Brigitte Bardot always comes to mind when someone utters the word pinup or sex symbol. Men lusted after her womanly figure while women lusted after and tried to copy her 50’s pinup girl style. Her large kohl rimmed eyes and pale pink lips were her fashion trademarks. Bardot was also a rebel who resisted the claustrophobic mores of the 50’s with her relaxed way of dressing.

“She is every man’s idea of the girl he’d like to meet in Paris” said the film-critic Ivon Addams in 1955. She often wore her blonde hair in a wild pony tail or sometimes pigtails in a look that today is thought of as the perfect bedhead look. Her pink gingham wedding dress designed by Jacques Esterel became a sensation in 1956. Also, in 1956 Brigitte starred in the film And God Created Woman which was an international success. For more Brigitte visit the Style Guide at Night Owl Vintage.

Old magazines are my weakness. Just last weekend Shayne bought me nine between the flea market and antique shop. For me vintage magazines are a great way to get a feel for what was popular at the time both with fashion and culture. The scans below are from a story featured in the October 1963 issue of Woman’s Day focusing on creating your Fall/Winter wardrobe.

Chantal Goya plays the character of Madeleine Zimmer, a budding pop star in the 1966 film Masculin, Féminin directed by Jean-Luc Godard. She becomes involved with a young idealist named Paul and begins a ménage à quatre with her roommates.

Madeleine’s wardrobe is minimal yet stylish featuring lightweight sweaters, a tailored jacket and peter pan collars. All topped off with her heart locket, striped scarf and that wonderful haircut.

Pan-Fried Salmon Cakes

Ingredients:

• 1 – 14.75 oz. can pink or red salmon
• 2 large eggs
• 1 cup cracker crumbs
• 1/3 cup milk
• 1/3 cup fresh chopped parsley
• 1/2 tsp. kosher salt
• 1 tsp. Old Bay Garlic & Herb seasoning
• 1/4 tsp. ground black pepper
• Vegetable Oil

Directions

1. Drain salmon and remove skin and bones.
2. Mix salmon, eggs, cracker crumbs, milk and parsley in medium bowl. Add salt, pepper and seasoning and mix until seasonings are incorporated.
3. Divide mixture into six even portions, then pat into round cakes approx. 1/2 inch thick on wax paper.
4. Heat 1/4 inch of vegetable oil in large skillet to 350 degrees. Place 2-3 salmon cakes in oil and fry until golden brown on each side, turning halfway through cooking, approx. 6 minutes. Drain on paper towels and repeat with remaining salmon cakes.
5. Serve with tartar sauce, cocktail sauce, or aioli.

Serves 2-3

Joan Holloway is Sterling Cooper’s resident bombshell. Her office style is sexy without showing it all. Think pencil skirts, bold shades, buttoned up blouses and figure hugging dresses that emphasize the waist. Oh, and don’t forget your red lipstick! To pull off Joanie’s look confidence is key.

1. Joan Dress by Night Owl Vintage 2. Vintage Inspired Pen Necklace by 1928 Jewelry 3. Black Rocha Pump by Nine West 4. Gold Love Knot Earrings by 1928 Jewelry 5. Revlon Super Lustrous Creme Lipstick in Fire & Ice

Zooey Deschanel is known for her quirky beauty and ability to change her look and persona in an instant. She first got our attention in the film Mumford and has since gone on to playing the older stewardess sister in Almost Famous and the goth makeup-counter attendant in The Good Girl. She is the vintage darling of the fashion world with her flapper-era sense of style. Zooey herself admits her love for vintage clothing in a recent article, “I love old music, old movies, screwball comedies, vintage clothes, and basically I’m an old-fashioned gal.”

…and just because I love her and 500 Days Of Summer…

Hopeless is a couture lingerie company owned and operated by sisters Gabrielle and Dominique Adamidis. All of their pieces are designed and handmade in Melbourne, Australia, using pure silk and other natural fabrics. Inspired by feminine beauties of all eras, each piece is designed to evoke the feeling of being in a faraway dream world. The new collection The Voyage is available in the Hopeless etsy shop now.

Hopeless.etsy.com