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That is a nice hat. I would date it to the early to mid 1960s. It is a roller brim style, often called a Breton. Yes, the ribbon trim is strictly for decoration, and is a typical trim for this particular style of hat.

Early to mid 70s for me! Reminds me of the secretary dresses my aunt used to wear.

That is lovely. It looks to be from the early 1930s. Are you sure it is velvet? It looks like fur, similar to what used to be called "Hudson seal" but which was not really seal it was another less expensive fur. You might call it a shrug style. Or simply a short Dolman sleeved jacket.

That is a very lovely hat, simple yet sophisticated. And well made too. Yes, you could certainly call that a Juliet cap. My guess is it dates from the very late 1940s to mid 1950s. Hard to be sure just from the photo, and it is such a classic style it could be later. Is it a natural straw...

I agree with 80s. That peplum look came back around 1985 and I had several dresses with that same silhouette at the time.

Thank you, Claire. That was a long long obit! And a good read. Oddly, I had thought he passed away several years ago.

Hello, It is not a jacket, but is a bodice, the top of a 2 piece dress and would likely have had a matching skirt. The buttons may have been replaced over the years (not sure of course) as I would expect shank buttons for this garment (buttons with no through holes in front). Hard to date it...

Good to know it is silk chiffon, a very nice fabric. This type of feather boa was (and still is) made this way by the manufacturer/maker. The strung feathers were sewn at the factory to a cotton cording, and then sold by the yard to dressmakers and costumers. I think whoever made this (is it...

Thank you for the added photos, Nichole. Yes, the green ribbon is a later addition. If you wish to sell this, you might want to consider gently removing the green stitches and take off the ribbon. You could replace it with a length of antique silk ribbon in any color, preferably something...

They both look very late Victorian to early Edwardian, as in 1897 - 1907. Hard for me to be sure without seeing some close ups, especially close ups of the interiors. The black hat seems a bit odd to me because the brim, its construction, and the lining are circa 1900 era but the crown and...

The purse looks fairly contemporary to me, 1970s to 1990s. Not sure, but it does not have the look of the pre 1960s W & D purses.

Interesting piece. It is possible that the ostrich was added at a later date. That particular type of ostrich trim looks more modern to me, post 1950s era. The feathers are a bit too flimsy (but lovely) looking for an antique garment, and the cotton core is not typical for antique feathers...

I am also thinking earlier in the 1950s decade.

Brooke, The ash looks like it could be silk, but it is very hard to tell from a photo. I would have to see it and feel it and watch it burn. Actually, when you burn it, the best test is how it smells. Silk will smell just like burning hair, a pretty foul odor. Rayon will smell much like...

This looks like a vest or tunic to me. Perhaps had matching pants or skirt?

Yes, if I look closer at the far ends on your label I can almost see part of the word "Paris" woven (not stamped) into the band which I did not notice before. I can see what looks like it could be "IS" on the left side of Worth and "P" on the right side. I looked for it before but did not see...

Thanks Claire! I wonder slightly about the label. I was thinking that perhaps it should be woven in ivory silk on ivory or gold silk on black. Have you, Claire, see a (stamped?) gray label like this on a Worth gown from this time period? I am far far from an authority on the subject but...

What a beautiful gown. Could you please show a close up of the label and a few inches around it? Is the name Worth woven into the band or has it been hand stamped? It appears as if ink stamped but hard to be sure without a close up. Also, do you know if the tag with the numbers is an...

Brooke, I have to compliment you, as you seem to always find such lovely things and share them with us here.

Hello, That is a lovely photograph. It is not in color, of course, so we have no way to know for sure what color the women are wearing. Could be brown, gray, dark blue, wine, dark green etc. Even if it is black, I see nothing that indicates mourning in particular. The trimmings are not...

I prefer to call this type of fabric, simply, a damask stripe. It's damask and it is striped. I have not heard of the term "self striped" but I suppose it fits that too. Although the term "self striped" does not particularly bring to mind damask. I do disagree :) that brocades (not what...

I agree with Jonathan's assessment on the material and dating. Based on the photos, it looks like a rayon satin tape lace, this style is sometimes referred to as soutache lace. It could be silk, so doing a burn test on a few threads will tell that easily. Looks early 'Teens era to me. It is...

That is an interesting garment. It reminds me a bit of Korean traditional garments. Not sure why, but it does!

I agree, I think it ties in front.

Donna, thanks but I do not think I know all that much about swimsuits! Just I recall seeing a lot of ladies in bathing suits back in the 1950s. Yes, I am THAT old!!!

That is a a cute suit! The style looks more 1950s to me than 1960s. Also, the tag reads "cotton and rubber". I would think that by 1960, Spandex or Lycra would have replaced rubber in most swimsuits.

One small bit of advice is that if you box it instead of hanging, be sure to never put the box on the floor or under a bed, etc. Depending on your climate, mold can attack leather if it sits on the floor as temperature changes can cause slight moisture build up. If you do have to put it near...

While I cannot tell the dating on the dress (sorry,. the pattern reminds me very much of Marimekko and the dress has a 1970s cut to it. Nice!

Claire, You might check with the Getty Museum here in LA. They did a wonderful exhibit a few years ago of early photos of Victoria and Albert and family. Most were by 1 or 2 particular photographers. This does look familiar and I am wondering it I saw it there.

Your hat looks to be from the 1990s, as that style was very popular then. It could be newer, or a bit older as in late 1980s, not sure as I have not heard of that label.