The Pleasure of Christmas Books

 

A fine tradition was revived this year when three fashion history books were found under the tree. A second tradition was also revived - that of my nose buried in a book on Christmas Day.  All three texts are speedy reading but great fun, and photo heavy.
 

Let's take a look.

Style Book: Fashionable Inspirations , Elizabeth Walker.

 

All photos. All the time. But a treasure trove of inspiring photos from 1865  to the present, grouped by theme rather than year. Checks, Stripes, Fur, Denim, Flower Power - they all have a section. The subjects range form royalty to Hollywood to the street. There are some inaccuracies and oddities in the captions, but these are few and far between. Most glaring is a photo of Katherine Hepburn in the famous white crepe beaded and sequined evening dress designed by Adrian for The Philadelphia Story (1940)  is dated 1935 and called a "peasant shirt with bands of bright embroidery." That said, it's still 475 pages of eye candy. 

Cristóbal Balenciaga, Phillipe Vent Hubert Givenchy:Grand Tradition of French Couture, Christianne de Nicolay-Mazery. 

More eye candy plus there are short bios of each designer. Then a series of really lovely photos by Luc Castel of selected garments displayed at Haroue, the Château of the Princes of Beauvau Craon. The  château gets stunning photos and detail shots all its own as well. When given, the background story the gowns is fascinating. This work commemorates the 2010 exhibit of 50 gowns at Haroue, selected by Givenchy.

 

Fashion in the Time of Jane Austen, Sarah Jane Downing.

Another in the Shire Library series, these are small and handy books. This one actually has real text and does a fine job of covering the intersection of social history and fashion with illustrations of period fashion plates and paintings. The specific references from Austen’s letters and novels are a highlight.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

 1940s or 50s Stewart's Christmas season gift boxes,courtesy As Time Goes By

A Very Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and a Happy Hanukkah to all!

We will be back after Christmas, stuffed with turkey  and dressing. 

Now Let's Look at Some 20s and 30s

 

I promised a post on our new 1920s and 30s  dresses two posts ago. I have been remiss and I apologize. I am behind enough that three of the December additions have already sold. But do not be sad - there are more to come in January. But today, let's look at one of the prettiest and most complex 1920s/30s chiffon dresses yet.  

 Glorious 1920s Print Silk Chiffon Dress in Pink, Black and Ivory 

This lovely, lovely dress is a pink, grey, black and ivory chiffon print with a long column line and more swags and over skirts than I can quite describe. And there over skirts are anchored by appliques and fabric flowers in a matching silk taffeta print. One of the marvelous things about this dress is that the slim column of the slip and under dress keep all those flared swags under control, so there is always a controlled center to the movement of the dress. 

Fabulous 1930s Cream Chiffon and Black Velvet Dress Lg Sz 

 

The workmanship on this dress is superb. The bodice is a cream chiffon over silk with black silk velvet appliques and cordwork scrolling  along the join. The skirt and lower sleeves are the same incredibly soft and drapey velvet. A great find in a larger size. 

Dramatic Vintage 1930s Black Crepe with Fur Evening Dress

 

It was a tough choice between using the front or the back of this dress for the thumbnail photos. The back won. How could it not? A dramatic low back with a high front neckline is always a great look. This dress is a 1930s black crepe with long, long scrunched sleeves, a figure defining skirt on the bias, and a grand deep ivory cowl neckline edged in white rabbit fur. There's a  hint of a medieval chatelaine to the style, yes? 

 Sharp 1940s Black Crepe Polly Preston Blouse

 

Now this isn't a 30s blouse, it's a 40s. It's not always about the year, sometimes it's about the look. A chic little black crepe dressy over blouse is always appropriate both in this post and in life. The asymmetrical hemline and the accordion pleated ruffles are great details, as are the shaped half belt and the draped neckline. With pants? Yes. With a pencil skirt? Oh yes. With a flared skirt? Yes, indeed!

For details: Past Perfect Vintage: The 20s & 30s or The 40s & 50s

Every Day's a Holiday Hats

 

We have been remiss in blogging this December. Time spent with family, on vacation and general holiday activities will do that. Plus dinner preparations yet to come! But I couldn't let the month slip away with out a feature on the hats we added to Past Perfect Vintage this December.  

The first up is a wonderful late 20s to early 30s sequin evening cloche. How do I date it? The crown isn't deep enough to be full-on 20s, but too deep to be much past 1931 or so. The color is a wonderful deep aged gold, with a devore velvet band and a silk lining. Perfect for a party. 

The second is an early 1920s straw brim and silk crown hat with wonderful period trim and subtle coloration.Third? A copy of  French design by Lewis in brown felt with a chic little aigrette form the early 1930s. Than a terracotta wool jersey from that fine label Hattie Carnegie. I am fond of this 1950s silhouette - the small cap perched on the back of the head with gathered rondells for interest. And the last two - dramatic velvet hats with loads of 50s style in great fall and winter colors from Trebor and Sally Victor. 

         

1920s Flapper Gold Sequin Evening Cloche & 1920s Straw and Crepe Wide Brim Cloche Hat

1930s Brown Felt Beret  by Lewis & 1950s Terra Cotta Wool Jersey Hat by Hattie Carnegie  

Late 1950s Tri Color Velvet Turban by Trébor & Early 1950s Vintage Velvet Hat by Sally Victor 

all available at Past Perfect Vintage.com

Vintage Christmas Cards

I found these last January. In Harmans' one room antique store  in Bardstown, Ky. It's absolutey crammed with interesting and even odd things. Not all are terribly old, but all are interesting. The kind of small shop where it takes hours in to see everything thing, and yet it's all beautifully organized. Glass stirrer sticks, postcards, magazines, photos, glass bottles, old pharmacy labels, metal letters, small sewing machines, the oddest old machinery, pulleys, crucifixes and a small bust that I swear was Karl Marx. We were there again today and once again, treasures were found.  

And I have saved these vintage cards ever since January just for this Christmas. Aren't they stylish? Such clean designs. 

Enjoy!

 

New Pretties in December? Oh yes.

 

In our largest monthly updates yet, we just added some 31 vintage and antique pieces at Past Perfect Vintage, covering a 140 year span. Not bad, I think. 

Today let's look at the Victorian and Edwardian pieces. We are showing an 1840s print cotton wrapper/house dress, an 1860s brown silk damask 2 piece dress, an 1870s to early 1880s natural silk 2 piece bustle dress with wonderful buttons and silk fringe in the polonaise style, an 1910s cocoon coat in black with wonderful buckle, a 1910 blue velvet evening cape, and a 1910s cotton print dress in a nifty pattern. These are all from a private collector that focused on textures and prints - and there are many more to come. Next time, I 'll show you the 1920s and 30s pieces!   

 

 

all now available at Past Perfect Vintage