Moving To A Nursing Home: What Kind Of Clothing To Bring

Packing Up Mom or Dad's Clothing For A Long Term Residence (Nursing Home) 

How do you know what to bring to a Nursing home when you are moving a loved one from their family home to their new residence? I guess one might think that the answer depends on whether you live in a warm climate or a cold climate? On the contrary,  the answer is almost the same for a variety of climates because elderly frail patients or "residents" as we say, have their own thermostats which may defy the real world.

Dad Still Thought He Lived In Florida, But There Was Snow on The Ground

When I brought my dad up from Florida to the Northeast a few years earlier,  I needed to buy him a winter coat, boots and warmer clothing such as sweaters and flannel pajamas. But dad  had dementia and was convinced he was STILL living in Florida !  In his apartment, before he was moved to a Nursing home, he preferred to crank up the heat and dress in tropical clothing, a short sleeved golf shirt and Bermuda shorts. He had a closet filled with pastel colored summer clothing which he was very attached to. While I was wearing a scarf and several layers of clothing, dad was in beachwear.

Bringing Favorite Outfits to Nursing Home

When dad's dementia advanced further,  he was no longer able to dress himself or to "dress for success".  He needed help with his clothing and now dressed for comfort (jogging pants and a zip up light weight sweat suit jacket, worn out golf shirt).  I brought his favorite outfits to the Nursing home and relied on his aides to help him with dressing.

Do Need Boots in a Nursing Home?

As I packed him up for the Nursing home, I wondered if he would need a winter jacket in the Nursing home....after all where is he going?  Or did he need his boots, gloves?  I wasn't sure if he would be cold or hot in his new environment? Would he need pajamas or would he be wearing the Johnnie gowns you see in hospitals? You will see below my answers and tips on these questions.

 TIPS FOR WHAT TYPES OF CLOTHING TO BRING TO A NURSING HOME

1. Most Nursing homes are kept very warm.....so short sleeves or -shirts are fine.

2. Many older people are cold no matter what the temperature is so sweaters and light weight type jackets are needed.

3. Residents do leave the Nursing home to go to outside doctor appointments so you need jackets, boots etc on hand.

4. Clothes get soiled very easily so don't give everything away when you are making the transition.

5. Even couch potatoes who don't usually do very much in the way of activities or socializing may change their ways in the Nursing home environment and may want to dress up every now and then.


6. Loosely fitting clothing is often needed when medical conditions warrant catheters, IV's etc.

7. Be sure all clothing is labeled. You can use a permanent laundry marker. Or the facility may have a laundry department which places labels on clothing.

8. Unless you are willing to say goodbye to family heirlooms such as handmade or special blankets don't bring these items in because  frequent laundering may damage them.

9. Pajamas are personal preference, but Johnnie gowns are always available.

10,  Bring sneakers or safe shoes to the Nursing home.

11.  Keep extra clothing as back up in your home and bring in when needed.

12. Bring a gift of a new sweater or article of clothing every now and then.



 C. Dianne Zweig is the author of Hot Kitchen & Home Collectibles of the 30s, 40s, 50s and Hot Cottage Collectibles for Vintage Style Homes. She is also the Editor of I Antique Online an actively growing internet based resource community for people who buy, sell or collect antiques, collectibles and art. You can find Dianne’s fabulous retro and vintage kitchen, home and cottage collectibles at The Collinsville Antiques Company of New Hartford, CT, a 22,000 feet antique emporium with an in-house retro café. To read more articles by C. Dianne Zweig click on this link: C. Dianne Zweig’s Blog Kitsch ‘n Stuff Email me at dianne@cdiannezweig.com Visit my website, CDianneZweig.com Dianne is a member of: The American Society of Journalists and Authors The Society of Professional Journalists

Vintage 1950s Faux Fur Leopard Cheetah Swing Coat Featured At Metro Retro Vintage

Warm Up In This Retro Faux Leopard Swing Coat

I could swear my mom owned this very cool jacket I spotted on Metro Retro Vintage , BTW very clever name for an online vintage clothing store on Etsy.com. Metro Retro Vintage is also a member of my site I Antique Online.com

Here is how Metro Retro Vintage describes this wonderful faux leopard jacket:

1950's Faux Leopard Jacket

You’ll love swinging about town in this cool and rockin' vintage 50's faux leopard print swing coat. Throw on a pair of black pencil pants and some cat-eye glasses, and you’re ready to go!

The posh rockabilly style coat is animal-free and comprised of a synthetic "fur" in a leopard spotted pattern, in colors of golden orange/brown color with black and beige.

It has a notched bib style collar, long sleeves, oversized brown buttons and round patch pockets.

The neat coat has a good solid weight, and is fully lined in a brown satin fabric with small patch of red on the bottom inside lining (see close up pic) – however this is hidden inside the coat and neither shows nor detract.

Wonderful condition, with fur vibrant and intact.

*Remember – bulky coats may add an inch or more on the outside, but fit smaller within, so please note the following measurements and make a generous allowance for ease.

MEASUREMENTS
Bust – 42 inches
Waist – 42 inches
Hips – 42 inches
Length – 28 inches

C. Dianne Zweig is the author of Hot Kitchen & Home Collectibles of the 30s, 40s, 50s and Hot Cottage Collectibles for Vintage Style Homes. She is also the Editor of I Antique Online an actively growing internet based resource community for people who buy, sell or collect antiques, collectibles and art. You can find Dianne’s fabulous retro and vintage kitchen, home and cottage collectibles at The Collinsville Antiques Company of New Hartford, CT, a 22,000 feet antique emporium with an in-house retro café.To read more articles by C. Dianne Zweig click on this link: C. Dianne Zweig’s Blog Kitsch ‘n Stuff Email me at dianne@cdiannezweig.comVisit my website, CDianneZweig.comDianne is a member of:The American Society of Journalists and AuthorsThe Society of Professional Journalists

Jantzen Swimming Suits Celebrates 100 Year Anniversary

Jantzen Bathing Suits Started Out In Wool

Surfing around the internet looking for a picture of a 1950s men's plaid cabana set, I was distracted from my mission and caught up in looking at old advertisements of glamorous women in vintage Jantzen bathing suits.

100 Years Of Jantzen Exhibit

And wouldn't you know it, I missed the big anniversary exhibit (April 2010) at The Art Institute of Portland Gallery celebrating 100 years of the Jantzen swimwear brand. What was I thinking...I should have been on top of things! I really do need to pay more attention to current events instead of living in the 1930s, 1940s and 1950s which is where I am most of the time.

Iconic Red Diving Girl

So, here is what we missed. Jantzen, originally The Portland Knitting Company (1910) in Portland Oregon brought in a 21 foot fiberglass model of their iconic Red Diving Girl logo to preside over the month long anniversary exhibit. The Diving girl became an international icon in the 20's and continued as a popular image into the 1930s as movie stars began wearing Jantzen.

Jantzen Wool Rowing Suits

The Portland Knitting Company made sweaters, wool hosiery, knitted goods and then ventured into the beginnings of the bathing suit line when the owners were asked to make a rowing suit for the Portland Rowing Club in 1918. Owners, John A. Zehntbauer and Carl Jantzen
were members of The Portland Rowing Club and agreed to make wool rowing trunks for use on chilly mornings.

From Rowing Trunks To Bathing Suits

After trunks were made, the idea for a bathing suit was next. But the bathing suit was too heavy and changes needed to be made, using lighter fabric.

Jantzen Company Newspaper Tells History

Here is what Zehntbauer said in the company paper, The Janzen Yarns:

" Later on, this same member came to me and asked if we could not make him a bathing suit of the same material .... a suit was made for him and he went to the ocean to bathe in the cold water. When he came back, he came into the store and told us that it was heavy and one could not swim well in it, but that he was well satisfied because it was so much warmer than any suit that he had ever had before and that it made ocean bathing a pleasure. ... this experience gave us the idea that a bathing suit made of this stitch, only in lighter weight, would be an excellent garment. We discussed this between ourselves and decided that we would order a needle bed for our sweater machine that would be fine enough to knit a rib-stitch bathing suit in a weight that would be comfortable".

Lighter Bathing Suit Fabric

"Roy, Carl, Joe Gerber and I were constantly in the water those days, either in the Y. M. C. A. swimming pool or in the river and we began to experiment for our own use on swimming suits made of this fine elastic fabric. We soon developed a suit which we found was the most excellent garment for swimming that we had ever seen."

The original wool suits became the prototype for swimsuits first produced in 1918.

The Jantzen name was used as the trade mark name.

In 1919 and 1920 the company advertised Jantzen bathing suits.
In 1921 the phrase "Swimming suit" became a new advertising name, replacing the term "bathing suit" .

Resources for this article from:

http://pdxneatsheet.com/neat-stuff/jantzen-swimwear-exhibit-portland-fashion-giveaway/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jantzen

http://www.jantzen.com/about_us.asp


C. Dianne Zweig is the author of Hot Kitchen & Home Collectibles of the 30s, 40s, 50s and Hot Cottage Collectibles for Vintage Style Homes. She is also the Editor of Iantiqueonline.com an actively growing internet based resource community for people who buy, sell or collect antiques, collectibles and art. You can find Dianne’s fabulous retro and vintage kitchen, home and cottage collectibles at The Collinsville Antiques Company of New Hartford, CT, a 22,000 feet antique emporium with an in-house retro café.To read more articles by C. Dianne Zweig click on this link: C. Dianne Zweig’s Blog Kitsch ‘n Stuff Email me at dianne@cdiannezweig.comVisit my website, CDianneZweig.comDianne is a member of:The American Society of Journalists and AuthorsThe Authors Guild, Inc.

Wake-Up Baby Boomers: 1940s -1950s Playsuits , Rompers, Jumpers Are Back In Style

Remember Wearing Rompers And Playsuits?

Hold the presses.....1940s and 1950's Playsuits, Rompers and Jumpers have returned. But after spotting these cute numbers at a local trendy shop this weekend, I'm wondering if anyone over size 6 could actually wear the blousy Rompers without looking like a pumpkin.


Vocab For Playsuits, Rompers, Jumpers

Here is the scoop...Playsuits, Rompers and jumpsuits are generally one piece. Back in the day, Playsuits described casual summer wear which could be for "play" or swim. Rompers were similar to Playsuits but sometimes a bit more blousy, Jumpsuits could be short or long.

Just like the vintage cuties, you will find the updated versions in solids, exciting tropical prints, abstracts, plaids, geometrics. And it seems they are making them in plenty of easy care fabrics and styles to choose from.

Playsuits And Rompers Attracting Twenty-Something Gals

Ooh La, La, a trendy boutique in Avon, CT had a store filled with these retro inspired comfy apparel (newly manufactured) and the twenty something gals were thrilled to try them on. They had no idea their moms and grandma's wore them back in the 1940s and 1950s.

C. Dianne Zweig is the author of Hot Kitchen & Home Collectibles of the 30s, 40s, 50s and Hot Cottage Collectibles for Vintage Style Homes. She is also the Editor of Iantiqueonline.com an actively growing internet based resource community for people who buy, sell or collect antiques, collectibles and art. You can find Dianne’s fabulous retro and vintage kitchen, home and cottage collectibles at The Collinsville Antiques Company of New Hartford, CT, a 22,000 feet antique emporium with an in-house retro café.To read more articles by C. Dianne Zweig click on this link: C. Dianne Zweig’s Blog Kitsch ‘n Stuff Email me at dianne@cdiannezweig.comVisit my website, CDianneZweig.comDianne is a member of:The American Society of Journalists and AuthorsThe Authors Guild, Inc.

A Look At Women's Fashion In The Early 1960's

Gallery of 1960's Women's Fashion
The Era Of Jacqueline Kennedy

Influenced by First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy, women in the sixties adored the Pill Box hat and dressed quite
elegantly even during the day. At the beginning of the decade, ladies looked very similar to gals of the 50s.

The Shirtwaist Dress

The shirtwaist dress was popular beginning the era in solid colors, stripes and plaid and then moving into exciting florals.
"Mini-Dresses" Came Later In The Decade

Eventually, British designers would influence fashion and Mary Quant's "Mini - skirt" was in style.

Not Till Later Came The A-Line Mini Dresses
A-line "Mini" dresses and sleeveless shifts with bright large flowers in tropical and neon colors were popular later in the decade.

1963 Simplicity Patterns

But in these photos taken from a 1963 Simplicity Pattern book, the hemlines are still very conservative. Gals wore matching handbags and shoes along with coordinated hats and gloves. Simple beads or Pearls were also worn.

In the 1960's I could wear these dresses as well as mini dresses. Now as a baby boomer...I'll stick to outfits that cover the leg!

Photos are from the collection at http://www.etsy.com/shop/kelleystreetvintage?ref=seller_info
C. Dianne Zweig is the author of Hot Kitchen & Home Collectibles of the 30s, 40s, 50s and Hot Cottage Collectibles for Vintage Style Homes. She is also the Editor of Iantiqueonline.com an actively growing internet based resource community for people who buy, sell or collect antiques, collectibles and art. You can find Dianne’s fabulous retro and vintage kitchen, home and cottage collectibles at The Collinsville Antiques Company of New Hartford, CT, a 22,000 feet antique emporium with an in-house retro café.To read more articles by C. Dianne Zweig click on this link: C. Dianne Zweig’s Blog Kitsch ‘n Stuff Email me at dianne@cdiannezweig.comVisit my website, CDianneZweig.comDianne is a member of:The American Society of Journalists and AuthorsThe Authors Guild, Inc.

Off To The Beach In 1960s Women's Bathing Suits And Beach Wear

Welcome To The Kitschy Collector's 1960's Women's Bathing Suit Parade: Take A Look At These Hip Models
In the 1960's women and men had "cabana sets" - bathing suits with coordinated jackets or cover-ups. Patterns of polka dots, checks, florals were popular. How about those "boy shorts" shown in the photos below ? And what about the head bands and hair bows? Going to the beach was so much fun in the sixties. Do you still have your straw pocketbooks? Which models would "suit" you?
Models A
Description

1968 Size 14 Bust 36 waist 27 Hips 38 Complete and cut. SLEEVELESS COAT-DRESS OR BEACH-JACKET & BATHING-SUIT WITH PANTIES. The collarless coatdress or beach jacket has high round neckline. The regular length sleeveless coat dress has front button closing. Shorter length beach jacket with braclet length set in sleeves has cord trim at neckline forming tie ends. The lined bathing suit with waistline seam has back zipper, self fabric shoulder straps and optional self fabric or purchased belt. The bathing suit has panties, made of jersey fabric only, with elastic waistline and legs casings. Fabric: All except panties in cottons & blends, pique, sateen, homespun, sharkskin, duck, canvas, Panties in tricot or synthetic jersey
Models B

Description

1960 Cuffed, camisole top bathing suit with "little boy" shorts, and open front beach jacket with large flat collar. Bathing suit has back zipper closing, is completely lined, has elastic in legs of lining. Cuff may match or contrast. Jacket has unmounted sleeves; collar, in one with fronts. Is faced. Large pockets included in side seams and front facing seams. Size 12 Bust 32 Waist 25 Hips 34 Complete with 15 pieces and instructions UNCUT Factory Fold Fabrics: Linen, Pique, poplin, cotton, oxford, sharkskin.
Models C

Description

1969 Young Junior/Teen Bathing Suit and Beach Dress in two lengths. Size 11/12 Breast 32. Complete with 11 cut pieces and instructions. Fabrics: cottons, ginghams, broadcloth, terry cloth, pique, denim, duck, homespun, hopsaking.
Models D
Description

Sleeveless dress gathered to yoke front and back has button closing at left side and shoulder. Above knee length dress has patch pocket. Shorter dress has rick-rack trim. Lined bra has low round neckline, back button closing and rick rack trim. Lined, dart fitted shorts have elastic casings at leg edges, back zipper closing and rick rack trim. Fabrics: gingham, pique, sailcloth, satin, sharkskin, poplin, dotted swiss, voile, satin
Models E

Description

1961
One piece bathing suit with built up shoulders and boy shorts; fore gore gathered overskirt, tied at front. Both garments are proportional to fit the tall figure 5' 8", medium figure 5' 6" and the shorter figure 5' 3" Entire bathing suit is lined, has elastic in legs of lining. Center back zipper closing. Corded piping in waistline seam.

Fabrics: Linen, Cotton, Pique, poplin, gingham,

Which Models "suit" you?

Photos courtesy of: http://www.kaboodle.com/

C. Dianne Zweig is the author of Hot Kitchen & Home Collectibles of the 30s, 40s, 50s and Hot Cottage Collectibles for Vintage Style Homes. She is also the Editor of Iantiqueonline.com an actively growing internet based resource community for people who buy, sell or collect antiques, collectibles and art. You can find Dianne’s fabulous retro and vintage kitchen, home and cottage collectibles at The Collinsville Antiques Company of New Hartford, CT, a 22,000 feet antique emporium with an in-house retro café.To read more articles by C. Dianne Zweig click on this link: C. Dianne Zweig’s Blog Kitsch ‘n Stuff Email me at dianne@cdiannezweig.comVisit my website, CDianneZweig.comDianne is a member of:The American Society of Journalists and AuthorsThe Authors Guild, Inc.

How to Be a Thrifty Retro Housewife: Practical Tips For Caring, Wearing and Mending Clothing

Thrifty Clothing Tips From The Fabulous Forties
I thought it might be fun to share with my Retro readers some fabulous forties practical tips about caring, wearing and storing clothing.

Saving Money on Clothing

1. Storing wool gloves, scarves and cashmere sweaters: put them in perfectly clean fruit jars, along with moth crystals, then seal the jar tight.

2, Torn gloves: when the fingertip of a torn glove presents a difficult darning job, use this trick. Drop one of junior's marbles in the finger and you'll have a perfect fitting darning egg to make the job easy.

3. Shoe polish: when you run out of shoe polish, a handy substitute is paste floor was. Its neutral color makes it fine for dark or light shoes.

4. Rubber boots will last much longer and keep their original shape if the insides are propped up with cardboard when the boots are not in use.

5. Straw hats can be damaged easily. When putting them away, place them flat down on the brim side-one to a box, the crowns stuffed with tissue paper.

6. Wearing scarfs: a scarf will save wear on the neckline, besides helping to keep it free of creams, powders and "collar smudge".

7. Dry your coat, when soaked in rain or snow, in a well-ventilated room: never near heat. Brush before drying.

8. To fluff the nap of your coat, shake it briskly by the hem.

9. To judge the quality of woolen material, squeeze it in your hand. It should feel smooth, rubbery, springy when you open your hand. if it has a rough feeling, the grade is inferior.

10. Avoid wrinkling hosiery at the knees or ankles by adjusting your garters, if necessary, to a lower position in the welt, but not below the welt.

Source "1003 Household Hints", 1947 Edited by Michael Gore

Photos courtesy of http://www.100megspop3.com/adira/1940s/1940s2.html

C. Dianne Zweig is the author of Hot Kitchen & Home Collectibles of the 30s, 40s, 50s and Hot Cottage Collectibles for Vintage Style Homes. She is also the Editor of Iantiqueonline.com an actively growing internet based resource community for people who buy, sell or collect antiques, collectibles and art. You can find Dianne’s fabulous retro and vintage kitchen, home and cottage collectibles at The Collinsville Antiques Company of New Hartford, CT, a 22,000 feet antique emporium with an in-house retro café.

To read more articles by C. Dianne Zweig click on this link:
C. Dianne Zweig’s Blog Kitsch ‘n Stuff

Email me at dianne@cdiannezweig.com

Visit my website, CDianneZweig.com

Dianne is a member of:
The American Society of Journalists and Authors
The Authors Guild, Inc.