Vintage Lingerie Collection Part 2 (pic heavy!)

After the response of part one, I decided to pull some more out for photographing. Most of these are the things I wear most often and was what I have hanging on the back of my bedroom door. Yeah I squeeze clothes where I can -- you'll die when I get into the trunks!

Vera hostess gown from the 60s. Love the print and colours and I've worn it as a dress, especially when I want to enjoy my morning tea on the porch or patio without the neighbors thinking I'm totally a hussy!

Bra slip from the 60s. This one might get culled as the growth of my bust no longer makes it fit!

Simple 60s slip. Comfy for sleeping on hot nights, or for heating things up!

Closeup of 60s slip. It has the same pleating around the hem.

Full shot of the same slip.

70s Dior nightgown.

30s silk bias cut number. The embroidery is exquisite.

Close up of the embroidery, and little tucks along the sides for shaping.

A recent acquisition over the summer at a flea market in CT. A huge pile of basically junk, but I spotted the peach and yanked it out asking the price. The vendor said "its your lucky day, name your price." I looked it over in the sunlight and noticed that most of the silk is shattered, with the top being intact. So I said how about $2? He said "Sold!" I couldn't believe my luck as this was one of few I've come across with a collar. Because of the shattering I may cut it down to a blouse.

Close up of the lace and collar.

Yep more hostess gowns. I can never resist the colours or patterns!

This one was made for Saks Fifth Ave by one of Pucci's proteges.

Sheer 60s short slip. Its been worn to death and I've owned it over 25 years.

White 50s slip. Another one that maybe on its way out as its quite big for me.

Crazy 60s print dressing gown.

Dressing gown from the 60s, made in Shanghai. I purchased it brand new from a thrift shop over 30 years ago and still wear it often.

Closeup of the beautiful embroidery and frog closings.

I call this my Lucy Ricardo smock. Remember when she'd wear things like this around the house? I'm pretty sure its either 40s or 50s.

This kimono style dressing gown was given to me off Freecycle. A British woman was getting rid of her aunt's clothing that no longer fit her. Everything (including this) was hand made beautifully. Best of all, her aunt was just my size! I believe it all dated from around WWII.

Another 50s dressing gown that came with its original tags. I've never worn it, saying I'm going to hem it, but never want to play around with it.

It can be worn with the belt as shown here.

And here is a closeup of the gold design printed.

So that's the exhaustive selection of part 2 of my collection. Now do you guys realise just how much I have and really need to stop hoarding it, letting some move on to happier homes?

I'd still love to see your vintage lingerie, you don't have to model it, hang it so we can see its beauty!

XXX

Vintage Lingerie Collection -- Warning Pic Heavy!

I finally started taking photos of some of my vintage lingerie collection. I'll warn you, this barely scratches the surface and I probably have about three or four more pic heavy posts to show you my complete collection. Remember, I started collecting when things like this weren't desireable so I had my choice and my choice of price as no one thought it was worth much for someone to want someone's old lingerie! Lingerie has always been a passion of mine, and when I started my indie design company I focused on lingerie. I strove to make vintage style lingerie but with a modern twist. I did phenomonly well, but it got to the point where I had to make a difficult choice: choose an investor, losing control of what I created, or try to keep going it alone. Going it alone proved too difficult so I shuttered in the early to mid-90s. I can't imagine whats involved now, back then everything was still very much the punk DIY aesthetic, and we just did it. And were lucky enough for trendy boutiques to take chances on unknowns. It must be terribly stressful for indie designers today, the money involved alone boggles my mind! If you're an indie designer today, I'd love to hear your experiences.

This is a peignoir set from the 60s. I don't know if you can see the hemline, but its sort of ragged or zig-zagged looking. I suppose they were going for a "cavewoman" look! Kinda nuts as the collar and cuffs on the robe are edged in velvet! The nightgown underneath is just a simple sleeveless shift style.

Another leopard lovely, also from the 60s. This is what would've been considered a "hostess" gown, something to throw on when unexpected company arrived. It zips up the front and can be worn partially zipped for a v-neck look, or as pictured, zipped all the way up creating a turtleneck.

This psychedelic beauty belonged to my dear cousin (we called her our aunt as it suited her.) She had fantastic style, and is the one responsible for teaching me just about everything I know about buying secondhand! Her house was filled with priceless antiques, all picked up for a pittance as they were in undesireable condition. But she knew they could be brought back to life with a good refinishing and new upholstery. Her home should have been in a magazine, it was classy, classic, and had such personality. I'm sad she's no longer with us, but I have some of her beautiful things (clothing, furniture, and housewares) to keep her memory close to me always. (That's our hammy Westie, Fiona who thinks all cameras are for taking photos of her!)

I'm not exactly sure of the date of this beautiful kimono, but am fairly certain its from the late 50s-early 60s. The colours are so vibrant, and I love the design. The front is plain with all the design on the back.

This is a 30s bias cut nightgown. It has (as many from that era do) ties in the back. The lovely lace around the neckline makes it a little more special than the average 30s nightgown.

This is another 30s bias cut nightgown. Its such a pale buttery yellow that I don't think it photographed that well. What's unusual is that I found its twin the same day (in the same shop) in pale pink!

I'm fairly certain this is from the 20s. Its homemade, so there aren't any tags to give me a clue. The top is crocheted lace, and the bottom is pink silk.

This is just a simple bias cut slip from the 30s. Nothing fancy, very basic, but very versatile.

This is a 30s peignoir set. Its so difficult to find both the robe and the nightgown, so whenever you do, you've found a treasure!

This is another full length shot of the same peignoir set.

1930s bias cut nightgown with ties in the back.

1930s bias cut silk nightgown. Its hemmed in beautiful lace.

One of my prized Pucci pieces. This is one the "Emilio Pucci for Formfit Rodgers" pieces you see most commonly for sale now as so much of it was produced. As I mentioned in my previous post I sold so much vintage Pucci back in the day, but had I known it would've gone to the exhorbitant prices it has today I probably would have kept more of it. Hindsight is always 50/50 right? I only kept the pieces that fit along with one clutch bag and a scarf. So I guess I can't complain! (Except I still wish I had some of it -- the box bags especially!)

1930s silk bias cut nightgown.

Closeup of the lacework.

Simple 1930's bias cut silk nightgown. I purchased this on my honeymoon so of course I have fond memories of it. Its got lovely cutwork around the neckline.

Simple 1930s bias cut silk half slip. They make great skirts!

Interesting seamed 1930s silk half slip. Its a little more pink than peach which was more common.

Cream silk 1930s half slip. I love the lacework!

60s zebra half slip. The Punk Glam Princess (now my official photographer!) tried to photograph it so you could see the lace edged slits on each side. And yeah, I've worn this as a skirt too!

1960s faux Pucci. I love the colour combo and the swirly design.

60s leopard half slip. Note the hemline is the same as the peignoir set, going for that "cavewoman" look again I suppose!

Well that's the end of part one. It'll take some time before I get around to gathering up enough pieces for part two as I have far too much! I'm actually thinking at this point it might be time to let go of some pieces because its starting to feel like I'm hoarding! But we'll see if I can manage to let go of any pieces, they're all so special in their own way that choosing will be a difficult task indeed!

I'd love to see others collections too, c'mon we've got a Frock it on a Friday, maybe we can start a "Vintage Lingerie Day" too!

XXX