1940s and 50s, and Meandering Thoughts Therein

 



I am hearing a rumor that people aren't buying 1950s vintage right now. Different periods of vintage clothing come in and out of fashion. But I have found there is almost always a market for any given period. There are niche buyers who want only 1920s, the steam punk people, the rockabillys, the Victorian collectors. I really believe the defining quality that makes a period piece sellable

Building a Vintage Wardrobe: Autumn Colors

These combinations I just put together this month and plan to wear as soon as the weather is cool enough - perhaps this weekend? The colors are perfect for autumn and winter, so I expect to get good use out of this group.
I love suits, because I love tailoring, but I don’t live a suit lifestyle. And modern suits in a price range I can swing look inexpensive and sadly aging, to tell the truth.

Salute the Suits!

It's September. That means it is time to think abut wool suits. I don't care that it was 89 degrees today. It's time. Fashion Week is showing Spring lines. Is that not crazy? I haven't bought my fall and winter clothes yet. I've barely looked for them. The real world is a topsy turvy place. But as I only dip my toe in occasionally, I can handle it in short bursts.So let's review what we have in

My New ( but Vintage as always) Jacket

If you have tread this blog before, you know I am a big fan of tailoring. Especially good tailoring from the late 1940s and early 1950s. It's a weakness. I realize it could be worse. At least if I purchase items in my size, they are wearable and therefore practical. And uniquely stylish. I could have a weakness for bias cut ball gowns. No there's something a gal can't have too many of! Perfect

Designer Additions to Past Perfect Vintage

We have added several vintage designer/better label pieces to Past Perfect Vintage Clothing this March. I already featured the Bill Blass and Phillipe Tournaye sets and the Carolyn Schnurer dress here on the blog, so let's wrap it up today with a little sampler pack. First, a great and classic 1980s Pauline Trigere Navy Suit in imported wool from Henry Harris in Cincinnati. The seaming and

Fresh Vintage Available at Past Perfect, the Etsy Division

Oh yes- we have added vintage treats to our etsy.com division. And as you can see, it's Spring at long last. I really didn't think it would ever get here. Really. Truly. February was unremittingly cold and grey with snow on the ground. So a few warm days and we are ready to see the flowers and sunshine .I have been saving the cottons and linens for just such an ocaasion. The wonderful thing

The Real McCoy ( 1950s, Vintage Version)

This is the Real McCoy. Marian McCoy, that is. Do I know who she was? Sorry, no. There were a lot of good California based designers in the post war years. They brought a lot to the table/dress form. This three piece set has the breezy style of 1950s California in a pale aqua blue wool knit with cream applique and aurora borealis rhinestones. Give this gal a convertible, and she will be as happy

Even More 1950s Fashion

And now, part 2 of the 50s Fashion Run.We have suits: 1950s Bobbie Brooks All Weather Suit ( or so the label says)1950s Brown Nubby Wool Suit from Pogue's We have separates: 1950s Cream Wool Beaded Sweater 1950s Chinese Embroidered Silk Jacket And last, one very neat dress: 1950s Black Wool and Knit Lace Dress with Blouson Bodice

A Weakness for Ladies' Tailoring Rears It's Head

Some women love lace, some ruffles and frills. Others find joy in satins and feathers. And then there's the gauzey, floaty chiffon crowd. All good, all fine. For me, it's good wool and tailoring. Is it because of the clean lines? The technique demanded? Because there is no room for error in tailoring. You can hide behind a ruffle or gather. But not a tailored lapel. It certainly isn't because I

Designer du Jour: Edith Small

While there were certainly California designers and manufacturers in the 1940s and 1950s who achieved a both national following in their day and the status of Major American Designer ( Adrian, Irene, Galanos, Howard Greer, etc), there were many who, while highly respected in their working years, have faded from view almost completely. Edith Small was well known in her day, receiving East as well

The Main Man

The Main Man did suits. I am quite positive he would object strenuously to being called anything as pedestrian and slangy as The Main Man. Nonetheless, here we are. I have had this 1950s Mainbocher suit quite some time. It's a nubby silk with lots of handfinishing. The jacet has almost a cardigan effect with bias strips that form a placket , keyhole buttonholes and large buttons. The skirt has a

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,

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