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Category: 1940s

1940s Fashion, 1940s Photo, 1940s History 

Life at Palm Beach Junior College 1940s & 1950s

I am a big fan of browsing images and other materials (like vintage yearbooks) of what life was like in colleges and universities in the 1930s-1960s. In fact I have a growing collection of blog posts on the subject and I’m about to add one more….Life at Palm Beach Junior College in the 1940s & 1950s.

I found these photos while browsing the ‘Internet Archive‘ and they were so fun to look at that I knew I had to share them here. So let’s begin!

1950s vintage photo of student registration at Palm Beach Junior College 1950s fashions for men and women on display
Student Registration-1950s

About: Palm Beach Junior College is a public college in Lake Worth, Florida. It is part of the Florida College System. Palm Beach State College was founded in 1933 as Palm Beach Junior College and was the first public junior college in the state of Florida. The Old Palm Beach Junior College Building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places (Source). The College was renamed Palm Beach State College in 2010 to reflect its expanded educational offerings (Source).


1940s & 1950s Vintage Photos

Life at Palm Beach Junior College

Early 1940s fashions for men and women as seen in this fantastic group photo outside of the college (everyone looks amazing!).

early 1940s vintage image of college students at Palm beach junior college posing together outside of their school in early 1940s fashions for women and men

“All dressed up”. Late 1940s photo of three stylish young women in evening gowns (probably for a dance) posing with two older men (teachers?). Super late 1940s fashions!

1940s vintage photo of 3 college students in 1940s evening dresses for a college dance posing with 2 older men. Stunning 1940s Fashions and 1940s Hairstyles on dispaly.

The file this yearbook page is linked to says that this image is from 1938, but I think I have to disagree. The stunning hairstyles on the women are very much 1940s (the pompadour on the top right, the flowing curls, the hair flower) and the blouses look very 1940s as well. Am I right?

Whatever the date, these are some very stylish college students.

1940s vintage yearbook photo of 1940s women and men. The women are wearing fantastic 1940s hairstyles that are great inspiration for your own look. Seen at Palm Beach Junior College

“The Campus Ball”. 1940s vintage image of a group of college students in their beautiful evening gowns, tuxedos and uniforms enjoying a dance together with a live band.

1940s vintage photo of the Palm Beach Junior College ball featuring 1940s evening dresses, men in uniform and 1940s hairstyles.

“It was a windy day”. Fantastic 1940s photo of a group of young women in their junior fashions posing for a photo together. I love the women’s on the right being caught in that windy moment just as the image was taken.

I LOVE The fashions in this group. The saddle shoes especially.

1940s vintage image of young women college students in 1940s fashions including saddle shoes posing together with their 1940s hairstyles

“Time to hit the books in the library” -1940s photo.

1940s vintage image of students in college studying in their library

“Hippy and Dutch play horseshoes”. “Hippy flips another ringer while Dutch awaits his turn” Seen in the Galleon yearbook from 1951.

1950s vintage photo of two young men in college playing horseshoes at palm beach college in early 1950s fashions

“Fun on the dance floor”. A 1952 vintage image from a Sadie Hawkins dance.

1950s vintage photo of two young men and one young woman in costumes dancing together at a1952 Sadie Hawkins dance at Palm Beach Junior College in 1952.

Photo of women college students at the pool for swim class in their gorgeous 1950s swimsuits.

1950s vintage photo of women college students at the pool in 1950s swimsuits and 1950s hairstyles in palm beach junior college

Two students relax and listen to the record player with caption “Cooley Hall is typically represented”. Seen in The Galleon yearbook in 1951.

1950s vintage photo of two young college men listening to the record player in their dorm room in 1951 at palm beach junior college. They are wearing 1950s fashions and 1950s hairstyles for men.

Outdoor Archery Class. What a fun image of our college students in their lovely 1950s dresses, skirts & blouses lining up to try their shot with the bow and arrow.

1950s vintage photo of a group of women college students in 1950s dresses and 1950s skirts and blouses trying archery at Palm Beach Junior College

Outdoor Volleyball time!

1940s 1950s vintage photo of women college students playing volleyball in their gym uniforms at Palm Beach Junior College

“Break time!” Beanies, cigarettes, sodas and lawn chairs.

1950s vintage photo of college students taking a break in 1950s fashions. several men are wearing beanies on their head.

“How many students can you get in a Jeepster? 9!” Fun 1951 photo.

1950s vintage photo of college students in a jeepster in 1950s fashions from 1951

1950s formal dance.

1950s vintage photo of a college dance - 1950s Prom or 1950s Homecoming featuring young women in 1950s dresses and men in tuxedos.

Last note:

In 1965, the state legislature ordered that Black and white two-year colleges be merged, and the mostly white Palm Beach Junior College and the all-Black Roosevelt Junior College became one (Source).  

Photograph of four students with caption “Miss Freshman of 1959 & 1960 pose with classmates”. The Hornet (1961) page 30 from the Roosevelt Junior College Photographs archive (before the merge).

1960s vintage photo seen in a 1961 Yearbook of 4 Black students. Photograph of four students with caption "Miss Freshman of 59 & 60 pose with classmates". The Hornet (1961) page 30. Number 106 of 192 from archival box labeled Roosevelt Junior College Photographs.

I hope you enjoyed taking a little peak into college life at Palm Beach Junior College. It looked like a good time.

Please share in the comments section what your favourite photos were or anything else you wish to talk about related to this post.

Further Reading:

Thanks for stopping by!

Liz

Vintage Hair Tools: Hairstyle Books 1940s & 1950s

When I talk to readers, social media followers and even friends, I hear the same comment…I love your hair but I could NEVER do a vintage hairstyle. Well friends, I’m here to tell you..yes you can! Practice is the trick and helpful tools is another! I am not even close to being an expert on this topic, but I do know that thru my vintage hairstyling journey that watching videos, reading vintage books and looking at vintage & modern images have 1000% helped me get better at doing my hair. So for today’s post I want to share some vintage & modern hairstyle books you can pickup either digitally or hard copy to help get you started (or inspire your next style).

1940s Womens Vintage Hairstyle 1940s Hair 1940s vintage hair

Special note: Sorry to any of my readers who are looking for MEN’s haircuts. There was not really any good content to share that fit the theme of this blog post. Did not leave you out on purpose.

Disclosure: Some of the links on my blog from Etsy , eBay are Affiliate Links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. 

NOTE: If you click on any of the items featured below and they are not available, don’t fret! Hit the search button and see what else is on the websites. There are 1000’s and 1000’s of items being listed daily.

Vintage Hair Tools

Hairstyle Books 1940’s & 1950’s

1948 Hairstyles for You by Ivan of Hollywood!” Learn what styles are good for you, how to start with a good haircut (very important), how to finger wave, what styles to do for various age groups (only a guide, I never follow that rule) and so much more!

(Digital copy avail HERE)

A vintage hairstyling book from 1948. Inside includes guidance on hairstyles, haircuts, curling, etc. Great guide for doing 1940s hairstyles.
A vintage hairstyling book from 1948. Inside includes guidance on hairstyles, haircuts, curling, etc. Great guide for doing 1940s hairstyles.

Source: Etsy

“Hair Beauty on a Budget” – a vintage booklet from 1950. Inside includes guidance on hair washing, home perming, hair styling, etc.

(Digital copy avail HERE)

1950 Hair Beauty on a Budget - a vintage booklet from 1950. Inside includes guidance on hair washing, home perming, hair styling, etc.
1950 Hair Beauty on a Budget- a vintage booklet from 1950. Inside includes guidance on hair washing, home perming, hair styling, etc.

Source: Etsy

1954 “How to Wear Your Hair -101 Better Hair Styles to increase your glamour & charm.”

I might purchase the digital copy myself because they have a section on how to wear your hair if you wear glasses (that’s me!).

(Digital copy available HERE)

1950s Hairstyle Book: 1954 "How to Wear Your Hair -101 Better Hair Styles to increase your glamour & charm."
1950s Hairstyle Book: 1954 "How to Wear Your Hair -101 Better Hair Styles to increase your glamour & charm."
1950s Hairstyle Book: 1954 "How to Wear Your Hair -101 Better Hair Styles to increase your glamour & charm."

Source: Etsy

“The Mystery of Hairstyling” originally published in 1955 (Digital PDF version avail HERE).

Learn how to create a “cleaver soft wave effect” and so much more.

Source: Etsy

This post was a focus on 1940s & 1950s hairstyle books, but I could not find one for Black Hairstyles from those decades, so I’m going to share this 1960s Guide….“1965 Styles and Sets for Black Hair” (Digital copy avail HERE)

1960s Vintage Hairstyle: 1965 Styles and Sets for Black Hair.  Inside it has instructions on how to do 30 hairstyles that were in style in the 1960s

Diahann Carroll’s favourite do is the casual bobcap.

1960s Vintage Hairstyle: 1965 Styles and Sets for Black Hair featuring Diahann Carroll's favourite hairstyle.

Source: Etsy

The following are modern books that you can purchase to also help with your vintage hair journey….

“Vintage Hairstyles Simple Steps for Retro hair with a modern twist” (New..avail as of August 8th, 2022 HERE). You can also find it HERE.

Vintage Hairstyles Simple Steps for Retro hair with a modern twist
Source: Etsy

“Vintage Hairstyling: Retro Style with Step-by-Step Techniques 3rd Edition” (avail HERE).

Vintage Hairstyling: Retro Style with Step-by-Step Techniques 3rd Edition

Source: Vintage Hairstyling


Now..does all the above just seem to hard? I hear you and I’m in the thick of it. So I have an option for you that is fun, affordable and stylish…..Annabelle’s Wigs!

Annabelle’s Wigs is an online designer and retailer of vintage / pinup style vegan synthetic wigs, lace fronts, hair pieces & hair extensions. They are based in the UK, but ship all over the world.

Why Wigs? Wigs are great way to change your vintage style in a few minutes with no losing sleep with uncomfortable rollers, no brushouts that take forever, no being upset over curls that did not take. You have instant style! A great option for those who are just not wanting to deal with the fuss.

Annabelle's Wigs is an online designer and retailer of vintage / pinup style vegan synthetic wigs, lace fronts, hair pieces & hair extensions. They are based in the UK, but ship all over the world.

READERS: I was given a free wig in exchange for a review, BUT I am giving my honest opinion about the product as I don’t believe in leading my followers astray.

MY REVIEW:

I was very excited to have been approached by this company as I have been a follower of them on their Instagram for some time, but have not made a purchase yet. Why? Well I was just not sure if purchasing a vintage style wig was for me. I was also not sure of cost vrs quality and if the style I chose would even look good on me. Well readers all my fears were put aside once my wig arrived in the mail.

My Wig:

I chose the BECCA a dark brown pinup style wig, finger waved with short fringe in a 1950s style (seen below). She was priced at $28.00 GBP which is around $45 Canadian (Great price). And yes I chose brown!

Annabelle's Wig: The BECCA a dark brown pinup style wig, finger waved with short fringe in a 1950s style

Why did I chose brown? Well for one, if I’m going to wear a wig why not go the opposite of what I look like (including adding bangs). Secondly, dark brown is ACTUALLY my real hair colour but I have been a blonde for over 20 years so not many people remember those days (besides my parents).

Okay out of the package we go……

It was glorious! Shiny, styled exactly like the photo and packaged very well so that it was in mint condition on it’s arrival across the ocean.

Now it’s time to put it on, but how?

Their website has helpful tips on how to put on how to get your hair ready (if needed) for how to put it on & wear your wig and I was supplied with detailed care instructions in my package. Very helpful indeed!

NOW the Result….

1950s Vintage Style Wig by Annabelle's Wigs worn by the Vintage Inn Blog.

Here is a side by side as a reminder of what I look like before the wig….

Annabelle's Wigs 1950s Pinup style hair before and after.

To say that I’m happy is an understatement. I LOVE how it looks and it’s so fun to go back to my natural hair colour after 20 some on years of being a blonde. I can’t wait to style it with hair flowers, hairscarfs and wear it out to a Rockabilly party or swing dance (or just to the grocery store).

Their customer service was also steller and they will help you chose the right wig for you (including colour, hair advice etc.). Whatever you need. They were also very helpful explaining the difference to me about a full wig vrs a half and guided me to what I was looking for.

Annabelle's Wigs

I will be ordering another wig from them in the near future (I’m thinking clip in’s) and I encourage you to do the same. Have fun with your vintage hair journey!

Other places to find hair tips:

  • Youtube / Instagram / TikTok / Facebook & BLOGS!

Thanks for dropping by friends! I hope you enjoyed finding options on how to make your vintage hair journey a bit easier. Drop me a line if you have any questions anytime about what I shared above at: vintageinnblog@gmail.com

Further Reading:

Liz