Ten fantastic online sources for vintage style crinolines

Over the years one of the vintage fashion related topics that I've received quite a few questions about via email and Facebook PMs has been in regards to where where I source my crinolines from.
 
Crinolines are also known as petticoats or pettiskirts, though, historically speaking in North American parlance at least, both of those (usually) differed from the tulle/netting/otherwise poufy garment that we call a crinoline today.

In the 21st century, the three are often used fairly interchangeably (and the terminology will often vary from country to country). However, for the sake of simplicity in this post, I will refer to this type of garment as a crinoline, which was certainly one of their most common names during the 1950s - the decade that, above all others, saw an epic vogue for this flouncy undergarment.



{Though nowadays they’re often associated largely with the youth culture of the 1950s, back in the late 1940s (where they got a serious boost from Dior's New Look) through to the early 1960s, this skirt volume boosting garment was sported by ladies from all ages and walks of life, and many ads featured adults in their 20s and 30s modeling the crinolines on offer. Vintage crinoline ad image source.}


Believe it or not, prior to the age of 25 (as discussed in this 2010 post), I had never owned a crinoline. Nope, not a one - despite adoring them something fierce. Well, I've definitely made up for lost time in the years since then and now own quite a few, including this rainbow stunner.
 
I don't wear them on a daily basis, but it's rare for more than a few weeks to pass at any point in the year without one coming out to play as part of a 1950s ensemble. I tend to prefer a small to medium amount of poof to my crinolines (and thus rarely double, triple, etc mine up - a handy technique that can land you tons upon tons of crinoline fullness), but do own some - including the aforementioned rainbow beauty - that have a square dance worthy amount of fullness to them.
 
As more traditional vintage styles and pinup looks alike have continued to explode in popularity in recent years, the array of online sources that we have at our disposal to source crinolines from has also grown in leaps and bounds.
 
Naturally, many sites that stock a range of vintage reproduction, rockabilly and/or pinup looks sell the same brands of crinolines and it wouldn't make a great deal of sense to list too many of those here in today's post.
 
You'll find some such options, but I've purposely tried to wrangle up an array of sites that sell their own exclusive brands/designs of crinolines, to help give the pettiskirt connoisseur ample shopping options on this front.
 
So without further ado, let's jump right in and explore ten wonderful sources for 1950s style crinolines.




1. Pettiskirt Style: One of my absolute go-tos for fabulous, well made crinolines in a huge range of colours (including the dusty rose chiffon beauty above that I would absolutely love to add to my closet!), plus various lengths, numbers of tiers, materials, and degrees of fullness. In addition to stocking women's crinolines, Pettiskirt Style also has a fabulous selection of children's styles, too.




2. The House of Foxy: From the UK comes The House of Foxy's wonderful array of classic (typically 26 inch) length and style chiffon crinolines in a bevy of seriously covetable colours, such as the St. Patrick's Day perfect Kelly Green example shown here.




3. Blue Velvet Vintage: This beloved US seller of vintage, vintage reproduction and vintage style garments delivers a lovely assortment of modern, 1950s style crinoline offerings. I own a light blue crini that is very similar to Sky Blue one highlighted here and am constantly delighted by just how many colours this sweet, classical hue partners splendidly with.




4. Unique Vintage: Classic colours, elegant lengths, and high quality crinolines like this chic, endlessly wearable 1950s Style Black Tea Length Ruffled Chiffon Petticoat Crinoline are always available from US seller Unique Vintage and make for a perfect pairing with tons of the 1950s style skirts and dresses this powerhouse of an online vintage style clothing shop carries.




5. Malco Modes: Presented in a modest sized array of different vintage and modern lengths (their Melonie crinoline, pictured here, is the longest version that they presently offer), Malco Modes crinoline offerings are reasonably priced, available in a broad spectrum of hues, and a well known go-so source for many in the dance and costuming world who use crinolines as part of their attire.




6. Pinup Girl Clothing: For those who are acquainted with this site's stellar array of vintage and pinup style offerings - which include scores of beautiful skirts and dresses - it will likely come as little surprise that Pinup Girl Clothing also sells a slew of crinolines in a lovely assorted of lengths and colours (including this dark red number that I'm swooning up a storm over!).




7. Retro Glam: To all of my fellow Canadian vintage adoring gals out there (and my international sisters who want to take advantage of the weak Canadian dollar these days), I happily present Retro Glam's delightful crinoline selection, which includes styles from brands such as Banned Apparel and Hell Bunny (such as the stunning navy blue version above that has been on my wardrobe wishlist for about a year and a half now).




8. Doris Designs: Romantic, voluminous and available in the most enchantingly pretty colours (like the dreamy aquamarine blue version pictured here), UK based Doris Design's crinolines are made of softer materials than many other versions on the market today and have the added bonus of coming in three different lengths for many styles (the 26" inch would be the most 1950s appropriate length for the majority of wearers).




9. Atomic Cherry: Those stylish crinoline adoring ladies in the Australia will definitely want to check out Atomic Cherry's selection of 1950s style crinolines, which currently include options from both Chic Star and Hell Bunny (like the elegant dark purple petticoat shown here).




10. Lindy Bop: Wonderfully well priced (even for those outside of the UK), Lindy Bop's fabulous array of different coloured, fluffy crinolines - like this 28 inch mint green gem - are sure to have you hitting the "add to cart" button faster than you can say sockhop! :)

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In addition to modern sources for crinolines, one does of course have the option to buy the genuine 1950s (or occasionally older, and sometimes newer) deal as well.

Such crinolines are often priced, both online and off, fairly comparably to good quality 21st century options. They may be a touch more fragile/time worn, but many have held up surprisingly well and will naturally partner sublimely with genuine mid-century garments, particularly circle skirts and wide skirted dresses.

If you're on the hunt for such, try eBay, Etsy, The Best Vintage Clothing, various other independent vintage shops, local vintage, thrift, antique, and second hand shops, as well as costume and dance wear shops, some of (the latter of) which do occasionally stock vintage items on top of their modern inventory.

New (vintage style) crinolines can be found at a wide array of price points, from less than $20.00 USD on eBay to hundreds of dollars for custom made offerings.

Thankfully, most fall closer to the first number and a vast array of beautiful, stylish, good quality crinolines can be had for under $125.00 from a range of stockists around the world (with comparable prices in UK pounds and Euros, for those in Europe).

To date, I've not paid more than $100.00 USD for any of mine and have been genuinely pleased with the construction, fit, length and material of all of my modern crinolines.

Though there are exceptions to most every rule, remember that - as in most things in life - you usually get what you pay for. The jump in price between a $25 crinoline on eBay and a $50 one on a repro site might not seem that big, but it could mean the difference between a stiff, inflexible, cheaply made crinoline and a comfy, softer tulle version that lasts for years.

You certainly don't have to break the bank when shopping for crinolines and the fact that they do tend to hold up well means that you'll often get a very low cost per wear ratio out of your pettiskirts as time goes on.

I hope that the sites in today's post help give you some fun new sources for your own crinoline needs, whether you're shopping for your first, have twenty in the closet, or are on the hunt for a particular hue - and of course, if you have any favourite sources for new or vintage crinolines alike that weren't mentioned here, please don't hesitate to share them in the comments below.

These voluminous old school wardrobe styles are a blast to wear, channel the look of the 50s superbly, and even have the added bonus of provided some much needed warmth to the lower half of your body when sported during the colder months. If that isn't worth doing a twirl (in your favourite crini) over, I don't know what it is! :)