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.

Start shopping NOW!

for all your 1940s fashions and lots more!

Today I've been thinking about high school days and what fashions were out and about back in 1977, the year I graduate from Poway High School in Poway, California.

Now I moved to Poway my senior year and thank the lord there was band and the school paper because that's where my friends were. I was a senior and my sister was a freshman that year so we hung out with the same group of kids. Band and the school paper provided instant friends and lots of fun.

I remember peasant blouses and platforms galore. I remember gauchos, maxi dresses and mini dresses in patchwork fabrics and border prints. Knits were a big deal and now my own girls are wearing a lot of these styles. I have to admit to having a certain affection for platform shoes and, although I'm in my late 40s I've gone a bit wild with some new platforms lately.

At Born Too Late Vintage we try our best to offer something for everyone and we have lots to offer in the way of 70s fashions so here are a few items that should bring back memories.

How about those maxi dresses? Now they are back and being called "patio dresses" but a maxi dress they truly are.

Try this Vintage 1970s Peggy Barker Peasant Maxi Patio Dress B 32 on for size!



or this Vintage 1970s Green Paisley Print Maxi Patio Dress B 36



Maybe this Vintage 1970s Donald Brooks Dramatic Diva Gown B 32 would be a better choice for you



or even better yet this Vintage 1970s Pheasant Border Print Maxi Patio Dress B32



Also popular at the time were caftans such as this Vintage 1960s-1970s Pomare Floral Caftan Plus Size XXXL



or zodiac dresses like this Vintage 60s-70s Zodiac Print Dress by R&K



There was something for everyone and there was even a revival of 40s style dresses in the later 1970s such as this Vintage 1970s Green, Red White Flowered Rayon Dress B 34 NOS.



So no matter what your style was then it's still all available now and waiting for you at Born Too Late Vintage!

Born Too Late Vintage

Why are you still selling on Ebay???

Specialist Auctions is a viable alternative to Ebay and other sites offering much less!


No listing fees, no store fees, only 3% final valuation fee regardless of what your item sells for, free picture hosting and Google base upload of all snap it up (buy it now) items you list.

There is a Probulk lister if you have lots of listings to copy and move.

What keeps you from listing there?

Business is business and it makes no sense to pay Ebay fees when you can keep that chunk of money in your own pocket.

The owners of the site also sell there and they actually listen and make changes.

If this is too pushy for you please forgive me but I need answers. Thanks for your time and patience with me, a seller at Specialist Auctions who wants to make Specialist Auctions the premiere site for buying quality items without chinese repros clogging up the works and of course the premiere site for vintage sellers the world over.

So what are you waiting for??!!! Come join us at Specialist Auctions. You have nothing to lose but the Ebay fees!

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!

It's said that history repeats itself and nowhere else is that more apparent than in fashion. Whether it's wiggle dresses from the 50s re-emerging in the 80s or slim fitted 40s suits re-surfacing in the 70s, fashion always comes around again.

Even for the male of the species fashion is cyclical. Is world famous footballer David Beckham starting a fashion trend? If a cravat is posh enough for David, wouldn't you love to follow that trend?




In my vintage travels I came upon these two wonderful cravats circa 1950. The cravats were made by Tootal and have not seen the light of day in 50 years. What a wonderful addition to a mans wardrobe. The cravat is more forgiving than a tie as it is loosely tied and gives one the appearance of a dashing man about town who knows his fashion and knows what he likes.

Both of these cravats are available from Braccles7 at Specialist Auctions. Simply click the photograph and you will be linked.

This is a Vintage 1950s MOD Tootal Yellow Paisley Rayon cravat in a wonderful pattern of black and red on a light yellow background. The cravat is just over 41 inches in length.



Or this Vintage 1950s MOD Tootal Red/Black/Grey cravat made of rayon in an unusual regular pattern in dark red & black on a light silvery-grey background. The cravat is about 42 inches in length.



This handsome devil certainly seems to know his way around a cravat and dare I imagine a few other things as well!

Check out Specialist Auctions where vintage clothing 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

From undergarments to dresses to swimwear Born Too Late Vintage loves plus size gals!

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

Today Viviene of Born Too Late Vintage is going to venture into NYC and have the adventure of a lifetime at the Manhattan Vintage Show! We can't wait to get back and report about all the trends and who has what and where! So stay tuned!

We're looking forward to summer at Born Too Late Vintage and we have the swimwear to tempt your budget!

It's Friday and time to check what's new at Born Too Late Vintage. We've added some very interesting items from the 40s, 50s, 60s and 70s! So come check out what's new!

She found it lurking in the back of the hall closet from her 1970s Stairway to Heaven save the whales days. With a sigh she puts it back into the dark recesses of the closet as her waist (after 2 kids and too many twinkies) will never see those days again.

Fast forward one year. While her skirt has been in the dark recesses of the closet the mung bean buttons have thirsted for WATER and AIR. Little does she know that her daughter, age 18, has been rooting through the closet. She found the skirt, determined it gross and shoved it back into the dark never knowing she cracked the buttons. MOISTURE and AIR have slowly seeped into the buttons allowing the mung beans to mutate, grow and spread their tendrils into the darker recesses of the closet. Slowly inch by inch the mung bean sprouts invade the hall closet enveloping a Pendleton suit from her 80s dress corporate days. Thirsty and hungry the mung beans slowly devour their way towards the front of the closet searching but not knowing for what they hunger.

Fast forward two years. The hall closet is dank, dark and flowing with life. The mung beans are barely hanging on. They've eaten all but several rayon dresses that have been drycleaned to within an inch of their life. The mung beans just can't tolerate the chemical stench embedded in the rayon and so they patiently wait, sometimes feasting on itself as an act of self preservation.

But wait! She is back. She looks into the closet, wrinkles her nose at the dank odor and says to herself, "it's time to get rid of this stuff." Slowly and carefully she removes the rayon dresses one by one remembering the occasions she has worn each one. The black one for Aunt Martha's funeral. The red one for that first disastrous date after her divorce. The blue one she wore for her first job interview after being a stay at home mom for 15 years. She sighs as she remembers those past events. She takes out that last rayon dress and shifts gears. For this dress is the one that held the promise of a new life. If only she had been able to bend a little but, but no. Time to stop sighing over the past and get on with it. The mung beans wait patiently. This is what they have hungered for. They only have to be a little more patient. Just a little longer. She returns to the closet and steps in. The mung beans strike enveloping her in their sprouts and muffling her cries pulling her into the dark recesses of the closet.

The children call her on the phone. There is no answer. Days go by and they become concerned. They make a trip to see if mom's okay. They find an empty house with nothing disturbed but 4 dresses sitting on the back of the couch and their mother's shoes just outside the hall closet. And there the mung bean button skirt hangs, waiting, plotting and hoping.

Welcome to the vintage twilight zone.

Check out the latest bathing suits at Mirror Image Boutique, our contemporary store located at Specialist Auctions.

Today I'm writing about something more personal. My youngest daughter is making her communion in a few weeks. As I waited outside the door at her religious education class the other day I overheard a group of 3 mothers talking about the parties they were having for their children after the service.

One mother was having a DJ, videographer and sit down dinner at a local restaurant. She kept going on and on about "her party." She spoke of the $300 communion gown she purchased for her daughter. Another mother spoke about having "her party" the day after her son's communion so she could combine his communion party with her daughter's baby shower. Still another spoke about the "open bar" and "buffet" for "her party" and reserving "the mansion" at $34.95 a head and she had to have at least 50 people.

I continued to stare at the wall ahead of me waiting for my daughter's class to be dismissed and wishing I could get the heck out of there. Then one of the mother's asked me, "So what are you doing for your daughter?" I turned and said, "I'm making her dress and then we are having dinner at RIMBY's (a local family restaurant)." She looked at me and said, "That's all? You're not doing more?" I said, "No, that's it." A look of horror crossed the 3 mother's faces. The mother then said, "You are not doing enough for your daughter."

My response was, "My daughter is making her communion. That's what the day is about. Not a fancy party, not people drinking all day and not about my party." They looked at me like I had lost my mind.

Later that night I talked to my husband. I asked him if I was crazy for keeping things simple for what is a big step in our daughter's religious life. She is very excited about making her communion. She has been blessing herself with holy water several times a day. She actually understands that it's about receiving the Lord in a miraculous way. She is so happy and serene. My husband said he has no doubts that we are doing things the way they should be done. Our memories of communion are making our communion, having a few simple family pictures taken and spending time with our closest family members at a small intimate family party with people we see all the time.

He said if I was so concerned over if we were doing the right thing to talk to Kiera, our daughter. So I sat her down and asked her if having dinner with our closest family and the restaurant was still okay with her. She said, "I love RIMBY's and we'll have a great time there." I asked her if she still wanted me to make her dress. She said, "I'm glad you're making my dress because you are making it with love."

So out of the mouths of babes I have my answer.