This is an exceptional twenties flapper coat that is made of a beautiful black silk velvet. This particular fabric is a dream to wear with its beautiful drape and ease. It falls to just past the knees and has a loose and easy cut so can be thrown on over just about anything. The upper portion of the coat has soft rounded shoulders and these curve gracefully into the sleeves. Each sleeve is quite special with an angled drop cut at the cuffs and gathers that flow into an angled piped detailing so that the cuffs have extra volume. The collar is equally special with a demure little detail at the back where a panel of fabric of fabric is looped and gathered around the back collar. The inside of the coat has been lined with a pale green silk satin set slightly shorter then the length of the coat. This interior lining is still in excellent condition with just the barest hint of wear near the arms where a small repair was made. I love the wide and easy swing cut through the body. It has no true closures so when it is on you get that flash of silk lining that creates a wonderful contrast to the black exterior. Excellent condition

Fully lined in pale green silk, both the interior and exterior are in strong and wearable condition. No closures. The loose and open cut will fit a range of sizes

Note that antique and twenties pieces are final sale. They will be packed exceedingly well and we only sell pieces that will stand up to the stress of shipping, however, having pieces potentially shipped multiple times through multiple customs and countries is too hard on garments that are historically important and deserve to be treated with love and care. Please purchase accordingly.

Sleeves: 23" at the shortest point, 28" to the longest
Shoulders: approx 15"
Bust: to 22" flat across the back from side seam to side seam
Waist to hips: open
Length: 45" from neck to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-LRG

Item# C470

This garment has been professionally cleaned, pressed and is odor free. Thoroughly checked over before shipping, it will be ready to wear upon arrival.

This cape is utterly amazing and a true work of art. It has a hand stenciled pattern of leaves running through the black silk velvet that gives it the feel of the work that masters like Fortuny and Gallenga were doing at the time. I have actually always wondered about the true origins of this cape - it does have a label but the label is that of a departments store - Dey Borthers and co that originally opened in 1894. I have seen very similar pieces by Gallenga in particular sold but I can find no hidden signatures so it remains a mystery. It is certainly a high quality piece and I would not be surprised to find out it was indeed someone special. 

Luxurious black silk velvet drapes to perfection over you when you slip this wonderful cape on. The base is an inky black and the is covered with a leaf print. This print winds around the lower portion of the cape, around each shoulder and across the back, and then trails down the back on both sides.  Each leaf is a combination of taupe and soft dove grey with a slight metallic feel to it. These almost seem to glow with their own inner light. As the velvet fabric catches the light the colors changes and the leafs take on really wonderful quality. Keeping with this natural feel is an elaborate feather collar that circles the neck. It has dangling ends all the way around that add even more drama to this beautiful piece. Inside the cape is lined in a fine black silk. It has a single, large metal hook to close it at the neck and little velvet loops at each inner edge to slip your hands through if you wish. This is a beautiful example of a 1920s evening cloak. Excellent antique condition with one small note to review below.

Fully lined in a black silk and closes at the neck with a metal hook and eye. In excellent antique condition. I see a small amount of shattering on the upper edge that is totally hidden under the collar - probably from improper hanging. Other then that it looks virtually unworn. The feathers are in excellent condition and show no signs of shedding at all. The small flaws do not show when on and for a piece of this age I would still rate it as excellent. I see no other flaws and it appears to have been worn very little if at all and is wearable with the care it would deserve to be worn with. It is remarkably sound and shockingly beautiful. It is almost 100 years old and is considered to be in museum quality condition.

Length: 48.5" top to bottom

Modern Sizing Equivalent: OSFA

Note that antique and twenties pieces are final sale. They will be packed exceedingly well and we only sell pieces that will stand up to the stress of shipping, however, having pieces potentially shipped multiple times through multiple customs and countries is too hard on garments that are historically important and deserve to be treated with love and care. Please purchase accordingly.

Item# C460

This garment has been professionally cleaned, pressed and is odor free. Thoroughly checked over before shipping, it will be ready to wear upon arrival.

Take an EXTRA 20% OFF this item with code EXTRA20 at checkout!

This late teens or early twenties silk chiffon dress is heavily covered in a dense pattern of glossy black jet tube and seed beads mixed with larger glass jet beads. The design is very extensive and is set over the entire surface of the dress. The execution of the design is very well done and it is quite beautiful. The bead work covers both the front and the back of the dress and the hand work involved would have taken hours and hours to finish. The dress is cut in a classic flapper tube shape with a high set neck and a long body with no defined waist. The silk chiffon top layer sits over an inner silk satin that is what account for the stability and longevity of the piece as it is very sturdy. I love the the romantic touches of the wispy bits of silk chiffon that finish each sleeve and wrap around the arm for a very unusual finish. Floating panels of chiffon also sit at each hip and give the skirts a slight volume at the sides. Circled around the dropped waist is a heavily embellished belt that is made of large black glass beads that ends with a long tassel of beads hanging down one hip. This is then caught up and finished with a silk and velvet pink flower for a pretty pop of color against the black. It is incredibly beautiful and entirely made by hand. An amazing collector piece and beautiful example of the time period. Excellent overall antique condition.

Has an inner dress of silk satin with the chiffon overlay. It slips on to wear. The shoulders at the seam are starting to show signs of aging - please see the photos provided - you could reinforce them but I have left the dress as found and original. There may be other areas of weakness here and there as well but I don't see any readily apparent ones. The bead and jet beads seem to be entirely present with perhaps the occasional one missing around the edge of the neck). The attached belt detail that wraps around the waist has no hook - I have twisted it in place for the photos. I think once the new owner gets it you should add a hook or secure it where it sits best on you. Some small areas of shattering on some of the inner silk petals of the flower. Even with these small defects the dress is remarkably sound and shockingly beautiful. It is almost 100 years old and is considered to be in museum quality condition.

Note that antique and twenties pieces are final sale. They will be packed exceedingly well and we only sell pieces that will stand up to the stress of shipping, however, having pieces potentially shipped multiple times through multiple customs and countries is too hard on garments that are historically important and deserve to be treated with love and care. Please purchase accordingly.

Shoulders: no defined seams
Bust: 18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 41 from neck to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML

Item# E485

This garment has been professionally cleaned, pressed and is odor free. Thoroughly checked over before shipping, it will be ready to wear upon arrival.

This wonderful little 1920s flapper dress was completely made by hand and a wonderful example of the level of craftsmanship being utilized during this time period. It has its original Made in France label still present and these pieces were always a little higher quality then some examples you see from the time period. It has no other label but it is not hard to imagine that it might have been a designer piece as well. The base of the dress is a black silk netting that is strong and sturdy. Onto this is an intricate design made up of gelatin sequins set boxes. Each is a combination of purple, pink & turquoise in an alternating design. The placement of each sequin is by hand and it is amazing to think of the time it would have taken to make the fabric alone. The center of each block makes me think of a cluster of little pink "hearts" that are then surrounded by an abstract shape. A metal based gold lame thread and tiny little gold tubes beads are then shaped around each to make the block design that you see.  These are then stacked in rows to cover the dress entirely with the black netting serving as the separation between each. This combination of colored sequins, gold thread & beads is absolutely fantastic. There is an extra panel of netting inserted at each hip to give the skirt extra flare. Excellent antique condition

The dress is unlined and slips over the head to wear. The edges of the side net panels are raw and at one time there may have an extension to them but it is now cut even with the hem. I see no other flaws and it appears to have been worn very little if at all and is wearble with the care it would deserve to be worn with. Even with that small defect the dress is remarkably sound and shockingly beautiful. It is almost 100 years old and is considered to be in museum quality condition.

Bust: 17" from side seam to side seam
Waist: 16" from side seam to side seam
Hips: 17" from side seam to side seam
Total length: 40" from shoulder to bottom hem

Note that antique and twenties pieces are final sale. They will be packed exceedingly well and we only sell pieces that will stand up to the stress of shipping, however, having pieces potentially shipped multiple times through multiple customs and countries is too hard on garments that are historically important and deserve to be treated with love and care. Please purchase accordingly.

Modern Sizing equivalent: XS-SML

Item# E290

This garment is in sound, clean, as found condition and is odor free. Thoroughly checked over before shipping, it will be ready to wear upon arrival

This is an exquisite late 1920s, perhaps early 1930s sequin and net gown. The exterior of the dress is entirely covered with tightly spaced, hand applied sequins in cream and a gold. It is one of the most spectacular gowns from this period I have ever seen.The estate that it came out of was packed full of very high end and couture clothing. The original owner and her husband had strong ties to The Met Museum. I am almost reluctant to post this as I feel that it very well may be an early Haute Couture piece; Chanel or someone else of that era. It was entirely done by hand and despite its heavy covering of sequins, it is almost weightless. It is a true piece of art and a remarkable example of this time period. Rarely do you see dresses of this caliber from this time period anymore, especially when you consider that it is still string and wearable with care.

Sequin adorn every inch of its surface and each has been meticulously applied by hand. the hours put into this dress to do this is mind boggling. You would rarely see this level of handwork on a piece today and if you did it would be at Haute Couture level pricing. The dress goes from a solid cream sequin at the top to gold swirls that go to full density on the lower skirting. The sequins cover the entire dress on both the front and back. The cut is very simple with wide straps that curve up and over each shoulder. These suspended the dress as it falls in a sleek, slightly fitted  sheath, flaring out as it passes the waist and falls to the floor. The back is cut longer then the front for a slight trained effect and the back itself plunges to a low and sexy deep V. It is so well made that I suspect that you could easily wear the V at the front if you wished. The gold sequins are a rich muted tone with just the hint of an underlying green to the gold. I love how the sequins are set in curving patterns even in the solid colored portions. Normally you only see patterns made form rows. These curving sequin patterns would have added hours of planning and execution to the gown. It is a remarkable example of the fined hand work being done during this time period and is really a treasure. All the work is done by hand which you can clearly see on the back side of the fabric. Excellent, museum quality condition.

It is fully lined in a silk organza and slips on to wear with no closures. Hand finished and all the sequin work is hand done. There are a couple areas of sequins missing that I photoed. There are thousands up thousands of sequins and the small areas affected in no way detract. The lining is torn in places. with some repair work that loos older. I considered removing the lining altogether - it would be as stable without the lining as with - but have decided to leave it as found for the purists, and in case this in indeed an important designer couture piece as I suspect. At some point the hem was let down and there is a slight crease that circles the hem. I have left it at its full length. The edge is finished nicely so it works. So it is sent entirely original and as found. Carefully stored. For a piece that is almost 100 years old is it to be considered in outstanding, museum quality condition.

Note that antique and twenties pieces are final sale. They will be packed exceedingly well and we only sell pieces that will stand up to the stress of shipping, however, having pieces potentially shipped multiple times through multiple customs and countries is too hard on garments that are historically important and deserve to be treated with love and care. Please purchase accordingly.

Bust: 17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 13" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 60" from top of shoulder to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML

Item# E637

This garment has been professionally cleaned, pressed and is odor free. Thoroughly checked over before shipping, it will be ready to wear upon arrival.

Similar Fortuny gowns are held in museums and private collections world-wide and they are becoming increasingly hard to find. A version in green is a part of the permanent collection at The Costume Institute of The Metropolitan Museum of Art (pictured). The description of that gown is so wonderful I thought I would share it with you here verbatim:

"Mariano Fortuny created a number of variations of his pleated silk gowns. In this model, he combined elements of the classical chiton and the peplos. A "tunic" is attached along its neckline to a long sleeveless underdress, suggesting the apoptygma of the classical peplos. This effect is further emphasized by the handkerchief points at either hip, which would have been seen on the sides of an authentic apoptygma. In the ancient Grecian peplos, the arm openings were positioned along the neckline edge rather than the sideseam edges. This resulted in a dipping hemline at either side of the garment when worn. Fortuny took this structural attribute and achieved the similar, purely decorative effect by cutting away at the tunic's front and back hem. Further, he interpreted the buttoned or pinned closings characteristic of a chiton's shoulder seams by connecting the topline seam of the tunic's sleeves with Venetian glass beads interlaced with silk "rat tail" cording. Fortuny was noted for his antiquarian intentions and scholarly treatment of classical dress, yet in the end, he invented rather than replicated a Hellenic style."

This beautiful version is a labeled Mariano Fortuny gown, circa 1907-1920. It is not perfect but still wearable and a wonderful example of his work. It's imperfections mean a huge difference in price. In hunting for a  comparable I found the very few examples out there to range from $10,500 - $16.500 and none were anywhere near this glorious color.

The dress is hand dyed to an deep raspberry, the pleated silk has a corded silk drawstring at the neck, short kimono style sleeves and an attached tunic with pointed side panels all of which are weighted with deep red, Venetian glass striped beads. The gown is in good condition. The silk is strong and wearable with no splits in the pleats. The pleats have softened throughout and this is the primary reason for the reduction in price. From a wearability point of view it has no effect and gives the gown a softer, more romantic, billowing feel. The beads that should lie along the arm to close it like the one you see from the Met are missing. You could tack the arm shut where a bead would be but I actually loved the open feel that gives it a modern look so chose to leave it as found. I see one spot that is lost in the folds and if held to the light perhaps a tiny pinhole or two but nothing alarming. Even the one from the MET seems to have the same softening of the pleats and I believe this occurs partly from age and partly as a result of the pleats being moved more in this area when worn. All the beads are present along the sides and bottom edge of the tunic. The color, style of sleeve and type of beads used place this in the very early years of Fortuny's career. It is signed along the tape at the seam.

It is 69" long from the mid neck at the back to the hem and the width will accommodate pretty much any size. The upper inside bodice is lined in a nude silk that is fully intact. Part of the seam was loose and I had it lightly tacked down along the edge.

Note that antique and twenties pieces are final sale. They will be packed exceedingly well and we only sell pieces that will stand up to the stress of shipping, however, having pieces potentially shipped multiple times through multiple customs and countries is too hard on garments that are historically important and deserve to be treated with love and care. Please purchase accordingly.

Modern Sizing Equivalent: OSFA

Item# DD2801

This garment has been professionally cleaned, pressed and is odor free. Thoroughly checked over before shipping, it will be ready to wear upon arrival.

This is a pretty little labeled hat made from a peach silk that has a touch of texture in its weave. The brim is slightly enforced so it has some shape once on, but it is really meant to "flop" and sit softly on the head. I love the little rosette braided detail that runs around the crown. It is a pretty little summer hat. Excellent condition

16-17" inner circumference but meant to sit on the top of the head so the circumference is almost unnecessary

Item# A328

This garment has been professionally cleaned, pressed and is odor free. Thoroughly checked over before shipping, it will be ready to wear upon arrival.

This gown is magnificent. I have never seen a gown from this period as pretty or romantic as this one and if not worn for a special event or winter gala, it could surely serve as a wedding gown for the bride looking to wear vintage. It is absolutely stunning. The bodice is a long dropped waist fitted affair that is entirely covered with hand done bead work. The silver glass tube beads cover every inch and glint and gleam in the light. Straps curve up and around the neck and the upper back is left bare. The cups are formed and highlighted with beautiful curving lines. Below these, the waist curves in and then curves back out and over the top of the hips. The skirt is divine - it is three full tiers of layered silk tulle. Each of the three tiers is a single gathered layer of tulle that circles the skirt. On each the tulle is of so fine a grade and light that at first glance you think that there must be layers and layers of fabric to create all that volume but it is just a testament to the quality of the fabric from this time period. I love the raw edges of the tulle layers giving the gown a slightly deconstructed feel. It is decadent and beautiful. It has no label but I feel it surely could have had one and a high end one at that  - it is that finely made and executed. Excellent condition.

The skirt is fully lined with a cream silk and the bodice is unlined. It closes with a back painted metal zipper and the halter slips over the head and looks to have been folded sewn to shorten. I see one tiny area of missing beads but the extensive amount of beading means this is only noticeable upon close inspection. You could easily steal a couple from an interior seam if you wished. Interior boning. The bead work is entirely done by hand. Hand work throughout. Note that is was photoed on a size 2-4 dress form and it would not close. On the proper sized girl it would of course close properly.

Note that antique and twenties pieces are final sale. They will be packed exceedingly well and we only sell pieces that will stand up to the stress of shipping, however, having pieces potentially shipped multiple times through multiple customs and countries is too hard on garments that are historically important and deserve to be treated with love and care. Please purchase accordingly.

Bust: 16" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 12" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 16" flat across from side seam to side seam at the bottom of the bead work bodice, open below that
Bodice: 23" from top of neck to dropped waist
Skirt: 39" from dropped waist to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS

Item# E590

This garment has been professionally cleaned, pressed and is odor free. Thoroughly checked over before shipping, it will be ready to wear upon arrival.

This is a pretty flapper cloche or skull cap that is completely hand beaded. It is getting harder and harder to find really exceptional pieces from this time period so when you do you know it is special! It is a pretty combination of seed and tube beads with little "pearl" beads mixed in. The hand work is easy to see from the interior and the beads densely cover the surface. The metallic hued interior of the beads have oxidized overtime giving the cap this lovely antiqued silver feel. The inside is ribbon edged but unlined and this allows you to easily see all the extensive hand work. It just sort of clamps into place and cut with one part curving up away form the head. On each end a separate and more densely beaded piece is placed for extra glamor. Excellent condition

Almost impossible to measure as it just sits on the head with no true circumference It has some flexibility built in and that makes it one size fits all. The mannequin it is shown on would be the same size as a normal average size girl.

Modern Sizing Equivalent: One Size Fits All

Item# A237

This garment has been professionally cleaned, pressed and is odor free. Thoroughly checked over before shipping, it will be ready to wear upon arrival.

Take an EXTRA 20% OFF this item with code EXTRA20 at checkout!

What a pretty bias cut, hand screened silk chiffon flapper dress this one is. The colors are a pretty mix of brown with the florals done in brighter colors that really pop off the background. It is constructed from almost weightless silk chiffon that allows the entire dress to have a very light and airy feel. This one is seamed so that the shape and seams create a tubular feel with an almost "sack" style looseness to it. A belt that is original to the dress gives just a hint of shape - it would have been meant to be worn loose and low on the hip during the period but could be cinched now if you wish. It is extraordinarily lovely and wearable with care. These where meant to float over a smaller frame so keep that in mind and allow a little extra in the measurements. A truly beautiful dress and wonderful example of the textiles from this era. Excellent condition. The dress is unlined and slips over the head. Hand finished. It is in what I would consider excellent shape with no real flaws to note. The silk appears sound and wearable. The belt is a simple slip buckle so can be adjusted to any size. Please remember that pieces of this age will have a natural patina and should not be expected to be absolutely perfect (though this is close)! It is after all almost 100 years old!