What do you make of this belt?

Better Dresses Vintage

Better Dresses Vintage

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Hello friends - Picked this up at the same estate as the 30s wedding dress that slid down the tub drain, along with a gorgeous Fira Berenson cocktail dress and several other higher-end mid-century items.

As background, the Biltmore Atlanta was built in 1924 and was a luxury hotel until it closed in '82. It was condemned, then reopened 16 years later as upscale condos, with the original ballrooms restored and rented for special events.

Research into any boutiques in the hotel over the years turns up nothing. Searches for "Blumberg's" turns up only a B'ham, Ala., dept store. Searching Blumberg's near Biltmore Estate -- nothing.

The belt is velvet, worn a bit in spots, with leather backing. It is SO prretty. SO sparkly. A bit crunchy in the leather, but all the decorations are sound and there is only a single rhinestone missing. Totally wearable. I'd keep it. Alas, it's a size 24" waist.

Thanks for any insight you can offer.

p.s. Would be swell if I could figure out how to post addtl. photos.
 
Liza Jane -

I love the belt!

If you have your photos hosted on an online photohost like photobucket, or flicker or others, you can post all your pictures in one post.

I think the belt is from the 1950's. It would not be difficult to replace the rhinestone - and probably it measures 24" in the middle holes and measures a little bit bigger in the loosest holes - but still on the "small" side to be sure.
 
that is one delicious belt, LizaJane3, but it's hard to determine without holding it...

there were some spectacular accessories (including fabulous belts like this) in the 1980s, too...glitter encrusted bras, be-jeweled belts and cropped jackets, bangles and earrings dripping with pearls and "jewel tone" "jewels. can you get more of a close up shot, maybe?
 
That's beautiful! I would think 50s as well, or maybe 60s on this.

For the "crunchy" leather, I highly recommend cleaning/conditioning the backing with Cadillac leather conditioner. It will add moisture back into the leather and make it more supple, and should prevent cracking, at least for awhile. It may need two treatments, if the leather is quite dry. (careful, of course, not to get any on the front side velvet!)
 
Thanks for that tip Anne, I've had this problem with leather items before but didn't know there was a product to help.

Anyone know of a UK version?
 
Ladies, here's some more info on the belt -- definitely not 80s. The owner was already in (or soon on her way to) a nursing home by that point. Certainly not wearing anything of this nature.

As for what it came with, there was no dress. Don't know if there ever was and no way to be sure. But when I found it, it was not in the closet with the clothes, but with her other accessories (mostly scarves).

I keep all my photos on my computer. But I will look into this photo hosting you recommend, thanks.

I have some rhinestones, but they are the flat sort. To replace the missing one properly would involve getting a real, prong-set stone, and then separating the backing from the velvet. I just don't think I'd risk that. Not worth it. I think it's gorgeous as is.

Linn, you are correct that it is 24" at the smallest setting, and goes all the way up to a whopping 25" at the largest ; ). Darn these three kids and their waist-busting gestations! Yes, I can hook it, and could, potentially wear it. I would just have to give up moving or breathing for the duration. Then again, as my mom always told me, "If you're too comfortable, you don't look good." So true.

Will try to upload a larger shot.
 
You know, maybe I could find a prong-set stone and just glue it on? Then again, maybe I should concentrate on photographing the 350 items I still have to photograph...

Thanks for your help ladies. Very much appreciated. Still not sure when it's from, but I think 'mid-century' would be a fair description.
 
About the dress disaster. The silk wedding gown was so extremely and severely cedar-chest stained, my vintage-savvy dry-cleaner said, "Nope. Can't clean it. For any price." Couldn't sell or use it as it was (nobody wants a wedding gown that looks like a cheetah). So, I put it into a mild bath of Vintage Textile Soak (ordinarily an absolute miracle worker, if you're unfamiliar). The parts that were NOT stained became immaculately clean and are in perfect, like-new condition. The parts that WERE stained turned to jelly and slid down the drain. So sad. Didn't call a plumber, Joules, but sat shiva for that beautiful dress.

If only the bodice had remained unscathed, it could have been salvaged. Alas, there are no areas with SOME sort of holes. I will photograph it anyway, eventually, and post it on my site. It's still so lovely, it should be seen. Ah, well. On to the next...
 
Well - if you wear a corset or a "Merry Widow" under it you could fasten it! :)

I'm not sure if the missing rhinestone is aurora borealis or a "clear" also referred to as "crystal" one, but in either case they are available with the prongs already attached - although I think it might "stand out" because the goldtone on the prongs has mellowed since the belt was made - but you could dull it.

The rhinestones are on "rhinestone chain." Do you know how large the missing stone is?

I can see this worn with a dressy circle skirt!
 
Looking closely at it, Linn, I'd say it is definitely a "clear." Seems to be 5mm dia.

But the exciting news is that I just called the Atlanta Historical Society archives and spoke with "Sue." She is going to do some research into Blumberg's, and any boutiques that were housed within the Biltmore Atlanta hotel in its heyday, and get back to me in a few days! Sue might just turn out to be a goldmine of vintage information!
 
I have a Whiting & Davis 50s necklace that had all its parts, but was missing one of the rings (jump ring, I believe it's called) that attach a dangly bit to the body of the piece. I brought it to my goldsmith and for $5, he created a new one that matches PERFECTLY. Just the right tone.
 
Atlanta Historical Society archivist turned up info on a Blumberg's ladies fittings shop on Peachtree St. in '40. Will go to Hist. Soc. when able and search microfilm back and forward from 1940 to see when shop opened and when it closed. We're guessing Miss Blumberg sold her wares at other locations, including The Biltmore Hotel's boutiques (of which there were several). So, belt likely from 40s, maybe 50s.
 
Oh, now I understand the fate of the silk dress. How sad; I guess that falls into the category of "you win some, you lose some". Darn it.

Great progress, on your research into Blumberg's. I admire your determination to uncover the details, and please keep us posted, after you've had a chance to delve into the records at the Historical Society.
 
I suppose the message here is that I now have a friendly and responsive archivist here in Atlanta, as well as personal access to extensive records that could prove very helpful. So, if any of you runs into a mystery regarding items originating in the Atlanta area, perhaps I can help. It would make me happy to be able to reciprocate the assistance so many have offered in the process of opening my store.
 
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