Inherited.

A lot of things have inspired my love of vintage clothing. I love the shape and cut of old clothes. I love their fabrics and palettes and metal zippers. There is a romance in old clothing--I spend way too much time imagining the first owners of my vintage finds, wondering what purpose each dress was purchased for.

The other reason is envy. I hear all the time about how people are trying to get rid of the piles of clothes left behind by the stylish women of their family.

Both sides of my family became, after World War II, people without place. Boundaries were redrawn, and postwar Germany was in shambles. Prussia no longer existed--where my family is from was absorbed by the Soviet Union--and neither did the German settlements in Poland. My fractured families all decided to try to start new in America. A war-ravaged economy and emigration do not make for a glamorously packed suitcase, so everything besides the necessities was left behind.

My mother's mother, Antonia,  married in Germany, shortly after the end of the war. People didn't have very much, and my grandfather gave his soon-to-be bride a white dress from someone he knew in another village. After some adjustments, it fit my grandmother like a glove. On her wedding day, she hung small garlands of herbs on its sash. Afterwards, it was passed on to friend who needed a wedding dress. No one knows where it ended up.

My father's parents first met in a refugee camp in Schwartau but were separated as the families moved on. They reunited several years later in America, having kept in touch for that entire time. When they married, Lucia wore a brand-new American dress, but it was then passed from cousin to cousin to friend, each one making alterations to it--letting it out, hemming it up, adding and removing details. What happened to it in the end, no one can quite remember.

I wasn't lucky enough to inherit wardrobes bursting with silks, sequins, and lace (though I did inherit that good old German stubbornness from both sides). But I love rescuing beautiful and unique pieces of clothing that have lasted decades, and with care, could be passed down again and again.

With that in mind, I'm relaunching my vintage shop under a new name: Inherited. My goal is to keep it stocked with unique pieces for everyday wear and special occasions--hopefully pieces that you'll reach for in your daily dress, and pieces that you'll pack away for your own daughters, nieces or granddaughters.

Since this post is wedding dress-themed, here's an example of one of the pieces I'm offering in my new-and-improved shop:

This amazing 1940s wedding dress comes with a little something extra--the portrait album from the first bride who wore this dress:

I'm also starting a new Facebook page for this endeavor, so pleaseplease like me there!

Being my own model.

This is a 1940s evening dress that I found recently. A royal blue full-length slip goes under a sheer, beaded dress. Both the top dress and slip have side zippers. This dress is not in perfect condition and has a few holes and tears, so I may just keep it just to look at and sigh over.

This is the turquoise goddess dress from a previous post. An armless mannequin doesn't really do this dress justice. The beaded collar on this dress is all the jewelry you'd need, but a little extra bling never hurt anybody.

This mod little dress is something else. The beaded pockets and neckline are so intricate. I also love the barely-there tint of sea foam/spring green. 

After watching all the episodes of Mad Men all over again in anticipation for its Match 25 season 4 premiere, I have even more appreciation for this dress. If Joan weren't a redhead, she would have totally worn this dress.

This 1940s navy day dress is so delicate and lovely. It is completely sheer, so it would need to be paired with a full slip. The lace collar is in perfect condition and the same lace lines the sleeve edges.

This 1940s party dress reminds me of something from the English Regency period. It's silk satin with the most lovely swirly details. I also really like the open back and girly sleeves.

This taffeta and velvet 1960s wiggle dress is my most recent find. It also comes with a velvet and beaded sleeveless top/vest, but I like the dress by itself much better. Simple and structured.

This 1940s/1950s day dress is such a favorite. It's comfortable, flattering and in perfect condition.

This 1950s/early 1960s beaded cocktail dress has a little bit of discoloration, possibly from sun damage, but it's nothing that a little box of Rit dye couldn't fix. That back draping detail is something else.

Most, if not all, of these dresses (along with a lot more vintage clothing) will be available for ogling next Saturday at the Lowcountry Artist Market at the Music Farm!

Lowcountry Artist Market: First of 2012

The March 2012 Lowcountry Artist Market is next weekend! I've been adding to the seek vintage rack and can't wait to share my finds. One of my favorite is a 1940s sheer beaded gown (it has a tiny train!). These will be photographed before next weekend and put on the blog, hopefully.

 None of these pieces have been added to Etsy yet, so you Charlestonians have exclusive access to the pieces.

Also, new for this market--I'm doing a spring cleaning of sorts. There will be a $5 bin of great vintage skirts, dresses, coats and blouses.

One last announcement (for now).

Tomorrow is the the Pop Up Shop!

Michael Mitchell

438 King Street

10am-4pm 

Hope to see you there!

A sky blue sheath.

This dress is such a darling. It's that perfect, springy shade of blue. This otherwise simple sheath dress makes the neckline the focal point, with its beaded collar detail and diamond-shaped keyhole cut-out. This is also a minor detail, but this dress is sewn at...how do I put this delicately? The bust has pointed seams that are made to accommodate the bullet bras that were ever-so-popular in the 1940s-1960s.

a 1960s goddess gown.

I really need to get a model to show off all of these vintage dresses. Even though my little mannequin gal shows things off better than a hanger would, there's no replacing a human being to highlight all of the little details of a dress. This Petty Hite gown, for example--the cape-like detail on this dress, pinned up on the right shoulder. I think the intention is for it to be worn almost as an asymmetrical sleeve. Loose, flowing, romantic, goddessy.

I'd love to meet the woman who wore this dress in the 1960s.

An easy, breezy day dress.

This dress, by Shelton Stroller, is just amazing. The print is adorable, and the fit is so flattering. It has a front-zip closure and fits more like a modern size 4 than its printed tag size of 10. This dress dates to the 1940s or early 1950s, but is still in perfect condition. Come see it on Saturday at the Art for Charity Pop-Up Shop!

Some 1970s asymmetry.

This 1970s asymmetrical dress is all kinds of awesome. A perfect palette, tons of detail (single shoulder with tie details, a button back, a bum ruffle) but still an overall simple dress. Lovely.

An orange cocktail shimmy.

From what my googling gathers, Lisbeth Wolfe was a swanky shop on Main Street in Columbia, SC. This dress pretty much proves it. It's in unbelievable condition, with not a bead out of place. It fits like a dream and I might cry a secret tear when someone buys it.