Spotted in a Shop Window - Oscar de la Renta Embroidered Dress

Really? Summer hasn't even started, but the Fall 2014 fashion season is ready to roll! I spotted this in one of the windows at Nordstrom's in downtown Seattle today.

What really caught my eye, though, was this stunning embroidered dress - the shimmering light blue background and the rich gold, blue, and pink floral motifs are dramatic and dazzling. I simply love embroidery.

 

The black and white midriff dress in the background appears a bit understated in contrast, but is lovely too. ;-)

Spotted in a Shop Window - A Short Cape!

This cute short cape in extra large houndstooth was spotted in the window of Nordstrom's in downtown Seattle. I love the toggle closing. Sporty, fun fashion!

Spotted in a Shop Window - Swing Coat!

What do you think? Is this not a super-cute coat? It has more than a tent silhouette - it has beautiful bias flared swing fullness.

It reminds me of the coats of the 1940s (and a bit in the early 1950s). In that era coats with swing fullness (especially in the back) were enormously popular. Adult or child, these coats were definitely tailored, and had delicious back fullness and flared drape. Here are a few examples from patterns currently in my shop:

Spotted in a Shop Window - More Peplums!

Seen in recent walk past Nordstrom's store windows in downtown Seattle are two tops with peplums.

This one has wonderful bias flare:

The slim strapless two-piece dress at left has a sleek flared peplum - such eye-catching style.

In vintage patterns, you can find the peplum in almost any decade, but the peplum was at the height of its popularity in the 1940s. Here are a few examples:

 

 1940s

 

1940s 

1940s

 

1950s

 

1990s

 

 

Spotted in a Shop Window - Peplums!

Spotted in the window of Nordstrom's, downtown Seattle, this fabulous Givenchy slim skirt & jacket with flared peplum and front cascading drape has dramatic color contrast:

Also spotted in the window at Nordstroms, is this Dior red hot 2-piece dress with cascading peplum:

Peplums have been popular over the decades, but particularly in the 1940s. Here are a few fabulous vintage styles with peplums.

1950s

 

 1940s

 

 

1930s