The VFG believes that informed selling and buying communities are good for the vintage-fashion industry as a whole, and all visitors to the website have access to the VFG resources. These are continually updated and constantly evolving, thanks to a dedicated volunteer staff.
Our blog features our picks of the freshest vintage items, member news and articles. We have also created a growing series of articles on some classic designers.
The Vintage Fashion Guild™ (VFG) is an international organization dedicated to the promotion and preservation of vintage fashion.
The Vintage Fashion Guild™ (VFG) is an international community of people with expertise in vintage fashion. VFG members enjoy a wealth of resources, avenues for promoting their shops and specialties, and camaraderie with others who share a common interest and passion.
Founded as the Susquehanna Waist Company in 1916 by Samuel Netsky of Susquehanna, Pa., Ship ‘n Shore became widely known for its affordable and well-made line of classic, tailored women’s blouses. According to the US Trademark site, 1939 was the first use of the brand name Ship ‘n Shore.
The popularity of its blouses in the 1950s and 1960s secured its position as an iconic national casual sportswear brand that eventually added women’s pants, skirts and jackets, and eventually relocated to the Philadelphia suburbs.
Family-owned until 1977, it was purchased by General Mills and was sold exclusively through Montgomery Ward department stores. In 1981 the parent company announced plans to shut down three of its factories, causing some 400 employees to lose their jobs. Soon after, Montgomery Ward went bankrupt, and in 2002, the grandchildren of Ship ‘n Shore’s founder were able to buy the company back for their SWC Enterprises, Inc. Unfortunately, their plans for an updated product line and re-launch of the brand failed to materialize.
Written by Ranch Queen Vintage
from a 1950/1951 blouse
from a 1955 blouse
from a 1960s blouse