Category: 1940’s

1930’s/40’s Party Dress

This post was written by Lindy Shopper.

I am smitten with this red and black party dress posted by Violetville Vintage on eBay. The tucks on the bodice, the short puffed sleeves, the swing skirt, the matching belt, and the shiny applique detail on the bodice and skirt make this dress look perfect for just about any swing dance. It’s fancy, but not TOO fancy, and has just the right amount of detail to make it special.

The dress is pinned to the model, so keep that in mind when you are looking at fit and be sure to note that the garment’s actual measurements are larger than the model.

(Small soapbox) I have hesitated in the past to post about Violetville Vintage because the auctions are all Buy It Now and the base price for their 1930’s and 1940’s starts at $150 and goes way up from there. Admittedly, the dress I posted here is pricey. I do think that they have some beautiful items, but they are not any more remarkable than other eBay stores and auctions I have seen for vintage items. I also notice that many of their items are relisted over and over because no one is buying them (I assume because of the price). Of these items that are relisted, there are several I would purchase if the listing price went down. Surely the cost of relisting these items adds up – wouldn’t it be easier to just list them at a lower price in the first place and let people bid for the items to determine their value? *sigh* I love your clothes, Violetville, but not that much. (Steps off soapbox)

To end on a higher note, Violetville has an extensive inventory and tons of items from more recent decades at very reasonable prices. I would encourage you to peruse their eBay inventory, because it is rather remarkable.

Black 1930’s/40’s Three Piece Suit

This post was written by Lindy Shopper.

Another classic three piece suit has popped up on eBay. This one appears to be pretty standard, a few mended places, a few places to be mended, but overall in fine appearance. The seller says the jacket is about a 42 and the pants have a 42 inch waist, but check the measurements in the auction carefully, as the seller’s estimate of size is not always spot on.

Field Trip: Kitsch-y-Cool Vintage, Charlotte, NC

This post was written by Lindy Shopper.

When the Atomic Rhythm All-Stars went on their first mini-tour this past weekend to Greenville, SC and Charlotte, NC, I knew we’d have a few hours to kill in Charlotte before the Saturday night dance, but wasn’t sure what exactly that would entail when traveling with five guys. Fortunately, our esteemed band leader, George Knott, is a vintage hunter and gatherer of things, including old musical instruments, which leads him to some interesting destinations like the Sleepy Poet Antique Mall in Charlotte, NC. He’s driving the bus, so who’s to argue?

A wide view of the shop

I’ll admit, I had low expectations of finding any worthwhile clothing at Kitsch-y-Cool Vintage, as antique mall clothing tends to lean more toward undesirable leftovers from someone’s closet thrown in with their antique furniture and knick-knacks. To my surprise, in the center of this antique mall, an entire store was set up, with racks upon racks of real vintage shoes, clothing, jewelry, and accessories. The area was even decorated well! There was definitely a lot of 60’s and 70’s clothing, but there was enough 30’s, 40’s, and 50’s clothing that I would recommend stopping by if you are in the area. That said, the 60’s clothing was really good and I was tempted to leave with a pair of mod silver heels.

The prices are fantastic, between $30 and $70 for dresses in excellent condition ($70 for the “designer” 1940’s dress I saw), but the real steal were the men’s accessories – $2 for really awesome tie clips, loads of cufflinks, belt buckles, and our saxophone player, Peter Lamb, left with a really shiny pair of sunglasses and a pipe. I was in heaven because the clothing was organized by size and each item had a tag describing the item and the decade. I do love an organized vintage store!

I picked up two adorable 1940’s dresses, one of them dead stock with the original tags still on. The label says “Lindner-Davis.” A quick Google search shows that this was a department store in Cleveland – funny that I’m picking up Cleveland vintage in my home state when I was just there last week…anyway, the price tag says $12.85, marked down from $22.95. How much would this dress cost today? Lindner & Davis merged with another store in 1950, so calculating from 1949, according to an inflation calculator, this dress would be like buying a $210 dress on sale for $118, only I really paid around $30 in today’s dollars for the dress. How’s that for bargain hunting? 😉

Here are pictures of the space and some vintage finds:

The entrance
Oh, the sport coats!
1940's dead stock dress
1930's/40's flowered dress with belt - better in person!
Navy blue 1940's designer dress
Detail on the neckline of a lovely navy dress

Man swag
The record shop next door

Five Fabulous Forties Finds

This post was written by Lindy Shopper.

I am very much in like with these five items and would have added them to my watch list on eBay if they came in my size. Low starting bids on the dresses, moderate starting bid on the shoes (but then, the shoes are pretty fabulous).

Gorgeous red rayon dress
Blue velvet dress with bow at neckline
The lighting makes this dress look like it's yellow, but in other pics it looks off-white. It was good to have someone wear it to show off the dress's lovely shape and details.
White suede peeptoes with cutouts, measurement from toe to heel is 9 and 5/8 inches.
Love this brown crepe dress with detail on the shoulder and a peplum that forms a V in the back

Varsity Sweater

This post was written by Lindy Shopper.

RAH – RAH – SIS BOOM BAH!

Design Archives, a vintage clothing store in Greensboro, NC, has posted this fantastic 1940’s/50’s letterman’s sweater on their Etsy site. The sweater was previously owned by David “Shorty” Robinson, as marked on the label, and is a size small (measures 38 inches in circumference at chest, waist, and hips).

Looks like Shorty lettered in cheerleading – too bad it doesn’t come with a matching megaphone!

Hot orange peeptoes

This post was written by Lindy Shopper.

Orange is not in my color palette, so I’m not usually drawn to things orange, but there’s something about this pair of shoes that is really attractive and desirable. I love the reptilian texture, the cutouts, the peeptoes, the platforms, and the little flower at the toes. You’ve got to be pretty sassy to wear these shoes – are you up to the challenge? The bidding is at $14.50 on these shoes, size 7.

WWII Italian Army officer dinner jacket

This post was written by Lindy Shopper.

Why should we look like we are in a war? We should look FABULOUS in our army green!

There’s something about the way the Italians make things that is always in keeping with good aesthetics (for those who know me, a certain green scooter exemplifies this aesthetic), so it stands to reason that the Italian Army during World War II would be outfitted superbly. In my eBay searches I ran across this dinner/smoking jacket belonging to an officer in the Italian Army – note the juxtaposition between the cut of the jacket and the shawl collar, which exemplify the elegance of a fine dinner jacket, with the army green so prevalent in military uniforms.

Someone in charge of uniforms must have thought about this question: “What does an Italian Army officer need?”

Gas mask? Check.

Durable pants? Check.

Dinner jacket? Double check.

I am amused. Things like this make me love Italy even more.

It looks like the jacket may be a size 40, based on the measurements given. I think the great thing about this jacket, aside from juxtapositions, is that it comes in a wearable size and could be paired with something casual or dressy. I’d love for someone to pick up this jacket and then see what they pair the jacket with to go out dancing. 🙂

Ciao!

Femme fatale

This post was written by Lindy Shopper.

The little black dress originated in the 1920’s from Coco Chanel‘s revolutionary designs, which took the black dress from a mourning garb to the quintessential cocktail dress. Hollywood costumers of the 1930’s and 1940’s re-envisioned the black dress for the film industry because black showed up well in black and white film. Eventually, the black dress became a staple in closets everywhere, from silver screen to secretary. For me, the little black dresses of the 1940’s lend themselves to two sorts of character interpretations: first, as the femme fatale of film noir fame and, second, as a quintessential big band singer dress, a la Marilyn Maxwell in Swing Fever.

Perhaps there is a tie that binds these two categories, aside from the dress, as both the femme fatale and the big band singer can be irresistible. I think the dress helps. 😉

There was usually nothing little about the dresses themselves, as they may have been outfitted with sequins, embroidery, shoulder pads, cutouts, elegant draping, peplums, or other dress details that give the dress that 1940’s look of elegance with a dash of vamp. eBay has a sampling of these dresses right now, so get them while they’re hot! My picks from eBay:

Lindy Hop on Etsy

This post was written by Lindy Shopper.

There are certain things that people associate with Lindy Hop. When you associate Lindy Hop with a garment or object, that term can yield some interesting results.

As I was pilfering through the Etsy listings a few months ago for 1940’s dresses, I happened upon this jumper, which had the words “Lindy Hop” in the item’s title. Something about this jumper does evoke Lindy Hop and the youthfulness of the swing era in the 1940’s, which made me think, “How appropriate to list this particular item with the words ‘Lindy Hop’ in the title!” I’m sure there are other communities that may be looking for 1940’s jumpers for adults, but something about this was just spot on for a Lindy Hopper (or at least this Lindy Hopper) to want and have in her wardrobe. Needless to say, it has been a match made in heaven. 🙂

Can this success be replicated by searching for items listed under “Lindy Hop” on Etsy? For the most part, yes. There are a few irrelevant items, such as some random non-swing era jewelry, a child’s dress, and some Hello Kitty hair clips (arguably dance functional, but not necessarily evoking Lindy Hop specifically); however, there were some really great listings and item associations with the phrase:

Shoe bags! A staple for most swing dancers I know.
Classic wide leg trousers - I can't say enough good things about the comfort and style of a good pair of wide leg trousers.
Wide leg adjustable back denim pants - again with the wide legs, and paired with an adorable blouse FTW!
A fantastic red skirt in wool crepe.
White 1930's peeptoe shoes with cutouts, size 7.5 - LOVE!
There's even some Lindy Hop photography for sale.

Serious shoes

This post was written by Lindy Shopper.

This pair of Remix “Kate” shoes have serious heels and serious platforms. Size 8, buy on eBay for $99.99 or best offer, or the Remix website for $198. Half price!

This is a serious pair of shoes in a different way…seriously granny with some serious detailing on the sides. They look like they’d be nice and broken in for dancing. Black oxfords, size 8 or 9, $14.99 starting price.

This week’s lovelies from eBay

Another bevy of beautiful garments, courtesy of my favorite shopping website:

Let's start things off with this lovely red and white striped 1940's blouse.
This yellow sleeveless 1940's dress is perfect for spring and, from the looks of it, that skirt has some twirl potential.
This confection in pale pink crepe not only has a peplum, brooch, and matching belt and buckle, but also comes with a blue jacket and matching pink stockings. This auction is loaded with goodies!
I am intrigued by this dress, as it somehow manages to be both girly and intimidating. Black + ruffles/rickrack = sinister pinup?
I love this 1940's coral color and the beading on the bodice of this dress is gorgeous.
A sweet 1930's linen dress.
I can't resist a gingham dress with pockets!