Christy brought this photo and brand to my attention today - thank you Christy! Which took me to The Nifty Fifties and this pinterest page and this one and this one. Vintage overload!
It almost makes me contemplate opening a Facebook account just so I can play along on Pinterest.
I had no idea that my name was a vintage brand!
Not exactly sure what “washes like a hanky” means. I assume this is a positive thing?
But I do love their slogan, “My Laura Mae Blouse comes first.”
It reminds me of those Calvin Klein ads with the tag “nothing comes
between me and my Calvins” - only much better.
Does anyone own a Laura Mae?
My guess is that "washes like a hanky" means that it's considered washable, like an apron, housedress, or handkerchief. A handkerchief usually being the one you're least careful with, I'm guessing. You throw it in the wash after it's been used, don't worry about how much heat or agitation it's getting, and it comes out fresh, and it doesn't shrink or disfigure.
ReplyDeleteWell that makes sense. When I think of hanky, I think of lace and delicate fabric, but a utilitarian fabric makes more sense!
DeleteYou don't need to have a Facebook account to be on Pinterest. In fact it is preferred to not have the two connected, IMO, and from what I have read from others, privacy issues. Would love to see you on Pinterest and would follow. You can put a Pinterest logo on your blog that others can click and get to your boards. Pinterest is great fun. You are floating around there already, btw. Love your blog.
ReplyDeleteI'm guessing like Emma about the Wash like a hanky: no worry, can be washed hot, will always come out of the machine like new. At the time, disposable hankies were not available, and hankies were (from their use) really dirty when going into the machine. So you can dirty your shirt like you want, you can wash it without care, and it will remain as beautiful as on the first day...
ReplyDeleteThat is so wonderfully neat! For quite a few years now there's been a house brand from Sear's that shares my name (Jessica), too, but best I can tell, it wasn't around during my beloved 40s and 50s, so I don't think I'll likely find any vintage "Jessica" ads anytime soon (awesome as that would be).
ReplyDeleteWashes like a hankie is a positive, for sure. It most implies that the fabric could be laundered the same way as a handkerchief - basically a good wash, dry, and perhaps iron, with no special treatment needed to ensure the garment kept looking crisp and lovely.
♥ Jessica
Awwww! Thank you! It makes me happy that it made you happy! Chris
ReplyDeleteThank YOU!!
DeleteHow apropos!!
ReplyDeleteYou don't need any other account to join Pinterest. Peter thought so, too. Ask him.
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness, you are right - there goes all of my free time!
DeleteI remember these blouses from my grade school days. With a navy pleated skirt, I had several blouses that washed like a hanky. Really I only remember that phrase, and not if they were Laura Mae. The shirts, were sewed with flat felled seams, as I remember, and bias tape facing the collar. I seem to remember matching knee socks for each shirt too. That may have been Mom's doing. Anyway washing like a hanky meant everything mentioned, and that they ironed like one too. No starch needed to make them look crisp and fresh unless you wanted. I never starched. I could iron them because they only needed the placket and the collar ironed. These had been through the wringer remember. They shook out, didn't hold the wrinkles, and dried on the line looking quite nice. Mine were all cotton, and fabric like that doesn't really turn up in clothing much these days.
ReplyDeleteThey sound lovely. I sure wish cotton fabric like that was readily available!
DeleteThank you for sharing your story - I bet those matching knee socks were adorable!
ended up here because I thrifted a really pretty blouse the other day and just got around to actually looking at it's tags and sewing, I noticed single stitch so I thought it might be vintage and looked up the brand, so here I am! I love learning about the things I buy second hand, thank you for sharing this! my blouse came with a matching fabric belt like one you would have to tie around a dress
ReplyDeleteI am now realizing the fabric belt that came with my blouse may actually be to tie around the neck!
ReplyDeleteI ended up here bc I found one in my belongings and will be selling it! It’s so cute. Just lovely nostalgia.
ReplyDeleteI just found fabric brand new in package by this brand at a thrift store and couldn't find much about it! Pretty unusual to find cut fabric in a branded package.
ReplyDelete