New on the Website This April

New to Past Perfect Vintage, and all to be found at The 40s & 50s: 

   1940s Rust and Cream Print Crepe Dress Set NY Creation 

This is a nicely sized rust and cream crepe blouse and skirt set  with a button and loop front and nifty appliqued bands with a zig zag edge.

L. 1950s New Look Black Silk Taffeta Ball Gown  R., Brilliantly Colored 1940s Print Faille At Home Dress  

  

 The 1950s black silk taffeta ball gown is as grand as they come with a voluminous hem flounce and 2 large statement bows. The 1940s print faille zip front dress is a fantastic print on a deep black ground.

L., Sharp 1950s Navy & White Plaid Spring Suit by Natalie Green , R. 1950s White Irish Linen Summer Day Dress

 

The Natalie Green suit is a wonderful navy and white with navy trim and white buttons. It's a grand spring or fall suit. For contrast - a simple white Irish linen day dress that is perfect for summer wear.

Bits and Bobs

A Fantastic exhibit and a wonderful online resource: 

Worth and Mainbocher at the City Museum of New York 

"In 1860, Englishman Charles Frederick Worth (1825-1895) founded a Parisian atelier that defined the luxurious standards of the haute couture and set high fashions stylistic course for the balance of the 19th century. Almost seven decades years later, Chicago-born Mainbocher (Main Rousseau Bocher, 1891-1976) perfected those standards while designing in Paris and later transported his Parisian-based skills across the Atlantic to New York. In so doing he modernized the language of the couture, streamlining it to suit the lifestyle of the socially prominent 20th century New York woman.

We invite you to view 119 stellar garments produced by these two designers garments owned and worn by fashionable New York women and now in the care of the Costume and Textile Collection of the Museum of the City of New York and to explore them from the outside-in. This web presentation combines comprehensive catalogue entries with social histories and also provides detailed technical observations on the details of their construction and internal finishing techniques. Through this close reading and analysis, we hope to demystify some of the apparent wizardry of the Houses of Worth and Mainbocher, and to shed light on the genius of their art and craft."

And I don't have a Worth on file, but here are two of the Mainbochers we have been delighted to handle:

 c. 1955 Silk Suit and c. 1955 Striped Gazar Dress both from an Indiana estate, 

and attributed to Mrs. E.F. Hutton

from the Past Perfect Vintage Archives

And, coming April 27th and 28th, Charles A. Whitaker Auction Co. will hold their semi annual auction of fine vintage clothing and textiles. There are some beauties. Many years ago, I was privileged to inventory one of the collections now being offered. Let me say, there will be some beautiful things in New Hope this April. Here's one of the dresses I saw those many year ago:

 

"PRINTED SATIN TRAINED HIGH NECK AFTERNOON GOWN, c. 1902. 2-piece black dotted sapphire blue silk with white paisleys of varying sizes having black and blue dots, boned bodice trimmed in black embroidered net with sequins and bowknot appliques on sleeve"

photo courtesy of Charles A. Whitaker Auctions 

I'm Seeing Blue

What is it about blue? My Blue Heaven, Blue Velvet,  Blue Suede Shoes, Am I Blue, Blue Skies,and other songs titles ad infinitum. And that's not even counting the patriotic songs or  the use of 'Blues' as a genre.It's a favorite color for a vast number people. And between the sky and the seas, it's a universal background to life.

So I bring you the April tribute to Blue, Vintage style.     

 

First, two variations on a recurring theme of aqua tones with feminine details in a contrasting white. Left, a 1920 Blue Organza Summer Dress with sheer layered skirt, ruffles and creamy lace inset, and right, an Aqua Blue Linen Dress Set By Doris Dodson, a late 1940s to early 1950s linen set with white machine embroidered flowers and white rose buttons.

 And then, the perennial floral.Left, a bold cotton 1950s Tropical Print Bombshell Dress by Alix of Miami  with fitted bodice, and right,a Late 1950s Sherbet Toned Silk Floral Print Dress in soft silk with muted background with a soft cowl neckline, slim skirt and cord belt.

All dresses available at Past Perfect Vintage The Victorians & Edwardians and The 40s & 50s

The Twenties are Here

Well, here we are after an extended break. But we weren't lolling about eating bonbons on the beach while we were neglecting our blog duties. Not that there's thing wrong with bonbons or beaches. I would happily eat a bonbon, and beaches are a wonder. But,no - we have been busy here. An opera project, another opera project in development, a bathroom remodel, the attack of the Spring weeds, a short vacation trip, and of course, the NCAA Final Four. It takes a toll!

And yet, we did manage to add 30 vintage dresses and hats to the Past Perfect and are adding daily to the Etsy shop. This is as nice a group of 1920s dresses as we have posted up at one time - take a look! The prints are extra special.

1920s Black Velvet Flapper Dress with the Best Buckle 

1920s  Black Silk Taffeta and Salmon Knit Party Dress

1920s Boldly Printed Floral Chiffon Dress 

1920s Crepe Dress in Beige, Blue and Orange

 1920s Yellow, Black and Blue Art Deco Print Cotton Day Dress   

all available at Past Perfect Vintage