Although I'm still in denial over here, the scary truth is, classes start in less than three weeks for me! Summer is my favorite season, and here in cold old Vermont they are preciously short. Why, I feel like my vacation's just started, though it's been over three whole months now. There is one thing to look forward to, though... autumn dressing!! I get excited just thinking about cracking out the tights, oxfords, suit jackets, wool skirts, cardigans, and mink collars again.
We vintage bloggers must have some sort of telepathic connection, 'cause I had the idea for this post on Monday, then took a gander at my blogroll today to find several posts in the very same vein! I'm loving all the inspiration!! This series of images from the Life archives is what initially struck my fancy; these gals are students at Wellesley College in 1938, and are the perfect embodiment of the classic New England collegiate look I want to emulate this Fall.
Check out the gal on the left's trousers. How I'd love a pair or two of those for snowy weekends!
I think saddle shoes and angora socks were quite the craze in '38. You know, I used to consider saddles too cheesy-'50s (like poodle skirts and Grease), but seeing adorable '30s gals wearing 'em has made me come 'round to their charm.
This girl just steals the show, though. I wonder if she was en route to some hot date, or if she actually went to class like this? Either way, she's pretty fabulous.
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Oh, yes!! Collegiate styles of the past thrill me! I love that lady with the bird hat! I saw a mouton coat like hers at an antique mall. Maybe I should rush back there and try to claim it!
ReplyDeleteI love all these outfits! They're so timeless still, and flattering to the female shape. I always look forward to autumn, summer here is brutal and this has been our hottest summer on record. I long for sweater season! It always cracks me up to watch old movies and the 'bad kids' are wearing pencil skirts and sweater sets and slacks--- so well dressed for a 'gang' haha! Have you seen the cheesy 50s movie "High School Hellcats?" Its on netflix instant, and is a hilarious example of very well dressed bad kids in school ;)
ReplyDeleteWell no surprise that I completely love all these photos! I will be right there with you in this look for fall, though I'm sure you'll pull it off more authentically due to your age vs. mine. LOL
ReplyDeleteI'm amazed at the casual boots on the girl wearing those shorter trousers, I'm guessing that was part of that 'manly' trend as they certainly don't look like women's boots from the time. (Quite frankly they look very much like Doc Martens!)
The last leopard/other fur coat... I think I just saw stars...WHAT A COAT. I'm always trying to figure out what to wear my saddle shoes with, and if this post didn't give me about thirty ideas! You and Tasha now have me on the "Forties' Fall" bandwagon.
ReplyDeleteThe Life archive is full of such lovely inspiration! I'm very excited for Autumn dressing, and for many of the same reasons (tights, suede, wool plaid).
ReplyDeleteI like that you mentioned saddle shoes. I think they're adorable but I can't seem to find any in my size. The local parochial school uniform supplier only has girls' sizes. I make do with this pair of shoes: http://www.6pm.com/bass-brookfield-black-white
They combine my love of black-and-white with my adoration of penny loafers.
Garnet
These are exquisite photos! I'm not in college anymore but I still love looking at vintage collegiate fashions. I love all of this wonderful fall inspiration. I can't wait for it to cool down here so I can break out some pretty tartan skirts and cute little sweaters!
ReplyDeleteWow, these pictures are fantastic! I was not expecting the back of that's girl's jacket to be leopard! haha. I do love the trousers too though, and the boots she's paired with them!
ReplyDeleteI agree with you about saddle shoes; I always liked them, but thought I'd look a bit silly running around in them, but now I think it can be done!
Ooh excellent pictures, loving that last girls coat! :)
ReplyDeleteI'm pretty head over heels for collegiate styles myself right now! ;) I just love the opulent coat in the last photo... wowza! I'm also adoring all the saddle shoes--hopefully soon I'll be able to break mine back out of the closet!
ReplyDeleteoh what fun!!!!
ReplyDeleteLovely pictures! You should check out the movie "Mona Lisa Smile", it has some of the greatest collegiate looks I've ever seen!
ReplyDeleteLife have such a good archive! I love these pictures! And I just read your holiday blogs and loved your pictures too! Your outfits were all super super cute and you suit your hair like that sooo much! :) Have fun in your last few weeks off! Zoë x
ReplyDeleteI wish life still looked this good.
ReplyDelete-gee
As a college teacher, I WISH my students would come to class half this well dressed! You lovely youngsters need to get this trend going!
ReplyDeleteHave fun at school, too!
what fantastic pictures! vintage life magazines are the best :)
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