circa 1950

Some Great Movie Freak Outs

2009-08-22T20:18:00.000-07:00

Marilyn Monroe in 'The Misfits'

Bette Davis in 'Of Human Bondage'

Ponytail

2009-07-08T03:53:00.002-07:00

My hair is a lot longer now, so I've been trying to find a classic/casual way to put it up, so this ponytail with wavy bangs worked well for me:

Especially paired with red lips and a scarf!

The Postman Always Rings Twice

2009-07-08T03:37:00.000-07:00

It's this movie that got me on this whole Film Noir kick.

Then this one:

And:

In A Lonely Place

2009-07-08T03:33:00.000-07:00

An impressive noir. I was on the edge of my couch clutching Jameson on one side and my black cat, Chaucer, on the other side.

Fire and Ice

2009-07-03T17:48:00.001-07:00

The famous red lipstick from Revlon, introduced in 1952. I just found out that they still make it!

Dream Wedding Gown Pattern Found!

2009-04-27T18:13:00.000-07:00

Albeit, from 1966

1957 Misses Pattern

2009-04-27T18:10:00.000-07:00

Ingrid Bergman in Color

2009-04-27T18:01:00.000-07:00

2009-04-27T17:21:00.001-07:00

Gene Tierney

2009-04-27T16:50:00.000-07:00

Like Chimneys

2009-04-19T23:45:00.000-07:00

Lucky Strike, 1955

Sweet Caps, 1955 (what are those?!)

Parliaments, 1956 (what are they doing to that poor animal?)

Winston, 1956

Grey's Cigarettes, 1951 (I had to add this one)

Casual Marilyn

2009-04-19T16:13:00.000-07:00

circa 1950, via 2009: Swimwear

2009-04-19T13:47:00.000-07:00

[suits via modcloth]

circa 1950, via 2009

2009-04-19T13:06:00.000-07:00

Liz Claiborne!

TIME 2/18/1952

2009-04-16T20:11:00.000-07:00

The week my mother was born:

Harper's Bazaar 1958

2009-04-16T20:03:00.001-07:00

Floppy hat!

Kodak Has Always Been Grossly Endearing

2009-04-16T18:14:00.000-07:00

Color!

2009-04-16T17:30:00.000-07:00

I always love seeing color photographs from the 1950's and 1960's, because they were so rarely used outside of advertisements.

Grace Kelly by Howell Conant

Behold: The 1950's Female Intellectual

2009-04-16T17:17:00.000-07:00

Sylvia Plath, high school graduation photo, c. 1950
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Jayne Mansfield. Did you know she spoke five languages and was a classically trained pianist/violinist? I didn't.

Haven't Updated In A While

2009-04-16T17:02:00.001-07:00

... Because of been out of town
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School is nuts

but I'm back!

Swirly Skirt

2009-03-17T00:12:00.001-07:00

My recent economical purchase:

Now all I need is a good, bright cardigan and maybe a sun hat & nice flats..... and a sunny porch with an icy drink and a tiny umbrella with a marachino cherry, pineapple, you get the point.....

Slim Halter Dress

2009-03-11T18:01:00.000-07:00

Have the pattern for a cool $55 [sovintagepatterns.com] .... now you just have to buy fabric and sew it up!

Wiggle Dress

2009-03-11T17:56:00.000-07:00

I suppose all those girdles and bullet bras and corsets weren't for nothing. They were for fitting into dresses like this! There must be a long, long zipper or something. They were called "wiggle" dresses for a reason!

circa 1950, via 2009 (Lingerie Edition)

2009-03-11T17:45:00.000-07:00

Please excuse the odd models... but Secrets In Lace [via secretsinlace.com] has created a wonderful recreation line of vintage bras and panties.
Because actual vintage bras/panties/girdles can be questionable, check these out:

[Secrets In Lace satin sheer panty]

[Secrets In Lace satin bullet bra]

The Suit!

2009-03-11T16:05:00.000-07:00

Nothing better than a nice fitting tweed skirt suit. My grandmother, Doris, used to sew suits like this for herself and her family. I can't even begin to imagine that!

Which Twin Has The Toni?

2009-03-10T00:16:00.000-07:00

You decide!

A Kiss And A Sigh

2009-03-10T00:01:00.000-07:00

Kay Starr's 'Wheel of Fortune' (1952)
Drink your gin & tonic to this!

Chanel - Perfect Shade + Perfect Scent

2009-03-09T23:34:00.000-07:00

I wear this all the time & buy it for my mom every Christmas...

Chanel Rouge Allure in Exotic

Classic + Feminine + Bold

Chanel Gardenia (launched in 1925)

Chanel No.5 has more to do with the 1950's, but Gardenia is timeless and more unique. It was launched in the 1920's and is only available at select boutiques.

1950's via 2009 #2

2009-03-09T21:15:00.000-07:00

[Ralph Lauren sun hat with flower]

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[Urban Outfitters Kimchi Blue Oval Dobby Smocked Blouse]

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[Banana Republic Monogram stepweave pencil skirt]

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[Jessica Bennett 'Kosta' Pump at Nordstrom]

Supposed Maternity Clothes of the 1950's

2009-03-09T20:23:00.000-07:00

Women were supposed to be making babies, but at the same time, nobody was supposed to see their 'baby bump', as it was considered 'vulgar'.
These are some 'maternity' patterns from the era. They always give me a laugh/make me feel bad for my grandmother.

*Bonus found photo*

*Bonus found photo #2* (Grace Kelly with Oleg Cassini, vastly pregnant)

The New Look (Christian Dior) & High Society (1956)

2009-03-09T20:06:00.001-07:00

Christian Dior New Look Suit

Designed by Helen Rose for Grace Kelly
(Helen Rose ultimately designed her famous wedding gown)

I really can't emphasize this silhouette enough. I love it.

Day to Night via 'To Catch A Thief'

2009-03-09T19:54:00.000-07:00

Day- Blouse, light scarf, white wrist-length gloves

Night- Strapless evening gown paired with a classic necklace

The Breasts of the 1950's

2009-03-09T19:17:00.000-07:00

POINTY! Who knows if you can pull it off today, but it's always fun to try!

The Wave

2009-03-09T18:43:00.000-07:00

It's pretty much like this:
1.

2.

3.

There's a video below that shows me doing it, although it's sped up quite a bit. I usually divide my [wet] hair into 3: the top, the left and the right, and throw in the rollers accordingly and go to bed. There's lots of non-sticky hairspray involved and setting creme. I did this every day for 6 months, and so now I avoid the process as much as possible!

An easier way would be with a curling iron, although the effects don't last as long and don't quite look as authentic.

She's Engaged! She's Lovely! She uses Pond's!

2009-03-09T18:16:00.000-07:00

Okay, so what if she's engaged, but she is lovely!
I still use Pond's, but now that it's 2009, I use the make-up removing wipes instead of the old fashioned cold cream.

Face

2009-03-09T18:03:00.000-07:00

Yeah, the underlying message in this ad is kind of sick, but it gives a good example of the 1950's make-up basics:

1. Natural looking foundation.
2. Defined eyebrows. They went crazy with eyebrows in the 1950's. Heavy pencil, high arches. (Just remember to go with the natural arch in your eyebrows, don't create your own!)
3. Defined lashes, white eye shadow, little or no eyeliner. (If you wear a 'cat eye' eyeliner with this look, you will look like you have way too much make up on. A good tip is if you have light lipstick, you can pull off the 'cat eye' eyeliner, if you have bright lipstick, leave it out, and just opt for some white shadow.)
4. Coral or red lipstick. Try to find a lipstick that suits your face. A true red looks good on most: not too red, not too blue.
5. A very light blush on the apples of your cheeks. If you don't like blush, a simple old fashioned pinch on each cheek will do!
The most important thing is that every element is balanced and subtle. The lady in the image above is a little overboard. The line between elegant make up and clown make up is very thin sometimes!

circa 1950, via 2009

2009-03-09T17:48:00.000-07:00

[J.Crew 'Gateau' skirt]

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[Gap petal-sleeve gingham blouse]

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[Banana Republic cotton crewneck cardigan]

Since spring is coming, I went a little crazy with color combinations, but I'll deal...

The Curling Ritual

2009-03-09T17:23:00.000-07:00

Grace Kelly:

Me:

Kind of time consuming, really. I don't know if it's even worth it... I keep thinking, how did women do this every day? It would make me drink and take tranquilizers, too!

The Curling Ritual

The 'Grace Kelly' Silhouette

2009-03-09T17:15:00.000-07:00

Have Lovelier Hands!

2009-03-09T17:09:00.000-07:00

Jantzen

2009-03-09T17:03:00.000-07:00

I Can Has?

2009-03-09T17:01:00.000-07:00