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Aug
2021

‘The Stagecoach – 1930’. A Vintage Yearbook, The Likes Of Which Has Never Been Seen Before

categories: 1930s, Vintage Yearbooks

I was recently back on one of my favourite websites, The North Carolina Yearbooks Collection to do some vintage fashion falling in love (I mean browsing HA!).

While in the depths of it’s online pages I stumbled upon the most amazing vintage yearbook that I have ever seen and I just knew that I needed to share it with all of you (yes it’s true!).

Today we are looking at ‘The Stagecoach’, a Yearbook from 1930 St. Mary’s School, Raleigh, NC. It is truly like NOTHING you have seen before on my blog. Visually stunning from start to finish and a not to miss post.

Here we go!

The Stagecoach yearbook St. Mary's School (Raleigh, N.C.) featuring a Stagecoach illustration.

The Stagecoach’, a Yearbook from 1930 St. Mary’s School, Raleigh, NC

About St. Mary’s:

Founded in 1842 by the Rev. Aldert Smedes, an Episcopal priest, Saint Mary’s School has operated continuously on the same site ever since.

With the support of the Episcopal Diocese of North Carolina, Smedes founded Saint Mary’s as a school for young ladies “designed to furnish a thorough and excellent education equal to the best that can be obtained in the city of New York, or in any Northern school.“

Today, Saint Mary’s School is an innovative independent, Episcopal, college-preparatory, boarding and day school for girls in grades 9–12 (Source).

The Classes

From little girl to a young woman graduating from Grade 12.

1930 Yearbook inside page featuring an illustration of a young woman in 1930s evening gown. Senior Student.

Here is a small sampling of our lovely senior ladies. Look at those 1929 early 1930s hairstyles? Both in photo and in illustration. YOOZA!

1930s vintage yearbook featuring young woman, seniors of the school in 1930s late 1920s hairstyles.
1930s Vintage Yearbook photo featuring 1920's hairstyles
1930s Vintage Yearbook photo featuring 1920's hairstyles
Twins! In 1930s Vintage Yearbook photo featuring 1920's hairstyles

Prophecy for class of 1930.

Look inside a senior class yearbook from 1930 in North Carolina

Our Grade 12 senior class in late 1920s fashions, looking fashionable and fun!

Senior Grade 12 class of 1930 at St Mary's school North Carolina. Beautiful late 1920s early 1930s fashions.

The Junior Class of 1930.

Look inside a vintage 1930s yearbook featuring the Junior Class of St. Mary's School North Carolina.
1930 vintage yearbook featuring late 1920s fashions for young women
1930s vintage yearbook featuring Sophmore class of St. Mary's Schoo, North Carolina.

The Sophomore Class of 1930.

1930s vintage yearbook featuring Sophmore class of St. Mary's Schoo, North Carolina. All the young women are wearing late 1920s fashions.

Freshmens!

1930s vintage yearbook featuring the freshman class of St. Mary's School North Carolina. Image is a graphic design of 2 young woman having tea.
1930 Vintage yearbook for St. Mary's School North Carolina featuring the Freshmen class all in late 1920s fashions.

PREPS. All bright eyed and busy tailed and ready for the adventures of St. Mary’s School.

1930 Vintage yearbook for St. Mary's School North Carolina featuring an illustration of 2 girls holding hands
1930 Vintage yearbook for St. Mary's School North Carolina featuring the Preps class in late 1920s fashions.

THE STATISTICS

Now here is there real reason why I wanted to do this blog post……THE STATISTICS (wait for it….)

Look inside a yearbook from 1930 at St. Mary's School North Carolina

MOST POPULAR – Elizabeth Collins. LOVE the use of the sheet music in the background for each one of the “winners”. How creative!

Most Popular student at St. Mary's School in the 1930 Yearbook.

MOST ATTRACTIVE “She’s Got IT” -Elizabeth Nunn.

1930 Vintage Yearbook photo featuring the most attractive student.

MOST EFFICIENT, BEST ALL-AROUND “She’s a Great, Great Girl” -Roxana Eaton.

Inside a 1930 Vintage yearbook featuring the winner of the most efficient award at St. Mary's School North Carolina

THE CUTEST “Hello Cutie” – Lela Shewmake. I love this one so much!

Late 1920s Vintage Hairstyle as seen in a 1930 vintage yearbook from St. Mary's School North Carolina. The fashion illustration in the back features 1920s fashions and is on sheet music.

OMG! MOST STYLISH Indeed, Margaret West! I never looked this good in highschool…ever ha!

Most Fashionable as seen in a 1930s yearbook. The young woman is wearing late 1920s fashions.

CLEVEREST – Julia Askew.

Late 1920s Vintage Hairstyle as seen in a 1930 vintage yearbook from St. Mary's School North Carolina.

MOST GRACEFUL, ‘Dance Away The Night’ – Freda De Pass.

As a dancer, I am enjoying this title and the look of our graceful gal.

Most Graceful! Late 1920s Vintage Hairstyle and late 1920s evening gowns as seen in a 1930 vintage yearbook from St. Mary's School North Carolina.

DAINTIEST – Elizabeth Webb. Not sure how you get this title, but can we get an applause for the evening gown Elizabeth is wearing? Beautiful!

Most Daintest. Late 1920s Evening Gown/ Early 1930s Evening gown as seen in a vintage yearbook. Late 1920s Vintage Hairstyle as seen in a 1930 vintage yearbook from St. Mary's School North Carolina.

MOST ATHLETIC – Marion Myers.

Most Athletic. Late 1920s Vintage Hairstyle as seen in a 1930 vintage yearbook from St. Mary's School North Carolina.

Summary of our Statstics above. YOOZA those 1920s fashions!

Late 1920s Fashions for Women as seen in an early 1930s vintage yearbook from St. mary's school, North Carolina.

Okay back to a few other goodies in the yearbook…..

.

The May Queen, Eveyln Mann in all her royal glory.

may queen vintage yearbook photo from 1930 of a young woman in a long 1920s evening gown and crown

Tennis anyone? The illustrations in this yearbook are just simply stunning. Whoever did them, I hope went on to do great things in her life.

1930 Vintage Yearbook featuring a sketch of a woman in late 1920s fashions getting ready to play tennis. Sportswear fashion for women.
1929-1930 women's school sports team as seen in a 1930 vintage yearbook from St. Mary's School North Carolina.

A poem on Modernism.

a poem on modernism as seen in a vintage 1930s yearbook from St. Mary's School North Carolina

I’m going to leave you with what I think is the “Naughty List” aka “Restriction List” and the public calling out in the yearbook.

Not sure if this is meant to be a poke at those who messed up or a legit, you suck burn list? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.

look inside a 1930s yearbook from st. Mary's schoo, North Carolina.

And that is the end of today’s post. Hope you enjoyed it friends! I know I LOVED putting this one together and drooling over all those 1920s hairstyles (so dreamy).

Question Time: What was your favourite image / graphic design from this yearbook? Share in the comments section below.

Further Reading:

Take care and thanks for stopping by!

Liz


Aug
2021

The Colour Block Fashions of the 1940s & 1950s

categories: 1940s, 1950's, Vintage Fashion

Colour-blocking is thought of as the exploration of taking colors that are opposites on the color wheel and pairing them together to make interesting and complementary color combinations. It is commonly associated in fashion as a trend that originated from the artwork of Dutch painter, Piet Mondrian (Source).

Piet Mondrian Color-Blocking Art

In the 1960s, Yves Saint Laurent was inspired by Mondrian’s work and created the iconic dress seen below. Colour-blocking was also the early introduction of Mod Style, a 60’s trend known for bold, solid colored separates that were composed of blocks in different hues (Source).

As the sack dress evolved in the 1960s into a modified form, the shift, Saint Laurent realized that the dress's planarity was an ideal field for color blocks. Knowing the flat planes of the 1960s canvases acheived by contemporary artists in the lineage of Mondrian, Saint Laurent made the historical case for the artistic sensibility of his time. Y

Source: The Met

Now in the case of 1940’s & 1950’s fashion, colour-blocking was very understated and normally unintentional. This is why when you research the history of this style, you won’t really find the 40s and 50s being mentioned as a trendy time for this look (at least I could not find much info).

I did find an interesting piece of information about 1940s colour-blocking though….

It was an ideal way to use small pieces of fabric that would not be enough on their own for a garment, combined in ways that could make a whole garment and a fun fashion statement. Designers became very creative with color blocking, even in odd combinations (Source).

Uncut 1940s Hollywood 1759 One Shoulder Dress Pattern Vintage Sewing Grecian Style Dress Color Block Cocktail Dress

Source: Etsy

The Colour Block Fashions of the 1940s & 1950s

Vintage Fashion Examples

For today’s post I want to showcase the 1940s & 1950s and what colour-blocking looked like during this time period of fashion (with a late 1930s & early 1960s dresses thrown in for fun).

Let’s begin!

(Note: Updated March 2024)

Disclosure: Some of the links on my blog from Etsy , eBay are Affiliate Links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.

Note: If you click on an item and it is no longer available, don’t fret! The websites I have provided are updated daily with 1000’s of new & vintage items. Just do a quick search and see what you find. 

VINTAGE SHOPPING: I have put together to make your shopping easier, an Etsy collection of vintage color block fashion’s, that is updated monthly. Happy Shopping!

This is the dress that started this post. It’s so pretty, I could cry! I just wished it fit, but it does not so it will live forever on my blog!

A stunning vintage 1930s puffed sleeved evening gown in black velveteen and mint faille colour block.

1930s Dress - Stunning Vintage 30s Puffed Sleeve Evening Gown in Black Velveteen and Mint Faille Color Block

Source: Etsy

Vintage 1940s Pink + Burgundy Wool Colour Block Dress (love the colour combo!).

1940s Fashion: Vintage 1940s Pink + Burgundy Wool Colour Block Dress

Source: Etsy

Vintage 1940’s pale blue & black colour block dress (avail as of March 2024 HERE).

I own a very similar dress to this one and was always confused on how it was supposed to look on, but now I know.

1940s Fashion: Vintage 1940's pale blue & black colour-block dress

Source: Etsy

1940s Gorgeous Pink and Black Rayon Color Block Dress. I love the colour combo!

1940s Fashion: 1940s Gorgeous Pink and Black Rayon Color Block Dress

Source: Etsy

Holy Jeepers! THIS DRESS!! Falling over from how stunning it is! A 1940s navy blue red white dash print rayon crepe, two tone colour block dress.

1940s Fashion: navy blue red white dash print rayon crepe two tone color block 3/4 sleeves double breast V neck center pleat A-line skirt dress

Source: Etsy

1940’s black and pink pinafore style colour block dress.

1940s Fashion: Vintage 1940's Black and Pink Rayon Dress/ 40's Colour Block Dress

Source: Etsy

Spring/Summer Modes Royale catalogue from 1947 featuring 1940s Color Block dresses.

1940s Fashion Illustration: Spring/Summer Modes Royale catalogue from 1947 featuring 1940s Color Block Dresses

Source: rhondabuss.com

Maybe I’m alone on this, but I LOVE COLOUR-BLOCKING DRESSES! Here is another beauty. A vintage 1940s wool gabardine black and dusty pink dress with unique pockets.

1940s Fashion: 1940s Color Block Frock | Vintage 40s Wool Gabardine Black and Dusty Pink Sassy Sensational Dress with Unique Pockets

Source: Etsy

You had me with this dress with those color-blocked ruffles at the back. STUNNING!

A vintage 1940s dark taupe & pumpkin spice orange colour block, rayon crepe cocktail dress w/ruffles.

1940s Fashion: 1940s Fabulous Femme Fatale Frock | Vintage 40s Dark Taupe & Pumpkin Spice Orange Color Block Rayon Crepe Cocktail Dress w/Ruffles

Source: Etsy

1940 Fashion Illustration featuring Color Block Evening Dresses & Casual Day Dresses.

1940 Fashion Illustration featuring Color Block Evening Dresses & Casual Day Dresses

Source: Pinterest

1940s junior rayon puff sleeve colour block dress. Super cute!

1940s Fashion: 1940s junior rayon puff sleeve color-block dress

Source: Etsy

Modes Royale Fall/Winter 1955/56 Fashions.

1950s Fashion Illustration: Modes Royale Fall/Winter 1955/56 Womens Fashions featuring a color block dress.

Source: rhondabuss.com

I’m a huge fan of Rose Marie Reid Swimsuits, as you would of read all about it a past post seen below. So it was very exciting that I found one of her designs for this colour block post, that is for sale! Someone so very lucky will get to own this beautiful 1950s vintage bathing suit and look so fab everytime they put it on. LUCKY DUCK!

Further Reading: 1940s & 1950s Canadian Swimsuit Designer-Rose Marie Reid

1950s Fashion: vintage 1950s designer swimsuit | 50s Rose Marie Reid colour block halter skirted swim bathing suit

Source: Etsy

Glorious 1950’s cotton sun dress. This dress features a large scale colour block of yellow, white and blue, self tie straps and clever pocket placement. This is so darn cute!

1950s Fashion: Glorious 1950’s cotton sun dress. This dress features a large scale colour block of yellow, white and blue, self tie straps and clever pocket placement. Fitted bodice with a scooped neckline, comfortable self tie spaghetti straps, nipped waist and a very full pleated skirt with two hidden pockets. Side metal zipper.

Source: Etsy

Gorgeous 1950s cotton colour block dress done in the gradient shades of pink! 

1950s Fashion: Vintage 1950s Dress / 1950s Pink Cotton Colorblock Dress / Full Skirt

Source: Etsy

1950’s Fit n flare cotton dress in a sky blue and chocolate brown color block.

1950s Color Block Cotton Swing Dress. 1950’s Fit n flare cotton dress in a sky blue and chocolate brown color block.

Source: Etsy

1950s red and blue colour block shirtwaist dress.

Further Reading: The Shirtwaist Dress of the 1940s and 1950s

1950s Fashion: 1950s red and blue color block shirtwaist dress

Source: Etsy

To end here is a 1960’s Carol Rodgers cotton dress featuring a yellow and white color block print. Also featured is how the dress looked like on the model in this 1963 ‘Lana Lobell’ catalog.

early 1960s Carol Rodgers cotton dress features a yellow and white color block print. Sleeveless. Button closure down front bodice with additional snap closure at front waist. Nipped waist and includes the original matching rope waist ties. Full pleated skirt.

Source: Etsy

Question time: Are you a fan of colour-blocking? Share your thoughts and what your favourite outfit was, in the comments section below.

Thanks for dropping by!

FURTHER READING: Vintage Fashions 1920s-1960s (Archived Blog Posts)

Liz