Description
Helen Arpels Designer Pumps
These 1970's Helene Arpels vintage shoes came from one of my favorite estates of exceptional designer vintage clothing from the 1940's through the 1970's. This woman owned truly nothing but the best and bought these shoes on a trip to New York in the 70's. These are beautiful, classic leather pumps are a neutral beige color, with nice cut detail at the sides and heels that are just under 2". These vintage shoes are shown with a pair of Musi brass vintage shoe buckles (shown separately) and are labeled a size 8B. Excellent condition, other than the minor sole scuffs shown.
Helene Arpels was half of the famous jewelry marriage duo "Van Cleef and Arpels." Helene was born in Monte Carlo to Russian parents, and was a fashion model who became well known among Paris and New York’s high society. She was known as the image of French elegance, and was voted onto the world’s 10 Best-Dressed List in 1949 and stayed on the list for the next 10 years. People who knew her said that she turned heads wherever she went and was the epitome of elegance and style. She supposedly even liked to wear diamonds on her shoes “After all,” she said, “diamonds go with everything.” Helene Arpels shoes are in the Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume institute.
All of our pieces have been professionally cleaned and arrive ready to wear.
Measuring & Fit Guide
We offer a large selection of designers and manufacturers that span the 20th and early 21st century. Sizing varies greatly, so we have outlined our measuring and size estimating process.
The best way to know if a vintage item will fit you is to take a garment that fits you well, similar to the one you are interested in purchasing, and measure it the way we measure ours.
We lay all garments flat and measure as follows*:
| DRESSES | PANTS | |
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BUST - under arm to under arm across the front and then double that measurement. |
Measure the WAISTBAND, widest part of the HIPS, widest part of the THIGH on one leg and width of the CUFF, then double those measurements |
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WAIST - find the smallest part of the garment if there isn't an obvious seam for the waist and measure across and then double that measurement. |
LENGTH - Measure from the top of the waistband to the bottom of the cuff along the side seam. | |
| HIPS - Find the largest part of the hip area and measure flat, then double that measurement. | RISE - Measure from the crotch to the top of the waistband. | |
| LENGTH - from the nape of the neck or the top of the shoulders, depending on the style of garment. We will measure to the waist when applicable, so that you can determine if it will fit your torso, and then a waist down measurement. | INSEAM - Measure from the crotch to the bottom of the cuff along the inside seam. | |
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SLEEVES - measure from the top of the shoulder seam to the end of the sleeve. When we think that the arm opening is particularly small, we will provide that measurement as well.** |
*Fabrics with stretch will have some give, we will try to mention the range of measurements that will fit comfortably.
**With dolman sleeves, the size is an estimation based on the waist as the body seamlessly joins the sleeve. 
Feel free to email us with specific questions about specific measurements that we may not have included that you need to know in order to feel confident about your purchase. If you have a particularly long torso, short legs, long arms, etc.. we can help you determine whether or not a garment will work for your body.
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Measurements, not size. View our Measuring Guide
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Description
Helen Arpels Designer Pumps
These 1970's Helene Arpels vintage shoes came from one of my favorite estates of exceptional designer vintage clothing from the 1940's through the 1970's. This woman owned truly nothing but the best and bought these shoes on a trip to New York in the 70's. These are beautiful, classic leather pumps are a neutral beige color, with nice cut detail at the sides and heels that are just under 2". These vintage shoes are shown with a pair of Musi brass vintage shoe buckles (shown separately) and are labeled a size 8B. Excellent condition, other than the minor sole scuffs shown.
Helene Arpels was half of the famous jewelry marriage duo "Van Cleef and Arpels." Helene was born in Monte Carlo to Russian parents, and was a fashion model who became well known among Paris and New York’s high society. She was known as the image of French elegance, and was voted onto the world’s 10 Best-Dressed List in 1949 and stayed on the list for the next 10 years. People who knew her said that she turned heads wherever she went and was the epitome of elegance and style. She supposedly even liked to wear diamonds on her shoes “After all,” she said, “diamonds go with everything.” Helene Arpels shoes are in the Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume institute.
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