Glencoe Historical Society
at the
Eklund History Center & Garden

Suits, dresses, capes, hats, purses and shoes are all on sale at the Glencoe Historical Society, items from the Helen Sharpe Fashion donation that are not being added to the society’s permanent collection.

Sales will be held during regular museum hours:

Wednesdays

10 a.m. to 4 p.m. from now through Nov. 2nd; and

Sundays, Oct. 8th and 22nd

2 to 4 p.m.

A special sale day will be held on the Eklund Garden patio, Saturday, Oct 21st, from 9 a.m.–1 p.m.— just in time for Halloween.

When Helen Sharpe died at age 102 last spring, the historical society was delighted to receive more than 500 items of clothing from her estate. An exhibit of her summer, garden party clothes is currently on view at the Eklund History Center museum and textile curators have selected the items that will be accessioned for the permanent collection. But more than 400 items are still available—outfits, shoes, some hats—and the society is selling them, using the funds raised for storage costs.

The prices are low so the society can clear out the rooms now filled with clothing. The items obviously were costly when originally purchased, made of excellent materials and some come with designer labels. Others were custom-made for Mrs. Sharpe. For children’s “dress up” there are capes, gowns, and hats. For women who appreciate vintage clothing, there are styles from the 1950s through the 1980s, many trimmed in leather, that still look elegant.

Mrs. Sharpe was less than 5-feet tall and wore sizes 2, 4, or 6 in her lifetime. Many of the clothes are small sizes, probably in today’s sizing woman’s 4 through 8. The shoes, which include many pairs of Andrew Geller flats, also are in small sizes, 4 or 5.

Vintage clothing stylish enough for today is ready for the taking.

The historical society is located at 377 Park Ave., Glencoe, one and half blocks west of Green Bay Road and Park on the north side of the street. For more information, call 847.835.0040.