Gotcha!..Ok, so it's only my new suit. And I rather got myself. There's a whole saga with this one - in my head, that is. The initiation into the art of correct dating of vintage?... That sounds rather precious. Anyway, here are the facts.
I spotted this suit on Etsy: delicious rust color, check; velvet, my fabric of choice, check; spot on measurements, check; affordable price, check; nice details, and a skirt that seemed cut on the bias as it hanged on the hanger (what was in my head?!), check. Advertised as 1930's, check...???...
I know, I know, I should have been suspicious about the collar, the scalloped edge of the jacket, the three quarter sleeve...! It all seems so clear now, yet at the time, the blood rushed to my head and I couldn't think. All I could see what what I wanted to see in those rather poor photographs...And when it arrived my beautiful 30's bias cut skirt proved to be one of these:
And the whole thing not a whole world different from these:
...Yeah, I got it wrong again. I contacted the seller , who otherwise offered a very friendly and lovely service, to see how confident she was about her 1930's dating. She was very nice, but ended up saying that really this couldn't have been made any later than late 40's early 50's. Now to me, that's exactly how this suit looks like: a1947, New Look, perhaps early 50s made. A quick check with the ladies at the Fedora Lounge confirmed my fears.
Shall we call it: "The Carrot and The Stick" perhaps?
it's a beautiful suit. I love velvet too.
ReplyDeleteAn instructive post. How great you could finde this pattern.
Though it might have been not the most pleasant experience of buying vtg clothes (the dating was messed up) it looks so great on you, so enjoy it! it's really lovely.
It was almost entirely my fault only. I could have done the same reasoning and research BEFORE buying, but I chose not to. Anyway, as I gain more experience (aka mess up my finances completely) I shall learn to make less mistakes.
ReplyDeleteOh, don't be sad! It may not be 30s, but it's an absolutely stunning suit and a gorgeous color and the whole look is just beautiful on you! It is really very stunning!
ReplyDeleteI agree with Lauren :)
ReplyDeletejust a quick question; you've scanned these patterns? or found them on the web? thanks!
I looked on etsy at 40's patterns until I found those which looked relevant to me.
ReplyDeleteAnd thank you both!
ReplyDeleteHere you go:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.etsy.com/listing/67577071/vintage-1940s-misses-skirt-pattern
http://www.etsy.com/listing/65294023/uncut-1940s-two-piece-peplum-suit-dress
great! thanks a lot. it's not that I'm interested in these ones particularly, but would like to learn how to investigate into vtg fashion.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Lauren as well. It's still a lush beautiful suit!!!
ReplyDeleteWell, you can do what I do: ask the members of Fedora Lounge :). Really, some of them are very knowledgeable. There is the Vintage Fashion Guild too, with the label library, that is if you have a label to research. Other than that, Google is my friend. I look at stuff on ebay and etsy a lot - this is how I started, and quite possibly why I have my notions mixed up, because unfortunately sellers do not necessarily have encyclopedic knowledge of what they sell, so you end up picking up the wrong information. Better sources are of course patterns, magazines, catalogs, which are rich in details and, most importantly, dated! And of course books on vintage fashions. This experience has certainly increased my determination to work on these last sources.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Baroness!
ReplyDeleteI hope you ladies are right and I don't look frumpy. My husband is not very encouraging, he says the skirt looks wrong on me. Truth be told, I'm a far cry from the polished, statuesque an structured New Look of late 40's. I don't have the body for it, nor do I have the right posture. Mind you, it is not a look I would particularly want to go for although it can be fantastic on others.
But then I don't want to be dowdy either...
oh, husbands, partners, sisters.. the people that are closest to us can sometimes be so unfair.
ReplyDeleteyou look amazing! not frumpy at all. And I'd kill to have your figure.
Ditto! Not frumpy at all! I love this on you!
ReplyDeleteIf you wanted it to look earlier, just raise them hem 4" or so and it could easily pass for late 30s :)
Aw, you are too kind! I don't have major body issues, I've learned to live with the good and the bad, and things are what they are. All is well as long as we are healthy!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Lauren, aren't you a treasure? :)
ReplyDeleteThis scalloped suit is so cute and unique!!
ReplyDeleteIt may not be 1930's but it sure is a fabulous suit! It looks great on you :)
ReplyDelete30's or no, this suit is truly stunning; I'm usually not too keen on velvet, but this is so so fabulous. That color is absolutely delicious, too. And you look like a chic '47 Dior model... anything but frumpy!
ReplyDeleteThank you gals! You are all so nice,and it surely feels good to have some encouragement :)
ReplyDeletethe color is great and it suits you. May I ask what kind of zip or closures does the skirt have?
ReplyDeleteIt's a metal zip marked Talon :)
ReplyDeleteThe suit looks stunning on you! - and I love how you've accessorized it. Based on all the positive comments you've gotten - I hope you are now convinced that you should wear it proudly!
ReplyDeleteYour story makes me realize that as a vintage seller (not just clothing, but other things too) I have to be very careful when I put a date on something, unless I'm quite sure. I often say, "My best guess is that this dates to the 1940's, perhaps a bit later..." (or something like that. When you're a generalist - as most vintage sellers are - it's impossible to be an expert on everything.
I know what you are saying, Sarsaparilla, and that is the very reason why I haven't blamed the seller for this. Being an expert on everything is an impossible thing. Having said that, their doubts as to the date of the suit surfaced after the sale, whilst the description was serenely stating 30's, without an approximation, a "maybe", or "I think". Still I should have done my homework better, and I am at blame as much as them if not more. Anyway, I am not bitter about it, the suit is too gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteBefore I read the words I thought it looked like a 50s suit.
ReplyDeleteRegardless, I think it is absolutely beautiful and you look stunning in it!
The jacket works REALLY well for you, but your svelte figure might be a tad swamped in the skirt? Not frumpy at all, just a little large in volume. I don't agree that your husband has been 'unfair', it's very brave to be honest! Just a small alteration to the skirt and this is going to be a 100% winner. Beautiful color on you.
ReplyDeleteI agree Fanny, the skirt just doesn't look right at the moment. Will see. The simple juxtaposition of a pair of scissors with a vintage piece of clothing makes me nervous.
ReplyDeleteWhatever it's provenance, it looks spectacular!
ReplyDelete