Your Friendly Vintage Fashion Blog
The modern world is obsessed with Marilyn Monroe. This all started when she burst onto the scene in the 1950s. She was an American actress, model, and singer famous for playing comedic blonde bombshells in her movies. One of the most enduring sex symbols of the 50s and 60s, she has become a pop culture icon and is emblematic of the era’s sexual awakening. There’s much more to Marilyn than the funny, dumb sex kitten,
Following the popularity of make up in the 1940s, the 1950s was when cosmetics really started to enter it’s golden age. The baby boom in America and the post-war economic boom, wealth began to grow and with it the need to keep up with trends in a society where impressions are everything. 1950s make up mega brands elbowed out the smaller companies who had started their business mere decades before. Many of those mega brands
Audrey Hepburn is one of the most enduring style icons of all time. Known for her grace, sophistication, and effortlessly chic wardrobe, she perfected the art of minimalist fashion with a mix of Parisian elegance and classic Hollywood glamour. From her little black dress in Breakfast at Tiffany’s to her casual ballet flats and cigarette pants, Audrey’s style remains as relevant and inspiring today as it was in the 1950s and 1960s. If you want
Born Betty Joan Perske, Lauren Bacall was named the 20th greatest female star of classic Hollywood cinema by the America Film Institute and recieved an Academy Honorary Award from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences in 2009. Known for her alluring, sultry presence and distinctive, husky voice, Lauren Bacall began her career as a model before embarking on her film career. Early life of Lauren Bacall Lauren Bacall was born Betty Joan Perske
Born Margarita Carmen Cansino on October 17 1918, Rita Hayworth was born into a family of dancers in Brooklyn, New York. The world would worship her as a sex symbol and star of movies like Gilda, You were Never Lovelier, and Separate Tables. But what happened to her as a child would scar Rita Hayworth for the rest of her life. Rita Hayworth achieved fame in the 1940s as one of the top stars of
Gene Eliza Tierney was an American film and stage actress and was acclaimed for her great beauty. Whilst she wasn’t known as a great actress, she was admired for her striking cheekbones and vivid green eyes. To get her signature curls, you do need to do a pin-curl wet or dry set. I’ve recently started to set my hair again so I thought I would share my tips and results from one of my favourite
Continue readingGene Tierney – Hair curling and styling tutorial
Hello Kittens, I thought I would start to share my make-up looks as I see online all the time people not knowing where to start. I have gone through the learning phase, and find that learning about the history and context of the times helps me to understand why things were done a certain way. I am starting with a 1940s make up look, this is a girl next door look for me – neat
Getting your perfect 1940s summer look is easy when you see what kind of outfits were worn. I cannot think of anything better than a light, floral 1940s dress when it’s hot and sticky outside. For me there is nothing better, and as its a sunny day today I’ve been looking at some of these wonderful looks across the internet. In a nutshell, 1940s fashion was an hourglass silhouette with masculine detailing. Padded shoulders, nipped-in
Hubert de Givenchy is known for introducing the world to the “Little Black Dress” and dressing Audrey Hepburn and Jackie Kennedy, but just who is he? And how did his journey to greatness begin? What makes his everlasting legacy fashion house still the epitome of style. Discover the man behind the style with me. The little black dress is the hardest thing to realise because you must keep it simple Hubert Givenchy, Independent Interview in
You know when you love something so much that the idea of actually doing it makes you worry? I think we’ve all been there to be honest, and I am no stranger to feeling anxious about what people think. I had always loved the wartime and post-war styles of the 40s, 50s and early 60s. However I never really had to confidence to even try dressing that way. Many people feel the same, and this
Continue readingHow to Dress Vintage – 10 tips for your vintage look
When you think of the lingerie of the 1940s, it’s natural to think of the glamorous, satin clad pin-up girls whose pictures filled the walls of soldiers posted overseas. Beautiful, peppy women posed provocatively in corsets, nightgowns and swimsuits with a look that is still popular today. In reality, things were a little different especially in places where war rationing was affecting goods and services. Women weren’t lounging about in restrictive luxurious garments. Not only
Continue readingWhat they Wore – 1940s Lingerie and Shapewear
When you think of the 1950s, you automatically think of Hollywood glamour. At this time, stars like Marilyn Monroe, Jane Russell, and Lana Turner had the ideal body type: big breasts, big hips, and a small waist—the hourglass figure. If you didn’t have them naturally, you could use 1950s lingerie and shapewear to help you achieve the ideal body. The hourglass silhouette of the 1950s happened thanks to the lingerie of the decade. To get
Continue readingWhat they wore – 1950s Lingerie and Shapewear
Grace Kelly is without a doubt the epitome of elegance and if you were to look up the word in a dictionary you would be sure to see her name in the definition. The actress, who was known for films like Hitchcock’s Rear Window, became Princess of Monaco upon her marriage to Prince Rainer III in 1956. Her style was more than befitting of her royal title and is still inspirational for those who want
When you think of the fairytale vintage wedding, it’s likely that you think of Grace Kelly and her romantic love story with Prince Rainer III of Monaco. In fact, not only did she look like a Princess that day, she actually became one too. Grace Kelly is someone many want to emulate, and her classic and classy wedding gown is to die for. Did you know that she had two wedding gowns? Read on for
The 1950s were a golden era for bridal fashion, marked by elegance, innovation, and a touch of Hollywood glamour. Brides embraced styles that combined traditional modesty with contemporary flair, resulting in wedding attire that remains iconic to this day. Early 1950s: Structured Elegance In the early 50s, wedding gowns featured sweetheart necklines, cinched waists, and full skirts, creating a classic princess silhouette. Fabrics like silk and Duchesse satins provided a smooth, shiny finish, while handmade
Even though the world was in turmoil in the 1940s, people still fell in love and got married. In fact, as with any time of uncertainty, people were more likely to throw caution to the wind and get hitched as the post-war baby boom shows. 1940s weddings were less formal than previous and following decades however, with most held during the 10am and 1pm brunch time with a light meal and cake served to guests
There’s something magical about summer in the 1950s. The decade was alive with optimism, glamour, and a sense of fun – and fashion reflected that. After the rationing and practicality of the 1940s, the post-war boom brought a burst of colour, fabric, and fabulous new trends. Gone was the “make do and mend” attitude. In its place? Bold dresses, playful prints, and coordinated accessories that screamed style. Women drew inspiration from Hollywood starlets, glossy magazines,
Born in 1895 to his fisherman father and seamstress mother in Getaria the province of Gipizkoa in the Basque Country of Spain Cristóbal Balenciaga had a reputation as a couturier of uncompromising standards and was referred to as “the master of us all” by none other than Christian Dior. Dressmaking and clothing design was in his blood, and as a child Balenciaga often spent time with his mother as she worked. At the age of
The British-American actress Elizabeth Taylor became just as well known for her string of marriages as her films. After finding herself thrust into the spotlight, she was forced to become wise beyond her years after starring in romantic films with actors far older than she was. That accelerated path into on-screen romance influenced her real love life too. Walk through the pages of time with me and discover Elizabeth Taylor’s matrimonial style. I was then
Continue readingFashion History – Elizabeth Taylor’s Wedding Dresses
These days fashion houses marketing and creation other products such as cosmetics and perfumes may not be unusual, but Pierre Cardin started this practice, and was widely criticised for it. Many thought that this was weakening his brand, but the sheer strength of his logo and name ensured this was a rousing success. History of Pierre Cardin Born in Venice, Italy in 1922 his parents were wealthy landowners that fled to France to escape the
Often known as a style icon, all eye’s were naturally on Jaqueline Bouvier Kennedy Onassis. As first lady, she brought style to the White House; redecorated the building and transformed state receptions into events. Her preferred designers and couturiers were Chanel, Balenciaga and Givenchy – all French, but she also saw the importance of showcasing American Designers too. American Designer Oleg Cassini wrote and asked to work with her on some dresses and was able
Hedy Lamar, born Hedwig Eva Marie Kiesler on the 9th of November 1914, in Vienna Austria, was far more than just a Hollywood beauty. She was a trailblazer in both the entertainment and technology worlds. Known as the “most beautiful woman in the world” during her time, Lamarr’s story is one of talent, intelligence, and innovation. Early Life I liked play-acting. I used to do it all the time as a child. Hedy Lamarr Hedy
1950s spring style is one of my favourites, pretty pastels, beautiful florals and rain macs are a great way to stay warm and stylish. All of a sudden it seems that the world has awoken from its winter slumber and spring is here. And I love it! It’s always difficult for me to decide what to wear in Springtime, mainly because the threat of rain is always on the horizon here in the UK. I
The 1950s housewife would run the home, look after her family and look good whilst doing it. Learn how you can get the look of these iconic women. … Continue readingWhat they Wore – The 1950s Housewife
Born Betty Mae Page on the 22nd of April 1923, in Nashville, Tennessee, Bettie Page was an American model who became an underground icon in the 1950s. She was often referred to as the “Queen of Pinups” due to her significant influence on fashion and pop culture. Early life The second of six children to Walter Roy Page and Edna Mae Pirtle, Bettie’s early years were challenging. Her parents divorced when she was young, leading
When people think of 1950a British youth subcultures, the Teddy Boys often steal the spotlight. But alongside them was an equally stylish and rebellious group – the Teddy Girls or Judies, as they were sometimes called. These young women carved out a bold, distinctive style that blended Edwardian fashion with contemporary elements, creating a look that was tough and elegant. Despite being largely overlooked in historical discussion of subcultures, the Teddy Girls played a significant
We explore the Preppy style of the 1950s, drawing inspiration from films like Grease. It highlights the clean and wholesome appearance of “preppies,” characterized by pastel colors, full skirts, and neat grooming. Teenage girls favored items like poodle skirts and saddle shoes while maintaining classic hairstyles, promoted by icons such as Lucille Ball. … Continue readingWhat they Wore – Teenagers – 1950s Preppy
Find out the historical context of fashion post-World War II, highlighting Christian Dior’s 1947 “New Look” collection. This marked a shift from wartime austerity to a more voluminous silhouette, characterized by curvaceous lines and luxurious fabrics. Dior’s innovative designs revitalized women’s fashion and reestablished Paris as a fashion capital. … Continue readingFashion History – Christian Dior