FEMME NOIR… the Essential Wardrobe
Inspired by the French notion that values quality and fit over quantity. A few well-crafted and fitted garments are the foundation to a satisfying and beautiful wardrobe.
Every Woman Should Own a Dress She Loves to Wear OFTEN
A dress for a special event can be fun, but a dress you readily reach for is even better. You reach for it because it is cherished, comfortable, and makes you feel good.
Dior’s Dress of Roses
Beguiling, soft, breezy. A modern take on a famous Dior dress, with stretch fabric that allows ease of movement with roses that float as you move.
Casablanca Suit Dress
Understated classic 1940s glamour that exudes sophistication. Made with modern knit fabric that moves with you with surprising comfort and ease.
AND Loungewear THAT GENTLY BUFFERS HER from the World…
Lounge wear can be comfortable and beautiful. There are times when you are somewhere between a restful morning coffee and the inevitable quick errand. The gorgeous charmeuse kimono and quilted satin bed jacket let you lounge and also get things done when need be! The Babylon is light and breezy as a nightgown and can be repurposed as a dress. Wear it in whatever way inspires you!
The Babylon
Pearl buttoned Nightgown in a soft cotton. Light and breathable.
Hemingway Kimono with Obi Belt
Simple snaps allow it to be worn with or without the quilted belt. Wear it about the house, or as a silky swim cover-up!
I LOVE LUCY Bed Jacket
Quilted Satin 3/4 length arm bed jacket with ornamental clasps and secure snaps underneath. A shorter sleeve is so smart! You can wear this jacket all day about the house without the sleeves getting wet or in the way. You can wear it outside too. If it’s cold, just slip on your baby alpaca beaded gloves!
You won’t be happy, whatever you do, unless you’re comfortable with your own conscience. Keep your head up, keep your shoulders back, keep your self-respect, be nice, be smart. And remember that there are practically no overnight successes
― Lucille Ball, 1911 – 1989
Pants That Bring Freedom and Fit!
Women like Barbara Stanwyk, Katherine Hepburn, and Ginger Rogers broke with the mandate that jeans are just work clothes and started wearing them on and off screen. Trousers and then blue jeans emerged as a symbol of liberation from narrow definitions of femininity.
Fast forward to today’s ready-to-wear world… when do jeans or trousers actually fit? Mostly never. Welcome to FEMME NOIR jeans and trousers where there are no concessions. No compromises. Only pure fit. And with that, freedom.
Kate Hepburn Trousers
A comfortable pair of trousers should wear smoothly with a gentle silhouette. Hanging gently off the waist and cascading over the hip. Sit, stand, walk with ease. Enjoy deep pockets hidden in pleats and an optional welted back pocket.
Barbara Stanwyk Jeans
JEANS. Is there any garment more utilitarian and exquisite? Dress up, dress down. FEMME NOIR has a new take on the classic Wranglers or Levis, with the luxury of modern partial-stretch denim fabric that would make Barbara Stanwyk envious. Button up fly or zipper.
Jeans don’t have to be DENIM! Try a hemp cotton blend, canvas, Japanese Selvedge Denim, Japanese Cotton Twill or Canvas, Tencel, Non-denim twill, corduroy, or sateen denim for a shiny, formal finish.
I still look forward to living. I wake up looking forward to each day. Whatever comes, I’m alive! I’m existing. I’m part of it.
― Barbara Stanwyk, 1907-1990
A Coat that holds You!
A tailored coat in the tradition of the 40s and 50s is luxurious. It takes into account what you might be wearing underneath. The arm slightly dropped and widened to accommodate layers of clothing without bunching.
Breakfast at tiffany’s wool coat
The coat you will wear everywhere! It holds you, moves with you and buffers you from the cold. And the pockets! Deep and securely sewn into the waist of the coat so you can fill your pockets like a purse, and no one will be the wiser.
Ava Gardner Hand-knitted Gloves
An item of pure genius during Film Noir era was a pair of gloves. How divine!
Baby alpaca yarn knitted with glass beads to accentuate the lush softness of the yarn by capturing light. There is no comparison to the feeling of hand knitted gloves. They are like a hand massage that warms you and brings magic to your day.
Choose the weight of the yarn based upon your desire for warmth, utility, and formality. Baby alpaca blend with wool for elasticity, washable merino wool to endure more common use, finger weight for a refined appearance, or fingering sport weight for greater warmth and rustic appearance.
Hand-knitted gloves: Each set takes 2-3 days to knit.
