Vintage Find: Nathan Turk Embroidered Shirt

By Valerie Lawrence

Credit: cayusewa

Nathan Turk known as the “cowboy tailor” created custom western couture for Tom Mix, Gene Autry, Roy Rogers, the Maddox Brothers, Patsy Cline, Elvis and many other country-western entertainers from the 1930s through the 70s. Like Bolin, his shop was near Hollywood and his flamboyant outfits were as loud as the customers who wore them. Turk exaggerated the cut and colors of western wear and made the western gabardine suit famous.

Credit: goldenwestclothing         

Credit: thefedoralounge

Credit: buyvintageclothing

When Nathan Turk retired in 1978, he sold his business to Manuel, a famous western brand. Manuel is rumored to have paid Turk with a blank check, which he never cashed.

This vintage find to die for comes with a provenance—or at least with a good story to tell.  It is believed this 1935 shirt may have been worn by one of the Maddox Brothers in the book “100 Years of Western Wear.”

Credit: cayusewa

It is in excellent condition with embroidered white roses and green stems creating an organic pattern across the front and back and down the sleeves of this shocking red gabardine shirt.  The classic ‘smile pockets,’ shoulders and collar are lined with cream piping. Vintage snap buttons complete the look. Find it at Cayuse Western Americana.

Credit: cayusewa

Credit: abebooks

If a Gal Can Swagger, This is the Dress for it

The Squaw Dress of the 1950s: Vintage Finds by Valerie Lawrence

Admit it, there is not a girl in the West who doesn’t like the sound, feel and swagger of a swooshing dress.  High fashion in the 1950s, the Squaw dress, also known as the Fiesta dress, Patio dress, Rick-Rack dress, and the Patsy Cline dress was breezy, comfortable and it swooshed when you walked.

Credit: Pettipond

And they are beautiful. My mother had a breathtaking two-piece rust-orange dress set with black velvet rick-rack braid ornamentation sewn around the top shoulders and skirt edges.  It was all the rage. This video clip demonstrates just how popular these dresses were in the West:

The full skirt was often worn with a petticoat and a concho belt. It could be worn with cowboy boots, ballet slippers or stylishly worn with low heals as modeled in this image of young Anne Bancroft. 

Anne Bancroft poses in a publicity shot in the Parry Lodge’s Pink Poodle clothing store. Credit: When Hollywood Came to Town: A History of Moviemaking in Utah by James V. D’Arc.

Credit: Photo and painting by Kate Starling ©

My friend Kate, who is a wonderful landscape artist, bought her first Arizona Patio dress a few months ago and painted this picture of it. Since then, she bought another dress!

You can still find dozens of Simplicity patterns online to sew your own dress and pick your own rick-rack or balled trim.

Credit: donnasvintagetreasures

By the time I was old enough to wear a dress like this, the fashions had been replaced by bell-bottom jeans and hippie dresses, but in case you are nostalgically hoping for their return, as I am, I found a few vintage finds to add to your closet until that day arrives—along with the return of the 18 in. waistline.

Credit: seemslikeonlyyesterday

Credit: seemslikeonlyyesterday

Credit: ebay

Credit: Etsy

Credit: Etsy

Credit: hopeseguin

Thanks to Kate Starling (see her painting above) for sending this photo - great vintage find:

Vintage Find of the Day: Pick up the Gauntlet

By Valerie Lawrence

Whether demure or daring, cowgirls who saddled up for the ranch or just rode out for a stroll were always in style with these hand tooled gloves.  For women who had a passion for the outdoors, protecting their skin was a challenge. Besides the obvious protection from the weather, the right gloves allowed them to handle rawhide reins, ride through tall grasses, brush willows aside, pick up baby calves, or slap a man if they needed to...  

Credit: Cayuse Western Americana

Vintage Cowgirl Gloves

Hand tooled leather guard with calf skin hands

Gussets at the wrist for sizing and snaps for the guard

Price: $750.00

Find them at Cayuse Western Americana

Credit: Old Man Gallery & Framing

Gail Davis as Annie Oakley. Credit: Inner Toob 

Annie Oakley shooting over her shoulder using a hand mirror, c. 1885. Credit: Turn of the Century  

Credit: Movieactors.com

Credit: Library of Congress

Credit: Library of Congress

“Montana Girl”. Credit: Library of Congress

Vintage Find of the Day: Cowgirl Gloves

By Valerie Lawrence

Elizabeth Taylor wore them in Giant, Stetson gloves from the 1950s. Visible stitching down the backhand gives these wrist-length gloves the “cowgirl” look that supports Miss Taylor’s role as a ranch wife in Texas.  Nothing finishes an outfit like a pair of gloves for that ‘pulled together’ look that is so uncommon, but so attractive. You can wear these gloves to create your own style and look charming year around.

Scene from Giant. Credit: YouTube.com

Scene from Giant. Credit: YouTube.com

Credit: VivaVintageClothing.com

Credit: VivaVintageClothing.com

Measurements - Size: marked size 7 1/8 on the plastic sleeve, but 7 inside (3.5" across the palm, unstretched). 
Length: 9.25" from tip of middle finger to cuff. 
Label: Stetson Gloves

Find them at VivaVintageClothing.com

Vintage Find of the Day: Bohlin Buckle Sets

By Valerie Lawrence

Two stunning vintage buckle sets available:

Credit: EBay.com

Credit: EBay.com

Not only are you buying a magnificent man’s buckle set, you are buying a legend with this grouping. Gals, this would look phenomenal looped around an Arizona skirt or jeans.  Designed by master craftsman Edward H. Bohlin in 1930, the unusual art nouveau features are a prominent design element in the “Arizona” motif which features cacti, mountains and wild grasses. It measures 3 x 2-5/8 inches, and has a sterling silver base with an overlay of 14K yellow gold. There are two days of bidding left, but you can have it now for $3900.

Credit: EBay.com

The second vintage set, also created by Bohlin, is from his “Parade” series.  A classic beauty, it has a floret motif made of 12K and 18K gold. Four days are left with a starting bid of $2000

If you don't know Edward H. Bohlin, you certainly know his tack and saddles.  Owner and founder of Edward H. Bohlin, “Saddlemakers, Silversmiths, Hollywood, California,” he was the silversmith for the Stars.  Gene Autry, Roy Rogers, Tom Mix, Buc Jones, The Lone Ranger, and John Wayne were among a few of his clients.

Credit: Stevesomething

Credit: EBay.com

Credit:Buckarooleather

Credit: Horseandman.com - Edward H. Bohlin is standing with his personal saddle, and horse…prepared to ride in the annual Tournament of Roses Parade.