So I was procrastinating a few days ago, browsing vintage dresses on eBay with no intention of buying (no seriously, I went on a November shopping spree, so no more this year!). And I got to thinking about the photographs of vintage clothing for sale online. What a resource! When somebody sells a vintage dress online, they photograph the dress from all angles, with closeups of details and embellishments – they show more detail in those photos than most costume museum archives! It’s an amazing historic record. Plus, so many of these dresses are one of a kind, or at least, the last of their kind.
But the photos are online only as long as the item is for sale, and given that it’s changing hands to a new owner, it may never be seen again! Once the listing is deleted, that photographic record is lost to us! Sitting there, I had a terrible panic that we were losing a valuable resource, oh my word! And proceeded to nab as many photos of the 1920-1940s dresses listed as I could. So yeah, an hour later…
Anyway, what do you think? I’ve always liked to post the lovely vintage things I see on eBay and Etsy, here on SwingFashionista. That way, even if none of us get to buy them, we can still enjoy the pictures, get inspired by the style, and maybe even use them as a reference for making our own. And well after the original listing is gone and the item has headed on to its new owner. But now I feel like I’m on a mission!
What are your thoughts? Want to join my mission? Do you have that same photo-saving habit I do? Do you have a folder on your desktop, filled with photos of pretty things from the glorious internet? So why not start your own blog? Or send them to me and I’ll always post any gathered photos of original 1920s – 1950s fashions here on SwingFashionista. Drop a comment if you have a thought!
Oh yeah, and to satisfy, here are some of those photos 😉
I’ll be sending some your way! I happen to have a folder of vintage dresses I kept for inspiration. 🙂
Don’t laugh; a similar concept has occurred to me, but mine would only be of use if I was a criminal mastermind. I have often thought that if I was a burglar, I would keep copies of the floorplans that they put up on-line on sites like realestate.com.au or domain.com.au, because when else are you going to have access to details of doors and windows (and potential escape routes and alarm systems) of so many houses???
Your concept is a much better use of the specifics of things that are up for sale 🙂
Great idea! Excellent resource for us sewing ladies as well! Will have to dig through my computer…
Okay so I’m drooling over these dresses yet there aren’t any links in case I want to buy one…just sayin’! 😉 Such fabulous finds!
you could have a look at the frock.com.
they have amazing pictures of their gowns. i already have a folder full of them 😉
oh I know, I love frock.com – I could never afford anything from there, but the photos are beautiful and I’ve taken a lot of inspiration for things I’ve made from there
I save pictures off those websites too, for inspiration when sewing my own. You found some dandies, though.
Oh, I save pics of shoes, too. Not to give you one more thing to worry about.
I save pictures off those websites too, for inspiration when sewing my own. You found some dandies, though.
Oh, I save pics of shoes, too. Not to give you one more thing to worry about.
*Updated for correct website address. Oops!