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. 🙂
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:
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.
It’s that time of year where some of us (myself included) feel compelled to rid ourselves of the trappings of winter, of items that don’t fit anymore, or items that are simply not being worn. In that vein, my pal and swing dance Wonder Woman Kristy Milliken (seller ID rhythm.is.my.business – indeed!) is selling some stylish castoffs from her closet on eBay, all with free shipping so you don’t have to do that extra calculation in your head. Here’s what she’s listed:
Gents, here’s a great opportunity to stock up on the versatile and necessary basic, chinos. Â Quick class for you: chinos are a type of pant; khaki is a color.
Many people call all chinos “khakis,” even Docker’s, apparently, but maybe they do it because of common use. Â You can use them interchangeably, but now you know.
Like I mentioned, chinos are versatile and a few should be included in every man’s basic wardrobe. Â Wear them with a polo and boat shoes or trainers (sans socks, of course) and they’re perfectly casual for the summer. Â Match them with a button-down, tie, blazer and wingtips and you’re dressed up enough for a dinner at any restaurant. (This particular outfit was the basic dress code at my all-guys high school, so I still look can’t at khaki chinos (required for freshmen) without a bit of nostalgia).
Either of the above ensembles would work just as well at a dance (with dance shoes subbed in, of course).
Khakis/chinos are one of America’s greatest contributions to the world of men’s casual dress. Â The U.S. Army adopted khaki during the Spanish American War. In 1941, khaki was approved for wear by senior enlisted and officers. Â The American public was then able to see these sailors out on liberty.
Another plus, chinos are made out of cotton and breathe a bit better than denim or wool. Â Be wary about sweating in them too much, though. Â People will notice; sometimes at your expense. Â Here’s an example!
You have been warned.
Oh, man, I *heart* that video. Â FYI, It didn’t stop them from winning, either.
I was there for that competition too; it was awesome. Â (Oh BTW, ILHC is coming up. Â It’s one of my favorite dance events of the summer. Â I’ll be missing it this year, which deeply saddens me. Â So, you should be there so you can tell me all about it. Â Have you registered? Â Tip: stick around ’til the end, because that’s when they do the Invitational J&J).
Also, just say “no” to pleats and cuffs when it comes to chinos. Â Flat-front and slim (but NOT tight) are the way to go. Â Choose a leg length that will allow the bottom 3 inches of your pants to gather on top of your shoes. Â (i.e. longer than your uncuffed suit pants and slightly longer than jeans). Â They’re casual trousers, your socks should never be seen when you’re standing up. Â Great examples, below.
Here are some well-priced ($35) chinos from Docker’s: flat-front, slim, straight leg. Â They’re just about perfect. Â (I find it funny Docker’s call them all “Clean Khakis.”)
When Mod Cloth was discovered online by one of my friends, news of the web site spread like wildfire in my circle of friends because we were starved for a place to get modern retro-inspired clothing at a reasonable price. Variety is the spice of life and Mod Cloth takes this to heart by offering clothing from many different sources, including Trashy Diva, Stop Staring!, and Tulle, thus, giving you maximum exposure to brands offering what you want to wear. The really great clothing items sell out quickly, but I find that if they include the brand or maker in the item description, that the item that is out of stock on Mod Cloth may be in stock at the source web site.
“Founded by high school sweethearts, Eric Koger and Susan Gregg Koger, and built on a foundation of love for vintage and retro clothing, ModCloth.com is an online clothing, accessories, and decor retailer that aims to provide a fun and engaging shopping atmosphere for you, our customer. We do this by interacting with you via social network sites like Twitter and Facebook, requesting your feedback through the ModLife Blog and product reviews, and asking you to vote on potential inventory with the Be the Buyer program, all with the intention of running a fashion business in a democratic style. Supplying you with the opportunities to have your voice heard is what keeps our company fresh, relevant, and growing by leaps and bounds. This is what allows us to continually accommodate your pioneering passion for modern trends. We invite you to comb through our clever product descriptions, flip through our stylebooks, shop our vast assortment of indie designs, find some unique one of a kinds, and get in touch with one of our friendly customer care representatives if you have any questions. We want to be the fashion company you’re friends with!”
You shouldn’t wear these at a dance (unless you’re dancing at the beach), but every man needs at least one good pair of sunglasses.
If I were stuck on a desert island and could only bring one choice of shades, I would bring avaitors. Â They’re classic, American, and another great style icon from the military (like chinos). Â Ray-Ban makes the most recognized models, but there are other options out there.
For my money, the best choice is American Optical. Â This is the same brand issued by the U.S. Navy to flight students and are sold at military exchanges. Â I “discovered” these during my first Navy ROTC midshipman “cruise,” when I stumbled upon them at the Navy Exchange in San Diego. Â Fortunately, they also have an online store. I also found decent prices on Amazon. Â Don’t forget about Army/Navy surplus stores too.
I prefer these slightly square frame aviators, the Original Pilot. Notice the bayonet temples.The classic teardrop frame. AO Eyeware General. (with wire spatula temples)
You can choose different temples (bayonet, wire spatula, cable), frame color (gold, silver, black, matte chrome), and lenses (polarized and non-polarized). Â I wear 52mm gold Original Pilot’s with bayonet temples. (pictured above)
Thanks to Sart Inc for reminding me of this great brand. Â Check out his blog; he’s got great (Trad, preppy, classic American) style.
On a slightly related note: I think girls in avaitors are hot (but I like your cute sunglasses too).
The latest batch of eBay offerings are as sweet as refined sugar, with florals and pastels in abundance.
Pink crepe with embroidery at the neck.30's/40's day dress in a rose printPaisley/flower print dress with tie sleevesLavender 1940's dress with button detail
Believe it or not there are some dance events where you’ll be able to wear these finds.
First, a bathing suit. Â I’m probably just strange, but I’ve always been fascinated by men’s vintage bathing suits. Â Manufacturers didn’t have access to the man-made fabrics we have today, so they had to make their suits out of natural fibers that could survive sea water. Â Many were made out of wool, a material we usually associate with suits and sweaters. Â Hmm, this one is actually in my size.
Vintage 20s Bathing Suit, made of wool. I wonder if it's itchy.
There are several exchanges with dances at the beach:
CHEX, which I heard (and saw) was a great time. Â I wish I could’ve been there!
(and two plugs for my local scene) VBLX: June 17-20
Second, tails. Â It’s too often that you can wear clothing this formal to a dance event (or any event for that matter), but I would get tails if only for the New Year’s Eve party at Lindy Focus. Check out the details on the lapels and buttons.
I do love 40’s style tropical fabrics and this dress, regardless of what decade it hails from, is as hot as a tropical heat wave. Check out the lines on the bust, the smocking in the back for a custom fit, a little draping and slit in the front, and, to top it all off, it looks like you can wear it either strapless or as a halter. Give Carmen Miranda a run for her money, sans the fruit basket hat! Starting price: $9.95.
The gents over at Prepidemic have extended their blog brand to their “house label,” Bocca al Lupo, and put out some nice pocket squares appropriate for Spring and Summer. (as pointed out here and here).
They’ve got all their bases covered: seersucker, madras and denim. Â All made from American and Italian fabrics, then lovingly crafted in New York. Â The best part? They’re $15! Â That’s a steal compared to other stores that I’ve seen sell pocket squares for 3 and 4 times as much. Â (Some of those were silk, but still, that’s just unaffordable).
According to Prepidemic, “The brand was formed as a reaction to the outrageous markups we saw in stores, especially on the simplest of accessories. So we decided to go out and hunt for fabric and then track down the best manufacturer to produce a collection that we would sell at a reasonable price.”
If I had to pick one, I’d definitely go for the green seersucker square, but I’d love to have any of these peeking out of a blazer or sportcoat this (and every future) summer.
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.
If you’re convinced that wearing a suit to a dance is a hot, stuffy affair, then you’ll have a hard time believing that you can wear a suit in the summer, but it can be done. Â How?
It’s a matter of fabric. Â If you wear a typical 3-season weight (Fall/Winter/Spring) wool suit, you will melt. Â Chances are it’s a dark suit, which makes it extra hot and not appropriate for the season anyway. Â What you want is a lighter weight, breathable fabric like cotton or linen.
White linen: think more Tom Wolfe, less Don Johnson (unless that’s your thing, then go for it!).
Cotton Seersucker: Can look a bit dandy (works for me!), so dress it down, stick to one seersucker item (jacket/vest/pants) per ensemble, or try an alternate seersucker color, like gray.Khaki Linen: The most approachable option. The jacket or pants can each easily be used separately. Perfect together for a summer wedding.Madras: Very preppy, very summer, and another option (as a jacket, NOT as a suit).
Besides the fabric of your jacket or suit, it’s lining will also make a difference to your perception of the temperature.  Jackets can be fully lined, partially lined, or unlined.  Unlined jackets are unstructured and often are made of cotton. (They’re also packable, which make them great for travel).
No matter how breathable and lightweight your clothes, you will sweat. Â Count on it. Â Take a break, cool off, dance by a fan, take off your jacket if it gets overwhelming, and for goodness sake, change if you’re drenched (you did bring extra shirts, right?). Â The follows will appreciate it. Â (If you don’t, they’ll tell their friends not to dance with you).
First things first – there’s nothing trashy about Trashy Diva. This New Orleans-based outfit carries classy goods for ladies, from shoes to clothes to accessories. I know I already mentioned Trashy Diva in my blog entry for Atomic Ballroom, but I want to shout it from the hills how amazing their dresses are now that I own one!
One of my favorite concepts is for retailers to take vintage patterns and make them into current clothing (this will definitely be a recurrent theme on lindyshopper.com). This solves two problems:
1) My need to look like a vintage doll at swing dances; and
2) My need for durable, danceable clothing that doesn’t inhibit movement and won’t disintegrate if I sweat in it.
My mother, who grew up sewing her own clothes with the clean lines of 1960’s clothing, has made me a few dresses from vintage patterns, but after seeing her worry about messing them up and fretting over the tucks and gathering (they came out beautifully, Mom!), I have been able to give her a bit of a break, thanks to retailers and dressmakers like Trashy Diva. I should also mention that finding suitable fabric to make these clothes is very difficult, if not impossible in North Carolina. That Trashy Diva is able to find such wonderful fabrics for these dresses is truly amazing to someone who doesn’t live near Mood or some other purveyor of fine fabrics.
The fit on these dresses is impeccable. I know my measurements and Trashy Diva delivered to my doorstep a comfortable dress that required no alteration. I purchased one of their rayon dresses and the pattern on the fabric and texture were spot on. My only complaint is that the garment must be dry cleaned, which may not be required for some of their other fabrics.
The Trashy Diva website mimics the real life Trashy Diva store, which I have heard (but not actually witnessed – one day!) are actually three stores in New Orleans, one carrying dresses, one with lingerie, and another with shoes, accessories, etc. You should take your time and explore this website, as there are wonderful surprises at every click.
Unfortunately, the website is set up to where I can’t link you to individual items, but here are some of my favorites, if you’d like a scavenger hunt:
Most of these have leather soles (and you could get a cobbler to resole the others), but I say they’d serve you better getting to and from the dance. Â These auctions are all currently less than $15 (except for the black captoes, with some starting as low as $1).
Nothing says summer quite like white Bucks with red brick soles. Size 11.These are an interesting take on captoes. The weaving makes them less formal. My friend, Bradley, has a similar vintage pair he dances in. Size 13.Brown Double Monk Strap Shoes. Classic. Size 11B. (I wish these were in my size)I'm not usually into saddle shoes, but these are a nice variation. Size 10B.Brooks Brothers Black Captoe Brogues. Size 9B.
Lindy Shopper 
