Don’t Fear the Clip Love vintage earrings? If you have browsed Madge’s shop, you have probably noticed that most of her selections are clip earrings.  You are probably saying to the computer right now, “Wait Madge, I have pierced ears.” Well my vintage-loving friends I have one revelation – Don’t fear the Clip!   Pierced earrings have been around since before the time of the Pharaohs and are one of the earliest forms of human adornment.  They were even used as amulets against bad spirits.  Most vintage earrings from the 20th Century, however, are clips.  Most forms of ..read more

Hats Magazine Madge has an extensive collection of Hats Magazines ranging from the 1950s to 70s.  Hats Magazine, established in 1876, was the trade publication for milliners, hat manufacturers, and suppliers.  We’re highlighting a fun issue from 1951 which happened fall on the  75th anniversary of the publication.  It’s filled with stylish toppers, so enjoy these spring hats from 1951. The stunning cover shot is a platter hat.   The milliner is John Fredrics.  Made for a chignon or updo hairstyle, the back features a cascade of spring blossoms.  In the f ..read more

The most common remark Madge gets once someone knows that she sells vintage hat is “I love hats, but I just don’t look good in them”.   Madge’s reply comes right out of her personal manifesto: The women who thinks she can’t wear hats just hasn’t found the right hat.  For today’s stylish woman who wants to dip her toe into the pool of hat wearing, Madge suggests trying half hats, a style popular in the 1940s and 50s and a look that works for almost any woman and hairstyle.s   Hat Magazine Cover October, 1955 What is a Half Hat? According to the book Hatatorium: An Essential ..read more

As part of our continuing series – What’s in a Label, meet our milliner of the month  Claude Saint-Cyr. Who was Claude Saint-Cyr Claude Saint-Cyr was one of the most important milliners of the 20th century. Known for her innovative materials and designs, the most fashionable women of the day wore her label. Born Simone Naudet in 1911 in Paris, Saint-Cyr began her millinery training at the age of 18 and worked with many notable Paris designers, including Jean Patou, Marie-Louise Carven, and Rose Descat.  Saint Cyr later trained in London, where she changed her professional name to Cla ..read more

With Super Bowl LVIII invading Las Vegas, Madge thought it was time to revisit one of her favorite blog posts – The Las Vegas Neon Museum. Madge isn’t much of a gambler. In fact, she would rather put $200 down on a pair of shoes rather than lose it at the craps table. However, Mr. Madge did have an upcoming business trip to Las Vegas and there was that one item on the bucket list – The Boneyard, now called The Neon Museum. The Boneyard Madge had heard about it for years, the place where old Las Vegas signs went to die. Once just a salvage yard of the Young Electric Sign Company (YESCO), the bu ..read more

Unlock the mesmerizing tale of the history of pink! From ancient berry crushes to luxurious “Shiraz pink” in Persia, this color has strutted through history, flaunting its divine charm. It partied with royals, evolved through gender twists, and even hitched a ride in Barbie’s pink Corvette! Embrace the allure and discover the captivating journey that led pink to become the ultimate symbol of femininity. Are you ready to dive into the pink revolution? The color pink, in both delicate and vibrant hues, has a fascinating history dating back thousands of years. From ancient civilizations to the mo ..read more

Well, the new year can’t come fast enough for us here at Madge Central so we are toasting 2024  with some fun publicity stills from Classic Hollywood.  If you are home cooling your heels this New Year’s Eve, check out these fun publicity stills from the 1930s through the 1970s. This hat is the ultimate champagne toast! Anita Page was an American film actress who reached stardom in the final years of the silent film era. Referred to as “a blond, blue-eyed Latin” and “the girl with the most beautiful face in Hollywood” during the 1920s. Best known for “Broadway Melody” in 1929.  P ..read more

With visions of a stylish fall, our October Fashion Find is this gorgeous 1950s Jean Lang dress. Lang was famous for stylish wool jersey dresses. This one in black and orange polka dots is perfect for the season. The boat neck, also called a bateau or Sabrina neckline, with a long black velvet bow, is so flattering. Of course, the name Sabrina is in tribute to Audrey Hepburn, who popularized this style.  The wide, shirred waistband and slightly flared skirt complete this flattering look. The Jean Lang Dress Company began in 1916, based in Minneapolis, Minnesota.  The company featured ..read more

The color pink, in both delicate and vibrant hues, has a fascinating history dating back thousands of years. From ancient civilizations to the modern era, pink has symbolized various emotions, ideologies, and cultural influences. Ancient Beginnings  Pink’s story begins in ancient times when natural pigments were crafted from crushed berries and insects. Artisans achieved pink by combining red ochre and white calcite, often associating it with femininity and using it to depict women in art. Mummy Portrait 161 -192 AD. Kunsthistorisches Museum, via Wikimedia Commons. SHOP PINK NOW Persian P ..read more

On this Earth Day, I want to thank you for making a positive impact on the environment by choosing vintage clothing or accessories over fast fashion. The fashion industry is one of the most polluting industries in the world, and the constant production and consumption of new clothing, plus the enormous cost to dispose of castoffs, takes a toll on our planet.  Your choice to wear vintage has reduced your carbon footprint and helped to reduce waste. As you know, vintage fashion has a unique charm and character that can’t be replicated by mass-produced fast fashion items. Each piece has a ri ..read more