Today we're talking about the history of the 1960s.

In the 1960s we had an explosion of fashion from Biba to Bus Stop, Mary Quant, Ossie Clark and everything in between. Hemlines were up, down and all around. Dress silhouettes were full or narrow. You never knew what was going to pop up next in fashion.

Hairstyles were all over the place with bouffants, the flip and the ever popular pixie.

Socially the world was headed for desegregation but not without a lot of turbulence regardless of the peaceful ways preached by Dr. King.

Having brought my daughters to the recently released movie, "Hairspray", I found myself explaining about segregation, desegregation and what has changed over the years. Thankfully our children have not seen the inequality first hand but we used the opportunity to teach them that things are not always the same and that you have to play a part in making changes in the world.

So in honor of all the things we saw in "Hairspray" Born Too Late Vintage presents our fashion take on the 1960s.


So check out our preview page dedicated to the fashions of the 1960s!

Today we're talking about the history of the apron.

For hundreds of years, homemakers have used aprons to keep their clothing clean and carry items when doing chores such as gathering eggs or for collecting kindling wood.

In the 1940s and 1950s the apron took on a new roll as that of a stereotype for the "perfect mother" or grandmother who always wore an apron.

My perfect grandmother, grandfather and I in May of 1960


Prior to that aprons were more of a functional piece of a woman's wardrobe, meant to keep your dress clean in a time when people did not have the size wardrobes we sport now. As time went on aprons became more fashionable and used as accessories as evidenced by "cocktail aprons" which were worn when entertaining at home. It kept your dressier dress clean but at the same time helped you maintain that image of the stylish homemaker who knew how to throw a great party and still look wonderful doing it.

Homemakers were not the only ones that used aprons. School teachers, children, shop-keepers, and secretaries wore different styles of aprons over their clothing every day. In the 1920's and '30's aprons followed the silhouette of the dress - long, with no waist line. By the 1940's, aprons gained a cinched waistline, and were often gaily trimmed with rick-rack, buttons, and pockets of contrasting color. Many aprons were made from feed cloth. Feed cloth was a heavier fabric and was used as a sack to put seed or four in that farmers used. There was no wasting back then.

The 1950's brought out the half-aprons of highly starched cotton and sheer fabric trimmed with lace for special occasions. Also two-piece aprons
and short smocks of bright cotton prints for every day use were popular. At one point, Aprons were a serious fashion element, not just a way to keep the dress underneath clean.

So today for your viewing pleasure we have these aprons available at Born Too Late Vintage. Whether you're looking to make a fashion statement or just enjoy some baking or cooking while keeping that great vintage dress underneath clean we have what you're looking for.


Vintage 1950s NWT Fruit of the Loom Full Apron



Vintage 1950s Sheer Sexy Black Apron w Roses



Vintage 1950s NWT Fruit of the Loom Full Apron



Vintage 1950s Sheer Sexy Yellow Apron w Red Roses



Don't forget to check out Born Too Late Vintage for more new items every week.

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It's the gentlemen's turn at Born Too Late Vintage. Check out our selection of sport coats from Harris Tweed, fedoras galore and a suit from Nino Cerruti, the former employer of Georgio Armani.


Vintage 1960s Mens Creighton Sudan Color (Dark Brown) Oval Fedora Hat Size 7 1/4



Vintage 1975-1985 Harris Tweed Gray, Dark Teal and White Jacket/Sports Coat/Blazer Size 38



Vintage 1960s CHAMP Gray Long Oval Fedora Hat size 7 1/4



Vintage 1970s Nino Cerruti Western Style Brown Wool Suit Size 38



Vintage 1960s Dobbs Fifth Avenue Admiralty Saber Grey Oval Fedora Hat Size 7 1/4



Vintage 1930s Harris Tweed Overcoat Size 46 US

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Enjoy the Weekly preview of Items Just listed at Born Too Late Vintage

Vintage 1960s Mens Creighton Sudan Color (Dark Brown) Oval Fedora Hat Size 7 1/4


Vintage 1960s Black Felt Rhinestone Spray Pillbox Hat


Vintage 1960s Everitt Original Cord Pillbox Hat


Vintage 1950s Mallory Chocolate Brown Fedora Hat 7 1/8


Vintage 1960s Black,Tan,Light Tan Velvet Clip Hat


Vintage 1960s Gibbe' Military Inspired Pillbox Hat


Vintage 1960s Dobbs Fifth Avenue Admiralty Saber Grey Oval Fedora Hat Size 7 1/4


Vintage 1960s Navy Blue Velvet Clip Hat w veil


Vintage 1960s Two Ribbon & Bow Black Felt Hat


Vintage 1960s CHAMP Gray Long Oval Fedora Hat size 7 1/4

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Want to know the real scoop about vintage on Ebay? Check out "Diary of a Mad Fashionista" for the real dope on vintage on Ebay.

http://diaryofamadfashionista.blogspot.com/

Enjoy the Weekly preview of Items Just listed at Born Too Late Vintage

Vintage 1970s Bonnie Cashin Trench Coat size 18



Vintage 1970s Count Romi Trench Coat w Fur Collar



Vintage 1980s Anthony Richards Rain coat Sz 16 NWT



Vintage 1930s Harris Tweed Overcoat Size 46 US



Vintage 1950s Persian Lamb w White Mink Coat Sz L



Vintage 1970s Pendleton Red Plaid Cape Poncho

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Enjoy the Weekly preview of Items Just listed at Born Too Late Vintage

Vintage 1960s Lane Bryant Nautical Shift Plus Sz


Vintage 1970s Metallic Bronze Gold Copper Skirt Set


Vintage 1970s Dolly Dress Coverup XL


Vintage 1960s Brown & White Floral Shift Sz 14



Vintage 1980s Adolfo II Military Jumpsuit sz L XL


Vintage 1970s B&W Floral Halter Maxi Patio Gown

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Besides loving vintage clothing and accessories I have a love of antique jewelry and vintage jewelry as well, especially diamonds as they are my birthstone.

When you were a girl did your mother or grandmother have an old vintage design that you just couldn’t take your eyes off of? These are the type of rings that make little girls dream of extravagant weddings and even antique engagement rings.

Because antique engagement rings have always been popular, girls dreaming of having a vintage design on their ring no longer have to worry about whether or not someone will be able to pass one down to them. This is because more and more designers are designing diamond jewelry that have the feel of vintage without being fifty years old. This allows every bride-to-be to have the wedding and engagement ring of her dreams.

To complement these antique engagement ring styles, brides may also find vintage style diamond jewelry sets to match. Diamond earrings and diamond necklaces may also be available in vintage designs that allow a bride to have that complete old world, antique feel to the wedding of her dreams along with the antique engagement ring to match. These styles have been popular for generations and will only remain popular as long as these vintage styles are available for women to choose from when they want to have that feeling of “always playing dress up.” These rings are unique designs in their own right that will always bring back a feeling of nostalgia whether you are the first generation in the family or the sixth.

So next time you're thinking of the perfect accessories for that 1940s bias cut gown you're wearing to that special occasion or your 1950s princess style wedding gown don't forget that diamonds are forever.

New at Born Too Late Vintage and Mirror Image Boutique!

Free U.S. shipping and 50% off international shipping!

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

Today I decided to talk about bathing suits. Bathing suits have been around since the Greeks. Actually the bikini is very similar to early Greek bathing suits. How we got to those minimalist suits from Ancient Greece to the cover it all up wool suits of the 1890s I'll never know.

As time marched on bathing suits became more and more brief. I'd hazard a guess that most of us remember seeing pictures of Betty Grable in her pin-up bathing suit or Esther Williams in her swimming movies all dolled up and looking great.

Bathings suits give a woman or for that matter a man a way to show what they're made of. Suits of the 1940s and 1950s had modesty panels across the hip area in lots of women's swimsuits. Two piece suits were available but nowhere near as brief as the bikinis of the late 1960s to the present. And of course there was the famous monokini designed by Rudi Gernreich in 1964 that let almost all of it hang out.

So whether you're a let it all hang out type of guy or gal or the type that likes to leave a little more to the imagination, Born Too Late Vintage has lots of bathing suits to fit the real you.

1950s



Vintage 1950s Kahala Sexy Pin-Up Green Swimsuit Bathing Suit



Vintage 1950s Paradise Sexy Swimsuit Bathing Suit



Vintage 1950s Kahala Sexy Pin-up Blue Bathing Suit


1960s



Vintage 60s Jantzen Flower Power Bathing Suit Dcup



Vintage 60s Roxanne Water Lily Bathing Suit D cup



Vintage 60s Roxanne Spider Mum Bathing Suit D cup



Vintage 1960s Gabar Flowered Sexy VLV Swimsuit Bathing Suit


1970s



Vintage 1970s Purple Blue Flower Swimsuit Bathing Suit B40C



Vintage 1970s Blue Sexy Pin-Up Swimsuit Bathing Suit Sz S


So what are you waiting for?

Start shopping NOW!

As I went into my walk-in closet to select a pair of shoes today I started thinking about how important shoes are in the grand scheme of fashion be it modern or vintage. Often times a new pair of shoes vintage or otherwise can be the finishing touch to a new outfit or something you've had in your closet because it was missing that certain something to top it off.

Shoes have changed throughout history. At one time in the courts of kings and queens one could tell the rank of any lady and gentleman by the length of their shoes. Shoes have been made from all sorts of fabrics and materials. What they were made of often times was affected by the state of the world around us be it peaceful times or times of war. Synthetics kicked in heartily during WW II when ration coupons were needed to purchase leather shoes.

So without further ado I'm featuring fabulous shoes throughout the more recent ages from the 1920s up to and including shoes of today. All the shoes shown here are available at Specialist Auctions by our esteemed vintage and modern clothing sellers.

1920s



1920s Shoes with 2-Tone Leather and Cut-out Detail


1930s



Vintage 1930s Conformal Black Babydoll Peep toe Shoes 10AAAA>


1940s



Vintage 1940s Rhythm Step Red Babydoll Heels Pumps


1950s



50s blk patent stiletto heel shoes UK 4.5 US 6.5


1960s



60s Brown lace slingback shoes UK8.5 USA11 VLV


1970s



Vintage 1970s Candies Natural Tan Slides Shoes Size 7


1980s



Vintage 1980s NWOT Daniel Green Red Espadrilles shoes 9W


1990s



Shoes Deep Navy Blue Suede Pumps size 9N US


2000s



BRUNO MAGLI STILETTO SHOES RHINESTONES WOOL 8 1/2

So whatever the occasion, era or color make sure to check out the vintage and contemporary sellers of Specialist Auctions.