Early aviators and proto – wayfarers. Crystal frames, green lenses. The crystal frames sunglasses look pretty close to what would become the iconic wayfarer, but from a couple years before the official introduction of the model. Maybe they weren’t as “groundbreaking” as the current literature would have you believe.
I do a lot of my buying, as well as my selling through eBay. Unfortunately, what I get isn’t always what I’m expecting. This hat for instance, dated from the 1920s or early 1930s, but it had been packed in a flat priority mail box- one of the one that’s about three inches tall. Problem is, a hat like this is about 6 inches tall, and while all hats are crushable, the un-crushable part of things is where most struggle. A bit of steam and a bit of water, though, and it’s amazing the difference. Not quite perfect- that would require a full set of hatters blocks, but a world better.
This photo illustrates the difference between buying from most sellers and from vintage-haberdashers. This is the same hat, as I bought it, and as I sold it. I did a bit of minor cleaning and shaping, but mostly its the photography. I buy a lot of hats that are kind of a pig in a poke. One or two pictures, no real clear description. Some times they work out. Some times they don’t- but that’s the nature of the game. When you buy from me, you know what you’re getting. Clear pictures with accurate color, and all possible details documented. Size, crown height, brim width, ribbon width, all measured.
I have a big lot of deadstock canvas shoes. Keds and Red Ball Jets, mostly. They’re all very small sizes, women’s 4 through 5-1/2.
Want a pair? Make me an offer.
Never even tried on or laced up!
Now on eBay! LINK
This hat was made by MacLachlan hat makers, probably in the 1940s and was sold by Barney’s Mens Wear of Chicago, Illinois. It is an unusual light oatmeal colored heathered felt with a small overwelt. The hatband is of a then popular casual knit style. The hat has a grosgrain ribbon sweatband, which, combined with the tin, lightweight felt, makes the hat rollable and packable. The hat is unlined and has the Mac Lachlan crest printed into the crown. Also, because of the soft construction, the hat has a fair bit of give to it, so it easily fits a 7-1/4, despite being tagged and measuring to a 7-1/8 when unworn.
Size: 7-1/8
Brim Width: 2-1/8″
Band Width: 3-4/”
Crown Height: 5-5/8″
Now on eBay! LINK
This hat was made in the 1950s by the Champ Hat company. It is a high grade milan summer straw hat, with a bound brim, teardrop porkpie blocking and a nicely executed wide ribbon and bow. There is a satin liner tip and a leather sweatband. The sweatband isn’t in very good shape, but the rest of the hat is. These old high quality milans are hard to come by (lots of cheap milans back in the day), and sweatband replacement isn’t very hard or expensive.
Size: 7-1/4
Brim Width: 2″
Ribbon Width: 2-1/4″
This racing suit was made in the late 1950s or early 1960s by Cambridge Ltd. / Scioto. It was designed and endorsed by legendary swim and dive coach Mike Peppe and bears his name. It is 60% acetate, 30% cotton and 10% rubber, the end result of which is a fine, slightly stiff, fabric, which stretched horizontally, but not vertically. There is a false fly, a drawstring waist and a cotton front lining. These were sold as racing / competition suits at the time. It is marked a size 28.
Now on eBay! LINK
These vintage swim trunks were made by Arrow (yes that Arrow- the one that made shirts and ties) in the late ’40s or 1950s. They have an atomic / Hawaiian seashell print on the front panel, and a woven satin- type fabric on the back- probably some kind of acetate blend. The front is lined and they have a key pocket and drawstring waist.
Waist unstretched: 11″ (doubled = 22″)
Waist stretched: 17″ (doubled = 34″)
Rise: 14″
Side Seam: 8-1/2″
Now on eBay! LINK
This swimsuit was made in the early 1950s by Aetna. It is their Miamian model, for which I found newspaper ads in 1952 and 1953. It is made of Acetate, Nylon and Rubber, in a heavy textured fabric. The front panel has stripes, the back panel is plain white. There is a bit of light staining on the back. They have a drawstring waist.
Waist unstretched: 10-1/2″ (doubled = 21″)
Waist stretched: 20″ (doubled = 40″)
Rise: 12-1/2″
Side Seam: 8-1/2″
Now on eBay! LINK
This vintage men’s swim suit was made in the 1950s by Campus Sportswear. They are white with a black waistband, and a white lace-up belt. The front is lined- they are in excellent condition.
Waist unstretched: 13″ (doubled = 26″)
Waist stretched: 16-1/2″ (doubled = 35″)
Rise: 11″
Side Seam: 6-1/2″
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