Meditations on 20 Years in the Biz

I just realized yesterday with a bit of a shock that 2012 marks 20 years in the vintage and antique clothing business for us. In 1992, we started with a 10" X 14" booth at the Art Deco Show in Indianapolis. We were not terribly sure of ourselves, but we made our booth rent back during set up, so that was a great reassurance. Later, we added the Elgin shows, then did vintage shows in Connecticut

The First of The Collection comes to Past Perfect

 
We have recently been so pleased to be asked to handle a partial de-accession of a private collection. Like many long time collectors, our client is weeding through and focusing in on certain areas.After all, many of us start out acquiring randomly, pretty much anything that is pretty or for those vintage collectors who wear their pieces - anything that fits! I've done it myself, and not that

At Long Last - The Return to Vintage

No, I don't mean fashion magazines, red carpet queens, or the fickle designers who need a 'new' look. I don't even mean the customers - although they seem to be back, bless them!Who do I mean? Me. Oh yes, it's been a bit of a break here as other creative projects have called. But now we are back. We have been prepping lots of vintage dresses and hats, some great stuff. So here is some Past

A Bustle Fiesta, Part Tres

Last fall, we were lucky enough to acquire a grand lot of 1880s Victorian bustle dresses. As you readers know, this is a weakness of ours.What makes this lot so grand is that they are all from the estate of one woman and saved by her granddaughter who passed away recently at at advanced age. We just don't see these collections come out of local estates much anymore. They are a rarity now.These

New. Lots of New coming

Oh, my we have been busy. First, that kitchen remodel is done! Then we had an early Christmas. Then we got some 20 items ready and up at www.pastperfectvintage.etsy.com, and they are up and going fast. Here's an eclectic sample, but go take look, then come back. 1970 Rodrigues Maxi Dress 1950s Paisley Blouse1970s Velvet Gaucho Set 1979s Print Blousec. 1904 Wedding Bodice Sash and shoes Gold

Serendipity = 1880s Bustle Dresses

I tell you - you just never know in the vintage clothing game. People ask me where I find things, I am am not being evasive when I say: " you never know". Wonderful things can crop up anytime and anywhere. Long story short, we were supposed to go out of town and had to cancel. Disappointmnet reigned.So we did an errand, and got doughnuts. I know - terrible. But they were very fresh and tasty.

A First Lady a Day: Crete, 1881

Lucretia Rudolph Garfield definitely wins the Best Nickname of any American First Lady Award. Crete. I think that’s cool. A Very interesting woman. She was well educated, studying French, Greek and Latin languages and classical, British and French literature. She was an independent woman , a teacher and an intellectual. Crete was also a fine hostess, although not at all interested in publicity.

A First Lady a Day: Caroline, or 1889

You are wondering - who’s Caroline? Carrie Harrison. Lovely woman, well dressed. Elegant, yet fun loving. I have seen some of her clothes at the President Benjamin Harrison Home in Indianapolis. Very, very nice. And the house is great too - right downtown, easy to get to. Go if you have a chance. They had a spiffy display on the third floor when we were there - Death in the White House. She was

A Bustle Fiesta, part deux

The fiesta continues. I had to save the 1880s bustles gown for a second post, because my mother told me too many sweet things would ruin my appetite. After the frothy wedding cakes of yesterday's post, I had to cleanse my palate with a day of non-vintage endeavours.Before I wander off to the mango and peach salsa, I leave you with a few quick pointers for telling 1870s and 1880 big bustles apart