VINTAGE HOME DECOR...

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TOP TIPS FOR BUYING VINTAGE CLOTHES...

 

1.Always check the garment's care label for washing instructions,if they don't have any on them they should still have what the fabric is made of, so you can still find out how to clean it.

2.Always try the article on for size as the sizes in the 1950's/1960's is nothing like the sizes of today.

3.Always check for moth infestation as if you find one hole you will probably find more.

4.If you have found something you like in a charity shop but you can't afford it ask for a discount as most charity shops will give you one.

5.For the 1950's and earlier, if there is a zip it should be metal and poppers, hooks and eyes means it could well be early 20th Century clothing.

6.If it has shoulder pads, they should be small, neat and fairly rigid.

7.Look for hand stitched hems as well.

8.After the 1950's look for plastic zips.

9.Shoulder pads would be large and spongy and inner seams were over locked.

BLUE AND WHITE SMALL ROYAL COPENHAGEN COLLECTOR PLATES...

These are two lovely Royal Copenhagen blue and white china small plates. They are only 3" in diameter and both are in good condition, but I cannot seem to find any details on these two actual pictures that I have. There appears to be lots of these to collect and most sales come in four's so I would be interested to hear from anyone who may have more details on either of them.

A GREAT VINTAGE FIND OF VINTAGE WOOD & SONS WOODLAND (BLACK VERSION) MOSES 1750 SERVING DISH...

       I found these great Wood & Sons Woodland (Black Version)  Moses Plates at a recent auction.

OBLONG SERVING DISH (5” X 8”)

THIS IS A LOVELY VINTAGE 1920/30'S WOOD& SONS WOODLAND BLACK MOSES 1750 AND IS 5” X 8” IN VGC  AND VERY COLLECTABLE

HOW IT WAS IN THE 1950's...

 

Think holiday camps and Butlins with home bars and cocktail cabinets a very fashionable accessory in your home.



Flat-packed furniture was introduced with tops laminated in a marble or wood effect.



The Queen's Coronation meant mass production of souvenir items, from biscuit tins to cigarette holders.



Tupperware parties were popping up with melamine plastic tableware very fashionable.



Wall art and prints of swans and flamingos, think Coronation Street. Everything was patterned, from wallpaper, carpets, curtains and cushions which are coming back into fashion at the moment.



The most popular tipple of the 1950's was Babycham with collectable glasses with the babysham on them.


How strange that some of these things are coming back into fashion again :)

AMAZING MENS VINTAGE WORN OUT WEAR...

 

Men's Vintage Fashion lovers must know about Richard and Cosmo Wire.


A father and son who have the most beautiful collection of old clothes, you have ever seen.


Based in a rambling building in Hackney Wick, where they live and work which has every available space covered with rails of historic clothes.


The father and son have spent a lot of time seeking worn-out work garments, which are more often than not pre 1930 and some as old as 1800 from rural France and Japan.


With their expertise in this field they have found contemporary ways to change the old clothes to be wearable and also to create new clothes inspired by these.


They dress in clothes from their collection and anyone seeing their range of clothes could only be inspired and amazed at their choice and workmanship

SEW CURVEY...

 

With vintage fashions like above cooing back into fashion it was no surprise to find a site with curvesin mind. Sew Curvey Is a small business near Oxford in the UK, which specialises in corset making supplies.
It has corset making kits that come beautifully presented in a box containing everything you need to make  a corset.

Because they are beautifully packaged, they make an  ideal gift*!
Kits are supplied with a length of continuous steel boning in order that an exact fit can be obtained.  Pre-cut flat steels for the back of the corset are also supplied in each kit as corset patterns do not differ in length per size at the centre back.

This has to be the easiest way to lose a few inches without needing to diet

THE LITTLE BOOK OF 'SCHIAPARELLI' by EMMA BAXTER-WRIGHT...

 

If you are a 'Schiaparelli' fan, then this book is just for you.

It's far from 'little', but full to the brim with facts, stories, history and lots of illustrations and old and new photographs.

This is not the first book that Emma has written, she also wrote 'Vintage Fashion', which is one of the best books on the market about Vintage Fashion.

The book follows a biographical chronology of the designer with chapters organised into collections, collaborations and themes, including her collaborations with celebrities, and even her fragrance.

HOW TO FIND THE RIGHT VINTAGE CLOTHING TO SELL FOR A PROFIT...

 

People are always on the look out for great bargains. So it’s important to regularly check your local vintage clothes goldmine to see if any new stock has come in that could potentially make you some money.

Check out your local charity shops and don’t be afraid to rummage. The chances are that the most collectable items lurk at the bottom of the pile.

Also, keep going back to any shop and get to know the staff so that they know what you are looking out for. Maybe even leave your contact details so they will let you know when something special comes in.

Look for items that are made of high quality fabrics such as wool or cotton. Don't worry if an item has a small hole, is missing a button or needs to be hemmed up, this can all be easily fixed.
Don't spend much as there aren’t any items of clothing in particular that make the most profit, its more about the condition, the label and how limited the availability of the item is. There are plenty of books out there on shopping for vintage.

Although big names generally sell for more money, it’s much more difficult to find them for just a few quid. Because of this, you’re better off sticking to lower priced items to begin with.

Charity shops are a great place for vintage bargains. There are also some fantastic online shops such as somelikeitvintage that have amazing bargain items.

There are literally thousands of collectors out there searching for certain items. They are willing to pay big money for the vintage designer shoe.

Some well known sites to sell them on are ebay, asos marketplace, and specialist auctions or of course at your local vintage fair.

CLEANING INSTRUCTIONS FOR VINTAGE CLOTHING...

Acetate: Dry clean, or machine or hand wash at a cool temperature. Do not wring when wet or put through spin cycle in washer. Hang or dry flat (do not tumble dry). Iron while damp at a cool temperature.

Polyester: Most items made from polyester can be machine washed and dried. To wash use warm water and add a fabric softener to the final rinse cycle. If ironing is required, use a moderately warm iron.

Acrylic: Machine wash. Hang or dry flat. Iron at a cool temperature.

Corduroy: Wash as per material (usually cotton), turning inside out. Leave inside out for ironing and iron at cool temperature.

Cotton: Separate lights & darks and machine wash. Iron at a cool temperature.

Denim: Wash as per cotton, but wash it alone the first time so that dye does not stain other clothing. Turn inside out to discourage fading. Hang dry to avoid shortening and shrinkage.

Leather: Send to specialist dry cleaner.

Nylon: Wash by hand or machine at a cool temperature with similar colours. Nylon's natural hue is grayish and it will revert if mislaundered. Special nylon whiteners can be purchased at the supermarket. Iron cool.

Rayon: If washing instructions are missing, dry clean only. Wash at a cool temperature. Iron cool.

Silk: Dry clean or hand wash in cool water with Stergene or a similar gentle product. Do not rub or a chalky bloom may arise due to broken filaments. Hang or dry flat. Take care with spot cleaning, as this may leave rings. Shirts and blouses should be steamed or ironed on a cool temperature.

Suede: Dry clean only. Protect with suede protector spray once back from the cleaner.

Wool & cashmere: Dry clean or hand wash. Wool may be damaged by traditional soaps and detergents — it’s better to use Stergene or baby shampoo. Put wool through the washing machine or tumble dryer only on settings specifically designated for this fibre. If wrinkled, hang dry woollens in steamy bathroom. Hot water will shrink wool.

VINTAGE FABRICS FROM THE 1900's TO THE 1980's...

 

If your looking for that vintage fabric then this is the online store to head to, www.donnaflower.com
Donna Flower is the online store for beautiful antique, vintage and retro fabrics. From 19th Century French fabrics to fabrics from the 1980's, they have a wide range to suit all. They also sell items made from vintage, recycled fabrics.

Whether you are looking for small pieces of fabric for quilting or yardage for curtains, or dressmaking, they have a huge stock and may have just what you are looking for.

She also sells beautiful buttons, vintage ribbon and twine.

Donna sells to collectors worldwide, particularly the Japanese, who love Liberty 'Lawn' fabric. She also visits vintage fairs in the West Country to meet dealers and buyers face to face. On 1st July, she will be at the Country House Vintage at Castle Hill, Filleigh, South Molton, Devon (www.countryhousevintage.com)

VINTAGE MANICURE SET WITH THE LETTER 'S' ON FRONT...

 This is a lovely vintage manicure set with the letter S on the front

It is a leather holder and has three items inside it with wooden type handles

It measures 1.24” in width and is around 3” in length

Each manicure piece is around 2.5” in length

Item No 020

SPLENDID STITCHES...

 

 

With all the rage being 'second hand/vintage' clothes it will be no surprise to find some that are in a bit of a state. Especially ones bought from a charity shop.

Well, if your not handy with a needle then London's Splendid Stitches is the place to take your outfits to be repaired.

They can repair, restore and alter clothes so they stay true to their original style.

They offer a personal service and owner Nanna Sandom says they can handle everything from a zip replacements, patching, hemming, mending tears and replacing linings, using genuine vintage parts wherever its possible.

I'm sure it won't be long before more of these types of services will be popping up around the UK.

You can find out more details about Splended Stitches by looking on their website www.splendidstitches.co.uk

BY GONE ERA WALLPAPER PATTERNS...

 

 

If you are looking for some by gone era wallpaper patterns from the 50's to the 70's, then you need to head to Little Greene, who have been selling paper and paint since 1773.

Their latest 'Retrospective' collection comprises eight authentic patterns from the 1960s and 1970s and is the result of research into a variety of historical sources, including the extensive archive at Manchester’s Whitworth Art Gallery.

The ‘Retrospective Papers’ tells several simultaneous stories about interior design in the late twentieth century, combining hallmark ‘retro’ designs that embody the fashion for geometric patterns, two-colour silk-screen prints that echo the graphic quality of the pop-art movement, and more classic designs that drew inspiration from earlier periods, arguably nostalgic in their own time.

Head to their website for more details www.thelittlegreene.com

CHIC ON A SHOESTRING BOOK REVIEW...

 

Why throw out your old clothes when they can be transformed for very little money? With an eye for all things 'stylishly vintage', Mary Jane takes throw-away items and illustrates how they can be used to create a host of covetable clothes and accessories.
An old tie can be turned into a purse, knitting needle holder, cute corsage and a belt. Silk scarves can make a return as a sexy top or skirt, and T-shirts as funky 40s-style turbans. 'Chic on a Shoestring' will take you through - step-by-step - all you need to know to create fabulous clothes and accessories you actually want to wear, and provide you with lots of variations and inspiration to foster your own style.
And with advice on how to find useful treasures at markets, charity shops and vintage stores, you will be making your own creations in no time.
It's packed with brilliant ideas for sewing vintage-style accessories for virtually nothing.

HARDLY EVER WORN YOUR OUTFIT?...

How many outfits have you got in your wardrobe that you have hardly every worn? I bet you even have some that still have their tags on them. Well if you have some original designer outfits or accessories then a new website HARDLYEVERWORNIT is the one stop shop for you.
Sharon Wolter-Ferguson has spent the last two years developing this site which is a one stop shop for all those designer items you have hardly ever worn.
They call this' the crème de la crème' of designer clothing. So, if you're a shopaholic in remission, or a fashion magpie who just can't say no at the checkout, this is the place for you.
It works a bit like Ebay in that you upload and manage your own listings, and then the site just takes fifteen percent from your sale or Sharon and her team will sell it for you.
Its basically an online resource where you can find your designer clothes at a fraction of their retail price. http://www.hardlyeverwornit.com/
'A verified designer version of Ebay - Grazia'

WHERE TO SELL OR RECYCLE YOUR VINTAGE CLOTHES...

 

With such an awful summer, I'm sure many of us (myself included) have a wardrobe full of items we need to either sell or want but haven't been inspired to do anything about it.
Well, I've done a bit of research for you and you are sure to find one of the website below perfect for you to either sell, recycle or buy clothes.
www.bigwardrobe.com
www.fashionfayre.com
www.clothesagency.com
www.kerrytaylorauctions.com
www.auction-help.co.uk
www.stuffusell.co.uk
www.auctioning4u.co.uk
www.dropbuysell.com
www.gumtree.com
www.vivastreet.co.uk
www.priceminister.co.uk

VINTAGE FASHION...

                                     VINTAGE FASHION...

'We Heart Vintage Co', is a stunning blog on fashion and photography for the 1920's to the 70's and beyond.

The photographs are beautiful and the writer covers the different decades, fashion, cinema and tv, music and pin-up girls with flare.

You will want to spend all day slowly browsing her site to learn all there is to know about the vintage years, www.weheartvintage.co

THE SEWING DIRECTORY FOR ALL YOUR SEWING NEEDS...

Do you want to make some of your own clothes, revamp your home or want to learn how to sew with workshops, how to guides, and projects ?

The Sewing Directory site has all your sewing suppliers (local or online) sewing courses and sewing groups.

For example 'monthly mending soc-ials' in Central Bath. Details on how to revamp your home. You name it you can find it on this amazing web site. I've totally fallen in love with it and would love to go on a sewing course when things have quietened down at home.

You will be 'inspired', there is no question of that.

Go to 'The Sewing Directory', for more details.

GUCCI CELEBRATING ITS 90TH ANNIVERSARY...

In 1881 Guccio Gucci was born in Florence. He found some work at the Savoy Hotel, London in 1897 but returned to Florence to join the leather manufacturer Franzi in 1902.
Between 1905 to 1912 Gucci and his wife Aida have three sons, Aldo, Vasco and Rodolfo. He doesn't open his first store in Florence until 1921 when he was 40, and had his first successful suitcases made in 1936. In 1938, the Rome store opened on Via Condotti in 1938.
After World War 11 Gucci introduced the pigskin, which became a signature house material and the first bamboo-handled bag, inspired by the shape of a saddle was produced.
Rodolfo (one of his sons) opened the first Milan store in 1951 when the green-red-green web became a hallmark of the company. By 1953 Gucci became a pioneer of Italian design in the US where Aldo (another son) opened the first American store in the Savoy Plaza Hotel on East 59th Street in New York.
Guccio Gucci died at age 72, only 15 days after the New York store opens. Since then his sons have opened stores all over the world and the rest is history.