Vintage Shops We Reccommend , part 4

This week we got to take a day and drive Indiana looking for vintage. I won't divulge everywhere we went - some secrets must stay kept. But we found a shop we had never been in, IndySwank at Fountain Square in Indianapolis. I was looking for an antique shop that used to carry a lot of vintage, but it was gone. Out of business. But I found this one instead. Further proof we may not find what we are looking for, but we do find what we need. It's a neat shop - a very up to date boutique style venue with lots of vintage clothing, men's and women's plus selected artist jewelry, lifestyle pieces, vintage housewares and some neat new fashions. Quality goods, too! Lots of 50s - 70s, with a bit of 40s and 80s in the mix. The owner is Jennifer Von Deylen - be sure to say hello.

Also in the Fountain Square neighborhood: two antique shops and another consignment shop, Venus and Mars, that was sadly closed for the day. And there's at least 3 restaurants on the square. Try Naisa for lunch - wonderful! Plus a vintage duck pin bowling alley. Really.

Here's the information:

IndySwank
1043 Virginia Ave.
Indianapolis, IN 46203
Mon & Sat - 11-6
Tues - Fri - 11-7
Closed Sunday
www.indyswank.com

My New ( but Vintage as always) Jacket

If you have tread this blog before, you know I am a big fan of tailoring. Especially good tailoring from the late 1940s and early 1950s. It's a weakness. I realize it could be worse. At least if I purchase items in my size, they are wearable and therefore practical. And uniquely stylish. I could have a weakness for bias cut ball gowns. No there's something a gal can't have too many of! Perfect for weeding the rock garden and hitting the hardware store.

And I am really a sucker for neat metal details. So when I saw this grand little jacket, it was a no brainer. This one is mine, all mine. Now it's also incentive, because at the rate I am going , I will be able to wear it by fall. I have had to skip wearing all but 2 of my vintage jackets because... well we won't go there. But now - am I looking forward to shopping a lot in , oh July. And jackets are my favorite. Granted, this was a once a suit. Probably had a straight skirt with a kick pleat that I wouldn't be able to wear anyway. So as a Jacket Without Partner, it's just fine by me. And it was on sale.

I think this one is a great start for a new vintage wardrobe and a splendid choice for inspiration. It's in rose pink wool, has small shoulder pads and turn back cuffs. The trims are covered buttons with silver center and metal studs. I can see this with a T or a turtleneck for everyday and vintage blouse for dressy events. And of course, it will go with black.

1950s Jacket by Friedmont

Stud and button detail

2 Designers, 2 Dresses

Two very different dresses, yes? The first, a custom original by Howard Greer, who had a distinguished career in film costume design before a long career in fashion design. In this c. 1959 - 1960 superbly made dress, he combined red silk chiffon and red silk faille with bugle beads in rows and in pave bands. The chiffon over blouse is scooped to reveal a heart shaped interior bodice edged with a wide band of beading. The skirt is bias cut at the front and swings beautifully.
And then there's this Christian Dior boutique dress c 1980. A completely different feel! The blouse and skirt are both silk organza with a large scale, bold black, white and red print. Multiple circular ruffles finish the wide neckline and form rows down the full elbow length sleeves. Both pieces are lined in white silk crepe. And what does it have in common with the Howard Greer dress? Besides the touch of red? It is beautifully made.

Both dresses now available at Past Perfect Vintage

The 1950s is Black

More and more 50s. We found even more 50s in our hunts. The Delmans make me want the small feet I don't have. Haven't worn this size since I was oh, in 5th grade. Maybe 4th.
But they sure are pretty. Doeskin with beaded buckles,slingback, peep toes and a nice slim heel.

1950s Delman shoes now available at Past Perfect Vintage

And they would be perfect with this Luis Estevez dress. Lovely scoop neckline with slit front for a bit of sex appeal, great seaming and kicky bows at the neck and hem slit. Love it.

1950s Estevez dress now available at Past Perfect Vintage

Spring in the 50s = Silk Flowers

Even more 1950s fun. This time we show you 2 silk twill dresses in a late 50s silhouette. Very Slim, very Sleek. These two dresses were most likely one woman's. Both are dressmaker made and beautifully done, with silk linings and silk bound seams. The red poppy dress has a clever dropped hem panel with a belt, although it is made with a piped waist seam so as to look finished without. The gray and brown soft watercolor floral has a draped bodice and the same thoughtful pipe waist in case you want to go sans belt. The belt on this one is a matching covered cord with knot ends that is long enough to have fun with.

1950s Silk Red Poppy Print Dress available at Past Perfect Vintage

1950s Watercolor silk Print Dress available at Past Perfect Vintage

More 50s Fashion - can there be too much?

I have added all sorts of tracking results to pastperfectvintage.com, and can now tell you that the The 40s and 50s is the most hit on page other than the home page. So that means the 1940s and 1950s still reign supreme. They have been popular vintage looks since the 80s at least. The appeal just does not fade. I think it's that the silhouettes look good on so many people and the clothes are so wearable. Plus American fashion design really came into its own then, so the quality is marvelous. And since 1950s fashion is what we have been finding, it stands to reason that 1950s fashion is what I am going to spend the next few posts on.

This small size gown is about as 50s as we get. Okay, no poodles or felt. Or leopard print. But it's sweet, feminine, fitted and bouffant with layers of organza, net and taffeta. The back pouf seals the deal. The roses tucked under the pouf are the icing on the cake.

1950s Coral Organza Part Dress now available at Past Perfect Vintage

About Our New Image

For those of you who may be wondering: What's the new photo all about? Looks like a lot of men and this is predominately, almost exclusively a blog about womens vintage fashion.

The gentleman on the far left in the white vest and smoking a cigar is my great grandfather. The rest is a bit of a mystery. It's a downtown Louisville storefront, but we are not sure where. Who the other men are? Probably business associates as he was in attorney in real estate and banking. I do find the variety of menswear and attitudes fascinating. And notice how much separate space each fella has in the photo. In a group photo taken today, they would all be crammed together.

The last thing I find interesting that in other photos of my great-grand father, while dapper, he is very dignified and patriarchal. He obviously had another side. I have heard about some card games........

A 50s Fiesta!

The 1950s. The 50s dresses are fighting the 1920s for supremacy here at Past Perfect. First up is a blue, black and white abstract print in a silk twill with a black faille inset waistband.The nifty button tab detail doesn't show in the photos, but it's there. The bateau neckline and dolman sleeve combination is a favorite of mine. That's the price of entering the adult fashion market in the 1980s. The dropped waist band is a flattering look - defines the waist without shortening it and doesn't require a belt. There's stained glass quality to the print, too. And it's from a good store - Best & Co. 5th Ave New York. We have had some very nice garments from there over the years.

So there's today's 50s contender - let's see how tomorrow's stack up, shall we?

1950s Silk Print Dress now available at Past Perfect Vintage

Flappers A-Go-Go (Part 5): The Finale!

At last. The ubiquitous 1920s opera coat. I must wonder just how many people were going to the opera in the 1920s and 30s? Was it the heyday of opera attendance in the 20th century? Were farmers and miners across the USA suddenly getting decked out and taking their wives to see Aida? Madame Butterfly? I know polo has a sudden burst of popularity, but I tough everyone was going to the movies. Why not a movie coat? I think about this because I occasionally design costumes for the opera, and while attendance is good for Barber of Seville and Carmen, it still isn't at a point you would need a specific style of coat to wear.

Or is it that almost all small towns in the US had an opera house? Which despite the name, served as a general performance space for touring theater, musicals and dance. So a dressy evening out was a trip to the opera house? There. It may not be true, but it is logical, and that's all I ask for in these crazy days.

Fabulous coat. Yes? I think. Wine silk velvet, HUGE black fur collar and nifty sectioned sleeves. The skirt cut is grand too. The label? Jay's Ltd. was a very high tone , high quality London venue.

1920s Opera Coat now available at Past Perfect Vintage

Flappers A-Go -Go! ( Part 4)

I think this is one of the best 1920s hats I have ever had. This comes out of my personal stash. It was a gift many years ago from a dear friend. A friend with excellent taste and a fine knowledge of costume history. He found it is a small Kentucky town, but it most likely came from California. It has all the qualities I like in antique and vintage clothing. Good lines, great color, rich detail and quality construction. This wide brimmed cloche has silk brim and sides to the crown, with a velvet tip and under brim . The cord is couched down and outlines embroidered flowers with wood beads. It labeled Alpha Hats, and I have never seen another with this specific typr and quantity of trim work.

now available at Past Perfect Vintage

Flappers A-Go-Go (Part 3)

As you may have guessed, this is a multi part series! And with the beaded silk dress and beaded velvet bandeau I posted already, this spiffy coat would complete a period ensemble. 1920s coats tend to have convertible collars that can close high at the neckline or just low at the dropped waist. So does this one. The big fur collar and matching cuffs are true to the period as well. What you can't see here is the great cut with 2 diamond shaped insets at each hip. But you can see the side flare of the skirt and the deep color of the navy plush. And it sports a label from northern Indiana: Gates Anderson Kokomo New Castle . I have been to Anderson. I have been to Kokomo. But New Castle? That one I will have to look up on Mapquest. I do adore finding those smaller store labels. And you don't often see them prior to 1930s.

Now available at Past Perfect Vintage

Flappers A-Go -Go! ( Part 2)

Our last post features fantastic white beaded velvet 1920s bandeau. Now this is the perfect dress to go with it. Ivory silk crepe back satin with wonderful silver and white beading . Not only are the scrolls wandering up the body, there are panels of diagonally set beaded fringe to match. Rose montee stones were used to highlight the beading and edge the necklines. This dinner/ dance dress illustrates the 1920s fashion aesthetic beautifully. The elements? Straight as a column cut, scoop neck with 'T' back, sleeveless, all the design attention at the hips and hem,just enough beading at the neckline and armholes to look finished, and finally all the the movement provided by the wonderful beaded fringe. Bonus points for a label - Steinberg's St. Louis.

Thank Mr. Steinberg. You efforts are still appreciated.

1920s Beaded Dress now available at Past Perfect Vintage

Beading & fringe closeup


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