Shoulder pads...?

coffeegrl

coffeegrl

Registered Guest
...did they exsist pre-eighties? :embaressed: If so what's the differance from time to time (?? - like decade to decade I guess I mean)...

Also generaly a super long maxi dress (all vintage I know that by fabric feel and stuff) would be around when - when were those huge platform shoes popular (or these all belonged to a VERY TALL person, like 7 feet tall lol)...

Sleeveless dresses with matching coats started in the 60's right? And were generaly about mid lenth, is that early 60's and mini's were late -

Oh man is there any books you reccomend on this topic, I really need help dating a BUNCH of vintage clothes I recently came into, it's sparked my passion again and I think I'll be oping shop somewhere soon and collecting them again but I never really studied them you know - where do I start??

You here are amazing btw, I'm awed at your knowledege :) Thanks so much...

Val
 
Just quickly, shoulder pads were also used in the 40s in a smaller version than the 80s. Those maxi dresses are probably 70s.

A suggestion would be to frequent our forums and see different eras posted about and also to take pictures of your clothing and post here. We would be happy to help you date.

Another suggestion when first learning would be to purchase old Sears or Montgomery Ward catalogs or old fashion magazines from the eras you are interested in. Study them. Old sewing patterns can also teach you how to date.

There are also many good vintage clothing ID books. Click the "Amazon" link at the top of the forums and go searching or someone here may have some good suggestions.

Welcome to our forums!
 
I was totally thinking about getting vintage magazines today! Now I just gotta find them lol...here's a link to my photbucket, there's more pics comeing but alot already there - there's 101 pictures so far so I think posting a link is better, some I'm not even sure are vintage but they kinda look it...anywasy any help would be fabulous, and I will SO be hunting down some Sears Catalougs, perfect thank you :) hopefly talk to you later :)
Thanks again! Val

Link to PICS :)
 
Shoulder pads were used a lot at different times: Schiaparelli brought them in about 1933 but they didn't catch on until the late '30s when you see them at the top of sleeves to extend the shoulder line. They're a very distinctive feature of the '40s and were used in almost everything - which is what happened again in the '80s. I've also seen them in early '50s dresses, smaller versions of the '40s ones, as they went out of vogue (Dior ditched them with his New Look in 1947 but it took several years for everyone else to catch up).

They're absent (except for coats and jackets) during the rest of the '50s and '60s but come back again in some designer's looks in the early '70s (eg, Biba, Ossie Clark) with the '40s revival.

It's not hard to date something by it's shoulder pads though - just check what they're made of. Sponge rubber ones are always '80s. The earlier ones are stuffed with fabric, cotton, wool, or a kind of sawdusty stuff. Actually, the '40s ones are stuffed with all manner of things due to war deprivations (I'm guessing).

Nicole
 
Most of the 40s ones I've run across were filled with felt or cotton batting
 
Wow, I'm just going to start a file for all this great info I get on this site!!
Thanks nicloe and Marty for the great answers and purrfect for making me laugh :)

Marty, I'm confused, do you mean this dress?
DSC01720-1.jpg

It has no zipper, elastic waisteband and it's tagged the fashion network 100% Polyester, Made in Canada...oh and it's only a 3/4 down the leg dress (whatever that's called lol)
Or did you mean this pant one?
DSC01792.jpg

That one is FANTASTICALLY long - like CRAZY long lol - all the maxi's I have are from the same person I'm sure and they are like 6"long - it's awesome!! Anyways it has a zipper, the tag says VA for Victoria Ashley, there's another tag with a bunch of stuff on it 57% Acetate 43% Rayon, style 2196, lot 1019Made in USA, size 7/8... Should I take pictures of the tag??

Also this one
DSC01838.jpg

it seems older to me (but what do I know lol)...

And (sorry lol) which 2 piece peachy one?? the shirt on the main page with the lace? I know I actually remembered a friend of mine having one like it after I checked it out...oh so this style here...
DSC01722-1.jpg

That's a secratary dress??I will look it up...ok cool, I have some kinda dated...some of the mini's I'm not sure...I have them all in my head as 60's but what if they're 90's remakes...how do I know?? Do you folks know (if you all don't mind)??

Mini's

Thanks again!! I will for sure be listing them since most don't fit me - but right now I just look and touch them lol because they're great! I got more too, more sweet stuff today - I'm thrilled!! OK sorry I'm all talkin too much..

Thanks again I love this site!!
 
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