Vintage Styles: An Overview

As my tag-line implies, I am going to be incorporating posts about vintage clothing into my blog! It’s hard to say when I realized that I loved vintage clothes. I’ve always loved old movies so I suppose that’s part of it. It certainly was not from my mother who mostly wore 80s & 90s power suits, complete with boxy cuts and shoulder pads, back in her hey day.

In high school I can remember going to vintage & thrift stores in Portland OR looking for 50s prom dresses but that’s about it.  I guess the 50s silhouette has always appealed to me because it’s kind of princessy and I think despite trying to dress a little more edgy for a long time I secretly like the princess look.

Since I am going to start posting about vintage I figured a run down of the decades might be in order. I’m becoming very well versed at identifying vintage decades (mostly through extensive research). This is something I was doing a lot in my work and it amazes me how many people in the “vintage inspired” clothing industry don’t know their vintage decades very well. I’m also a stickler for accuracy about things like that so I suppose that helps. I realized I could write 20 pages on all these decades so I’m going to try to keep it short with just photos and key words for each time period!

So here are some examples of women’s fashions from the 20s-70s so that everyone will know what I’m talking about.

1920’s: Flapper Look, Drop Waist, Beading, Lace, Embellishments, Cloche Hats, Fur, Shorter (than previous) Hemlines
Photo Sep 09, 6 04 37 PM

Photo Sep 09, 6 05 30 PMImages via 1 & 2

1930’s: Higher Necklines, Suits for Day, Slinky Evening Gowns, Longer Hemlines, Start of the Peplum, More Structure

Photo Sep 09, 6 10 24 PM Photo Sep 09, 6 11 00 PMImages via 1 & 2

1940’s: The New Look, Defined Waist, Bigger Shoulders, Peplums, Prints, Mid-Calf Hem, Pencil Skirts
Photo Sep 09, 6 21 58 PM

Photo Sep 09, 6 23 53 PMImages via 1 & 2

1950’s: Small Defined Waist, Full Skirts, Girly Prints & Embellishments, Ankle Length Pants & Bermuda Shorts, Lighter Colors, Sweater Sets, Dainty Ladylike Accessories
Photo Sep 09, 8 43 09 PM
Photo Sep 09, 8 43 53 PM

Images via 1 & 2

1960’s: Much Shorter Hems, Shift Dresses, Oversized Prints, Brighter Colors, Mini Dresses, Colorful Tights & Accessories, Sleeker Evening Looks
Photo Sep 09, 8 46 50 PM
Photo Sep 09, 8 48 00 PM

Images via 1 & 2

1970’s: Short Shorts, Platforms Heels, Maxi Dresses, Big Accessories, Fur, Wrap Dresses, Knit Wear, Bell Bottoms, Flares, & Wide Leg Pants
Photo Sep 09, 8 51 54 PM
Photo Sep 09, 8 53 13 PM

Image via 1 & 2

Of course there is a lot of overlap in many of these decades as styles faded in and out of fashion over time. If anyone has anything to add or any questions feel free to leave a comment!

My plan is to have some posts with just vintage inspiration, some posts with vintage inspiration where I also post modern interpretations and where to get them. And then some posts where I wear or feature items from my own closet that are vintage or vintage inspired.

I’m excited to get to carry my love of vintage over into this blog!

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One Response to Vintage Styles: An Overview

  1. Hello, just wanted tο mention, I loved this
    article. It was inspiring. Keep on posting!