Everyone Needs 1890s Glamour

I seem drawn to transitional styles. You can also call them cuspers. Those periods in between the big fashion movements, as one silhoette morphs into another. The late 40s into 50s, the 20s into 30s, the 1870s into 1880s. And then there's the 1880s bustle as it segues into the Gay 1890s leg o' mutton.

For example, this dress and hat we have just added to our website. The fabrics are a rich textural combination of silk faille and silk floral brocade with brown cord trim and lace wrist cuffs. The wonderfully detailed felt hat has velvet, silk and brocade ribbon , and an aigrette to add vertical height. You can just see the end of the bustle and the beginning of the leg o'mutton.

both dress and hat now available at http://www.pastperfectvintage.com/.

Part One: Vintage clothing Shops We Recommend

In the Vintage Clothing trade, these are called Brick and Mortar Shops. These are the dedicated people who put an awning out, stock a physical shop, hire help, pay rent and insurance, and actually show up every day to meet and greet the general public. As an online seller, they have my utmost respect. I can work in my jammies and robe, work whatever hours I choose, take a TV break, play the odd computer game and take lunch. These fine people more disciplined than I, and in this economy, very brave!

And so we present Part One of:

The Vintage Clothing Shops We Have Actually Visited and Can Recommend List

Elizabeth’s Timeless Attire , 2050 Frankfort Ave. Louisville, KY 40206
(502) 895-5911

2023 Antiques, 2023 Frankfort Ave. Louisville, KY 40206
(502) 899-9872

The Nitty Gritty, 996 Barret Ave. Louisville, KY 40204
(502) 583-3377

Cactus Flower, 322 E Kirkwood Ave # 202 Bloomington, IN 47408
(812) 333-8279

Talk of the Town, 9111 Reading Rd. Cincinnati, OH 45215
(513) 563-8844

Casablanca Vintage Clothing, 3944 Spring Grove Ave. Cincinnati, OH 45223-2639

Phone: (513) 541-6999

Flashbacks, 3849 5th Ave. San Diego, CA 92103
(619) 291-4200

Wear It Again Sam, 3823 Fifth Ave. San Diego, CA 92103
619-299-0185

Something Old, Something Blue: The Vintage Wedding Choice

Look, we know there are so many ways a bride can go these days. Big gowns, sexy satins, strapless with pearls and lace, day dresses, suits, wild and wacky couture - it’s all available.

Now, vintage dresses have that full range of style as well. Plus, they have a good karma, great style, AND the bride will have a truly unique dress at a fraction of the price one would pay a custom dressmaker. Thus saving some cash for more permanent investments than a once in a life time gown. I must tell you I have personal experience wiht this, and my 1905 Wedding Gown was a hit, and didn't put me into debt. Now, not all of these vintage dresses were designed to be bridal dresses, but they would work beautifully.

Let’s see what we can find for the discerning vintage bride:

LEFT: 1920s Ivory Crepe Silk Embroidered Dress and Coat Set
Love this - coat and dress combination for the early spring or winter bride. The texture and embroidery are fantastic, it’s subtle and sophisticated. Accessorize with a cream cloche and heels. Perfect. Now @ www.pastperfectvintage.com/the20sand30s.htm

RIGHT: Lovely Early 1920s Lingerie Style Dress
For the Romantic. A summer day. A wide brim hat. Pearl chandelier earrings and long strand of Grandmother’s pearls. Maybe even a fan to carry. A perfect dress for a summer wedding , especially outdoors. Coming soon to http://www.pastperfectvintage.com/

Adorable 1950s Embroidered Linen Dress from Cuba
This is a fine choice for the young, casual summer bride with an outdoor service who doesn’t want the formality of the grand satin gown. Pair this up with a sweet floral bouquet with touches of pale blue, a ribbon sash in blue, pink or ivory, simple hairstyle, great heels and summer jewelry. Now @ http://www.pastperfectvintage.com/the40sand50s.htm

Two great 1960s dresses: LEFT: For the sophisticated bride who wants a cocktail length short dress a 1960s Cream Beaded Satin Evening Dress by Branel .This is a wonderful expression of cutwork, gold beading and cream satin in a sheath silhouette. The tiny gold bead details lend a warmth to the cream. Gold and pearl jewelry, even this year’s big bracelets, plus a beaded bag - marvelous. Now @ www.pastperfectvintage.com/the60sand70s.htm

RIGHT: Rich 1960s Beaded Cream Silk Satin Dress Another great cocktail length 60s dress, this one in cream satin and silver bugle beads. Very sleek. Very now. Now @ pastperfectvintage.com/the60sand70s.htm

Intriguing 1960s Ivory Matelesse Evening Gown
A lovely 1960s dress for the bride who wants to combine formality and individuality . This dress in a geometric Matelesse with rhinestone buttons on the square neckline bib style bodice is charming, yet chic. Now Available @ http://www.pastperfectvintage.etsy.com/

Oscar's Coming - Get Ready!

The attack of the awards shows has been in progress now for a bit. Way too many young women in big gowns have gone by. Many in the same strapless dress fitted to within an inch of their lives and dragging a huge train behind them . My reaction ? I took a cruise through some favorite websites and found these Vintage Fashion alternatives.

So if you are invited to an award show party, or better yet - nominated for a goodie somewhere, take a look at these:

1940s Kathyn Kuhn Gown from www.poshgirlvintage.com

1950s Helena Barbieri Gown and stole from www.pastperfectvintage.com

1950s Hattie Carnegie gown from http://www.dorotheasclosetvintage.com/

If Only It Fit Me #5

I am afraid this may be the endless series! Poking about the internet, looking at 1940s suits . I have no occasion to wear them, they don't hold up well to kneeling on the floor fitting dancers, doing yardwork, taking photos. But I do love fine tailoring. I want to wear one of these and look like Rosalind Russell. Alas, that option is no longer available.

And then I found this one at Damn Good Vintage. Oh, Oh, oh. Look at that. That is just the best front. And it's an Irene.

Vintage 40s Amazing Irene Lentz Nipped Waist Military Look Suit B36 W28 S M @Damn Good Vintage

Someone buy this and put me out of my misery.

Combs, Combs, Combs

The gals of the Victorian and Edwardian eras sure loved their hair accessories. They must not have felt dressed unless they had a doodad in their coiffure, because an awful lot of these decorative hair combs and pins have survived. Far rarer are the bandeaus and tiaras. By far the greatest number of combs found today are celluloid in a wide variety of colors. Sometimes the celluloid is treated to pass as tortoiseshell or ivory, but most are simply celluloid in a variety of treatments and colors. And rhinestones were the decor of choice for celluloid. They make a fun and werable collectible, as long as they are kept out of direct sunlight or heat. One of the components of celluloid is gunpowder, and it can be notoriously unstable. We have a number of these at www.pastperfectvintage.com/thefansandcombs.htm, but here are 3 we just posted up:

from left to right: small clear celluloid comb with black overlay and green and blue stones, a large early Art Deco style yellow with green stones, and a small dark amber with gold stones.

Ice Storm!

We have had 4 days of ice storm and no power. You can cook on a wood stove and heat enough water for bath there. And we could get out. The clean-up will take weeks, but will replace some of the firewood we burned!

Now we are back to normal. Warm, toasty, hot water, food, all the good stuff. It's Very nice.

Today's Vintage Fashion feature?

This 1990s Magenta and pink silk satin ball gown by Bill Blass. Top quality construction, too. And it's a larger,taller size! Thank you, Mr. Blass. You can find measurements here: www.pastperfectvintage.com/thedesigners.htm.