Timeless Vintage Clothing Characteristics

I love watching classic films to see what the actresses wore. I make note of different characteristics in the clothing and also styles that carried on. Its a good way to learn how clothing was worn. These are just some of the characteristics I have come to admire when looking at vintage clothing. I try to look for some of these characteristics when buying vintage inspired clothing for Cherry Bomb Boutique. I will try to include links to some examples as I go. I'm not an expert, this is just something I enjoy. This is just a short list to give you some examples to look for in classic film should you choose to watch one and look for beautiful vintage fashion.

This is a example of brocade fabric. One of my favorite fabrics. Not the early example I was hoping for because its a mans vest but it will still give you the same idea of how pretty brocade is. This particular example is from the 1840s. Brocade has been used for a long time and has been seen a lot more in todays vintage style designs. Click on the link and the example is included in the 7th row of photos

 http://www.quite-contrary.org/victorian_pix2.htm

The next example is of a blue silk taffeta dress from the 1870s. This fabric has such a beautiful sheen and makes any color look rich and vibrant. This popular fabric has been used through the decades and is often used for evening dresses today.

http://entertainment.webshots.com/photo/2715896890059116156aiBNUG

Its amazing how long and lace trim have been used. This is an example of a 1880s dress with hand sewn beads. Velvet, Satin, Feathers and Silk have also been widely used  for many many years and still popular today.

http://www.bustledress.com/aab/contest/contest2010/entries/2010.entry54.1.jpg

Faux Fux jackets were seen in the early 1900s. Such a great thing to have in your wardrobe. There are so many beautiful vintage inspired Faux Fur coats and jackets to choose from today. There are still many authentic vintage pieces that can be found as well.

Tulle fabric is beautiful. Tulle is widely used today and has been around since the 1700s. The example is from the 50's.

http://www.memphisvintage.com/yellowprom.html

I couldn't find a good example of this but scalloped chiffon is beautiful and feminine. Chiffon has also been used since the 1700s and is used often today. The example is of a 1920s chiffon dress. Does not have the scalloped detail but the floral chiffon is beautiful.

http://vintagefindit.com/wear-it/vintage-1920s-floral-chiffon-dress/

I love pencil dresses. This example is from the 1930s. This silhouette is still very common and flatters a womens figure. Some characteristics that I like to see with a pencil dress are rounded short slit necklines, pockets and kimono sleeves.

http://www.poshgirlvintage.com/1930s-miss-hollywood-rare-black-dress-p-1238.html

1930s black crepe dresses with padded shoulders and tufted short sleeves. Todays designers have brought this back in many ways. I think it is sophisticated and feminine.

http://www.thisnext.com/tag/1930s-clothing/

1930's, Early 40's, one of my favorite necklines that is still seen so often today is the sweetheart neckline. So many beautiful dresses have this cut. So feminine and classy. Also a very vintage characteristic is peplum that falls from the waist.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/goldminetrashvintage/4457692027/

Very vintage and common today. Belted dresses. Theres no better way to show off a tiny waist or make a woman look smaller than she is. Seen a lot in the 30s, 40s and 50s. This is such a gorgeous dress!  Again you will notice the taffeta fabric.

http://www.stylehive.com/tag/1930s

1940s double breasted coat. Timeless! Will never go out of style and will continue to be re-designed.

1940s bateau neckline, this isn't really seen all the time today but I think its very elegant.

http://ny-image2.etsy.com/il_fullxfull.177292214.jpg

1940s puff sleeve dress. Designers are starting to use puff sleeves a lot more in recent designs as well as strong shoulder dresses. I think this gives the design a strong dignified look. I think this makes a woman look strong and confident but still feminine.

1940s, 1950s dress with swag and flourish side. Ultra feminine, adds a glam quality to any dress. One of my favorite characteristics. This is a vintage inspired or reproduction but is a good example.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/68064400/hinaea-1950s-hawaiian-tiki-wrap-dress

1940s/1950s, Who doesn't love play suits and rompers. There are so many cute reproductions and re-designs out there to choose from. We will be offering rompers in our store.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/70798311/reserved-for-mary-minty-1930s-1940s

1950s cardigan. A staple in all our of our wardrobes. Plain to beaded, in all sorts of colors. You can wear some of them from day to night.

1950s cap sleeve dresses. This is very characteristic vintage but still used commonly today. Some dresses use it in a more vintage looking way and some are more modern. This is also a good example of brocade fabric as mentioned earlier.

http://www.cmadeleines.com/products/Gold-Brocade-Capsleeve-Vintage-Dress-.html

1950s dresses with tiered full skirts. These skirts are so feminine. Full skirts are so 50s characteristic, tiered or not.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/goldminetrashvintage/4440617532/

1950s drop waist dress. This style really makes the torso seem longer and slimmer, especially when a full skirt is used with it. I think this style has been cleverly re-designed for todays fashion. More likely without the full skirt.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/magoovintage/2736615665/

1950's halter neckline. How many times have you seen a dress with a halter neckline. Reminds me of Marilyn Monroe dresses. The halter style dress is really flattering. Shows off the shoulders very well.

Again you see certain characteristics repeat during the 1960's, full skirts, cap sleeves.

I love 50s dresses with oversize buttons, here is a great example of this, they can add detail to a dress or have a purpose to hold the dress together. This dress has both examples. Click on the link, 5th photo down.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/magoovintage/2736615665/

1950s, 1960s wide scoop necklines. I also think these necklines are flattering to a womens neck.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/danagraves/4908891887/in/photostream/

1950s A-Line Dress. You can never go wrong with this shape. This shape is still really popular.

http://www.polyvore.com/1950s_black_couture_tulle_line/thing?id=18444234

1950s cummerbund sash at the waist. So 50's. Really accentuates a smaller waist, especially with a full skirt like this example.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/goldminetrashvintage/5445856591/

1950's lace overlay dress. This has been re-designed throughout the decades. Lace overlay adds femininity to any style.

http://www.polyvore.com/1950s_vintage_nude_dress_with/thing?id=25371242

1950s sun dress. How many ways can you re-design the sun dress? The sun dress has been popular forever and has been re-designed many many times. Most of them share the same fitted bodice and flared skirt and usually have a patterned floral print. This is such a beautiful example, belted waist, fitted bodice and full skirt, floral print.

http://lulusvintage.typepad.com/photos/uncategorized/2008/08/21/vm5.jpg

One of my favorite designs is of a 1950's petal bust. Re-designed to fit modern designs in different ways. Always glamorous.

http://vintagedetail.blogspot.com/2008/11/1950s-harry-keiser-evening-gown.html

1960s sleeveless cocktail dress. A simple shape that is timeless and used again and again.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/72228278/1960s-black-sequined-sleeveless-cocktail

1960s vintage shift dress. Also a simple shape that is timeless. Very versatile and used commonly today. Cut is usually above the knee. First appeared in the 1920s and experienced a revival in the 60's.

http://www.secretsiren.co.uk/1960s-black-lace-fitted-vintage-shift-dress-594-p.asp

There are many other vintage designs that I love and I will add more in later. I will post more about 70s fashion styles. For now I will stop with the 60's since most of the movies I will be watching are from the 30s, 40s, 50s and 60s. I'm sure some of the links I included will not work over time but I will try to update the post. I prefer to include links to my examples for now. I do not want to risk copy write infringement by using other peoples work without permission. If I come across photos that I can use I will change the post. I hope you find this helpful to recognize different design characteristics in vintage clothing and vintage inspired or vintage style clothing wherever you may see it. Maybe you will admire vintage as much as I do or maybe even more. Cheers! Kami