Last year, I did four FAQ videos about vintage clothes. If you missed them, check ’em out now!
- Vintage clothing FAQ, part 1: Cleaning, storing, collecting.
- Vintage clothing FAQ, part 2: Vintage sizing and alterations.
- Vintage clothing FAQ, part 3: “New with tags” and other ways to find unworn vintage.
- Vintage clothing FAQ, part 4: Vintage clothing vs resale, dead stock, and consignment.
Today’s video is an addition to that series. I do believe it was my longtime blogging friend Sheila of Ephemera who asked for tips about how to identify the era clothing is from. That’s an especially important question if you’re paying a premium for authenticity: Just because something LOOKS like a 1920s flapper dress doesn’t mean it IS a 1920s flapper dress. I have my own experience in figuring out the authenticity of vintage pieces, but I decided to call in a real expert to assist: My friend Stacy Lomman! Stacy has decades of experience as a designer herself and now teaches fashion courses at the Fashion Institute of Technology and other schools. She has a passion for fashion history and a love of interesting textiles. So here she is, lending me a hand, as we look over some clothes from my collection and hers.
If you have any questions about vintage clothes that haven’t been answered in the video series, feel free to leave them in the comments and I will get to them as soon as I can.
HI, WENDY!! Holy smokes, you did it, and you even mentioned me and said hello! I am so thrilled – THANK YOU! Hello to Stacy too (I feel like I know you both). I so appreciate that you did this! I have to admit, I actually did know 95% of this already – I have done a lot of reading, and taught myself to really examine pieces, and do my detective work on labels (including the union labels, good call) to help pinpoint the eras.
One of the best resources i have ever found is a wonderful book that a friends gave me ages ago, this one, “Vintage Style” by Sarah Kennedy (Amazon): https://www.amazon.ca/Vintage-Style-Iconic-Fashion-Looks/dp/1847327761. It goes through the modern era (early 20th century) up to the 90s, examining things like designers of each era, colours, hairstyles, and icons, and then shows you how to recreate them and modern style icons that correspond. It’s absolutely fascinating and is where I first learned about Etro, Courreges and other brands that I’ve since thrifted (seriously, I have real Andres Courreges!).
Oh, sincerely, I am so touched that you mentioned me, Wendy. Thank you! I feel like I could gab fashion with you and Stacy for hours! 🙂 You made my week!
I figured you’d have all the info — really, you should have been in the video with us! But thanks for giving me the excuse to do it in case it helps some other peeps 🙂
I also liked having a reason to say hi to you!
OMG, remember the 2008 days of blogging!? Sigh.
Ah, 2008! I remember you winning some sort of “most foul-mouthed blog” award.
Next time I’m in NYC, we’ll do a video together!! Thank you again, Wendy! I gave you a shout-out in today’s blog. 🙂
I was a fucking two-time champion! LOL!
I would LOVE to see you (and do a video)! Don’t you dare come to NYC without telling me!!! 😉
Hi, I have not been here in forever !
I came by after Sheila’s suggestion, as I’ve also been reading her for years. I loved all 5 videos. It seems lately I am more into vintage and second hands The last video had some amazing tips and I had never heard of Ossie, which of course I googled and now know about.
Hi! I feel like I lost contact with all my blogging friends when the old Google Reader went away. It was never the same after that! Then, of course, some people switched to Instagram and other formats. Alas! I miss everyone.
Let me know if you have any more vintage questions and I’ll do another video if I can!