Okay, Label Fiends: Fess Up

Oh yes. Label Snobs are nothing new. Now I am so sold we didn't have clothing with the labels on the outside, nor huge logos on T shirts, and the zipper pulls on our purses were just zipper pulls, not 3" metal and rhinestone logos.

But let's face it. We all knew what the 'good' ( and expensive) labels were. The cool girls had them. The shops they were in were the 'best'. Our parents tried to teach us to buy the quality not the label and no one with class discussed price or even where they shopped. That was dangerously close to the worst social sin: tackiness. Some even cut the labels out. And we were taught not to wear a dress as soon as we bought it. Oh yes - shades of Edith Wharton in The Age of Innocence where women put their Worth gowns away for a season so they wouldn't be too new and seem socially pushy.

How alien that all seems now. As long as women don't actually wear the price tag, they can be walking advertisments and be considered incredibly stylish.

Oh - back to topic. In my childhood, I wore almost all beautifully made clothing sewn by my mother. But in my teens years these are the labels I longed for:

Dresses, skirts, blouses: Bobbie Brooks. Jonathan Logan. Young Edwardian
Purses: Aigner
Shoes: Pappagallo. Weejun.
Stores: Stewart's. The Sycamore Shop. Kaufman's. Shillitos.

Now that I have shown my age and social milieu, it's time for you to tell the labels you grew up with!

Note: For photos and information on some of these and many,many other fashion labels , please visit the Vintage Fashion Guild Label Resource, a collective work from the many members of the VFG.

New Inventory Up and Running!

We have new vintage delights up and coming to http://www.pastperfectvintage.etsy.com/. Dresses, sunglasses and more. This is our venue for reasonably priced pieces and accessories, so head over to get a good deal.

Photos you query?

Of course.
As ever, just click on photos for details.

One of 3 pair of Big Eye lens sunglasses coming soon

1940s Silk Crepe Novelty Print Dress

1950s Silk Crepe Blue Print Dress

1930s Black Silk Slip / Nightgown with dress potential

It's All About the Hair Combs

I know the world of vintage clothing collectors seems small sometimes. But believe me, the world of Vintage Hair Comb collectors is really tiny in comparison. These are the decorative type I am talking about, found in horn, celluloid, tortoiseshell, metals, gutta percha, rubber, mother of pearl and ivory. They were worn from about 1800 to the 1930s. They are still around, but the techniques of construction have changed so much that it's a different beast now altogther.

They do make a wonderful decorative and even wearable collectible as they are not too fragile and can be gently cleaned with water. The celluloid are the trickiest to store as heat is a serious problem. If you decide to start acqurign these, just remebr that replacement stones are very difficult to find and broken combs are almost impossible to repair. And beware crackling in the cellluoid - it means the dreaded disease has struck and the entire piece will die.

Here's trio I just posted up at Past Perfect:

3 celluloid Combs, Top Left: Victorian French Ivory, Top Right: Edwardian Deep Green Celluloid w/blue stones, & Bottom: c. 1880s dark natural tortoise tone w/ jet cubes

Passing the Kreativ Blogger Baton

My dear friend Lizzie at The Vintage Traveler just passed the Kreativ Blogger award baton to me. I am touched. Now it is my turn to pass the baton on in this relay race.

Here's the setup : 7 blogs, 7 things I love.

Seven Blogs for Seven Sisters:

Like Lizzie, I read The Girl Can't Help It every day. Kim is a wickedly funny writer with a unique take on life, vintage and how we see it all. You simply must read her entries on Spinnerin sweaters.

The Vintage Traveler - another every day read. Vintage sportswear, travel, women in vintage pants and dogs. Lizzie has a wonderful style.

Tom and Lorenzo: aka Project Rungay - a hoot and a half take on the special nexus of modern fashion, reality and haute couture. Who I am to judge? I let TLO do it.

The Fug Sisters: Oh my. I am not sure I can sum it up. They show clothes that make me cry, them they make me laught about them.

Couture Allure: Jody always has gorgeous vintage dresses to drool over, AND informative and hard to find vinatge photos.

Kickshaw Productions.com: Jonathan writes wonderfully researched pieces on fashion, exhibits vintage clothing and the bigger picture. And you have to see the photos.

The Vintage Goddess: Julie of Damn Good Vintage. She may rant, She may even rave. But damn is she funny. Vintage. politics, society and anything else she damn well feels like.

Lulu's Vintage: If it's Vintage, Lulu covers it. Rounds ups from all over the web, her People's choice and Top Ten awards, plus her own finds. A treasure.

Seven Things I Love, order optional:

Fudge. No explanation needed.

Truman, the Cat. The quintessential Good Cat , & yes, he is named for the 38th President

Jane Austen novels. For the wit, humor and characterizations.

Edith Wharton novels. For the wit and social observation.

Vintage Clothing. But that was obvious.

Art Museums . I could spend days and days.

Maps. Especially old ones that are beautifully drawn. But my KY Gazetteer is pretty wonderful.

Earthtones = Fall

I grudgingly admit that fall will be here soon. People are asking about suits and coats. Not that it is anywhere near time for wool, but it's on the horizon. Now the good thing about earthtones and all those autumal colors is that in lighter fabrics and accessories, you can achieve that autumn feeling sooner and more comfortably. And if there is anything Vintage Clothing can provide, it is earth tones.

Proof:
1)c. 1976 Jean Varon by John Bates rayon border print dress. Lightweight, yet volumnious. Convertible from belted to smock fit . Mother of pearl buttons from neck to hem. It can be a closed or open as you choose. We show it with a beaded belt, but a big leather one would be a great accent. And boots. Oh yes - definitely boots.

Now available at Past Perfect Vintage

2)1940s brown felt percher hat with felt flowers. No pins needed, the circle clamp takes care of that. A great accessory, especially since 1940s flair is big now. Check out the September Vogue - lots of 40s inspired suits shown with vintage 40s hats.

Now available at Past Perfect Vintage

Fifties.Fun. I Don't Care if it's Fall

I know. These are warm weather dresses and Fall is coming. Tough noogies. The sun is shining, the trees are green and the weather is perfect. It's in the 80s here. It is not anywhere near time for wool or even jackets yet. So I bring you 2 finds from the 1950s.
The first:

A charming Emma Domb in white with billowing skirt, has its on net crinnoline, and sweet pink and green enbroidered flowers along the bust and down the streamers. Okay, it almost make my teeth hurt, but it IS adorable. I am fond of Emma Domb pieces from the 50s. The design in the later years, not so much, but these earlier ones have a flair.

Now available @ Past Perfect Vintage

Second: A 1950s sophisticated dinner/date/cocktail dress in hot pink linen/rayon weave. The cutouts are super, and this has definite wiggle potential for a medium size gal. Labeled Stephen O'Grady.

Now available @ Past PerfectVintage

All the Dress That's Fit to Print

Today it's all about The Print.

First, a print silk Givenchy dress from the mid 1960s in a Mod pink and yellow print. Note the simplicty of the cut combined with the striking print. This is a numbered couture gown and the quality is amazing.

Now available at Past Perfect Vintage

Second, a 1970s Maurice jersey dress in bold black and hot color combination. The Maurice label is a bit of a mystery, but this is certainly a maker of big print dresses in the Mr. Dino, Leonard and Paganne vein. This is a tall gown, too - and a nice wearable size.

Now available at Past Perfect Vintage