Playing Dress-up All Day Long

2012-01-26T15:57:00.000-08:00

Does $10 vintage clothing and accessories plus shipping really exist? It does at Born Too Late Vintage!

Shop early and often! Need your items shipped internationally? Contact us and we'll give you a quote on shipping!

See a pattern you like? Shipping is included already!

So what are you waiting for? Let's go shopping!

2011-12-09T03:39:00.000-08:00

Come to Born Too Late Vintage and get free shipping world wide! Everything in our store is free shipping whether it be vintage patterns, vintage accessories or vintage clothing! So what are you waiting for? Let's go shopping!

Life imitates art......

2011-10-31T03:36:00.000-07:00

Trepidation filled her mind and nerves had her stomach jumping. She'd never really pushed her limits, but now was the time. She was detail oriented and everything she needed had been laid out the night before. Hat, gloves, purse, shoes, dress with matching coat and of course her unmentionables were all lined up and just waiting for her to get dressed. At her mother's behest she agreed to borrow her mother's choker length necklace of Mikimoto pearls to top off her outfit.

To some, the iridescent blue hopsack dress and matching coat was a bit too modern but she had fallen in love with the sleek professional look the outfit leant to her and once she saw the fabulous lining of the coat she was hooked. She was an artist and the colors in the lining spoke to her, but art would not pay the bills and so she pushed that to the side to enter the world of Washington, D.C. amid many other young women looking for a government job that would provide a steady income while they waited for life to present them with their one true love.

"Well no use dragging this on and on," she thought. She readied herself, checking herself in her bedroom mirror to make sure she had not missed anything. Her mother wished her well and she walked to the center of town where she boarded the bus heading to Washington.She had several interviews that day and all went as well as could be expected. While waiting in the various offices of the capital, she saw that what she thought was so fashion forward was anything but. Compared to the other girls waiting for their own interviews, she looked older than her years and small town chic. Her credentials were top notch, however, for the fast pace of Washington she was just too old fashioned for anyone to take notice. The repetition of the closing comment "we'll be in touch but if you receive an offer from someone else I'd advise taking it" left her feeling drained and frustrated.

She boarded the bus to come back home, discouraged and wondering where life would take her. Pondering her future and not liking the direction it was heading, she didn't hear him at first. He repeated himself saying, "Would you mind if I sat next to you? There are no other seats on the bus available." She looked up into the eyes of a rather gallant young man, with dark brown hair, deep brown eyes and a bluish 5 o'clock shadow. He rather looked like a hoodlum, but he was dressed in a gray sharkskin suit that fit him perfectly. What caught her eye was his colorful pocket square and rather rakish silk tie.She said, "Of course." He sat down and he noticed she was staring at his necktie. He looked back at her and said, "I know the tie stands out, but I just have to show a little bit of what's really me when I go on these interviews. I'm really a silk artist and I painted this tie and pocket square, but you have to pay the bills so on goes the suit for interviews." She smiled and shyly unbuttoned her coat and showed him the lining. "I'm an artist as well, but it doesn't pay the bills so I've just come back from Washington after a round of unsuccessful interviews today. I just had to have a bit of color, but of course I'm not as bold as you are."

They continued to chat and before they knew it they were back home. It seems that he had been two years ahead of her at the same high school but they'd just never run into each other. They found they had acquaintances in common, but somehow or another never met each other for one reason or another. He walked her home and then asked her out to dinner for the next night. She accepted and that as they say was that.

Time passed. They dated, became engaged and were married. To pay the bills they opened a paint and wallpaper store in their home town. He continued to paint his matching ties and pocket squares which he sold from their store. In the way that life happens, a socialite from Washington D.C. came into their store one day after having car trouble, to use their phone. She was stunned by the trompe-l'œil scene on the longest wall in the store. Finding out that the painting was done by the co-owner, she immediately hired her to paint her living room. Her talent became known to the smart set in D.C. and she was commissioned to paint many trompe-l'œil scenes over the years.

And so as they say, life happens while you make your grand plans. Their business paid the bills and their art fed their souls.

Vintage 1960s Navy Blue Dress & Coat Ensemble B38 W34 H38

Why not make a little history of your own with an outfit from Born Too Late Vintage!

2011-08-24T07:03:00.001-07:00

Playing dress-up has always been one of my favorite games. It hasn't changed in the least for me except now it's my business to play dress-up in a more mature way.

Have a little fun and go play dress-up at Born Too Late Vintage. See what outfits you
can put together. What better way to have a great time. For your pleasure here's an outfit to start you off with.

Vintage 1960s Dark Teal Plush Pillbox Hat by Roberta Bernayd

Vintage 1960s Amy Adams Blue Gray Paisley Fitted Dress B36 W30 H38

Vintage 1950s Textured Patent Leather Di Orsini Black Stilettos size 8

Vintage 1960s Black Patent Leather and Hopsack
Pocketbook

So come play dress-up at Born Too Late Vintage and let your creative juices flow.

2011-08-10T13:07:00.000-07:00

I find that every so often it's a good thing to shake things up when it comes to your studio. Well this time around instead of hiding behind my old logo and avatar I've stepped forward and put my face out there for the world to see.

My studio on ArtFire is now completely re-designed including a new logo and avatar with my face on my studio. No more hiding behind my Aunt Louise's picture in her 1950s dress.

So make sure to come on over to Born Too Late Vintage and check out our new look and all the new items we've been listing each and every day.

Don't miss out on our 25% off all clothing and accessories. Just use coupon code:

25OFFCLOTHINGACCESSORIE

in celebration of our new look!

2011-06-02T05:47:00.001-07:00

Father's Day is fast approaching so why not take a stroll down memory lane for a vintage gift from Born Too Late Vintage!

Vintage Fathers Day Collection

Curated By: BornTooLateVi...

ArtFire.com

Vintage Fashion

We have items available in every price range so make sure to stop by!

2011-05-11T15:27:00.000-07:00

A riddle to ponder....

Whats black and white and red all over?

Curated By: BornTooLateVi...

ArtFire.com

Fine Art Photography

Great vintage clothing and accessories at Born Too Late Vintage

2011-04-14T05:24:00.000-07:00

Were there curvy girls back in the day?

Yes there were curvy girls back in the d...

Curated By: BornTooLateVi...

ArtFire.com

Vintage Fashion

2011-04-13T13:09:00.000-07:00

Step into the Sterling Cooper Advertising Agency and check out what the female staff is wearing. From Joan to Jane to to Joan we love their fashion!

The Mad Men Office Wear Collection

Curated By: BornTooLateVi...

ArtFire.com

Handmade Jewelry

2011-04-05T05:26:00.000-07:00

Beautiful fanciful lingerie from Vintage Lingerie's collection availabe at ArtFire!

Luxurious Lingerie comes in many shapes,...

Curated By: BornTooLateVi...

ArtFire.com

Unique Gifts

2011-04-03T08:17:00.001-07:00

Think green and wear vintage for your prom

Prom time is coming very shortly. To guarantee that you won't be wearing the same thing as everyone else out there considering having a green prom and going vintage. Wearing vintage you're pretty much guaranteed that you'll be one of a kind and you're also doing your part in saving beautiful fashions from the past from winding up in a landfill.

Vintage 1950s Sarah Coventry Silvertone Deco Rhinestone Earrings

Vintage 1960s Silver and Pink Brocade Fitted Column Gown B30 W26 H32

Vintage 1950s Silver Stilettos from Nanette Originals size 7AAAA

So make sure to check out Born Too Late Vintage for all your prom needs.

2011-03-12T06:49:00.000-08:00

Shoes, glorious shoes

Shoes, glorious shoes!
Pumps, spike heels and sandals!
While we're in the mood,
high heels and platforms!
Swing laceups and cowboy boots!
What next is the question?
Rich women all have it, gals
Shoe fixation!

Whatever your shoe fixation Born Too Late Vintage has what you're looking for!

Vintage 1970s Red, White Blue Souvenir Sandals Size 7AA

Vintage 1950s White Black Gray Net Peep Toe Stilettos Size 8

Vintage 1970s VLV Tan Springolators by
Footworks size 8M

2011-03-08T04:06:00.000-08:00

Why get in a rut? Mix and match those vintage eras to make a one of a kind ensemble!

Why be a stick in the mud and limit yourself by sticking with only one era of vintage to fashion your wardrobe. Mix and match your eras with modern pieces or with other vintage pieces to give yourself a one of a kind look!

Vintage 1950s Sultry Black Beaded Clip Hat

Vintage 1960w Designer Harvey Berin Up Cycled Daisy Chain
Flirty Dress B34 W28 H46 plus

Vintage 1950s Di Orsini Black Stilettos size 8

Vintage 1940s Black Rayon Corde Fan Purse w Twisted Lucite
Handles and Lucite Horseshoe Zipper Pull

2011-03-03T03:32:00.000-08:00

What would Joan do?

No one knows better than Joan of Mad Men you have to build your wardrobe according to your shape and in Joan's case more is definitely better. Why stress over hiding your best features in the fashions of today when you can make the fashions that make the most of your curves?

Vintage 1967 Simplicity Pattern 7502 Dress
Size 24 1/2 B47 W41 1/2H50 1/2

Vintage 1968 Simplicity Pattern 7767 Jumper
and Blouse Size 22 1/2 B45 W39 H48

Vintage 1960s Newspaper Skirt Top Jacket
Pattern 9456 size 20 B40 W32 H42

This is just a small selection of what Born Too Late Vintage Patterns has to offer so make sure to stop by and see us some time!

2011-02-23T17:53:00.000-08:00

We're having a sale!

Visit BornTooLateVintage's Studio

SAVE 25.00 % On Items between: $75 and $250

Use Coupon Code:

05725CCEFD-036B1C0440

during checkout.

2011-02-22T01:33:00.000-08:00

Spring is on its way!

Punxsutawney Phil did NOT see his shadow and spring is on it's way! Here at Love Train Vintage we're celebrating an early spring by showcasing some fabulous green spring fashions but hurry because they won't last long!

Vintage 1970s Daniel Green Outdorables Three Color
Wedge Sandals Size 9N

Vintage 1940s Sage Green Linen Dress B32 W26 H36

Vintage 1960s Lime Green Bucket Hat

So keep your spring green and save the environment by wearing vintage clothing and accessories from Love Train Vintage!

2011-02-10T03:22:00.000-08:00

Valentine's Day is not just for the ladies!

Chocolates and roses as well as sultry lingerie come to mind when we hear Valentine's Day but let's not forget the men in our lives.

Why not surprise the man of your dreams with a coveted pair of cufflinks and tie bar or perhaps that vintage tie that he's been drooling over? Either way you can't go wrong when you shop at Love Train Vintage for Valentine's Day!

Vintage Faux MOP & Gold Tone Cufflinks and Tie Bar

Vintage Red Rockabilly Necktie

Vintage Sterling Silver Cufflinks with Pearls

Vintage Beau Brummell
Iridescent Paisley Green
Blue and Black Necktie

2011-01-02T06:53:00.000-08:00

Customize your wardrobe for that very special once a year event and beyond! Viva Las Vegas!

Viva Las Vegas is really not far away (April 21-24th 2011) so it's time to sew that custom made wardrobe so you look your very best! Born Too Late Vintage Patterns is THE place for all your patterns for Viva Las Vegas, Mad Men and everything else in between, behind or beyond.

Vintage 1950s Simplicity Junior Misses
Skirt & Cummerbund Pattern 1490 Size
waist 30 H39

Vintage 1950s Simplicity Dress Pattern
2461 Size 40 B42 W34 H44

Vintage 1950s Simplicity Teen-Age Pedal
Pusher and Shorts Pattern 2836 Size 12
W25 H33

Vintage 1950s Newspaper Pattern 9320 Dress
Size 18 B38 uncut in FF

Vintage 1950s Newspaper Pattern 3000 Skirt & Blouse
size 14 B32 W26 1/2 H35

Vintage 1950s Dress & Jacket Newspaper Pattern 3274
Size 20 1/2 B41 W35 H45

2010-12-30T05:47:00.001-08:00

But Baby It's Cold Outside!

The blizzard has come and gone but Love Train Vintage still has plenty of warm coats and hats ready for the next storm!

Vintage 1960s Aquascutum Mens Black Lambs Wool Coat Chest 44 W44 H46

Vintage 1970s Chic Jacket B32 W34 H38 and Vest B36 W38 H40

Vintage 1960s Harris Tweed Overcoat Chest 42 W46 H50

Vintage 1950s Black Velvet Jacket w Mink Collar B46 W46

Vintage 1960s Brown and White Tweed Full Length Coat w matching Scarf B34 W32 H42

2010-12-21T03:38:00.000-08:00

Need some New Years Eve Glitz and Glamour?

Going out New Years Eve and need to glam up that gown or cocktail dress? Accessories do really make or break a fabulous outfit! Whether it's sexy and sultry or modest and demure you'll find what you're looking for at Love Train Vintage!

Vintage 1980s La Regale Black Bead and Sequin Clutch Shoulder Purse Handbag

Vintage 1950s Nanette Originals Silver Stilettos size 7AAAA

Vintage 1900s John Wanamaker Ecru Beaded Purse

Vintage 1950s Di Orsini Black Stilettos size 8

2010-12-20T04:13:00.000-08:00

Decisions Decisions! Your purse style doesn’t have to be boring!

A purse is a very personal fashion choice. Over time every woman discovers their favorite style purse. Oh sure every so often they might try a different style trying to break out of their self imposed rut, but somehow, most women go back to their favorite style. And why not? You simply get your variety in the fabric and colors of your purses. Having a favorite isn't such a bad thing.

At Love Train Vintage we have a wide variety of vintage purses available for our purse loving customers.

Vintage 1970s Burnt Butterscotch Boho Quilted Tote

Vintage 1960s Black Hopsack and Patent Leather Purse

Vintage 1930s German Made Enamel Mesh Purse w Lining

Vintage 1900s John Wanamaker Ecru Beaded Purse w
original box and receipt

2010-12-18T05:24:00.000-08:00

Sultry and Sexy does not have to mean Immodest!

You see it everywhere. Young ladies flaunting everything they've got in gowns that perhaps take a yard to a yard and a half of material with necklines to the bottom of their cleavage or hemlines an inch below the good china (thank you Peach Carr!). So take it from Love Train Vintage there is nothing more sexy or sultry than leaving something to the imagination. With that in mind we have some fabulous vintage gowns that do just that. So for a change of pace this New Years Eve give sultry, sexy and modest a try. Leave a little to his imagination. Fitted and clingy can do much more than putting it all out there on a platter!

Vintage 1970s Saks 5th Avenue Cream Lace Mocha Lined Gown B34 W28 H38

Vintage 1980s Huey Waltzer Copper and Chocolate Column Gown B40-48
W34-44 H40-48

Vintage 1960s Blue & Silver Brocade Luxe Gown Dress B34 W32 H36

Vintage 1980s Gold Glimmer Sexy Top
and Skirt prom B42 W 42 H 56 Plus Size

2010-12-15T03:37:00.000-08:00

Let's get some shoes!
From Adam Ant's "Goody Two Shoes" to "These Boots Are Made for Walking" by Nancy Sinatra, you can never have too many shoes. We use shoes to lift our spirits, give us more height and dress up an old favorite outfit with a new twist! So what kind of shoes are your favorite? Love Train Vintage has oodles of shoes to choose from.

Vintage 1980s Helene Arpels Couture Purple Alligator
Skin Pumps Shoes Size 8.5

Vintage 1960s Inspirations Rust Suede Shoes
Pumps size 8

Vintage 1950s Nanette Originals Silver Stilettos
size 7AAAA

Vintage 1950s Di Orsini Black Stilettos size 8

2010-12-09T06:07:00.001-08:00

Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.....

For some, a quiet Christmas Eve or New Years Eve gives your relationship some special togetherness. Why not spend the evening at home with that special someone in front of a roaring fire, with the lights down low and some hand dipped chocolate strawberries, a bottle of champagne and of course comfortable and alluring in beautiful vintage attire?

Vintage 1960s Blue and Gold Paisley Hostess Gown B36 W38 H40

Vintage 1930s Cranberry Silk Satin and Velvet Robe B36 W28 H46

These and more await your perusal at Born Too Late Vintage

2010-12-08T03:10:00.000-08:00

We're offering free domestic shipping and 50% off international shipping on all orders $50 or more in all our affiliated stores! So why not check it out!

Love Train Vintage on Ruby Plaza

Born Too Late Vintage on Ecrater

Love Train Vintage on Etsy

Born Too Late Vintage Patterns on Ecrater

2010-12-02T03:30:00.000-08:00

Strategize! Accessorize! Turn the old into new!

In this season of making do with what you have sometimes an accessory is called for to make what is old new again. Whether it's a classic hat, cool bracelet, or cufflinks for your guy you can find it all at Love Train Vintage

Vintage 1960s Mr. John Classic Green Cloche Hat

Vintage Faux Ruby and Gold Tone Bracelet with Clasp

Vintage 1950s Mink Clip Hat

Vintage Sterling Silver Cufflinks with Pearls

Or if you're still looking for that fab evening dress or gown for that special holiday do make sure to check out Love Train Vintage

2010-11-30T04:23:00.000-08:00

Try to commit random acts of vintage fashion!

During the holidays it's always nice to commit random acts of kindness and what better way than buying a vintage fashion for that family member who's a discriminating fashionista? With a gift from Born Too Late Vintage you just can't go wrong!

Vintage 1970s Bloomingdales Purple
Linen Maxi Dress B34 W30 H34

Vintage 1970s Chic Jacket B32 W34 H38 Vest B36 W38 H40

Vintage 1980s A.J. Bari Black
and Blue Glitter Dress B34 W32 H38

2010-11-29T03:00:00.000-08:00

Basic Black and Crepe! Vintage Fashion at its Best!

Nothing is more fashion forward than crepe for the holidays. Whether it's classic black crepe, black and cream crepe or black crepe with shiny black satin you can't beat the sexiness and versatility of crepe.

Vintage 1960s Black Crepe Cut Out
Mini Dress XS B32 W28 H34

Vintage 1960s Leon Haskin of
Australia Black & Cream Cocktail
Dress B36 W32 H34

Vintage 1960s Elinor Gay Black Cocktail Dress B34
W26 H34

So make sure to check out Love Train Vintage for 20% off all items!

2010-11-28T02:50:00.000-08:00

It's Raining Men! Men's Vintage Clothing That Is!

Vintage clothing and accessories are not just for women! Men just look more suave and debonair when they're dressed in vintage attire. With the holidays coming up why not grab a piece of history for the man in your life and start him on the road to a quality wardrobe built on classic vintage attire? So check out Love Train Vintage for all your vintage attire!

Vintage 1960s London Fog Plaid Lined Coat 38 Regular

Vintage Faux MOP & Gold Tone Cufflinks and Tie Bar

Vintage 1950s Mens Rockabilly Argyle
Sweater Cardigan Chest 44 W36-40 H36-40

Vintage 1960s Mens Stingy Brim Fuzzy Wool Fedora Hat size 7 3/8

2010-11-13T03:00:00.000-08:00

Shoes glorious shoes!

There are times when your personal budget does not lend itself to buying a gown or dress for that special occasion, be it a wedding, dance or holiday party. So what better way to perk up an outfit you already own than with a pair of shoes from Love Train Vintage!

Vintage 1980s Red Velvet Stilettos with
Satin Bows size 8.5M

Vintage 1950s Di Orsini Black Stilettos size 8

Vintage 1950s Nanette Originals
Silver Stilettos size 7AAAA

2010-10-28T04:08:00.000-07:00

Make your own mix and match wardrobe! The sky's the limit!

One of my favorite type of patterns is the wardrober or mix and match separates. You can mix and match your fabrics and make an interexchangeable wardrobe with many options. Take just 3 pairs of shoes, a couple of belts, scarves and pins and have fun making up a multitude of outfits! To help you achieve this we've chosen several of our favorite patterns below.

Vintage 1966 Simplicity Coat Jacket Skirt
Blouse Pattern 6748 Size 20 1/2
B41 W35 H45 uncut in FF

Vintage 1970 Simplicity Pattern 9157 Dress
and Coat Size 18 B40 W31 H42

Vintage 1970 Simplicity Dress and Coat
Two Lengths Pattern 9122 Size 12
B34 W25 1/2 H36

So whatever look you crave you'll find the pattern for it at Born Too Late Vintage Patterns!

2010-10-19T05:34:00.000-07:00

Hats are the cherry on top!

Be it for fall, winter or a special holiday party nothing is more beautiful than a hat! It's like the cherry on top of an ice cream sundae! It finishes off your ensemble.

Vintage 1960s Tan and Light Brown
Felt Leaves Clip Hat w netting

Vintage 1960s Mocha Straw Mad Men
Concentric Circles Pillbox Hat

Vintage 1960s Womens Coralie Plush
Dark Brown Fedora Hat

Vintage 1950s Mr. K Originals Black Wool
Fedora w Iridescent Black Feathers

So check out Love Train Vintage for all your hat needs!

2010-10-11T05:13:00.000-07:00

Fabulous Brocade is just one choice for the holiday parties!

The holidays aren't far away and there will be oodles of celebrations not to mention corporate parties galore! Why not shop early and beat the rush? Buying a vintage gown means never having to duck out the back door when the boss' wife comes in wearing the same gown as you!

Vintage 1960s Blue Turquoise,
Gold and Silver Floral
Brocade Gown B30 W26 H34

Vintage 1960s Red Rose Brocade
Gown Dress B28 W22 H34 XS

Vintage 1960s Black and
Gold Brocade Modest
Mad Men Gown B38 W38 H42

For more fabulous holiday party dressing visit Born Too Late Vintage!

2010-09-27T03:32:00.000-07:00

Vintage Cardigan Sweaters for Every Taste

There is nothing nicer than a little cardigan for cool fall mornings~ we have a style for everyone, from classic white, stripes and even beautiful embroidered ones at Love Train Vintage!

Beautiful pink Helen Harper Cardigan
with DARLING embroidered butterflies

Timeless and beautiful to go anywhere!
Vintage 1960s Plush White Super Turbo
Orlon Cardigan Sweater B36

Beautiful Fall colors Benetton Mohair
Cardigan ~ classic stripes, 80s sweater

All these beautiful sweaters and more are available at
Love Train Vintage

2010-09-15T03:44:00.000-07:00

Open house at Dingman-Delaware Middle School

As usual with great trepidition I went to our local middle school's open house. I say with trepidition because I always worry about whether my girls will be a good fit with their teachers. Middle school (6th, 7th and 8th grade here) means just about a different teacher for each class. So instead of having one personality to work with there are anywhere from 5 to 7 different teachers, all with different styles.

Having two daughters in middle school also means that I had to pick and choose which teachers to go see as we had around 10 minutes in each classroom to meet the teachers.

When meeting my 6th grader's teachers what I found as a common thread was that the teachers really put an emphasis on respect for themselves and for the students. They also spoke of discipline and being prepared for class. I really felt that they wanted the best for my daughter and would give their all to give it to her. I left her classes feeling that she indeed would have a great year in 6th grade.

My oldest daughter is in 8th grade this year and taking all AP classes. She just made a very conscious decision to end her field hockey days as 3 games in one week (last week's schedule) was not helping her grades and she decided that those have to come first, a decision she made on her own and that was supported by DH and I wholeheartedly. I'm pleased that she was able to make this decision on her own by weighing the pros and cons. She has become quite the young lady over the past 3 years and is really becoming her own person and forming her own opinions.

Her teachers were a delight. They spoke of determination, hard work and again keeping on task and making sure that if there might be issues that the lines of communication are open. Even though I entered my daughter's algebra class wincing (algebra and I do not get along!), I left that classroom knowing that my daughter will be fine because her teacher will help her on her math journey.

My daughter is also taking French. This is her second year. What I did not realize is that her French classes are high school level. When she started talking about what language she wanted to take in 7th grade we talked about the merits of French over Spanish over German. I voiced my opinion that I thought Spanish was the way to go. She really wanted to take French so I decided to step back and let her loose. It was a great decision because she loves French and she's doing great. There are times when your kids actually know what's best for them.

I especially liked her social studies teacher. He asked us if the kids were coming home and talking to us about the discussions they were having in class. They are talking a lot about current events such as the mosque being built in New York City, the economy, etc. In discussing what is going on in the classroom with my daughter I am learning more and more about her and seeing how much she has actually listened to what I've said in the past and how it has shaped her opinions. Her social studies teacher has stated he does not voice his personal opinion in class. He encourages all the kids to voice their opinions in a polite way and to get them involved as they are going to become the leaders of tomorrow and they need to be informed.

So what started out in trepidition ended in respect and admiration for the teachers of the Dingman-Delaware Middle School. They are fighting the good fight helping to raise the next generation of movers and shakers. I look forward to working with them to make this the best school year ever for my girls.

2010-09-14T09:35:00.000-07:00

Is blue the new black?

Regardless of the era, blue or blue with background prints will always be a great alternative to severe black. They're classic without being staid, gloomy or severe. Here are just a few examples that are available to you from Love Train Vintage.

Vintage 1940s Lora Lenox Sculptured
Charm Navy Crepe and Satin Cocktail
Dress w Cummerbund Satin Belt
B32 W30 H36

Vintage 1940s Navy Blue
& White Polka Dot Rayon
Dress B36 W30 H40

Vintage 1960s NWT Tally-Ho
White, Blue & Black Floral
Print Dress B42 W36 H40

Vintage 1960s Mad Men Classic Navy Blue
Dress & Coat Ensemble B38 W34 H38

Vintage 1970s doing 1940s Novelty
Print Dress Petite B34 W30 H46

2010-09-11T06:40:00.000-07:00

My family will never forget

I remember the day as if it was yesterday. My mother-in-law called me and told me to turn on the tv. That was around 9:30. I worked at home at the time as a medical transcriptionist with my young daughters, age 4 and 3 playing in my office/playroom.

I went out to the living room and tried to turn on WABC. There was no signal. Little did I know that their transmission tower was gone. I changed channels and found out that the Trade Center towers in New York were gone.

All I could think of was where was my cousin Michael, who worked in the city. He works for a company that maintains elevator service. I prayed that he was not in the towers working that day.

I tried to get in touch with my husband at work in New Jersey but all the lines were busy. You could not even get a call through. A bit later I heard about the plane going into the Pentagon. I tried to call my grandmother because she lives not too far from Camp David and Washington, D.C. Again I could not get through on the phone. All the circuits were busy.

I tried to find my immediate family members to make sure they were all safe. No go. All circuits busy. I remember thinking that somehow I had to keep things calm and quiet for my girls.

An hour after my mother-in-law's call my husband came home from work. The owner of the company he was working for then let all the employees come home to be with their families. I remember getting the kids ready to go out. My husband and I bought bottled water, powdered milk, and stocked up on things that would allow us to feed our family for an extended period of time. We bought extra gasoline. My husband bought ammunition for his gun in case things got bad and he had to hunt to provide for us. We basically went directly into survival mode since we didn't know the full extent of what was going on.

Finally the next day we found out that my cousin Michael was safe at home having gotten out of the city late on 9/11. Only later did we find out he had spent a couple of weeks prior to 9/11 maintaining the elevators.

We also found out that my Uncle Robert had been scheduled to fly out on the ill fated flight that went down in Pennsylvania. He decided for some reason to change his flight and fly out the following day instead. We were very fortunate that he was not on that flight. I have no doubt that had he been on it, our family would have been brought to our knees. We had just lost my father the month before and I can only speak for myself when I say that if we had lost my Uncle Robert that day, I would have just completely lost it.

In the weeks following 9/11 we started doing things differently. We spent more time with our daughters. Each week I bought more canned goods and powdered milk and bottled water to have on hand. My husband all but became obsessed with following the news. Many tears were shed as he watched the footage. When he lived in Guttenberg, NJ he had trained as a volunteer firefighter with the men and women on the NYC fire department in one of the firehouses that were involved on 9/11.

We also found out that many local families were devastated on 9/11. Our community of Dingmans Ferry, PA has a large amount of mothers, fathers, and grandparents who work in the NYC. Our neighbors lost many family members on that day.

I talked to my mother who was still living at that time and I asked her if what we were experiencing was anything like what my parents experienced during the Cuban Missile Crisis. She said it was even worse than that because we had actually been attacked. During the Cuban Missile crisis there of course was no attack. She likened it more to the attack on Pearl Harbor, with the difference being that innocent everyday citizens were murdered. It wasn't an action just against our military. It was an attack on Americans from regular everyday walks of life. These were people who were living the American dream, earning a living for their families.

So today my mind is full of the remembrances of 9/11/2001. My heart aches for those who lost family, friends and acquaintances on that day. My heart aches for those first responders who died in the aftermath from breathing in all the toxic fumes, ash, etc. at the site of the catastrophe.

I will spend my day in quiet reflection and pray that my children will never again in their lives have to deal with something like this.

2010-09-07T06:14:00.001-07:00

So what does Little House on the Prairie have to do with 1920s-1930s music you might ask? Well I'm here to fill in the blanks for you.

My youngest daughter loves watching Little House on the Prairie reruns. Now my oldest daughter and I are really tired of this show. We both find it infinitely depressing. There are tragedies on this show more often than not and we are just about burned out from this.

However, that said, even Little House on the Prairie can get you thinking about seemingly unconnected things like 1920s 1930s music. DH and youngest daughter were watching Little House on The Prairie and DH spotted an actor whom he thought was Johnny Crawford, son of Lucas McCain on The Rifleman, a show my husband and I enjoyed when we were kids. The actor certainly had the look of Johnny Crawford so I hit the internet and googled Johnny Crawford.

Well DH was right again. He has the uncanny ability to pick out faces of actors and actresses even if they started out as child actors and spot them years later. So while I was reading about Johnny Crawford I found something out. Johnny Crawford lives in a past era! No it's not the era The Rifleman or Little House on the Prairie is set in. It's the 1920s-1930s!

Johnny Crawford Dance Orchestra has been around for 17 years according to Mr. Crawford's myspace page: http://www.myspace.com/johnnycrawfordorchestra

I thought you might enjoy listening to some cool 1920s-1930s music so get ready for a treat. Who knows what googling might bring us next!

2010-09-01T05:47:00.000-07:00

The Wedding Dress

They were just about done cleaning out the closets and the attic when they found it. It was made of white eyelet. The sleeves were long and puffed with a cuff that gathered the sleeve tight on the wrist and closed with snaps. It had a tie that was long enough to fasten at the waist in a bow in the back. The bottom was decorated with a ruffle of more eyelet fabric and the gown was fully lined. The neckline was squared out with eyelet bust gathers to softly enhance the bust line. They unfolded it and put it on their old maid aunt's dress form that had been used in their aunt's work area. The gown was as pristine as the day it was completed.

They wondered whose dress it was as it was obvious it had never been worn. They decided to try asking their mother, if they could track her down. She was always flitting here and there and was hard to pin down, but they needed to know whose gown it was before they decided what to do with it.
　
After several days of playing telephone tag with their mother, the girls, Maggie and Joan, finally were able to catch up with their mother. She finally called from Côte d'Azur, while in between parties. She told the girls she had but a few minutes before her special friend, Jon Luc, came to escort her to a ball they were attending.
　
Maggie and Joan quietly told their mother of the wedding gown fashioned out of white eyelet and asked her whose it was. There was a moment of silence on the other end of the phone and then a long drawn out sigh. Their mother, finally broke the silence and said in a soft, whispery voice they had never heard before, "It was your Aunt Beth's gown." The girls were stunned. Tough old Aunt Beth's gown? Aunt Beth, who in their eyes was the most independent woman they'd ever met? Aunt Beth, who never met a man she couldn't best?

The girls asked their mother who Aunt Beth was going to marry and why it didn't happen, but their mother said she had to go as Jon Luc had arrived. Their mother promised to call them the next day and said she would explain. But as always, their mother forget about Aunt Beth the moment her newest "special friend" arrived and didn't call the girls back and didn't return their calls.

Maggie and Joan were enterprising young women and they decided to see what they could find out on their own. They just had to know why Aunt Beth had not gotten married. Aunt Beth had always lived in the same town and was known as a bit of a firebrand when it came to female supremacy. The thought of Aunt Beth getting married just didn't fit Maggie and Joan's image of Aunt Beth. Still, if mother said it was Aunt Beth's wedding gown then there was an interesting story behind it.
　
The girls decided to search on the internet to see what they could find out. Fortunately for them they found articles about Aunt Beth from the times she had led protests for womens rights and the self righteous speeches she had made. There was noted a particular incident where Aunt Beth had smacked the mayor in the nose when he got too familiar with her. Aunt Beth had to be bailed out for that incident. There was a man by the name of Lawrence Beck named in the paper as her attorney of record. So with that tidbit of information Maggie and Joan decided to search for this Lawrence Beck and try to make sense of the mysterious wedding dress.

The girls went to the local legal aid office to see if anyone knew how to get in touch with Mr. Beck. They reasoned by the dates provided in the article that they found on the internet that Mr. Beck must be in his 70s by now. Imagine their surprise when the young man in the legal aid office not only knew Mr. Beck, but was his grandson, Lawrence Beck the first. L.B., as he was called, told Maggie and Joan they could get in touch with his grandfather at Shady Pines, the local nursing home. He recommended that they get there around 9 as that was when his grandfather was most alert. The girls decided to visit Mr. Beck the next day as it was already going on 4:30 that day and so they waited, wondering just what they would find out the next day.

The next day bright and early the girls made their way to Shady Pines. The nurse in charge told them not to excite Mr. Beck too much as he rarely had visitors except for his grandson, L.B. twice a week. So Maggie and Joan quietly made their way down the hall to Mr. Beck's room. When they arrived at his room they were surprised to see Mr. Beck sitting at a desk furiously writing a letter and muttering under his breath. The girls knocked on the door quietly and Mr. Beck looked up in astonishment! "Mauve and Beth? What brings you here?" Maggie and Joan just looked at each other. Mr. Beck had called them by their mother and aunt's names.

Mr. Beck struggled to stand. He realized after a moment that these girls were not Mauve and Beth. Was his mind playing tricks on him yet again? The girls tentatively identified themselves to Mr. Beck as Maggie and Joan Anderson, the daughters of Mauve and nieces of Beth Anderson. Mr. Beck said, "It's like traveling back in time to the 1960s! You have the look of your mother, Joan and Maggie is the spitting image of your Aunt Beth.

The girls just looked at each other dumbfounded. They just could not see the resemblance to their mother or aunt at all. Still, time has the tendency to change things and of course Mother had had all that plastic surgery so maybe they did resemble their mother and aunt.

In any case, Maggie and Joan asked Mr. Beck if they could sit down as they had some questions to ask about their Aunt Beth. Mr. Beck was gracious and said he'd be glad to answer any of their questions. Maggie decided to take the lead and talked to Mr. Beck about her Aunt Beth's sudden death and the discovery of her wedding dress. Mr. Beck sighed and said, "I heard of Beth's death but I just could not face attending the funeral. It was just beyond what my heart could take."

The girls looked at each other and again wondered if Mr. Beck's connection to Aunt Beth was more than client and attorney. Mr. Beck removed his glasses and started to clean them with his starched white handkerchief. He said, "You girls probably don't know this but Beth was engaged to my older brother, Frank. Frank started bringing her around when I was just 10 years of age. I fell for her hard like a ton of bricks and so did Frank."

"Beth and Frank dated for a few years and on Christmas Day in 1969 Frank proposed and Beth accepted." Maggie and Joan just stared at Mr. Beck, their mouths open in shock. Mr. Beck said, "Oh don't be looking like that. Beth wasn't always a firebrand. As a matter of fact, Beth knew all there was about making a man feel wanted, needed and loved." Maggie broke out of her shock first and asked, "Then why didn't they get married?"

Mr. Beck sat down and then with a long drawn out sigh he said, "Beth and Frank started planning their wedding right away. Beth found the perfect pattern for her wedding dress and bridesmaid dresses and started sewing. Then it happened. Frank got his draft notice and off he went to Fort Lee for training prior to being shipped to Vietnam."

"No one was more supportive of Frank than your aunt. She shipped packages to him and his buddies every chance she got and continued to work on her wedding gown and completed the bridesmaid gowns as well. I was old enough by then to escort your Aunt to church on Sunday and help out when she needed help with something. Before Frank shipped out he asked me to make sure and take care of Beth and I promised I would."

By now Maggie and Joan were afraid to find out what happened. Mr. Beck looked at them and said, "I wish I could tell you something different than what I'm going to say, but I can't. Best to just come out with it already. Frank got his papers to come back stateside. He was due to be home in just three weeks and told Beth to finalize the wedding plans with the church. Beth did just that."

"Frank was in touch and was set to arrive the very day of the wedding. He called Beth the morning of their wedding day and told her he'd be there waiting for her when she walked down the aisle."

"Well, several hours passed. Beth and her attendants were waiting in the powder room at the church. Time passed and still no Frank. After an hour had passed beyond their wedding service, Beth figured something had happened to delay Frank.

Just when she was getting ready to announce a delay, Jim Taylor, the local sheriff walked into the vestibule and asked Beth to sit down. He said, "I'm so sorry Beth. There was no way I could get Frank out. The taxi burst into flames and I couldn't get near it. Beth stood up and walked to the front of the church. She announced what had happened and that the wedding would not be taking place."

"Four days later Frank was laid to rest in the local cemetery. Beth gave their wedding bands and her veil to Mr. Eaton, the local undertaker to put into Frank's casket. She didn't shed one tear in front of anyone. She just stuck out her lower lip and dealt with it with more dignity than I've ever seen in my life."

"From that point on Beth was all about her business. She raised many a ruckus in the name of equality for women and went toe to toe with that ignoramus mayor. I bailed her out and continued to do so every time she was arrested. She continued to sew and became well known in the tri-state area for her trousseau collections. I continued to take care of her legal needs up to the day that she died. I had promised Frank I would take care of her and I did so in the only way she would let me."

Maggie and Joan were quiet. They thanked Mr. Beck for telling them about Aunt Beth and Frank. They both kissed him on the cheek and promised to visit again soon, however, that was not to be. That night Mr. Beck slipped away in his sleep, to join Frank and Beth.

Maggie and Joan decided it was only fitting to donate their aunt's wedding dress to the local museum along with her dressmaker's form for display purposes. They could think of no better way to pay their respects to their Aunt Beth.

2010-08-30T05:36:00.000-07:00

My girls just left the house for their first day of school. This year they are both in the same school, one in sixth grade and one in eighth grade. My oldest daughter is showing her sister the ropes. I didn't even have to ask her to do this. She just took it upon herself to grab her sister yesterday afternoon and help her pick out her first day of school outfit.

Next came the makeup session to enhance her sister's blue eyes., fair skin and curly hair. Of course my oldest daughter has her look down pat. My girls are completely different from each other. The one thing they have in common is they love school which I am forever grateful for.

Of course they have a great bunch of teachers to help them along the way and very involved parents which makes for an excellent team.

Today and every day I wish my girls a great school day and every day for all the years to come. Of course I keep thinking back to the days of their birth and can't imagine where the time has gone. It seems just yesterday I was up at 2 a.m. for feedings and tickling their little feet when dressing them.

And of course no more shocking an elderly man in Wal-Mart who overheard me telling my oldest daughter when she was 8 weeks old, "If you kick that shoe off one more time I'm going to staple it to your foot." The look of horror on his face was amazing. At that point I realized that I'd better stop being so anal about things. After all, when you have kids you sometimes just have to go with the flow because of course things change in a big way once there are kids in your life.

So my girls, enjoy your lives. Don't wish for tomorrow to come already for when you get older the time is just going to fly on by. Enjoy!

2010-08-19T03:00:00.000-07:00

Odette Barsa, the legend, the entrepreneur, the woman

Today we conclude our interview with Nadia Barsa Bardwil Gerrity in reference to her mother, Odette Barsa, the First Lady of Madison Avenue.

When I started to research the Odette Barsa label I found a change in the patent/copyright from Odette Barsa to FRESOEUR, INC. CORPORATION. When asked about this change Mrs. Gerrity stated, "Our mother started her business as "Odette Barsa and it was always this until she changed the name to" FRESOEUR" meaning brothers and sister years later in 1966. The reason she changed the name was to make sure that I was part of the business, "one sister and two brothers." Odette's sons, Gabriel and Albert, became involved in the day to day running of the business after World War II (both Gabriel and Albert were in the army during the war)and Nadia was involved in a financial manner. Albert was an engineer having graduated from Massachusetts Institute of Technology( MIT,) Magna Cum Laude, and Gabriel graduated Summa Cum Laude from Fordham University.

Odette Barsa in back row, and left to right: Gabriel, Nadia and Albert

Mrs. Gerrity said, "I worked there for two summers during the war, and got a kick out of watching her figure the cost of something in French figures ,because of course her education was in the French language in Cairo. It was so interesting to see how all the employees admired her and were devoted to her . It was like a family there."

Mrs. Gerrity provided us with many personal photographs and articles which were written about her parents and Odette herself. The volume of magazine spreads in Vogue, Harpers Bazaar, etc. is impressive. Odette Barsa's intimate apparel lines were carried by the finest stores including Bergdorf Goodman, Saks Fifth Avenue, Lord and Taylor and Bullocks to name just a few.

Advertisement from Harpers Bazaar

Cover of Harpers Bazaar April 1956

One of the articles I was provided mentioned that Mr. and Mrs. Barsa spent their summers in Mount Pocono, Pennsylvania, which is an hours drive from where I live. When asked why her parents chose the Poconos as their summer retreat, Mrs. Gerrity explained "My mother wanted to send the three of us to camp. My brothers went to camp in Vermont and my mother found Camp Tegawitha for me in Tobyhanna, PA, right near Mount Pocono. They came up every weekend to visit me. It wasn't far. They found out they had friends in the area and bought a house. Then they moved to a bigger house. Then dad built us a house next door to his and we lived there for a few years in the summer, after I was married and had children. That was our love affair with the Poconos. But as our seven kids got older it was too hard to leave once we moved to Rye with summer jobs and other summer activities. We loved our summers there. Mother and dad were so happy there . They had lots of friends and had loads of parties. It was such an exceptional time in our lives!. What a gift, to have the old and the children so happy together.!! My children will never forget those days!"

I asked Mrs. Gerrity to tell us about her mother in her own words. She said, "Mother was an incredible business lady. She was the designer, the promoter, and the best sales person because everyone who came into the showroom wanted to see her. She was such a great lady, and everyone knew it. In the eyes of my mother, the love for her family at home always came first, her children and her husband and how can we forget those grandchildren? She was such a loving and giving person. As hard as she and my father worked, they always knew their responsibility was to give to charity to help others in need . Their hands were always extended. Because of this, our mother will always be admired and respected in the business world and with her family and friends."

"After Mother died in 1975, my brothers stayed in business together and then decided to go their separate ways."

We will now close our blog with some beautiful examples of Odette Barsa's intimate apparel from the personal collection of Nadia Barsa Bardwil Gerrity. We would like to thank Mrs. Gerrity once again for sharing her family with us.

White lace robe

Turquoise Peignoir Set

Butterfly Robe

Odette Barsa with granddaughter, Betsy in 1973

2010-08-17T02:00:00.000-07:00

Odette Barsa: The legend, the entrepreneur, the woman

Amidst the ruins of the stock market crash of 1929, a young determined woman, mother of 3 children who had been brought up in a very sheltered family, rolled up her sleeves and started an intimate apparel business and what a business it became. This is the story of Odette Barsa, deemed "The First Lady of Madison Avenue: as quoted in "Intimate Apparel" magazine.

We’ve had the pleasure of speaking with Odette Barsa’s daughter, Nadia Barsa Bardwil Gerrity in reference to her mother and father. We would like to thank Mrs. Gerrity for sharing her parents with us.

Simon and Odette Barsa’s lives were very much the American dream. Both Simon and Odette were born in Damascus, Syria, the oldest city in the world and both Christians. Simon’s father was killed in Syria because of his religious beliefs. Simon’s mother decided to relocate to Lebanon and Simon, who was high school age at the time decided he wanted to come to the United States to make his way in the world.

Odette’s family also left Syria because they were Christian, however, they relocated to Egypt. Odette attended Sacred Heart Convent and there learned fine sewing and was taught in the French language. How Simon and Odette met is a real family affair.

Simon and his brother, Abdula worked for their uncle in his robe business. A few years later the brothers decided to go out on their own and started their business. The brothers named their business "A. Barsa and Brother." The brothers worked hard and did very well and made a great living with their business. They were living the American dream come true.

As Mrs. Gerrity recalls, "Our Uncle Abdula was married to a lovely lady he had met in Cairo. This was my Aunt Marie. He told my father "say, there‘s another one of these ladies over there." So my dad went over and met my mother, Aunt Marie‘s sister. Two brothers married two sisters."

Because of large donations my father and Uncle had made to Rome, the Pope wanted our parents to be married in Rome, but Dad wanted to be married here in the United States. Our parents were married at the Church of the Resurrection in Rye, NY in 1922. "Last year, one of my grandchildren was married there, which makes four generations of Barsa related family to be married there, most recently Jennifer Odette Lynch. Our mother and father had three children, two sons, Gabriel and Albert and then myself, Nadia."

From left to right back row: Uncle Abdulah, Aunt Marie, Odette and Marie's mother, Odette and Marie's brother and sister, Odette and Simon

front row left to right: Michael, Joseph, Violet and Mary Claire, children of Abdulah and Marie Barsa, and then Nadia, Albert and Gabriel, children of Odette and Simon Barsa

Odette and Simon Barsa at their 50th anniversary party

Mrs. Gerrity said, "Business was very good and our parents led the great life with an apartment on Riverside Drive (the place to be in those days before Park Ave was in style), a home in New Rochelle, were members of the Westchester Biltmore Country Club, had nurses, cooks, drivers, etc."

This all came to a very abrupt end with the stock market crash of 1929. As Mrs. Gerrity recalls, "Dad was heavy on margin. What was close to 2 million dollars turned into nothing just like that!! From what I understand from my brother, Gabe, who died last year, after the first blast the broker thought things were going to come back and dad put the business into harm and then lost that!! So there was the family with no money! My mother had to get rid of all nurses and cooks, etc. My mother said she took us to the park and did not have the money for a balloon."

"Our parents were tough. Our father took on partners and started his business up again with their money."

In 1931, Mr. Barsa's firm was experiencing difficulties during the depression. Odette Barsa felt that she should work and she wanted to design children's dresses. Her husband, however, suggested that she try the intimate apparel field, since it was very simple, with everything crepe or satin and just blue, pink or white. Of course anyone that knows Odette Barsa's work will smile at this, as her designs were numerous, made from a plethora of colors, fabrics, rich laces, and embroidery which was done in Madeira. Odette Barsa also introduced several new fabrics to her intimate apparel.

Mrs. Gerrity recalls, "Our sweet mother, the former princess, took one room at 16 East 34 Street, the same building that my father was in. Our Aunt Sophie became the salesperson, and our mother had one sewing machine operator. She started to design nightgowns and robes. She did not draw them. She made the patterns herself. She always tried them on. Mother always felt that this was the reason that she was so successful, because her things always fit. Every year she had to take more room, until finally she had the whole floor. By the late 1940s she was "The First Lady of Madison Avenue" as quoted in" Intimate Apparel" magazine."

Odette Barsa's creations were worn by Hollywood actresses such as Rita Hayworth and Italian actress and former model, Elsa Martinelli. Odette had a wonderful eye and when a shorter sleep gown was made in Paris, Odette translated this for the U.S. into a ballerina length which was the basis for the waltz length gown and robe set that became the industry mainstay.

Rita Hayworth in an Odette Barsa Robe

Life Magazine cover with Elsa Martinelli

Mrs. Gerrity stated, "Our mother introduced several fabrics to the public, one of which was washable velvet which was a huge hit!. Mother had all her embroidery done in Madeira. She purchased her lace from sales men who came into her office. It was probably from France or domestic. After silk fabric was dropped from the line the fabrics she used were made in this country. It was important to mother to have something that could be worn with elegance and washed as well."

The Washable Velvet Robe is introduced by Odette Barsa via a magazine advertisement

One wonders where Odette Barsa derived her ideas and styles for her intimate apparel . Mrs. Gerrity said, "Our mother designed new fashions three times a year. She made her own designs, and her own patterns, too, which made her so popular because everything fit. It was hard to come up with new designs that frequently. She often went to museums and looked at old costumes to get ideas. She named them too, for example, "The dream of Josephine."

The Dream of Josephine

This concludes the first part of our interview with Nadia Barsa Bardwil Gerrity. Please check back for our second and final installment of the Odette Barsa Story.

2010-07-18T09:12:00.000-07:00

"That price is just too high." "I can find a coat like that in a thrift shop for $5." "I'll find a dress like that myself and pay a lot less."

These are things I've heard over the years in conversations all over the internet about vintage clothing. I've heard the wails of people saying sellers are pricing things too high. I've heard people saying they can find the same things themselves for $5.

So here's my honest opinion about buying vintage clothing and pricing. Remember this is my opinion so it does not represent anyone's opinion but my own.

Vintage clothing is not my hobby. It is my business. Like any business I have bills I incur to promote my business. That eye candy website I have has a monthly fee. The auctions I list have fees regardless of whether the item sells or not. That advertising links I have are an expense as well.

I also pay fees to PayPal and Google checkout when I sell something. I have business cards, stationary, flyers, etc. They are necessary to my business and are also an expense. Let's not forget the shelf full of fashion books that I consult when looking at styles, eras and details to make sure I am dating these vintage items correctly.

And of course there's my internet connection for how else would I be able to draw on the expertise of the Vintage Fashion Guild members when I have a question that I can't answer after researching a dress for hours on my own.

How does that vintage dress you buy from me arrive at your door all nice, clean and ironed? Well, I clean that dress with specialized products that are friendly to vintage textiles. I iron or steam that dress and check it over with a fine tooth comb before it's packaged for shipment. Those specialized products, steamer and iron, the tools of the trade so to speak, are an expense as well.

But the biggest expense of all is hunting for that perfect vintage dress that someone is going to buy from me. It means spending time in places that might have one nice piece of vintage for sale even though you've traveled 50 miles to find it.

It means spending time with a family who is selling their loved one's home and they are selling vintage clothing that may or may not have been stored properly. It means listening to the clothing's past and where it was worn (which I absolutely love!).

It means bringing home things that you hand wash only to have them disintegrate in the wash bin in front of you because they were touched by cold water and very, very mild soap for the first time in 50 years.

Let's not forget setting up the display of the dress on a mannequin, half form or model. I also have to photograph the dress in just the right light so that all the wonderful features stand out (which requires a decent camera and lighting set-up to do).

Then after editing the pictures and sometimes having to take those pictures again, hoping for better more clear results, comes writing the auction itself trying to describe in words what you've just tried to capture in a few images. You also hope that whomever decides to buy your dress has actually read what you wrote including those oh so important measurements because vintage clothing does not fit like the clothing of today.

So when you are looking at my listings or the auctions of hundreds of other vintage clothing sellers and think in your head "that dress just costs too much", I hope you'll remember the time, skill and dedication it takes to bring a vintage dress to life in an auction listing. We are your personal shoppers. We use our skills to bring you the best the past has to offer. You're not just paying for that dress. You're paying for our expertise.

2010-06-28T03:00:00.000-07:00

All it wanted to do was go home. It was 63 years old and although it's owner had loved it for a long time, it was tired. Tired of sandy beaches and salt water taffy. Tired of being passed from sister to sister, niece to niece and granddaughter to granddaughter. Tired of being exposed to sun, summer after summer from Maine to Florida to California and all beach points in between.
It was finally donated when it's last owner just felt it had no use left it it and that's when I found it in my travels.

Checking out one of my favorite shops, I saw that this one was different. There was just something that caught my eye. As I picked it up off the rack and rifled to see the label I could tell that it was vintage. Then it happened. A treasure. A bona fide treasure in a place I shop often. I saw this:

I looked again, not believing what I was seeing. On the exterior I was cool as a cucumber and sauntered up to the checkout line. I paid for my purchase and made my way to the car. Once I got my treasure into the car I gave it a good going over. I'd seen a similar label a few years back.
I decided to head back home as nothing else I could find that day would compare in any way to my treasure.

Once home, I showed my treasure to my husband. He said, "You can't sell that on your venue. Why did you buy it?" I looked at him and smiling, said, "Because I'll never find another one like it." I took my treasure into my office and went right to the Vintage Fashion Guild label resource and looked under Jantzen. There were similar labels but none exactly like this one. The ones that were similar were from the 1940s. Surely there was no way I'd found a 1940s Jantzen bathing suit.

I searched on the Internet for the Jantzen website and much to my surprise found that they are celebrating their 100th anniversary this year. So I emailed the sales department and asked that my questions about the bathing suit be forwarded to their archivists.

On Monday morning I received an email from Jantzen letting me know that my treasure was produced in 1946 and called "Sun Soaker", made of gorgeous Lastex Velva-Lure. It retailed for $5.95. I showed the bathing suit to my 12-year-old daughter who loves vintage clothing, in particular vintage bathing suits, but alas, the suit would not fit her, so I had a decision to make.
Would I offer my treasure on another venue or keep it.

Later in the day I received another email from Jantzen offering to purchase the bathing suit. I decided it could have no better home than in the Jantzen archives. So today the Sun Soaker is finally going to make its way home where it will receive a well deserved rest. I am positive that this bathing suit was the favorite of many, many women. Here's hoping that Jantzen will come out with a retro line of these suits. I know at least 3 women in my household who would definitely buy the Sun Soaker.

I decided to re-run this blog from last year. It is one of my very favorite experiences in the hunt for vintage clothing and accessories.

2010-06-23T04:37:00.000-07:00

Every so often a memory of growing up activates in my brain and I start wondering about common place items we had in our home growing up. Casserole dishes came to mind which were made by the Everedy Company in Frederick, Maryland. My granddaddy, Paul, worked for the Everedy Company. I knew that they made casserole dishes and cake safes as I remember that my mom had those things but I had no idea how the Everedy Company started out.

From what I’ve been able to find the Everedy Company started out as the Everedy Bottle Capper Company in May of 1920. The factory made a range of metal items for the home including door hardware, gift merchandise, home bottling equipment and chrome cooking utensils.

During World War II the Everedy Company expanded into military contracts manufacturing anti-tank mines, grenade adapters, rocket parts and bomb parts.

I specifically remember my Mom’s cake safe which I now have and use on a regular basis. It’s made of stainless steel with a Bakelite handle. It still gleams brightly and you can truly say they don’t make them like that anymore. So when I happened upon another Everedy cake safe of course I had to buy it.

In researching the Everedy Company on the internet I came across a “tidbit set” for sale which is a small tray in the shape of a leaf used for displaying cheese, crackers, olives, or any other tidbit you might serve at a get together. I remember my Mom having a set of these as well. So now that tidbit set has been added to my Everedy collection.

I talked to my sister via email the other night and her memories were of rice pudding and scalloped potatoes being prepared in those casserole dishes. There was a greenish blue dish and a rose colored dish and both had a petal pattern on the base section of the dish. We believe they had glass lids as I did find a casserole dish on an auction site but it had a chrome lid and we neither of us remember chrome lids so my hunt for those casserole dishes will continue.

The one thing I really covet right now, though, is this stainless steel canister set by Everedy. Of course each time I find one of these my wallet is empty so I continue to watch and wait. Eventually a full wallet and the availability of one of these sets will coincide and I will acquire one.

I suppose you could say that I am a collector of sorts. However, that said, my collecting has a lot more to do with memories rather than seeking out items that are of great value. They are intrinsically valuable to me because they remind me of simpler days and times. We live in very complicated times and it’s nice to be able to time travel to a simpler gentler time every so often.

2010-06-20T04:45:00.000-07:00

It all started with a promise to love, honor and cherish each other and then becoming a parent came next, although there was quite a gap of time in between (Perhaps God was waiting for us to be mature enough to handle parenthood)!

Today is a big day in our household. It's Father's day and 13 years ago we had our first bundle of joy on Father's Day. I wonder where the time has gone. It has just seemed to fly by. Fifteen months later our second bundle of joy in the form of our second daughter came along.

Now having been married for 15 years before we had our first daughter, some of my friends were concerned that DH would not like being out of the spotlight. They could not have been more wrong. DH is the ultimate Dad. From the very first DH was wrapped around the girls fingers and that is still true today. I'm the disciplinarian in the house when it comes to making the girls tow the line and be responsible for their actions. DH is the one that they go to when they want a puppy, kitten or that pair of shoes they know I'll say no to because the heel is just too high.

DH is the one to take the girls out for a father daughter day to the movies and lunch afterwards. DH is the one that calls them at 8 o'clock every night (he works the night shift so I can work at home and be with the girls) to ask them about their day and to say goodnight. He's the one who makes me feel better when business is slow and I feel I'm not making a big enough financial contribution. He always tells me he wouldn't have it any other way (I retired from the phone company when our second daughter was born).

Dad is the one who is the "fun" parent while most of the time I'm the disciplinarian. Don't get me wrong, Dad is right there when things are going rough and supports me when I lay down the law, but if the girls want to enjoy something really silly Dad is their go to guy (as evidenced by DH doing his he-man I'm not cold shoveling the snow in my bathing suit pose below!)

DH is the one that I leaned on completely when within a two year span my parents both died. He provided never wavering support when things got really tough and has stood by me through thick and thin. I don't think that there is a husband or father who has been anymore solid than my DH and the girls father.

My girls are Daddy's girls. They share their hopes and dreams with him and he tells them the sky is the limit. They can do anything they want if they work hard.

The highest compliment I can pay DH is that he is just like my Dad who was always there for me through every trial and tribulation one faces in life. Dad has been gone 9 years now but all I have to do is turn around and look at DH to see the continuing legacy of what a great father is.

So Happy Father's Day to all Dads everywhere. I wish an especially happy Fathers Day to DH. This year our girls are both in middle school, our oldest in 8th grade and our youngest in 6th grade. Time flies so fast and high school is on the horizon. To our girls, this is only the beginning of your journey. May it be filled with love and friendship. It will always be filled with our love and support.

2010-06-14T06:16:00.000-07:00

I saw this video from our local newspaper online and just had to share it. The article is by Stephen Sacco of the Times Herald-Record. Enjoy!

Recently, Port Jervis shop owners Louise Gilkes and Joe Fouts celebrated 42 years together, both as husband and wife and as business partners. In the posh days of the New York City fashion world of the 60s and 70s, designer clothes created by Fouts-Gilkes were in the windows of Bloomingdales, on the pages of Vogue, and for sale in high-end Madison Avenue boutiques.

2010-06-04T03:00:00.000-07:00

Today I'm blogging about something I've been doing since I was 10 years old. Sewing is a wonderful way to let your creative genius thrive. It's a way to delve into colorways, styles and things that you just can't find in ready to wear.

In the vintage past women were wonderful seamstresses and created some of the most stunning ensembles known to man. My own mom and my dad's great cousin, Angie (seamstress extraordinaire for Bergdorf Goodman) created a stunning evening gown of American Beauty Rose fuchsia brocade. I vividly remember my mom wearing this with a white spiderweb stole (which I have in my possession never to be parted with) and my Dad in his then IBM standard black suit and white shirt with a conservative tie. I was 6 at the time and even though I'm 51 years old now the memory is still vivid.

Mom and Dad in the 1960s

I spent later years going through home economics class making what was a nautical print red, white and blue maxi dress with a side slit just past the knee on the side and a white pointy collar and white cuffs with round golden eagle buttons. I also made a red pants suit to wear for graduation night from Poway High School in 1977 as if to say "Look out world! Here I come!"

In the years after I've made everything from evening wear for company parties my husband, dresses to wear to family member's weddings and doll size clothing for my oldest daughter who weighed 4 pounds 12 ounces at birth. I've also made christening and communion outfits for both my daughters and matching leopard hats and coats out of polar fleece for them. Then of course there are the Halloween costumes over the years as well (a skunk costume, lady bug costumes and flower costumes come to mind).

So it makes perfect sense for me to have a vintage pattern store selling all types of vintage patterns as well as modern patterns on occasion.

I was fortunate enough to find a treasure trove of patterns from several seamstresses who made many beautiful outfits from the 1940s, 1950s, 1960s, 1970s and 1980s. We have children's patterns, men's and women's patterns.

We have many plus size patterns available. It's always a chore trying to find a vintage plus size dress in a color or print you like that will fit perfectly. So now for the discerning seamstress we have a wonderful choice of patterns from the 1940s on up. All our patterns are priced at $12 or lower regardless of size.

Well, almost all of them. There is one pattern in my store from the 1940s that is priced at $35. It's easily my very favorite pattern even though it's not in my size. For now I'm leaving it priced the way it is because I want the person who buys this pattern to want it and love it as much as I do.

Vintage 1940s Simplicity Bathing
Suit and Beach Coat Pattern 4624
Size 18 B36 W30 H39 FF

So remember when you are hunting for that perfect vintage pattern to set loose your creative energy to check out Born Too Late Vintage Patterns

2010-06-02T03:00:00.000-07:00

It was a Saturday night. My uncle and his girlfriend had come to our apartment to babysit me and my siblings. My Dad was dressed in his regulation IBM corporate wear (white shirt and black suit, remember it's the 1960s).

I was sitting in the living room playing with my sister. Then my mom appeared. I'll never forget the way she looked. She wore a white spiderweb crocheted shawl but what was under it was even more stunning! There she stood in a fitted brocade gown that hugged every curve. It was made from American Beauty rose fuchsia brocade and had a beautiful rose pattern woven in the fabric. It was like looking at a movie star. My parents kissed us all goodbye and headed out for the hospital auxiliary ball. I tucked that memory away, not forgotten, but put away to savor at a later date.

Mom and Dad in the 1960s

Years later after my folks passed away I was thinking about the impact they'd had on my life and the memory of that gown came back to me again. It's always been such a vivid memory for me. I finally put 2 and 2 together and realized just why I have always fallen for brocades of any color, weight and shimmer. I suppose you could say that the night of the hospital auxiliary ball was a decisive factor in what appeals to me in vintage clothing now. Other items may bring more financially but my heart will always yearn towards brocades.

2010-05-28T01:00:00.000-07:00

Although my family moved away from Cold Spring, New York in 1969, I still have fond memories of Cold Spring. In fact I still have family members that live in the area and I visit Cold Spring, Garrison and Nelsonville several times a year.

Always on our visits we drive down Main Street past the stores of my childhood such as Palen's drugstore where my father would send my sister and I for ice cream cones (back in the day when it was safe enough to let your kids walk there alone). Palen's had a soda fountain counter where you could get a Breyer's ice cream cone in a dozen different flavors. The drugstore is now a collectibles shop.

My daughters especially like the Bijou Galleries shop on Main Street which has $5 grab bags for sale. You never know what's going to be in those grab bags and my girls love them. When I was a kid it was the Bijou movie Theatre and I first saw Mary Poppins there with my family.

Bijou Galleries Ltd.

We also go down by the Cold Spring railroad station and I point out the "subway" which is actually a pedestrian underpass that runs under the tracks of the railroad. I have memories of being midway through that underpass when I heard the train coming. I ran as fast as I could to get up to the other side of the underpass and out the door, leaving behind my younger sister to experience being in the middle of the tunnel when a Penn Central train rumbled overhead.

Then it's down and around the overpass bridge to the other side of the railroad tracks, around the corner at Market Street past the 3 story apartment building we lived in on Market Street. We lived on the third floor. My Aunt Louise (my dad's sister) and her family lived on the second floor of that same apartment building and my Uncle Charlie (my dad's brother) and his family lived catty corner from us in a two family apartment.

Uncle Carl and Aunt Angie (Aunt Angie was really my grandfather's cousin!) lived across the street from Uncle Charlie. Once we make that circuit we head towards the band stand which is right down near the Hudson River.

My memories include going down to the shores of the Hudson River and collecting "devil heads" which are actually water chestnuts (trapa natans) even though my mom always told me to stay away from the river.

Devil Heads

One of my most favorite memories though was the year I turned 9. I marched in the Memorial Day parade with my girl scout troop. I woke up very, very early and excited beyond anything that had happened in my young life up to that moment. I was going to march in the Memorial Day Parade!!

I could barely sit still to eat breakfast. I got ready way before it was time to leave. We marched from lower Main Street in Cold Spring all the way up Main Street and ended at the Cold Spring Cemetery.

Now for anyone who knows Main Street in Cold Spring it's pretty much straight up hill at about a 45 degree angle.

Cold Spring Main Street

May at that time of year in the Hudson Valley can be pretty hot and humid. But I was determined to march that entire parade route. We waved as we passed by our family members, cousins and friends that day. We carried a wreath to the grave of the founder of our girl scout troop to honor her. At that time I was too young to fully understand what Memorial Day was all about.

Cold Spring Cemetery

After the parade my family and I drove down to my grandparent's home on Nelson Lane in Garrison. My grandparents had a small pool set up for all of the grandkids and sometimes Uncle Dom (my grandmother's brother) would come running out from the house in his flowered bathing suit and jump in the pool with us.

My mom and I in the pool

We'd have my mom's famous (at least in our family!) potato salad, other salads, burgers, hot dogs, and sometimes chicken cooked on a state of the art charcoal briquette grill. There would always be Rheingold beer and cold orange and grape sodas and Coca Cola. We'd run around my grandparent's yard the rest of the day and then barbecue some more around dinner time. The ride home to our apartment in Cold Spring was always a quiet one as my sister, brothers and I would fall asleep in the station wagon exhausted from our day in the sun.

My siblings and some of my cousins

We moved away from Cold Spring when I was 10 years old but I'll always remember Cold Spring, New York, a wonderful place to be a kid in the mid 1960s.

The day we left Cold Spring

2010-05-01T04:53:00.000-07:00

What do you do if you're a plus size gal and know what you want in a dress, suit or maxi dress but just can't find it?

You buy a pattern, pick out some fabulous fabric and notions and make what you want.

Now you say finding plus size vintage patterns is frustrating and time consuming. Well it doesn't have to be.

Born Too Late Vintage Patterns specializes in plus size patterns. Currently our stock includes plus size patterns from the 1940s all the way up to the 1990s. All our patterns are counted and complete including the instructions.

We also stock vintage patterns for children, men and additional womens sizes so when you get the urge to be creative come check out the variety of vintage patterns at Born Too Late Vintage Patterns!

2010-04-21T10:18:00.000-07:00

If you're looking for a bargain come check out Born Too Late Vintage!

Pick out your item(s) and make me an offer. You just never know what I'll do!

So what are you waiting for? Let's go shopping!!

2010-04-16T09:41:00.000-07:00

I've never been one to jump down the throat of a seller when an item has not arrived in a timely fashion. Sometimes real life interferes such as the sudden death of a loved one, a traffic accident, a snow storm, etc. Normally a couple days after I haven't received my item I'll send a politely worded email to see what's happening.

I received such an email from a wonderful customer of mine in Canada. Three weeks after I shipped out her item international priority mail (not in a flat rate box) she had still not received her item. Now this disturbed me greatly as I had upgraded the shipping on my dime to international priority mail to the tune of $19. I assured her I would investigate and get back to her that day. I first tracked the package on the post office website. It only showed that I had printed a shipping label on 2/19/10.

So I drove down to my local post office and spoke one of my favorite postal clerks. He tried to track my package but got the same information that I already had.

Stumped, I went home, got back on the post office website and emailed asking for an update on my package. Two days later I received an update that my package was in customs in New York. The following day the package had been shipped on its way to Canada. Two days after that the package was in my customer's town and the following day I was advised via email that the package had been delivered.

So tell me this. Why is it that from February 19, 2010, the date I printed the postage and mailed the package to March 13, 2010 when the package was scanned in customs there were no internal scans on this package. Normally when I send a package international priority mail the package goes to the Lehigh Valley, PA post office facility and then it goes to either the New York international facility or the Secaucus, NJ facility and is scanned in the day it arrives there.

I took my information back to the post office again to one of my favorite clerks who informed me that it looked like customs had had my package for 3 weeks. I felt that was not a satisfactory answer so I filed a claim for a refund of my $19.

I waited patiently for the postal supervisor to make a decision. A week went by and still no decision. So I went to the front counter at the post office and asked when they were going to make a decision. My favorite clerk told me to give the supervisor another day or two as she had been very busy. So I waited. Two days passed and I decided I had waited long enough. I didn't go to the post office this time as I was not very happy and did not want a face to face confrontation. So I called and spoke to the supervisor. I was told that my request for a refund was denied and that the package had sat in customs for 3 weeks. I was told that the post office had no control over what customs does or how long they hold a package.

Still not satisfied, I filed for a refund on the post office website. Three weeks went by (the site says someone will email you back within 2 business days).

Well I decided to call today to find out what the post office had decided to do. Their decision was no decision. Since the local post office denied the claim the people who respond to claims on the website did nothing including not responding within the appropriate time.

So there you have it folks. Another example of a formerly great service deciding not to be accountable. As there are no internal scans on file for my package I have to presume that my package sat in a postal warehouse for 3 weeks before the post office deigned to look for said package when I sent in my email request for them to look for it.

Thank goodness my customer was a peach and gave me glowing feedback even though it took a month for her item to arrive.

My suggestion for anyone sending out packages is to request an update on the status of your packages via the USPS website. That seems to have finally gotten my package going in the right direction. I can only guess where that package would be had I not done that.

However, that said, the post office sure does know how to make a great commercial!

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2010-04-07T05:01:00.000-07:00

Spring has sprung and it's time to brighten up your wardrobe. What's that? Short on cash but have loads of fabric laying around? Then get over to Born Too Late Vintage Patterns and grab some great vintage patterns.

While we have all different sizes of patterns, we specialize in plus size patterns. So come see what's new in vintage patterns at Born Too Late Vintage Patterns!

2010-03-23T04:05:00.001-07:00

Marked down from $125 to $95 for this Vintage 1950s VLV Good Girl Sun Dress & Matching Sweater B36 W28 H42

If you're going to Viva Las Vegas you have to have this Vintage 1950s VLV Good Girl Matching Sun Dress and Sweater!

The dress is a sun dress made of cotton fabric. The skirt portion of the dress has a 12 inche metal zipper. The dress has a floral pattern and the colorway includes light blue, pink, gray, white and green.

The sweater is made of pink orlon and the collar and cuffs are made of the same fabric as the dress. The dress and sweater are both unlined. The dress is displayed with a semi-full CRINOLINE WHICH IS NOT INCLUDED.

The dress can be worn with or without a crinoline depending on what you prefer.

There's a great pair of blue stilettos that would look perfect with this outfit in my store as well!

The condition of the dress and matching sweater is excellent. There is some paint loss on the belt buckle and belt holes, however, this does not detract fromt he dress and sweater set at all. Please see the VFG condition hart for comparison.

Measurements are:

Dress:

Bust: 36 inches

Waist: 28 inches

Hips: 42+ inches

Shoulder side to side: 14 inches

Length shoulder to waist: 18 inches

Length waist to hem: 31 inches

Length shoulder to hem: 49 inches

Sweater:

Bust: 38 inches

Waist: 30 inches

Shoulder side to side: 16 inhes

Length shoulder to waist: 20 inches

Sleeves shoulder to hem: 12 inches

If this outfit doesn't float your boat there are plenty of others that will! So what are you waiting for? Let's go shopping!

2010-03-20T07:13:00.000-07:00

We're blowing out all our coats at Born Too Late Vintage!

Prices for mens and womens coats range from $10 to $50 and include dress coats, leather coats, lightweight jackets and suede coats.

So what are you waiting for? Let's go shopping!

2010-03-05T03:28:00.000-08:00

Oh how the mighty have fallen. How have I come to this? Hanging on a rack in the local second hand store with a graduation gown, a ballerina tutu, an old baseball uniform and a pair of lederhosen!

Back in the day I was a star, a designer gown, sparkling on the rack just waiting for the discerning lady with very, very deep pockets.

I remember that day so well. The ambiance of The Green Room at Saks Fifth Avenue. The dignified ladies perusing the designer ware, looking for that perfect gown for that very special event. I proudly carried the label of Mollie Parnis. I saw her from across the room. She was tall and model slender. She wasn't a sweet young thing but as close to it as you can get to it at the age of 30. Her figure was to die for and toned within an inch of her life, although she was the mother of two very active children. She glanced my way and made a beeline towards me.

Seconds later she was in the dressing room oohing and ahhing over the cut of me and the sparkle of my green and silver lame' fabric. Her husband had just made partner in the law firm, a long vied for position he had slaved for and they had reason to celebrate. The firm was having their Christmas party at the Rainbow Room and she wanted to put her best foot forward. With a designer gown from Mollie Parnis, designer of the first ladies, you just could not go wrong.

Luckily for her I needed no alterations and I was carefully packed in tissue paper and off I went to her Scarsdale home. I was given the place of honor in her already crowded closet, with all her fashion finds from Loehmann's. But this time she'd not picked up a discounted designer item. She had purchased me in The Green Room at Saks!

Although she splurged and bought me there, her common sense still ruled her and she paired me with a pair of silver stilettos that were her favorites and well broken in. A silver clutch purse already in her closet was added and to finish her look off, she added a pair of art deco teardrop green glass earrings she had found in a quaint little shop in Greenwich Village. She was ready for The Rainbow Room and just could not wait.

Flash forward 49 years later. Here I am hanging on this rack in a second hand store. Save me! Doesn't anyone hear me!! I don't belong here! I'm a star!

Suddenly I began having this old but familiar feeling. Someone is looking at me from afar. An overweight rather frumpy looking woman was making her way towards me. Goodness she's not going to fit into me. What is she thinking?? She's picking me up and the look in her eyes is the same as my original owner. She strokes my fabric and she has gentle hands. She flips me inside out and finds my label. I see her smile light up her entire face. Why she's not frumpy! She's just hiding her light under a bushel. Grinning widely and very self satisfied we make our way to the checkout line. The cashier shoves me inside a used plastic Wal-Mart bag (the peasant!) and off we go. I don't remember the rest of the trip to her home as I fell asleep from the suffocating plastic smell of the bag.

I awoke abruptly as I felt myself being slipped over a mannequin. Then hot lights were turned on me and she started taking photographs. She moved the mannequin this way and snapped away taking pictures of my construction, fabric and my label. I knew then that I was being handled by a pro. This frumpy overweight woman with the twinkle in her eyes was a vintage clothing entrepreneur. She was just the person to find me a new home where I would be cherished. At last I would be happy again, not relegated to the second hand rack!

2010-02-21T05:33:00.000-08:00

We're blowing out all our mens coats and womens coats at Born Too Late Vintage .

So what are you waiting for? Pick up a bargain on us!

2010-02-08T03:42:00.000-08:00

Coat season is just about over so we're having a blow out sale at Born Too Late Vintage!

Mens dress coats, leather jackets and womens coats of every shape and size are now on sale!

So what are you waiting for? Let's go shopping!

2010-01-21T10:53:00.000-08:00

Working steadily she had managed to clear 4 closets of their assorted junk. She had piles of report cards, band concert flyers and assorted birthday and anniversary cards her parents had saved over the years. The clothing had been dispatched to a large contractors garbage bag and was in the back of her car ready to be donated.

She just had one more closet to check out and then she could make her trip to the clothing bins and get rid of 50 years of stuff that neither she or her siblings wanted or needed. They all knew that this day would come and had dreaded it for their parents had been proverbial packrats, saving everything and anything, afraid to part with memories from the past. She just didn't understand the point in saving all this "stuff." Better to donate it and be done with it.

She decided to gear herself up with a cup of strong black coffee and sneak a cigarette. Memories of puffing away in front of her mother who was horrified by this first sign of rebellion spread through her brain. She'd been an obedient child and teenager, a wind-up child, who was wound up every morning and performed as expected.

Then she started college and picked up smoking, more for effect and to piss off her mother, trying to shake up the calm her mother always projected. When low on funds from her part time job she strategically placed an ad from the local paper advertising payment for blood donations and the next day found a 20 dollar bill in her wallet. She knew her mom had placed it there, not wanting her daughter to sell her blood for cash.

Coffee and smoke break over, she sighed and attacked that last closet. This had always been the forbidden closet, the one her mother kept under lock and key. She never understood what could have been so important that it had to be locked away, but knowing her mom for the mundane slightly overweight woman she was, it never crossed her mind to jimmy the lock and check things out.

She found the key for the closet in her mother's jewelry box, buried deep beneath her mother's costume jewelry. She inserted the key in the closet and opened the door. Inside she found garment bags filled with clothing that would have made Twiggy ooh and ahh with delight. Paisleys, brocades, silks, chiffons and crepes from the 1960s cut expertly to show off a beautiful young figure.

But of all the beautiful dresses contained in her mother's secret closet, she could not help but fall in love with the most stark of all. It was a 1960s Leon Haskin cream and black crepe cocktail dress. It was a simply cut cocktail dress, but oh the gorgeous shirred cream crepe at the bodice shoulder and lower dress was just delicious. Carefully she slipped the dress on for she had managed to keep her figure while her mother had not. The dress fit like a second skin and made the most of her curves. She wondered how her mother had found this fabulous dress and what occasion she had worn it for.

Unfortunately when she had asked her mother about her life before her marriage to her father, her mother had never offered more than a perfunctory "well now that's not important and what's important is the future."

So she never knew that her mother modeled for her living in Melbourne and had been the toast of the town for several years running. It was on a fashion shoot that her mother had met her father, a gofer for the fashion photographer handling the shoot. Their passion had ignited after just hours and in a matter of days they were wed. She left Melbourne for the simple life in Des Moines, Iowa where her husband went back to work at the family business making pork rinds after his photography career fizzled.

"Oh well", she thought, "Time to get down to business. I'll just keep this one dress since it would be a sin to waste it and donate the rest." And so the paisleys, brocades, chiffons and crepes went into the contractor garbage bag ready to be sent to the nearest thrift store.

2010-01-03T04:42:00.000-08:00

We're blowing out all our coats at Love Train Vintage!

So what are you waiting for?

Let's go shopping!

2009-12-29T14:09:00.001-08:00

Every so often we all need to make some changes in our life. We need to get shaken out of our complacency and do something a little different.

Selling vintage clothing and accessories is no different. When you see that the same old same old isn't working you have to make some changes.

For this reason we've closed Born Too Late Vintage on Ruby Lane. We still love our Ruby Lane customers but we need to make a change.

So if you're looking for great vintage clothing and accessories please check out our new location named Love Train Vintage on Etsy.

Same management but with a different attitude!

So when you have to get your groove on check out

2009-11-07T05:29:00.000-08:00

In today's economy many of us are really having to look at our budget more closely than ever when deciding on holiday gifts for our friends and families. With that in mind, sellers on Ruby Lane like myself are looking at items to list for our customers that will give them a quality gift without breaking the bank.

That doesn't mean we won't continue to stock the best in collectibles, vintage clothing and accessories, etc. It just means that a lot of us will be looking for ways to help our customers keep their budgets balanced while being able to provide a thoughtful gift to people they care about.

This means in my shop for example, I'll be listing more items like neckties, scarves, cufflinks, necklaces, bracelets and earrings which are normally the companion items to my my larger inventory of vintage clothing, shoes, hats and purses. Perhaps a customer's budget won't stretch to purchasing a larger ticket item, but an accent jewelry piece, scarf or necktie is within their budget.

We can all look at this as an opportunity to help our business grow by reaching out to new customers while also building goodwill in a time when it will definitely will be appreciated. Free, combined or discounted shipping can also make a difference for some of our customers. This is something else that is much appreciated as well.

Here are just a few examples of items on Ruby Lane now that would certainly fit the bill and all $25 or under!

from Alley Cats Vintage

Sweet Vintage 1950s Black Velvet
Rhinestone Beret Style Cocktail Hat

from Born Too Late Vintage

Vintage Squire Gold Tone Metal and
Faux Mother of Pearl Cufflinks & Tie Bar

from A & J Esoterica

Vintage Stetson Sovereign Brown Plush
Felt Snap-Brim Fedora, 7 1/4

from Catseye Vintage Estate Collection

Vintage 40s 50s Atomic Rhinestone
Layered Starburst Silver Tone Brooch Pin

from Vintage Pretties Lingerie

Red ~ Sexy Satin Lace up
Babydoll Nightgown Chemise ~ 2X

from Aaralyn's Velvet Dragonfly

Vintage Square Black & Silver
Siam Dancer Earrings

So just remember for your holiday gift giving, it's the thought that counts!

2009-11-04T06:12:00.000-08:00

Holiday parties are coming up and what better way to dress up than with something beautiful from Born Too Late Vintage?

Vintage 1940s Black Corde' Elaborate Shell Stitch Hat

Vintage 1980s A.J. Bari Black & Blue Glitter Dress B34 W32 H38

Vintage 1940s Florsheim Black Suede Cuban Heel Oxfords Shoes size 9 1/2 AAA

Vintage 1930s Cranberry Silk Satin and Velvet Robe B36 W28 H46

Vintage 1950s Black Velvet Jacket with Mink Collar B46 W46

So what are you waiting for? Let's go shopping!

2009-10-26T09:00:00.000-07:00

Deal of the Day from Born Too Late Vintage for our lovely lady customers!

Vintage 1950s Navy Blue Straw Platter Hat with Clip Underside
We also have Free shipping in the U.S.!

2009-10-25T09:00:00.000-07:00

Deal of the Day from Born Too Late Vintage for our curvy lady customers!

Vintage 1950s VLV Creamy Ecru Brocade Dress B38 W32 H48

We also have Free shipping in the U.S.!

2009-10-24T09:00:00.000-07:00

Deal of the Day from Born Too Late Vintage for our curvy lady customers!

Vintage 1970s Count Romi Trench Coat w Notched Fur Collar B42 W42 H46 Plus Size

We also have Free shipping in the U.S.!

2009-10-23T09:00:00.000-07:00

Deal of the Day from Born Too Late Vintage for our ladies who love Christmas Sweaters!

Vintage 1970s Red Christmas Novelty Sweater B50 W50 H50

We also have Free shipping in the U.S.!

2009-10-22T05:30:00.000-07:00

Deal of the Day from Born Too Late Vintage for our gentlemen customers!

Vintage 1970s James and James
Ltd. Mens Bespoke Gray Wool
Dress Coat Chest 43 W43 H46

We also have Free Shipping to the U.S.!

2009-10-21T03:20:00.000-07:00

Deal of the Day from Born Too Late Vintage for our curvy customers!

Vintage 1980s Black Ribbon, Lace and Sequin
Flapper Style Dress with Dropped Waist
B40 W42 H52 Size 22

We also have Free Shipping to the U.S.!

2009-10-20T04:49:00.000-07:00

Deal of the Day at Born Too Late Vintage

Vintage 1950s Powder Blue Stiletto Pumps Shoes size 8 1/2

$50 with free shipping in the U.S.!!

2009-10-19T04:25:00.000-07:00

Oh how the mighty have fallen. How have I come to this? Hanging on a Halloween rack with a graduation gown, a ballerina tutu, an old baseball uniform and a pair of lederhosen!

Back in the day I was a star, a designer gown, sparkling on the rack just waiting for the discerning lady with very, very deep pockets.

I remember that day so well. The ambiance of The Green Room at Saks Fifth Avenue. The dignified ladies perusing the designer ware, looking for that perfect gown for that very special event. I saw her from across the room. She was tall and model slender. She wasn't a sweet young thing but as close to it as you can get to it at the age of 30. Her figure was to die for and toned within an inch of her life, although she was the mother of two very active children. She glanced my way and made a beeline towards me.

Seconds later she was in the dressing room oohing and ahhing over the cut of me and the sparkle of my green and silver lame' fabric. Her husband had just made partner in the law firm, a long vied for position he had slaved for and they had reason to celebrate. The firm was having their Christmas party at the Rainbow Room and she wanted to put her best foot forward. With a designer gown from Mollie Parnis, designer of the first ladies, you just could not go wrong.

Luckily for her I needed no alterations and I was carefully packed in tissue paper and off I went to her Scarsdale home. I was given the place of honor in her already crowded closet, with all her fashion finds from Loehmann's. But this time she'd not picked up a discounted designer item. She had purchased me in The Green Room at Saks!

Although she splurged and bought me there, her common sense still ruled her and she paired me with a pair of silver stilletos that were her favorites and well broken in. A silver clutch purse already in her closet was added and to finish her look off, she added a pair of art deco teardrop green glass earrings she had found in a quaint little shop in Greenwich Village. She was ready for The Rainbow Room and just could not wait.

Flash forward 49 years later. Here I am hanging on this costume rack. Save me! Doesn't anyone hear me!! I don't belong here! I'm a star! Suddenly I began having this old but familiar feeling. Someone is looking at me from afar. An overweight rather frumpy looking woman is making her way towards me. Goodness she's not going to fit into me. What is she thinking?? She's picking me up and the look in her eyes is the same as my original owner. She strokes my fabric and she has gentle hands. She flips me inside out and finds my label. I see her smile light up her entire face. Why she's not frumpy! She's just hiding her light under a bushel.

Grinning widely and very self satisfied, we make our way to the checkout line. The cashier shoves me inside a used plastic Walmart bag (the peasant!) and off we go. I don't remember the rest of the trip to her home as I fell asleep from the suffocating plastic smell of the bag.

I awoke abruptly as I felt myself being slipped over a mannequin. Then hot lights were turned on me and she started taking photographs. She moved the mannequin this way and snapped away taking pictures of my construction, fabric and my label. I knew then that I was being handled by a pro. This frumpy overweight woman with the twinkle in her eyes was a vintage clothing entrepreneur. She was just the person to find me a new home where I would be cherished. At last I would be happy again, not relegated to the Halloween rack!

2009-10-18T14:02:00.000-07:00

Free shipping in the U.S. at Born Too Late Vintage

So what are you waiting for?? Let's go shopping!!

2009-10-14T04:12:00.000-07:00

Need a pick me up? Want to brighten up that fall wardrobe? Then do it with a pair of fab shoes from Born Too Late Vintage

Vintage 1940s Sexy Lipstick Red
Baby Doll Platform Shoes size 7 1/2

Vintage 1940s Florsheim Black Suede Cuban Heel
Oxfords Shoes size 9 1/2 AAA

Vintage 1980s Helene Arpels Couture Purple
Alligator Skin Pumps Shoes Size 8 1/2

Vintage 1970s Hush Puppies White Perforated
Swing Style Shoes Size 8 M

Vintage 1960s Inspirations Rust Suede Pump Shoes size 8

So what are you waiting for? Let's go shopping!!

2009-10-09T04:21:00.000-07:00

Buy any two items and get free U.S. shipping (no items excluded!).

So what are you waiting for?? Let's go shopping!!

2009-10-07T07:09:00.000-07:00

From the 1920s to the 1980s there is something for everyone at Born Too Late Vintage!

Vintage 1980s Form Fitting
Brown Leather Suit B36 W27 H36

Vintage 1970s B. Altman Cherry Blossom
Floral Print Maxi Dress and Matching Jacket
B34 W32 H40

Vintage 1960s Elinor Gay Black
Cocktail Dress B34 W26 H34

1970s Castleberry Red Knit
Suit B36 W32-36 H38

Vintage 1950s Mr. K Originals Black
Wool Fedora with Iridescent Black Feathers

So what are you waiting for? Let's Go Shopping!!

2009-09-30T04:13:00.000-07:00

Variety is the spice of life and we have plenty of that at Born Too Late Vintage

Vintage 1960s Brown and White Tweed Full Length Coat with Matching Scarf B34 W32 H42

Vintage 1950s VLV Creamy Ecru Brocade Dress B38 W32 H48 Plus

Vintage 1960s Vanity Fair Light Blue Nylon Full Slip B34 W30 H34

Vintage 1970s Sears Roebucks Denim & Shearling Work Jacket Coat Size 38 R

Vintage 1940s Florsheim Black Suede Cuban Heel Oxfords Shoes size 9 1/2 AAA

Remember Free shipping on all coats! So what are you waiting for? Let's go shopping!!

2009-09-27T08:02:00.001-07:00

Free U.S. shipping on all coats at Born Too Late Vintage!!

So what are you waiting for?? Let's go shopping!!!

2009-09-25T05:50:00.000-07:00

What in the world is Gordana Gehlhausen doing on Project Runway? What I'm saying is why is she wasting her talents there? I've watched 6 weeks of projects and watched her alternately basically being told to leave the runway as her design was "good enough" to watching her take it on the chin because she's made her fashion too wearable (newspaper outfit). It appears that "make it work" does not count except in Tim Gunn's book. Gordana has made it work on every challenge.

Last night's show just put me over the top. Yes, Gordana's flapper outfit was par for the course for that historical period, however, her execution of that flapper dress was just stunning. She hit the genre of period piece for that time period right on the head in my opinion. She is an extremely talented designer/tailor. Her outfits always come out looking completely and beautifullly finished right down to every seam, bead, macrame section, etc. What she sends down the runway is always wearable. There is such beauty in her execution on all these challenges and yet the judges don't seem to be able to give her credit for that.

I did some reading up on Gordana and her favorite designer is John Galliano. John Galliano! I would never have guessed that Gordana would have chosen him. I've written about John Galliano before (see this blog:

http://alwaysplayingdressup.blogspot.com/2008_06_22_archive.html ).

I have to say when I see John Galliano's designs on the runway the phrase "hot mess" comes to my mind immediately.

I fear that soon the axe is going to fall on Gordana simply because the judges deem her work too "wearable" and not enough of the fantasy pieces that her favorite designer, John Galliano, spins out for the runway.

Ultimately I have to say that I'd much rather have Gordana designing wearable fashion for the masses than cranking out the stuff John Galliano spins for his runway shows. Surely there is room for both the functional and the fantasy on the runway. Are you listening judges?

2009-09-23T03:19:00.000-07:00

2009-09-20T08:31:00.000-07:00

It's fall and time for Born Too Late Vintage's purse blowout sale!

Vintage 1970s Black Purse w Clasp $12

Vintage 1960s Pink Faux Leather Clutch Purse with Fold A Way Handle $15

Vintage 1960s Gold Harry Levine Clutch Purse Handbag $14

Vintage 1960s Bamboo and Raffia Purse by Ritter $12

Vintage 1980s Whiting and Davis Black Mesh Purse Handbag $12

Vintage 1960s La Regale White Wicker Purse Handbag NWT $15

Vintage 1950s Black Patent Leather Purse $36

Vintage 1980s Cordovan Snakeskin Clutch Shoulder Purse Handbag
$15

Vintage 1960s Lumured White Half Bead Purse $15

Vintage 1960s Brown Granny Purse $12

Vintage 1960s Gold Purse with matching wallet
$12

Vintage 1950s Black Leather Envelope Purse with Handle and change purse $10

Vintage 1960s Ingber Gold Fold Over Clutch Purse with chain $18

Vintage 1960s Harry Levine Navy Blue Patent Leather Clutch Purse $20>

Vintage 1960s Creamy Ecru Beaded Purse with Kiss Clasp $10

Vintage 1980s La Regale Black Beaded Clutch Shoulder Purse Handbag $12

Vintage 1980s Silver Metallic Fabric Evening Purse
$12

Vintage 1950s Powder Blue Patent Leather Purse $41

Vintage 1960s White Granny Purse Handbag $12>

So what are you waiting for? Let's go shopping!

2009-09-16T04:47:00.001-07:00

Variety is the spice of life and we have a lot of everything to offer at Born Too Late Vintage!

Vintage 1980s Gold Glimmer Sexy Slave Top & Skirt B42 W 42 H 56 Plus Size

Vintage 1960s Divi Divi Paisley Earth Mother Caftan XXXL Plus Size B74 W74 H80

1960s Leon Haskin of Australia Black and Cream Cocktail Dress B36 W32 H34

Vintage 1970s Koret of California Metallic Knit Bronze Gold Copper Jacket, Skirt, & Top B36 W26 H34

Vintage 1970s Count Romi Trench Coat w Notched Fur Collar B42 W42 H46 Plus Size

So what are you waiting for? Let's go shopping!

2009-09-15T04:31:00.000-07:00

It was with a heavy heart that I learned Patrick Swayze passed away yesterday. Now what did this athlete, dancer and movie star's life have anything to do with a middle age wife and mother.

It started with the movie "Red Dawn." I saw the movie with my then new husband. That movie made us really think about what we would do if our country was ever invaded. Long before 9/11 happened we always made sure we were prepared for the worst.

Then with a lighter heart and much enjoyment we rode the "Dirty Dancing" wave. We've watched the movie numerous times (as have our daughters). We even taped the dance scenes back to back and practiced and practiced until we could dirty dance at my sister's wedding. We blew people right off the dance floor (the two of us, who always had two left feet up until we somehow absorbed those Dirty Dancing moves as if by magic).

We watched "Tiger Warsaw" and "Road House." Of course we will never forget "Ghost." Never has making pottery been so sensual.

We went out on a date night for us and stumbled upon the movie "To Wong Foo Thanks For Everything, Julie Newmar." We had no idea what the movie was about but if it had Patrick Swayze in it we were game. We came out of that movie a little bit different. than when we went in and thoroughly enjoyed the enlightenment and the entertainment as well.

My husband and I watched and enjoyed "The Beast" all the time knowing of the battle Patrick Swayze was waging. Cancer is not a fight that we are unfamiliar with. As Patrick Swayze battled the beast our thoughts and prayers were with him.

Through the marvels of movies we'll never truly have to lose the vitality and sparkle of Patrick Swayze. Through his acting and dancing he has provided many pleasurable moments for my family. Our condolences go out to his family. He will truly be missed.

2009-09-09T07:10:00.001-07:00

We've been busy adding new things to the store in a variety of styles, colors and eras.

Vintage 1980s Rafael Royal Blue Suit

Vintage 1970s Diolen Red, Gold and Black Metallic Maxi Dress

Vintage 1930s Pink Damask Plus Size Open Bottom Corset B50

Vintage 1960s Fruit of the Loom Mens Robe

Vintage 1960s Caledonia Gold and Burnt Orange Knit Maxi Dress

This is but a small selection so make sure to visit Born Too Late Vintage

2009-08-25T13:30:00.000-07:00

"Arkansas Mom Fails to Sell Baby Naming Rights on eBay for a Fifth Time"

What the headline doesn't tell you is that for eBay this is business as usual. Go ahead and list that item you think will bring you some bucks. eBay doesn't really care if it sells or not because you still pay eBay regardless.

What really frosts me is the fact that the highest bidder, a producer at an Internet radio talk show, told the mother of six that he had no intention of paying for the naming rights of her seventh child. He says he was just trying to help push the bid higher and several other bidders that bid more than him dropped out of the auction (I would presume by cancelling their bid). Said the producer of the internet radio talk show, ""This happens all the time on eBay."

Well now, far be it for me to question the thought process of this mother of 6, soon to be 7. Bless her because I've got two kids and there are plenty of times when my thought process isn't too clear. However, it would not have occurred to me to relinquish the right to name my own child via an eBay auction.

What really bothers me is the producer's attitude that "this happens all the time on eBay." Well Mr. Producer, just because it happens all the time on eBay doesn't make it right. Your bid is a contract that you agreed to. No one forced you to punch in the bid. eBay tells you that you are entering into a contract and that you are responsible for honoring that contract.

When you break a contract on eBay you are costing someone money. This may be someone who sells part time for extra money or it could be a family who makes their living on eBay. When you do this you're messing with someone else's livelihood. Not keeping your end of the bargain could mean someone doesn't get to go to the movies that week or it could be something as important as someone not being able to pay a bill they owe.

So Mr. Producer, the next time you decide to bid on something, remember that the person whose item you're bidding on is depending on you to complete the transaction. The deck is stacked enough against sellers on eBay as it is. You don't need to add grist to the mill by reneging on your obligation. I'd love to get this producer's id on eBay so I'd be able to block him from bidding on my items. Customers like him I can surely do without.

To see the story I read about this unfortunate incident simply click on this link:

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,542605,00.html

2009-08-11T05:41:00.000-07:00

Eunice Shriver died today. Headlines read "sister of JFK, sister of Bobby Kennedy, wife of Sargent Shriver, sister of Teddy Kennedy." While the headlines are technically true, Eunice Shriver may well leave the greatest Kennedy Legacy of all.

In a time when women born to a privileged family life became debutantes, socialites, wives and mothers, Eunice Shriver wanted more. It's been said time and again that Joe Kennedy, patriarch of the Kennedy clan helped push his sons to achieve greatness. From what I see, Eunice Shriver didn't need any pushing. She just went out and got the job done.

She earned a sociology degree from Stanford University in 1943. She became a social worker at a women's prison in West Virginia and later in the 1950s worked with the juvenile court in Chicago. Following that she took over the foundation named after her eldest brother, a foundation founded with the goal of improving the treatment of the mentally disabled.

She married and raised five children with her husband. She has been dealing with the onset of Alzheimer's disease in her husband, and from personal experience (my beloved father had Alzheimer's) that itself is a personal journey only the strong survive.

Eunice Shriver's largest contribution, however, was that of organizing The Special Olympics. Every four years The Special Olympics hosts more than 6,500 athletes from over 150 countries that allows the mentally disabled to show the world they are more than capable of so much more if given the chance.

So I say thank you Eunice Shriver. Your legacy will go forward with your children and grandchildren and future generations yet to be born. We salute you for your contributions to the world. Surely your hard work and dedication are the true Kennedy legacy.

2009-07-26T08:24:00.000-07:00

It's been said as the First Lady goes so does the nation go in the name of fashion. Michelle Obama has it all. She has a statuesque figure complimented by her beautiful skin, classic hairstyle and poise. What a pleasure it will be to dress her. Of course if I had my druthers she'd be wearing mostly vintage.

Of course a First Lady has no end of occasions to dress for and the fashion world will be keeping a close eye on what First Lady Michelle Obama decides to wear. I had a great time choosing some wonderful vintage fashions that are guaranteeed to make the most of our First Lady's fabulous figure without adding to the national deficit!

Vintage 1960s Goldworm Paisley Floral Pants Suit and Scarf B38 W34 H42

Vintage 1970s Black Goth Crepe Like Maxi Evening Coat B34 W38 H42

Vintage 1960s Aqua Silk Shantung Two Piece Dress and Short Jacket Suit B38 W36 H40

Vintage 1940s Navy Blue Crepe and Satin Special Occasion Dress with Original Belt B42 W36 H42

Vintage 1960s Harvey Berin Hot Pink Daisy Print Maxi Dress B33 W27 H48

Vintage 1970s Herbert Grossman Blue Dress Suit B40 W38 H40

Vintage 1950s Hong Kong Cheongsam with Black and Plum Brocade Jacket

Vintage 1970s Bloomingdales Purple Linen Maxi Dress B34 W30 H34

So What Are You Waiting For?? Let's go Shopping!

2009-07-03T07:19:00.000-07:00

Just call me Imelda! No matter what the season you know that Born Too Late Vintage
has the very best in vintage shoes!

Vintage 1970s Sam & Libby Lipstick Red Leather Peep Toe Sling Back Shoes Size 7 1/2 B

1940s Florsheim Brown Suede Cuban Heel Oxfords Shoes size 9 1/2 AAA

Vintage 1980s Gold Stilettos Pumps Shoes Size 8B

Vintage 1970s Enna Jetticks Cordovan Leather With a Faux Alligator Pattern Sling Back Pumps Shoes Size 7 1/2

Vintage 1940s Florsheim Black Suede Cuban Heel Oxfords Shoes size 9 1/2 AAA

Vintage 1980s Helene Arpels Couture Purple Alligator Skin Pumps Shoes Size 8 1/2

So what are you waiting for? Let's go shopping!

2009-06-24T05:00:00.000-07:00

Regardless of the era, navy blue with background prints will always be a great alternative to severe black. They're classic without being staid, gloomy or severe. Here are just two examples that are available to you from Born Too Late Vintage

Vintage 1940s Rayon Navy Floral Long and Lean Special Occasion Dress with Original Belt B32 W32 H34

Vintage 1950s Navy Blue, Pink and White Atomic Print Day Dress B40 W34 H60

So come check out what's new at Born Too Late Vintage

2009-06-12T08:56:00.000-07:00

For the best in vintage clothes on the go check out Ruby Lane Vintage. Nothing is better than a playsuit to keep you cool and comfortable through the dog days of summer.

Vintage 50s 60s Kahala Hawaiian Playsuit -- Size S - M - L

from Catseye Vintage Estate Collection

NWT Vintage 60s Button Lavender Pinup Sunsuit Playsuit Romper~ VLV

from VINTAGE PRETTIES Lingerie, Clothing & Accessories

Vintage 1950s Kahala Hawaiian Blue Floral Play Suit B32 W26 H34"

from Born Too Late Vintage

So don't forget to check Ruby Lane for all your vintage apparel needs and a whole lot more!

2009-05-18T04:22:00.000-07:00

Spring into summer with plus size fashions from Born Too Late Vintage! From day dresses to a special event you can never go wrong with classic vintage. Lessen your carbon imprint and wear vintage! It looks great and you're doing your part for the environment!

1. Vintage 1980s Yellow Shirtwaist Dress Plus Size B40 W36 H48

2. Vintage 1960s Rose Print House Dress Plus Size 22W NOS B48 W48 H52

3. Vintage 1960s Lane Bryant Nautical Dress B42 W44 H48 Plus Size

4. Vintage 1960s Black Lace Plus Size Sheath Dress B48 W48 H52

Come check out what else is new at

2009-05-06T05:23:00.000-07:00

Born Too Late Vintage is a family business and what better way to show it than to show you our newest vintage menswear selected by the only male in our family run business.

Mr. Born Too Late's picks include:

1. Vintage 1950s Robert Hall American Sportswear Black, Blue Gray Plaid Jacket Coat Chest 42 W46 H46 Long

2. Vintage 1960s Campus Mens Jacket Chest 42 W40

3. Vintage 1972 Mens USN G-1 Brown Flight Jacket Coat size 42 Chest 40 Shoulders 18

4. Vintage 1980s Sweater Bee by Banf Gray Knit Suede Sweater Jacket Size M Chest 36 W36

5. Vintage 1980s Members Only Red Jacket Size 46 Chest 44 W36-46

6. Vintage 1970s Roebucks Denim & Shearling Work Jacket Coat Size 38 R