If Only it Fit Me: #3

1940's Black velvet & red tulle dress @www.poshgirlvintage.com This is to die for.I don't know what else to say. I am wordless. Virtually without words. So I will quietly go back to restoring a sequin 20s dress that I might actually be able to wear.

The Thrift Store Blues

The day before Thanksgiving, I went out on a thrift store hunt. I used to really enjoy these, although most of the enjoyment came from finding treasures, not the ambience. Clean and not smelly is good. I hit 5 big stores - a Goodwill, a Salvation Army, a Unique, American Council of the Blind, a locally owned one, and two smaller stores. Maybe they have already had the Christmas shoppers attack,

If Only It Fit Me, #2

This is beautiful and totally, completely unrealistic. Not only would I need to be, oh, 5" taller, but the hips? Let's not go there. And then I would have to have a lifestyle transplant, which could be even more difficult.Nonetheless, this Oscar de la Renta gown from www.retrodress.com makes me think, maybe...........platform shoes? a bazillion trips to the gym? liposuction? and, and, and......

Elizabeth’s Timeless Attire Grand Re-Opening

damage after the accident & the new interiorI am happy to say one of the best brick and mortar vintage clothing shops in the Midwest has reopened after a 3 month layoff. I have been shopping at Elizabeth’s Timeless Attire for almost 30 years - that’s a lot of time spent in a little bit of vintage heaven. The store has been renovated after a car accident in July. Yes, the car was inside the store

Decade du Jour: The 1860s

The 1860s remain enormously popular with collectors and enthusiaists. It's partly the re-enacting thing and the crinoline thing. And partly the 'romance' of the American Civil War. Trust me , there was nothing, and I mean Nothing, romantic about it. Visit the national cemetaries sometime. But this blog isn't devoted to military history, it's about Clothing! Fashion! Shoes!Now that I have that out

If It Only Fit Me: #1

There is so much vintage clothing I would love to buy if it only fit.Part 1 of a long, long series.I am a believer in vintage wool suits. This of course from a woman who is allergic to wool ( one of the tragedies of my otherwise happy life) and who admittedly doessn't wear suits when working at the keyboard.But it is a tenet of my fashion beliefs that Suits are Great. Suits are Stylish. Suits are

Coats On Parade

It's finally turning colder here in the Upper South/Lower Midwest/wherever it is we are. Vintage coats have always been one of the things I wear as soon as the temps drop. Why?They fit. They are interesting. And the quality and craftmanship beat modern coats for the money every time. I have 3 coats and jackets I wear now. One black with fur collar, one gold and black herringbone, and one cream

pssst...you heard it here first: new vintage arrivals at Past Perfect Vintage

New arrivals at Past Perfect Vintage! We don't add tons of inventory every month. Because we ( that's Monty and I) want to really love each piece we find. Or if not love, at least feel a profound liking. Although the third member of our team, Truman the Cat, gets no vote. He has no taste except for fur toys, and those must be black or white to be chic.We added an eclectic assortment for a variety

Designer du Jour: Jo Copeland

Now when I was a pure collector of vintage clothing, I never bought anything later than the 1930s. As a result, I was hopelessly out of the loop on American designers. I was also pretty silly and shortsighted, because there are so many wonderfully designed 20th Century garments out there. And they are generally in much better condition than the Victorian and 20s I was exclusively looking at.

Contemporary Studio Jewelry: Ann Jenkins

In addition to vintage clothing, I do love contemporary jewelry. And I find it’s often a good combination. Contemporary design takes the ‘costume’ edge off vintage when worn together. And there’s neat tension when the two looks interact. And when you invest in studio made works, you invest in an artist.So let me introduce you to the fine work of Ann Jenkins, jeweler. You can find her detailed