The Vintage Scarf

Definition

Generally speaking, clothing pre-1920s is referred to as antique clothing, clothing from the 1920s to 1975 is considered vintage[1], and clothing manufactured from 1975 until twenty years ago is referred to as retro clothing. Clothing produced more recently is usually called "modern" or contemporary fashion due to the increased availability and therefore, reduced demand. Opinions vary on these definitions.

Most vintage clothing has been previously worn but a small number of pieces have not. These are usually referred to as "dead stock", "old stock" or "new-old stock".

The Scarf In History

"Coming onto the field of honour, the handsome knight on his brae charger prepared for the jousting match sporting from the crown of his armour helmet the crimson silk scarf of fair Gwendolyn". (The Knights o%u2022 King Arthur). This vignette of ancient days sees the scarf as a personal, delicate item of favour from the gentle lady to her gallant prince. If one could return to prehistoric times and find Mr. and Mrs. Flintrock you would see that they sometimes wore a fur piece that closely resembled a scarf as it was then defined. The early definition of a scarf described a satchel held by strands of materials and slung over one shoulder. The draping of the body with cloth prevailed for centuries as fashioned by the Greeks and Romans. The Indian 'sari' is a present day example of that kind of dress.
The Assyrians introduced and favoured the SHAWL worn over a tunic. Back in the 3rd and 4th Centuries one would find the origin of the modern day wonderment, the BIKINI. Indeed it was really a scarf discreetly placed and fastened ... What's new ladies?
STOLES appeared in the 10th Century worn by both men and women. In the 14th Century, the scarf as a name passed from describing a satchel to the attractive accessory known today.
The original TURBAN of the 16th Century was described as a 'couvrechef' by the Normans, a 'coverchief' in England and later a headveil. By the 19th Century scarves were fashioned from fine materials for milady's wardrobe. Today, the scarf is as much a stylish fashion item as an accessory for warmth.
By now, you will have perceived that the scarf family is identified with close relatives that include the muffler, ascot, bandana, babushka, boa as well as the above mentioned shawl, stole and turban.

Although there has always been a demand for old and/or second hand clothing, awareness, demand and acceptance has increased dramatically since the early 1990s. This is due in part to increased visibility as worn by celebrities (eg Julia Roberts, Chloe Sevigny, Kate Moss and Dita von Teese as well as interest in environmental sustainability (reusing, recycling and repairing). A resurgence of historically based sub-cultural groups like rockabilly and swing dancing has also played a part.

Other reasons to choose vintage clothing include:

- Vintage clothing is unique: most were custom made or at worst, were manufactured in small quantities.

- Good quality: they were designed to be worn many times and passed on to other family members so were made of robust materials, well cut and made, with generous seam allowances and hems.

- Beautiful materials: many old fabrics are no longer manufactured, or are prohibitively expensive.

- Value for money: garments generally retail for a cost far below similar new modern garments.

- History: an appreciation of the past, the roles of previous generations and the skills of respected designers.

- Detailing: hand finishing, fabulous buttons, hand embroidery, hand made lace, crochet, applique, beading and other techniques.

- Romance: dip into every era from which you can find clothing and mix and match as you desire. For this reason, it has traditionally been the favourite of creative personalities as a means to express their style and creativity.

- Investment: increasingly, good quality vintage garments are sought after by collectors as representations of a designer, lifestyle or culture.

At times, the cycle of fashion design turns to history for inspiration, and garments closely resembling original vintage (retro or antique) clothing are manufactured. An example of this is the simple slip dresses that emerged in the early 1990s and were based on undergarments of the 1930s. These styles are generally referred to as "vintage inspired" or "vintage reproductions" depending on the faithfulness to the historical design, and serve as a convenient alternative to those who admire an old style but prefer a modern interpretation - another advantage is that, unlike the original garments, they are usually available in a range of sizes and perhaps, colours and/or fabrics.

Care for Silk Scarves & Shawls

Pure silk is a valuable natural material with a wonderful luxury feel to it. Care for silk scarf should be handled with love and care. When not wearing it, fold it without creasing it and store it in a box wrapped in tissue paper. You can also hang it over a padded hanger.
If your silk scarf is wrinkled you can always iron it. To do so use the lowest heat setting of your iron (one scale). Silk can be cleaned by hand washing with cold or lukewarm water using mild soap.

You can put herb sachets in the drawer where you keep your scarves, it keep the silk scarves fresh with light fragrance. It will keep your silk scarf fresh with a scent of light fragrance.

Do
Do wash fabrics such as cotton, linen and some wool mixes.

Try a test patch on an inner seam or concealed area before plunging your garment into any washing product.

Repeated washing can damage the fibers of any item of clothing... especially vintage. To keep your piece in good condition, wash them as little as possible.

Dry Cleaner Cloths are a great investment for home washing care. One cloth can clean up to six items.

An old wives tale that actually works; For garments that are too delicate to be hand washed, simply hang them in a room with a bowl of white vinegar for a few days, allowing the vinegar to absorb any odors.

Old-fashioned metal zippers can benefit from lubrication as this will keep them flowing smoothly.

Don't
Don't wash fabrics such as rayon, pure wool, silk, satin, taffeta, acetate and lace.

Regardless of the wash care instructions on very old vintage items, washing or dry cleaning them, especially when it comes to silk, can be very harmful to their delicate fabrics.

Try to resist the temptation of wearing an Scarf two days in a row. Airing allows the garment's fibres to breathe and restores it for the next wear.

Scarf Fabrics

Crepe Satin: This is light- and medium-weight silk. It
generates an iridescent and satin look, and gives you a very soft and smooth feel. It goes perfectly with bright, multi-color, complex or exquisite designs and patterns. Ideal for square scarves, shawls, and long scarves.

Stripe Gauze: This is light- and medium-weight silk, woven in stripes of crepe satin, or sometimes of silk jacquard, along with stripes of silk gauze which is much thinner and transparent. The combination of two fabrics offers a broader range in style, design, and fashion, from subtle and mystic to bright and simple. Ideal for bandanas, square scarves, oblong, and long scarves.

Silk Georgette: This is light-weight silk, made in a plain weave with twisted yarns for a textured surface. Very similar to chiffon, it is the finest and softest of its kind. It can see-through and carries more simpler designs and patterns. Because of its lightness, it is very flexible to creating all types of wearing styles. Ideal for bandanas, stoles, oblong and long scarves.

Silk Jacquard: This is medium-weight silk. It is a reversible fabric with floral or geometric designs of high luster normally on a dull background. It always has a satiny look. Ideal for square and long scarves.

Crepe de Chine: It is light- and medium-weight silk, with a texture that is made of twisted yarns. Depending upon the density of weaving, it normally has a matte, suede-look finish, always goes with hand painted or embroidered designs. Ideal for bandanas, square and long scarves.

Gauze & Satin: This is light- and medium-weight silk, a combination of two fabrics. Most of time what you see is the fabric made of silk gauze accented with satin design on top of it or satin trim around the scarf, or both. It always adds more charm and luxury to the style itself. Ideal for square scarves, long scarves, stoles, and shawls.

Flattering Your Figure With Your Vintage Scarf

Scarves can be used in a variety of ways to help flatter your figure by accentuating attributes and/or hiding flaws! Use the following tips to enhance your bust line, slim full hips, hide a sagging neck or double chin, even add or subtract height!

Color can be used to either hide or accentuate. Use bright colors or patterns to draw attention to an area or use dark and/or monotone colors to hide flaws. For instance, you can fold a dark (black, navy, etc.) square scarf in half into a triangle and tie it around your middle with the knot on one side to de-emphasize a full waist or hips. Also, you can use a bright colored scarf around your neck or waist to draw attention to the upper torso, and away from the lower body.

You can also give the illusion of added height by tying a scarf in colors to match your outfit around your neck or head, or you can trail a long rectangular scarf over your shoulder for the same effect. Tying a scarf of a different color around your neck or head can have the effect of detracting from your height.

Any of the neck wrap styles may be used to hide a sagging neck or double chin.

Colorful or patterned scarves can be used to accentuate the bust line. Scarf clips can also be used to draw attention to the area. Shawl styles or over the shoulder styles are useful when attempting to de-emphasize the chest area.

The main thing to remember when tying your scarf is to be creative. Scarves are versatile accessories that have never gone out of style and you can use them to expand your wardrobe inexpensivlely

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We Carry A Beautiful Variety Of Vintage Scarves!.

Polka Dots have a tendency to go in and out of fashion. Some years, you can go almost all year without hardly seeing any; while other years you are practically bombarded by polka dots. So what is the deal with polks dots anyway?

The polka dot pattern was named after the famous dance by the same name. Why? There is no real reason why the dots came to claim that name, other than the fact the U.S. had a strange fascination with the polka dance from around the 1840s until the 1890s. Many items were given the name "polka" to enhance their desirability on the on the marketplace. Consumers "fell for the name" and likewise purchased items with polka dots. They "fed the fad." These were "polka dots!" Polka dots were just one part of the polka frenzy. There were also polka hats and polka ties, but these items never had the staying power of the polka dot.

How to use a scarf clip

1. The face, which is decorative and looks like a broach or button. Some scarf clips have a solid or closed face while others have openings. Most scarfs can use either type of clip, but some designs must use the open face.

3. The loop or ring through which the scarf is passed. To prevent damage to your scarves, this loop must be smooth.

To effortlessly handle the clip, open it and hold it by the face or design with your index finger at the front and your thumb at the back. Use whichever hand is most comfortable for you.

The ring, or loop, sits above your thumb like a little halo. DO NOT hold your clip by the loop. Keep the loop clear and open for the scarf to enter by holding the clip by the face.

Tip: It is helpful to tilt the scarf clip towards your body when you are looking in the mirror.