Yesterday I had the very great pleasure to price up the latest donations for the annual National Trust vintage clothing sale. It’s always a treat to see all the wonderful pieces, and the generosity of the donors gives me great heart too.

So many nice things – this year we have some special wedding and evening gowns from the ’30s, brand new and unworn ’40s high heels in big sizes, lots of designer handbags and a silent auction for two ’60s Chanel couture skirt suits as well as hundreds of good quality ladies and menswear from the last hundred years.

One of my favourite pieces is a silk scarf from Ferragamo with a design of ’50s stilettos and a brand new Pucci silk scarf, unused in the original box. Everything is priced below its value, so it’s an easy decision to give it a new home and support a worthy cause.

Last year we raised a lot of money for the National Trust’s costume collection, enabling it to be preserved and displayed for exhibitions. With your help, we can raise even more this year.

What: National Trust annual vintage, designer clothing and haberdashery sale
When: Saturday 14th and Sunday 15th March, 10am to 4pm.
Where: The Ballroom at Como House, Lechlade Avenue, South Yarra.
Entry: $2. All funds raised support the collection. Be early to snaffle the best bargains!
More information at the National Trust events page.

Pale blue silk taffeta couture party dress from the ’50s with shelf bust and hand-beaded lace details.

Fabric detail from a printed ’30s tea gown with matching net bolero.

Brand new and unworn silk dancing shoes from the ’30s with little diamante buckles.

Detail of hand embroidered silk kimono from the ’40s, lined in printed crepe de chine.

1950s hatboxes: perfect to stash all your new hats from the sale.

Two good lengths of vintage upholstery linen with bird and roses print. One is a few metres long, sufficient to cover an armchair.