Vintage Miscellany – November 23, 2014

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I’m pretty sure that the letters on this 1940s cheerleader’s sweater read “BMCD”.  Does anyone have a clue what the letters mean?  A search for BMCD leads to Bishop McDevitt High School, so it could be Bishop McDevitt Catholic, but what does the D mean?

This photo must be enlarged to get the full impact of the football players, and especially the young women sitting on the ground with their fantastic coats.

For those of us not interested in football, there is always the fashion news.

*   Probably the biggest news of the past two weeks was that designer Ralph Rucci has left his own label.   Such a shame, really.

*   Most of us cannot afford to have a suit custom-made on Savile Row, so why should we care about its  decline?

*   Scottish tweed maker Campbells of Beauly has changed hands for the first time in 158 years.

*   Here are fifteen things you most likely did not know about clothing during World War I.   The information comes from a new book, Dressed for War: Uniform, Civilian Clothing & Trappings, 1914 to 1918, written by Nina Edwards.  I’ve read the book, and need to do a review.  It’s about so much more than clothing, and it paints a vivid picture of the hardships both at home and in the trenches.

*   North Carolina is becoming a leader in eco-textiles.

*   Curious about the early history of the sewing machine?

*   Need an excuse to go to Paris?  Pierre Cardin has opened a fashion museum.

*   The newest weapon in the fight against fake designer goods is your smartphone.

*   The Guardian printed trying to explain why fashion keeps reviving old brands.

*   Not fashion, but completely incredible: Children of Civil War Vets still walk among us.

And finally, I have my temporary Etsy shop up and running.  I’ve been listing patterns and books, and I have much more to sell in the next month, so please check it for patterns, fabrics, linens, and a few pieces of vintage clothing.  All the money made goes to support this site and my archives.