Vintage @ MindSay

Optimism abounded during the post-war years of the 1950s. The focus was on the baby-booming family and being a good housewife which was the ultimate measure of success.

 

The United States had emerged victorious from another bitter war. Television was now in many households, and the TV culture of I Love Lucy and The Honeymooners reflected ideals of the time. Stars such as Marilyn Monroe, Brigitte Bardot, and Elvis Presley introduced a smoldering sex appeal into an age of conservatism.

 

Consumerism became a popular pastime in the 1950s, as the post-war boom provided a sense of economic optimism. New gadgets and gizmos proclaimed the future was here and liberated women from many onerous household tasks. Homemaking, it seemed, was not so bad when you had electric stoves, vacuum cleaners, refrigerators, and the like. Women could now concentrate on making a comfortable home for their families, and still have time to have a life outside of the kitchen.

 

 The constant rounds of barbecues, cocktail parties, and other social events all required dressing up. Christian Dior’s 'New Look' influenced fashion, but so did the conservative elegance of Coco Chanel. Charles Jourdan introduced a new kind of shoe style, the stiletto heel, in 1951. As time went on the goal was for the slimmest possible heel, eliminating earlier "chunky" styles. The pump was the basic shoe, but its toes might be cut, the vamps curved or cut in enticing 'V's, or the heels molded into a variety of shapes. Every color of the rainbow was used; shoes were intended to match an outfit perfectly.

 

Men in the 50s seemed to be seeking more security (post war). Conservatism was the new catch phrase and this is especially reflected in the menswear of the early 1950s when the trim quiet look was in vogue. This was a distinct change from the late 1940s bright colors. Now dark colors and shades of blues, browns and gray took over the scene. In 1953 the gray flannel suit began its reign. It was in 1953 that President Eisenhower refused to bow to tradition at his inauguration and chose to wear a jacket and homburg with his striped trousers instead of the usual top hat and cutaway. Looking back on his decision, it now seems merely to be the choice of a man who wanted more informality and a less rigid way of dealing with ordinary affairs. In all actuality it was merely a ripple on the surface of what was to become a full scale revolt by the young. Elvis Presley was just waiting in the wings with his suede shoes!

 

Teenagers were basically the focal point of this era. Films such as 'Rebel without a Cause' were influential in how teenagers dressed. The Beatnik culture, inspired by authors such as Jack Kerouac, was also in vogue. Leather, Levi’s, and Converse sneakers helped create the look. Along with the famous circle and poodle skirts, ponytails, saddle shoes, penny loafers, and colored sneakers were popular with teenaged bobby-soxers. Sandals, ballet slippers, and other casual footwear became increasingly fashionable, as pool parties and other casual outdoor activities became popular.

 

Life at that point seemed idyllic to many, but a storm was brewing...

Anybody Know a singer named Duffy!  She's cute as a button and has kickin' pipes!  She has a great sense of Vintage Style in her fashion and vocal choices.  If you don't know her... Check this out!

 

 

 

 

I am the Vintage Diva

 

My favorite periods run from the 40's and 50's.... 

Want to know more?

 

 

1940-1949

With entry of the United States into World War II in 1942, the world of fashion went to war with waste and frivolity. Whether one was on the front fighting or aiding the great war machine by keeping the home fires burning, few people were unaffected by the war. Among the many commodities that were rationed were two that had a profound effect on the styles being designed during the war; silk and wool. Silk was being used to make parachutes (and many women donated their silk stockings to Uncle Sam), and wool was needed for uniforms and blankets for soldiers. The necessity to conserve challenged clothing designers to use their genius to make clothing using as little yardage as possible. Hemlines once again rose to just below the knee, skirts were often slender or boxy, having fewer gathers and pleats. Jackets were shorter and more fitted than in the thirties. Designers used clever cutting techniques in their pattern making to create detail work that required no extra yardage. However, detail below the waist would never again be quite as intricate and interesting as it had been before the war. Women's clothing also became more masculine as women took jobs traditionally held by men as they went off to war.
In stark contrast to the war efforts' conservation, the Zoot suit was a glaring reminder that not everyone supported the war. Zoot suits were made of an excessive amount of fabric and were mostly worn by non-white hepcats unwilling or unable to join the military. Zoot suiters were seen as being unpatriotic and often drove enlisted men into fits of rage that usually ended in violence

 

 

Just for reference...

Vintage patterns and vintage clothing of the 30's, 40's and 50's were about the same. Here's a basic chart:

Size 12
30 inch bust, 25 inch waist, 33 inch hip
76 cm bust, 63,5 cm waist, 84 cm hip

Size 14
32 inch bust, 26 inch waist, 35 inch hip
81,25 cm bust, 66 cm waist, 89 cm hip


Size 16
34 inch bust, 28 inch waist, 37 inch hip
86,5 cm bust, 71 cm waist, 94 cm hip

Size 18
36 inch bust, 30 inch waist, 39 inch hip
91,5 cm bust, 76 cm waist, 99 cm hip

Size 20
38 bust, 32 waist, 41 hip in inches
96,5 cm bust, 81.25 cm waist, 104 cm hip

Then women's sizes continued from there in terms of bust size... (ie. 40, 42,44... I have seen up to 52, but that is rare)

In the later 50's the sizing changed. The proportions of bust to waist and hip grew larger- now a size 12 was about a 32-25-24 as opposed to a 30-25-33. In earlier patterns of the 20's-early 30's the sizing was also off- 30-26-33 for example, as the waist was meant to be defined less. There were also half sizes- for example in the early 50's, a 13 would be 31-25-34 as opposed to a 12.

For hat sizes for women, take a tape measure and meaure right above the ears. This measurement in inches is your corrosponding hat size.

For gloves measure around your hand at the widest part, not including your thumb. Your meaurement in inches will be your glove size (i.e. 6, 6.5, 7)

For shoes lay a tape measure flat an measure the bottom of your foot from heel to toe. Make sure you do this while your weight is on your foot so you get the proper length. Then meaure across the ball of your foot at the widest part. This is your width. Match these meaurements to the shoes, but add about a quarter inch in length for comfort. Check out this link on About for finding your size for an alternate method, but always check your meaurement with a dealer to ensure fit as shoe sizes were sometimes different back then.

The Raconteurs' album Consolers Of The Lonely - Can I just tell you, I have never heard an album like this before. This isn't just your average sit down and listen to it sort of album; this isn't a background music album. This is an album that the entire time that I'm listening to it, I want to be there with them, and I can't sit still because of it. My butt keeps wiggling in the seat because they pull you in with little things like on the opening track, "Consoler Of The Lonely" you hear the sounds of a small crowd, and even one of them speaking into the microphone "we'll want to double-track that" just makes these guys more human and all the more lovable for it. Then as the music continues, they pick up the pace and you become even more enthralled with the song. Definitely one of the shining tracks on this album in my opinion. The White Stripe's Jack White puts himself farther out there than ever before, and I can't help it, I'm beyond impressed. I never thought reverb and the fuzzed sounds that my own practice amp makes could sound so good. But then again, what can you expect from the group of friends (I'd say supergroup, but they really don't like that) that's obsessed with all things vintage? And songs like "Old Enough" bring you back to those good old days, with a wonderful string counterpart that's the perfect accent to Mr. White's amazingly unique voice. A sort of toe-tapping, head-bobbing song that makes you smile and think of the sunniest days of the year, playing in backyards and wrestling in the grass. A definite Beatles-esque feel is present through the entire album. But the song that really completes the album, that brings the vintage feel full circle, is the last track "Carolina Drama". To begin with, you won't find another song like this on any other album in this decade. They don't make music like this anymore; songs that truly tell stories and sound wonderful and even a little bit grungy as well. With that wistful chorus of women you start to feel like you're really there with Billy, watching this travesty occur. As the song climaxes (you read it right--how many other songs have you heard that climax?) I always feel my own fists begin to shake; the emotions are so perfectly portrayed in this, combining the music and the vocals into something indescribable. If you do nothing else, look this song up. It's one of the best of our time.

All in all, this album is incredible. It has it's ups and downs just like any other; some tracks that really shine and some that let the others shine. Regardless, it's one of the best releases we've had this year and I can't push you enough into picking it up.