It was perfect! From the cotton candy pink poodles, to the round collar and the mid calf length skirt the dress was demure enough to lull Uncle Ian, Uncle Bob and Uncle Simon into thinking she would be safe from the clutches of all those young bucks. Of course her aged uncles had no idea about the hot pink corset she was going to be wearing underneath to make the most of her assets or the creamy white crinoline with the pink bows and lace edging peaking out from the hem of her dress.

To take the edge off her nervousness she snuck out to the kitchen and had a couple of sips of red wine. She was careful to bring the bottle back up to the same level lest her uncles discover her indiscretion and of course chewed some Sen-Sen to mask the alcohol fumes.



After a quick peck on the cheek for each of her uncles she flew out the door in her Capezio flats which Claire McCardell had made so popular and jumped into the back of her friend Sara's 1954 Chevrolet Belaire 2 door Sport Coupe.

Once inside the car she quickly slipped off the Capezios and donned her Ferragamo 4 inch high stilletos which her friend had hid in the trunk of her car for her. She arrived at the dance with her friend, Sara, and there she became the belle of the ball. Her dance card was filled within 2 minutes of arrival. The fast dances went by with a whirl as her dance partners snuck a quick peak at her legs that wouldn't stop which were showcased when she whirled in a circle. The young bucks all pressed against her while they danced to the slow tunes and the chaperones were kept busy all evening making her and her dance partners move further apart. She realized the age old power women have over men and in doing so also realized why her uncles were so concerned and why they were so protective of her. Understanding that made her cherish their love all the more.

It also made her more determined than ever to find out the exact facts concerning her birth, the death of her mother and the subsequent disappearance of her father, who had never married her mother. All she knew was that her three aged uncles had raised her from the time she was born. It was time to find out more and find out she would!

This lovely estate dress is available for your collection or for your vintage wardrobe whichever you prefer at Specialist Auctions!


Vintage 1950s Rockabilly Poodle Print Dress B 36 W 28

Here I am in another box. Seems the last couple of years I've been moved from box to box. I've been up and down the east coast several times already. I remember when I was new as if it was yesterday.

Once upon a time I was the well loved prize from a Manhattan shopping trip my original owner took with her daughter. My soon to be owner was hesitant to take the Greyhound all the way from Baltimore but her daughter didn't have time to make the trip back so off she went after cooking and freezing a weeks worth of meals for her husband and son. Looking at the world with excitement and a bit of trepedition my soon to be owner climbed aboard the bus in Baltimore. She rode for a couple hours to Philadelphia, home of the Liberty Bell and then on to New York City. Of course there wasn't enough time to see the sites in Philly and my soon to be owner would not have ventured off on her own as she had never traveled this far from home.

She really had not traveled. She was the daughter of truck farmers in Frederick, Maryland. She married the love of her life who first taught school at Middletown High School back in Frederick and then they moved to Baltimore for more opportunities. They had a nice brick row house in a nice neighborhood. The only thing missing was a big garden but she made due with a smaller version and grew for the most part tomatoes. It was a simple life and she knew where she belonged. She was the ultimate homemaker and a bit of a political hack. Her husband went to the Greyhound station in Frederick when they lived there and picked up the Daily News from New York so she could follow the news of the day and keep up with the politics of the world.

Her daughter graduated from Middletown High School and joined the army for a chance to see the world. After the service her daughter decided to go to New York City to try her hand at acting. For the most part her daughter had bit parts far far off Broadway and waited more tables than she ever thought she would. It became harder to come home for a visit each passing year as the parts became fewer and fewer and coming home meant admitting defeat.

Thinking her mother would never venture to New York my soon to be owner's daughter suggested a visit to the big city where she would take her mother to just off Broadway plays and shopping in Macy's bargain basement. Imagine her surprise when her mother, encouraged by her father, said yes. I imagine there was a flurry of cleaning and I'm sure when her mother arrived she gave up her own bed for her mother and used her sparse spare linens to sleep on the davenport.

Throwing caution to the wind the daughter called in sick to work and took her mother to the Empire State building and the Statue of Liberty. They ate lunch at the automat and then went to the Village to stroll through the boutiques. Her mother swore the saleswoman at Elaine Starkman's Boutique looked just like that folk singer, Mary Travers, but of course the daughter told her of course it's not her. What would she be doing selling suits in a boutique in the village!

While wandering their way through the bargain basement of Macy's her mother came upon me. Sleek in gray marble patent leather I glistened and flashed in the fluorescent lighting. I was a little rumpled looking from too many weeks on display but her mother had to have me. She glanced quickly at my price and winced a bit. However, she decided just this once she would splurge as gray went with everything and she bought me. Once we made our way back to her daughter's apartment my owner's items were transferred from her old worn black purse to me. We looked right together and in the next 2 days of her visit we saw the sites of the city together.

We left on the early morning Greyhound bound for Baltimore. I watched in silence as mother and daughter said goodbye, the litany the same as it was each time they parted. "You know you can come home to live anytime you want." "I know Mom but I just need a little more time to make sure. "Okay honey but you know we'd love to have you." Silently they turned from each other and we made our way onto the bus.

Of course as soon as we got home to Baltimore I was emptied out, stuffed with tissue paper and a sachet and put in a box and up in the hall closet. For years in the early fall she would take me out and sit on her bed stroking me and thinking about that trip to New York. Then she'd put me away again for another year.

One fall led to another and another and several years went by without me being taken out. Then one day I was pulled from my shelf along with a lot of other long forgotten pieces of clothing. "We really need to clear the clutter and now is as good a time as any", said her son's wife. "Oh my gosh just look at this purse! It's like brand new. I wonder where your mother got it? Of course it's not my style at all. Best to donate it to the Salvation Army."

So I was boxed up with a couple pairs of shoes and a moth eaten cardigan and we were dropped at the local Salvation Army. I was cleaned and set out for sale. Another lady checked me out and grabbed me rather roughly checking out my frame to make sure I was in good working condition. From her conversation with her friend I deduced that she was an Ebay seller and I was going to go to a new home. Hope sprung eternal and I could not wait to see what was going on out in the world.

So off I went listed during a VBO sale (that's Ebay talk for Vintage Blow Out). I went to a buyer in Georgia. It turns out she was an Ebay seller too and bought me to re-sell. So off I went into a rubbermaid container with a bunch of other purses she was some day going to list. Another year went by and I was pulled from my rubbermaid tomb to be photographed and sold again in the VBO sale. So off I went to a new home in Pennsylvania. This seller was a little different. She liked to move her stores around. First l was listed on Ebay, then another auction site and finally I came to rest at Specialist Auctions. Before I knew it I had been sold to a wardrobe person for the musical "Jersey Boys." The seller was excited and so was I. Finally just like my original owner's daughter I'm finally going on stage right in New York, back to my roots!

It was a fight like no other in the history of the Carrington family. And all because of a mistake by the famed boutique Chez Cemetarian. It was all the fault of that new salesgirl, Rita. She'd been warned about the Carrington women and how competitive they were.

Krystle Carrington, sweet as you please came in for her appointment and Rita showed her the new line of jumpsuits in a plethora of colors. Krystle decided on the white jumpsuit with the rainbow sequins and pearl draped fringe. With her blonde hair and beautiful figure the jumpsuit would be a perfect foil for her glamour. Rita was over the moon for the jumpsuit was $1400 (two months salary for her) and her commission would be fabulous.

As Krystle went out the front door, Alexis came in the back door trying to ditch the stalker she had picked up along with a bad case of crabs the month before. She sashayed into the room looking down her nose at Rita and stated, "What did that bitch just try on?" Flustered and downtrodden Rita spoke in a whisper, "The jumpsuits." Without even admitting she had heard poor Rita, Alexis grabbed the same white jumpsuit that Krystle had just walked out with. "Hurry up you pasty-faced waste of a shop girl and wrap this up. I've got more important things to do!" With that Rita wrapped the jumpsuit up as quick as she could and Alexis sashayed back out the door and into her waiting limo.

It was a long day for Rita and finally around 9 o'clock she was able to close up the shop and limp home. While she was soaking her feet she suddenly recalled her boss' instructions to never ever let the Carrington women buy the same item or all hell would break lose. Rita wept into her foot bath as she tried to figure out where she could find a new job as her mistake would surely cost her her current one.

Meanwhile at the Denver Art Museum Krystle and Blake Carrington had already arrived and were sipping champagne cocktails while discussing the pros and cons of abstract expressionist Clyfford Still's paintings. With her back towards the doorway Krystle never saw Alexis sashay in and start holding court in the same room just a few feet away.

Blake frowned and Krystle knew that meant only one thing. She slowly turned around just as Alexis clenched her fist and swung as hard as she could. Krystle's drink went flying from her hand and landed all over the latest abstract painting by Clyfford Still. A hush fell over the room as Alexis draped herself over Blake's arm and purred, "Why do you waste your time with her Blake when you could have a real woman?" Alexis never saw Krystle grab the painting and swing it overhead and barely felt the impact on her head as the painting pinioned her arms at her side. Blake snapped his fingers and two bodyguards appeared out of thin air to pick up the now pinned Alexis and Blake said, "Take out the trash gentlemen." A stream of blue air trailed behind Alexis as she shouted, "It's not over! It will never be over you bitch!"

Now you too can own not one but two of these gorgeous white jumpsuits with rainbow colored sequins from Chez Cemetarian. Bid early and often or you might just find yourself outbid by a Carrington!


Twin Vintage 80's White Sequin Dynasty Jumpsuit Costume

It was totally out of character for her. First the bob at the local beauty shop. Then buying the cigarette holder and pack of Gauloises. As a final touch she purchased a gorgeous jazzy sheer Lame ostrich Feather Robe from Henry A la Pensee to wear out for the evening and in her boudoir. That would show Jean-Luc that no wife of his was going to sit on the sidelines while he was having it off with that tramp from the ballet troupe!

Oh how he charmed her on that trip to Paris on the ship. It was a whirlwind of romance from start to finish when he asked for her hand in marriage. Unfortunately he made it so easy to forget she was to inherit her father's millions and already had quite a healthy allowance which would only increase upon marriage and the necessity of maintaining a home of style and substance. Jean-Luc was smooth as only a Frenchman can be wooing her parents even as he wooed her. Her friend, Hermione, warned against Jean-Luc's debonair appearance and romantic nature but Edith just assumed her London born friend was jealous of Jean-Luc's attention to her and wouldn't listen.

Edith down but not out made her own plans now that she decided to adopt the jazz attitude of partying, mingling and dancing the night away in the Paris nightspots. If Jean-Luc wanted to waste time with that tramp from the ballet troup then it was his loss as his wife in name only painted the town red and made a name for herself.

As sometimes happens, Edith's wonderful jazzy sheer Lame ostrich Feather Robe from Henry A la Pensee somehow made its way across the Atlantic and is available from the chic store of Chez Cemetarian. Who knows the travels this robe of passion has taken to get all the way to Sherman, Texas. Ah, if only clothing could speak the stories it would tell. So if you're up to making a little history of your own you have got to start by getting this robe. It is truly the cat's meow!

If you are Jennifer Leighton please contact me again with an alternate email address as messages I am sending you are bouncing back! Thank you!

Now you know that Born Too Late Vintage has the best that a vintage clothing store can offer but did you know that our sister store, Mirror Image Boutique offers the best there is in contemporary clothing. I thought not so we'd like to take you on a little shopping trip through our boutique.

First we have this


NWOT Christian Dior Maize, Cream and Khaki Striped Suit Size 4

and these scrumptious

NWOT Easy Spirit Tan Leather T-Strap Shoes

or maybe you need something for colder weather. You can't go wrong with this

Sweater Dress Size M NWOT Yarnworks Red, Black and White

and these wonderful

Ferragamo Black Patent Leather Pumps Shoes sz 8.5C

Need something for a dressy occasion? Then take a look at this

Cocktail Dress Size 8 Adrianna Papell Blue Silk Sequin&Bead

and these beautiful

Shoes Deep Navy Blue Suede Pumps size 9N US

or perhaps you prefer the classic little black dress like this

Sexy Sultry, Lipsmacking Liz Claiborne Black Crepe Halter Dress Size 14

and these

NWOT Naturalizer Black Patent Leather Peeptoe Shoes Sz 9.5 M



No matter what you need we have a great selection of dresses, sweaters, designer shoes and lingerie just waiting for you at Mirror Image Boutique!

So what are you waiting for?

Start shopping NOW!

Today we are pulling out the stops at Specialist Auctions to show you what we have available in our Fall into Fashion promotion. We have a lovely group of sellers both in vintage and modern items! So check out our sellers and their wares!

HERE!

Today Born Too Late Vintage is proud to announce the addition of a preview page on our website for our Australian and New Zealand customers. Australia and New Zealand mirror the United States seasons so while we are winding our way into fall with winter not far behind Australia and New Zealand have just begun their spring season with summer not far behind.

At Born Too Late Vintage we value our customers all over the world so we'll be showing vintage fashions from all seasons all year long.

So without further ado check out our spring into fashion preview page

Here

and our fall into fashion preview page

Here

Today we're continuing our visit of fashions for fall. Light weight coats for the fall are always right and of course heavier coats for the winter ahead. No matter what you prefer or what climate or country you live in. Don't forget hats in all shapes, sizes and colors as well! Born Too Late Vintage has it all for you! Check out some of our latest additions.




Vintage 1970s Bonnie Cashin Trench Coat size 18



Vintage 1960s Black Felt Rhinestone Spray Pillbox Hat



Vintage 1970s Count Romi Trench Coat w Fur Collar



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



Vintage 1980s Anthony Richards Rain coat Sz 16 NWT



Vintage 1960s Gibbe' Military Inspired Pillbox Hat



Vintage 1930s Harris Tweed Overcoat Size 46 US



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



Vintage 1970s Pendleton Red Plaid Cape Poncho



Vintage 1940s Black Velour Bowler Hat w Decorative Buttons

Start shopping NOW!

Today my daughters start school again. While the summer has been fun with lots of swimming, trips to the library, picnics and Friday night movie night at home the girls are ready to go back to school.

I keep hearing that things are so different from when I was their age and that kids are a lot more advanced than we were at that age. Well, I beg to differ on that score.

I remember back in the 1960s when I was their age being measured by my mom and then my school clothes were ordered from the Sears catalog. It was always chubby girl dresses for me (we weren't allowed to wear pants back in the stone age). My mom would take each of us out separately on the Saturdays leading up to the start of the school year (Mom and Dad had one car and Dad used it for work during the week). We'd go to the Buster Brown shoe store and get our school shoes and then Mom would take us to the Woolworth's lunch counter for a hot dog, fries and a coke. My Mom would take out her small pair of scissors and cut my straw so I didn't tip over my glass of soda. Going out with Mom was a major treat and I had real one on one time with no outside interruptions (being the oldest of four kids there were always plenty of those).

Sunday evenings were spent at my Nonna (grandmother) and Nonno's (grandfather) house where we would have dinner. Then Nonna and Nonno would take us out to the yard where Nonno would cut either forsythia branches, peonies or lilacs for us to take into our teachers the next day at school.

Then on Monday off you went to school. We'd walk up Main Street in Cold Spring from Market Street up to the Haldane School in Cold Spring, New York. All the teachers knew my Uncle Charlie. They'd ask me if I was Charlie Nobile's niece and I'd say yes but my Dad is Joe Nobile. The same comment came back every time. "We don't know Joe but we know Charlie."

We'd spend the day reading Dick and Jane and it was when learning to read that we discovered I needed glasses because I couldn't read at all. Once I got those cats eye glasses, though, a whole new world opened up for me and I was on fire with reading. At Christmas time I'd bring in a plate of cookies for my teachers to thank them for all their hard work.

For my girls it has been very similar. I measure them and instead of buying clothes from the Sears catalog we shop at places like the Burlington Coat Factory. Instead of Woolworths we go to the local Subway and get a sub and a soda (they're old enough now that I don't have to cut their straws but I still carry those scissors in my purse). We talk about anything and everything and there is plenty of one on one time (which is a little easier when you only have two kids). We buy backpacks and lunch boxes, crayons, pencils, erasers and glue sticks (no library paste for my girls to eat).

Throughout the school year we send in irises, daffodils and peonies to their teachers. We discovered that our girls needed glasses when they started reading (however, no Dick and Jane books in school now), although my dear MIL bought the girls the entire series of Dick and Jane stories which they enjoyed immensely. And true to form after getting their glasses they were and are on fire with reading.

At Christmas time we send in trays of homemade cookies to thank their teachers for their hard work.

So even though 38 years have passed since I was 10, the age of my oldest daughter, things really aren't so different in school. The teachers are still there working hard hand in hand with parents to prepare our children for the future.

While most families have two working parents and there are times when it's hard to be there for every school function, if you really make the effort your kids will pass on those special times to their own kids in the future. Instead of buying lots of things for your kids try spending more time with them. You'd be surprised what they'll remember 38 years later. They might even write a blog about it.

Today we're continuing with the fall fashion trends of 2007 which include fur, colors, textures and knits. I'll leave the furs to the experts, although I've been known to have coats with mink collars available.

Knits are a great pick for any wardrobe. They look great, have great texture and are fun and comfortable to wear in the wall and winter. You can go for classic knits like these:


Vintage 1960s Hand Knit Cranberry Wool Suit


Vintage 1950s Hand Knit Black Wool Suit

or go for the more bodacious like this:


Vintage 1980s Boardroom Babe Pimiento Dress B36 W28 H34

You can also never go wrong with shoes, shoes, and more shoes like these


Vintage 1960s Naturalizer Patchwork Pumps Shoes sz 8.5B



Vintage 1970s Joan & David Black Italian Oxford Shoes 40 1/2



Ferragamo Tan & Gold Leather Pumps Shoes sz 8.5C


Our next blog will take on outerwear such has hats, boots and coats for the fall and winter so until next time Let's go shopping!!

As always, we're staying on top of the trends that the fashion magazines are coming out with on a regular basis. This fall we're seeing 60s mod, fur, colors, textures, knits and don't forget short leather jackets.

So for our mod 60s fashions check out our Born Too Late Preview page HERE

We also have it from the September issue of Style Watch watch how to achieve this fall’s fierce-but-ladylike look with the “in” piece of the season — a short leather jacket! It’s the perfect way of mixing uptown chic with downtown edge. Claire Danes is spot-on with her unlikely combo — a Prada chocolate bomber adds just the right dose of tough-girl attitude to her sweet dress and feminine heels. Want an easy way to add a twist — and a touch of rugged toughness — to a white tee and jeans? Try a cropped version like Katherine McPhee’s YaYa Aflalo jacket.



Of course we have something just as nice available and much more affordable


Vintage 1980s Punk Black Leather Thriller Jacket B34


Of course there's more to Fall fashion 2007 but we'll save that for our next entry which will be fur, colors, textures and knits.

Today we are featuring the designer credited as the inventor of ready-to-wear for women, Claire McCardell. My interest was piqued when I discovered through various information on the internet that Ms. McCardell was a native of Frederick, Maryland, the town where my mother grew up and where my grandmother, uncle and aunt still reside.

For a visual appreciation of Ms. McCardell's designs we recommend that our readers check out the



















The Metropolitan Museum Of Art as well as the



















Fashion Institute of Technology

There is a variety of information available on the internet about Ms. McCardell, some of which conflicts with other information available. In searching for clarification of this information I wrote to Claire McCardell's brother, Mr. Robert McCardell, age 94, who resides in Frederick, Maryland in the family home. Mr. McCardell graciously agreed to answer a few questions to help clarify things for us.

Marge: "How young was your sister, Claire, when she showed an interest in clothing design?"

Mr. McCardell: "Claire was interested in clothes from the time she was a little girl. Several times each year our mother had a seamstress spend a week at our house making clothing for the family. Claire spent a great deal of time sitting by the Singer Sewing machine watching "Miss Annie" make the pieces."

Marge: "What in particular do you believe led your sister, Claire, to choose a career in fashion design?"

Mr. McCardell: "The only reason I can think of is that she always loved clothes and fabric."

Marge: Claire attended Hood College in Frederick, Maryland and then the Parsons School of Design. What led to her decision to transfer to Parsons
rather than staying at Hood College?"

Mr. McCardell: "Claire wanted to go to New York at age 16 when she graduated from high school but our parents thought she was too young to go to the big city so she decided to go to Hood. She made terrible grades at Hood and finally after her sophomore year our mother and father decided to let her go to New York where she matriculated at the Parsons School of Design."

Marge: "Were there any designers that you know of that apprenticed with Claire that later went out on their own?"

Mr. McCardell: "There were several friends of Claire at Parsons who went out on their own but they did not seem to make the impression on the fashion world that Claire did. Robert Turk was the head designer at Townley and Claire was his assistant. He tragically died in a diving accident while swimming on vacation and the owner of Townley decided to give Claire a chance at head designer. This was her big break but she had the ability to make it pay off. Her clothes were labeled "Townley Frocks" until she won awards and her name came to be known in the fashion world, at which time her clothes were labeled "Claire McCardell". In the 2007 August issue of Vogue there is an article about Hollywood Hostess Connie Wald who, according to the article, was one of Claire's models."

Marge: Claire had a love of sports. What role did sports play for her?

Mr. McCardell: "Claire needed diversion from her grueling labor in fashions which she loved but on weekends and on vacations she would go skiing in foreign countries and spend time at her summer home on Fisher Island, NY and her farm in New Jersey. She was not athletically inclined."

Marge: "Are you surprised that all these years later your sister's clothes are coveted very much by vintage clothing aficionados?"

Mr. McCardell: "No, I am not surprised that her clothes are coveted very much by vintage clothes aficionados because she seemed to know what women wanted and she was noted for always being ahead of the current fashion. There is no telling how much farther she would have gone in the "rag trade" as they called the fashion world if she had not died at age 52 at the height of her career."

Mr. McCardell also commented: "Did you know there is a memorial to her in the sidewalk on Seventh Avenue in New York's fashion district? In Frederick on the east wall of the former Francis Scott Key Hotel, there is in process a memorial to internationally known Fredericktonions such as Francis Scott Key, Roger Brooke Taney, Patrick Dulaney, and Claire. It should be completed in the next month."

One important bit of information that Mr. McCardell imparted is this: "Several years ago (author's note: 1996) an outfit in New York produced some clothes with Claire McCardell's label. As soon as we found out about it they stopped production.. Hence, the trade mark on the use of her name. If you should purchase any of her originals make sure they are authentic and not poor "copies". "

Our research (thank you Elaine Schuster!) indicated that, if such a line was produced, it was in the spring and summer of 1996, after which the company went out of business. The family did challenge the label and the case was closed after the company went out of business.

We would like to thank Mr. Robert McCardell for taking the time to help us learn more about his sister, Claire McCardell.

A great way to verify whether you are buying a true Claire McCardell item is to check the Vintage Fashion Guild Label Resource. The reference has many labels from many designers available for comparison and to assist in the dating process and to help assist in authenticating items as well.

Postscript: It is with great sadness that we learned today, that Mr. Robert McCardell passed away on January 26, 2009 after a brief illness. We truly appreciate that he took the time to speak to us about his sister. He will be greatly missed.

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.

Start shopping NOW!

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

Start shopping NOW!

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

Start shopping NOW!