My Recent 1940s and 50s Vintage Finds

This past weekend I attended a new event in Toronto called “The Toronto Antique & Vintage Market” at the CNE grounds. I was attending on behalf of the Toronto Vintage Society and also for my own pleasure..hello Vintage Shopping! The event was a pretty good size with booths selling everything from vintage clothing to vintage postcards and antique furniture.

I had a very limited budget so I knew that I was not going to go all hog-wild on buying things, plus my closet is getting so jammed I really have no space to store any new clothing items until I do a purge (which is going to be almost impossible). So my plan..keep it small and easy to store. Well the show had lots of that so I scored a few awesome finds, and here is what I found….

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One of my favorite finds from the show-a 1940-41 Fall & Winter Eaton’s Catalogue (stay tuned for a post on all the goodies inside!).

Eaton’s was once Canada’s largest department store retailer. It was founded in 1869 in Toronto by Timothy Eaton, and it grew to become a retail and social institution in Canada. With stores across the country, buying offices around the globe, and a catalogue that was found in the homes of most Canadians (we always had one in my home). Sadly in 1999 the company went bankrupt, so now finding pieces of history like this is means just a little bit more for vintage history lovers like me (Source).

The jacket is absolutely DIVINE!

Find # 2: 1950’s Rosanna Knit Sportswear Bolero

This sweater has the most wonderful details as you can see below and is in MINT condition. I got it for a steal AND it’s small so it will fit in whatever remaining space is left in my closet.

Next Purchase a Vintage Brooch-It needs a bit of TLC but I actually don’t mind the fact that there is only a bit of green left on the palm trees. Adds Character 🙂

Now my small but mighty finds-Several Vintage Photos from the 1940s and 1950s:

The below image has a story to tell and I love it! I believe that the couple is going on their honeymoon or something very important because air travel in the 1940s was not something you just up and did like we do today. Plus they look really really nice, which is nothing out of the norm for air travel in the early days but they just look like it’s a special occasion.

I think it is also great that the plane in the background is actually a Canadian airline (no longer around) called “Canadian Pacific Air Lines“. I love finding images like that this have a bit of Canadian history tied to them.

Lastly, lets talk about her outfit. Her hat is just amazing and so very different from what I normally see. She also has great peep toe shoes purse and her classic suit goes a long long way in the “simple but stylish” department.

1940s couple in front of Canadian Pacific Airplane

Next up we have this 1940s cutie in a double-breasted winter jacket, that just looks soooo warm! Hopefully warm enough to keep her exposed head and toes warm too. Aren’t her shoes great?!

I was drawn to this picture for the simple beauty coming off the paper. She looks very happy smiling for the camera, and I wonder what her story is? Maybe off to see a loved one return from war?

1940s Beauty

When I saw this picture my girlfriend and I tossed back and forth whether she was wearing a playsuit or not and finally after both agreeing that is was VERY clear that she was,  I had to buy it!

Her playsuit is just great and looks totally comfortable. I love how she paired the simplicity of the outfit with nice big flowing 40s hair, some sort of brooch and big bow peep toe heels.  Future Pinup Model? I think so 🙂

I am curious on where she is though? Those heels don’t look to easy to walk in for a stroll in the woods.

1940’s Playsuit for the Win!

Next up is a early 1940s (maybe late 1930s) beach photo from my hometown of Sarnia, Ontario. The beach was at Canatara Park a frequent hangout for those who wanted to catch some rays and go swimming in Lake Huron. I was super excited to find this picture because I have never really seen any cool “life images” from my hometown. So to stumble upon a postcard with this image was a wonderful surprise for me.

I’m totally digging the swimsuits and hair in this photo.

Next up we have the most stylish 1950s Housewife on the block. Lets call her Marge 🙂 Isn’t she just lovely?

What colour do you think her dress is? I can’t seem to decide personally.

1950s Housewife

I also found this super funny postcard that from what I can see was mailed in the 1950s (according to the back) from one woman friend to another. Isn’t it hilarious??!!

Lastly I did NOT buy this at the show but I had to share it. I stumbled upon a 1930s Hair Perming Machine and had to take a picture of it. It was crazy cool and crazy scary at the same time! Can you imagine sticking your head under this thing?

1930s Perming Machine-Made in Hamilton

And that was my finds friends! Did you do any recent shopping this weekend or week? If so what was your favorite find?

Liz 🙂

 

 

 

 

A Peak Into 1940s Collegiate Life

August is now gone and that means all the kiddies and older kids are back to school. Sigh..bye bye summer.

Going to school was always something I enjoyed and I have some pretty great memories during those years. I do though vividly remember my first dance of University, I was so nervous and excited all at the same time. I just left my small “ish” home town and had moved to the big City of Toronto to live. I had no idea what the future held but I knew that it was never going to be a dull movement, and boy has it not!

Now going with this theme of “Back to school” and since I’m a fan of the 1940s I thought I would like to do a post on what College life looked like during those years. First up I know it looked nothing like my early 2000’s university life, hahaha 🙂

So are you ready to take a class in “1940s Collegiate Style and Collegiate Life” with me as seen thru pictures?

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Time to move into your dorm.  These lovely ladies look fresh-faced and ready to tackle the world. I love the luggage and hat box! And the dress with the Peter Pan collar is a very practical and pretty.

Source: UMW Centennial

The caption for this picture is: Class Officers in front of Gate at University of Mary Washington.

Saddle Shoes! Great skirts and jackets! Look at their hair?! Oh my this photo is simply and truly wonderful. 1940s Collegiate Style right here ladies and gentlemen.

Source: UMW Centennial

Studying in the Dorm

Not much in way of great clothing look here, BUT did you notice all the great details in the room? First up, can you see the handsome serviceman on the bookshelf? I saw him instantly! How about that great clock? Do you think it’s Bakelite? I also adore the bread-spreads. Burberry has nothing on these beds.

Source: UWM Centennial

Maybe the ladies above were studying up on how to make the perfect pie as seen below? Mandatory for a woman in the 1940s to be able to do, I’m sure.

Source: UMW Centennial

Time to Join a Club!

Okay this picture has so many fantastic things happening. First up according to the caption on this picture this is “Campus Jane and Campus Joe, members of the University of Miami ‘M’ Club-1946″. Right there I’m in love, how cute is that?!

Next up, their style. When I think of 1940s collegiate style this is EXACTLY what I think of. Saddle shoes (I love my saddle shoes), his collegiate sweater with the M, her wool skirt with cardigan which is just wonderful. Never mind the woman behind them with that great figure and dress. I also think they are too adorable for words. No words!

Source: University of Miami Libraries Digital

Like sports? how about joining the golf club? hahaha “Golf Club”!!! Okay I’m done making silly jokes 🙂

For a fan of vintage clothing this picture has so many amazing things happening in it, I don’t even know where to start? The skirts, tops, shoes, HAIR! So stylish and fantastic to look at and what great form they all have.

Source: UWM Centennial

Transportation to school

If you did not live in a dorm, how were some of the ways you got to school? Well in this fantastic photo the pretty girl with the great car seems to have her way all set. I’m not sure if the guys are interested in her or the car though?

Can you spot the fun beanie hat and those great shoes on the guys?

Source: University of Miami Libraries Digital

Or maybe you had to take the bus like these students at Duke University.

Source: Duke Yearlook

Doing your part for the war effort

During the early part of the 1940s a big part of school activities was helping with the war effort. These pretty ladies are collecting scrap at Duke University to “Help rub out the axis with scrap rubber”

Source: Duke Yearlook

Learning First Ad, very important as you never knew when you might need it. Future nurses?

Source: Duke Yearlook

Letting off some steam

After a long day of school and studying (and helping with the war effort) it’s always fun to kick up your heels and listen to a good band, like at this welcome Party.

I love the beanies that the Freshman girls were probably expected to wear. I also see some great patterns on dresses.

Source: UMW Centennial

How about a dance with your significant other on a Saturday night? These two couples look like they are having fun. I also adore the peplum dress that is longer in the front, I wonder what colour it was?

Source: UMW Centennial

Maybe dancing was not your way of relaxing, so how about a swim with your college chums?

Students at the University of Miami in 1944 enjoying a day off from their studies.

Source: University of Miami Libraries Digital

 

And there you have it friends, a peak into 1940s collegiate life. I think they were wonderful photos, during a time that was not the easiest for many of these men and women. Don’t you agree?

Do you have good school memories? Or would you rather just forget they ever happened?

Liz 🙂

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My Recent Vintage Store Finds

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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What to wear Lindy Hopping -1930s/1940s Real-Life Vintage Images

PLEASE NOTE: THIS IS MY OLD BLOG WEBSITE-THIS POST HAS NOW MOVED TO MY NEW BLOG HERE

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 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.

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

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

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.

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.

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

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.

Sometimes simple pants and a simple top are all you need to get your dance on.

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.

Now that is a swivel dress!

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.

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

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

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!

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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.

If you are attending a frankie 100 event in NYC or elsewhere, do you know what your wearing?

Liz 🙂

Happy Mothers Day-The Vintage Inn Edition

First up…it should be noted that this is officially my 100th post! WOW I’m impressed with myself that I have managed to find 100 things to write-up in my short time in the blogging world lol! High five to me AND Most importantly High Five to all you fabulous readers! Thank you Thank you Thank you for sticking around and making this not a chore but totally fun to write for.

Now without further adieu, here is my 100th post!

Happy Mother’s day to every mother far and wide AND to my amazing and outstanding mother-Sue.

Now here are some images of mothers from the 1940/50s for your viewing pleasure on this gorgeous day.

I just love the two ladies here. They look adorable on the lawn with their wee little ones.

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I love the style this mother has. Look at those shoes!

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I adore the cute summer top/swim top this mother is wearing.

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Check out those Sunglasses! LOVE!

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This is an image I found on Flickr of a family. Love the style these women have. I want every piece show here. From left: owner of pictures mother, her cousins Muriel and Audrey, her aunt Dora, picture owners grandmother and aunt Chickie, circa early 1940s

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Her skirt is beautiful!

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Beautiful generation of ladies from 1940s. The youngest mother has the best playsuit. It just looks wonderful on her.

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Happy Mothers day, mothers everywhere!

Liz 🙂

Love Is In The Air-1940s and 50s Real Life Couples

Whether you hate Valentines day or just love the day I think we can all agree that looking at pictures of vintage couples in love is a fun way to pass the time (or maybe we can’t agree but for the sake of this post lets run with my thought lol).

Valentines day aside I really adore just looking at the beautiful fashion, hairstyles, locations of the pictures etc. so that is why I like to share these images with you. So with that thought lets check out love 1940’s and 1950s style.

First up a cute photo to get us into Feb 14th mode (not a couple photo I know) with the actress Lynn Merrick

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The Couples

A newly married couple in front of their very own “Garden of Love”, in 1952

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The below picture of 2 couples from the 1940s is really great. I love how wholesome the ladies look and how the men are giving the camera a “I’m a bit of a bad boy” stare. The bathing suit on the woman on the right is also really beautiful.

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While looking thru all the pictures on Flickr I started to see a trend of pictures being taken on the beach. Lots and lots of couples on beaches, I guess because it is a romantic place to be 🙂

So here is another one! Aren’t they just adorable! Another cute bathing suit as well. Look at the cutout on the bottoms…fantastic!

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Such a distinguished and nicely dressed couple, his socks are amazing! I just love how they clearly seem to be enjoying their conversation together.

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You cannot have a group of couples without posting an image of teenagers in love. I love how he is totally focused on her and she is focused on the camera 🙂

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I was drawn to this picture because I love how they don’t care there is a camera and just continue to look at each other. Ahhh…

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Another young couple in love. They remind me of a Gap or J.Crew ad here.

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Now to end this mini series of couples, I’m sharing this awesome beach picture. The couple looks like they are having so much but the ladies in the background of the picture just made me giggle so much. Love it!

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For my valentine’s day my husband and I were hoping to get away for a long weekend away to somewhere warm (still really cold in Toronto) but instead we are going to do what we love to do together…. Beer and wings at a great BBQ joint. Talk about romance 😉

Whether you celebrate the day or don’t celebrate the day I want to wish everyone a Happy February 14th!

Liz