Ladies Vintage Accessories

Handbags, footwear and hats – if any of these topics tickle your fancy, Ladies Vintage Accessories by LaRee Johnson Bruton offers the fashion fix you crave.

This lovely book overflows with collectibles anticipated in a vintage accessories overview, but adds unexpected twists to keep even the maven among us entranced. For instance, when’s the last time you thought about ladies stockings as collectibles?

And if you're a fan of hankies, aprons, capes, parasols and other frilly ladies things, all these pretties are accompanied by ample information on the more traditional vintage accessories fashionistas fawn over.

From Victorian finery to '70s funk, the book does a good job of spanning the decades. Bruton places captivating vintage advertising pages from old magazines within each category for interest, and vintage black and white photographs of ladies in their finest frocks with coordinating bags and bonnets feel right at home here.

However, it's the personalization from the author that actually takes this reference guide a step further than you might expect. All the items in the book, and there's enough to keep you busy browsing for quite some time, come from Bruton's extensive collection. You'll even find a picture of her decked out in a vintage gown with the appropriate accessories. Flashback photos featuring the author dolled up as a child add a nice touch as well.

"I still like to play dress up!" said Bruton in her preface. "With care and caution, it's an opportunity to share treasured pieces of the past." She suggests thinking about age, cleaning factors and historical significance before actually using vintage accessories, however.

"I must admit I have become more conservative over time. Whether it is a hat or purse or pair of shoes, we need to learn about the item before we take measures that could, over time, destroy that which we love," said Bruton within the text.

It’s wise to realize as much as we enjoy wearing and carrying these beautiful pieces of the past, they are made of materials that deteriorate over time and using them may cause irreparable damage. This not only diminishes value, but a piece of history is lost. With rare examples, this can be particularly heartbreaking.

The author also encourages collectors, especially those inheriting accessories and garments once worn by an ancestor, to thoroughly document pieces added to a collection. Provenance increases value and desirability should the owner ever decide to sell a piece or pass it on to someone else in the family. Keeping a photo of the original owner with the item is also a thoughtful touch that may add value, even if it’s merely sentimental.

Bruton goes on to discuss dating accessories by style, but cautions that history tends to repeat itself in the fashion industry so looking for clues in the finishing details works well in determining age. Often the wording or fabric content found on a label, or the type of lining within an accessory will offer some insight into the true age of the piece. She also reminds that instinctively determining age comes through the experience of handling objects over time.

Things to consider when valuing accessories come up in the book as well. Condition, completeness, alterations, maker's labels, rarity, and demand all factor into the pricing of vintage accessories. The area of the country you're shopping will also play into values, along with the venue. Some things that are popular in Chicago area may not be quite as desirable in Florida, for example, and flea market finds will usually sell less for less than those found in a vintage specialty shop.

Suggested prices for each item illustrated in this reference guide seem to be on target in most cases. Some may be a little on the high side, others marginally low. But most of the values quoted in this book fall in line with what you can expect to find in antique malls and vintage shops in many parts of the country. This isn't always the case with books of this nature, so consider it a bonus if you're in the market for a good accessories price guide.

You don't have to be an avid collector to appreciate Ladies Vintage Accessories, just interested. Those simply inclined to stop and admire a collection of vintage finery will definitely welcome this reference, as will the seasoned collector. Don’t be surprised if you fall in love with vintage fashion all over again leafing through these pages filled with trimmings for the well-dressed lady.