If Only it Fit Me: #3

1940's Black velvet & red tulle dress @www.poshgirlvintage.com

This is to die for.
I don't know what else to say. I am wordless. Virtually without words. So I will quietly go back to restoring a sequin 20s dress that I might actually be able to wear.

The Thrift Store Blues

The day before Thanksgiving, I went out on a thrift store hunt. I used to really enjoy these, although most of the enjoyment came from finding treasures, not the ambience. Clean and not smelly is good. I hit 5 big stores - a Goodwill, a Salvation Army, a Unique, American Council of the Blind, a locally owned one, and two smaller stores.

Maybe they have already had the Christmas shoppers attack, but my, my it was bleak. I used to find a few vintage treasures every trip. Oh, maybe not a lot, but something. I had hoped to post a cool find or two here.

So what did I see in vintage? A couple 1940s-50s mouton coats ( heavy and a tad overpriced and I don't handle fur), a navy blue crepe 1950s dress ( like every other matronly 1950s dress in the world), an okay white fur stole ( see above), a 1960s orange suit (stained), a silk 1980s formal gown ( very odd) and more polyester and sad rayon 1990s than I want think about. I came home empty handed after 6 hours on the road.

So instead, I will share my great find of the fall. I will not tell you where or how much, as I must protect my few sources, just that it wasn't a vintage clothing store and it was a great surprise.

two 1950s Hattie Carnegie suits - same size, very similar style and most likely the same owner

Cool, Hunh? The blue one is now available at www.pastperfectvintage.com and the black one is Coming Soon.

If Only It Fit Me, #2

This is beautiful and totally, completely unrealistic. Not only would I need to be, oh, 5" taller, but the hips? Let's not go there. And then I would have to have a lifestyle transplant, which could be even more difficult.

Nonetheless, this Oscar de la Renta gown from www.retrodress.com makes me think, maybe...........platform shoes? a bazillion trips to the gym? liposuction? and, and, and........... Ah well. Back to reality. I can't wear this to weed the garden or for dinner at the local Mexican restaurant. More's the shame. But thi sgown makes me want to start a national discussion on bringing back dressing for dinner.

1990s Oscar de la Renta Taffeta Gown with Train available at www.retrodress.com

Elizabeth’s Timeless Attire Grand Re-Opening

damage after the accident & the new interior

I am happy to say one of the best brick and mortar vintage clothing shops in the Midwest has reopened after a 3 month layoff. I have been shopping at Elizabeth’s Timeless Attire for almost 30 years - that’s a lot of time spent in a little bit of vintage heaven. The store has been renovated after a car accident in July. Yes, the car was inside the store (!) and in addition to the exterior damaage, demolished a display case and jewelry. We stopped by for a visit and it looks wonderful. And if you need more inducement to look in, Elizabeth has new inventory for fall and winter out. There's also coffee and bagels across the street. Stop by if you are in Louisville and enjoy a marvelous experience at 2050 Frankfort Ave, Louisville, KY, hours 12-6 Tues - Sat.

post renovation

accessories and Elizabeth's many Best in Louisville Awards

Decade du Jour: The 1860s

The 1860s remain enormously popular with collectors and enthusiaists. It's partly the re-enacting thing and the crinoline thing. And partly the 'romance' of the American Civil War. Trust me , there was nothing, and I mean Nothing, romantic about it. Visit the national cemetaries sometime.

But this blog isn't devoted to military history, it's about Clothing! Fashion! Shoes!

Now that I have that out of my system, let's move on to the 1860s in our whimsically non sequential Decade du Jour series. Lovely skirts, pretty colors, lots of yardage. Lightweight fabrics so the skirts didn't weigh a ton, round crinolines, oval crinolines, pagoda sleeves early, not so much late. Capes and bonnets to form the famous trinagle silhouette. Not an easy era to move about in and emminently unpractical. But beauty can be that way.

Pre Teen Girl's silk party dress ca. 1860s currently available at

www.contentmentfarm.com/

ca 1864 gold silk party dress from the Past Perfect Vintage archives

mid 1860s ( altered in the 1870s and restored) Green faille dress from the Past Perfect Vintage archives

1860s Blue Striped Silk Bodice with Pagoda Sleeves currently available at www.pastperfectvintage.com

Late 1860's Peach and Gray Gown shown at www.antique-frock.com

If It Only Fit Me: #1

There is so much vintage clothing I would love to buy if it only fit.

Part 1 of a long, long series.

I am a believer in vintage wool suits. This of course from a woman who is allergic to wool ( one of the tragedies of my otherwise happy life) and who admittedly doessn't wear suits when working at the keyboard.
But it is a tenet of my fashion beliefs that Suits are Great. Suits are Stylish. Suits are Practical. Suits make a Statement.
And vintage wool suits - even better. The fabics are better than most available now, the construction is superior and the style - ooh. Add the right blouse and accessories and you will be perfect.

Case in point:

This black and white wool tweed with colorful slubbing, quilted red acetate lining and black leather collar. Maggie at denisebrain has paired this with great red accents and a scoop neck black top. Tell me this isn't a fantastic look. And it's available at her ebay store, denisebrain for an amazing $35.

Coats On Parade

It's finally turning colder here in the Upper South/Lower Midwest/wherever it is we are. Vintage coats have always been one of the things I wear as soon as the temps drop. Why?

They fit. They are interesting. And the quality and craftmanship beat modern coats for the money every time. I have 3 coats and jackets I wear now. One black with fur collar, one gold and black herringbone, and one cream and black windowpane plaid. Add a great brooch and you have a look.

Let's see what's in the closet at Past Perfect Vintage:

Left, Blue wool 1950s Traina Norell,

Right Grey Wool 1960s Norman Norell

Left, Red Wool 1960s Coat with scarf from Byck's,

Right Black Wool Maxi from Garfinckle's

1960s Red Wool with black passementerie from Stewart's

pssst...you heard it here first: new vintage arrivals at Past Perfect Vintage

New arrivals at Past Perfect Vintage! We don't add tons of inventory every month. Because we ( that's Monty and I) want to really love each piece we find. Or if not love, at least feel a profound liking. Although the third member of our team, Truman the Cat, gets no vote. He has no taste except for fur toys, and those must be black or white to be chic.

We added an eclectic assortment for a variety of tastes (and sizes).Top to bottom: a great 1950s gold brocade cocktail dress, a 1920s purple silk satin and chiffon 2 pc dress set, a hand knit green ribbon knit set by Ann Fleischer, a lovely blue wool suit by Hattie Carnegie, a 1950s Dalton cashmere cardigan with fox collar, and a 1990s Moschino Mickey Mouse vest in wool.

And there's even more in The 40s & 50s, The 60s & 70s, and The Designers departments.

Designer du Jour: Jo Copeland

Now when I was a pure collector of vintage clothing, I never bought anything later than the 1930s. As a result, I was hopelessly out of the loop on American designers. I was also pretty silly and shortsighted, because there are so many wonderfully designed 20th Century garments out there. And they are generally in much better condition than the Victorian and 20s I was exclusively looking at. When I started to be a seller, it meant I had a lot of catching up to do.

I hate to admit it, but Jo Copeland’s name and work has never entered my consciencness until a very few years ago. The first thing of hers I handled was a 1950s brown wool afternoon dress - very sleek, with some nifty details. While her work is certainly mainstream, there seems to always be something a bit her own. It’s different, well made, and very American.And well worth looking into.

A few examples online now:

Mid 1950s Black and red silk taffeta Patullo-Jo Copeland dress at www.pastperfectvintage.com

c. 1940's Pattulo-Jo Copeland black crepe dress with raspberry velvet trim at www.antiquedress.com

1950s Pattullo-Jo Copeland black crepe & taffeta cocktail Dress at www.vintageous.com

1960's Pattullo-Jo Copeland silk print dress euit at www.kittygirlvintage.com

1940s Pattullo-Jo Copeland in floral crepe rayon dress in black, white, bright violet and fuschia at www.dorotheasclosetvintage.com

Contemporary Studio Jewelry: Ann Jenkins

In addition to vintage clothing, I do love contemporary jewelry. And I find it’s often a good combination. Contemporary design takes the ‘costume’ edge off vintage when worn together. And there’s neat tension when the two looks interact. And when you invest in studio made works, you invest in an artist.

So let me introduce you to the fine work of Ann Jenkins, jeweler. You can find her detailed nature inspired sterling silver pieces on Etsy at Tuizui. You can find her stunning Fragments of Nature series at annjenkins jewelry.com. I have worn this jewelry for years, and never cease to get comments and compliments.

Now Ann is also my sister, but when it comes to jewelry I retain my objective eye. Take a look. Now. Yes, leave nmy blog and take a look . You can come back for more blog anytime.

Samples of her work on Tuizui:

And just a few samples of Fragments of Nature at annjenkinsjewlery.com: