Tuesday, February 24, 2009

My Favorite Vintage Coat and Skirt

Do you wear vintage? I have bought and worn vintage since I was in high school in the early 80's. The quality and dressmaker details in some of the older pieces is really amazing. Today, I thought would share with you my favorite vintage coat and skirt, both from the 1940-50's.
First, the coat... Its a heavy wool coat with a fitted waist and full skirt. It weighs a ton! But it sure keeps me warm. :)
It originally came with the fur collar, but, I'm not a fan of wearing fur, so I removed it. I think it looks better without it, too. The small stand-up collar makes it easy to add whatever scarf I want.
It was purchased over 2 decades ago at a rummage sale sponsored by the Art Museum's Ladies Auxillary. It used to be a big event held very other year in downtown Cincy. (Sadly, the event was discontinued).
The skirt is a gorgeous wool plaid number with covered buttons and sewn down pleats. I think I've mentioned before how I wear a lot of skirts, and this one has certainly been a staple in my wardrobe over the years.
My mom actually bought this at the Goodwill when I was still in high school. (remember when you could still find cool stuff like this?) Thankfully, it was a little big for me then, and she had moved the buttons over...So as I gained weight over the years, I was able to move them back and have it still fit.
This is the back. My manni doesn't really have a butt, but the pleats hang very pretty on a real person.

I have also bought a number of vintage sweaters, dresses, and purses. Although I don't wear head-to-toe vintage, I think adding one piece to an outfit makes a fun statement.
Why not checkout some of the vintage clothing items offered on Etsy.

13 comments:

Anonymous said...

Kim, I love vintage clothes too, and you have to check out the store on downtown old milford.. I think it is called Gayles.. but that is all she has and you would LOVE It.. great prices too.. I love your blog! IS cincinnati ever going to warm up? Lord this is getting so OLD!!!!! Have a great week. Mechelle

Niesz Vintage Home said...

Hey Mechelle!
How are you?! Thanks for the tip on Gayles. I've never been there but, will definitely check it out.

Kimberly :)

Abby and Stephanie said...

With my daughter at UC I'm interested in any cool and fun place in Cincinnati! Gorgeous vintage clothes and my daughter would especially love them. Say NO to fur. Much better without!

Some Like it Vintage.com said...

It's still cold enough in Toronto, Canada for beautiful vintage coats, love your picks!

Anonymous said...

Kim, That is so neat. They don't have clothes over size 16 in vintage clothes. Leaves me out, but visit the Vintage Clothier on my blog list. She has a great selection!

KitschKrafts said...

I love your finds and the fact that one is from high school! I thought I was the only one that kept things around that long. I lived in northern KY just across from downtown Cincinnati many years ago and my mom and I used to go to the Salvation Army, Goodwill and a really cool vintage store over in a little area called downtown Franklin (I think??). It was very up and coming, but there was this one great shop in what looked like an almost abandoned building. I bought many vintage clothing items from them. In fact, I still have a wonderful old quilt that we bought at the Salvation Army for our dog. We got home and I realized I liked it to much to let him have it. I still use it to this day, more than 20 years later!

Vintage shopping is great.
Erika

ShabbyInTheCity said...

I think the shape of them is so feminine!

Marilyn in NM said...

I had a plaid skirt almost identical to your when I was in High School, although it was a little bit shorter...lol....you know, the early 70's! LOL
I really love the coat. It just looks classy like something out of a Katherine Hepburn movie.....love it!
Hugs,
Marilyn in NM

Anonymous said...

I jst popped by to tah you for stopping by and leaving me a welcome back - these coats are devine, I love them to bits. Serious envy here!

Anonymous said...

I'm avintage seller on Etsy and I'm SOOO jealous of these coats they are wonderful, of course if they were mine I would never be able to part with them.

rochambeau said...

Hi Kimberly,
Great post!! Adore your vintage treasures! Really I do!!! Like you I wear and remake thrift store gems!
Don't give up, keep looking there really are still good things floating around out there!!!


Thank you for dropping by yesterday!
xox

Free Art Printables said...

I love that.. hey, I have some vintage fabric I wanted to get rid of,.. can I send it to you?

Niesz Vintage Home said...

uh, YES!
It will have a good home here. :)