Thank you all for Your Comments for Haiti!

What comments, you say? Well the ones people made at the Vintage Traveler. It's all explained here:

http://fuzzylizzie.bravejournal.com/entry/50709

You see, Lizzie of the Vintage Traveler and I made a deal. She offered to donate $1 per comment on her blog to the Salvation Army for Relief for Haiti. A neat way to help that didn't cost the reader a cent. I thought this was the coolest idea and I offered to match her donation dollar for dollar with one to Doctors without Borders.

And you commenting folks came through. I am happy to announce we will each be making an $85 donation.

Haitian Relief, And This Time, Vintage IS involved!

Our friend Lizzie at The Vintage Traveler has featured two lovely Vintage clothing related auctions that are being held to benefit Haitian Relief efforts. She is also making a donation of $1 per every comment she receives on her blog to the Salvation Army.

Want to help? You don't even have to send money. All you have to do is comment at The Vintage Traveler.

Or, bid on Maggie's great purse or Amber's wonderful vintage pattern. You get a great vintage item, and both sellers are donating 100% of the proceeds, Maggie to Doctors Without Borders and Amber to Global Giving Relief Fund for Haiti.

And here's the Bonus - if you comment on Lizzie's blog by 1/20/10 ,it will be a 2 to 1 one gift at no cost to you - I will match whatever donation Lizzie makes to the Salvation Army through her fundraiser with one to Doctors Without Borders.

The Real World is Calling & It Needs Us

This week we at Past Perfect Vintage made a direct donation to the American Red Cross to assist disaster relief efforts in Haiti.

Please, if at all possible, consider a donation. Times are difficult, and we in the vintage clothing field have been as hard hit as any. But even a donation of $10 buys water and food.

Please click this link for more information.

Vintage Clothing's Dirty Secret: Label Switching

Back in our June 2009 Buyer Beware Series , we covered this ugly little secret in vinatge clothing. It's called label switching. A seller takes a desired, valuable label from a damaged, unattractive, or even brand new garement or accessory and sticks it in an older dress to increase the value. It happens everywhere: thrifts, flea markets, shops, antique shows and Ebay.

And it's also called Fraud. Granted some legitimate sellers have bought a garment with a fraudulent label under the impression the label was genuine. But you, the consumer shouldn't.

Jody of Couture Allure, our compatriot in selling quality vintage clothing , and a fellow member of the Vintage Fashion Guild, has tackled this issue in depth. And I highly recommend anyone interested in investing their hard earned dollars, pounds, or euros in vintage clothing to study up.

Here's the link:

http://coutureallure.blogspot.com/2010/01/beware-of-fraudulent-label-switching.html

Not All Fashion in the 1970s was Grim

It is easy to remember and dismiss the 1970s as pretty awful and excessive, fashionwise. Just a quick flip through the Sears catalogue can inspire readera to grab those pitchforks and head down to the polyester plant. Although I am not sure the words plant and polyster shoud ever be used inthe same sentence. And yes, the loud, large scale plaids were everpresent as well as a sad range of rust, avocado and golden harvest earth tones.



but............

There are some very pretty Vintage 1970s prints and natural fibers if one can find them. Presenting Exhibit A:

This charming Youth Guild navy cotton knit floral vintage dress with decorative serged seams , long skinny sleeves, turtlenck, and surprisingly wide hem sweep.

Now Available at Past Perfect Vintage

Deep in the Forest

Deep Forest Green - always a calming, pleasing color and so stunning on blondes and red heads. They really do have all the luck. Combine a great color with a 1940s hat, and it's all good. This envelope hat in deep green plush and grosgrain ribbon has the added attraction of a green leather horse pin. Just the right whimsical touch to balance the serious tailored style.

available now at Past Perfect Vintage

My, My How the Corset Has Changed

A good corset is a treat to find. Ladies didn't need but a few. Washable garments were worn under and over the expensive corset to save it from wear, tear and washing. And since they were adjustable to size by lacing, a lady could use the same corset for years. She would need to purchase a new one for a major weight loss or gain, or when the fashionable silhouette made a major change. So there weren't as many running around to start with. Then the need of modern gals to buy thse old corsets and try to wear them under stress means there are fewer and fewer still avaible in any condition. Fortunately, there are many wonderful reproductions available now for the enthusiast, leaving the orignals a chance to stay intact.

Here are two grand undergarments we just added at Past Perfect Vintage:

ca. 1909 WB Erect Form Corset World's Fair Special in cream with pale green ribbons applied all over with twisted faggoting stitch @ www.pastperfectvintage.com/thevictoriansandedwardians.htm

Then, for something a bit more modern: a late 1940s - early 50s Merry Widow style corset in black lace and stretch with front hook and eye and zipper closure. This was made in Western Germany by Triumph of Europe - gotta love that name - and has an oral provenance that it belonged to Rosemary Clooney. Given the shop where the consignor purchased it, it's more than possible.

Post WW II Merry Widow by Triumph of Europe @ www.pastperfectvintage.com/the40sand50s.htm

A Bustle Fiesta, Part Tres

Last fall, we were lucky enough to acquire a grand lot of 1880s Victorian bustle dresses. As you readers know, this is a weakness of ours.

What makes this lot so grand is that they are all from the estate of one woman and saved by her granddaughter who passed away recently at at advanced age. We just don't see these collections come out of local estates much anymore. They are a rarity now.

These are just 3 of the pieces. There are several more bodices without partners, a lovely morning wrapper, 2 shawls, and 2 truly grand gowns yet to photographed. The original owner could be traced too - she grew up in Lancaster Co. PA, married in PA, moved to Louisville, KY and was buried back in Harrisburg. Many of these pieces are labeled Agnew and English, a very old Philadelphia firm. We believe this was a wedding trousseau - the date of the garments are right, almost all purchased from the same firm and all are in a similar style and size.

Enjoy - we certainly have.

Left - c. 1884 Wine Wool Day Dress,

Right - c. 1884 Gold Silk & Green Push Dinner Dress

c. 1884 Blue Silk Brocade Bodice

for details, including price and sizing, please see Past Perfect Vintage

Patterns of Fashion (Psychedelic Edition)

There's nothing like a cold, cold, winter's day to make me yearn for color and pattern. I came late to appreciating the wild patterns of the 60s and 70s. I lived them, I wore them, I suffered through the hideous polyester versions. I copied Peter Max posters with my colored pencils.

There was nothing classic or timeless about this type of pattern, so we frugal buyers tended to avoid them back in the day. You certainly couldn't change the look with accessories on these babies! If you wanted your earrings or shoes to even show up with a pattern of this boldness, they had be Huge. I mean, chandelier bobbles and neon platforms.

But now - I must be coming around. I think they are wearable art now and in the very best way. Hang one on a white wall while you aren't wearing it. The detail and design are really outstanding. And if you can live without a Pucci label, these dresses may even be affordable.

Dramatic 1970s Maurice Print Maxi Dress @ www.pastperfectvintage.com

1970s Printed Maurice Maxi Dress @ www.shrimptoncouture.com

1960's Pucci Esque Print Mini Dress @ www.poshgirlvintage.com

70's Paganne Deco Egyptian Print Dress @www.bluevelvetvintage.com

Paganne 1960s Psychedelic Jersey Dress @ www.morninggloriousvintage.com