new jobs clothing would look like. This Dorothy O’Hara 1940’s wool suit would be so perfect and make quite a statement. Don’t you agree?

Vintage 1940s Dorothy O'Hara Navy Blue Wool Wiggle Dress — Source: Pinterest

One of my dream trips with my husband is to rent a camper in Scotland and drive around to the castles and distillery’s for several weeks. This 40’s red plaid wool swing coat and hat would be so amazing for this trip!

1940s Fashion: Red Plaid Wool Swing Coat and Hat Set — Source: Etsy-Sweetbeefinds

When one needs a gown for a special function, you can’t go wrong wearing a 1950’s Suzy Perette Dress.

1950s Fashion: Vintage 1950s Suzy Perette Gold Lame — Source: Etsy- MyLiliMarlene

Who is not a fan of adorable cotton 1950’s dresses? They are perfect for any occasion and come in all figure flattering styles.

1950s Vintage Dress - 50s Pink and Silver Floral Cotton Dress — Source: Etsy-Sweetbeefinds

This is a Liz dress…right here. I can see it on me already, I can see where I would wear it and how I would wear my hair. Now someone else owns this, but I don’t think that should stop me from dreaming about one day owning this early 1940’s day dress.

1940s vintage day dress in red & white with a cute print. — Source: Pinterest

Like most of the Vintage community, I have a love for the designer Jonathan Logan and his 1950’s designs. What a great colour combination, and look at those pockets!

1950s Fashion: vintage 1950s Jonathan Logan dress — Source: Etsy-Trunk of Dresses

Art Deco influence meets 1940’s classic styling.

1940s Fashion: Vintage 1940s navy crepe vintage dress — Source: Pinterest

Are you a card playing, Vegas loving gal? Then this cute kitschy 1940’s dress would be perfect for you. I love Vegas, just terrible at cards.

1940s Fashion: vintage 1940s dress playing card novelty applique black 40s wiggle dress — Source: Pinterest

And that is a peak into my virtual closet for this month. If you like what you see more 1920s-1960s fashions check out my Pinterest Board, ‘Vintage Womens Fashions‘. It’s DREAMY!

Question Time: If you could have any vintage outfit or designers outfit on the planet, what/who would it be?

Further Reading: Collection of blog posts I have written on ‘Vintage Fashions from the 1920s-1960s‘

Liz

Howard Greer (1886-1974) was a Hollywood fashion designer and a costume designer in the Golden Age of American cinema, and credited by Vogue on having “a sixth sense about the fashion future “.

1940s vintage photo: Deanna Durbin in Hoop Skirt Styled Lace Fabric Flowered Evening Dress Designed by Howard Greer — Source: All Posters

Disclosure: Some of the links on my blog from Etsy , eBay are Affiliate Links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.

Vintage Fashion Designer: Howard Greer-The Man with the Sixth Sense

Notable Career Highlights:

* Howard Greer began his fashion career at Lucile in 1916, working in both her New York and Chicago branches before serving in France in World War I.

* After the war, he remained in Europe, working for Lucille, Paul Poiret, and Molyneux, and designing for the theatre.

* He returned to America in 1921, and through his theatre work was hired as chief designer for Famous Players-Lasky studios.

* He was the first major costume designer to take the leap of establishing his own couture house in 1927.

* He designed primarily modern dress films with glamorous wardrobes for the star, no matter what her social standing. Though he did add society women and their daughters to his clientele as his workmanship became more well-known.

* His Ready-To-Wear line created in 1947 was sold around the country and he was in the top-tier of American ready-to-wear designers.

* He designed custom clothing for the stars until his retirement in 1962 (Source).

Howard Greer Designs:

* Tended toward the expensive afternoon and evening clothes of the fitted torso type with eye-catching effects.

* Did not follow the padded shoulder line of the 1940s, and liked to work with black combined with a range of pinks for contrast.

* Specialized in cocktail and dinner dresses that he specifically designed to look good seated at a table with stunning necklines (Source).

1940s Rayon Cocktail Howard Greer Dress.

Howard Greer 1940s Cocktail Dress -1940s Fashion. — Source: Flickr-Raina

Fantastic example of a beautiful neckline design on this 1940s Howard Greer dress.

Howard Greer 1940s dress -Fantastic example of beautiful neckline design on this 1940s dress. — Source: The vintage minimalist

1940s peekaboo floral and black dress.

1940s Cocktail Dress with lace like detail along the front.

Howard Greer Fashion Designs in the Movies:

Katharine Hepburn’s 1938 hit movie ‘Bringing up Baby‘ with Cary Grant featured Howard Greer Designs.

Another gown from ‘Bringing up Baby’.

bringing up baby Howard Greer 1930s outfit worn by Katherine Hepburn.

‘My Favorite Wife‘-1940 featuring Irene Dunne & Cary Grant. Those 1940s dresses are…AMAZING!

'My Favorite Wife'-1940 featuring Irene Dunne & Cary Grant. 1940s Dresses by Howard Greer — Source: The Motion Pictures Blog

Irene Dunne in ‘Love Affair‘, 1939. Howard Greer, costume design.

Designing outside of the movies:

Howare Greer Fashion Designs Outside of the Movies:

Rita Hayworth in 1941 wearing a pink & silver lamé gown.

The Wedding Dress for Gloria Vanderbilt for her wedding to Pat DiCicco in 1941.

And for something completely different. Greer created a dress called “The Travel Dress” (which I seriously need). Same dress 12 ways for travel. Seen in Look magazine Jan. 1, 1952.

1950s Fashion: "The Travel Dress" (which I seriously need). Same dress 12 ways for travel. Seen in Look magazine Jan. 1, 1952. — Source: Coco’s Retro Closet

Today, Howard Greers are very hard to find but I did find some currently on the web, if you have the money and are the right size. Happy shopping!

Note: If you click on a link and the item is no longer avail, don’t worry..Etsy has lots of products on their website that just might work, you just have to do a bit of searching (which is always fun).

Howard Greer Fashion Designs “Other” Examples:

First up, why not make your OWN Howard Greer 1950s Button Front Day Dress w/ Pockets as seen on this vintage sewing pattern (in mint condition). Available as of April 2023 HERE.

Howard Greer 1950s Button Front Waist Day Dress w/ Pockets as seen on this vintage sewing pattern.

Source: Etsy

1950s navy blue couture Howard Greer Cocktail Dress.

Howard Greer 1950s Cocktail Dress in Blue. 1950s Fashion. — Source: Etsy-MotherOfVintage

1940S Howard Greer Silk Crepe Short Sleeve Cocktail Dress With taffeta bands & bows.

1940s Fashion: Howard Greer Silk Crepe Short Sleeve Cocktail Dress With Taffeta Bands & Bows

Source: Etsy

Fringed 1930s/1940s Cocktail Dress.

Howard Greer 1930s 1940s Cocktail Dress — Source: Etsy-EadoVintage

1940s, silk dress with lace detailing a chiffon top and balloon sleeves. STUNNING!

Howard Greer 1940s Silk Dress -1940s, silk dress with lace detailing a chiffon top and balloon sleeves. — Source: 1st Dibs

You may not be able to wear the 1948 women’s Howard Greer cocktail dress in this Lord & Taylor vintage fashion ad but you can frame it and put it up on your wall to admire (avail as of April 2023 HERE).

1940s Vintage Ad: 1948 women's Howard Greer cocktail dress at Lord & Taylor vintage fashion ad

Source: eBay

Here is another vintage fashion ad to frame -1954 Marshall Field & Co women’s Howard Greer black lace dress vintage ad (avail as of April 2023 HERE).

1950s vintage ad: 1954 Marshall Field & Co women's Howard Greer black lace dress vintage ad

Source: eBay

Lastly, looking for a read? Then make sure you pick up his Autobiography, ‘Designing Male’ (if you can find it).

Now friends,weren’t all those dresses just fantastic?! Sigh I sure would love to own them all. What were your favorites?

Further Reading:

Vintage Fashion Designers (Archived Blog Posts)
Vintage Fashion 1920s-1960s (Archived Blog Posts)

Liz 🙂

Tag: vintage dresses

My “Virtual” 1940’s and 50’s Vintage Closet – New Year Edition