When making a dress, or any sewn costume for that matter, you need a dress form that conforms to the shape of whoever the final piece is meant for. You can buy an adjustable dress form but these tend to be expensive. A good adjustable dress form costs well over $100. But one popular method […] The post Best DIY Dress Form – How To Make a Duct Tape Dress Form appeared first on The Costume Rag ..read more

Getting engaged is great. You have all the joy and romance of giving or receiving beautiful vintage engagement rings without the pressure of the actual wedding. You can get engaged whenever you want – planned or spontaneously and as a surprise or a long-anticipated event. Plus you can still have a big party without having […] The post How To Buy Vintage Engagement Rings appeared first on The Costume Rag ..read more

The post-war decade that is the 1950s is often heralded by some as a kind of heyday for all things traditional and conservative. This often applies to everything, including fashion, and, to a large extent, that is true. Why, you might ask? It is primarily because what we consider preppy or trad styles for men […] The post Your Guide to 1950s Men’s Fashion appeared first on The Costume Rag ..read more

Depending on who you ask, it was either the best of times or the worst of times when it comes to 1980s fashion trends and their overall impact on the industry.  Let’s face it: 1980s fashion is a take-it-or-leave-it proposition and most of us have left it behind but, for a certain select number of […] The post The Essentials of 1980s Men’s Fashion appeared first on The Costume Rag ..read more

Women’s 1950s fashion is a great style – so it’s no surprise many people want to make their own with 1950s dress patterns. Vintage sewing patterns are a great way to make your own outfit from a classic retro era. You can choose your own fabric and make the vintage dress to your size. While […] The post Vintage Sewing Patterns: Top 1950s Dress Patterns appeared first on The Costume Rag ..read more

So, you want to look as authentically 1950s as possible? Well, to achieve the perfect ’50s look, you have to start with what’s happening underneath that sheath dress or full-circle skirt and tight sweater… some amazing vintage lingerie! The 1950s were a time for falsies. Although we think that bust padding is a relatively new […] The post Vintage Lingerie Guide: 1950s Underwear appeared first on The Costume Rag ..read more

Women’s 1950s fashion is a popular retro style and yet can be interpreted in many different ways. To some 1950s fashion represents improving economic conditions after the war as well as the advent of new media and culture. On the other hand, many see 1950s fashion as encapsulating many social issues that continue to this […] The post 1950s Fashion For Women: From the New Look to La Dolce Vita appeared first on The Costume Rag ..read more

Depending on who you ask, it was either the best of times or the worst of times when it comes to 1980s fashion trends and their overall impact on the industry.  Let’s face it: 1980s fashion is a take-it-or-leave-it proposition and most of us have left it behind but, for a certain select number of […] The post The Essentials of 1980s Men’s Fashion appeared first on The Costume Rag ..read more

The modern workplace can have a myriad of bewildering rules – especially in major corporate offices – but one thing tends to stay the same across companies and fields and that is what is considered proper attire for business. Yet a more recent phenomenon in business dress is the advent of the so-called “business casual” […] The post What is Business Casual? Our Complete Guide Will Save You appeared first on The Costume Rag ..read more

The Goodyear welt is a patented method of making good quality shoes. Goodyear welted shoes are made in such a way that the soles are very durable and waterproof as well as replaceable. Some of the best men’s shoe brands today still use this 1869 method that hasn’t been surpassed by more modern construction methods. […] The post What is Goodyear Welt And Why You Need It appeared first on The Costume Rag ..read more