20 fabulously inspiring 1950s spring fashion ideas

Spring has sprung at long last and I couldn't be more elated about that! Yes, granted, there's still knee high snow on the ground for some in the Northern Hemisphere, but soon enough, if they haven't already, the first telltale signs of this wondrously beautiful season will appear and with them comes the mad rush to dust off our springtime threads once again.

After many months of snugly up tight with our beloved cold weather vintage wardrobe staples, scarves, boots, woolens, toques, long coats and heavy fabrics aplenty right left and centre, there's something gleefully liberating about slipping out of a layer or two, rekindling our love of pastels and florals, and donning our most whimsically cheerful hats once more.

I've said it before, but I'll say it again because it so immensely true: spring in Canada lasts for about as long as a young kitten can fit in the palm of your hand. The speed at which we so often go from black ice to days that all but require ice cream is often enough to make one's head spin! Granted, some parts of the country (hello, Vancouver!) may experience a lengthier spring, but by and large, this is a brief season from a weather perspective, much as fall is in the same regard, and that means one needs to celebrate these special not too woefully hot, not too terribly cold days while they're here.

What better way to celebrate any season than with your vintage wardrobe? I for one, am champing at the bit with excitement to sport my lighter weight suits, sundresses, oversized straw hats, crochet gloves, lace garments and open-toed shoes again to the point of near giddiness! It's not that I hate winter or dressing for that season, not in the slightest, it's just that I've really missed weaving some of those kinds of aforementioned styles into my wardrobe on a regular basis and am keen as all get out to begin doing so again very soon.

To help give me, and all of you as well, some fresh-as-a-newly-sprouted-tulip inspiration on that front in the coming days and weeks, I've gathered up a diverse selection of mid-century fashion images, all hailing from the fantastic fifties, that I know will do just that trick in that regard.





{A short-sleeved gingham dress, white accessories, flippy 'do, and fresh picked daisies spell spring to no end!}




{Redolent of everyone from Grace Kelly to a young Jackie O, this endlessly sophisticated spring suit is given an extra generous dose of feminine flare care of the classic millinery flower corsage. A splendid style idea to keep in mind, whether you employee real or artificial blooms, all season long.}




{A fifties look with a whisper of the 1920s to it, thanks to the long strand of pearls and cloche-esque bucket hat, this ensemble also has a wee bit of a nautical vibe to it and would look fabulous for a day spent on a boat.}




{Featuring a hearty dose of my colour of the year (purple), this beguiling violet ensemble's beauty is heightened all the more by the deep raspberry juice meets fuchsia lipstick the model is wearing. A stylish approach to remember you're donning fifties spring togs yourself this season.}




{Just as Mother Nature slips on her green attire once more, so too should you - perhaps care of a curve hugging, wonderfully pretty shawl collar sheath dress like this mid-century charmer.}




{Fear not, if the mercury hasn't decided to come out of hibernation entirely yet. Embrace spring's serene spirit with gentle hues, touchable layers, and plenty of feminine details (like pink hankies and flower adorned chapeaus) until, and well after, it does.}




{I can't decide what I love more, the fabulous floral print circle skirt or the cute-as-a-button black straw boater hat with it's generously sized garnet ribbon. Even in a dark colour palette, both seem so splendidly fresh and perfect for the breezy days of spring.}




{Tuck away your heavy tweeds, wools, and winter weight denims, and bust out some gorgeous pastel hued cottons, linens, taffetas and silks instead, to channel the same kind of causal, yet entirely posh, look that this matching shirt and slacks ensemble from 1954 conveys.}




{Multi-strand necklaces and wonderfully ladylike frocks - both featuring my all-time favourite colour, dusty rose - team up to create instant garden party ready outfits that as as sweet as a May cloud is fluffy.}




{A perfect ensemble for those still chilly days that many of us are waking up to while the last vestiges of winter slip away, this fun 1950s look partners a mint green thick knit mandarin collar cardigan with a playful paisley meets floral print dress and generous sized pearl studs to deliver both warm and beauty in equal doses.}




{This whole fabulous 1955 pink micro print short sleeved suit ensemble needs to get in my closet immediately!!! :) }




{Lime green might not be the first hue that pops into your mind when you think of pre-60s mid-century fashion, but at this lovely knit shell amply demonstrates, it can work wonder for both spring and when dressing from the 1950s.}




{Gone though the need for a coat may (soon) be, that doesn't mean we're quite ready for halter top season yet. Transition from one to the other with classic dolman sleeve garments and pencil skirts in neutral hues that compliment everything else in your closet and jewelry box alike.}




{Give the sun a run for its shine power by draping yourself in scads of gold (or gold toned metal) this season. Extra bonus points if you can find a matching floral print shawl and circle skirt set like this stunner from 1954.}




{Boasting what has to be one of the cutest novelty prints of all time, this darling daschund adorned shirtwaist dress with a generously sized pine green sash belt is both charmingly quirky and fabulously stylish in the same go. Now, as for the tie adjusting peeping Tom in the background, well, that might be a whole 'nother story!}




{Be as warm as the tea in your cup during the early days of spring by slipping on a timeless short sleeved knit top like this carnation hued lovely from 1951.}




{Capes aren't just for fall and winter (especially those that hit at the waist or upper hips), they can work splendidly come springtime, too, especially with fitted garments like sheath dresses and pencil skirts.}




{Nothing spells out the return of warm weather quite like a coat-free bare wrist piled mile high with a fantastic stack of bangle bracelets.}




{As well known 1950s models Suzy Parker with Anne St. Marie demonstrate, few things compare to a breezy blouse and figure hugging pencil skirt for a polished, see-you-through-any-situation springtime look that would be perfect for most modern office settings.}




{When the temps finally usher in the return of shorts again, be there to greet them in an understatedly chic red, blue and taupe ensemble like this then make a speedy beeline for the nearest beach or pool deck and enjoy some of those well deserved rays at long last.}


{All images above via Dovima is Devine II on Flickr. Please click on an image to be taken to its respective page.}

♥ ♥ ♥

Spring is stellar time of the year. Yes, it can mean scads of rain and thunder storms, as well as the need for a layer or two still at times, but it's filled with such an uplifting sense of rejuvenated joie de vivre, lightness and brightness that one can't help but run to embrace it with the most open of arms. This is the season that sees the return of yard sales, sun parasols, playsuits, sandals and capri pants. It's youthful and sweet, pretty as a picture, and just a flat out pleasure to know

Have fun with fashion this spring! Take neither it, nor the season as a whole, too seriously. This is a time for frivolity and finery alike, where pale pink and daisies reign supreme and there isn't a worry in the world on the fashion front - provided of course, you always keep an umbrella on hand for those infamous April showers.

Velvet, eyelet, and wrought iron in Kelowna

British Columbia is a fascinating and gorgeous place to reside. Few corners are even remotely the same and a great many beg to be explored and admired. One interesting fact about the western most Canadian province is that, outside of Lower Mainland (the region including and immediately surrounding Vancouver) there are few large cities.

Everyone's definition of what constitutes a large city is different, but I tend to feel that by Canadian standards, a large city is one that has a population of 100,000 or more. The further you travel from Vancouver and its neighbours, the less of these generously populated places you run into. That is until you reach the lakefront Okanagan city of Kelowna.

Compared to bustling metropolises like New York, London, Tokyo, Sáo Paulo, or Paris, Kelowna's population (presently about 117,000) may make it seem like a quaint neighbourhood, however it's enough to rank this sunny destination as the 22nd metropolitan area in Canada.

Situated less than an hour away from Penticton (where we live now), Kelowna was the closest big town when I was growing up here years ago. It didn't hold the glittering, noisy, worldly appeal of Vancouver or the elegant, artsy, upscale vibe of Victoria, but it even as a very young child, I knew it was considerably bigger than humble little Penticton.

Kelowna, whose name derives from a local First Nation's name for grizzly bear, was founded in the mid-nineteenth century. Then, as now, agriculture in the form of fruit orchards was an import part of the area's economy. These days, tourism and the wine industry also go a long way to keeping Kelowna going strong.
Though it's expanded substantially over the past few decades in particular (it's certainly larger and busier than when I was a child), with new homes and businesses springing up constantly, Kelowna still retains a certain small town charm and appeal.

Perhaps that stems from its inclusion in the Okanagan Valley, a generally friendly place that owes a lot to those who flock to its beaches, campsites, and golf courses each year. Or maybe it's because the beautiful weather that Kelowna sees for a substantial chunk of the year can't help but put locals in a good mood. Whatever the case, I've always liked Kelowna a lot.

Though I've only ever lived there for briefly for a couple of months, I know it's main core quite well and always love taking a trip up the highway from Penticton to visit the biggest city for miles and miles around.
Recently Tony and I popped in on good, ol' Kelowna for a day of errand running and visiting my sister and her boyfriend (who recently got their first home together there, and which I hadn't seen yet because we'd been living back east). The weather wasn't warm, but luckily it was pleasantly sunny and we were able to bop about without the need for heavy duty winter coats.

Kelowna, though relatively old (by British Columbia standards), does not have a huge amount of older buildings and houses left anymore. Some definitely exist, but it seems that as the years tick by, more and more go the way of the dinosaur. While we were driving around various streets, just having fun, I spied a distinctly elegant brick house that I'd peg to be at least 90 years old.

I knew I wanted to take some outfit snaps while in Kelowna, so I suggested we do so in front of the stately wrought iron fence that surrounded the home's perimeter. The street was quiet and quaint, the breeze light, the sun sweet, so we hopped out and quickly grabbed some snaps.

Outfit details:

Prescription eyeglasses: (frames) Venus Eye Design V-12

Faux pearl earrings: Clare’s

Black velvet blazer: Smart Set

Pearl necklace: Birthday gift from my husband ♥

1950s white eyelet (short sleeve) blouse: etsy seller Jet Set Vintage

Black velvet 1950s pencil skirt: thrifted

Black vintage gloves: etsy seller I Love Vintage Stuff

Vintage Saks Fifth Avenue black patent purse: etsy seller MK Retro

Gold toned and enamel red rose brooch: eBay

Lip colour: Cover Girl Outlast lipstain in 440 (with the lightest whisper of MAC's Russian Red on top)

Photography by Antonio Cangiano

I adore classic architecture, brick walls, strong fences that still allow glimpses of the buildings behind them, and days like this, when you have plans, but nothing so pressing it causes you stress. It was first time we'd driven Kelowna together in our new car, and was, we agreed, a thoroughly lovely outing.

With Kelowna being so nearby, you can expect many future posts with streets, sights, and skylines of this charming Okanagan city as the backdrop. I hope you'll all enjoy seeing it as much as I do once again - further proof that the dream of living in my home province of  British Columbia again really has come true. ♥

The thrill of finding one of your vintage holy grails (at an amazing price, to boot!)

✯ Day 349 of Vintage 365 ✯

We all have them, those elusive vintage items for which scarcity and/or price make them rather hard, if not downright veering on impossible, to track down.

Sometimes we're able to find the general item we're after, but it's not the right size (if I had a dollar for every time this happened to me I'd likely be a millionaire by now!) or the mark-up is so absurd it's laughable (sorry, but there’s no deadstock, non-designer labeled department store dress from the 1950s, no matter how gorgeous it is, that’s worthy of a price tag in the upper hundreds, as I've seen on a few occasions).

Many times there's a certain element to an item that makes it particularly tricky to find. You may, for example, be after a vintage canister set, yet not be able to find one in good condition that fits the colour scheme of your kitchen. Old school shoes really aren't that tricky to come by, however they generally fit those lucky tiny-footed gals (aka, size 6 and under) best, while the rest of us are left daydreaming about authentic swing dance heels in larger sizes.

For most of us there's a budget element involved with our vintage shopping. All but those with the deepest of pockets generally have to keep price in mind when scouring the web and real world haunts for vintage treasures, and this can certainly put some items further out of reach.

I've yet to met a vintage wearing gal who didn't have a long standing wish list of items she was trying to find that matched all of her criteria (correct sizing and colour, as well as over all condition, and of course price). There are certain pieces though, that get bumped up, in my books at least, a little higher than just wish list status.

These are are the proverbial holy grails of our vintage hunts. We type their names into etsy, eBay and Google searches constantly. If a friend is going second hand shopping without us, we let them know to keep their eyes peeled religiously for said items, and these pieces always at the top of our letters to Santa when Christmas rolls around.

Interesting, I've found that sometimes it's an item’s scarcity (and/or the ability to find said piece in my size) that elevates it into the realm of vintage holy grail, more than (just) the price. What makes certain things more sought after than other varies wildly from person to person. I know that for me, many of my most beloved and wished for vintage items are ones that I've been fantasizing about for years, if not decades, of my life.

They sprung from a seed of inspiration somewhere along the line, their roots nestling firmly into my psyche and soul, and so they remain, like the top of Mt.Everest, a distant, almost unachievable feat that I strive towards knowing full well the scoop of the challenge they present.

Fascinatingly however, especially if price is not your biggest deterrent, and you’re willing to put forth a hefty dose of patient (and certainly some elbow grease, when it comes to tracking down your beloved items), one's vintage holy grails can be unearthed. Every once in an extra special while, you can even score one for a rather fantastic deal.

Though, I've found, garage sales and tiny thrift stores (of the sort staffed by sweet grey haired women who love to chat as they ring up your purchase) are the best places to stumble up a dream item at an unbelievable price, despite the mass popularity of vintage clothing and other yesteryear items, paired with the sheer volume of folks who shop online for such things these days, the web can still deliver a knock-out deal on a grail from time-to-time, too.

For years now I've been on the prowl for a black quilted circle skirt in my size that didn't cost the moon. As with most of my grail and top wish list items, I'd allotted a relatively generous budget in my mind for this particular garment, but even that didn't seem to be enough to unearth one that was, in a nod to Goldilocks, neither too small or too big.

A good year or two ago, I'd actually just come to the point where I figured I'd end up making one myself some day when I got a sewing machine and had polished my skills enough to know how to add quilted stitching to a garment. Yet even with that in mind, I continued to periodically dig around the web for a black quilted circle skirt.

That particular item of clothing was on my list because a.) I adore just about all 1950s circle skirts, b.) I've been smitten with quilted circle skirts for as far back as I can remember, and c.) I don't currently have a plain black circle skirt and can really feel the hole that not having one leaves in my vintage wardrobe.

You can imagine my excitement then when, around the end of November, I happened to spy on eBay that was listed in the right size (the skirt’s listing - which I'll tell you right now, I won - said it was the right size, but I've been burned plenty of times before - so all I can do is keep my fingers crossed for now) for an absolute song on eBay.

{The eBay seller's photo of my soon-to-arrive black 1950s circle skirt, an item I'd been daydreaming about adding to my vintage wardrobe for many years.}

 

I found the auction a couple of days before it wrapped up and tossed my bid into the ring (I later upped that amount, as I really, really wanted to win, though in the end my first price limit was more than enough to ensure the skirt came home with me). To my absolute delight, I ended up winning the skirt for a mere $16.00 plus shipping to Canada (from the States).

As you can imagine, I was over-the-moon elated about this! Here, after several years of fastidiously hunting for one of my vintage holy grails, I found it in the right size (again, hopefully the measurements stated in the listing were accurate), colour, and for one heck of a stellar bargain! I'd have happily paid five or maybe even ten times that amount for this skirt, and couldn't believe how much I lucked out.

It's moments like winning that skirt actually, which help make the countless times you can't find something that fits your criteria easier to put up with. As you click through page after page on etsy of (for example) 1940s sundresses looking for precisely the right one, only to come up empty handed for the twenty-fifth time, it's memories of those highly sought after pieces you've already scored that truly aid in reminding you that just about everything, no matter how rare, can be discovered eventually.

It has been an age and half since I last found any of my grails, let alone one for such a great deal, and chances are it'll be awhile before another one comes along. But that's ok, I'll be floating above the ground on a cloud of happiness over this score for quite a long time to come. Just look up for the redheaded gal wearing the black quilted circle skirt and you'll know it's me.

Stay warm all winter with this beautiful 1950s quilted robe

✯ Day 330 of Vintage 365 ✯

The temperatures are plummeting, night now dips below freezing here in Toronto, though snow (in our particular neck of the woods) has not yet reappeared. It will soon though, this being Canada, there is absolutely no doubt of that.

Living in an apartment with centrally controlled heating (in other words, the managers of the building set the same temperature for all units, we do not have thermostats in our own apartment - which, let me tell you, never stops being strange!), things rarely get very toasty during the winter. An electric heater my sweet husband bought a couple of winters ago helps significantly (at least when you're in the same room as the heater!), yet for all but the naturally warmest souls amongst us, one needs to pile on layers these days.

As winter (or late autumn, as is the case now) rolls ever forward, this point will become even more important. Sweaters, cardigans, thick blouses atop camisoles, thick stockings under skirts and dresses, all become a must - just as they have for countless generations before us (especially those who didn't have the luxury of any kind of indoor heating - save the family fire - at all!).

One of my absolute favourite ways, when in the comfort of your own abode, to stay toasty has always been the humble robe. From the darling pink quilted full length number I had as a little girl to lined satin, terrycloth, flannel, and even chenille numbers I've sported as an adult, I'm never without at least one delightfully heavy-duty winter robe come wintertime.

Honestly, even if I lived in the most climate controlled, perfectly heated house in the world, I would still want to own a thick, winter-worthy robe or two, as I adore the feeling of swaddling yourself in comfortable, bedding soft fabric as a means of fighting off winter's bite.

Winter housecoats and robes, while certainly more substantial than their lighter silk, satin, and thin cotton summer dressing gown counterparts, do not have to be shapeless, uninteresting beings by any means. Take for example this immensely beautiful blue and white floral print 1950s robe from etsy seller Pumpkin Truck.

 

This sweeping, elegant, eye-catching 3/4 length sleeve robe is busting with feminine charm and oozing stylish appeal. I adore the cheerful garden of blooms printed on this great quilted dressing gown, which despite its slightly shorter sleeves, should help fend off the wrath of winter thanks to its generously long skirt and abundance of fabric.

As with nearly everything pertaining to vintage fashion, one finds yesteryear robes in a myriad of styles and prices (this particular vintage robe, which fits up to 38 inch bust/28 inch waist, is retailing for $125.00 US). Fortunately however, unlike many other vintage items (circle skirts, tropical floral print wiggle dresses, dead stock swinging shoes, Lucite purses in good condition, etc), there's a wide array of robes from the mid-twentieth century out there at relatively wallet-friendly prices.

In putting together this post, for example, I easily looked at fifty vintage fall and winter weight robes and housecoats (the major difference between the two, by the way, being that robes usually stay down up with a sash/tie around the waist and housecoats are zipped or buttoned up the front - though another school of thought says that robes are for wearing when you get out of the bath/shower or immediately in the morning, whereas housecoats are to be kept on throughout the day atop other clothing) and nary a one was above $150.00 - many, in fact, came in well $75.00, making them comparable to the price one would may for a new version in many shops these days.

New versions, of course, however rarely hold the tiniest of candles to the charm, history and appeal of slipping on a comfortable robe from the 30s, 40s, or 50s that you know sports the tailoring of days gone by and has also lived through decades worth of frosty winters.

Unless you really, really plan on wearing your vintage robe or housecoat day in and day out (which, of course, there's nothing wrong with), one or two such garments, like the gorgeous floral print number in this post, will likely be enough to help you stay perfectly comfy cozy all through bone chilling months of frost, snow and freezing temperatures that we're headed into as the year winds down.

On the first day of vintage Halloween...

✯ Day 293 of Vintage 365 ✯

 

Chronically Vintage started a twelve day series of vintage Halloween related posts!

Though technically the Twelve Days of Christmas refers to a dozen days that begin with the 25th of December and end on January 5th (the day before Epiphany), many of us think of this countdown as leading up to Christmas Day itself (I know I certainly do). Thus, in that spirit, I thought it would oodles of fun to mark the coming twelve days until the 31st with posts devoted to Halloween.

While each day won't feature a set number of items (two grinning Jack-o-lanterns or seven scarecrows scaring, for example), it will play host to a different Halloween topic, each of which I hope will help fuel the fires of your excitement over October 31st.

An image that recently stoked my flames and had me swooning something fierce is the one below featuring a very tiny-waisted 1950s woman in a marvellously festive spider web print circle skirt - complete with spooky arachnid and its soon to be (fly) victim!

{Vintage photo of a beautifully stylish 1950s woman sporting a spider web adorned skirt via Starlet Showcase.}

 

Now, given that the blog that I found this great vintage shot on didn't feature any background information on it, I do not know where this photo hailed from originally. Thus, I can't say for certain that it was even intended solely for Halloween.

Skirt circles (also known, if they featured an applique or stitched image on them, as poodle skirts) with whimsical images of all kinds were highly popular during the 1950s, so it's not beyond the realm of possibility that this skirt was intended for year-round wear.

Regardless of if it was sported twelve months a year or just in October, there's no denying that it's almost frightening (especially for those like me with arachnophobia) spider and web motif is immensely well suited to Halloween.

I'd love to come across a skirt like this online or at a vintage clothing store, or (and this seems more likely) make a similar version myself to be worn on those Halloweens when I was in the mood to be more chic than macabre.

I hope that this wonderfully pretty fifties look, with it's Halloween overtones, has helped put you even more in the mood for the 31st, and that you'll really enjoy the next eleven instalments of this series of vintage Halloween blog posts.

Found: the perfect pair of vintage style black capri pants

✯ Day 155 of Vintage 365 ✯

 

There are certain items of clothing that, for whatever reason, my parents didn't dress me in often (if at all) as youngster. We're not talking ball gowns or wetsuits here, folks, I mean pretty run-of-the-mill pieces like button front blouses, denim jeans, and two piece swimsuits (the first time I ever wore one was a month before I turned 15!).

Another item that falls into that category is capri pants. As I sit here, on this warmer-by-the-minute June morning and think long and hard about it, I have absolutely no recollection of sporting a pair of capri pants until I had moved away from home and was living on my own (so late teen years). Amazing, in this day and age, I know!

One might think that the story above would have led me to compose a wardrobe full of those missing items to make up for lost time, however it turns out I'm not a bikini girl (too modest) and I wouldn't say I own more cotton blouses or blue jeans than the average person. When it comes to Capri pants, well, at the moment, I don't have a single pair, if you can believe it!

Taking stock of my modest sized summer wardrobe recently, I was instantly struck by this point and so skipped merrily over to the computer to see what kinds of vintage styles I could dig up online to inspire the types of capri pants I'd ideally like to buy to remedy my complete and total lack of this terrific summertime wardrobe staple.

One of the nicest and absolutely most versatile examples I came across was the wonderfully timeless pair of Foxy Rockabilly Capris in sleek-as-a-moonless-night's-sky black vintage style capri pants from Stop Staring Clothing pictured below.

 

Featuring a high-cut waist, comfy stretch twill fabric, and a subtle side seam zipper, these superbly versatile summer pants are exactly the kind of classic 1950s style pants you’ll want (need!) to have in your wardrobe.

At the time of writing (I say that because styles like this tend to sell out, especially in certain sizes, faster than you can blink!) these stylish capris are available in ladies sizes small, medium and large, retailing for $106.00 a pair.

While I'm the first to admit that crossing the hundred dollar threshold is a bit hefty for a pair of pants, when it comes to immortal classics like these black beauties, you're bound to get so much fashion millage out of them that over time their cost per wear factor will end up turning them in to an absolute bargain.

If I was going to add just one pair of capris to my vintage wardrobe this summer, these pin-up girl worthy pants would be precisely what I'd pick today.

Their dark hue makes them figure flattering, the high cut waist adds scores of instant vintage chic, and their playful lower calf-length hem helps ensure you stay a little cooler all through the hot-as-freshly-baked-bread days of summer.

So while my parents may not have fancied capris for their tykes, I'm keen on this style and would definitely not have a single qualm about slipping into a pair of these awesome black pants right this very moment!