What’s Old is New: Groovie Movie

This post was written by Lindy Shopper.

I’ve been meaning to seek out the items for this post for a couple of years and Memorial Day seems like a good time to share – following my last What’s Old is New featuring outfits from A Day at the Races, I’d like to look at some of the costuming choices in Groovie Movie and note where you may find similar items in modern times to hone your 1940’s-inspired dance pieces. As this was a film made during World War II and the film features some the male dancers at the end wearing military uniforms, this appears to an excellent film to highlight, in the spirit of Memorial Day. Jitterbugs, veterans, and those who served our nation with honor – we salute you!

I’m going to focus on some of the followers’ outfits at the end of the film because some of the earlier outfits were more…to prove a point or to further the narrative. 🙂 For military garb, that’s a bit of a can of worms. Visit your local army/navy surplus for inspiration, talk to your grandpa, or delve into the potentially very expensive (and very specific) hobby of collecting vintage uniforms.

Onward, ladies!

Jitterbuggin has a great jumper/pinafore that's similar to the one Irene Thomas is wearing in the clip. — Jitterbuggin has a great jumper/pinafore that’s similar to the one Irene Thomas is wearing in the clip.

A jumper similar to the one worn by Kay Vaughn (Smith) in the clip, courtesy of Time Machine Vintage on Etsy - adorbs! — A jumper similar to the one worn by Kay Vaughn (Smith) in the clip, courtesy of Time Machine Vintage on Etsy – adorbs!

Jitterbuggin has Irene's number - this blouse style is so close. The cat print is great, but you could probably convince Kim to make you a white one to complete your Groovie Movie look. :) — Jitterbuggin has Irene’s number – this blouse style is so close. The cat print is great, but you could probably convince Kim to make you a white one to complete your Groovie Movie look. 🙂

And it looks like Time Machine Vintage has Kay's number - Kay's shirt is a little harder to discern, but it looks like a button-down with some sort of tie at the neck. Request in white sans lace for your Groovie Movie homage. — And it looks like Time Machine Vintage has Kay’s number – Kay’s shirt is a little harder to discern, but it looks like a button-down with some sort of tie at the neck. Request in white sans lace for your Groovie Movie homage.

This bow looks like it's about the right size. :) Courtesy of Whispy Love on Etsy. — This bow looks like it’s about the right size. 🙂 Courtesy of Whispy Love on Etsy.

Jean Veloz's fitted V-neck shirt with ruching on the front is the most difficult - I still can't find a good reproduction, or even a pattern I feel comfortable identifying as "close." In terms of closeness, this pattern is about as close as I could get. Find a seamstress friend or Etsy seller for hire and get to work. — Jean Veloz’s fitted V-neck shirt with ruching on the front is the most difficult – I still can’t find a good reproduction, or even a pattern I feel comfortable identifying as “close.” In terms of closeness, this pattern is about as close as I could get. Find a seamstress friend or Etsy seller for hire and get to work.

I've looked at the blurry image of Jean's brooch on her blouse long enough that I'm fairly certain it's a flower (though witch on a broomstick was a close second) - search eBay for "1940 flower brooch" and the options are plentiful! — I’ve looked at the blurry image of Jean’s brooch on her blouse long enough that I’m fairly certain it’s a flower (though witch on a broomstick was a close second) – search eBay for “1940 flower brooch” and the options are plentiful!

Trashy Diva's gathered mini skirt looks like the junior version of their high waisted 1940's skirt - perfect for the Groovie Movie look, as Jean's skirt was definitely above the knee. Available in teal, purple, green, red, and black — Trashy Diva’s gathered mini skirt looks like the junior version of their high waisted 1940’s skirt – perfect for the Groovie Movie look, as Jean’s skirt was definitely above the knee. Available in teal, purple, green, red, and black

Wedges for everyone! Get yours before Dancestore.com discontinues them - available in the sale section, in black and brown. — Wedges for everyone! Get yours before Dancestore.com discontinues them – available in the sale section, in black and brown.

I couldn't find ankle tie wedges, so these ankle straps will have to do - from Cruisin Australia. — I couldn’t find ankle tie wedges, so these ankle straps will have to do – from Cruisin Australia.

WWII Sailor Suit

This post was written by Lindy Shopper.

File this under unisex: I found a great sailor suit this morning on eBay, advertised as World War II-era, and in a small men’s size with the signature 13 button pants that make everyone (male and female) look like they have an amazing bum. Obviously, this was originally a man’s uniform, but I love that they have a woman modeling it. 🙂 It’s also labeled as being in perfect condition, which is pretty amazing. My only complaint is that it is without rank, but perhaps one could go to your local Army-Navy store or eBay and find some period-appropriate insignia? Still adorable!

Emerald City Vintage on eBay

This post was written by Lindy Shopper.

410920823_tp — This 1950's jacket is nerdy and awesome

I am very impressed with the selection of clothing that eBay seller Emerald City Vintage has posted, for both men and women. If Emerald City is from Seattle, then it comes as no surprise to me that this seller has excellent threads, as my own excursion to Seattle last year yielded three critical wardrobe items.

The selection is primarily 1930’s through 1950’s clothing and the starting prices are generally around $20.00. Some of the items for sale are buy it now – whether or not some of these items are reasonable is open to interpretation, but some of the buy it now items are what you would pay in a decent vintage store and others are a bit pricier.

Randomly, there are also several dirndls in the store, if you are looking for something befitting Oktoberfest.

Overall, this is a very focused selection of garments for swing era ladies and gents, with lots of great basics for both men and women. Here are my favorites from this week’s selections (but I would encourage you to browse the eBay store, as there are lots of different sizes available in similar items, such as pants):

411237665_tp — 1940's three-tone rayon dress

410383933_tp — 1940's double breasted suit

404549525_tp — 1940's or 50's striped pants

WAC, WAVE, and WWII Nurse uniforms

I’ve been looking for WWII uniforms and contemplating getting something similar to these for the Greenville Lindy Hoppers’ G.I. Jive, June 18-19, 2010 in Greenville, SC (Atomic Rhythm All-Stars are playing the Friday night dance! *shameless plug*). If you were thinking about heading to the Virginia Beach Lindy Exchange that same weekend, you could sport one of these looks on the U.S.S. Wisconsin battleship dance.

I couldn’t get a picture to load for the Nurse’s Uniform, but if you hold your mouse over the link, it should give you a preview of the eBay auction page. Or you could just click on it. 🙂