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Wondering how to buy vintage babydoll lingerie? We have you covered! Learn the history and what to look for in this iconic garment.
Vintage lingerie is a small window into the world of the everyday woman living in the 1930s right up until the 1980s. Depending on the fabric, cut, brand, and style – you’re able to sneak a glimpse into her world. Was she a working woman? A stay-at-home mom? Wealthy? Poor? These sort of socioeconomic ‘tells’ give us an indication of how fashion and feminism were evolving during these eras.
There’s something different – almost mythical – about a vintage piece. Vintage pieces were crafted in a much more methodical and less commercial manner, which usually makes them rare jewels. If you go to Victoria’s Secret and decide against a little number, you know that they’ll have thousands more just like it. This is, of course, not so much the case with vintage wear.
The collection of vintage lingerie is not a novel hobby and has inspired quite the market on marketplace websites like Etsy. Sellers thrift, inherit, or repurpose vintage lingerie and ideally sell at a profit.
This article will discuss how to buy vintage Babydoll lingerie, particularly on online marketplace sites. When purchasing pieces of this nature, you’ll want to be prepared. We’ll also provide a brief history of Babydoll lingerie so you can really sink your teeth into your research!
The Babydoll: An Outline
Be Clear On The Cut!
Of course, at this point, you know you’re after a babydoll piece. If you’re not sure about the specifics, babydoll lingerie is almost always sleeveless and loose-fitting. It may be standalone or come as a set inclusive of a pair of panties or shorts in any given cut.
Typically the garment will feature cups or a bralette with a loose-fitting skirt attached. Conversely, it may be one uniform loose-fitting garment. What separates the babydoll from a chemise or other cuts of lingerie is a fitted waist with a very flowy body. This design allows for many different body types to enjoy this mod look.
The babydoll is very short, falling just above the upper thigh. It is usually accompanied by whimsical additions like fur, fasteners, lace, bows, ribbons, and other appliques. The garment itself is usually made of chiffon, lace, satin, or silk.
The quality of the garment depends on the quality of the original brand and how well-loved it is. However, as a general rule, you can expect the silks and lace to be of high quality and in a purer form than the blends we see on the fast-fashion market today.
A Little History:
The Second World War had left designers with a dramatic fabric shortage, among other things.
Enter sleepwear designer Sylvia Pedlar. Instead of closing up shop until more fabric emerged, she took initiative and created a revolutionary ultra-short nightgown and bloomer set. The darling pajamas were a smash hit and were casually referred to as babydolls due to their innocent silhouette and similarities to the popular infant pajamas in circulation during that time.
However, Sylvia was uneasy about the babydoll moniker and did not personally use it to describe or market her new sleepwear.
Make no mistake; the babydoll wasn’t just a negligee, it was a cultural and social symbol. It metamorphosed from a cute set of pajamas borne out of war-torn necessity to an iconic silhouette. During the 1980s and 1990s, the ‘kinderwhore’ look was popularized by notable female punk-rock bands such as riot Grrl and eccentric performers like Courtney Love. The babydoll, in this respect, was worn ironically and as a feminist statement. It was an intentional contrast to the concept of traditional femininity.
But it’s not all smeared eyeliner and female-fronted punk rock bands. Above all, the babydoll is a romantic and unique piece of lingerie meant to be worn how you see fit.
Vintage Babydoll: Your Buying Guide
Where To Shop?
As far as shopping goes, marketplace websites like Etsy, eBay, or other consignment sites are ideal. Etsy is the prime choice, as the website requires its vendors to list items that are handmade, vintage, or craft supply. Vintage, in Etsy’s terms and conditions, means an item that is more than 20 years old.
Etsy also requires sellers to follow Seller Service Level Standards. This ensures that sellers meet certain criteria and that a great customer service experience is provided with each sale. This involves requirements such as prompt seller communication, strict shipping and processing times, and a case management system in case of a dispute.
What To Look For In Potential Sellers:
Information is power. When you buy from Etsy it’s important to note how their ad is laid out. The description of the babydoll should be detailed, free of spelling errors, and inclusive of measurements and condition of the garment.
Note: Some sellers may use terms like NOS (New Old Stock) or Deadstock. This simply means the garment has not been worn/may still have tags attached.
As for the seller themselves, be sure that they’re well established in the vintage wear community on Etsy and have a positive star rating of at least four. Reviews are readily available and will indicate how communicative and professional your potential seller is.
Pore over their profile and be sure to read any relevant information they provide, like FAQs, store policies, where they ship from, and whether or not they offer returns.
If not already listed in the babydoll’s description be sure to ask about fabric type, if there have been any repairs, and if the piece is actually wearable or more of a collector’s item.
Garment Condition
Given that babydolls first emerged after World War Two, the condition of the garment you purchase may not be a ten out of ten.
Be sure to note whether or not your potential seller has cleaned the garment or not. Even if it’s noted that the garment was never worn or still has tags attached, the years may still not have been kind. Being hygienic is high priority when purchasing pre-loved lingerie.
And lastly, sizing! Sizing 60 years ago is different than it is now – plain and simple. Garments from that era will likely not have much elasticity, which means a size medium then is not the same as now. Look for listed measurements to compare them to your own. If they’re not listed, ask!
->Click here to Browse Etsy<- ->Click here to Browse eBay<-
Happy shopping!
Thank you for a detailed drive down memory lane. Although I have read a little about Sylvia Pedlar, you made me really appreciate her drive and ingenuity. Like you rightly said information is power, Etsy and their control over quality makes it a comfortable platform to make purchase for vintage babydoll and other stuffs
I like how much Etsy has focused on quality. It makes it easier for us to purchase clothing at their place. And what can we say about lingerie? If it is going to be indirect contact with our skin, it better be harmless.
That being said, I like all the options they have. Designs comes second. Health always comes first.