Van Raalte Rhinestones

I love the simplicity of this chiffon top by Van Raalte and I've never seen this design before.  Judging by the font on the tag and the style it's gotta be from the 60s.  A pullover top with raglan sleeves and rhinestone trim.  Sheer orange nylon chiffon.  Not a typical nightgown design, this looks to me like it was part of a two piece pajama set .  Presently on Ebay auction by the Cemetarian. 

Also check out the Cemetarians site http://cemetarian.com/ for an exceptional vintage sewing pattern dating guide

XOXO Empress

Roaring 20's Van Raalte Singlettes

1920s Flappers had newfound freedom and lotsa style!  Van Raalte was quick to cash in on the new fashions and came out with a line of all in one, "step in" undergarments called "Singlettes".

Check out this incredibly rare 1920s teddy currently on auction from NancyRomancy .  This vintage beauty is in a lovely silk knit (probably a jersey).  Fabulous Flapper Style.  It's hard to imagine how revolutionary it was for women to have freedom of movement!

Also see this photo from Harpers Magazine dated 1928 of a dancer wearing what appears to be the same design courtesy of GlamourSplash's Blog   There are some really amazing photos of 1920s ballerinas wearing Van Raalte Singlettes in this post so make sure you check this out!' 

1937 Stryps Girdle Singlette from Forgetmenot3

Van Raalte registered the trademark for the word "singlette" as a combination undergarment made of knitted fabric: First use declared as 1925, registration March 18, 1930.  I could not find the patent for this.

Van Raalte Night Cap???

Who knew Van Raalte made night caps?? I sure didn't. This blue and white gingham cap is new with tags dating it to 1965. Courtesy of Grainger Station on Ebay.

PHILMY

The only Van Raalte Trademark we could find for "Philmy" related specifically to hosiery, but we have seen several lingerie garments with this label dating from the 40s and 50s.

This remarkable Philmy full slip is currently listed on Ebay. Due to the crystal pleats we are dating this as 1950s. The tag is quite faded, but still legible.

Here is a delightful 50s Philmy half slip with deep pleated lace & chiffon hem from Heavenly Vintage Lingerie

Van Raalte Trademarks

Van Raalte Trademarks
We have categorized by the date the trademark was first used. In some cases Van Raalte used a name for many years before filing it with the US Patents and Trademarks office, so the trademark registered date may be later. We have also included the registration # if you want to look up the record.

• 1913
  VAN RAALTE Fabric gloves, hosiery & underwear
  Registration #0154726
  Trademark registered 1922
  
  
• 1925
  SINGLETTE Combination undergarments of knitted silk fabric
  Registration #0268626
  Trademark registered 1930
  
  
• 1927
  BECAUSE YOU LOVE NICE THINGS
  Registration # 0544657
  Trademark registered 1951.
  
  
• 1929
  MESHETTES Underwear of knitted fabric
  Registration #0267609
  Trademark registered 1930.
  
  
• 1930
  ILLUSION Hosiery
  Registration #0278045
  Trademark registered 1930.
  
  FLEXTOE Hosiery
  Registration #0272386
  Trademark registered 1930.
  
  FAUN-TEX Silk Gloves
  Registration #0282384
  Trademark registered 1931
  
  STRYPS Underwear & Lingerie
  Registration #0548030
  Trademark registered 1951
  
  
• 1931
  WOOLWYNS Underwear of knitted fabric
  Registration #0286845
  Trademark registered 1931
  
  SLENDARE Underwear of knitted fabric
  Registration # 0290050
  Trademark registered 1931
  
  THE MYTH hosiery
  Registration #0292996
  Trademark registered 1932
  
  QUEEN'S LACE hosiery
  Registration #0295114
  Trademark registered 1932
  
  SANDEES underwear of knitted fabric
  Registration #0294110
  Trademark registered 1932
  
  POLKA LACE- laces in the form of piece goods
  Registration #0295350
  Trademark registered 1932
  
  PHILMY - hosiery (note: we've also seen this on clothing items).
  Registration #0531632
  Trademark registered 1950
  
  SHEERIO Hosiery & underwear
  Registration #0316541
  Trademark registered 1934
  
  THE WISP hosiery
  Registration #0291775
  Trademark registered 1932
  
  
• 1932
  CRUISERS Pajamas
  Registration #0295603
  Trademark registered 1932
  
  VAN RAALTE RUN PRUF STOCKING
  Registration #0296326
  Trademark registered 1932
  
  NORUN hosiery
  Registration #0295140
  Trademark registered 1932.
  
  FROVOL -Hosery
  (Registration Number 0506203).
  Trademark registered 1949
  
  
• 1933
  FLEXTOP Hosery
  (Registration Number 0315688).
  Trademark registered 1934
  
  
• 1934
  NICETIES Underwear, hosery & gloves.
  (Registration Number 0324251).
  Trademark registered 1935
  
  LAZY BONES Pajamas
  (Registration Number 0324659).
  Trademark registered 1935
  
  MIRAGE Hosiery & underwear
  (Registration Number 0321337).
  Trademark registered 1935
  
  FLEXTRA Hosiery
  (Registration Number 0508155)
  Trademark registered 1949
  
  
• 1935
  ROYAL LACE Hosiery
  (Registration Number 0325803).
  Trademark registered 1935
  
  First use of trademark "Van Raalte" in Canada.
  Trademark registered with CIPO 1945-01-29
  
• 1936
  JAMETTE Underwear
  (Registration Number 0568072).
  Trademark registered 1952
  
  
• 1945
  POWERLASTIC Underwear
  (Registration Number 0422807).
  Trademark registered 1946.
  
  
• 1949
  NYL-O-WYNS Underwear
  (Registration Number 0530720).
  Trademark registered 1950
  
  DARK ACCENT Hosiery
  (Registration Number 0550330).
  Trademark registered 1951
  
  
• 1951
  MIGNONETTE Underwear
  (Registration Number 0574272).
  Trademark registered 1953
  
  
• 1954
  OPAQUELON Underwear & Gloves
  (Registration Number 0612215).
  Trademark registered 1955
  
  
• 1955
  V.R. DOUBLES Hosiery
  (Registration Number 0624545).
  Trademark registered 1956
  
  
• 1958
  SUAVETTE tissue tricot fabric line launched
  (can’t find this trademark)
  
  
• 1962
  PLAIDEES Underwear, briefs, petticoats, pettitights, bras and pj's.
  (Registration Number 0755149).
  Trademark registered 1963
  
  
• 1963
  TAFFEKNIT Slips & petticoats
  (Registration Number 0849450).
  Trademark registered 1968
  
  
• 1965
  SMOOTH ON Bras
  (Registration Number 0821996).
  Trademark registered 1967
  
  
• 1968
  VANILON Pantyhose
  (Registration Number 0878747).
  Trademark registered 1969
  
  VANAIRE Underwear & Lingerie
  (Registration Number 0869029).
  Trademark registered 1969
  
  
• 1969
  CREPESSENCE Lingerie
  (Trademark Registration Number 0882180).
  Trademark registered 1969.
  
  
• 1974
  BETWEENIES
  (Trademark Registration Number 0990225)
  
  BARE BITS
  (Trademark Registration Number 0990224)
  
  SEA BITS
  (Trademark Registration Number 0989651)
  
  
• 1975
  No Slip Up
  (Trademark Registration Number 1002077)
  
  POSTER PRINTS Tops & Scarves
  (Registration Number 1061731).
  Trademark registered 1977
  
  KINDLYKE Gloves
  (Registration Number 1084856).
  Trademark registered 1978
  
  
• 1976
  PERSONALI-TEES
  (Registration Number 1046439).
  
  SUEDERON
  (Registration Number 1046438).
  
  FINGER TIPS
  (Registration Number 1042987)
  
  TURTLE TUCKER
  (Registration Number 1022099)
  
  
  The following trademarks are owned by Warnarco and are listed by filing or registration date. As far as we can tell Sears is no longer selling Van Raalte lingerie.
  
• 1995
  NUDES FOR VAN RAALTE
  
• 1996
  VAN RAALTE CASUAL COTTON COLLECTION
  
• 1997
  VAN RAALTE NUDES COLLECTION
  
• 1998
  VAN RAALTE MESH & LACE
  VAN RAALTE LACY MESH
  VAN RAALTE LUSTROUS LACE
  VAN RAALTE EMBROIDERED
  
• 1999
  VAN RAALTE VELVET DIMENSIONS
  VAN RAALTE SIZZLE SHAPES
  VAN RAALTE FLOWER DELIGHTS COLLECTION
  VAN RAALTE FLOWER CLASSICS COLLECTION
  VAN RAALTE FLOWER COUNTRY COLLECTION
  VAN RAALTE FLOWER TAPESTRY COLLECTION
  VAN RAALTE STRETCH SATIN COLLECTION
  VAN RAALTE STRETCH EMBROIDERY COLLECTION
  
• 2000
  VAN RAALTE SPORT
  
• 2001
  VAN RAALTE SATIN STRIPES
  VAN RAALTE SHEER STRIPES
  VAN RAALTE SIMPLY ELEGANT
  VAN RAALTE EMBROIDERED ELEGANCE
  
• 2002
  VAN RAALTE SIMPLY LACE

SALLY SCHRANK - A Van Raalte Mystery

SALLY SCHRANK by Van Raalte?
A reader sent me these pictures to try to date these Van Raalte PJ's, but I could find nothing in the USA trademark database on Sally Schrank and no advertisements for this line. I've never seen this tag before. It's hard to date the pj bottoms accurately because the design is so simple, but with the boxy style and chiffon trim I would have to guess these are 1960s. If anyone has any other items with this label please let me know.

Update:

After posting this question on the Ebay vintage clothing & accessories forum it has been determined Sally Schrank was a childrens clothing label and were around from at least the late 60s and must have briefly done a line of kids pj's for Van Raalte. One ad was found in the Oneonta Star, The (Newspaper) - February 11, 1971 advertising a Sally Shrank girls pj set, so we know they were around until at least the early 70s. Thanks to catbooks1940s for providing this ad info and I-am-vintage for providing the photos.

MISC & Unusual

Searching the net always brings up some unusual items and we've found some unique Van Raalte items.

A cardboard suitcase shaped box with bakelite handles- courtesy of switzerrod

MYTH

"MYTH" was one of Van Raalte's extra special lines of lingerie, often including unique lace or appliques. These pieces were constructed in sumptuous, ultra silky, semi sheer nylon or chiffon. A delight to wear. We just have to ask, why don't they make thing like this anymore?

Here is a lovely example of an early nylon Myth nightgown dating to the late 40s or early 50s. Courtesy of Empress Jade Vintage

Here is a gorgeous example of a Myth chiffon babydoll with unique floral appliques - Courtesy of Pink Girl Vintage Lingerie

Totally wild scarlet & black tiger print long leg panties (panty slip) courtesy of Heavenly Vintage Lingerie

The cutest ever Myth "Bananas" long leg panty slip Courtesy of Midnight Glamour

TAFFEKNIT

If you like the SWISHY sound of nylon taffeta, look no further than Van Raalte's TAFFEKNIT. This wonderful fabric has a subtle sheen and the crisp unmistakable sexy swish of taffeta. The Van Raalte company registered the trademark for this fabric in May 1968, but it was in use by the company as early as March 25th, 1963.



A gorgeous topaz blue Taffeknit full slip with ecru lace, available at Empress Jade Vintage

LACE

Today we present some ALL LACE creations by Van Raalte. Stunning slips with bombshell styling and sheer illusion lace with the silkiest nylon linings.

A rare FABULACE 50s full slip in rich blue with an emerald chiffon lining. There is a very fine metal side zipper. Empress Jade Vintage

Another amazing all lace slip; this one is in caramel colored floral lace over nylon tricot, with nylon side zipper. Circa late 60s. Empress Jade Vintage

Another stunning FABULACE slip this time in JET BLACK courtesy of VINTAGESLIPS.COM

A unusual sheer blue nylon and brown lace full slip & matching panties courtesy of Floozees Vintage

Van Raalte Labels & Tags

Van Raalte Label Archive

We are looking for tag and label samples from early Van Raalte pieces ( pre 1950's), so please contact us if you have any in your collection.

Tag from a late 40s or early 50s Van Raalte Myth nightgown.


Tag from a Stryps rayon nightgown. Originally declared as a 40s nightgown, but I'm thinking this tag looks newer and I can't see the VR font, so dating by tag is impossible. The Stryps line was advertised until the late 1960s.

Antron Suavette from a late 50s slip or very early 60s slip. Note: Dupont registered Antron in 1960, but declared first use in commerce as Nov 1959. Tag photo courtesy of Rosemary Productions

Tag from a 1950s FABULACE full slip

Tag from 1950s Opaquelon crystal pleat half slip

Tag from a 60s lace full slip. NOTE: the font changed sometime in the early 60s. In 1960 advertisements they are still using the old font and by 1962 all ads were using the new scrolled font. I can't find any 1961 ads, but we can assume they changed over sometime in 61 / 62.

Van Raalte of Canada tag taken from a 60s full slip

Tag from a late 70s early 80s nightgown, courtesy of Pinupdresses

STRYPS

Serious lingerie collectors always hope to acquire at least one piece from Van Raalte's STRYPS line. The 1940's pieces are a delicious curve hugging spun rayon knit. The pattern is the most subtle tone on tone; alternating shiny and matte stripes. Gloriously comfortable with undeniable sex appeal, these gowns are my absolute favorite.


A Cerulean Blue Stryps Ballet Length Nightgown, courtesy of GUN STREET VINTAGE , likely a 60s vintage.


Here is a truly gorgeous example of a Stryps nightgown in lavender pink, recently sold on EBay by the Silkenhouse who also has their own website at http://www.silverscreenloungerie.com/






Here is another V neck Stryps gown in baby blue courtesy of Molly Rita's Vintage Fashion



Following their huge success of their Stryps line of knit rayon lingerie, Van Raalte found many imitations or "knockoffs" of this style on the market. They did, however, license Sears to sell this style, but not under the "Stryps" name. Sears sold this unique style under the Charmode name, and called them simply "Rayon Tricot". Here is an example of a lavender pink Charmode teddy ( or onesie) which is identical to the lavender pink gown show at the top of this page. Information and photos courtesy of the Silkenhouse and the http://www.silverscreenloungerie.com/




About dating.
The earliest Stryps ad we found was dated 1933 and the latest was 1968.

Opaquelon

Probably one of Van Raalte's most famous and coveted lines of lingerie. Buttery soft and silky luxury nylon, often with amazing lace, chiffon and crystal pleat treatments.

A masterpiece in pink crystal pleats courtesy of Empress Jade Vintage

Here is a exceptionally lovely black opaquelon full slip recently sold by auction EBAY seller cork123 Notice the amazing deep scalloped lace and chiffon hem. To die for!

Here is a unique 50s 2 tone opaquelon suit slip. We've never seen one in grey & white before.

A gorgeous feminine peachy pink opaquelon full slip currently available from The Purse Diva at Main Street Vintage

A Navy Blue Opaquelone Half Slip with crystal pleat and lace hem, courtesy of Empress Jade Vintage

Black Chantilly Lace & Deep Crystal Pleat Flounce Hem Opaquelon Full Slip - Contributed by EHappy Vintage