Thursday, March 14, 2013

Of hats, bunnies, and eggs



In your Easter bonnet
with all the frills upon it,
You'll be the grandest lady in the

Easter parade....
                                                                ~Irving Berlin



Easter was always a special day for my Mother. She was a buyer, so she'd just bring home what she thought we would like, and then we'd have a special "try on day." Although I don't dress that way today - few do -  I really loved it back then. Of course, along with the dress, I'd have to pick out just the right purse, shoes, hat, and even jewelry to accessorize my outfit perfectly.
 
We always went to church anyway, but this day was very specail!  Everyone at the church was dressed so devine, and all of the pews were filled to the brim! We sang "Easter Parade" along with the beautiful hymns, and we usually had a wonderful potluck lunch in the church's special events room. This was a day of prayer, and after that there was fashion and friends, and I loved it!!

Many people throughout the country joined in this tradition - dressing up seemed to put us in harmony with the promise of spiritual renewal and redemption. Here are some really dramatic examples of the fashion celebration evident at Easter, especially featuring hats, as demonstrated in Bing Crosby's Easter Bonnet video. (CAUTION CONTAINS MUSIC!)





Even at the depths of the Great Depression a new or refurbished Easter hat was a simple luxury. But it became almost a necessity in popular culture by the time Irving Berlin penned his Easter bonnet tune. By the time the popular movie titled "Easter Parade" after that same tune; starring Judy Garland, Fred Astaire, Peter Lawford, and Ann MIller hit the big screen in 1948; there was no doubt that hats were a big staple in this holiday. In fact New York City and other cities hosted festive parades of their own modeled after the movie's walkabout.

The Easter Bunny or Easter Rabbit tradition goes back even further - to approximately 1682 when Georg Franck von Frankennau refers to an Alsace tradition of an Easter Hare bringing Easter Eggs in his De ovis paschalibus. According to legend the character depicted as a rabbit, sometimes wearing clothes, brings Easter eggs in his basket, candy, and sometimes toys to the homes of children. See any similarities to Santa Claus and bringing gifts?  

Well, obviously maor retailers did because today their shelves are lined with majorly huge filled baskets, enormous chocolate bunnies, and all manner of toys you "must have" as an appropriate Easter offering. And wouldn't you know it, the hats have almost disappeared. So it's especially nice we can do the Easter "dress up" we enjoyed during our childhood with our dolls!  

Now it's fun time - don't forget to click on the Easter "cards" to see bigger pictures of the fashions.  You can also click the link in the descriptions to go over to the individual shops to see more pictures and information on their featured fashions.  Let's play!  


La Petite Fashion Promenade’s contribution to the Easter Parade is a fabulous four piece  ensemble for Antoinette, Deva Dolls, and similar proportioned 16 inch fashion dolls. The strapless dress has a bodice of black stretch satin, a  four tier black and white print skirt, and is fully lined in nude Glissenette to prevent staining.  Hidden elastic provides a secure fit and keeps the dress from stretching out of shape. See all the details in Ina's shop.


As Anna looked at the bedding she had made for Easter she could not help but admire the fine silk reversible coverlet and the rectangular reversible pillows that matched.  She thought what a wonderful gift it would make for someone's favorite doll. You will find this set in her shop, Somethings Old Somethings New, on Designer Drive.


Karen's Easter outfit is a 100% cotton shift style dress with short, puffed sleeves.  It has a coordinating belt under the bust that is accented with an Easter egg pewter buckle.  The dress is lined and closes in the back with a zipper.  The short puffed sleeves are unlined. The pink sinamy hat has coordinating trim around brim and hat band, and a big silk flower and rose  colored bow.  The three multi-colored Easter Egg decorations have beads on the ends to finish this outfit. See this at Xxtrafashionable.



Creative Couture's dress for Poppy Parker, Barbie, or other 11.5" dolls is called Roses in Bloom and gives the feeling of Spring and Easter! It is fashioned from a chiffon print of pink with rose colored roses, and  completely lined in pink satin. It features a bodice with a scoop neck and long full shear sleeves ending in satin cuffs trimmed with pearl buttons. The dress has a full skirt eith four layer underskirt of tulle and a belt of pink satin. There is  a clutch purse of pink satin with a pearl button closure. Poppy could have a lovely day, and be very comfortable in her lovely spring frock. You may purchase this fashion from Peggy's shop.



Easter to her means bunnies and hats! She wears a classic cotton sheath print with the "Tale of Peter Rabbit" print. The blue cotton cummerbund is separate and has a satin ribbon "cabbage rose" accent.  Of course there is a matching hat and purse because what Lady would pass the Easter season without a complete ensemble!  Meet you in my BW Designs shop on Main Stret for a try on??



My Vintage Cissy wears a dress set that was inspired by the lyrics of the Irving Berlin song "Easter  Parade."  Pansy flowers on  ecru background is the floral spring pattern of the cotton polyester fabric used to create Deni Doll Design's frock.  The lovely dress for Easter celebrations has a square neckline, gathered short sleeves and a full skirt. Beautiful accents in mauve are added by lace and ribbon at hemline, looped ribbon belt at the waistline, and ribbon roses stitched to the sleeve hemlines  plus one on the bodice.  The bonnet is trimmed with flowers and leaves, then a bow so the hat ties under the chin. See all in her shop!


Delilah wears a soft pink cotton shirtwaist dress made by Pat Stoughton. The circular skirt and the bodice is fully lined in a baby pink cotton. The dress has a removable white lace belt.  She carries a pocketbook of white organza with embroidery embellishment. In her hair is a vintage-style hat dotted with white blossoms.  When I was a small girl, I had a much-loved dress similar to this. My hat was a simple piece of lace and tiny flowers and I carried a small pocketbook. All were made by Pat's mother, a seamstress.



Spring Romance is a classic ensemble consisting of a strapless sheath dress of luscious printed silk charmeuse. It is topped with a bolero style jacket of tangerine silk crepe, and features collar and elbow length sleeves.  Both pieces are fully lined. A smart little hat, embellished with flowers and tulle, completes this outfit available at Nasha's Doll Boutique.





In honor of the holiday, Gayle has created an ooak ensemble, Easter stroll " Sunshine" inspired and in memory of her Mother's love for yellow roses.  A knit fabric with hand ruffling that resembles a blooming rose makes up this outfit available on Oohlalaz's website. This ensemble is a two piece top dress and slip on skirt that can be worn as a short dress or as pictured.  Other accessories included are a parasol, hat, earrings and stockings. 




This outfit from one of our newest shops, Just Jenny's, is titled Easter Egg Hunt.  The fitted and lined top is made from a 100 % cotton Easter Egg print, and is trimmed in back rick rack at the neckline..  The back closes with multi-colored buttons. The white poly/cotton, elastic waist pants use coordinating print as stripes near the hem.  To top off this cute, sunny ensemble it a bandana trimmed in white bias tape.  When creating her My Size Barbie fashions, Jenny takes extra care in construction by using overlock seams.This outfit is now available for sale in her shop! Custom Orders gladly accepted!

Well that's all for our March Happening, but we're working on lots of upcoming projects for April and all through the Summer.  So enjoy the beauty Spring always brings - and don't forget to enjoy it with your dolls!


                  Happy Easter from CDS!!