I have always adored anything vintage. I have amassed a rack full of vintage clothes since I started buying and collecting them over seven or eight years ago. All beautiful frocks, of course. With the vintage fair coming up this weekend, I thought I'd write something about vintage clothes.
It inspired me to put on a few of my favourite vintage dresses for a couple of photos to show you. If I had to pick, I'd say the three featured in this blog are probably my favourite.
The first photo at the top is one of my all time favourite dress. I call it my Oscar dress because it's rather Oscar de la Renta. It's an orgasmically (if there's such a word) gorgeous dress which I have asked to be buried in when I die. Of course if I happen to be in my 80s, then I may have to rethink the outfit to something more appropriate for an octogenarian... then again, I'm hoping I can still rock it! Totally to die for (pardon the pun) and I'm so glad that it fits perfectly although I did need the help of a pair of good ole "chicken fillets" to fill up the bust area. It's got a boned bustier in black chantily lace over peach coloured satin with a couple of layers of tulle finishing up just below the knees.
The second one is a dreamy netted & satin cream coloured dress. It has a metal zipper which means it was probably circa late '60s or early '70s. This one required an adjustment on the shoulders to shorten the waist a smidgen. I wore this to a formal charity ball a few years ago only to have someone spill his red wine all over the bottom of the dress. While trying to maintain a cool head and a classy, elegant exterior at the formal snooty function, I could just picture my mother tut-tutting a few thousand miles away at home had she heard the curse words I was screaming in my head when it happened. I raced to the bathroom with the embarrassed wife of the perpetrator hot on my heels with a jug of soda water where we proceeded to rinse the stain over a toilet bowl. When I got home, I got to work immediately rubbing it with Exit soap. Exit soap! What a life saver. I swear by that product!
The third one at the bottom is from the '50s. A sexy black halter, very fitted bodice with two small pleats around each side of the waist to enhance one's hour glass figure (or a lack of it in my case) and it even came with a matching fitted 3/4 sleeve matinee jacket (not pictured). Notice I matched it with my new polka dotted purple heel shoe. :-) As a corporate wife, I wore this dress to a few formal events and always met with admiring glances and lovely compliments. The last photo at the bottom of the page is the top half of this gorgeous LBD.
The wonderful thing about vintage clothes is that it is so unique and so there is zero chance anyone else will be wearing the same thing as you. You never have to commit the ultimate fashion faux pas by coming face to face with someone else wearing the same outfit as you at some swanky soiree. Imagine the horror! Especially if they look hotter in it than you!! Fist in the mouth - Argh! Quick! Ground, open up and swallow me up!
The other thing about vintage is its history. I often wonder and romanticise who the previous owner was and what she was like. She was the same build as me for a start and how old was she when she wore it and why did she choose this particular dress? What was the occasion she had bought or tailored it for? For whom was she wearing it for? How did she accessorize it? Do I look as good as she did when she wore it? By wearing it, I am now a part of that history. And one day I will hand it down to my daughter or someone else who will hopefully wear and treasure it as lovingly as I. And these days, you don't find many clothing items in the stores made anything like they used to.
I'd like to include some useful information for buying vintage. Vintage dresses often run smaller than current ones so always try on the dress for fit. The word vintage is quite losely used these days for anything that is pre-loved. However, as a guide, to help determine whether you're buying something authentic or a modern remake, rayon was commonly used in the '30s through to the '50s. Nylon and polyester appeared more in the '60s and '70s while denim and leather are synonymous with the '80s and '90s. Metal zippers were widely used up til the late '60s and early '70s. Don't be put off by minor adjustments. Many vintage items can be easily taken in and especially those that were hand-made often have some ample material for letting out as well. Also, be prepared to pay big dollars for good quality authentic vintage.
So, vintage fair, here I come this weekend... I'm rubbing my hands with glee now and can't wait to see what gorgeous (or hideous) little treasures I will find. I also have an additional challenge this weekend - we have to find a beautiful vintage dress for a sixteen year old to wear to a formal.
For more information on the fair, go to www.lovevintage.com.au
So, whether you are new to vintage or a vintage fanatic or just love fashion, I would love to hear from you. If you have a good story about a piece of vintage clothing especially, please do share your story.
Until next week, have a great weekend.
Cheers,
Tina
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