What Color Was That?

[Rachael]

I've been doing some research into vintage fabrics, and have come across several descriptions that are very informative, except that they use color names that are no longer in use. The specific colors I came across this weekend were 'cuir' and 'turtledove'. I was able to infer from the rest of the article that this meant 'tan' and 'pale gray', but thought it could be nice to list other color name translations.

And a big hurrah for color catalogs!

 

[AllaboutEve]

"Ashes of Roses" has always been a favourite of mine, a ghostly greyish pink.

 

[Miss 1929]

Alice Blue, named after the favorite shade of blue of President Teddy Roosevelt's crazy daughter Alice.
When asked to try to control her behavior, Teddy replied "I can either run the country or control Alice, but I cannot do both."

 

[KittyT]

'cuir'

FYI, "cuir" is French for "leather".

 

[artful dodgette]

we still use these terms in the footwear industry,

and yes cuir - is leather - which is a rich tan colour

turtle dove is a pale greyish blue - like eggshell blue but more violet hued...

hope this makes sense![huh]

 

[Miss 1929]

we still use these terms in the footwear industry,

and yes cuir - is leather - which is a rich tan colour

turtle dove is a pale greyish blue - like eggshell blue but more violet hued...

hope this makes sense![huh]

Now I want 1930s turtledove shoes...

 

[Mary]

Wonderful examples but I need to see the colour!

Are there any on-line references on colours and their names. I've been able to find some on reds through old lipstick ads but none on other colours. So please post a link if you know of any old colour catalogs lurking on the internet!

 

[Rachael]

Thanks for all the information! Ash of Roses sounds splendid; I think I need a new dress of it.

 

[ShrinkingViolet]

Those colour names are so fascinating!
I once posted a list with descriptions of fashion colours from the 1950s, one of them being Tête de Nègre, an ashy warm brown. I'll see if I can find that list again.

 

[cherry lips]

Oh please do! What a shade name

Those colour names are so fascinating!
I once posted a list with descriptions of fashion colours from the 1950s, one of them being Tête de Nègre, an ashy warm brown. I'll see if I can find that list again.