Sunday Best Vintage Clothes

Sunday Best Vintage Clothes Supplier of fine traditional gentleman's & ladies clothing & accoutrements

And the second stunner for today, another magnificent Victorian mourning cape 🖤.All handmade in black silk with heavy gl...
28/08/2026

And the second stunner for today, another magnificent Victorian mourning cape 🖤.

All handmade in black silk with heavy glass beading throughout-the front is just as nice as the back ☺️. Silk crepe hemline.

From the 1890’s, the silk again is in amazing condition, a beautiful piece. This will be for sale on my stall at Whitby Goth weekend in October

The first of two immaculate Victorian mourning capes 🖤.High neck detail which leads to tumbling lace detail to front che...
28/08/2026

The first of two immaculate Victorian mourning capes 🖤.

High neck detail which leads to tumbling lace detail to front chest, an absolutely exquisite integrated fretwork shoulder cape with front hanging panels, silk crepe hemline with lace detail.

All the silkwork is pristine with no damage. Considering it was all handmade 135 years ago, an absolute beauty ☺️.

This will be on display at the upcoming Southport Heritage event on Saturday 19th September Southport Heritage Open Days, then for sale on my stall at Whitby Goth weekend

I’ve always collected bits of Southport local history, the more obscure/everyday items the better.I’ve picked these lett...
27/08/2026

I’ve always collected bits of Southport local history, the more obscure/everyday items the better.

I’ve picked these letterpress printing blocks up at car boots, antique fairs or they’ve been given to me over 30 years. I was over the moon to recently add the individual letters ☺️.

These are all of the old Southport crest, Sefton council, Lancashire Rose, local Masonic lodges, a swimming club and a chemist.

All intricately carved into metal plate and mounted on wood blocks. These would’ve originally been used for invoices, posters or various official documents. Backwards so they print the other way round.

Lovely bits of social history 😊

I spend a lot of time making sure everything I sell is in absolutely first class condition 👌🏻. A good number of the garm...
26/08/2026

I spend a lot of time making sure everything I sell is in absolutely first class condition 👌🏻. A good number of the garments I sell go on to museums, preservationists or private collectors. So when they go on to new homes they have to be right.

I’ve been learning and teaching myself how to preserve and restore antique silks the past few years, I’m currently working on this Victorian mourning cape from 1890 to have in ready for display in time for Southport Heritage Open Days on the 19th September Southport Heritage Open Days. It’ll then be for sale on my stall at Whitby Goth weekend in October.

Having the right tools are essential. Surgical grade teeny tiny silk needles from Tulip, black silk thread from Gutterman & glass head pins. If you use standard hand needles, the silk shatters instantly so they have to be razor sharp fine. Lots of work but you’re helping to preserve these handmade beautiful works of art 🖤.

A current idea I’m working on.These 1920’s French linen smocks are gorgeous in their original state of cream. As they we...
18/08/2026

A current idea I’m working on.

These 1920’s French linen smocks are gorgeous in their original state of cream. As they were “new old stock” when I bought them, several had rust marks on the folds where they had been stored.

I’d been discussing the idea with Mrs SB of trying different ideas to disguise the rust marks. Although I love the rust marks as it adds to the character, they weren’t really saleable unfortunately.

I’ve been researching different dyes and dyeing techniques. I wanted a natural looking colour to compliment the garment. Ideally I wanted a plant dye, but it’s not currently affordable for the retail price of each garment. So I looked at common dyes available in shops. By far the best range, and most natural are by Jacquard Products

There’s a couple of ways of dyeing, I opted for the traditional stove top method. It takes a while, but well worth the effort as the final results are spot on.

So here we have crimson, and olive green. I’ll be doing yellow ochre at some point.

I know, it may be sacrilege to some people, but they are now saleable. These will be for sale on my stall Fantasy Forest

I’d be interested to know people’s thoughts, do you approve?

My house is slowly turning into a museum 😬. I see them as works of art which should be displayed. They aren’t just dres...
17/08/2026

My house is slowly turning into a museum 😬. I see them as works of art which should be displayed. They aren’t just dresses, each one is hand made to absolute perfection using the finest silks from the time. Back when garments were made with pride, the hours and hours of work involved in each dress.

It’s sad to see them go when they get sold to new homes. If I had my way I’d keep them all, but then you end up living in a stock room 😂🤔.

Thank you again to Sharon Cathrine for the mannequins 🧡.

We’ve just had the figures through! Back in June we held a vintage fashion show as part of a fundraising day for Queensc...
14/08/2026

We’ve just had the figures through!

Back in June we held a vintage fashion show as part of a fundraising day for Queenscourt Hospice. It was a sell out event and a great day was had by all 😊.

Thank you to everyone involved, and what an epic amount of money! It’ll go towards a huge fundraising venture from everyone in the North West to help keep this vital place open 💜. Great work everyone ☺️.

I’m listed in the upcoming Southport Heritage Open week! 😁Thank you Southport Heritage Open Days 👍🏻
13/08/2026

I’m listed in the upcoming Southport Heritage Open week! 😁

Thank you Southport Heritage Open Days 👍🏻

The second of today’s dresses, another work of art 🖤. Dating from the late 1890’s, a ladies black damask silk mourning ...
12/08/2026

The second of today’s dresses, another work of art 🖤. Dating from the late 1890’s, a ladies black damask silk mourning dress. In a good size 14.

This was from when the mourning period was at the height of fashion. Due to the fascination with death at this time in the Victorian period, businesses were flourishing specialising in funerals and everything to go with it-including fashion. Queen Victoria started it all with lengthy periods of “mourning” from two weeks to two years or longer. As this garment is all black, this was at the start of mourning. Subtle hints of colour were introduced towards the end of the mourning period.

Like everything in this time, you either had money or you didn’t. And if you did, you made it known by dressing in expensive, extravagant dresses made from the finest silks.

The best silks came from France, and this beauty was made by C.J Bonnet et Cie. This will also be on display as part of Southport’s Heritage Open week Southport Heritage Open Days and available to buy afterwards. Southport was booming during the Victorian era as a seaside resort, it shows in all the architecture ☺️.

Two recent purchases I thought I’d share, here’s the first 😊.Dating from the late 1870’s/early 1880’s, a stunning Victor...
12/08/2026

Two recent purchases I thought I’d share, here’s the first 😊.

Dating from the late 1870’s/early 1880’s, a stunning Victorian silk faille/taffeta day dress. It has a fitted front bodice, pleated skirt with bow detail, bustle to the rear with two pockets. Size 6-8.

This was found in a box and looks to have been made but never worn. It’s not just immaculate, it’s museum standard.

The silks on these dresses are usually degraded due to being handled or stored on hangers, most of the time they require a degree of restoration or conservation. Not this beauty 🖤

This will be on display at the upcoming Heritage Open Week in Southport Southport Heritage Open Days in the magnificent Victorian splendour of the Wayfarers Arcade. I’m doing a pop up display on Saturday 19th September. It will be for sale after the display, please get in touch if interested.

A lovely mourning dress to follow shortly….

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West Cliff
Whitby
YO21 3EN

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