Recent content by Jonathan

It looks like a version of a Tudor-style tam with a stiff brim. We have one from the 1890s, same era as this photo, in the collection but unfortunately, its not photographed... but here is a repro...

They are more common after c. 1907, but they are around - informal day dresses are often one piece by the 1890s.

Sonni was in business from c. 1950 to 2005. The core of the hat looks like those Princess Diana 'Eugenie' hats that were popular in c. 1980, but that massive veil/brim suggests to me it's a later revival style. The text style on the label also looks later to me, maybe early 2000s?

Likely 1902 - polka-dot prints were HUGE that year, the fullness of the sleeve is moving away from the wrist, but it hasn't puffed at the shoulder yet - which you also see in 1909-1910, but the skirt shape would be different in 1909/10 rather than this flared bell shape, which is early Edwardian.

Definitely contact Betsey Johnson via however you can - I suspect there is a story behind it...

It's not impossible that it does up at the front - usually that's for nursing but the 'norm' is not the rule. It's like pockets - a lot of dresses have pockets, especially in the mid-late 19th century, but it's often said that dresses don't have pockets.

That makes sense - I saw that movie but a long time ago when it came out and had forgotten that name. I thought maybe it was in reference to the Beatles song Penny Lane and John Lennon wearing an Afghan coat, except Penny Lane was on the Sgt. Pepper's album, so it was just before they went all...

These are what you are looking at The skirt should be a bit longer in the back, so that should also tell you which way the dress is worn.

It's the shot where the fabric is pulled up the neck. I didn't look closely at all the photos. For an evening dress from this period, the opening should be in the back. Do you have any provenance on the dress?

Very nice -a summer evening gown and yes, c. 1860-63 would be my guess. Not in perfect shape, but certainly presentable. It's definitely on the mannequin backwards. Let me know when you put it up for sale.

That is a pretty one. I have never heard the term 'Penny Lane' for these coats before, and I have also never heard they were made of Yak. The original ones were made of karakul sheepskin. I have always assumed these were from the late 60s-70s and don't recall them being worn into the 80s as they...

Really tough to tell without handling it, but I suspect it's a blend like maybe a linsey-woolsey?

I really don't think so, however, it is from a desirable period - 1790s is really hard to find, and there was that recent Regency auction where 1790s dresses took high bids. I think the fabric, and possibly the dress, is likely Dutch - they liked dark grounds, and dark cotton dresses are less...

I believe Normandie was out of Montreal. The purse looks late 1950s to me - nearly identical to a brown purse we have from a going away outfit worn in 1957.

It's so hard to put dates on shoes since the early 2000s as footwear is no longer driven by gradual changes in fashion - it's more about designer labels, long term trends that recycle year after year, and retro styles. These would have been available at the same time as platforms and...