1920s Wrap Coat and Its New Home

I love when customers send me photos of their purchases from my store. Photos of them wearing my vintage garments and how fantastic they always look!

It's wonderful to see someone's interpretation of a vintage piece. Take this fabulous 1920s wrap coat that was a stellar garment garnering a ton of interest and requests to buy. Roxana from the UK was the lucky one to snap it up and sent me these photos. If you want to see more of her accessorizing visit her blog A Cat Among The Pigeons. 

Doesn't she look perfect! The hat, shoes, bag and particularly hair and makeup. Makes my heart warm when one of my vintage pieces goes to such a loving home. Thank you Roxanne!

You Want How Much?!

Ah, this coat. This fantastic 1920s wool wrap coat.

As soon as I listed this I was hit with a flurry of interest. Fabulous right? Of course. But it made me ponder the question (again....) of how to price vintage clothing. 

The price of this coat was a very reasonable $125. Some may think, why so cheap? Others may think, that's about right, and yet others may think too expensive.

This coat was sold within 48 hours of listing and because I received so many emails of people interested in this coat, hoping the sale would not go through and could I let them know, I re-evaluated the price I placed.

There were a few issues with the coat. Obvious yellowing was apparent on the front, right where the buttons are, there was a small hole and the pocket had a repair.

 

Generally when I price something, I think to myself, "What would I pay". So I stand by my price because of the issues. Regardless of how old this coat, I feel $125 was fair and not too cheap, and not gouging. 

I refuse to be one of those sellers who sell at outrageous prices just because something is old. I stand by my integrity and price valuations. If something is a lower price, then kudos to the buyer who snapped it up. If something is a higher price, then the buyer who wants the item is willing to pay for it. I am a fair seller of vintage clothing and believe quality = value. That is how I shop and that is how vintage consumers should too - don't be fooled by high prices and thinking it must be really valuable. In many cases, high prices do not mean better quality. It could mean something is more rare and definitely that is worth the higher price. Just be careful out there and do a bit of homework.

1920s Wrap Coats

I have exciting news! I have procured a very large collection of pre 1930s fashions from a local collector here in Toronto. I am slowly going through the 16 boxes of amazing vintage clothing, many items dating back to 1880. 

I can't tell you how fabulous this is for a vintage dealer - I feel like I hit the jackpot. Stay tuned dear readers as I list some extraordinary items in the coming weeks and months.

This first piece is a 1920s wool wrap coat. Significant outerwear for women in the 1920s, these coats often have a beautiful focus of an extra large button to wrap or close on the sides. This stunning dark brown patterned coat has wool weaved trim and large collar. No sooner did I list it than a customer from the UK bought it. I know it is going to a great new home!

1920s Wool Wrap Coat

Fashion Sourcebook - 1920s

Wallflower Vintage Presents: Choosing a Vintage Coat

Typically when buying a vintage coat, you should follow a few tried and true guidelines. (Unless, of course, you are buying from a reputable store like WallflowerVintage.com – we inspect and clean all the vintage items for you.)

If you are shopping at an estate sale, thrift shop, garage sale, etc. here are a few things you should be on the look out for:

• Check for moth holes on wool coats. If you still buy it, air it outside for a while in case the moth still lives there.

• Two trouble spots on coats that tend to wear faster are under the arms and in the pockets – carefully inspect these two areas for stressed seams, holes and discoloration.

• Check the lining – sometimes the lining ‘rots’ and will shred if pulled.

• Check and see if all the buttons, fasteners, belts etc are intact. It can be disappointing to get home and find a rhinestone button or two missing.

• Try on the coat for fit – don’t go by the size label – sizes have changed over the years – what used to be a size 14 is now a size 6!

• Check the sleeve length, many coats from the fifties have ¾ sleeves – much shorter than today. Be prepared to invest in some long gloves!

• Be aware that in the 50s fur collars were sewn onto 1940 fashions, if you don’t like the look they can be easily removed.

• If you’re buying vintage fur, be sure to pull on the fur (really pull hard) and if fur comes off in your hand, the fur has dry rot and cannot be repaired. (note: it can be worn, but don’t spend a lot on it).

• Know your labels – there’s no bigger thrill than getting a vintage designer coat for $20.00!

• Lastly: buy what you love – a little wear here and there gives the coat character and if you’re handy with a needle and thread… even better.

Cleaning your vintage find:

Once you get your coat home, don’t fret if it has a musty, old smell – just follow these easy directions*:

Spray the coat completely in ten parts water to one part Eucalan wool wash. Roll the coat in a towel to wick away excess moisture, hang to dry, then steam. You can find Eucalan wool wash at fine knitting stores and online.

* not recommended for fur – just air out outdoors on a nice day.

Endorsed by Prince Charles

“Fashion clearly makes people feel good, but now it has to do the world good, too, by contributing to the creation of a virtuous circle, with nature protected at the center.”, Prince Charles.

You know you've hit the big time when HRH Prince Charles endorses what you do. The September issue of Vogue quotes Prince Charles' views on up-cycling clothing, repairing and re-using instead of throwing out and pushing the fashion industry to promote the same ideals.

Way to go Prince! Thanks!

80s Mini Sequined Dress

Vintage Spectacles

WWII English Boots

1950s Dark Brown Mouton Fur Short Swing Coat

Art Deco Celluloid Brooch

Culture of Cheap

Did you know it's expensive to be cheap?

How many times have you bought an item for cheap only to be disappointed? You probably had to replace that item shortly after purchase, or worse, throw it away. In North America, we have become a group of discount shoppers buying items that are cheap and poorly made - disposable items, not made to last a long time.

Discount shopping stores like Walmart stock items that do not reflect quality or durability. On average, North Americans buy a new piece of clothing every 5 days. I'll bet the last time you went to an outlet mall you spent a ton of money and thought you saved, but a recent study has proven that we spend 80% more on shopping trips to outlet malls than the regular shopping mall. Storage companies are the largest growing sector as people need a place to keep all their stuff - it might be a wise investment to buy some stock in "Public Storage".

Looking for quality instead of quantity can actually save money. Discount stores have contributed to our spending habits and it's a movement that needs to slow down. Consumers need to become more interested in true value rather than the price. Generally, if something is more important to you, you will most likely research it before buying- like a car or house. Perhaps we should apply this way of thinking to everything we buy.

A fascinating book by Ellen Ruppel Shell Cheap: The high cost of discount culture

Let's look at some value items.

Vintage Auckie Sanft Wool Dress Suit

 

Glass Beaded 1950s Wool Top

Vintage Suede Coat

Mister Leonard Plaid Skirt