Fashion Time Line

A Tribute to Downton

1900-1910, 1910-1920, Windows

Our Petrune guilty pleasure is obviously a good period piece drama. Currently we are obsessing over Downton Abbey on Masterpiece Classic. For the past two seasons, we have fallen in love with Lady Violet’s quick-wit  and the tumultuous relationship between Mary and Matthew. Mostly though we have been gushing about early 20th century fashion, so we thought the best way to share our joy was in a window display!

These Victorian and early 20th century pieces are some of our favorites of all time. The Victorian Riding Jacket can be found on our Etsy shop.

What will happen on the season finale on Sunday? Will Bates be convicted? Will Lady Mary marry Richard? More importantly…. What stunning frocks will we see?!?! We simply cannot wait to find out! Be sure to stop by to check out this window display in person, and tune into Downton Abbey.

Happy Valentine’s Day, Let’s wear red and eat chocolate regardless of our relationship status!

1960-1970, 1970-1980, Special Events, Style, Windows

Valentine’s day! It’s a nice time. When we’re in love, we like it because love is nice and it’s good to have a holiday celebrating it! When we’re not in love… did you know there’s going to be a major chocolate sale on Feb 15th? Oh yeah(to be said in Kool-Aid style voice)!

Speaking of Kool Aid, a close third to Candy and Love in the scheme of holiday greatness is the color! We put together a red and pink Valentines window a couple days ago, inspired by some delightfully snazzy 70’s romance comics. With our display dressed to impress and our sexiest vintage-inspired lingerie out on the front table… can someone please give us chocolate now?

Hot pink 60’s Bonnie Cashin Leather Rain Coat! Love!

Mary Green silk high waist knickers for you or your sweetheart!

 

A Window Fit for a Boudoir Queen

1940-1950, 1950-1960, Style, Windows

Vintage sleepwear is incredible. The detail put into nightgowns and lingerie back when they were primarily handmade never ceases to amaze us… and the silks and satins don’t hurt much either!

For our most recent window, we’re displaying some dreamy vintage boudoir looks, as well as saucy vintage-inspired lingerie. Take a gander. Some detail shots after the jump!

 

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Party Time at Petrune

1950-1960, 1970-1980, 1980-1990, Beautiful Things

Winter is great. There’s the picturesque snow, and we get to bundle in many warm things while we drink warm things with warm people.  When we’re not burrowing into peppermint mochas and woolly blankets though, there’s a sparkly and fabulous aspect to the holiday season fast approaching: holiday parties! Even better, party dresses!

We’ve put together some of our most luscious, sparkly, and celebratory outfits for your pleasure. Combat seasonal depression with tasty cider and socialization in one of these awesome frocks. From crushed velvet, to beautiful beaded creations, to simple red satin, we’ve got you covered for all your wintry party needs.

Libby models a classic red satin gown with a rabbit fur capelet.

Channel the 50's chic in this violet cocktail dress.

If you have a party this would be appropriate for, I'm jealous.

Hand beaded, every inch. About 20 lbs but so beautiful.

The perfect red velvet Christmas dress.

Little black dress with sparkle is a winning combo in any season.

Romance, Exploits, Peril, and our New Window!

1910-1920, 1920-1930, Special Events

Ithaca’s rich film history and status as a “Hollywood of the Northeast” has has left its mark on the town in a myriad of wonderful ways. There’s no doubt that the city’s population has a flair for the beautifully theatric, and productions of both stage and screen have emerged from every corner of Ithaca for as long as living memory. Our new window display pays homage to Irene Castle, Ithaca resident, starlet of the silver screen, and wife to Ithaca’s Robert Treman.

Castle in the 1917 film Patria, the image we used as inspiration for our window.

Castle moved to Ithaca to work as a silent film star, after a whirlwind career as a ballroom dancer with her former husband. Settling down in the newly-constructed Cayuga Heights in the 1920s, Castle quickly became a darling of the booming film scene in Ithaca. Hob-nobbing with Warner Oland and other stars on their lakefront properties, Castle’s bobbed haircut and short (knee length, ooo!) skirts made her a trendsetter of 20’s fashion in the Northeast and beyond.

Beautiful beaded bodice.

Dancing shoes!

Fabulous fans, skirts of scandalous lengths!

Our Irene Castle display is part of the Ithaca Motion Picture Project’s most recent exhibit Romance, Exploits & Peril, an 8 piece multimedia exhibit commemorating the period, almost 100 years ago, that the Wharton Brothers made Ithaca a bastion of the silver screen. The flagship installation is a 90 ft sculptural timeline of the period at the Tompkins County Public Library, and other exhibits scatter the city at Gimme, the State Theater, GIAC, Petrune, and more! For more details, check out their site at www.ithacamotionpictureproject.org

Purple Rain at Petrune

1970-1980, 1980-1990, Rock and Roll, Windows

Here at Petrune, we love to indulge our inner vintage rock star. This week’s window is a tribute to one of our favorite albums of all time Purple Rain by Prince. From the purple jumpsuit to the purple bicycle, this window is a show-stopper!

If you are like us and can’t say no to a costume (and are of age), head to Silky Jones this Thursday night, September 15th, for an amazing Bowie versus Prince Costume Dance Party! Be sure to drop by Petrune to check out the window and pick out your costume!

Sugary Sweet Sunglasses

1990-present, Style

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This weekend we ventured out to The Sugar Shack— the best place in Ithaca to grab an icy treat. Not only do they have delicious shaved ice, the shack itself is insanely colorful! We thought it was the ideal place to show off our new round of sunglasses in the store, as well as some beach ready vintage wears.

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This 1980s crop top sweatshirt comes straight from “WIPE OUT BEACH U.S.A.”,  and looks best when paired with bold rimmed shades and a rad attitude.

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This romper falls right in line with the 80s surfer vibe. The insanity of the neon can barely be captured in a photo, it really glows! Any of our club-master styled glasses complete this stand-out look.

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Who says you can only wear one pair? All models shown in this frame come in at least three alternative color options, all currently on the floor.

Petrune

Channel your inner 1970s grandma with these rose colored specs– they’re massive and entirely too much fun to wear.

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While these sunglasses have seen this blog before, we think they pair well with this 60s cut knit dress. The stripes are unexpectedly flattering, and the weight of the fabric is great for cooler summer nights.

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Even the pups agree– the shades here at Petrune are perfectly tasteful for summer! As always, our sunglasses run at $15 per pair, or two for $25.

Special thanks to photographer Angelina Castillo and the ladies of The Sugar Shack.

ITHACA FEST 2011

1940-1950, Beautiful Things, Style, Windows

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Tonight is the official start of this years Ithaca Festival ! Here’s a peek at our new window celebrating the theme of the festival, “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” by William Shakespeare. We’ve been drooling over this dress for a while now, wouldn’t it be the perfect whimsical wedding dress for Hippolyta, Amazonian queen?

 

Be sure to stop in and say hi, we’ll be here all weekend and might have a few surprises up our sleeves!
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This Just In

1920-1930, 1930-1940, Beautiful Things


Petrune has acquired simply beautiful pieces from the 1920s, 30s and 40s. Here’s a quick peak at one of our favorites, a beaded silk blouse from the early 1930s.

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DSC00864_2The glass beading is in nearly perfect condition.

DSC00866Incredible wristlet detail!

What a perfect gift for any vintage lover. Be sure to come into the Holiday Store to see the rest of our new treasures.