Celebrating the importance of colour in your vintage wardrobe

Last November I discussed the process behind how I put together my vintage outfits, one key point of which is that colour is something I almost always keep in mind when getting dressed (in no small part because I adore a wide range of different hues). A lot of us do, and that's a great thing, as there's no limit to the number of possible colour combinations that stand to be put together. Today I'd like to share a few more thoughts with you relating to the importance of colour when it comes to our vintage wardrobes.

Various colours evoke thoughts of certain decades - or even years in some cases. The 1920s, for example, when pictured in one's mind is often on the light or the dark side of the spectrum (including hues such as creams, white, pearls, champagne and blush or, conversely, inky indigos, rusty reds, forest green, silver and midnight black). For the early forties, one often thinks of patriotic and military inspired hues, with blues and roses swirled through the palette, for example.




{On this page from 1931, we see a terrific array of neutral and darker shades that were in the fashion spotlight that year. While of course other hues were present and popular the time, too, a page like this is irrefutable proof of certain colours that helped make up the overall tapestry of early 1930s fashion. Image source.}


In fact, familiarizing yourself with the colours that were commonplace during a certain decade or block of years is a fantastic way to not only better date vintage garments, but to help you put together highly period appropriate ensembles (spots such as magazines, sewing pattern sleeves, fabric swatch cards, decor books, photos and movies can all be great sources when it comes to learning more about what colours were in vogue during a certain time frame).




{This charming page of fabric swatches from the 1930s is a fantastic example of some of both the colours and patterns that were popular during the time. Do you have a favourite? I'm especially drawn to the purple, white and orange pattern on the left – that's such a cool, fun trio of colours. Image source.}


In a era when so many photographs (and movies) were black and white, it can be all too easy at times to forget that, then as now, the fashion world was alive with vibrancy (a point that I touched on in this post) and wonderfully creative colour combos.

Certain pairings and compilations of hues can definitely speak for various years and decades, but most colours that we have today (and a few that are rarely seen any more, save perhaps outside of paint swatches) have existed since at least the 1910s (and many date far further back in time), and many have enjoyed at least a moderate degree of popularity at once point or another.

There's a bit of a misconception amongst the general population that vintage fashion (that is to say, the clothing and accessories of the 1920s-50s) was drab and comprised mostly of neutrals. As us vintage loving folks know, nothing could be further from the truth! (Just take a look at this list of imaginative, inspiring colour combos from 1922 that Kate posted this past June for proof that there was no shortage of creative colour pairing at work in that decade!)




{A wide range of lively, beautiful hues are alive in this 1920s springtime ad for ladies hats - which even reminded shoppers of the many colour choices they had. Image source.}


In some respects, if we exclude the current fad for neons once more, it could almost be argued that those (especially women) who lived during our beloved mid-century decades wore even more colour than most folks do today. One peak at a rack full of 1940s novelty print rayon dresses or 1950s swimsuits (like those pictured below), for example will quickly dish up more fun colours than you'll find in a candy store.




{You practically need shades to look at this wildly energetic highlighter yellow Jantzen suit from the fab fifties. Image source.}


This isn't to say of course, that every yesteryear gal's wardrobe was a riot of bright colours or that she sported five hues in each ensemble, of course not. Then as now, neutrals were an important part of most people's' closets, and few folks wore eye-popping shades all the time.

Most however, especially those who had their pulse on the trends of the day, were keen to inject colour into their ensembles, be it in small doses or big splashes, and the majority of people had favourite colour combos that they reached for time and time again, thus helping to definite the palette of an era.

I think that as vintage lovers, many of us enjoy making a statement with our clothing, and colour is certainly a surefire way to do just that. It is a powerful tool that we have at our disposal to channel the sartorial essence of a time long gone, yet still fantastically alive in our hearts and closet.

One can stick closely to the exact palette of a certain decade, or put to use pieces that look the part (be they vintage, reproduction, handmade, or vintage appropriate) yet were perhaps less popular at the time. I'd venture to say that many of us (myself very much included) do both, and our wardrobe are brightened up - both literally and figuratively - for the better because of it.