Tangerine Boutique - Vintage Clothing and Accessories

Early Vintage, Antique and Period Clothing
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To help you I have rated each item on a scale of fragility. This rating are under each picture. The key to these terms is at the bottom of this page.

#5057 Click to enlarge and to see other views Stable	1940s black rayon crepe dinner/dance dress. Lovely little special occasion dress in classic black with just the right touch of evening glitter. The dress is cut with a blouse style bodice and low waist. It has short sleeves and a copper-glass beaded collar. The hip has four rows of flat horizontal pleats, a nice design detail that flatters the figure by smoothing the tummy area. The tea length skirt is cut in four gores with lots of fullness at the hem. Perfect for swirling around the dance floor! The original belt is gone but any narrow black belt would do. A length of copper colored satin ribbon would look beautiful tied around the waist as well. Any decent fabric store should have a nice ribbon selection. There is one small hole under the bottom pleat. The only way you can see it is if you fold back the pleat however I reinforced it anyway just so it would not get any bigger. Since the flaw is not seen I rated it excellent. A medium size with the following measurements Bust 39" Waist 30" Hips 39 Length of skirt 32" from waist to hem Excellent Condition $165.00
#5056 Click to enlarge and to see other views Delicate	1890s Victorian cape. It seems to me a Victorian ensemble is not complete without its cape. Frilly black "calling" cape in silk taffeta with a swirling jaquard pattern. Cut full to accommodate the enormous sleeves so popular at the time. With a rounded shoulder yoke and snug fitting neck. Gossamer chantilly lace frills circle the high neck and shoulders. The lace is as fine as a spiders web but has surprisingly little damage, a bit of separation at the neck here and there but not very noticeable. The edges of the yoke are beaded with black glass beads.A few are missing but I keep a stash of Victorian beads for mending and will send enough to do the repair and have a few extra on hand. There are two decorative ribbons in front both in great condition. The lining is plain black silk taffeta. It closes with a series of hook and eyes. I love these capes. They are so dramatic. Certainly a great period piece but also a fun and unusual fashion accessory. For your next night out be daring and team it up with a satin bustier and (red?) velvet cigarette pants , killer heels too of course! The material is still strong but be gentle. It IS over 100 years old! Free size Around the neck measures 14 1/4" Very Good Condition $145.00
#5054 Click to enlarge and to see other views Stable	1930s bias cut dress. My pictures do not do this dress justice. The bodice has the most gorgeous insets of antique hand made lace with ribbon embroidery and tiny prong set rhinestones. I believe it was fashioned at home using bits from fine older garments. This was the depression and women could seldom afford nice materials for new clothing. The lace is quite old and obviously hand made. It alone is a textile treasure. The body of the dress is black rayon crepe. The edges of the short sleeves are finished with two tone iridescent silk velvet in a shirred detail. They too have lace insets. The cut is typical 1930s. Defined higher waist with creative V shaped seam lines at the hip. The skirt is cut in two flared gores with front and back seams. It is tea length and has a V neckline. There are small brass snaps on the side fore closure. The fit of this dress is not average. The hips are narrow in proportion to it's other areas. The upper arm opening is 12" also a little narrow. It was made to fit a woman with a generous bust but slender in the hip and arm. Bust 38" Waist 32" Hips 36" Excellent Condition $245.00
#5047 Click to enlarge and to see other views Stable	Elegant, later 1940s black rayon dress. A dress for many occasions! The lines are flattering and simple. The bodice is semi-fitted with an extended shoulder which end in rolled cuffs for a short sleeve look. It has a V neckline with wide collar and padded shoulders. The collar has a large stylized bow detail in front done in black satin. It buttons down the front with covered buttons. The skirt is straight but not narrow with two front pleats and diagonal pockets. It once had a belt but no more. You do not need one but any black belt will do. Or try a matching colored belt and shoes for a bit more style. The size is a medium with the following measurements. Bust 39" Waist 29" Hips 38" Excellent Condition $95.00
#5044 Click to enlarge and to see other views Stable	Sophisticated rayon shantung "wiggle" dress from the late 1940s. The fabric is a high luster shantung in sage green with black "slubs" in the weave. The flecks of black along with the high sheen give it an iridescent look. The dress is cut close to the body from bodice to hem, it is meant to show off the figure without a doubt! There are a couple of lovely design elements. The neckline is cut in a V and embellished with braid and rhinestones over the extended shoulder line. The bust is accentuated with stand away pleats which enhance this line quite nicely. It nips in at the waist and hugs the hips. The skirt is straight and narrow with inverted box pleat in back. At the hips are stand away pockets trimmed at the tops with braid and rhinestones. This is another great design trick. The pocket detail accentuates the nipped in waist and camouflages the hips without adding bulk. The whole effect is very "Marilyn Monroe" There was once a belt but it is gone. You could easily wear it without a belt or nip it in with one you already have. The dress is in great condition. For some reason my photos (especially the detail pictures) look like there is discoloration on the material but there is not. The fabric has black and sage threads woven together it is sort of iridescent looking. The size is extra small with the following measurements. Bust 34" Waist 24" Hips up to 36" Length of skirt from waist to hem 27" The waist length is average so it is NOT petite Excellent Condition $98.00

#5037 click to enlarge Delicate

Mourning dress from the later teens, WW1 era. A bit of history. The events which took place in Europe during the time of the first World War profoundly effected the world of Western Fashion. The 4 year war took the lives of over 27 million, mostly Europeans and the infamous flu epidemic killed many millions the world over. Europe was at war for three years before the United States joined the Allies in April, 1917. From 1914 until the end of the war in 1918 beautiful Paris, the "Seat" of Fashion was a somber and serious place. It became a city filled with young widows and grieving families. Early on the women of the day threw themselves into the war effort. They worked in factories and hospitals and the confining nature of the clothing from the "Belle Epoque" were no longer acceptable. Corsets, crinolines and hoop skirts gave way to loosely fit dresses with shorter skirts and comfortable higher waistlines. Flounces and full skirts were impractical so the dress became narrow with minimal embellishment. Of course the predominant color worn was black, the color of mourning. Although the U.S. was not fighting during most of the war the Fashions here were changing according to the dictates of the Parisian designers who were creating garments for the circumstances of their land. The dress. This somber little WW1 dress is done in black silk taffeta with black chiffon accents. The bodice is deeply V'd in the back and front with sequined and beaded insets. Oversized "lapels" drape front to back and are beaded on the edges. The waist wraps with a pleated band. The sleeves are flowing black chiffon ending above the wrist so as not to inhibit the hands at work. The straight skirt is just slightly belled and has pleated panels adorning the sides. An attached short "apron" in front has beaded details at the corners. The back of the dress has black chiffon streamers on both sides which fall from the waist to hem. This dress closes at the waist with a complex series of snaps. There is no label, most likely it was done by the dressmaker to the family. All of the work is beautiful from the hand beading to the hand finished seams. Small in size. The measurements are as follows. Bust 35", Waist 29", Shoulders (a bit narrow) 15 1/2" and the Length of the skirt is 33". It is very rare to find a garment from this time that was not utilized. However this dress was never used, the fabric is still strong and it can be carefully worn. Excellent Condition $375.00

#5059 Click to enlarge and to see other views Stable

Late 1930s - very early 40s black rayon crepe faille dress with sequined appliques. Defined shoulders with padded caps.. ...semi fitted bodice with 3/4 sleeves and keyhole detail at neckline. There is also a pretty celluloid and rhinestone button above the keyhole opening. The skirt falls straight and has a draped swag panel which gathers on the left hip beneath a crescent shaped faux pocket. The shoulder, hem and pocket are all embellished with floral appliques that are highlighted with colored sequins. The dress zips at the side and closes at the nape of the neck with a row of covered buttons. A lovely dress suitable for a number of dressy occasions. The size is med/small with a boyish cut. The waist is somewhat long so I would say the best body for this dress would be willowy with narrow hips. It will accommodate an average bust size. Please note measurements. The measurements are as follows. Bust 36" Waist 28" Hips 35" Length of skirt from waist to hem 29" Excellent Condition $175.00

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Durable-Hardy fabric and construction, wear and clean or dry clean without worry
Stable-Fabric and construction still strong. Treat as carefully as you would any fine piece of clothing that you want to last. Hang on a well padded hanger or carefully store folded in acid-free tissue paper
Delicate-Fabric may not be as strong as it once was. Put on and take off without tugging. Limit movement when wearing (no strenuous dancing for example) Hang on a well padded hanger or carefully store folded in acid-free tissue paper
Frail-These items probably can not endure wear and would be best used for display or historical reference

Please note:
These garments are very old and may show common signs of aging due to the elements. Typically, antique clothing has slight color changes in the fabric and sometimes tiny pin holes that appear randomly without a clear reason. Collecting Vintage clothing is not like collecting most other types of antiques. China and glass seldom react to the environment over time. Fabrics do and it is not reasonable to expect them to appear like new. Only you can judge what you are comfortable with when it comes to the condition of a garment. I will do my best to explain and I am very happy to answer all of your questions.