Past Perfect Vintage: The 1920s and 1930s Make a Return!

 



 It's been a long while since I posted here. And even longer since we added wonderful inventory to Past Perfect Vintage.  I have written here about my opera and ballet work which ate up all the time this past January through mid April. Satisfying work it was and remunerative, but it's so great to be back to a regular schedule. And that includes shopping for vintage clothing, getting it

It's On! The Past Perfect Vintage Christmas Sale

It's time to get caught up before Christmas catches me completely unprepared. First up, the Past Perfect Vintage Christmas Sale is underway! We have sale prices posted throughout the webstore,  up to 50% off. The sale runs through Dec. 28, so if you are one of the lucky ones who might get a little bit of green in your stocking, sale prices will still be available after Christmas. Just click

Summer fashions, July 21, 1932

 Well at long last, after a successful opera opening, we are ready to return to the world of blogging. I was given a lot of great old newspaper bits and pieces recently by a friend who knows I am interested in the history of local stores.  These are from the Louisville Times edition of July 21, 1932. There’s nothing like a dated newspaper ad to narrow a style date down, is there? The dress

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 

Our Latest 1920s and 30s Acquisitions

This month, we were pleased to show so many wonderful pieces from the Victorian through 1930s eras. We featured the early pieces in a previous blog post, so it's time for the 1920s - 1930s to get a bit of the spotlight.  
These dresses are all from one private, discriminating collector with a fine eye for period styles. And this is just the beginning, we will be adding pieces from this

Chez Ninon

When Mrs. Obama wore a Norell dress recently, many current fashion writers latched onto the phrase "forgotten designer Norman Norell". If someone as successful, respected and honored as Norell is considered forgotten, then high end American boutiques of the 20th Century don’t stand a chance of being remembered. And that’s a shame. There really aren’t many custom salons left, although quite a few

Dresses, Dresses, and Oh Look - Another Dress!

The September additions to Past Perfect Vintage are all in. And my goodness, there's a lot of new inventory. There are hats, suits, and hair combs, but today, it's all about dresses. And a jumpsuit. And a blouse and skirt set. But they look like dresses, so that counts. The date range? 1930s - 1970s. For you Victorian, Teens and 1920s fashion lovers, we have some 60 lovely things on the way.

New Dresses from the 1920s and 30s

 
Do you like the fashion of the 1920s and 30s? You aren't alone. These silhouettes get revived every few years or so in some variation. The drop waist come sback in , as does the boyish look, and the figure conscious bias cut has almost never left. The 1920s very kind to the thinner, straight figure and the 30s were good for the curvy gal, who was toned, but didn't have a tiny waisted, hourglass

Spring & Summer Flowers can take Many,Many Forms

The many varieties of vintage florals. They came out in the Spring and last all Summer, which is the ideal for a blooming plant in my garden. My fondness for these may date to the huge rose print draperies in the guest bedroom at my grandmother's house, a pre-Civil War structure, probably the overseer's home on the old farm. If memory serves, the room was probably 'done' in the 1940s, and it was

Just One More: 1930s Knit Evening Dress

When I read the words " hand knit evening dress", the metal image is none too pretty. It sounds off - like a corduroy evening gown. Or a denim formal. And possibly as dowdy as all get out. But I am so very wrong. 
Look at this. In the right yarn - stunning. Granted, today very few women could pull off the matching capelet. We aren't into matchy-matchy anymore. But still. That close-up is lovely.

Sporty Knit Fashions, 1937

Just a couple of posts ago, we featured knit fashions of 1933, and very stylish they were, too. Today's are from 1937. They are bit more fitted in the waist, and a good bit shorter in the hem length as you can see on the cover. Yet the interior shots don't show a length. How clever. Hem lengths were on the rise in the mid to later 30s, and this way, the styles might not look out of date as

Hand Knitted Chic the 1933 Version

These are a selection from Hand Knitted Chic, a pattern publication from Bucilla, published in 1933. Let's set the stage. It's the depths of the Depression. The mood is not happy. It's down right grim. Most women are in the Depression Make Do and Mend Mode, the one that came before the WWII version. An awful lot of women can't afford store bought clothing. Or even good fabric like wool and silk

Two Dresses + Two Sweaters = Pretty

We just added this 1930s tulip print cotton dress, this adorable Junior Sophisticate party dress and 2 wonderful 1950s cardigan sweaters to Past Perfect Vintage  recently. Be sure to visit and see our new The 18th Century area and the additions to The 1920s and 30s.  Remember, we always email a newsletter prior to posting up new inventory.Our subscribers not only get first notice, they get a 24

A Fabulous Foursome

 
These four additions to Past Perfect vintage all come from one estate auction. There were 2 other dresses (we didn't get) and 2 hats (we did).  I love the story they tell. There were 2 young woman's dresses in the same small size from 1907 - 1908 ish, represented here by the one we purchased, a lace insertion dress in pale pink cotton. There was a much larger black beaded and sequinned gown

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

Fresh August Vintage - The 20s & 30s

There's more fresh August Vintage at Past Perfect Vintage Clothing. And all from that wonderful Southern Indiana collection. May I just take a moment and thank the sentimental keepers and savers of the world? Without them, there wouldn't be........well, it just doesn't bear thinking about. Sadness would reign. And these garments were kept well. No attics, or basements or costume dress up parties

It's Right Here in Black & White: The 30s

We just added three1930s items to the website. And my, my, how it is getting to find interesting things from this era. I grant you, many dresses from this era can be matronly and drab. It wasn't the happiest time. They don't call it: The Great Depression: Return of the Smile! But , man there were still some stunning fashion trends going on. The sleek lines are grand.And it must be serendipity

Spring Fever

I am getting spring fever just a tad. It snowed a little yesterday and it's still in the 30s. I am ready to see daffodils and croci. But they have just started to poke their little green leaves out. And there's still an awful lot of ice storm damage. It's Dreary. It's Cold. It's Muddy.So until the weather warms up, I will have to make do with looking at this dress. If this doesn't cry out Summer

A Commercial Interruption

We interrupt our continuing series, A First Lady a Day, with this commercial message from our sponsor: 1930s Poiret Prize Print Party Dress 1970s Mollie Parnis Dress and Coat SetBoth are now available at our Etsy shop, www.pastperfectvintage.etsy.com/We will now return to our series.........