Vintage Clothing 101

In This Issue:
* Message from Diana
* Feature Article: Vintage Apparel 101
* Did You Know?

I usually don't watch much television, but I do follow some of the reality shows, including PROJECT RUNWAY, which just started its newest season on Bravo last week.

contestants dress so badly? I mean, they're presenting themselves as fashion designers, they know they're going to be on camera, they have millions of potential clients watching - and yet few of them bother to dress for the occasion. Hello! Don't they realize they're on a job interview?

Some completely mystify. They go WAY overboard with the hair products and weird clothes, make you think they wandered in from a rock concert or soup kitchen, then proceed to produce stunning, jaw-dropping couture apparel that sends everyone into a frenzy. I don't get it.

Why confuse your potential employers with an outside package that doesn't match the inside skill? It's like wrapping a diamond necklace in newspaper and then wondering why no one's jumping to open it. Dumb, dumb, dumb! Yes, you may blow people away with your abilities ONCE THEY GET TO KNOW YOU, but most job interviews don't go on for weeks and weeks, like PROJECT RUNWAY. Usually, you only have an instant to convey your ability and point of view.

What color of foundation should you wear? What hairstyles can shave years off your appearance? Where can you skimp in your daily grooming routines, and where should you pamper yourself for long-term gain? Discover the beauty-enhancing, age-defying, head-turning secrets of great skin, hair, and makeup in Beauty at Any Age .

When I was in third grade, I was cast as the grandmother in our class play. When I told my mother I needed a little old lady costume, she took me to this old Victorian house in downtown Colorado Springs. The stairs creaked as we climbed the front porch. Inside, the light was dim and the place smelled like a musty old attic. Everywhere I looked, in what had once been the main living areas of the house, were row upon row of outdated clothes, hats, and shoes -- like the kind my great grandmother and great aunt still wore.

It wasn't a good one. At the age of eight, I couldn't begin to fathom why anyone would wear stuff like this. Why walk around looking decades out of style ON PURPOSE? It just didn't make any sense. For the next twenty years, whenever someone said, "vintage clothing," that musty-smelling house in the Springs came to mind.

My opinion changed in the early 90's. That's when my boss's sister opened a vintage clothing store near Clemson University, in their home state of South Carolina. Pat would tell me how quickly those college students would wipe out Nancy's inventory, forcing her on a constant quest to re-stock the store. Nancy had even stooped to running a "We Pay Cash for Old Clothing" ad in the local obituary pages, and scored a big hit when one of the grand old families in the area called her after their matriarch died. The old gal had worn couture for nearly sixty years but had never thrown anything out. Nancy paid $2,000 for the lot and promptly resold all of it in her store, pocketing nearly $40,000 in a week.

That was the first time it occurred to me that there might be more to this vintage clothing thing than meets the eye.

Once upon a time, quality workmanship was the rule. Beautiful linings, elegant closures, finished seams - it was how clothes were made "back in the day." Today you pay extra for beautifully finished apparel.

Some people prefer vintage because they feel the old styles best express their viewpoint. Others pair vintage pieces with newer styles for a unique look. Still others want a one-of-a-kind look for a big party or event without the one-of-a-kind price tag that typically goes with it. Vintage helps them do that.

Great styles are great styles whether they were conceived last week or two generations ago. If you like to watch old movies like I do, you'll notice that many of the day suits and evening gowns from the 40's, 50's, and 60's are as chic today as they were when they debuted. Want an easy way to capture some "Old Hollywood" glamour? Wear some Old Hollywood-era pieces.

Once upon a time, a woman wasn't properly dressed unless she wore a hat and gloves when she left the house. You could tell she had "married well" if her husband gave her a parure [puh-roor] (matching suite of jewels), and you knew she traveled frequently if she had a matching set of luggage. Today, few women bother with any of these accessories - which means that those who do really stand out.

Love designer clothes but not the price tag that goes with them? Then look to vintage for your designer fix. You'll get the brand name and the designer look WITHOUT the current season price. Opt for simple lines and classic styling for a timeless look.

Wearing old styles is one of the easiest ways to get on board with the green movement. Why buy new when you can recycle old?

So is everything that's not current season considered vintage? No. Technically, here's the age breakdown:

Antique - anything prior to 1920. Most antique clothing is bought to display in a collection, not to wear. Antique jewelry can be worn or displayed.

The easiest way to look for great vintage pieces is to surf the 'Net. You can learn about different eras and designers and start to get an idea of what constitutes a "great" deal. Here are some places to look:

Vintage clothing is great way to get a unique look, often for a fraction of modern day one-of-a-kind items. With a little persistence and an eye towards the classics, you can find great looks at great prices. Remember: value never goes out of style.

Need some help finding the best looks for your body shape and clothing personality? Download a copy of WARDROBE MAGIC to see how easy dressing well can be,

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Answer: During World War II. When nylon was in short supply and most women either wore cotton stockings or went bare-legged, British Vogue promoted the wearing of ankle socks, which were usually white and made of cotton or wool. Some styles were made in tweed to match suits.