Here we go! I plan on scanning and posting this whole fashion dictionary, The Language of Fashion by Mary Brooks Picken (published in 1939). If you’d like the full rez scans, they will be available for a reasonable price, when I finish. So far, only about 200 more pages to go 🙂
Step straight into the backstage chaos of 1993 with this authentic, original Lenny Kravitz Universal Love Tour t-shirt. Printed on the legendary heavyweight cotton Giant blank, this isn’t just a piece of rock merchandise—it’s a verifiable artifact. With a moody, faded band portrait on the front and a sprawling, Celtic-inspired “Let Love Rule” heart on the back, this tee perfectly captures the retro-revival magic of early 90s rock and roll.
Did you know that nylon stockings didn't come on the market until the 1939 World's Fair? DuPont built the first full-scale nylon plant in Seaford, Delaware, and began commercial production in late 1939. (according to this article on the...
A richly scanned collection of turn‑of‑the‑century St. Louis cabinet cards and studio portraits—J. Haas, Setzer, When, Crescent, Parsons, and others—featuring a young soldier, First Communion scenes, and unforgettable character studies. Dive into Victorian‑to‑Edwardian fashion details, studio backdrops, and card‑back imprints to help date and better understand these Missouri family photographs.
J. Haas shot a very lovely looking portrait of a young couple, which I am guessing (but not sure) would be around 1908-ish because of her high necked long tulip flared gown and poofed sleeves. Please correct me in the comments if I'm wrong! I am...
Soft pastels meet sharp geometry in this lovely vintage 1980s handmade skirt. Featuring a “leaf-on-leaf” textured jacquard fabric in dreamy blues and pinks, this fully lined pencil skirt is tailored for a Petite fit with a classic back kick pleat.
Measurements:
Waist: 13.5 inches flat (27 inches around)
Hips: Approx. 19.5 inches flat (39 inches around)
Length: 25.5 inches
Kick Pleat/Vent: 8 inches
Modern Size Estimate: US Small / 4 Petite (Fits a 27″ waist)
A rare, textural delight from the queen of fashion herself, Diane von Furstenberg. Dating to the late 70s or early 80s, this pleated midi skirt is crafted from a cozy, fuzzy blend of wool and rabbit hair (Angora) in a “oatmeal” cream with woven pastel checks. Unlined, breathable, and boasting that high-end Portuguese construction. Fits a modern Size Small (US 4).
Measures:
Waist: 26 inches (Doubled)
Hips: 39 inches (Doubled) – The pleats offer some room here.
Length: 30 inches – A lovely midi length.
Channel your inner pinup girl with this classic navy blue and white polka dot pencil skirt. Handmade in the 1980s with a nod to 1950s style, it features a sleek high waist, a sturdy “slick” finish fabric, and a Petite-friendly midi length.
Measurements:
Waist: 13.5 inches flat (approx. 27 inches around)
Hips: 18 inches flat (approx. 36 inches around)
Length: 26 inches
Hem Allowance: approx. 3 inches (can be let down)
Modern Size Estimate: US Small / 4 Petite (Check hip measurements carefully!)
It appears as if bus service to the Muny at Forest Park during World War II was very comprehensive! Bus service extended as far as Gravois and Hampton, Grand and Holly Hills, 3rd and Washington (downtown), Florissant and Kingshighway, and Delmar and DeBalviere… a pretty wide radius!
Also in these last few pages of the 1943 St Louis Municipal Opera program, besides ads, was the list of large donors who gave to the Municipal Theatre Associations guarantee fund. It reads like a long list of old St. Louis society’s who’s-who and includes Adolphus Busch II and his son, August Buch (of the Anheuser-Busch brewery). It’s interesting to see who the early supporters of the Muny were!
An 87-year-old family mystery, a misidentified woman in a Virginia court case, DNA matches, and an unsent 1939 letter finally helped me break one of my biggest genealogy brick walls. But the real story is about the generations of researchers who preserved just enough evidence for someone else to eventually finish the search.
Step straight out of the 1920s with this incredibly rare, plus-size antique day dress! Featuring a rich dark chocolate brown worsted fabric, a classic drop-waist tubular silhouette, and exquisite gold and green Art Deco embroidery, this dress has absolute main character energy.
Please note that this is a near 100-year-old survivor and is being sold as a wearable project or display piece. The interior silk lining has shattered (a common occurrence with 1920s weighted silk) and will need to be carefully removed.
Measurements (Doubled):
Bust: 44″ (leave room to drape)
Waist: 41″
Hips: 47″
Length: 46″
Fits a modern XL / 1X.
Discover a selection of turn-of-the-century photographs from St. Louis studios like When Studio, Crescent Studios, and J. Haas. This collection includes a mysterious unmarked photo, formal headshots of young men, and an intriguing bridal portrait featuring a black wedding dress. Explore the history, fashion, and social customs captured in these historic cabinet cards and vintage portrait styles.
This is an interesting article on how the Motion Picture Production Code affected the evolution of cheesecake pinup, and changed the recipe.
Defining and illustrating various types of necklines. How useful to describing and selling vintage clothing online, as well as when buying it!
Step into a beautifully preserved piece of 1940s history with this extraordinary handmade navy brocade dress. Featuring a cleverly concealed full-snap front closure, dramatic power shoulders, and delicate metallic silver piping, this dress is a masterclass in mid-century home dressmaking.
Whether you are a dedicated collector of WWII-era garments or someone who simply appreciates the weight and texture of true vintage jacquard, this dress offers a flattering, belted silhouette with a story woven into every single seam.
Measurements (Doubled):
Bust: 40″
Waist (Belted): 34″ (can go up to 38″ unbelted)
Hips: 42″
Length: 42″
Fits like a modern Large.
This was the most amazing 1950s magazine to photograph! Is this Marilyn Monroe on the cover? I wish I could have bought this vintage pinup magazine for myself! It’s dated 1953.
7 shoe advertisement scans from 1924. Business to business marketing for shoe manufacturers in St. Louis, and old advertisements for shoes!
Straight from the vintage storage vault, this authentic 1940s “it’s a Clayton New York” day dress is a mid-century masterpiece waiting for a little TLC. Featuring a mesmerizing, swirling abstract print in rich teals, chocolate browns, and cool aquamarines, it boasts a classic 40s silhouette with intricately pleated shoulders and a side metal zipper.
She has been in deep storage for over fifteen years and is being sold exactly as found—complete with a warehouse slumber scent and a quirky, home-altered hem. For the vintage lover willing to give her a gentle soak and a few minutes with a seam ripper, this is a rare, generously sized piece of 1940s fashion history.
Measurements:
Bust: 42″
Waist: 34″
Hips: 46″ (Flows freely from the waist)
Length: 41″ (Currently, with the home-altered hem. Can likely be lengthened!)
Whew! Finally done scanning this lengthy Victorian fashion magazine! I broke the spine while scanning it, but atleast now it's all digitally preserved. These last few pages of this magazine include alot of advertisements and illustrations....
Discover the thriving world of 1920s fashion through authentic advertisements from the 1924 St. Louis Fashion Pageant. These vintage ads showcase dress manufacturers, millinery companies, luxury fur dealers, and textile suppliers that operated along Washington Avenue in downtown St. Louis during the height of the Jazz Age. Learn about the businesses, products, and economic forces that shaped American fashion during one of the most iconic decades in style history.
Here are some advertisements for Cream of Wheat, and Mennen’s Toilet Powder baby powder from 1913, as well as the table of contents and cover of The Modern Priscilla July 1913 issue. The Modern Priscilla was a housekeeping and fashion magazine.