Why vintage? Why these clothes that were made from the 1800’s to the 1950’s over garments that were made today? I get asked this all the time. For me it’s the details and look of the era. I sometimes feel like I should have been born in the 10’s so I could have enjoyed all of these eras that I love so much during the time that they were popular.
Today’s fashion is very relaxed. In our fashion history people did not own very many articles of clothing and the ones they did own they took great care of. The extensive wardrobes of today far exceed anything except what was owned by the extremely wealthy in times past. The garments themselves were built to last which is why I am still finding a lot of them in such impeccable condition today despite being washed, worn and stuffed in closets for years. People dressed up back then for even the smallest of occasions like travel or church and it was really important to always look their best… No throwing on a simple T-shirt, jeans and flip flops! In comparison with today’s fashion they were dressed much nicer, more often. The garments were not mass produced like todays clothing which meant a lot of detail and skill went into each piece and they do not fall apart so easily like today’s materials. Women fashioned themselves to model the stars they saw on the movie screen and spent a lot of time making each garment perfect, and not just in clothing but in hairstyles and accessories too. They were elegant and always dressed in their best.
Up until the 1950s clothing was not mass produced. In the late 1940s after people came back from the war manufacturers realized that they had a lot of buildings, materials and manpower to churn out more items quickly… and this led to a lot of clothing manufacturers popping up all over the U.S. Ready made, also known as ready-to-wear, clothing, complete with sizes tags, emerged from the industrial revolution as factories began to churn out millions of mass market garments, thus freeing many people from having to choose between either making their own clothing at home or turning to a tailor or seamstress for their garments.. Up until that time it was the women themselves making the garments, a relative, a neighborhood friend or the local seamstress. Which is why a lot of these garments have bra loops or hooks, Elastic bands to hold things up, and little details that are missed when mass producing clothing. They were made to fit the exact person who would be wearing it, not the general female population. It is in these tiny details that I my love for these eras is restored each and every time I find a unique detail. I hope to share these pieces with you and show how unique and truly amazing they are. Americans’ diverse cultural roots are reflected in their clothing and it is a part of our history and should be treasured along with our accomplishments.
Browse part my collection of vintage here:
If you don’t want to swing for pricier vintage or would just like something brand new with a vintage style, I have picked out some beauties below:
