November 29, 2019
by Winters Past
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Vintage Holiday Cheer

What are traditional Christmas colors? Red and green, right? Did you ever wonder how that got started?

It seems to date back only to 1931, when a Coca Cola ad showed Santa in red robes against a green background. Pretty soon those colors represented the holiday in the popular imagination.

Just for fun, let’s look at some vintage holiday wear through the decades and imagine the beverages and music that went along with them..

First up, it’s 1945. You’ve been jitterbugging all night. Now Louis Armstrong is playing Cool Yule while you sit back and sip a Rum Brandy punch in this candy striped rayon dress and peep toe wedge heel shoes.

Next, it’s 1958. You’re dipping into a punchbowl filled with classic eggnog while a 45 record of Brenda Lee singing Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree plays. You’re wearing this strapless fit-and -flare dress over three crinolines.

It’s 1964. You’re listening to Gee Whiz, It’s Christmas by Carla Thomas, drinking a candy cane Tom Collins and wearing this empire waist dress.

Now it’s 1968. You’re in your dorm room celebrating the end of final exams. You put on I Don’t Intend to Spend Christmas Without You by Margo Guryan while your room mate fixes a Brandy Alexander for you both.

You’re in Aspen at the ski lodge having a hot buttered rum in front of the fire, wearing this prairie style dress with Frye boots and turquoise jewelry, listening to Christmas For Cowboys by John Denver.

It’s 1978. You order an Amaretto Sour, feed another quarter into the jukebox and play The Kinks’ Father Christmas while wearing this slinky red halter dress with a matching bolero.

It’s 1980. You pop the cork on a bottle of Cristal champagne and get down to Kurtis Blow’s Christmas Rappin’ while wearing this elastic waist jumpsuit with platform sneakers.

You’re in London watching Live Aid on MTV in the hotel lobby and having a Buck’s Fizz at the bar. The finale, Band Aid’s Do They Know It’s Christmas comes on and you raise your glass. You’re wearing this dazzling red gown with sequin detail.

How will you enjoy a little vintage holiday cheer this season?

November 8, 2019
by Winters Past
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Vintage Bed Jackets

Today’s vintage musings are about a type of lingerie one rarely sees in modern form: the bed jacket.

Think, if you will, of those 1930s Hollywood films featuring glamorous ladies lounging languorously in silken bedrooms. They’re wearing bed jackets, pretty little bits of boudoir wear made of sheer fabrics with ultra feminine trimmings and details. Picture organza extravaganzas with ostrich feathers, swan’s down, pleated tulle and shirred lace worn by pouting platinum femme fatals, like these:

Nothing captures the decadence of old Hollywood glamour quite like this!

I often come across lovely vintage bed jackets. I’ve got them in bias cut silk from the 1930s, in rayon from the 40s and in nylon from the 50s.

You can certainly wear them for their original purpose, to cover your shoulders while you sit up in bed sipping tea laced with brandy while reading a racy novel.

They can also be worn while out and about, as a little cardigan with jeans or over a silky slip dress, like this:

Bed jackets are a sweet bit of vintage luxury that can be adapted, worn and enjoyed in a modern context.

October 19, 2019
by Winters Past
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We All Shine On!

I’ve thought about the pendulum of fashion before, about how styles return cyclicly but with a new twist each time. 1940s shoulder pads came back in the 80’s, albeit in an exaggerated fashion. Waistlines on jeans have gone from low to high.

So, after a few years of seeing teeny tiny understated jewelry, the pendulum has swung back: big, bold pieces look new and fresh again.

Chunky chain link gold tone necklaces from the 1970s and early 80s look both modern and timeless right now.

Let’s think for a moment about stylish women in the 1970s wearing gold chains. Here are a few images to get you started:

Anjelica Huston, Marissa Berenson, Jackie O (twice!) and Cher

Let’s assume you want a look that suits you to a T, but you don’t want to look like Mr. T. Just keep the rest of your outfit modern, simple and clean-lined, like these ladies:

giving polish to tees, button downs, turtlenecks and blazers

paired with visually weightier necklaces

Here a just a few that I have in the shop right now:

September 27, 2019
by Winters Past
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Classic Alligator Bags

Have a look at this gorgeous 1950s handbag I acquired a few days ago. This 60 year old purse is in pristine condition. It is made from the hide of a horn back alligator, notable for the interesting raised textural detail on one side. Those half circle shaped discs are the alligator’s back scales; the other side is made of the reptile’s smooth belly skin.

What’s the backstory on these treasures?

Alligator bags of varying types have been around for 200 years. In Victorian times, gators culled from the Louisiana bayou were used to make carrying cases. In true Victorian fashion, they were treated like curiosities and had a real yuck factor, incorporating the paws, faces and other less savory bits.

By the early 20th century, alligator skin was treated as a luxe material; Louis Vuitton and Gucci made small suitcases out of it.

They increased in popularity, peaking in the 50’s. With a rising American middle class, alligator bags became a coveted status symbol. Hollywood style setters such as Audrey Hepburn, Grace Kelly, Ingrid Bergman and Marlene Detrich were photographed with their exotic skin purses, adding to the mystique.

Women in the 50s loved the idea of a “good” handbag and it became the marker of a certain kind of success. These were classic 50s frame bags with short handles that were carried on the hand or wrist.

Here are some more classic 1950s bags I have in the shop right now:

How to wear an alligator bag? Take a cue from these modern ladies and pair them with anything, from evening wear to sweatpants.

September 6, 2019
by Winters Past
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Designer Spotlight: Lilli Ann

Picture the classic Film Noir dame, as played by a mysterious and gorgeous move star like Lana Turner, Veronica Lake or Barbara Stanwyck. What’s she wearing? Maybe something like this:

Or this:

All of these crisply tailored garments with fantastic details were made by Lilli Ann, a California-based maker whose suits and coats are considered the holy grail of forties fashion.

Founded by businessman Adolph Schuman in the 30’s, Lilli Ann relied on several female designers including Jean Wright in the 40s and Billie Jean Dugan in the 50s to create its spectacular looks. Dugan, in particular, created the label’s iconic sharp-waisted, sculptural pieces.

Their advertising copy refers to “round the clock” clothing for fashionable ladies, perfect for “matinees, cocktails and evenings about town”.

Lilli Ann definitely delivered the drama. They made statement suits that used creative draping, asymmetry, and wild sleeve detail to great effect.

Just imagine my excitement when I first came across this suit:

I purchased it from a charming and funny retired university professor who, as the only woman in her department, wore it to stand out and be seen by her colleagues. Her strategy was apparently successful; she had a long, successful academic career in a male dominated field.

I researched it and–woo hoo!– found this advertisement for my suit:

I love to see how it looks on the model. The jacket’s flare against the slim lines of the pencil skirt is just spectacular. And that collar!

The outfit was a high-end piece in it’s day; it cost $100.00 when it was new, which is about $1,000 in todays dollars. As befitting a piece with this price tag, it was made with the highest level of quality in both materials and workmanship.

The ad is from 1956, which surprised me because the suit has such classic 1940s design elements. I learned that Lilli Ann used the strong shoulders, narrow hips and peplum waists we associate with the WW2 years well into the 1950s to great effect.

A contemporaneous review of a Lilli Ann fashion show lets us know how it was perceived in its time:

By combining the practical points of the tailleur with the feminine appeal of a beautiful dress she [Wright] has given a distinctive new look to her suit costumes.
Fay Hammond, LA Times, November 3, 1944

August 31, 2019
by Winters Past
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Vintage Detective

Finding vintage pieces is always a treasure hunt; the element of surprise keeps it exciting. But after the thrill the hunt comes the research, which is slower, more methodical and, in some ways, more satisfying.

Let’s research a piece together.

Here is this this unusual silver and turquoise necklace I recently acquired along with some Native American pieces:

It does not have the look or feel of any Native American or Mexican jewelry I’ve ever had; it has more of a rustic-meets-Art Nouveau aesthetic.

The hallmark on the reverse side is worn but still readable:

I took a deep dive into Google and found references to The Rokesley Shop, a metalworking design cooperative that operated in Cleveland from 1904 to 1912. Rokesley designers were fine artists who were part of the Arts and Crafts movement, a trend that flourished between 1880 and 1920. It’s proponents stood for a return to traditional craftsmanship as a reaction against industrialization. Sounds a little like the modern era with the current desire for craft beer, handmade soap and other products that feel less industrial.

Another mystery: why is this necklace so long?

Here’s the deal: an extremely long necklace is called a sautoir (“soo-twa”) from the French word for jumprope. Soutoirs that fall almost to the hips used to be worn only by royalty. In the early 20th century, these lengthy pieces began to be worn by fashionable ladies. They reached the height of fashion in the flapper era of the 1920s. It was worn full length, not double wrapped, which I imagine would cause it to swing wildly when dancing.

Mystery solved!

August 21, 2019
by Winters Past
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1920s: Opulent Androgeny

Today’s vintage inspiration comes from Egyptologist Dr. Colleen Darnell. She dresses in authentic 1920s clothing all day, every day, even while on archeological digs.

Why the 20’s? Well, King Tut’s tomb was opened in 1922, sparking a craze for exotic, Egyptian inspired styles. Twenties styles were designed for movement; they are very wearable and practical for the modern woman.

Let’s have a look at Darnell’s sportier side, where she is nattily dressed for excavations while protected from the North African sun. Linens and cottons, native to the Nile region, are cool looking and cool to wear. She pairs natural fiber true vintage jodhpurs or skirts with a vest, lace-up boots and a straw hat, in desert tones of neutral khaki, brown and tan:

Afternoons, you’ll find her stylishly giving a lecture or taking tea on the terrace in Jazz age finery. Her pretty 1920s day dresses in cotton or silk are paired with a parasol, a cloche hat, walk-worthy Mary Jane shoes and short gloves.

At night, our intrepid archeologist dials up the drama with a dose of all out glamour. Her authentic vintage gowns are stunning in cunningly draped silk. There is an architectural spareness to their lines that, paradoxically, reads a super sensual.

Darnell dazzles in dramatic Deco splendor. Her bobbed hair, kohl rimmed eyes and statement accessories add up to a spectacular style.

I admire Colleen Darnell’s all out commitment to a single era. The takeaway for the rest of us is this: we can all feel free to express ourselves through personal style no matter what the prevailing trends are. Also: a pith helmet and a parasol make sun protection fun and fashionable.

July 20, 2019
by Winters Past
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Learning More About Vintage

Modern media can lead to a bad case of information overload. But -silver lining!- it’s great if you have a niche interest you want to explore, such as vintage fashion. There’s so much out there!

Here are a few places I’m finding interesting stuff about the world of vintage right now:

First, a podcast that a customer told me about called Dressed: The History of Fashion. It’s a fashion nerd’s delight, hosted by a couple of young fashion historians and curators who dive deep into fashion geekdom.

Images from the Dressed instagram feed, which correlates with podcast episodes

The Dressed podcast introduced me to British fashion historian Amber Butchart. She has expertise in explaining how clothing, politics, social class and culture intersect, and she looks really fabulous while doing it. Butchart has written extensively about fashion history and can currently be seen in the BBC show A Stitch in Time. This 6 part series looks at clothing depicted in classical artwork. A team of modern craftspeople painstakingly recreate the clothes, then Butchart models them and gives feedback on how they feel when worn. It’s interesting to look at the way clothing of different eras affects the way we move and the way we perceive ourselves. I watch this one on Amazon Prime.

Amber Butchart, a brilliant British historian and turban wearer

One of my personal vintage gurus is Doris Raymond, longtime owner of the legendary Hollywood shop The Way We Wore. Some years back, she was featured on the Smithsonian channel’s LA Frock Stars and currently makes short videos on her Youtube channel . She is incredibly knowledgeable, has a great aesthetic and a warm, engaging style. Her shop is breathtaking, with such a deep trove of outstanding fashion.

Also on Amazon Prime we have season three of The Vintage Voyageur, which is basically a low budget reality show about vintage shopping. The premise is simple: host Allison Maldonado goes to vintage stores in different cities and, well, shops. What she lacks in depth of knowledge, she makes up for it in enthusiasm; she’s practically giddy in her love for vintage. I can (almost) forgive her occasional lapses such as handling fine antique garments with a big open Starbucks latte in her hand, or forcing her feet into too small designer shoes and walking on the back of them (shudder!) because of the absolute joy and fun she brings to this project.

What are your current favorite resources for fashion information? Shoot me a message over on my facebook or instagram page and I’ll be sure to check it out.

June 25, 2019
by Winters Past
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Vintage Aloha Dresses

Happy Solstice! We have reached peak mugginess here in Florida. Some call it summer but I prefer to call it Vintage Hawaiian Dress season.

Theses exotic frocks were designed to keep you cool-and keep you looking cool- during the hottest days and nights.

Modern Hawaiian dress was first created on the islands for locals in the 1930’s. They were made of tropical print cottons and rayons featuring native flora such as palm trees and hibiscus flowers. A textured cotton called barkcloth, which allows air to circulate in the same way as seersucker, showcased these bold prints beautifully.

Hawaii was considered exotic and remote then. When Hollywood luminaries posed in island finery, it looked impossibly chic.

Ida Lupino, Dorothy Lamour
Frances Farmer, Rita Hayworth

Aftter WW2, the stars aligned to bring Hawaiian clothing into the mainstream. US military stationed in the pacific brought back clothing from the islands. Commercial airline travel made tourism easier. Movies like South Pacific brought the tropics to Topeka. The Tiki bar, with exotic drinks, rattan furniture and flaming torches became popular. Soon, Hawaiian shirts and barkcloth frocks were fashionable.

Tiki bars were considered trendy not tacky in the 50s

With their bright colors, bold prints and dramatic cuts, these island dresses bring a lot to the party. You don’t need much in the way of accessories to complete the look. A straw hat or handbag and some sandals ought to do it, as these ladies demonstrate:

Here are a few tropical treasures I have in the shop right now:

June 17, 2019
by Winters Past
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The Secret Life of Vintage: Bolivian Jewelry

Buying and selling vintage takes me in some really interesting directions sometimes. Clothing and jewelry can be a window into places I might not have ever learned about otherwise.

For example, last week I met with a woman who had lived and worked in Bolivia in the 1960’s. She studied the economics of indigenous women there and, because she spent time in the markets, acquired some wonderful pieces. She had really fascinating stories to go along with them.

This is one of her items, an antique silver “tupu” used to pin hand woven blankets into shawls.

This lead me to research the indigenous women of the Andes, called “chollas”, who have a very distinct personal style:

Over many centuries, the chollas have been marginalized in their own country. But now many young native Bolivians-calling themselves chollitas- are embracing their indigenous style and culture:

Native Bolivian women have traditionally worn big, intricate dangling earrings. Here are some I purchased from the economist:

Here is a close-up of these fantastic 19th century silver ones, which are 6″ long. The round parts are Bolivian coins with dates from the late 1800’s. Sun and moon motifs are common elements in Andean culture:

In a quirk of fate, I happened to show these earrings to a customer the day after I got them. It turns out she has an interest in cholla culture and she instantly snapped them up, giving them a new life 120 years after they were made.