Vintage ABCs, part 2

 



D is for Dior







E is for Eisenberg (and Estevez) 







F is for Fogarty 







 

It Suits November

 

 

The weather has finally turned consistently cold enough for a fire in the wood stove, for wool jackets, for breaking out my wool 49er collection, for gloves and even my newly acquired 1950s grey eyelash wool fit n' flare dress coat. Good times! So to celebrate the change in seasons, let's look at our recent suits, jackets and coats. We are doing our best at Past Perfect Vintage to get

Take Two from the 50s

Two from the 1950s. What do these tow have in common besides the era? An attention to detail I would say. Not the same treatment by any means, but still - detail in cordwork. The black linen weave clutch coat is very simple - a straight body cut with kimono type sleeves, lined in white taffeta. It couldn't be any simpler. But a simple cut is what is needed to set off all that white passementerie

Obi Wan Coatness

Japanese Obi silk meets Chinese styling for the Western Market. And this is such an opulent example of Western fascination with Asian styles. I caught the Asian bu long ago and bought this for myself - I go to the opera occasionally. Perfect, yes? Then I lost weight. Now? I must face that there is no way. Just too big. So I must move it on, even though it is bit painful. The graphic quality

Norells We Have Known

I must admit that I have a soft spot for Norman Norell ( aka Norman Levinson) simply because he was from Indiana. And for a Noblesville, IN boy to make it in American fashion is a pretty neat thing. The more I read on his work, the better I like it, too. The first works I noticed were his wonderful sequin mermaid dresses - amazing gowns that still bring the big bucks on the rare occasion they do

Two from the 50s: Cardigan & Cape

If I ever own a detective agency, that's what I will call it: Cardigan & Cape, Private Detectives, Our Discretion is Assured. Or perhaps an import business: Cardigan & Cape, Inc., Exotic Silks and Indian Teas. Or maybe a boutique dealing exclusively in outerwear for the damp climate: Cardigan & Cape, Co., Tailors in Fine Woolens. Until then, let us refocus on this colorful late 1950s hand

Let's Talk Vintage Coats

Two of the biggest, and most frequently mentioned, selling points for vintage clothing are the quality and the style the buyer gets for the price point. Nowhere is this more evident in coats and suits. The woolen available today just don't compare nor does the quality of the tailored construction. And now is the time get a vintage fall or winter coat. Most sellers find the prime time to offer

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