I mentioned in my last article that I was up to my eyeballs in Halloween related madness. It has been fun seeing what Halloween costumes are new for 2018, especially which ones are inspired by vintage or retro decades (there are many!). I have spent the last few weeks updating the following articles with many … Read More about Retro Halloween Costume Ideas & Trends
How to Dress for a 50s Sock Hop- Authentic 50s Outfits
A 1950s sock hop is probably the most common event theme of the fifties decade. Visions of teenage girls twirling in felt poodle skirt costumes, white lace socks, and saddle shoes make me want to jump in and dance with them. While the poodle skirt look has been shown in nearly every ’50s movie in … Read More about How to Dress for a 50s Sock Hop- Authentic 50s Outfits
Find Civil War, Victorian Boots & Shoes for Kids
Question: Where can I find Civil War era boots for my kids (boys and girls) that wouldn’t be as expensive as reproduction boots? Answer: I hear you. Kids outgrow shoes quickly, which makes them a hefty investment for an occasional hobby. Once upon a time, I was a little girl in need of lace up … Read More about Find Civil War, Victorian Boots & Shoes for Kids
How to Dress Retro Vintage Casual for Men
Last week, I mentioned the trend for wanting/wearing vintage casual clothing is in high demand this year. Request for men’s clothing is usually prefaced with “I don’t want to wear a suit” or “how can I work with clothing I already have?” While Oscar thoroughly enjoys wearing vintage style suits, the majority of guests at … Read More about How to Dress Retro Vintage Casual for Men
1920s -1930s Beachwear Summer Outfits- Great Gatsby Lawn Party
This past weekend was my 8th year attending the Lake Tahoe Great Gatsby Festival. It is always my favorite event of the year and the one place we all dress up in 1920s summer outfits. Usually, we wear 1920s summer dresses and suits, coordinated head to toe with hats, shoes, and accessories. We always dress … Read More about 1920s -1930s Beachwear Summer Outfits- Great Gatsby Lawn Party
Wonder Woman Movie 1918 Clothing: Diana’s London Costumes
It has been years since I went to see a movie in a theater, but with so many rave reviews for Wonder Woman, I decided I had to take my sister, daughter, and friend to see this epic woman-powered superhero movie (which is highly rated by every man I know as well). Apparently, I am … Read More about Wonder Woman Movie 1918 Clothing: Diana’s London Costumes
1940s Men’s Hairstyles & Facial Hair
The 1940s man had perfectly groomed hair, with frequent visits to the barber. The look is fairly simple to pull off today (unlike those time-consuming women’s styles!). If you want to achieve most men’s 1940s hairstyle you will need to grow your hair long on top but keep it shorter on the sides and back. … Read More about 1940s Men’s Hairstyles & Facial Hair
1940s Hairstyles- History of Women’s Hairstyles
In the ‘40s, women were encouraged to use their hair to ‘fix’ any flaws in their face. If she had perfect, shiny hair with a good color, she should use it to frame her face. If she had a full face, she should use a 1940s hairstyle that piled hair on top of her head to … Read More about 1940s Hairstyles- History of Women’s Hairstyles
How to Make a 1920s Day Dress- DIY Gatsby Costume
In 2013, I wrote a guest post for American Duchess’ blog about a 1920s house dress I made, inspired by a 1922 dress in a catalog I have. It’s about time I share this dress here on VintageDancer too! This is my all time favorite 1920s dress I have ever made. I am not the … Read More about How to Make a 1920s Day Dress- DIY Gatsby Costume
1940s Accessories: Belts, Gloves, Head Scarf
The purse and hat were the two biggest 1940s accessories a woman wore, but they were not the only way to dress up an outfit. Most women wore a belt with their dress, suit, or skirt. They were necessary, but not emphasized until the late 1940s. Gloves had more style, being worn whenever a woman … Read More about 1940s Accessories: Belts, Gloves, Head Scarf
1940s Jewelry Styles and History
Following on from vintage jewelry styles of the 1930s, this article shall examine popular 1940s jewelry styles and trends. In order to add that finishing touch to a 1940s inspired outfit, highlighted are some vintage reproduction jewelry styles available to buy today. 1940s Jewelry History As the Great Depression was ending and a new war … Read More about 1940s Jewelry Styles and History
Selling Your Vintage Clothes FAST
So you inherited some vintage clothing. How can you sell it, donate it, or just get rid of it as quickly and painlessly as possible? This has been a weekly, if not daily, question I am asked (along with will you buy my collection?) so it is about time I answer it. There are many … Read More about Selling Your Vintage Clothes FAST
1940s Men’s Underwear: Briefs, Boxers, Unions, & Socks
Men’s vintage underwear (quite unlike women’s) hasn’t changed much throughout the years, although it did look a little bit different during the 1940s. Men wore either knit briefs, woven boxer shorts, or union suits under their daily clothing. Briefs White knit briefs were made from ribbed cotton with an elasticized waist and were worn high … Read More about 1940s Men’s Underwear: Briefs, Boxers, Unions, & Socks
Bulova Accutron – Men’s American Watch History
Continuing on from GM’s vintage men’s watch guide is a bit of history about one specific men’s vintage watch featured in the TV show Mad Men: the Bulova Accutron If there’s one men’s wristwatch that captured the spirit of the 1960s, it was the Bulova Accutron. Accutron was a combination of ‘accurate’ and ‘electronic’, making it … Read More about Bulova Accutron – Men’s American Watch History
1940s Wedding Dresses & Groom Attire
Although the world was in turmoil during the ‘40s, people did still get married! In fact, so many people did that there was an explosive Baby Boom after the war. However, 1940s weddings were not as formal as they were before or after the decade. Most weddings were during a 10-1pm brunch time, with a … Read More about 1940s Wedding Dresses & Groom Attire
1940s Men’s Formalwear, Tuxedos, Evening Attire
Dressing up in black tuxedos, tails, or dinner jackets was a regular affair even in the depression of the 1930s. For city folks and those wealthy enough to afford a night out for dinner and dancing, gentlemen always wore formalwear, as did the wait staff and musicians. During wartime, men’s 1940s formalwear was put aside … Read More about 1940s Men’s Formalwear, Tuxedos, Evening Attire
Tea Party Hats | How to Make a Victorian Hat
With the Kentucky Derby a few weeks away and a plethora of garden tours, Titanic memorials, and Victorian tea party events springing up this time of year, I am eager to dust off my vintage hat collection and see what new outfits I can create. The heyday for tea party hats was in the Victorian … Read More about Tea Party Hats | How to Make a Victorian Hat
History of Men’s Vintage Jewelry- Collar Bars, Rings, Tie Clips
Men’s vintage jewelry is perhaps a little overlooked in comparison to jewelry worn by ladies. To rectify this, we thought it would be fun to look at the history of men’s vintage jewelry from our favorite period, the 1900s to the 1960s. Care to join us? Splendid. 1900s to 1910s Men’s Jewelry- Proper and Prosperous … Read More about History of Men’s Vintage Jewelry- Collar Bars, Rings, Tie Clips
1940s Men’s Work Clothes, Casual Wear
Starting at the turn of the century and into the 1960s, there was little change in men’s workwear styles. Materials, colors, and fit changed, but the overall style of workwear for common occupations remained the same. Overalls, coveralls, uniforms, and workwear separates made up the bulk of men’s vintage work clothes as well as casual … Read More about 1940s Men’s Work Clothes, Casual Wear
1930s Shoes History: Heels, Oxfords, Boots
Women of all decades love shoes, and the budget-conscious women of the 1930s were no exception. Smart pairs of stylish 1930s shoes came in a wide array of styles, but certain details made them specific to the “thirties.” What did shoes look like in the 1930s? Small perforations (holes) in intricate designs on the body … Read More about 1930s Shoes History: Heels, Oxfords, Boots