It is so nice in Toronto right now, so it is pretty much impossible to stay home at night. So on one of those beautiful nights I took a walk down to my local antique store for some treasure hunting. I was pretty excited to do this because normally I'm with my husband and he is not much of antique shopper and so I usually get 5 seconds in before he starts giving me the “please can we go!” look! Not tonight though he was working so I was free to take my time.

My plan… To find some amazing 1930s-1950s real-life pictures of well dressed people as this has recently become my obsession. I just love seeing how everyday people dressed as opposed to movie stars who had lots of money and designers on demand (not that I don't enjoy those photos too, Oh I most certainly do!). Tonight though was about the regular folks and I scored huge with the following 4 images.

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Photo number 1: A wedding photo from the 1940s, clearly during war times. Don't you agree that the bride and groom are so gorgeous together that they could have been movie stars?? Sigh…so fantastic!

I am just swooning right now over the handsome groom in uniform and his equally handsome best man in his navy uniform. Love.

Now the lovely bride. That dress is making me just drool all over my ipad right now with envy. The cut, the sequined design on the bust and that corsage..wow! Just beautiful. In my mind the dress is a gorgeous blue or maybe green! And how adorable are the peep toe shoes (on both ladies)?? This gal has style and her maid of honour is just as stylish too! I want a 1940s suit badly and honestly one like this would make my day. It is such a nice fit on her and I think she made a wonderful choice by wearing this.

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Photo number 2: 1940s woman. This photo was the first image I found and I nearly died from how amazing this image was. Like seriously, how could you look at this photo and not think “Wow that woman has style!”? I don't think it is possible and that was the exact words that came out of my mouth.

First off her 1940s gown fits her like a glove, look how tiny her waist is? The detail at the hip adds to the slim look of her waist and I'm just loving it so much (great undergarments I'm sure are helping too). The fabric is just as wonderful with the random flower detail and I envision this dress to be black with the flowers and dots to be silver (do you agree?).

Now let's talk about her hat. Yes her hat is one amazing work of art with a giant pouffy flower (I think) as the embleshment. Even with the giant beautiful corsage on her dress I don't think the hat is too much. Ohh I have a thought! Maybe she is the mother of the bride to the couple above?? Most likely not but she is going some where wonderful enough to wear long black gloves (question: are they gloves if they have no hand part?) and I'm sure will be the hit of the party.

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Photo number 3: 1940s gentleman. This image when I saw it, reminded me so much of Cary Grant or Clark Gable and I just knew he had to come home with me. I was also really drawn to how well his suit fit and how he paired it with a bow tie and two toned oxfords, classy! The hand in the pocket says “yup I'm a man of style”. And yes mister handsome well dressed man, the Vintage Inn agrees.

Photo number 4: The final image I found of this 1950s woman playing with her cat, made me want to buy it for 1 reason and 1 reason alone….her saddle shoes. Yes I know saddle shoes are not rare in images from the 50s but what intrigued me even more was the fact that I believe this woman is not a young girl but much older then that.

You don't see very often older woman wearing saddle shoes, in fact I have never seen it and was always under the impression that that style was for the “younger” generation. Now that might be true but clearly this lovely fun loving lady does not care and she is rocking them anyways and for that, I love her style and she deserved to be in this post.

So there my wonderful readers is my most recent vintage shopping find. I hope you enjoyed looking at the images as much as I did when I bought them.

Have a fantastic day!

Liz 🙂

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As the big Lindy Hop weekend in NYC (and around the world) “Frankie 100” in honour of Frankie Manning quickly approaches (May 22nd it starts), I’m looking at my wardrobe and trying to decide what I will be bringing for each of the nights of dancing (there are 5 nights). I need outfits that are good for dancing but also showcase my love of Vintage and Reproduction of the late 1930s and 1940s.

I have lots of options as I have been collecting for a few years now but when I’m undecided I usually like to turn to magazines, books and the internet (like Pinterest) for inspiration.

So lets see what real life dancers from the 1930s and 1940s would have worn on the dance floor because just like some of my outfits not all of the clothes are conducive for a night of dancing.

Note: for a much more detailed post on 1940s fashion please check out a past post I did on What to wear Swing Dancing.

ALSO, you can wear whatever you want to a Lindy Hop dance. I’m only offering up ideas if you wish to dress in clothing that was representative of the era.

Shopping links at the end!

What to Wear Lindy Hopping…..

The 1930s & 1940s Real-Life Vintage Images

The dress looks perfect for dancing (lots of movement) and it is also gorgeous with its matching hairscarf.

FURTHER READING: Learn all about 1940s hair accessories like the hairscarf HERE).

1940s vintage photo of a woman in a 1940s floral dress and matching hairscarf dancing the lindy hop with a soldier at a dance.

Here is Frankie Manning, looking very dapper in his suit. I love the shoes on his partner, they look fantastic for dancing.

1940s vintage photo of Frankie Manning and dance doing the lindy hop.

What I love about late 1930s and 1940s dresses is the ability to move easily in them, like in this picture. BTW..I love the trio to the right.

1940s vintage photo of a group of people dancing the Lindy hop at a show. They are wearing 1940s fashions.

Frankie Manning & Ann Johnson. Her jumper is something you see often on the dance floor especially with competition groups. I have seen longer versions that are very nice for dancing.

1940s vintage photo of Frankie Manning & Ann Johnson doing an Aerial move from the Lindy Hop

Here is a good example of the Jumpers again in this image from the Movie “Groovie Movie“. The Wedges are awesome!

1940s vintage photo of Lindy hoppers in 1940s uniforms and 1940s fashions including 1940s wedges for the movie "Groovie Movie".

Jean Veloz simple blouse and skirt (actually it could be a dress) is another example of a simple piece that looks lovely and can be danced in. Rays suit is 1940s style to the max.

Jean Veloz 1940s vintage swing dancer / 1940s lindy hopper dancing with her brother in 1940s fashions.

Sometimes simple pants and a simple top are all you need to get your dance on. 1930s maybe 1940s photo of a couple dancing at a Juke Joint.

1930s/ 1940s vintage photo of a Black man and Black Woman at a Juke Joint dancing the blues or Lindy Hopper.

Swivel skirts (A line, circle) are really fun to wear as you can see on these ladies. The gentlemen are looking very handsome in their suit jacket, cardigan and dress pants combinations.

1940s vintage photo of Lindy Hoppers / Jitterbug dancers in 1940s fashions dancing.

Now that is a swivel dress!

1940s vintage photo of a woman doing a spin in a 1940s dress showing off her nylons. She has a cute bow in 1940s hair.

Every outfit seen in this picture would be a good choice for dancing. Now the jackets might possibly get in the way or get hot on the ladies but those can always be removed as needed.

1940s vintage photo of a couple dancing the Lindy Hop / Swing Dance / Jitterbug doing an aerial on the dance floor. 1940s fashions on display.

When your “Trucking” you should be wearing the cutest swing dresses on the planet! And with some gentlemen in uniform as your accessories.

1942 jitterbug dancers in 1940s dresses and their dance partners are in WW2 uniforms.

I have a very similar vintage dress to the one worn here and it’s marvelous to dance in.

Further Reading: 1940s Floral Dresses-Understated Elegance

1940s vintage photo of a movie star in 1940s floral dress making a young soldier swoon after meeting her at a swing dance.

If sitting around look like fashion plates is your thing at the dance, then take a cue from these well dressed ladies of the 1940s. Style to the max!

1940s vintage photo of women sitting down at a dance in 1940s dresses, 1940s shoes and 1940s hairstyles.

Well I think I have enough ideas to start packing my suitcase. I hope to get some pictures from the Frankie 100 event (May 22nd-26th) because I’m sure there will be lots and lots of wonderfully dressed men and woman so stay tuned for a future blog post. You can also follow me on Instagram to see instant images as they happen, like my outfits and the venues etc.

Vintage Shopping & Reproduction Shopping for Lindy Hop Outfits…

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Shop here for vintage clothing & reproduction clothing

FURTHER READING:

Liz 🙂

Tag: 1940s vintage

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