After the hardships of the wartime years, the 1950s exploded in a riot of colour. Women embraced the hourglass figure of Christian Dior’s ‘New Look’ and wore big petticoats to make their skirts larger, and for the first time teenagers developed their own fun sense of style.
Marilyn Monroe & Jane Russell both in white halterneck dresses. I think this photo was from 1953 when they put their signatures, hand and footprints in cement outside Graumans Chinese Theatre (below) Source, source and copyright: This work is in the public domain because it was published in the United States between 1923 and(…)
Two couples running along the beach, 1950s Source: No known copyright restrictions
Publicity photo of the beautiful Janet Leigh Source and copyright: This work is in the public domain because it was published in the United States between 1923 and 1963 and although there may or may not have been a copyright notice, the copyright was not renewed.
Actress and movie star Vivien Leigh in a publicity photo from the movie: The Deep Blue Sea. The neat up-do is a typical 1950s hairstyle. Source and copyright: This work is in the public domain because it was published in the United States between 1923 and 1963 and although there may or may not have(…)
I saw a newspaper article yesterday about student and part-time Burlesque dancer Nerina Orton and her tiny 15.7″ waist and it reminded me of 50s pin up and model Betty Brosmer. Her waist was 18″, which is definitely tiny, but it made me realise just how small Nerina’s waist is. Apparently the world record for(…)
The wonderful French actress and dancer Leslie Caron, (she was the one in An American in Paris with Gene Kelly) in a publicity photo. Source and copyright: This work is in the public domain in that it was published in the United States between 1923 and 1977 and without a copyright notice. Edited with BlogPad Pro
Marlon Brando’s iconic publicity photo from the 1953 movie The Wild One. Source and copyright: This work is in the public domain because it was published in the United States between 1923 and 1963 and although there may or may not have been a copyright notice, the copyright was not renewed.
The wonderful fifties pin up girl Betty Brosmer with her 18″ waist – wow!
1950s boys on the beach in Barbados Barbadian youths practice physical exercises and acrobatics on the beach at Foul Bay, near Crane Beach, on the South East coast of Barbados. Official photograph for the Central Office of Information. Date: March 1955 Source and copyright: The National Archives: No known copyright restrictions
Above: Marilyn Monroe receives an escort while in Korea for her USO tour. In February 1954 shortly after marrying Joe DiMaggio, Marilyn Monroe took a detour from a trip in Japan to entertain the troops in Korea. She performed ten shows in four days, in front of audiences that totaled more than 100,000 soldiers and(…)
There’s been a bit of a Marilyn Monroe theme to my blog this week – which wasn’t planned, it just sort of snowballed. Anyway, it’s turned into an unplanned celebration of Marilyn which is appropriate as today is the 50th anniversary of her death on August 5th 1962. I’m not sure that’s really something to(…)
Wallis Simpson, the Duchess of Windsor photographed by Toni Frissell with a big umbrella and a very pretty polka dot dress. Source and copyright: This work has been released into the public domain by its author, Toni Frissell. This applies worldwide.
I love the style of the 1960s and can kind of do that look, but I’ve decided I need to get a handle on how to get different vintage looks so I can wear them with confidence. So this is my vintage fashion experiment. What do you think of my 1950s sunny day outfit? From(…)
A fascinating video showing how the studio created Audrey Hepburn‘s iconic style for the movie Roman Holiday.
My favourite movie of all time – if you haven’t ever seen it please do! It really is the most stylish, witty, romantic movie and this scene always makes me cry (in a good way!) If you haven’t seen the movie, the basic plot until this point is: Charming boy (Cary Grant) meets impossibly stylish(…)
I just heard this on the radio and wanted to share, but unfortunately couldn’t find an actual video of the Chordettes singing Mr Sandman, and this version made me smile… Hope you like it!
