When you clean out a closet you go back in time . . .

This week, like every year at this time, I switch my fall/winter wardrobe of sweaters & jeans to my spring/summer shorts & tops. But I did something this time that took me down memory lane.  I said enough is enough. It is about time I give away some clothes I have not worn in years and will never wear again. As you get older, life changes occur, and you no longer dress like you use to, it is time to let go and start anew. Making three piles; one for donating, one for keeping, and the big one, to sell. Yes, I decided to part with some outfits that were so near and dear to me. These clothes actually identified me: stylish but quirky, expensive but worth its cost, and then there were the memories. Oh boy!

As I pulled each garment out, took off the protective cover, hung it up on the door to take a long look at it, I pondered on the time and reason when I wore it. My daughter was home that day so I took each and every outfit to her and asked her, “Do you remember this one?” Her reactions were funny and mostly her patience with me was appreciated as I sat there and recalled the story behind the outfit. She was present for all the times I wore these clothes, so she too, went down a memory path. Do you know that clothes have stories to tell? I could probably write an amusing book, each chapter a narrative about finding the dress, suit and gown, why I needed, mostly wanting it, and what it cost then. When I researched the designer label and found out how much it costs today, I was flabbergasted.

 After I pulled out the last outfit, I asked myself, now what do I do with all these wonderful clothes? You will never believe what solution I came up with. Especially me, the Family Museum Curator that advocates saving and preserving family heirlooms, not that a dress is a family heirloom, but its history is worth a fortune of memories for me.       

I decided to take a booth at our local antique mall and sell these vintage clothes along with other family things that are not wanted anymore. This was a difficult decision for me, but there comes a time when I had to stop holding onto gowns I will no longer wear let alone fit into. And now the work begins. It is not easy to prepare something to sell. There are several procedures that must be followed and there is also an expense that is incurred. I ask myself, will all this work be worth my time and energy? When I know, I will share this info with you.

Until then, here comes summer. The shorts and t-shirts reign supreme in my closet and when the first autumn leave falls, I will be at it again.

And don’t forget to get your poppy this Memorial Day. This is a great time to remember the lives lost to preserve American freedom. It's a solemn holiday most often spent by sharing a day off with loved ones. But as you enjoy being with friends and family, take a minute to remember everyone who can't be with their loved ones.

And let us not forget our brave men and women who are at this moment in time, protecting America and you & me!

 

 

Vintage Clothes - Men's Leisure Suits

Leisure Suits originated on the west coast of the US in the late-1930s as summer casual-wear for the wealthy, possibly derived from the heavy tweed Norfolk, khaki safari and Ike jackets worn by English sportsmen. Leisure Suits became popular among members of Britain's Mod subculture in the 1960s, but only achieved widespread popularity in the United States when—with the creation and popularization of synthetic materials—an unprecedented inexpensive suit featured contrasting stitching on yokes, cuffs, and elephant collars. Casual enough to be worn out of the workplace setting yet formal enough for business. They are frequently associated with that era's Disco culture. The Leisure suit height of popularity was around the mid to late 1970s, but fell from fashion in the very early 1980s.


When I presented this pastel Peach Leisure Suit to my husband, I think he rolled his eyes. But being the loving husband that he was then and still is today, he donned the suit to many family functions, taking in all the ribbing his brother's could dish out. When we unearthed the suit from one of those many stored boxes, we had a good laugh reliving that time, when current culture and fashion protested formality. Keith tried the suit on but alas, it did not fit. However, it holds fond memories and it never fails to make a visitor to our museum guffaw when a guy sees it and recalls his own experience with his Leisure Suit.

Just as women love to shop and wear vintage clothing, so should men. Check out this website for men's vintage clothing. DressThatMan.com

   

 

 

 

 

Vintage Clothes - Sunday Dress

Sundays at our house were very traditional. Living in a very ethnic (Italian, Polish, Yugoslavian, Irish, Mexican) neighborhood on the south side of Chicago in the 1950s, we all had one thing in common – we all went to church on Sunday. My family was Catholic and we attended the Sacred Heart Catholic Church every Sunday. Everyone dress their Sunday best. Especially on the holy days.

I loved this red, white & blue patriotic dress, at least what I remember of it. My favorite color was and still is red. And I loved poke-a-dots and red ribbons. I think this was an Easter Dress because it had a coat and hat. I no longer have the coat and hat or gloves, but somehow the dress was saved.

Here is a picture of me and my brother, Eddie, in our church clothes. What a cute brother-and-sister we were; me in my red poke-a-dot dress with its navy blue coat and little hat and white gloves! When did a little girl last wear white gloves? And him in his corduroy pants, white shirt and bow tie.

Just for the fun of it, here we are in our everyday clothes. Now, that’s what I’m talking about. Gosh, we both look like we just got off the boat.

Even better than this is the one of just me. Can’t imagine what I was thinking, but hey, dig those shoes! Now this outfit is what I call style . . . shabby clothes and fancy shoes. The shoes were hand-me-downs from my cousin Margy. She was a rich kid. But I had STYLE!

In my Family Museum, I do not have the space to display the few vintage clothing pieces I have. Those that are displayed are absolutely fun to see and talk about. The others are wrapped in tissue paper and stored in boxes under the top shelf. If a time came about when the subject of vintage clothing would come up, I have easy access to them. I wish I had saved more of my clothes, but alas, they are gone. However, I learned my lesson and when it came to saving my children’s baby clothes and favorite outfits, I made sure I did so and now they have a fine collection of clothing memories.

It is never too late to save and if and when you pursue an antique clothing store and you see something you had as a child and would like to have it again, do yourself a favor and get it. Bring it home and proudly display it in Your Family Museum.  Have fun with your memories!

P.S. There are many websites that specialize in vintage clothing. Here is one that covers much more than clothing. Take a look.    http://www.thepeoplehistory.com

Tomorrows post:  Lizzie’s Shoes  

Vintage Clothes – School Days

Vintage Clothing

Doesn’t that sound classic, so first-rate!

I thought I would start a new blog posting featuring vintage clothing, and what better piece of clothing could I start out with than my 1956-57 school skirt I could have worn on my first day back to school, which today is the first day back to school for many kids.

Do you remember what you wore on your first day back to school?

I had attended the John L. March Elementary School in South Chicago, from 1955 to 1960. The school still thrives today and has a very long history. My mother’s family all attended Marsh, as it was simply called then.  

This is my skirt. I remember wearing it often, as I did not have a wardrobe of means. I think it had two long jumper straps because inside the waist band are buttons that held the straps in place. I think I remember them always falling down, too. I also had a white blouse with short puffy sleeves.  

I can’t remember where my mom bought the skirt, but I do remember shopping at Montgomery Ward in Chicago. We use to get their big catalogues in the mail and I remember flipping through the black & white and colored pages picking out mostly the toys I wanted. Heck with school clothes!  

Today with vintage clothing being popular, I wonder if there are any skirts like the one I had available for sale. One such vintage shop is online. It’s called Mod Cloth. There website is http://www.modcloth.com.

It’s lots of fun looking at vintage clothing.

I wonder if the clothes kids wear today will ever be considered Vintage? I think not but I could be wrong. After all, fashion is in the eye of the beholder?

Tomorrows Vintage: Sunday Dress