A Sucker for Vintage Patterns

I am becoming a sucker for vintage sewing patterns. It's come over me recently. Now, that's odd, because I have been around them for many years. I have been working in costume shops of many varieties since 1978, and we use a lot of vintage patterns that are always somewhere on file. So they have been part of the scenery. I guess I took them for granted. Several years ago, I helped my aunt, an accomplished dressmaker clean out her work room, and she packed me off with boxes of Vogue patterns from the 60s. Most of them bridal oriented, of course. I sent them on to a friend who was delighted. The aunt is the girl on the right in the photo above.

Now I am starting to think patterns are pretty darn special. Maybe it's the art work. Maybe it's a change in perspective since I don't sew that much anymore, and patterns aren't just tools.
But I will say it's a good thing I am committed to selling the vintage that comes to me. Because I need one more thing to collect like I need a root canal. And vintage patterns would be pretty darn tempting. They don't take up much room, they don't eat anything, they aren't as fragile as some things I have sunk cash into. Like I said, tempting.

These are just a very few of the patterns I came across at an estate auction. The auction was held in two sessions and sadly, the clothing all went in the first, and the patterns weren't available until the second, several weeks later. But it was great to see all the fashions the owner had made from the patterns. She was one well dressed lady. And I adore seeing a life's wardrobe in one viewing.

c. 1962 Vogue Paris Original by Patou

c. 1962 Vogue Paris Original by Dior
1960s Vogue Special Design
1958 Vogue Special Design

all available at http://pastperfectvintage.etsy.com

New Vintage Dresses - yes, I know that's a contradiction...........

Oh yes, I feel the contradiction every time I mention 'new' vintage clothing. But what else can I say? we have new items up in our Past Perfect Vintage Etsy shop. And they are vintage. So there you have it. The proverbial contradiction in terms. The classic oxymoron. But I will soldier on and show you the goodies:

First, a beautiful cream crepe gown c. 1938 - 40 with a zipper front, gold studs and studded rhinestones.

Second, a Gorgeous 1950s Draped Navy Crepe Dorothy O'Hara Dress

And last, 1970s Deep Sapphire Blue Rayon Velvet Evening Dress with Rhinestone edged keyhole neckline.

all three are available at Pastperfectvintage.etsy.com

Vintage Spadea Designer Patterns make a Showing!

We just came into a cache of great vintage patterns. And I am such a vintage sewing nerd that I am almost as thrilled as when I found a Fath and a Traina-Norell last week. That's a post for another day. These Spadea patterns are a bit a rare. Well, rare may be a bit strong, but certainly harder to come by than Simplicity. Which we also got a few of. Plus some very nice Vogue patterns. More about those to come as well.
Back to the patterns at hand. Dress designs by Tina Leser, Fontana of Italy, Donald Brooks, Estevez and one I can find nothing on, Ino of Greece. But it's a fantastic dress. Spadea didn't mess around - they got good designers to furnish designs. And they assumed you knew how to sew. It's a fascinating company , and if I may suggest further reading, please take a look at my friend Lizzie's blog: The Vintage Traveler where she interveiws Anne Spadea Combs and her article on Spadea

These patterns are all currently available at Past Perfect Vintage @ etsy

1950s Tina Leser Party Dress
1950s Ino of Greece Cocktail Dress
1960s Fontana of Italy Cocktail Dress
1950s Estevez Cocktail Dress

1950s - 60s Donald Brooks Coat Dress

Two from the 50s: Cardigan & Cape

If I ever own a detective agency, that's what I will call it: Cardigan & Cape, Private Detectives, Our Discretion is Assured. Or perhaps an import business: Cardigan & Cape, Inc., Exotic Silks and Indian Teas. Or maybe a boutique dealing exclusively in outerwear for the damp climate: Cardigan & Cape, Co., Tailors in Fine Woolens.

Until then, let us refocus on this colorful late 1950s hand screened printed cardigan sweater by Darlene. It's 'Angelon' - apparently a blend of angora,lambs wool and a titch of nylon. And why yes, those are blue and green poppies. Funny, the poppies I plant always come up orange.

And when we are done dreaming among the poppies, let's take a look at this reversible silk cape with attached scarf in ecru shantung and navy silk satin.The fringe is both ecru and navy and is hand tied. Mighty cool.

Both pieces available at Past Perfect Vintage

Baby Needs Even More Pairs of Shoes!

I do recall my father smiling and singing out 'baby need s anew pair of shoes' before raising the bet at the family poker game. It made me laugh then. But now - of course. More Shoes. Sounds perfectly normal. Now if I had inherited my mother's foot size, these would be mine, all mine. But sadly for my life in relation to vintage shoes, she did not.

The first pair up - a gorgeous and classic pair of Herbert Levine evening pumps in doeskin suede with big beautiful rhinestone buckles. For more on Herbert and Beth Levine, see the Vintage Fashion Guild bio. I will just add, they made awfully good shoes. And always stylish.

Herbert Levine 1950s Black Shoes with Rhinestone Buckles

Next up - a whimsical pair of Middle Eastern styled 1950s mules from Saks 5th Ave. Pointy toes, and all. the fabric is a coarse cotton weave with a grand set of printed figures. Love these.

1950s Middle Eastern Inspired Printed Cotton Mules by Saks

for additional photos, size and price information click here: Past Perfect Vintage

Edwardian Lovelies

The Edwardian Era has so much appeal. My pet theory is that , while distant to us now in fashion and way of everyday life, we can still relate to it because photography was so popular that many of us have family photos from this era. Depending upon our own ages, these are fashions our grandparents could have worn. Indeed, my own grandmother did. In other words, people I knew well once wore these styles as a matter of course. I love that. It's an immediate connection. And indeed here are some of them:

So now, showing at Past Perfect Vintage:


Lovely 1910s Cotton and Silk Draped Dress


1900 - 1910s Black and Gold Lame Net Lace Shaped Shawl
For more photos,size information and price please click: Past Perfect Vintage

Dresses, Dresses, Dresses & Some Are Red

It's time for wool. Even though it was 72 degrees today, as soon as the sun went down, the temps dropped fast and it was very cool. And next week the highs here will be in the low 60s and 50s. I can get out my fall clothes at long last.I must say I am really, truly ready. And I am into wool this year, even though I am allergic to it. Camisoles, T-shirts, turtlenecks - I have vowed I will do whatever it takes.
So if I can do it, you can too, and here's hoping you are ready for the coming cold weather!

We offer this November a great Autumn colors Irish woolen dress and a wonderful olive green English made suit with silk chiffon blouse. And of course, 2 party dresses for the coming holiday season - one cocktail length in red satin, the other a formal in red velvet.
Enjoy!

1960s Irish Wool Dress and 1960s English Suit, both available at The 60s and 70s

1950s Red Holiday Dresses, both available at The 40s and 50s

Now Arrived at Past Perfect!

The new hats are here! The new hats are here! I apologize for the excitement, but it's been a long haul this autumn. And this week has been the pat off. The website is updated, the big new porch will be done tomorrow, and we have achieved our weight loss goal. Like I said, a big, big week. So now we bring you new inventory.

Let's start with the hats.
First , a great little Sally Victor velvet beaded cap, second, a 1940s NY Creations from Dayton's with black coque feathers and third, a wide brim black felt with chenille border, also a NY Creations from Lecie Studio.

Enjoy!

Additional photos, size and price details can be found here: Past Perfect Vintage

Coming Soon to a Vintage Website Near You

It has been the season of catch up here at Past Perfect Vintage. We have spent Volumes of time getting the fall leaves up and building a new porch. A few more studs and some siding, and it would have been another room on the house. All worthwhile endeavors, but they eat up the time. Preparing wonderful vintage clothes for the website has actually felt like playing hooky! When a trip to the dry-cleaners is a hotly anticipated break from work, you have been busy. And we have had some good buys,too. All waiting in the wings. Wonderful things - hats, shoes galore, dresses, coats, well everything actually.

So here's a mini preview to whet your appetite:

1950s Red Satin Cocktail Dress

1900s Black and Gold Lame Net Lace Shawl

1940s Big Shoulder Rayon Gab Swing Jacket