Friday, November 13, 2015

The Delights of Vintage Travel

Do you dream of snapping photos on an African safari, experiencing an adventure
on the Orient Express or renting a farmhouse in Provence?

Me too! 


I love to travel and it's fairly easy today. But imagine what it must have been like in days gone by. 
There was a time when travel meant packing a trunk full of clothes for every occasion 
or a hard-sided suitcase with just the essentials for a weekend escape to the country.

Did you know those old hump-backed trunks were designed so no one could put anything 
on top of them, thus protecting their contents? 

I love old suitcases. 
They're great for extra storage but what I really adore is the materials they're made of. 
Old leather handles and tarnished brass. Love those.


Faded stripes, houndstooth, faux tweed and real honest-to-God leather.


I think the monogrammed suitcases are divine. Who does that anymore?


And inside, some are lined with beautiful fabric. Delicious.


Don't forget the accessories . . . a vintage umbrella, a scarf and pearls  . . .


an evening bag and gloves . . .


a hat or two in a special hatbox.


And don't forget your camera.


Oh, and outerwear.
I couldn't believe my luck when I found this vintage Burberry Trench at an estate sale for $40.
They sell for thousands new and I bet  a collector would treasure a vintage one like this.


The same sale offered this gorgeous little leather purse with the feel of a messenger bag. 
 I can just imagine the lady who wore this trench and carried this bag
with leather gloves and a Casablanca hat as she traipsed around the world. 
Maybe she was even a spy!


Travel may not have been as easy then as it is now, but it certainly was more romantic. 
Just close your eyes and listen to the clickety clack of the railroad tracks, 
smell the cigarette smoke from the attractive man across from you (it used to be glamorous), 
and sip your cocktail in the dining car while you watch the world roll by your window. 
Sigh.

39 comments:

  1. Delightful! You just about covered it all. I'm a child of the 50s, so I remember hard case suitcases. My high school graduation gift from my parents was a complete set of Samsonite, in white no less. No longer have any of it, nor do I have my Burberry trench coat from the 80s. What a shame I didn't hold on to these treasures.
    Thanks for a look back at vintage travel.

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    1. Thanks for visiting Sarah. How many times have I said, "What a shame I didn't keep that!"

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  2. My sister and I were out antiquing this past week and came across some beautiful vintage luggage...such fun. Lovely collection, love the camera and lace gloves.
    Thanks so much for sharing at AMAZE ME MONDAY!
    Blessings,
    Cindy

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    1. Cindy, I can't pass up a pretty pair of gloves. Guess they remind me of my high school prom. Dating myself, huh?

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  3. What a lovely blog post this is. A great collection. Thanks for sharing. Thelma..

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  4. Lovely words, lovely images, evocative...I'm thinking Orient Express, Silver Meteor, etc.

    Annie @ The View From 256
    viewfrom256.blogspot.com

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  5. What a beautiful post - I could visualize everything perfectly ( made me think of Maisie Dobbs actually ! )

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    1. Hi Suzan, I love it when readers can visualize my words. Thanks so much.

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  6. Thank you for taking us traveling with you. What lovely suitcases and such gorgeous accessories. Ahh, the olden days.

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  7. LOVE it! I adore vintage luggage ~ very clever! Blessings, Cecilia

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  8. hell
    I like the vintage luggage and I love clothes from the 1920-30s
    The Burberry coat was a great find

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  9. I am not crazy about traveling but I love all the accessories needed to do it! I would love to have lived then for a little bit to experience all the glamour. The suitcases are wonderful and I have been collecting them.

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    1. AnnMarie, it's worth any issues with traveling to have all the cool accessories! Thanks for visiting.

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  10. Oh my, what a fun post! I adore your stack of suitcases. I have a couple of stacks. They are just irresistible! I loved the history and the other travel treasures you shared! Thanks for sharing with SYC.
    hugs,
    Jann

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  11. What a wonderfully romantic post, Pat, filled with some many terrific vintage goodies. Loved it and am so glad you shared it at Vintage Charm for everyone to enjoy!

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    1. Thanks Diana. Travel is always romantic but even more so with cool accessories!

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    2. Hi Pat! Just wanted to let you know I'll be featuring your post at Vintage Charm #7 this week :)

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    3. Diana, I'm so excited to be featured on your blog. Thanks so much!!

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  12. Beautiful! What an enchanting collection---and commentary! :) I love your cases---especially the E one, as I have a son with that initial. I hope you'll come link up at my Vintage Show & Tell!

    Blessings,
    Sarah

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    1. Thanks so much Sarah. I will link to your Vintage Show & Tell!

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  13. I LOVE vintage suitcases and cameras. You sure have an amazing collection! Thanks so much for sharing at Vintage Inspiration Party. Featuring on my FB page this morning.

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    1. Thanks Betsy! I'm excited to be featured on your FB page. Wow!

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  14. Beautiful...your words and your collection!! Oh to be back in the days when everything was an "occassion" and each occassion had a"proper" dress expectation! I was born in the 50's and remember the suitcases, earrings and necklaces that matched and were such beautiful colors..pearls...hats, gloves, and DRESSES!! Very few wore pants in those days. I graduated in 1970 and the school dress code did not allow pants for the girls...and all dresses had to be a certain length! Made it very cold walking in school in the snow! Thank you for taking me on this journey...ALL ABOARD!!!

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    1. Hi Connie! Thanks so much for your wonderful comment. Right there with you! I remember walking to school in the snow in a skirt too! By the way, I went to school with a boy named Pete Adrian, class of 66 in Ohio. Any relation by any chance?

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  15. Beautiful...your words and your collection!! Oh to be back in the days when everything was an "occassion" and each occassion had a"proper" dress expectation! I was born in the 50's and remember the suitcases, earrings and necklaces that matched and were such beautiful colors..pearls...hats, gloves, and DRESSES!! Very few wore pants in those days. I graduated in 1970 and the school dress code did not allow pants for the girls...and all dresses had to be a certain length! Made it very cold walking in school in the snow! Thank you for taking me on this journey...ALL ABOARD!!!

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  16. Your post is Fabulous. If we were voting I'd vote yours the best. One of my favorite movies is Out Of Africa!
    I love your collection of luggage!
    I'd love to invite you to go over to my friend Linda Kays for Wit and Wisdom on Wednesday and link this post.
    She would love it!
    Also, thanks for linking at Share a Cup. It was very nice meeting you.
    Today I featured Jan's party at my blog. Come over and comment on her feature post to enter Jan in a giveaway!

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    1. Wow! Thanks so much for your kind words. What is your friend's web site so I can share my post with her? (My favorite movie is Out of Africa too!)

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  17. Hi Pat, just hopping back to let you know that I will be featuring you at SYC today.
    hugs,
    Jann

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    1. Happy Thanksgiving Jann! Thanks so much for featuring my post at SYC. Glad you appreciated it!

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  18. Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family! I am so happy you shared your lovely post at the #fleamarketfriday party! I will be featuring it later today, come back and share again! Have a great weekend....Brooke

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    1. Happy Thanksgiving Brooke and thanks so much for the feature. It's always a thrill.

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    2. Happy Thanksgiving Brooke and thanks so much for the feature. It's always a thrill.

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  19. What a great post, Pat I am all about the vintage things you've featured here!
    Rita

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