Beautifully-designed and made winter coat from the late 1950’s – early 1960’s. The fur trim at hemline was an iconic style element at that particular time. In this case, it appears to be mink. The labels indicate that the coat was sold and, possibly, made in San Francisco but probably incorporated design elements from Europe as well as European fabric. This company had an interesting history which is reflected in the reliably great quality of the garments.
The best thing about this dress is that it was given to me by the (now deceased) mother of a dear friend who wore it to a gala while her husband was in the military. So, I know its exact year and ownership history. It is beautifully-made and I suspect that it was custom-tailored for her. If laid out flat, the skirt is almost a full circle. Rhinestones, lace, yards of taffeta and netting and a fit to die for.
Red velveteen on a very sophisticated lady. Yes, it’s home-sewn but by a real expert. She was the mother of a friend (and became a friend, herself) who gave me several of her own vintage creations. Lots of careful tailoring details like covered buttons and fabric loops at the nape of the neck. The draped neckline is also an unusual and flattering design feature. Perfect for hosting a Christmas cocktail party.
Pretty by the fire. This pine green beauty was home-tailored and even has a matching velvet shoulder bag which I discovered in a completely different location. Amazing!
Yes, V is for Vintage and also for Vegan. Just posted new intelligence on my Twitter account about a list of companies that sell vegan clothing items and accessories. This is a fabulous tool since it can be difficult to source those things successfully without insider information. The list is recommended and approved by PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) which has high standards for the credentials of any company they will include. Companies on the list should also have a label on each garment, shoe, etc. which reflects the PETA approval – PETA-APPROVED VEGAN. This resource makes it much easier for those of us who love all creatures to shop with a clear conscience and the goal of improving the ethical standards of the worldwide marketplace.
Alas, many true vintage wardrobe items were not made in ways which we would call humane today, but their quality, beauty and historical value are still unsurpassed by the things which are manufactured now. If we support the modern market for humane and sustainable goods, we can continue to enjoy clothing and accessories from bygone eras without worry for as long they last. As we humans continue to attain higher consciousness and grow in our compassion and understanding, as well as the technical ability to produce goods of high quality in a sustainable way, it is my vision that this gap will be closed. Kudos to PETA for helping us to get there and can’t wait!
By the way, my archive clean-out is about to begin. Watch for coming posts and stay tuned . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
From about the late 1950’s to the mid-1970’s a classic jacket like this one would go almost anywhere, day or evening, over your slacks, skirt or dress. Not meant for formal wear, but always part of a “well-dressed” woman’s wardrobe. Leather items were considered to be “quality” garments. Well-crafted and elegant in style, outerwear like this replaced the previous “car coat” when longer hemlines were not the daily standard anymore.
We’ve continued to love leather jackets of various styles over the decades since the “bomber jacket”, developed by the military during WW1, became popular as a fashion item after the 1940’s. Although it requires some extra care, properly tanned leather is durable and maintains its good looks. Now, however, we are better-informed about how leather for clothing is produced and have the dilemma of choosing to go vegan in our clothing selections. As you know, I’ve made my choice.
Less vulnerable to the elements than fur, my leather jackets will continue to serve me for the rest of my life if I look after them. I’ll probably never have to make the choice between authentic and faux leather. True vintage leather garments and accessories made before 1980 are investments and still an ethical choice.
Here are a couple of very practical dresses which are super-authentic but easy to wear for everyday. They also wash well (excepting for the dreaded oil-based spot which can be stubborn on polyester fabrics – but there are effective ways to manage stains). Outfits like this are very sturdy and durable for work, school, shopping or just taking in a matinee’.
When you want to wear true vintage garments but don’t have time to be especially careful of them and don’t want to worry about wrinkles, a few pieces like these are very handy and also demonstrate your vintage savvy. Tomorrow, the perfect “wrap” for this. Stay tuned . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Gowns by Alyce are always so beautiful.. Many for sale are newer than this one, but I love the fabrics and tailoring detail on the older versions. The bodice has boning and lovely beading. The skirt is swishy with two layers. It would be a keeper but, alas, is too large for me (and for Stella, too) so it’s time to pass it on.
Black is always classic and stunning, but I’ve seen Alyce gowns in many colors. When you’re looking for a special formal dress, I recommend this brand and especially if you can find one that is true vintage. The older the better!
HAPPY HALLOWEEN! This dress is stunning for nightclubbing. Spectacular in dark green velvet; I loved finding this one. Such an unusual style. It’s the only gown I have with long sleeves and bare shoulders – not often seen, but was a Thirties style at one time. Very dramatic with the high neckline. The only drawback of gorgeous velvet clothing, if you have crowded closets, is that they need room to hang or will become wrinkled (like many other fabrics). So, since I don’t trust my own steamer with some special materials and don’t want the considerable expense of frequent trips to the drycleaners, these archive photos are less than ideal.
However, that’s what understanding the true magnificence of these garments and having a good imagination is all about. Hanging overnight above a tub of hot water also works – (the dress, not you). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
The closet clean-out and de-classification process mentioned in a previous message is on-going and the winter months are perfect this year for clearing old evidence files from the archives. Sales of items moved into the public domain will begin in the first week of December on Ebay. In the meantime I will be publishing previews of a few of the discoveries. Although some of you may have seen them before, they’re always worth another look.
Magicvintagespy 