Monday, October 18, 2010
Love Plaid? Take a Look!
Winter's not far away, and one of the most delightful things about it is the chance to wear all of our pretty plaids. Here are some of our favorite plaids for fall and winter (and we didn't forget accessories!), presented in an Etsy treasury, Time to Break Out the Wonderful Winter Plaids!
Friday, October 15, 2010
EYE CANDY FRIDAY - OCTOBER 15, 2010
EYE CANDY FRIDAY --
The members of the Reflections of Vintage seller's network are pleased to offer the following beautiful items currently available in their shops.
Vintage 30s 40s WWII Era Designer Louise Mulligan Chocolate Brown Silk Semi Sheer Dress with Accordion Pleating and Lace Trim - Size Small from CATSEYE VINTAGE
Vintage 1970s Two Piece Mini Dress and Jacket Oatmeal by Act I B34 W25 from ALLEY CATS VINTAGE
Vintage 40s 50s Cay Artley Shirtwaist Dress, Lg XL from VINTAGE BAUBLES TOO
Vintage 60s Silk Floral Brocade Navy Blue Cheongsam Wiggle Dress - Size Medium or Large from CATSEYE VINTAGE
Vintage Madmen Peggy Olson Hat White Straw Breton from ALLEY CATS VINTAGE
Vintage 70s Designer Ruffled Sun Dress Small or XS from VINTAGE BAUBLES TOO
Vintage 50s 60s Navy Blue Angora Blend Cardigan Jacket Embellished with White Glass Beads Size B33 XXS or Extra Small from CATSEYE VINTAGE
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Vintage Pink - October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month which was started by the Susan G Komen for the Cure network. The network has designated pink as their signature color.
The Reflections of Vintage sellers network are pleased to present the following pink vintage items currently available in their shops.
Vintage 60s Mad Men Multi Strand Beaded Pink Choker Bib Necklace from MY VINTAGE COCKTAIL
Vintage Frank Olive Pink Straw Bucket Style Hat from ALLEY CATS ATTIC
Vintage 50s Deep Rose Pink Full Skirted Ball Gown Dress Embellished with a Large Bow from CATSEYE VINTAGE
Vintage 40s Pink Rayon Half Slip w/Ivory Lace from VINTAGE BAUBLES TOO
Friday, October 8, 2010
Eye Candy Friday at ROV!
Here are some of our favorites--some fancy, some fun--to share with you today. We have dresses and suits galore, oh my!
1960's Carol Craig Cocktail Party Dress from Alley Cats Attic:
Cole of California Leopard-Print Dress from Catseye Vintage:
1940's Checked Gabardine Suit from Vintage Baubles Too:
Coral Leaf Cheongsam from Alley Cats Attic:
Angora Blend Beaded Jacket from Catseye Vintage:
Raspberry Pink Orlon Acrylic Dress from My Vintage Cocktail:
1980's Pia Rucci Beaded Evening Dress from Alley Cats Attic:
Men's Red Smoking Jacket from Catseye Vintage:
1960's Raw Silk 2-Piece Dress from Vintage Baubles Too:
1960's Carol Craig Cocktail Party Dress from Alley Cats Attic:
Cole of California Leopard-Print Dress from Catseye Vintage:
1940's Checked Gabardine Suit from Vintage Baubles Too:
Coral Leaf Cheongsam from Alley Cats Attic:
Angora Blend Beaded Jacket from Catseye Vintage:
Raspberry Pink Orlon Acrylic Dress from My Vintage Cocktail:
1980's Pia Rucci Beaded Evening Dress from Alley Cats Attic:
Men's Red Smoking Jacket from Catseye Vintage:
1960's Raw Silk 2-Piece Dress from Vintage Baubles Too:
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Is it Satin or Is it Silk? It’s… Both!
Welcome to another “Fabric Junkie” blog! Today I’ll tackle a topic that pushes my vintage buttons: fiber and weave. As both a seller and buyer of vintage apparel, I’m often dismayed when I ask a seller about the fiber from which an item is made, and I receive the online equivalent of, “Huh?” Especially if they have stated the weave in the description. To them, that’s equivalent and sufficient. To me, it’s only half the story. Fabric is a combination of fiber and weave, fiber being the raw material used to create it (e.g., wool, silk, rayon, polyester) and weave being the resulting look and texture once it is made into yardage. There is also the “how” of creating fabric (weaving, knitting, compressing, bonding, etc.), which affects weave, but that’s another can of worms for another day. Let's keep it simple today!
“So, why is this important?”, one might ask. While some buyers really don’t care what fiber a garment is made of, many do. Some can’t wear synthetics, some can’t wear certain natural fibers. For others, it’s a matter of preference. And, for both buyers and sellers, knowing the fiber can determine how to care for/clean/store the garment. This subject is so expansive and can be so complex, I don’t expect every seller to be a fabric expert! I don’t consider myself one, at that. But, since fiber-content labels are a relatively recent development in apparel manufacturing, all sellers need a basic understanding of fiber and weave, and how to recognize them. This information is important to buyers too, because knowing the fiber can help them get a sense of how the fabric will feel and drape (or not) on the body.
People often know weaves but don’t realize that several different fibers can be used to create the same weave. This seems to commonly occur with satin, taffeta, chiffon, jersey, velvet, gabardine, jacquard, seersucker, tweed, and a few others. Since this would be a book and not a blog if I addressed all of them, I’ll start with the first three:
Satin: Most folks know satin, that shiny, smooth-textured, “slippery” fabric from which many evening and wedding gowns, nicer lingerie, and some linings are made. It can be made from silk, rayon, and polyester, and, sometimes, acetate. Cotton satin is called “sateen.” De-lustered, or matte, satin is often done in silk and called “peau de soie.” It has a very subtle luster and is delightful! You can see the difference in sheen in these two dresses, one a traditional rayon satin, the other a peau de soie:
Rayon satin Fred Perlberg gown from Alley Cats Vintage:
Pink peau de soie dress from Catseye Vintage:
Taffeta: Also a smooth, finely woven fabric with a sheen to it, but is “crisp” and usually thinner than satin. It was very popular in the full-skirted party dresses of the 50s, often layered with tulle. Now commonly used in dress and coat linings. Though we usually see it in acetate or rayon, it used to be made mostly of silk. Nylon also can be woven into a taffeta finish—most notably the Barbizon “Tafredda” slips (when I got my first one, I was astounded that it was 100% nylon!).
Abbey Kent silk taffeta dress from Vintage Baubles:
Red rayon taffeta evening gown from Vintage Baubles Too:
Chiffon: That sheer, thin, and airy fabric seen in party dresses, wedding gowns, etc. Vintage double-chiffon peignoir sets have been popular for years. Chiffon is often used for billowy sleeves, ruffled trim, and bodice insets. When used for a full garment, it’s often lined in taffeta. It can be made from silk, nylon, polyester, and rayon.
Print silk-chiffon dress sold by Vintage Baubles:
Nylon chiffon gown sold by Vintage Baubles:
How to tell the difference? The best way is through handling as many different known fibers and weaves as you can. Note the content and weave of modern and vintage garments you already have--how they feel, how they drape, etc. Go to the fabric store, take a bolt of silk satin and one of polyester satin, and compare the feel. There is nothing like “hands-on” practice! Identifying fabrics will become much easier over time. But, no matter how well versed you are, sometimes you just can’t tell. I have three sewing books I use as reference; after sewing for 40 years and selling for 10, I still check them. Often. You should also learn how to do a burn test for fibers you can’t identify. This isn’t always possible, but it can be valuable when it is. Do a search for “fiber burn test,” and you’ll find charts, tips on methodology, etc. Bear in mind that any of the fabrics discussed today can consist of blends of fibers, and in that case, even a burn test may be inconclusive.
So, sometimes, if you’re a seller, you end up just not being sure. In that case, I generally state my best guess as to fiber. In online selling, where a buyer can’t handle an item, I think it’s critical to state, to the extent possible, the fiber and weave of a piece. I don’t know about you, but I wouldn’t spend hundreds of dollars to purchase a dress online without any idea of what fiber it is!
Be sure to keep an eye out for the next installment of "The Fabric Junkie"!
“So, why is this important?”, one might ask. While some buyers really don’t care what fiber a garment is made of, many do. Some can’t wear synthetics, some can’t wear certain natural fibers. For others, it’s a matter of preference. And, for both buyers and sellers, knowing the fiber can determine how to care for/clean/store the garment. This subject is so expansive and can be so complex, I don’t expect every seller to be a fabric expert! I don’t consider myself one, at that. But, since fiber-content labels are a relatively recent development in apparel manufacturing, all sellers need a basic understanding of fiber and weave, and how to recognize them. This information is important to buyers too, because knowing the fiber can help them get a sense of how the fabric will feel and drape (or not) on the body.
People often know weaves but don’t realize that several different fibers can be used to create the same weave. This seems to commonly occur with satin, taffeta, chiffon, jersey, velvet, gabardine, jacquard, seersucker, tweed, and a few others. Since this would be a book and not a blog if I addressed all of them, I’ll start with the first three:
Satin: Most folks know satin, that shiny, smooth-textured, “slippery” fabric from which many evening and wedding gowns, nicer lingerie, and some linings are made. It can be made from silk, rayon, and polyester, and, sometimes, acetate. Cotton satin is called “sateen.” De-lustered, or matte, satin is often done in silk and called “peau de soie.” It has a very subtle luster and is delightful! You can see the difference in sheen in these two dresses, one a traditional rayon satin, the other a peau de soie:
Rayon satin Fred Perlberg gown from Alley Cats Vintage:
Pink peau de soie dress from Catseye Vintage:
Taffeta: Also a smooth, finely woven fabric with a sheen to it, but is “crisp” and usually thinner than satin. It was very popular in the full-skirted party dresses of the 50s, often layered with tulle. Now commonly used in dress and coat linings. Though we usually see it in acetate or rayon, it used to be made mostly of silk. Nylon also can be woven into a taffeta finish—most notably the Barbizon “Tafredda” slips (when I got my first one, I was astounded that it was 100% nylon!).
Abbey Kent silk taffeta dress from Vintage Baubles:
Red rayon taffeta evening gown from Vintage Baubles Too:
Chiffon: That sheer, thin, and airy fabric seen in party dresses, wedding gowns, etc. Vintage double-chiffon peignoir sets have been popular for years. Chiffon is often used for billowy sleeves, ruffled trim, and bodice insets. When used for a full garment, it’s often lined in taffeta. It can be made from silk, nylon, polyester, and rayon.
Print silk-chiffon dress sold by Vintage Baubles:
Nylon chiffon gown sold by Vintage Baubles:
How to tell the difference? The best way is through handling as many different known fibers and weaves as you can. Note the content and weave of modern and vintage garments you already have--how they feel, how they drape, etc. Go to the fabric store, take a bolt of silk satin and one of polyester satin, and compare the feel. There is nothing like “hands-on” practice! Identifying fabrics will become much easier over time. But, no matter how well versed you are, sometimes you just can’t tell. I have three sewing books I use as reference; after sewing for 40 years and selling for 10, I still check them. Often. You should also learn how to do a burn test for fibers you can’t identify. This isn’t always possible, but it can be valuable when it is. Do a search for “fiber burn test,” and you’ll find charts, tips on methodology, etc. Bear in mind that any of the fabrics discussed today can consist of blends of fibers, and in that case, even a burn test may be inconclusive.
So, sometimes, if you’re a seller, you end up just not being sure. In that case, I generally state my best guess as to fiber. In online selling, where a buyer can’t handle an item, I think it’s critical to state, to the extent possible, the fiber and weave of a piece. I don’t know about you, but I wouldn’t spend hundreds of dollars to purchase a dress online without any idea of what fiber it is!
Be sure to keep an eye out for the next installment of "The Fabric Junkie"!
Thursday, September 30, 2010
TGIF Eye Candy From Our Vintage Sellers
What's new in Reflections of Vintage......
Available from My Vintage Cocktail on Etsy
Vintage 60s RED Pleated Dolly Scooter Mini Dress Small, XS
Vintage 60s RED Pleated Dolly Scooter Mini Dress Small, XS
Vintage 40s Designer Lilly Dache Dachettes Chocolate Brown Broad Brimmed Wool Felt Ladies Fedora Hat
Available From Alley Cats Attic on Ruby Plaza
Vintage 1960s Black and Taupe Straw Pillbox Hat Unusual Look
Vintage 1960s Black and Taupe Straw Pillbox Hat Unusual Look
Vintage Dramatic Black Satin Cloche Hat with Clear Rhinestone Brooch
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Loretta Young - Star of the Silver Screen
Loretta Young - Star of the Silver Screen
She starred in a multitude of films prior to 1953. It Happens Every Thursday was her last film role before her television career began.
It was said that her personal quote was "wearing the correct dress for any occasion is a matter of good manners".
Sadly she left this world in 2000 at the age of 87.
Interesting Note: She had only one child in 1935 with CLARK GABLE. Go Girl!!!
Below is some items we think Loretta Young would love........
For me Loretta Young had a magical appeal. She was one of my all time favorite movie and TV stars. If you don't know Loretta Young then try to find some of her movies. She's not to be missed.
She was born Gretchen Young in Salt Lake City in 1913, moving to Hollywood in 1916 where she started appearing in films at the age of 3. Her career continued and her fame grew. In 1947 she won an Oscar for her performance in The Farmer's Daughter. Every holiday season you can see her in The Bishop's Wife with Cary Grant and David Niven.
She was born Gretchen Young in Salt Lake City in 1913, moving to Hollywood in 1916 where she started appearing in films at the age of 3. Her career continued and her fame grew. In 1947 she won an Oscar for her performance in The Farmer's Daughter. Every holiday season you can see her in The Bishop's Wife with Cary Grant and David Niven.
From 1953 to 1961 she hosted the Loretta Young Show. This is where she came into my life. Her trademark introduction at the beginning of each show was to waltz onto the screen wearing a fabulous party dress. She seemed to favor the full skirts loaded with underneath crinolines. After the introduction she appeared in each weekly show. Sadly these show will never be shown on television because she made it a legal stipulation in her contract that they not be rerun. Always fashion conscious she didn't want to be seen in outdated clothing...if only she knew how her appearance on these shows would be so admired today by vintage clothing collectors. You can however, find them on dvds.
She starred in a multitude of films prior to 1953. It Happens Every Thursday was her last film role before her television career began.
Sadly she left this world in 2000 at the age of 87.
Interesting Note: She had only one child in 1935 with CLARK GABLE. Go Girl!!!
Below is some items we think Loretta Young would love........
Available from Catseye Vintage on Etsy
Vintage 50s 60s Three Strand Tiered Faux Pearl and Smoke Grey Gray AB Aurora Borealis Bib Statement Necklace -- Wedding Bridal Choker -- MAD MEN Era
Vintage 50s 60s Three Strand Tiered Faux Pearl and Smoke Grey Gray AB Aurora Borealis Bib Statement Necklace -- Wedding Bridal Choker -- MAD MEN Era
Thursday, September 23, 2010
EYE CANDY FRIDAY - September 24, 2010
EYE CANDY FRIDAY --
Now that Autumn is here, can cooler weather be far behind? The members of the Reflections of Vintage seller's network are pleased to offer the following beauties currently available in their shops.
Vintage 80s Designer Diane Freis Original Sheer Shadow Strip Georgette Figural CAT or Tiger Print Dress with Crystal Pleated Skirt - Size S or M from CATSEYE VINTAGE
Vintage 70s Black Velvet Floppy Brim Hat from ALLEY CATS ATTIC
Vintage 50s 60s Designer Lilli Ann Creme Eyelash Wool or Mohair Swing Clutch Coat - Size S or M from CATSEYE VINTAGE
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