Can you help me date this item??

[Lady Day]

I found some clothes in a box I bought at auction and am wondering if anyone could give me the era for them as I am not to sure about it. I can tell you that the skirt is wool, closes with just a button and has no zipper or hooks to close the opening below the button area. The vest uses metal hooks to close with.

They seem like folk wear to me. Do you know the nationality of the woman whose clothes they were? They may be 20s or 30s versions of traditional folk clothing.

LD

 

[MaryDeluxe]

They seem like folk wear to me. Do you know the nationality of the woman whose clothes they were? They may be 20s or 30s versions of traditional folk clothing.

LD

I have no idea who she was as I was at an auction house. But I do live in a dutch/german/amish area??

 

[Lauren]

MaryDeLuxe, I second Lady Day's opinion that they are folk costumes. They aren't a specific vintage and I'm afraid I don't know much about folk costumes, but since you say there's Dutch and German in your area you could look into those. They don't look Amish to me. There are people who specifically collect folk costumes.

Miss 1940s, your dress is the same kind as Mary's, just a little earlier. I can't believe you found it for $10!! Unbelievable!

 

[Joie DeVive]

They don't look Amish to me.

You're right. Unlikely to be Amish. The cornerstone of Amish dressing is modesty and somber colors. You won't really see sleeveless dresses from them, and red isn't a super common color choice for their clothes either. The only way it could be, would be if it was meant to be an overdress to go over a long sleeve blouse, but it doesn't have that look, and there is still the color.... [huh]

 

[Miss 1940's]

you think I could wear it too the Gatsby, or perhaps something more suitable from the 1930's or 1940's?
I must consult my deco mother!

MaryDeLuxe, I second Lady Day's opinion that they are folk costumes. They aren't a specific vintage and I'm afraid I don't know much about folk costumes, but since you say there's Dutch and German in your area you could look into those. They don't look Amish to me. There are people who specifically collect folk costumes.

Miss 1940s, your dress is the same kind as Mary's, just a little earlier. I can't believe you found it for $10!! Unbelievable!

 

[Lauren]

I think you could make it pass for Gatsby- not all women adopted the drop waisted styles we come to know with the 20's- (was it Mary Pickford who refused didn't? I know it was one of the greatest actresses of that age), so I wouldn't worry about it.
I don't think you could wear it for any later. It just is too different in style (and please don't modify it!!)

 

[Sunny]

Folk dress! Good thought. I'll wager anything, though, that that's not a sleeveless bodice; it's a vest or bodice, worn over a full-sleeved blouse or chemise. Is the skirt gathered? It seems rather long and not-full for most folk dress, but I'm not an expert.

 

[Laura Chase]

Ladies, I need help dating this purse, what do you think? I picked it up in Berlin for a few euros and I really love it, especially the frame and the colors. To me, the frame and the fabric seem to be from different eras, the lining especially throws me off. There is some sort of number on the frame, but I have no idea what it means. Click on the images to see them larger:

 

[Vintage Betty]

I'd say 1960's

 

[Laura Chase]

I'd say 1960's

Is it because of the fabric and lining? I was thinking that maybe the frame was older, but that someone had changed the fabric later on, in the 60's or 70's.

 

[Smuterella]

the fabric looks 70's to me but the frame could be older.

 

[Lady Day]

The inside looks plastic. Its late era for sure.

LD

 

[Smuterella]

i love the clasp, its gorgeous

 

[Vintage Betty]

Is it because of the fabric and lining? I was thinking that maybe the frame was older, but that someone had changed the fabric later on, in the 60's or 70's.

I'd say late 60's or 70's. The clasp is the giveaway, as well as how the purse closes in on itself. The gap is different than earlier period purses. The fabric is definitely of that time period.

I think it's original, all pieces. But it's just a guess.

 

[Miss 1929]

Too early for Gatsby!

you think I could wear it too the Gatsby, or perhaps something more suitable from the 1930's or 1940's?
I must consult my deco mother!

We can do better, daring. And the Gatsby in question, the Art Deco Society's Gatsby Summer Afternoon, has as the acceptable time range, 1925-1941, so there is choice for every figure. But I would prefer to see Miss 1940s on early 30s as she is one of the few with the figure for it! Time to rummage in the closet...

 

[Laura Chase]

Thanks for the input ladies!

I have 4 umbrellas I'm curious about, I'll just post one picture of each here and you can go to my Flickr to see more and larger pictures (click "all sizes").

Vintage Betty, I know you're very interested in accessories, so I'd be happy to hear when you think they're from.

 

[Laura Chase]

I'd say late 60's or 70's. The clasp is the giveaway, as well as how the purse closes in on itself. The gap is different than earlier period purses. the fabric is definitely of that time period.

I think it's original, all pieces. But it's just a guess.

Do you have an example of how earlier purses close differently? I'd like to learn more about this for future reference.

 

[Vintage Betty]

Folk dress! Good thought. I'll wager anything, though, that that's not a sleeveless bodice; it's a vest or bodice, worn over a full-sleeved blouse or chemise. Is the skirt gathered? It seems rather long and not-full for most folk dress, but I'm not an expert.

In addition to a folk dress, have you considered that this might be an outfit for the theater or stage? The idea that this might be a skirt of an actress or dancer could be discussed due to the gold embellished threads and the multi-layers of lace as well as small edges of the vest.

I have a vest with a couple similar deviation of embellishments that is a folk vest I'd love to compare to your vest. If I could find it, I could point out the similarities, but alas, it's too difficult to find.

Vintage Betty

 

[Vintage Betty]

Thanks for the input ladies!

I have 4 umbrellas I'm curious about, I'll just post one picture of each here and you can go to my Flickr to see more and larger pictures (click "all sizes").

Vintage Betty, I know you're very interested in accessories, so I'd be happy to hear when you think they're from.

Congratulations on finding a wonderful set of umbrellas and parasols. If I have time in the future, I'll post a reference thread for everyone to read.

When looking at umbrellas and parasols, I have a cheap parlor trick:

The longer the handle, the older the umbrella.

This isn't considered factual or even accurate, but like I said, it's a cheap trick.

At quick glance, the two umbrellas with the long handles are from the Edwardian/Victorian era. These lovely umbrellas are about 100 years old. You can tell the age by a variety of items: The length of the tip of the umbrella, the depth and width of the skeleton, the handles and the material, plus more clues.**

The short umbrella with the lovely faux snakeskin handle is circa 1920-1930. This is evident by a number of clues: the shape of the handle, the length of the entire umbrella, the rope handle, the type and style of nub endings of the metal spokes, the tipped end of the umbrella and the material for starters. And yes, there are more clues.**

Enjoy!

Vintage Betty

**Well, I have to save something for you to read in future posts, don't I?

 

[Laura Chase]

Vintage Betty, I'm looking forward to the thread! Thank you so much! You are brilliant.

I thought the short brown umbrella was 30's, but it could also be 20's? When did you get plastic like that, for the handle? Also, I think it's missing the tip, or is it supposed to be flat like that?

What about the first one, the one with the shiny metal parts and spiky handle?



I thought maybe that was later, 40's or 50's, because of the shiny metal parts and the nice condition, but I'm just guessing. It's longer and more elegant than the brown one with the faux snakeskin handle.