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The story of Chicago is actually based on true events—trials that occurred in the mid-1920s, covered by journalist Maurine Dallas Watkins. The intrigue and scandal of women on trial for homicide became so popular that Watkins wrote a book and a play that ran for over 170 performances. By the...

In this issue: A conversation with VFG President Jolene Bramer Hemlines: The latest member happenings Upcoming auctions featuring vintage treasures from a 1620s ruffler to 90s runway Preservation in action: A historic home tour in California Welcome to our newest VFG members You may read the...

Rooted in nostalgia, prairie style offers a dreamy blend of grounded beauty—where rustic meets romance. Originating from 19th-century rural life and frontier dress, and characterised by high necklines, ruffled collars, puffed sleeves, and tiered skirts, prairie pieces evoke the charm of...

Founded on June 3, 1900, the International Ladies Garment Workers Union (ILGWU) emerged as an organization dedicated to advocating for the rights and working conditions of those employed in women’s garment manufacturing. The broader labor movement secured numerous improvements affecting all...

Step into the future imagined by the past. Born from mid-century optimism and atomic-age innovation, Retro-futurism combines sleek silhouettes with bold metallics, space-age synthetics, and sci-fi flair. The look was championed by designers like Courrèges, Rabanne, Pucci and Cardin who pushed...

Pink has swept through vintage fashion with both softness and strength - powdery and polite one decade, bold and rebellious the next. From the pretty pastels of post-war elegance to the bubblegum shades of the swinging sixties, pink has shifted with the times, adapting its tone without losing...

“Do you ever wear a skirt, by the way?” the intrepid young reporter Barbara Walters asked Katharine Hepburn in a 1981 interview. “I have one. I’ll wear it to your funeral,” came the quip back. Yes, Hepburn wore trousers, and not just because they looked great on her and she felt comfortable in...

Image: The Dolly Sisters, 1920s | Walery, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons Sequins have long stitched their shimmer into the fabric of fashion history—tiny discs with a big story to tell. In ancient times, shiny metal circles adorned garments as a symbol of status and wealth. By the 20th century they...

Floral patterns have been a staple in fashion for centuries, but it was in the mid-20th century that they truly flourished. Post-World War II, the 1950s saw florals become bolder, reflecting the optimism of the time. By the 1960s, they exploded with the Flower Power movement, where oversized...

Aardvark to Zebra—let me tell you owl about it: This week VFG members use their koala-fications to show you so-fish-ticated and un-frog-ettable fashions. We’re not lion when we say these are shrimp-ly the best. Otter-ly wonderful prints, jewelry and accessories featuring bee-utiful members of...

VFG Member Augusta Auctions is holding another of its not-to-be-missed auctions on April 16, 2025. The auction will take place online at 11am ET. For links to the catalogue, the app, absentee bidding, and phone bidding, visit Augusta Auctions. Just a small sampling:

Ahoy, mateys! Er, hello VFG members and friends! Welcome aboard this week’s Vintage Fashion Parade! In 1846, Queen Victoria dressed her oldest son, Bertie (later King Edward VII), in a specially made outfit to match the sailors aboard the Royal Yacht. A painting of the young boy fitted out in a...

Prom night is a chance to express your individual style, and what better way to stand out than with a vintage dress? Whether you're drawn to fairytale elegance, mod-inspired looks, bohemian charm, or gothic nostalgia, the Vintage Fashion Guild offers a variety of prom-worthy options with unique...

Images (clockwise, from top left); Paris Fashion, 1911 - George Grantham Bain Collection / Red & White Polka Dot Pattern / Folies Bergère Dancing Girls, 1934 - BASA / First Lady Betty Ford's Yellow Polka Dot Gown, 1974 - Gerald R Ford Presidential Library & Museum / Marilyn Monroe & Jane Russell...

During National Women’s History Month, the VFG is honoring the female designers who have contributed to the fashion industry and have left a treasure trove of vintage items to cherish. Several notable pioneers of the early 1900s come to mind – Madeleine Chèruit, who proved that a woman was...

I previously had a hair comb with big spheres that were very lightweight glass—which I figured out by dropping the comb :no: At first I thought these spheres were glass as well, but I'm not sure. The comb part seems to be molded celluloid. It has been drilled to fasten on the structure that...

Pastel Perfection: Vintage Fashion That’s Sweet as Candy! Pastels are the perfect way to welcome spring with whimsy and style. Soft, dreamy hues like baby pink, peach, powder blue, seafoam green and lavender will keep you looking fresh, fun, and deliciously on trend. Embrace the candy-colored...

Weddings Your Way For couples looking to break away from conventional wedding attire, embracing alternative vintage pieces in white, ivory, off-white, and cream can create a highly personal experience. Picture a bride in her great-grandmother's white-beaded flapper dress, complemented by a...

Celebrating The Sound of Music To mark the 60th anniversary of the movie The Sound of Music, which premiered March 2, 1965, the VFG is pulling out the stops and tooting our horns with pitch-perfect vintage fashion that will fill your heart with the sound of music. It’s as simple as do-re-mi...

In this issue: Remembering Claire Shaeffer Hemlines: The Latest VFG Happenings Let’s Get the Show on the Road: VFG Members Vending at Spring Shows Welcome to Our Newest Members Spotlight on VFG Member and Volunteer Terri Brown @vintagedevotion You can read this issue as a flip book right on...

A couple of years ago I sold a beautiful beaded dress with the label Sister Max. She was a very interesting sort! https://vintagefashionguild.org/blog/sister-max-the-nun-who-dressed-hollywood/ Here is an additional photo and article I was sent by the archivist who I contacted for photo...

The brainchild of chemist Wallace Carothers at DuPont ninety years ago, nylon strutted onto the scene as the very first synthetic fiber, with earlier manmade fibers rayon and acetate being plant-based. Strong, stretchy, fast-drying, and resistant to bugs and rot—nylon was a sensation. First used...

As one old saying goes, “There is nothing new under the sun.” And that applies to peplums – flared pieces of cloth that are sewn into the waistline of a garment to accentuate an hourglass figure or add a bit of flounce and frill. The style is thousands of years old and originated with a short...

Diane Love: Trifari After Alfred Philippe (written by VFG Member Janine Shaw @Distantdetails, with input from Love herself) is new in the VFG Blog today. https://vintagefashionguild.org/blog/diane-love-trifari-after-alfred-philippe/ Great work Janine—this is fascinating!

In Love With Hearts With Valentine’s Day approaching, now is the perfect occasion to celebrate love in all its forms. Hearts have long been a symbol of love and emotion, and in fashion they evoke a sense of playfulness and charm. From whimsical prints to intricate heart-shaped accessories, the...

There are so many wonderful period ads for Lilli Ann to be seen, but I haven't been able to spot this coat. Would you date it to the late 1940s or 1950s? It might not matter too much, but I'm curious. It's wool gabardine.

As temperatures drop and winter settles in, embrace the opportunity to showcase warm and stylish vintage outerwear. From classic wool coats to cloaks and capes, these timeless pieces prove that style truly transcends time. Here are a few of the many options to consider this season: Wool...

A Pattern Through Time - From Persia to Paisley Paisley is a distinctive and intricate pattern originating from ancient Persia (modern-day Iran), and was initially known as the "boteh" motif. Although designs vary, it is characterised by its swirling teardrop shape, often filled with ornate...

Unfurl those luxurious vintage silk scarves, shimmering gowns, and elegant blouses! This week we are focusing on the glories of vintage silk – and with Valentine's Day just around the corner, what better way to celebrate than by showcasing the romantic allure of this exquisite fabric? The...

Down with Brown: Mocha Mousse & More As Pantone names “Mocha Mousse” the 2025 Color of the Year, it’s time to embrace brown. The Pantone Color Institute describes Mocha Mousse as a warming, brown hue imbued with richness. It nurtures us with its suggestion of the delectable qualities of...