Whatever Is Vintage Clothing Is New Again
There is a market today for classic, vintage clothing. Some are worn as costumes, but others serve the same purpose for which they were designed: prom dresses, evening wear, or for a wedding celebration. Women’s, men’s and children’s clothes all can find new homes and loving owners as they come to be appreciated again for their unique design and the quality craftsmanship that initially produced them. Vintage clothing can be found online with ease. A wide selection of one-of-a-kind dresses are stocked from every decade. From the 1930s, a handmade Native Indian Nez Perce Deerskin Jacket is available. This beautiful soft, butter yellow, deerskin jacket is patterned profusely with glass beadwork. Hand rolled leather buttons form the closures. It is cross-stitched by hand throughout, has a unique design stamped by hand, and two patch pockets on the front.
A vintage, cloud white, all flower lace, three-quarter length dress comes from the 1960s. Its sheer lace sleeves are finished with double rhinestone button cuffs. A nylon lining of solid white lays beneath the dress itself. A slightly shallow, scooped neck will frame the wearers face, while the shift cut has bust darts to make it fit beautifully. From the same time period comes a cream colored, ruffled gunny sack. The dress has a “Jessica” label and was manufactured in the USA. Its “V” neck boasts crocheted lace detailing and sheer ruffles. Layers of ruffles with satin ribbon edge trim tier down the skirt. The gathered elastic ringed cuffs have a ruffle below the wrist. A 16” zippered closure in back makes it easy to get into.
Many vintage dresses are desired because the designer is no longer available, who made high quality clothing. From the 1940s comes a sugar-pink, knee length dress, designed by Betty Lane. It is trimmed with pleated ruffles, has capped sleeves, a princess cut waist, and is finished with a bow-tied ribbon in the back. It is in good condition, but needs dry cleaning. A bedazzled, beautiful evening gown also from the 1950s has elegant spaghetti straps. The dress’s bust has a fold-over “V” neck which is bejeweled with oval deep auburn and circular rhinestone jewels. The fabric is accented by intense orange elaborate embroidery. Its scrunched nylon empire waist band opens to a filled out floor length gown. A metal zipper and single hook and eye closes the back of this smooth ivory satin skirt. This amazing gown is still in good condition, and its very minor flaws are fixable.
Even the 1970s provides a timeless style vintage Victoria Royal gown. The bright colored limeade dress is decorated with bold white flowers encrusted with shimmering rhinestones around the sleeveless neckline. With its straight cut to the floor, this dress creates a line that flatters a shapely body. This beautiful vintage gown has a built in bra, and closes in back with a hidden zipper and additional snaps. A matching shoulder scarf adds to the elegance of the dress. This one is “dead stock,” meaning it has never been worn. The original designer’s tags are still attached. This is a unique and very unusual item.
Hippie style clothing has come back into style and manufacturers are reproducing them today. However, the originals are appreciated even more for the history that comes along with them. One dress available is a prairie style hippie dress in pink and white checks. The floor length, blended cotton fabric dress has a center back zipper. It is decorated with flocked flowers in white, orange, deep pink, and blue which add interest to the eye along with matching daisy trim. Another ‘60s hand-sewn hippie dress screams color in ivory, olive, rust, black, yellow, vivid blue and metallic gold linen thread work. It is a floor length long sleeved dress with an embroidered yarn-stitched pattern on the front and above the hemline in the back. The dress is fully lined, with roll-back cuffs and collar.
As hemlines grew shorter in the 1920s they became the focus of the dress. A tubular silhouette was becoming more popular. Dress designs counted less on ornamentation than on a simpler cut. Deceptively simple in style and cut, this dress is a spectacular example of that time. Made of cream colored silk crepe de chine, it is highlighted with pleated panels which float down from either side of the hip, and short puff-pleated sleeves. This material gives the diaphanous appearance of simple whipped cream frosting on the cake for which this wedding gown is worn. The dress, itself, is unlined except for the sleeves faced with a fine batiste. The length of the hem is 46’ with additional streamers hanging about 3” longer than the hem. The gown would be spectacular for a wedding in any era.
As each decade comes back into vogue, the classic vintage dresses of that time will not only be available, but won’t need to be reproductions. Some of the originals are still available with original designs and fabrics (along the very real memories attached.)