Today I decided to talk about wartime fashions during World War II. During the late 1930s and early to mid 1940s the world was at war and making due and mending what you already had was one way of helping the war effort. Another way was to use manmade materials rather than leather or silk. Buying leather shoes meant using ration stamps so many women opted to buy shoes like these Vintage Late 1930s Conformal Black Babydoll Peep toe Shoes 10AAAA which are made of manmade materials rather than leather.


Dresses were made of linen, rayon blends, acetate and cotton as silk was used for parachutes. Just a few examples are this Vintage 1940s Sage Green Long Line Linen Dress

this plisse Vintage 1940s Blue Crinkled Rayon Dress

and this Vintage 1940s Blue Rose Swing Dress made of cotton in a plus size


Hats were renewed by adding things like bows and buttons to make what was old new again such as this Vintage 1940s Black Velour Bowler Hat with Decorative Buttons

And purses were available in stores and also custom made by hand crocheting with corde' rayon thread and adding lucite handles like this Vintage 1940s Corde' Woven Black Purse with Lucite Handles




Women during wartime made many contributions by enlisting in the service to man the hospitals as nurses (more than 59,000 American nurses served in the Army Nurse Corps during World War II and worked closer to the front lines than in any war previously).


enlisting in the air force and becoming Women Airforce Service Pilots, WASP, the first women in history trained to fly American military aircraft.


and of course working in the factories manufacturing munitions, airplanes and everything in between.


Women showed their strength and what they were capable of without losing their femininity and trying to be what they weren't.

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for all your 1940s fashions and lots more!

Over and over I hear there are no large size vintage items out there. What's a bodacious buxom babe to do? Well you can shop at Born Too Late Vintage for a change of pace. We're loaded to the ceiling with plus size lingerie, dresses and of course we have hats and shoes as well as jewelry.

Why not try this plus size Vintage 1940s BLUE ROSE Swing Dress B50 W42 H56 NOS



with this 1950s Asymmetric Blue&White Pancake Beret Petal Hat


or maybe this Vintage 1950s Black Rayon Cocktail Dress Plus Size B44 NOS



with this Vintage 1950s Asymmetric Pancake Beret Winged Hat


or maybe you'd like this Vintage 1960s NOS Blue Roses & Cream Dress Plus Size 20 B 44



with this Vintage 1960s Gene Doris Navy Blue Straw Hat


We have lots of things for ladies and gents of all sizes and eras so come see us at Specialist Auctions where vintage is new again!

Today I'm writing about a friend named Chris. Chris' vintage store is called Alley Cats Vintage. Now Chris has a wonderful plan. She is attempting to buy all the Fred Perlberg dresses in the world and become the Fred Perlberg queen of the universe.

So today I'm featuring Chris' Perlberg dresses. You can also find loads of other delectable dresses in Chris' stores, hats, shoes and many other great items at very reasonable prices. I say this with the utmost confidence because I've bought things from Chris and you'll never find another vintage seller who cares about her customers more.

On a personal note, Chris is retiring. Tomorrow is her last day. To my friend Chris I wish a joyful retirement full of doing the things you enjoy so much like gardening, going to the auctions on Friday and the opening of your new collectibles store. We big business women need to stick together!

So now onto the Fred Perlberg extravaganza!

First we have this breathtaking celery green liquid satin formal evening gown from the 1940's. There is gathering on the shoulders. The front has a high V neckline with a lay back collar which drapes around the back of the gown. The waist dips into a long V. There is a small bustle which lies flat just below the waist in the back. The gown closes with a side metal zipper plus hook & eye. The skirt is full and the dress can be worn with or without a crinoline. The fabric is heavy rich satin in a definite celery green color.



Next we have this stunning pink satin Fred Perlberg 1940's evening gown. The fabric is high gloss liquid pink, very true to what you see in the photographs. The construction and details are extremely beautiful, from the rear bustle treatment to the piping around the curved and pointed waistline. The inside is labeled “Fred Perlberg” who designed fabulous evening gowns starting in the 1940's. There’s a side closing metal zipper which works perfectly. The fabric is very dense and heavy.



Not to be outdone by the 1940s Perlbergs Chris also has this dazzling 70s era evening gown designed by Roger Milot for Fred Perlberg. The fabric is a sheer metallic weave with little loose strands of gold raising up, completely lined with a lime acetate blend. The sleeves are sheer and puffed with snaps on the cuffs. The waist has a double looped thick cord made on band and adorned with 4 cris-cross rhinestone pins. All the rhinestones are pink but one small stone is missing on the front. With all the glitter no one could possibly notice.



I'm very partial to champagne and what better way to fill that need than this Fred Perlberg exquisite liquid satin champagne/antique white satin evening gown. The fabric is very heavy satin. The bodice is bone with a wide cuff around the top and tiny cord shoulder straps. This can be worn without the straps. There is a side metal zipper closing. The skirt is full with a circumference of 128 inches. The condition is excellent, only having a pin hole where a corsage was pinned.



And last but not least we have this gorgeous Fred Perlberg classic pink satin party gown which was so popular in the 1940's. It is made with a fitted waist. It is
sleeveless with 21 satin covered buttons up the front. There is a little round peter pan collar and an attached matching satin belt. The gown closes with a side metal zipper. The skirt is full sweep and is shown with and without a crinoline. The inside is labeled “Dance Originals by Fred Perlberg” who designed fabulous evening gowns starting in the 1940's. The fabric is very dense, heavy and in almost perfect condition.



Chris has several store locations where you can purchase some of the best vintage items I've ever come across. She is located at:

Main Street Vintage

and

Specialist Auctions

Who says buxom babes can't wear vintage?!! Come check out the plus size vintage now at Born Too Late Vintage!!