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This is your chuckle for the day-- Many years ago a friend who had a menswear store hired a college student to work part time. A customer asked the student why the pima cotton shirts were so much more expensive than the regular cotton shirts. She promptly replied that it was because it took...

I bought a Davidow ad (1957) book a couple of weeks ago. In the copy the term "Daventree" was used to describe the patented edge finish on the jackets. It also described the fabrics as Davidow tweeds. C

Nicole, Thank you. I am so delighted to be a member. I learn new things daily and it has definitely broadened my horizons and increased my knowledge. It's really a pleasure to add a small contribution when I can. C

It's guipure. It was called chemical lace because it was first embroidered on acetate which dissolves in acetone. The embroidery would be a different fiber type which didn't dissolve in acetone--silk, wool, cotton, linen. Today it's usually embroidered on a water soluble material and can be...

This is an allover lace. C

When I went to the Bernina's Educator's REunion several weeks ago, I met a colleague who has several hundred old patterns from relatives to sell. If you would like to contact her, please send me a U2. Claire

Oops, you're right--Gilberg's was in Tallahassee when I was in college in the 50s. I don't think it was a chain. I think the store in MD had a diff. name. It's possible the dress was made by a fashion design student at FSU, but I would think dressmaker or "home-made" not production. C

There used to be a fabric store in the Wheaton Shopping Center (MD). I think it may have been named Gilberg's. It was there in the sixties. Claire

Linn, Is there a possibility that the hotel would have an early guest list? I can understand why anyone from Idaho might travel to HI for a winter vacation if they had the money. When you consider the western winter vacation locations in the US, that's a bit early for Palm Springs and...

Must be sisters. C

I like the Royal Hawaiian Hotel story. The hotel is pink and so is the dress. Is the design consistent with 1926 or 1927. C

Yuk! I have a "leather" belt that has deteriorated badly. It's really yukky. The buckle has Xs and Os so belt is probably a Paloma Picasso knock-off. Any suggestions for finding a leather replacement. Claire

Anytime you have metallic in early 20th c. it would add value because it's real metallic. Later, it's generally a metallic look-alike. Costume historians, can you relate a historical event in early 20c.--either Philippines or Hawaii that might have influenced the lace design. I have...

I brushed the rope with a tooth brush and water and the beads look clean again. Then I put it in the freezer. I'll take it out tomorrow and report next week whether the RRR has grown back. C

The beige on pink lace is not chantilly. It appears to have a "unique" pineapple design. It's very pretty and because of the design unusual. The white lace appears to be an allover lace. These are freqeuntly inexpensive but I have a Givenchy couture dress with an allover lace. I would look...

I meet a lot of interesting people thanks to my husband. One lady whom I met recently was telling me about her ex-husband's custom made suits. He had them lined with Hermes scarves. It takes 3 scarves in the same pattern and colorway. She said this is somewhat challenging. Even the boutique...

RRR covers a wide variety of yukky issues. C

Chantilly has large flowers usually; alencon has small ones. Both are available at many price points. Chantilly is often reembroidered, beaded, or embellished with ribbon. are If you have photos, I'll try to help. Claire

Carrie, I think the beads are jet since they are faceted, but they could be glass. The RRR is on the beads. It is grey and looks like mold which is strange since I live in the desert. C

I have a jet beaded rope with Roumanian Roadrunner Rot (RRR). If you are not familiar with this disease, it is anything yucky. I bought the belt several years ago at the Santa Monica Antique show so I know it didn't always have it. It looks like mold. How do I get rid of it? Claire:help:

There's an Open House for a vacant lot down the street. It's a large lot and completely fenced. Generally, the gates are locked. The house was torn down recently and evidently the plan to build a new one fell through.

Hollis, I have no idea how Mugler is doing on the market, but I look at each Mugler individually. Some are stunning and really look great; while others are too over-the-top. Claire

Rayon and acetate are two different fibers. If you burn the fabric, it will burn differently. Acetate bubbles and sputters. Rayon fades badly with exposure to light. Quite honestly, I don't know about acetate. Someone with a better knowledge of menswear might know if Lanvin had a menswear...

I have an upcoming article for Threads with some photos from the exhibit as well as some sewing techniques. Claire

He was still wearing the Obama button at the exhibit in SF> C

Hopefully, this is the Scassi article: http://i175.photobucket.com/albums/w130/claireshaeffer/miscellaneous/Scassi01.jpg http://i175.photobucket.com/albums/w130/claireshaeffer/miscellaneous/Scassi02.jpg http://i175.photobucket.com/albums/w130/claireshaeffer/miscellaneous/Scassi03.jpg...

Of course, those of you who haven't been married as long are younger--oh, well, you can't have everything. C

I've had notes from two sellers. Both were listing for someone else and didn't know the difference. One didn't care; the second appeared to so I invited her to our labels list. C

I don't think that's a 50s suit. I've asked for a number--no response. I think it's 70s. If so, I can understand the reluctance to provide a number. It is the only listed suit that's couture. At least that part's correct. C

I sometimes get garments wrapped in red tissue. What is the possibility that it might fade if the package gets wet? Claire