1940s and 50s, and Meandering Thoughts Therein

 

I am hearing a rumor that people aren't buying 1950s vintage right now. Different periods of vintage clothing come in and out of fashion. But I have found there is almost always a market for any given period. There are niche buyers who want only 1920s, the steam punk people, the rockabillys, the Victorian collectors. I really believe the defining quality that makes a period piece sellable is not the period of its manufacture, but the quality of the design, the color, and the size. Of course there are fads, and some pieces run hot for awhile. For few years in the 1990s, you could sell Edwardian lingerie dresses like hot cakes.  Media affect sales - Titanic, Downtown Abby, Boardwalk Empire, Mad Men, now The Great Gatsby - there's a reason you will see these names attached as search terms to garments that have very little or even nothing to do with the garment at hand. But quality and deisgn will out. Maybe not at inflated prices, but they will out nonetheless. 

That said, I still think the 1940s and 50s are great periods for the vintage wearer. Most of the clothing is still sturdy enough to hold up. Personally, I find the fashions of the 1960s and 1970s divide so much along an age line  that it can be hard to find a medium ground between teen and matron.

So please enjoy these fashion from the 1940s and 50s just posted up at Past Perfect Vintage:

 

Chic 1940s Vintage Navy Blue Wool Gabardine Suit with White Arrows &
1940s High Heel Ankle Strap Platform Sandals in Navy Blue 

 1950s Vintage Pink and Grey Gabardine Suit with 2 Skirts

 

1950s Party Dress in White Embroidered Organdy and Peach Taffeta & 

1950s Pink Lace and Taffeta Vintage Circle Skirt Party Dress

 

1950s Black and White Windowpane Plaid Summer Jacket and Skirt Set & 

Classy 1950s High Style Grey Sophie Original Suit        

Those Cool 1950s Summer Prints

 

It's Spring. It's been along time coming here, and it's still a bit cool. But at last we can look at cotton print dresses! We just stocked up quite a few 1950s summer dresses. This look is good for so many women. The flared skirt is easy to move in, it looks great with flats, sandals or heels. Easy dressing. No girdles, hose or major foundation required, and come hot weather, you are good to go. Plus, these cotton dresses can be washed ( with care), so  no dry-cleaning bill.  Wearing vintage is green in so many ways. 

There's a seas hsore inspoired print with starfish and coral, and abstract in copper and black, a floral in white and turquoise, and a big bold floral in purple and greens. I do love a good purple.   

Let's take a look: 

 Lovely 1950s Vintage Blue Sea Shore Novelty Print Cotton Dress & Chic 1950s Copper & Black Print Cotton, both Sz M

 

 Crisp 1950s Vintage Blue Floral Print Cotton Coat Dress NOS Sz L & Charming & Crisp 1950s Vintage Purple Floral Print Cotton Dress Sz M

Past Perfect Vintage: The 1920s and 1930s Make a Return!

 

 It's been a long while since I posted here. And even longer since we added wonderful inventory to Past Perfect Vintage.  I have written here about my opera and ballet work which ate up all the time this past January through mid April. Satisfying work it was and remunerative, but it's so great to be back to a regular schedule. And that includes shopping for vintage clothing, getting it ready and photographed, then measured and up on the site. And we are having a good time doing it!

This month's additions span the 1920s - 1960s. We'll look at the 20s - 30s today. Because, after all, The Great Gatsby is out and fashions of the 1920s are getting another look. The fantastic celluloid flapper bandeau is from my personal collection, and the only one I have have seen like it in 30 years of collecting and dealing.The 1920s purple knit set a rarity, and already headed to a museum home. The black velvet evening gown is from the late 1930s to early 1940s, while the brown tilt hat is late 1930s. The pale grey waffle weave day dress has the National Recovery Act Blue Eagle label, dating is rather precisely to 1933 - 1935. And last, there is the grand late 1930s - early 1940 black crepe evening gown with coordinating beaded jacket.

It's good to be back!

 

1920s Vintage Celluloid Flapper Bandeau with Red and White Rhinestones 

Wonderful 1920s Purple Intarsia Knit 3 Piece Dress Set  

Vintage 1930s - 1940s Black Velvet Evening Gown  and 

 Stylish 1930s - 1940s Brown Tilt Vintage Hat

1930s Pale Grey Waffle Weave Rayon Vintage Day Dress Blue Eagle Label  and 

1930s- 40s Vintage Beaded Black Crepe Evening Dress and Jacket