ARCHIVE - 1950s White Bag with Forget-Me-Not Flowers and Matching Gloves
This delightful 1950s French couture top handle bag and glove pairing are a sweet combination. Most likely made to complete a haute couture outfit, they are, alas, without labels. Crafted from white cotton, the pouch-like bag is embroidered all over with vibrant forget-me-not flowers. The most traditional symbolic meaning for these flowers (as the name suggests), is remembrance and they are also associated with true love, devotion, royalty and the state of Alaska, USA. The bag fastens at the top with a pretty gold-tone clasp attached to a white leather frame that holds the bag's shape. The short handle is tailored from the same embroidered cotton. Inside, the bag is lined with white faille fabric and has one internal pocket with a small double-sided mirror inside. The gloves are tailored from white stretch cotton with the cuffs embroidered with a coordinating forget-me-not pattern.
It it both wonderful and rare to find such well made accessories which have been kept together for all these years. The set is in good to very good vintage condition overall and presents very well. The fabric of the bag is perfect save for the underside of the handle which has light marking from handling. There is also some age related wear and rubbing to the leather frame and clasp - minor in nature. Very minor marks are noted inside the bag and on the gloves but nothing which detracts.
MEASUREMENTS
LENGTH - 5.5 in. (14 cm)
WIDTH - 10.5 in. (27 cm)
DEPTH - 6.5 in. (17 cm)
Pickup currently unavailable at CIRCA VINTAGE
F.A.Q.
Where can I find more information about this item?
We are more than happy to answer any questions you may have about any item on our site. Please get in touch at shop@circavintage.com or on +44 (0)20 7365053.
Will you set anything aside for me for my appointment?
We are happy to find anything you may be interested in from our website. We have an extensive offline collection. It is helpful if you can let us know your size, style, favourite colour to wear and perhaps your budget in advance of your appointment.
Do I need to bring anything to my appointment?
Clients may wish to bring modern shapewear. You may also wish to bring favourite footwear. We often find a classic pair of nude shoes work well when trying-on, or gold and silver. We have a huge variety of slip dresses and petticoats to complete your look. Many of which are also for sale.
Do you have a price range at the showroom?
Many of our lower priced pieces, under £250, are not available to buy online. Dresses usually start at £150 and go up to £30,000 for the very best archival couture. Our bridalwear price points range from £1,000 to £20,000.
Can I bring anyone with me to my appointment?
Yes but please do let us know the size of your party in advance.
Where can I have my circa garment altered?
We offer some alterations in house. Should you need alterations we cannot provide, we can refer you to one of our tried and trusted tailors.
Does Circa have an after-care service?
We will advise you on the best way to clean and preserve your vintage purchases and can also recommend trusted local dry cleaners.
Can I cancel my appointment?
You are free to cancel but please do give us as much notice as possible.
Where's the Circa showroom?
Our address is Circa Vintage, 87A Lansdowne Way London SW8 2PB
Upon arrival, buzz the 87A button on the gate or call us 020 7736 5038 to let you in.
Do you have parking at the Circa showroom?
We offer free, secure, off-street parking but it is a tight squeeze – so do let us know in advance if you will be needing this and we can make sure that there is space available.
How do I get to the Circa showroom by public transport?
Underground:
Stockwell (7 min walk) - Northern and Victoria Lines
Nine Elms (9 min walk) – Northern Line
Overground:
Wandsworth Road (13 min walk) – Westbound to Clapham Junction / Eastbound to Dalston Junction
What payment methods does Circa accept?
Cash, credit/debit card, bank transfer, contactless, Paypal
What is archival fashion?
Archival fashion refers to historically significant designer garments preserved for their cultural, aesthetic, or technical importance. At Circa, archival fashion includes couture archive pieces, runway garments, early designer work, and museum-quality vintage that document the evolution of fashion history.
How is archival fashion different from vintage?
While vintage typically describes clothing over 20 years old, archival vintage is selected for its rarity, provenance, and relevance to a designer’s archive or fashion history. Circa specialises in archival pieces rather than general vintage.