Esme's Vintage Closet

08/11/2025

04/08/2025

I have been absent from this page for a good few months.

Part of that reason is that my cancer has returned, and this time, there is no dodging the bullet.

I am going to be having radiotherapy and potentially chemotherapy but the aim is to extend my life, Stage 4 MBC is incurable, sadly and my remaining time is likely to be limited. If you wish to keep up with my adventures in Stage 4 cancer land, I can be found here:

www.facebook.com/mytraitoroustit

I will be spending the next few weeks, listing my collection of original vintage and items I have made over on my Vinted account to keep everything in the same place. Please do go check it out, and maybe grab a piece? There will be jewellery, shoes, hats, bags and clothes!

https://www.vinted.co.uk/member/176544746-mrstarmacscratcher

I'm not really sure what else to say, other than that it has been one of the biggest joys of my life to share my work, knowledge and passion for vintage and historical fashion with you all, and I am beyond sad that I did not get to do it for longer.

So I will say thank you now, for your support, friendship and custom over the years. It gave me the chance to do something I truly loved, for people who truly loved what I did, and that can never be a bad thing.

So, from the bottom of my battered little heart, thank you all x

15/04/2025

I'm a tad bit chuffed with my purchase of this bag from last weekend...

Eagle eyed folks will immediately spot that it is from this mid 40s Jack Frost booklet.

But this baby is the real deal. It is made with the proper cordé yarn from the pattern - it is cool to the touch, smooth rayon fibre, not too thin but not too chunky. This yarn is absolutely right. Perfect. And it is in immaculate condition, no wear patches, no fluffing... so good, it looks like it was made yesterday.

They stopped making up decades ago, and in over 20 years of looking all over for it, I have never found so much as a ball of the stuff in the wild.

I'm not buying clothing at the moment, because post chemo weight gain and intended loss now I've joined a gym, means there is (hopefully) no point to me buying to fit me right now, and I don't like buying intending to slim down, in case I don't.... so my eyes are always focused on accessories at events and when I spotted this one on the stall, I knew it was mine...

25/11/2024

This is a teaser (and also for accountability! Lol!) because my outfit for this years Halloween Ball was made in under 3 days, less than a week before the event! So I need to start planning and executing my design a little earlier...

Fortunately, the next British Guild of Historical Costumers Halloween Ball is in 2026 so I have a little under 2 years for this project (check them out on Facebook!)... our theme for the event is "Court of the Pumpkin King".

After realising at the 2024 event that I can no longer tolerate wearing my 1880s corset, because my scar tissue makes it supremely uncomfortable, I decided that I would a) be rehoming that corset, and b) I would be looking at alternative costuming ideas that I could wear corset free...

This is one of the photos I have collated for my inspiration. I will be sharing other pictures, and progress pictures as I get further along.

Needless to say, it will be something very different from my usual attire and makes...

Can you guess what it might be? No cheating and asking Auntie Google!

03/10/2024

This is one from my personal collection.

Made from a stunning lightweight wool gabardine, this original late 1940s dress is an absolute knockout!

Flaws :
1. The dye of this fabric has broken down a little bit resulting in some light uneven-ness colour, but from a distance, it doesn't appear hugely visible.

2. Seam at the neck needs a little sympathetic restitching (I would consider removing the press stud and stitching it down properly)

3. One of the neck buttons fell off and dropped under the floorboards during photographing, and my wonderful husband pulled up the floor to get it back.  I will put the loose button in an envelope for the buyer to reattach.

It has a set of 4 painted glass buttons at the neck, and a further set of 7 down the back of the faux wrap skirt. The dress has a Peter Pan style collar, pleats on the bodice,, bracelet length sleeves with a short cuff. There are pockets (and who doesn't love a dress with pockets?!?!), dinky shoulder pads, delicate belt loops... with just a little bit of TLC, this dress could be so very special!

I couldn't get the dress on my mannequin to really show it off to its best advantage, so sadly had to resort to a hanger. If I could physically get this dress on, I would be keeping it but sadly my cancer surgery has affected my shoulder movement so I can't get it on, even with help... so it is one for rehoming *sad face*

£55 plus postage from UK. Happy to ship internationally. All post sent tracked and signed for.

Measurements :

Shoulder to shoulder : 15.5"
Bust : 40"
Waist : 26"
Hip : 40"
Shoulder to waist seam : 15.5"
Sleeve length from shoulder : 17"
Waist to hem : 29"

22/09/2024

Here we have a set of 3 dickies.

For those who don't know, a dickie is a fake blouse intended to be worn under a cardigan, jacket or jumper.

1. Mint green linen with small collar,, pale green pearlescent buttons down the front, all buttons fully functional but the button placket is stitched together at the bottom.

2. Floral cotton with a neck tie lined in white linen, with red original 40s plastic buttons. All buttons are fully functional but as above, the placket is stitched at the bottom.

3. Red linen with a large neck bow and back neck opening, fastened with a hand stitched hook and eye.

All three are open from the shoulder to the waist at the side, so are flexible fit around the bust. They are secured at the sides using elastic.

Measurements (all made to the same pattern):

Across shoulder: 14.5"
Across bust : 11"
Collar (on mint only) : 14.5"
Shoulder to hem : 18.5"
Waist inc elastic : mint - 15", floral- 16", red 13"

The elastic could be snipped away if desired and a tie ribbon used instead allowing more flexibility of fit at the waist.

£15 for all three, plus postage from the UK. All post sent tracked and signed for. Happy to ship internationally.

21/09/2024

I made this one so long ago I can't even remember which pattern I used!

This is just such a classic 1940s button front blouse with a shirt collar. For some reason, my camera decided not to capture the colour very well - it isn't as vivid as the first two pictures, but not as faded as the last. It is a lovely deep rusty brick red in reality, perfect for anyone who is able to rock those autumnal colours!

Sadly, it is not a colour that works very well for me any more, so it too is up for rehoming.

This pure linen blouse is fully overlocked inside, the collar is hand stitched finished and it has five original 1930s / 40s buttons (possibly casein or galalith, I'm not an expert on vintage plastics and I got these so long ago I can't remember!) with perfectly colour matched buttonholes!

This looks amazing teamed with a 40s skirt or a pair of Freddies jeans. Perfect for the office or for running errands, it is sure to become a wardrobe staple for you like it was for me.

Measurements :

Shoulder to shoulder : 15.5"
Bust : 20" laid flat
Waist : 18" laid flat (no waist shaping on this one, it is designed to be worn tucked in)
Shoulder to hem : 20"
Sleeve length : 9.5" from sleeve head
Cuff : 7"

£25 plus postage from the UK. All post is sent tracked and signed for. Happy to ship internationally.

20/09/2024

Tonight's offering is an original 1940s dress from my collection.

The only label shows it as "Marcus" but my Google-fu has failed me on this occasion, so I remain in blessed ignorance as to the origins of this dress...

Made in black wool crepe, she is a little worse for wear of her 90 odd years of life. She has a few moth nibbles, the worst ones being on the skirt. Please excuse the manky state of my chemo trashed nails in those pictures!

The blue metal zip is, undoubtedly, a later repair. When it was installed, they moved it so there is a generous 1¼" seam allowance on each side of the zip seam and similar on the opposite side of the bodice, so could be let out by between 3.5 and 4" at the waist.

This generous seam allowance extends all the way down the skirt so would allow for the hips to be let out by the same amount. There is also a generous seam allowance in both sleeves, so were the bodice let out, the sleeves would be able to be let out at the same time.

I would replace the zip and make these alterations at the same time. The zip is a mere 9" long, and is a skirt zip, I suspect. So a longer zip would definitely make it easier to get into.

There is still, despite the damage, much to love about this dress... the amazing draped faux wrap front bodice, the grosgrain panel extension on the skirt, the adorable neck darts on the back neck, the back tie belt, the generous shoulder pads, the gathering at the shoulder .and faux pleating This dress screams film noir with every fibre of her being, and too bring her back to her former glory would not take much for someone with a little needling skill.

The 3 panel bodice front is open, so a slip would be a must. I did wear this once and safety pinned part of the bodice in place in order to prevent a wardrobe malfunction!

Measurements :

Shoulder to shoulder : 17"
Bust : 20 ", laid flat.
Shoulder to waist : 17"
Waist : 14"
Hip : 20" laid flat
Skirt length : 27"

£60 plus postage from the UK. All parcels sent tracked & signed. Happy to ship internationally.

19/09/2024

Second one of my favourite ever dress pattern...

Made from a fabulous grey / blue shade frequently called "airforce blue" of plain weave, super soft pure wool, the simple mid 1940s dress is given a little bit of a boost with some silver studs, hand applied in a curved "v" shape, to mimic wings (see what I did there?!?!) and a matching silver coloured metal clip style belt.

Self covered shoulder pads give that classic 40s look.

Measurements :

Shoulder to shoulder : 16"
Bust : 19", laid flat
Shoulder to waist : 16"
Waist : 14.5"
Hip : 20", laid flat
Waist to hem : 27"
Belt : 15.25", laid flat (this could be altered to pull the belt in tighter

£50 plus postage from UK. All parcels sent tracked and signed for. Happy to ship worldwide.

18/09/2024

The wardrobe purge continues!

I'm truly sad to be letting this one go, but yellow is no longer a colour I can wear, so off it must fly to a loving new owner, hopefully!

Made from one of my all time favourite dress patterns - I have 3 dresses including this one, made from this pattern in the wardrobe clearance pile!

Made in a medium weight, lightly textured cotton mix fabric, it is super simple, with a slashed front neckline, 5 gore skirt (2 at the front, 3 at the back), short sleeves, an invisible side zip and is finished off with a vintage wooden belt buckle and hand stitched eyelets on the belt.

This dress is perfect for the late summer, and would be perfect teamed with a cardigan or lightweight jacket for early spring. A great all-rounder, perfect for a less formal office, date night or lunch with friends, this dress will do it all!

Measurements :

Shoulder to shoulder: 16.5"
Bust : 19.5", laid flat
Shoulder to waist : 17"
Waist : 15" laid flat
Hip : 21" , laid flat measured 8' down from waist seam
Waist to hem: 28"
Belt settings : 29.5", 30.5" and 31.5"

£50 plus postage from the UK. All parcels sent tracked and signed for. Happy to ship internationally.

Priced to reflect that whilst it has been worn by me to events, it remains in perfect 'hot off my sewing machine' condition!

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