See this at: vintagetextile.com| Added on 04/19/09

The Little Black Dress remains the epitome of stylishness. Here is an especially sexy version of the LBD. This is a look unmistakable from fifty yards away. Feminine, alluring, and womanly, this beauty gives a curvaceous shape to the leanest beanpole... See more

The Little Black Dress remains the epitome of stylishness. Here is an especially sexy version of the LBD. This is a look unmistakable from fifty yards away. Feminine, alluring, and womanly, this beauty gives a curvaceous shape to the leanest beanpole and turns a voluptuous woman into a siren. Fashioned from black rayon velvet, the bodice is lined with black faille and is boned for support. The bias-cut, overskirt drapes dramatically over the hips, ending with a fish tail train in back. I love the large velvet bow at the front waist. The dress closes in back with a zipper. Christian Dior enthused about the LBD in 1954: "You can wear black at any time. You can wear it at any age. You may wear it on almost any occasion; a 'little black frock' is essential to a woman's wardrobe." For more on the LBD, read our article on The Little Black Dress. The condition is almost excellent. The metal zipper, which was broken, was replaced with a concealed zipper. It measures: 36" bust, 27" waist, 38"... See less

Highlights: #2262 $650

See this at: vintagetextile.com| Added on 04/19/09

#6558 $1,100 Sold Here is the silver screen aura in a slinky dress with the built-up shoulders (1st picture down) made popular by MGM designer Adrian in designs for Joan Crawford (Letty Lynton,1932). The style really took hold after America entered... See more

#6558 $1,100 Sold Here is the silver screen aura in a slinky dress with the built-up shoulders (1st picture down) made popular by MGM designer Adrian in designs for Joan Crawford (Letty Lynton,1932). The style really took hold after America entered WWII. The shoulder pads signified the the self-made woman who lived her life to the full. Ironically, Adrian's still provocative silhouette was originally designed to "camouflage" Joan Crawford's shoulders by exaggerating them. This became the signature look of the 1940s. The hard line of the shoulders is softened by the draped bias-cut skirt. The fluid sensuality of bias-cut 1930s dresses are treasured by collectors, perhaps because bias-cut is now synonymous with 1930s Hollywood glamour (Mary Astor in the Thin Man films). The bias cut molds the dress to the woman, rather than vice versa, thanks to the greatest couturière of all, Madeleine Vionnet. The original owner of this dress remembers seeing a very similar version in red and white by... See less

See this at: vintagetextile.com| Added on 12/03/08

High style French clothing from the 1930s is harder to find than equally high end pieces from the 1920s. When the stock market crashed in 1929, there were fewer customers who could still afford Paris couture. (See my article on Fashion in the 1930s.)... See more

High style French clothing from the 1930s is harder to find than equally high end pieces from the 1920s. When the stock market crashed in 1929, there were fewer customers who could still afford Paris couture. (See my article on Fashion in the 1930s.) Less was produced and some of it was altered and recycled. I was thrilled to find this exquisite lace dress. The dress is fashioned from alternating panels of hand-assembled, beige silk tape lace and hand-embroidered cutwork silk. The original slip is missing; you will need a replacement. The dress slips over the head with no closures. The long torso closely skims the body to the circular-cut peplums at the hipline. The skirt, which flares dramatically below the hipline, is slightly longer in back. The drop-dead sexiness is the epitome of chic, the quintessential French concept of fashionable stylishness. This beauty will add a touch of old-school Parisian glamour to your wardrobe. The condition is almost excellent. The lace is slightly... See less

Highlights: #2302 $1,400

See this at: vintagetextile.com| Added on 07/23/08

Lady Bonham-Carter: Everyone went to Fortuny then. I think everyone I knew had a Fortuny dress. Mariano Fortuny first created his signature Delphos gown in 1907, repeating the design with subtle changes until his death in 1949. The sleeveless version... See more

Lady Bonham-Carter: Everyone went to Fortuny then. I think everyone I knew had a Fortuny dress. Mariano Fortuny first created his signature Delphos gown in 1907, repeating the design with subtle changes until his death in 1949. The sleeveless version appeared in the 1920s. The gown is based on the pleated linen chitons worn by Greek maidens 2500 years ago and seen today on Delphic Greek sculpture. The Fortuny Delphos gown has preserved the poetry of line of the Greek robe. This Delphos gown, which belonged to Mrs. Wallace E. Pratt of New York, is a special find because it comes with the original labeled box. Women have worn their Fortuny gowns with affection and sometimes with reverence. Fortuny used a thin silk satin more finely pleated than anything ever seen in costume. His famous hand-pleating method has never been successfully duplicated. Because the seams are so tightly pleated, they are difficult to detect. The garment is incredibly soft and liquid, molding to the curves of the... See less

Highlights: #6641 $16,000

See this at: vintagetextile.com| Added on 07/23/08

#2246 $1,950 Sold I never tire of the sensual mystery of black lace, associated with romance and mystery, to add to the subtle yet unmistakable sexual tension of this stylish dress. Such a beautiful high end cutwork dress might have been found in the... See more

#2246 $1,950 Sold I never tire of the sensual mystery of black lace, associated with romance and mystery, to add to the subtle yet unmistakable sexual tension of this stylish dress. Such a beautiful high end cutwork dress might have been found in the wardrobes of the fashion elite of the 1920s. The "lace" in this case is actually hand-embroidered cutwork of black silk chiffon connected with handmade needle lace fill. The cutwork design (2nd picture from the bottom) has the exacting precision of a master artist. This important period textile is wearable art. The dress was probably worn over a black slip in the 1920s. You can use a black slip or change to a pastel shade to emphasize the design of the lace. The graceful cut is long and straight to the hipline with a flared skirt below. This has to be one of the sexiest flapper dress I have ever seen. The see-through cutwork torso and the pointed hem caressing the legs are guaranteed to get the attention of every red-blooded male in the... See less

See this at: vintagetextile.com| Added on 10/21/08

For both aesthetic and historic reasons (see below), the pristine simplicity of early 19th century white dresses has enduring appeal. For this dress, Federal Period would also be an apt description because the dress is American. (I was told it came... See more

For both aesthetic and historic reasons (see below), the pristine simplicity of early 19th century white dresses has enduring appeal. For this dress, Federal Period would also be an apt description because the dress is American. (I was told it came from Massachusetts.) Sewn into the bodice is a handwritten ink note, stating it was the wedding dress of Lydia Cornwall—see the bottom picture. A genealogy buff can turn this into a profitable research project! Was the owner Lydia Cornwall, born June 9th, 1798 in North Cornwall,CT? Influenced by the Classical ideal, white became the color of high fashion during the Directory in France (1795-1800). (American fashion was decades behind cutting edge Parisian styles.) The white wedding dress was something of an innovation at the time. Before the 1800s, most people wore a colored dress to the marriage ceremony. This one is fashioned from white corded cotton and is completely hand sewn. The hem is decorated with bands of hand sewn pleats. Like all... See less

Highlights: #2320 $2,250

See this at: vintagetextile.com| Added on 10/21/08

#4037 $750 Reserved Open-toe and open-back strappy shoes with very high heels first appeared in 1938. Whenever fashion changes dramatically, there is controversy over the new direction. Despite complaints about the resulting exposure of the stocking... See more

#4037 $750 Reserved Open-toe and open-back strappy shoes with very high heels first appeared in 1938. Whenever fashion changes dramatically, there is controversy over the new direction. Despite complaints about the resulting exposure of the stocking toes and heels, the new styles were popular. The shoes are fashioned from deep aubergine leather that is trimmed with gold kid binding. I love the metallic gold braided ties that end with open work balls. The condition is excellent and wearable. The size is approximately 6 1/2-7. The shoes are 9 1/2" long from heel to toe. The heels are 4 1/4" high. See less

See this at: vintagetextile.com| Added on 10/21/08

As the 18th century drew to a close, woven textile designs shifted from the large elaborate patterns of the Rococo to the diminutive flowers and stripes of the Neoclassical. These shoes are a fine example of the elegant but restrained taste of the... See more

As the 18th century drew to a close, woven textile designs shifted from the large elaborate patterns of the Rococo to the diminutive flowers and stripes of the Neoclassical. These shoes are a fine example of the elegant but restrained taste of the late 18th century. On the transition from the Rococo period to the Neoclassical, see below. The uppers of the shoes are fashioned from beige (lighter in hue when new) silk damask woven with a monochromatic pattern of narrow stripes and bouquets of small flowers. Great care was taken in the construction of the shoes to make sure that flowers were placed on each toe. The shoes are lined with matching linen. The delicate heel, pointed toes, and peaked throat are all style features of the late 18th century. The soles are leather. They have no known provenance. The Rococo style dominated the decorative arts from 1730 to around 1780. The term derives from the French word rocaille, meaning "shell encrusted." The etymology neatly sums up the... See less

Highlights: #1891 $4,000

See this at: vintagetextile.com| Added on 12/03/08

I cannot resist fancy Victorian stockings. This pair really caught my fancy because the monogrammed name is facing upward to be read by the wearer as she dressed. The stockings are hand-knitted with a variety of lacy eyelet designs, including the... See more

I cannot resist fancy Victorian stockings. This pair really caught my fancy because the monogrammed name is facing upward to be read by the wearer as she dressed. The stockings are hand-knitted with a variety of lacy eyelet designs, including the spectacular candlelight pattern cuffs. The stockings are embellished with leafy vines of red glass beads as well as the name of the owner, "A. Meyer." The beads, which are knitted into the stockings during construction, do not have any of the uncomfortable thread bumps found on the back side of embroidery. The condition is almost excellent. The stockings just have a few brown age spots on the soles. Everything else, including the beading, is perfect. The stockings are 9" long from the heel to the toe and 23" long from the toe to the top. See less

Highlights: #2296 $195

See this at: vintagetextile.com| Added on 12/03/08

The Sally Milgrim shop on the Upper East Side of Manhattan was considered "the place" for hats by fashionistas of the 1920s-1940s. This jaunty perch hat is an excellent example of the talented designer's unique style. The sculptural hat, fashioned... See more

The Sally Milgrim shop on the Upper East Side of Manhattan was considered "the place" for hats by fashionistas of the 1920s-1940s. This jaunty perch hat is an excellent example of the talented designer's unique style. The sculptural hat, fashioned from black wool felt, is a fabulous example of three dimensional textile art. I love the fanciful, jeweled butterflies and contrasting red curled stems. The hat comes with a self-covered hat pin to hold it in place. The joyful, insouciant butterflies will bring smiles to all you meet in this amusing and stylish hat. It is blue-butterfly day here in spring, And with these sky-flakes down in flurry on flurry There is more unmixed color on the wing Than flowers will show for days unless they hurry. The condition is excellent. It looks like it was never worn. It measures 8" from front to back and 5" across. See less

Highlights: #1517 $425

See this at: vintagetextile.com| Added on 10/21/08

This unique petticoat features an unusual color combination and exceptional embellishment. Despite a minor condition issue, I could not walk away from such arresting design. Fine Edwardian undergarments often had elaborate construction and decoration... See more

This unique petticoat features an unusual color combination and exceptional embellishment. Despite a minor condition issue, I could not walk away from such arresting design. Fine Edwardian undergarments often had elaborate construction and decoration absent from modern counterparts. This was a socially acceptable way for the Edwardians to express their love (and lust) for their women in the boudoir. The petticoat is fashioned from robin's egg blue linen embroidered with oval-shaped eyelets. Two bands of gold satin ribbon, threaded through ivory lace, separate the body of the petticoat from the hem flounce with an elaborate cutwork design backed with olive linen. The back top of the petticoat, which would have been covered, has no eyelets. The waistband has been replaced. The condition is very good. The petticoat has several stains—see the picture below. Although condition is important, interesting design trumps condition, which is reflected in the price. It measures: 27" waist, 36"... See less

Highlights: #4022 $750

See this at: vintagetextile.com| Added on 10/21/08

These fancy late Victorian stockings are a special treat for the serious collector. It is rare to find a pair that has such exceptional detail and bold red color. The decoration would not have shown under the long skirts of the period, but might have... See more

These fancy late Victorian stockings are a special treat for the serious collector. It is rare to find a pair that has such exceptional detail and bold red color. The decoration would not have shown under the long skirts of the period, but might have been seen by the lady's lover in the boudoir. See the 1877 painting by Manet below. The stockings are machine knitted from fine red silk. The word Paris is incorporated into the knit at the tops. The decorative vines are hand embroidered with gold silk floss and embellished with bronze metallic sequins and gold bullion coils—see the detail pictures below. The condition is almost excellent. I found just a few missing sequins. The top of each stocking is marked "9o." The stockings are 9" long from heel to toe and 29" long from the top to the toe. See less

Highlights: #2130 $450

See this at: oldtymestockings.com| Added on 11/02/08

Antique sock machines have proven their use and value to the world, society and our families since the early 1800s. Their greatest use surfaced during times of war when Britain, the United States and other countries required military socks, mufflers,... See more

Antique sock machines have proven their use and value to the world, society and our families since the early 1800s. Their greatest use surfaced during times of war when Britain, the United States and other countries required military socks, mufflers, mittens and other warm attire for their soldiers. Agencies such as the American Red Cross and the Soldiers Wives' League rose to the challenge. During the war, wool socks proved to be the greatest necessity. Antique sock machines allow you to transform your favourite yarns into fine articles of clothing. Whether knitting commercial yarns such as Opal, Regina, Patons or Lopi; mill end cones or treasured handspun or homespun, antique sock machines will enrich your life with warmth. If you love fibre like most of us, antique sock machines will allow you to enjoy a great variety of yarns. Our machines readily accommodate fine, fingering weight; 4-ply worsted weight; super thick chunky yarns and all types in between. Spinners just adore them!... See less