Caring for Vintage Bohemian Embroidered Peasant Blouses

25 Aug Caring for Vintage Bohemian Embroidered Peasant Blouses

Posted at 17:32h in Caring for Your Vintage by Regan Dunleavy 0 Comments

A selection of embroidered tops that have been listed in our Etsy shop

Trends amongst fast fashion brands aren’t new. Fashion trends can be found in vintage clothing as well. Over the past few years, we have noticed a huge increase in people and industry buyers looking for these elegant draping tops with intricate embroideries and delicately done smocking. Recently moments after we post them to Instagram or Etsy they are sold and we have been shipping them to places on the other side of the world such as Malaysia!

Through history, the originals can be found back in the Renaissance era when they were worn primarily as an undergarment. In many Eastern European nations, they were part of traditional folk dressing and the colored embroidered had meaning relating to social status, religion, or age.

A Hungarian Embroidered Dress that was listed on Etsy

Thousands of brands remake this style (or try to) almost every spring. We won’t name names, but certain bohemian style big-name brands that may or may not be based in the City of Brotherly Love are known for recreating this style. Sure, you can buy those, but the quality and technique are unmatched by the original thing. So why be like everyone else? Vintage is unique, well made, and it comes with a history. Plus, it is sustainable (you know how we love to be green!)

Why can’t I just throw it in the wash?

The thin fabrics and embroidered threads with antique dyes make them a little trickier than your average vintage garment to launder. These handmade beauties deserve our respect and should either be drycleaned by a professional who specializes in vintage garments, or if it’s a cotton one you can wash is delicately by hand. We’ve made a video on how I recently washed an early bohemian peasant blouse I decided to keep for my own collection. Being that the embroidery is purple (my favorite color) and this one has exceptional workmanship I couldn’t bear the thought of posting it to Instagram or Etsy for sale.

Quick tips

The video gives lots of insider info and who doesn’t love a good “before and after”, but here are a few quick washing tips that are good for caring for blouses like the one in the video.

-Always use Coldwater, it’s delicate on fibers

-A bit of white vinegar keeps the colors from running

-Rinse out the garment before soaking to remove any dust that has settled in the fabric

-Hang dry and don’t wring out in a spiral, be gentle with vintage clothing

Click here to view the video