I've got a 1934 Rolls Royce - my wife and I would like to find some vintage clothing patterns or a source of vintage clothes so we can "dress the part" when driving the car. Goodwill stores seem to have only modern items anymore. Anyone have a good source or know where we could find patterns? I'm in Charlotte NC.

Thanks

I did a quick search for you. Maybe these places may be of some assistance.

Century
1508 Central Avenue, Charlotte, NC 28205
(704) 344-1005

Galore
1308 East 10th Street, Charlotte, NC 28204
(704) 332-6532

Timeless Stitches
Service available in your area.
(360) 966-2665 http://www.tstitches.com

There are lots of places to get women's clothes (original or reproduction) and patterns for the 1920s, 30s and 40s. Finding men's clothes seems to be harder. Most of what is out there is either for earlier eras or for military uniforms.

Fortunately men's styles changed slower than women's, so you might be able to get in to the late 1930s or early 1940s fashions for men and still have it correct for you 1934. Check out the vendors that cater to swing dancers. Unfortunately the swing dancer set seem to be attracted to the extremes of 1940s youth fashion (zoot suits, oxford bags, etc.).

Another source might be a "costumer's guild". There is one in my area that puts on theme parties about once a month and they have a web site that lists resources for costumes. For example, check out the various resources at http://www.gbacg.org/

You should also look at antique shops, especially in large metro areas. Some specialize in used vintage clothing - some of it very high end, which is what's needed for an RR. Also, men's hats are available new from specialty retailers, particularly quality straw "boaters" and those nifty snap brim hats common in the 30s and 40s. And, since traditional menswear changes slowly, you can get shirts, suits and ties that could be similar to the 30s. To get other fashion ideas, but some antique shop magazines with clothing ads.

this link to an ebay site is what you are looking for.

also, if you got to "seller other items", they have a list of stuff.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2817234629&category=20302

Your wife will have NO problem in finding vintage clothing for your era and yours is not as difficult as the Edwardian era that I have been searching for. There are a huge number of sites that have both patterns and actual items. I did a brief search while looking for some 1908 stuff and found thousands of sites under vintage clothing patterns and antique clothing, i.e. www.rustyzipper.com

One of the "purveyors" I talked with told me that the main reason original men's items were not available was due to the hygiene habits of men in those days! Not sure if that is correct but interesting.

Saw some pretty neat items for you, like an antique men's smoking jacket. Could be fun around your car. Plenty of shirts, jackets etc.

Good Luck

Thanks for the ideas. We'll look at the shops and see what they have.
Love your Amphicar. Used to see one or two in Mission Bay in San Diego area when I was in college. Doesn't it have a VW chassis with snorkel device and dual gear box to transfer drive to propeller? If you live anywhere near NC I'd love to swap you a ride in my Rolls for one in your car someday.

Ed

Thanks for the compliments! <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> Amphicars are commonly confused with VWs for some reason. VWs were never amphibious. The only similarity is they were both built in Germany. The Amphi was the only purpose built amphibious car for civilians. They are fitted with a Triumph Herald engine and a Borgward trans. No snorkels, as the drive train is not open to the water.

I have never been to NC, but someday I would love to ride my HD through the area. I'll bet your RR is a beauty! I know of a late 30's (?) RR used as a chicken coup! I have tried several times to convince the elderly lady who owns it to allow me to cover it or move it. She said he husband parked it there in the early 50's and died shortly thereafter. So she said it will remain there as he left it until she is gone herself. Very sad indeed. <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

Eda,

Here are a couple of more ideas.

1. Try Premier Clothing. I personally hve not ordered anything but I know several people who have and they are very happy.

2. This spring the costume company that supplied the Wilmington NC movies with vintage clothing was selling their inventory out. She had over 300,000 pieces and was hoping to sell the collection whole. Last I heard she was selling it by the piece. She was not cheap and an appointment was necessary. This is true vintage clothing. Several members went and brought things. They said you had to look real hard but could find things esp. accessories. You need to call Peggy Farrell at -

Farrell's Costume Ltd
1525 S. Front St
Wilmington NC
910 343-0044

I have not heard that she has sold the collection.

3. Try Vintage Pattern Lending Library. This place has over 800 antique sewing and needlework patterns covering the period 1870 - 1940. All patterns may be checked out by members and some can be purchased by non-members (because of copyright issue). Membership is tiered and not unreasonable. A $20 membership gets you 2 free loans per year and 10% off purchases. Membership goes up to $100/per year.

4. Try Butterick Pattern #3241. This is a man's suit - 30ish. It always a good idea to check the patterns around Halloween. They usually offer vintage clothing patterns.

Hope this helps. Glad to help another North Carolinian (I am in Clayton NC).

I know that the Model A Restorers Club located in Dearborn has a fashion committee that has reproduced original patterns from 1930 and 1931 and have the patterns for sale. I believe that they are $15 each plus postage. Hope this helps. I enjoy dressing in the 1930's style when driving my Model A. <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

A few years later................


Do many men and woman drive their cars in vintage clothing?
Maybe you can enter an image of yourself in that clothes.

I am also looking for some 20' clothes as well.
I like to use a straw boater.

Taco.

My wife Di began collecting early 1930 and earlier clothing about 10 years ago when we purchased our 1931 Ford Deluxe Tudor. Vintage wear doesnt just have to include clothes but also accessories, such as outerwear, purses, shoes, compacts, jewelry, hats and much more. Di's collection even includes items such as an original ladies swimsuit from the 1920s. Her collection of original clothing and accssories eventually resulted in me purchasing a large antique wardrobe just to hold all of her items and it is currently filled.

Di always makes sure her items are era correct as she used to enter vintage clothing fashion shows and won a number of awards at Model A Ford events. If you are wanting clothes just for driving in the car, you don't have to be quite so particular because practically no one that sees you will know the differences.

Her vintage clothing desires are a little more difficult to find as she only collects original items and does not do any reproductions. However, she continues to find items (she once found three packs of vintage 1920's ladies stockings that were unopened from an old store stock). She has found items in numerous antique stores, vintage clothing dealers off the internet, and even on Ebay once in a while.

The one problem with original clothing is that she has had to "retire" some dresses, because their condition eventually became too delicate for continued wearing without damaging it. This is one place where reproducton is nice as it is new clothing and will stand up to a lot of use.


Below, Di poses in one of her more formal outfits from the late 1920s.

You mentioned shoes as well as hats etc. That also is what i want. Not just for driving, but when i am outside the car it must be looking just like the old times.

I don't know if the reproductions ar as good as the oldies.
I think there is a difference. As you say, reproductions stand up a lot longer for use. Premier Designs do have vintage clothing. How are these? Anybody using them?



I like this for the 1920's:



Plus fours are hard to find.

Taco.

1920's and 1930's bathing suits needed... seen any patterns out there for leisure wear ? I try to add some variety to the outfits my mannequins wear each year, and need some of those old wool stripped leg swimming suits of yesteryear.

Mostly looking for a source for patterns. Am looking into all these references given here... super post thanks...!

Just incase you wondered why they are called "plus fours" click on this link.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plus_fours

@ Wowabunga: did you try this link?

http://www.agelesspatterns.com/

Little bit earlyer as you wanted, but maybe........


Other site: http://www.vintagefashionguild.org/content/view/610/84/

Taco.

Wowabunga, bathing suits of that era show up on Ebay pretty regularly. I have seen quite a few of them, but I have always been looking for appropriate "motoring" clothing in my size (which is larger than most clothing of the era".

These are 2 sites that we found useful:

www.pastpatterns.com

www.sovintagepatterns.com

Pastpatterns has nice stuff, but for men it's hard to find a pattern.

@1931Pontiac: nice links, my wife needs some patters from these people. She will make her own clothes from the 20's.


I need a pattern of a plus-four. ( yes, i know. Plus 4 will say 4 inches under the knees). Does someone have something for me? Or is it better to buy one?


Taco.

And..................are you successful?

My recent purchases:

A Plus-Four:



And a Straw Boater:


Both from the 20s.

If you are still looking for patterns or you need some help about beauty, make-up, hair style, hats, suits etc. you can visit the Fedora Lounge.
See: Fedora Lounge

At this forum you can find a lot of links to 'just what you want'.

Taco.