Vintage Collectables – Vintage Compacts

Vintage compact cases are one of those great little things that can be both functional and collectable, they’re also extremely fabulous to look at and touch. I think that one of the best things about Vintage and collectables is how tactile the experience is, and this is never truer than with Compacts. They remind us of bygone eras and our mothers, aunts and grandmothers, who used their compacts daily. Perhaps you’ve inherited a few compacts and have fallen so in love that you’d like to start a proper collection?

Although it seems that compacts have been around forever they didn’t make an appearance until the beginning of the 20th Century. Prior to this powder was stored in a bowl. These bowls could be as decorative as the compacts that followed and are also favourite collector’s pieces.

After the First World War, women gradually left the confines of the home and the compact was invented purely so that a woman could carry loose powder around with her in her bag. It was an extremely popular accessory, and by the 20s and 30s they were made with vastly different materials such as silver, gold, leather and shell and decorated with stones, enamel and even tapestry. Some were hand painted and designed in the fashions of the time such as Art Deco and Egyptians shapes and symbols.

By the time the Second World War arrived compacts were being made in plastic and wood, but sadly by the mid twentieth century, compacts were falling out of fashion when women started to covert a more natural look and either wore far less make­up or stopped wearing it altogether.

There are still many Vintage Compacts around and many are in perfect condition. Make sure that the mirrors are not broken and that the clasps work, also look out for scratches and rust and that the front is undamaged and there are no dents. If the compact comes complete with puff, the label and possibly the packaging then its value will increase.

The most famous brands to look out for are Coty, Gwenda, Kigu,Le Rage, Mascot, Houbigant of France, Stratton (more of that later), Yardley and Vogue Vanities.

Produced between the forties and sixties Stratton’s compacts were extremely popular, you may recognise them from your mother or grandmother’s makeup bags. They came with a special design so they were easy to carry and almost always came with a blue background. A Stratton cover would invariably include birds and flowers and would involve breath­taking attention to detail.

Whatever takes your fancy there are some absolutely fabulous compacts out there are well worth either starting with or adding to your vintage collection. They’re so beautiful and are likely to provoke a lot of admiration! You may never want to part with them, or be able to leave them alone; they have a magical appeal that is timeless and although they are no longer used by many women, they’re worth it. But why not use them?

Powder compacts are still sold and if you take care of your compact case they should still fit perfectly! You can pick these up at Asda, Superdrug, Kiko to name but a few; and they are really easy to swap and change! And when you pull one out of your handbag, you’ll be the talk of the party for all the right reasons!

You can find vintage compacts and other vintage collectables in our Darwen boutique, and of course 24/7 on our website at www.myvintage.co.uk.

Until next time!
Em xx