The Vintage 'Voice'

A true collector of vintage clothing remembers the circumstances around every find. Where the dress was found, why that was special, the odds against finding anything, funny coincidences, all the odd details. Well, for those of us who moved into selling from collecting, that is still true. And the longer we hunt for these pieces, the more we learn to listen to the inner Voice that says - Go There. Even though there is never anything at that particular There.

Sometimes the Voice is a siren song, but sometimes, oh sometimes, it is not. I have found an 18th Century gown in a dumpy antique mall, a pristine 1905 walking suit amongst rusted farm implements. That's the kind of finds that keeps me going. These two recent finds aren't in that league, but each still made my day.

First up - lovely and high quality early 1960s silk chiffon summer evening dress lined in rayon crepe. No label - just the threads where it was. Found in a big box flea market filled with yard sale rejects and goods more in the velvet painting ouvre. The kind of place I never, ever find anything. Because even if there is something, it's in terrible condition.

But I was heading home from a shopping trip about 4:30 p.m., and as I was passing by this flea market, the little Voice said - "Pull in. Now".

1960s Silk Chiffon Dress in abstract floral print

Second - not a surprise find, really. But a good story. Got up early, went to the second day of an yard/estate sale. Strange woman. Prices were higher than retail. First thing, she announces to one and all she wants to get rid of it all and offers to bargain. But it turns out her bargain prices on 3 dresses she has marked over $300 altogether would be a big $20 off. Not even 10%. I buy one small dress - not this one - and head out.

We get a cup of coffee nearby. On a whim - we go into a just opened modern clothing consignment shop. Find a wonderful 1970s blue glitter halter dress by Jonathan Logan. A glance back to my high school days. Plus a 1970s Victor Costa dress. Score! I was so pleased to be able to buy 2 pieces from a new shop run by nice people. I tell you, it's the Voice.

1970s Jonathan Logan Blue & Silver Metallic Halter Dress

Both dresses now available at Past Perfect Vintage

The 5th Annual Past Perfect Vintage Summer Sale!

Announcing: The 5th Annual Past Perfect Vintage
Summer Sale!

We have marked down some 60 items at pastperfectvintage.com for our annual inventory clearance. There are great buys on everything from Summer Dresses to Fall and Winter Suits. There are sale prices in all categories, from Victorian to Vintage Designer, and Hats to Fans and Combs.
This is a once a year opportunity at Past Perfect Vintage, so be sure to see what we have to offer.
The Summer Sale ends August 5.

Here's a tiny sample of our reduced inventory:

Signs of the Times: Furniture & Pool Hall

These two sit next to each other on East Market St. What I still think of as the way to Baer's Fabrics, but Baer's is no more. Don't get me started on the loss of Baer's. That's another post. So now it's the way to the Ballet if I am coming from the west.

Greene Furniture is an over paint, and it's not the most recent business in that structure by a long shot. I believe this was Riney Bedding until it closed a few years ago. The Bank Shot was/is? a pool hall and shop in a very old bank building. I am pretty sure it is closed, too, as I have never seen much activity around that building in the last decade or so.

I like the juxtaposition of the two styles of architecture and the two styles of advertising. Old style - it was enough to state your name and what you sold. Newer style - fancy font, a catchy phrase or two, a very big phone number. Even newer? It wouldn't be painted at all. It would be a banner.

Greene Furniture Carpet and Stoves & The Bank Shot, North Side of
East Market St., east of Preston St.

The Annual Past Perfect Vintage at Etsy Summer Sale!

The Annual Past Perfect Vintage Clothing Summer sale starts now on Etsy! 50% off sounds good, doesn't it?
Oh yes - we do this every year. And it starts now. First up - all vintage clothing ad accessories at our etsy site are listed at 50% off. Vintage Sewing Pattern markdowns will follow tonight! Here's where the action is: pastperfectvintage.etsy.com

Then comes the sale at our main site, PastPerfectVintage.com. And of course we will let you know about that as soon as it starts.

The Past Perfect Vintage Etsy sale runs until August 5!

Here's a just a sample of the goodies on etsy:

Ties:

Menswear

Dresses, Ladies Suits & Robes

Vintage Patterns

Vintage Display At Bergdorf's - yes!

Ang of Dorothea's Closet passed this link along through the Vintage Fashion Guild- it's fabulous. The July windows at Bergdorf's contained 6 years worth of collected vintage mannequins and display pieces. It's just fantastic. And makes me wish more retail venues would put effort and design into their displays, rather than the ubiquitous Six Headless Dress Forms in a Straight Row Facing the Front Windows into the Mall routine. There are talented display people out there - employ them! This is of course the favorite shot here at Team Past Perfect:

July Windows, photographed by Rudy Pospisil

The Past Perfect Girls approve. You do remember them, yes?

To see the entire article: click here: Beauty Challenged

More 1916 Hats

I have a number of these pages scanned, but think I will just post these 2 more. The variety of styles is fun - width emphasizing wide brim, gaucho style hats with shallow crowns, sheer floppy brimmed summer hats in what I assume is organdy or lace, height emphasizing architectural toques, and tiny brimmed round crown hats that sure look like precursors to the styles of the 1930s.

The wide brims are great. And were a popular style I have found reasonably often over the years. No. 505 - adorable. However, No. 553 on the second page - I have to wonder just how well that one sold back in 1916.

The Vintage Designer Assortment Pack

We have been adding to inventory to Past Perfect Vintage for July. And this is our Vintage Designer Assortment Pack. Three American companies, one French. All designer ready-to-wear. Two 1970s, two 1980s. One day wear set, three cocktail sets. Try to find a common theme. Please try. Comment if you see one. I don't see a theme I can wax on about. Other than all vintage, all well made, all available at Past Perfect Vintage. And heaven knows, you already know that tune.

1969 - 1970 Victor Costa Crepe Dress with Rhinestone Trim

1970s J. Tiktiner Cotton Print Skirt and Blouse Set
1980s Bill Blass Sequin and Pique Cocktail Set

1980s Travilla Silk 3 Pc Cocktail Suit ( matching pants not shown)

Signs of the Times: Pianos

This is the sign that piqued my interest. I drove past this every evening on my way home from work on a free lance job downtown. I wondered: Whose Pianos? How many times was this over painted, only to have the original paint come through? And what did P.P.X.L. mean? And how long ago was advertising so simple that just stating the product type was enough? Or that pianos were advertised this way?
The structure is quite old possibly 1890s or so, as is this painted sign, I am sure. I have

studied this for quite awhile in a larger photo version, and the best I can make out is: "Pianos Henetensero (?) Riehm Music Co." I actually quite like the weathered colors and textures. This one is in an area of Preston St. that has not seen much rehabbing or restoration.

770 Preston St., the Corner of College & Preston

Vintage 1916 Louisville Hats

I adore old Fashion catalogs. I want to call the phone number and order every time. This one makes me by want to stop the show room and try a few hats on. I can even find a few things to order in my 1970s Sears catalog, although it's mostly in the housewares section. And that 1923 dress catalog on the bookshelf with the Paris fashions? I die.

The flip side it I get frustrated when I go through them - I see things I like, I have the money for anything shown, even in 70s dollars and especially in teens dollars, and yet - it's not there. I have to remind myself - the store is gone! The time warp gets me every time. Just born way too late. Or alive, but too young and a 25 cent a week allowance. Or making minimum wage as a teenager in 1972.

So vintage catalogs remain a vicarious, double sided, 'what could have been' pleasure.

This one - Baird's Millinery from a large Louisville wholesaler is a delight. I'd take every hat on the page, even the wacky centerpiece.

photos taken, courtesy of Tina and Gena L.

Pretty Designer Dresses, 1950s edition

Today's post is eye candy. We have two pretty 1950s cocktail dresses new to Past Perfect Vintage, and it's time to share them here. The first is a striking black silk by the California designer Dorothy O'Hara. The neckline is where this dress shines. It's an unusual cut with nude marquisette yoke to show the shoulder and an inset of backed marquisette to echo the V of the neckline. The back yoke line is low to expose the shoulder under the marquisette.

The second is a lovely aqua blue and white watercolor floral print silk chiffon by Ceil Chapman. This designer was well known and is still sought after today for her 1950s draped dresses. I can see why. This dress is light and airy and yet has a ton of handstitching to hold each fold in pplace. And yet it looks effortless.

1950s Black Silk dress by Dorothy O'Hara

1950s Silk Chiffon Dress By Ceil Chapman
both dresses now available at Past Perfect Vintage

Signs of the times: Plumbing since 1872

Since 1872!
I find several things appealing about this painted sign. First they list so many services, including coal stokers. I like the way the text is placed between the windows. And then: The Hand. With a cuff and cufflink, to boot. And a bonus - this company is still in business after 128 years! This sign has been here quite a while. According to the Schardein website, this store on 6th St. is the original location. But the sign on the side means this has been a open lot on market for a long time. Because with a building in this lot, this sign would be invisible. The building currently looks to be in the process of renovation.

F.S. Schardein & Sons 129 S. 6th St., visible from north side Market St. east of 6th

Close up of The Hand

Vintage Shoes, Pretty Shoes

Vintage Shoes are a fine thing. Pretty toes, lovely heels. No claw feet here. Or 6" heels. Or 3" platforms that will break an ankle. Nope. No fashionable 'angry' shoes here. As a petite, okay, short, adult, I see the advantage of a platform, and indeed wore my share in the 70s. But I must admit,now that I accept my height, even an 1" platform looks like denial on the hoof. Everyone can see it. We all know we are short. So make the pretty foot choice. Look at vintage shoes. They will make you happy.

1950s Navy Doeskin from H.P. Wasson

1950s Silk Floral Sandals with Glass Birds on the Vamp

1930s Mint Condition Slip-on Faux Oxfords

All currently available at Past Perfect Vintage

Signs of the Times: Coffee and Coca-Cola

Today's sign theme is beverages. First up - a huge cup of coffee on the side of a high rise on Chestnut St. near 4th. The script is sadly illegible, but the appeal of a steaming cup of coffee in a china cup and saucer is still there. Just off to the side you can see the window frames for a sense of scale. Given the location in the central business district, I amazed this hasn't been painted over.

Then, the ghost of a Coco-Cola bottle in the eastern side of downtown between Market and Jefferson Streets. I'll have to revisit and see if I can remember the cross street. You can just see the script on the iconic bottle.

Vintage Patterns - cool stuff

Just a quickie tonight - it's got way late, way fast. Watering plants at 9:45 in the dark will do that. And it's way too late to attempt something clever. The brain just wants a snack and bedtime. So just a quick notice that we have started posting up 26 vintage patterns from the mid 1950s to 1960s, mostly McCall's and Simplicity, with a couple nice Vogues and Advances each. So keep an eye out at Past Perfect Vintage @ Etsy. I will wax poetic about vintage sewing patterns soon.

Here's a sample, because we always have eye candy: