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Tag: 1940’s women

Vintage Photo’s of Student Life: 1920s-1950s

As we all remember (or maybe don’t), school was not just about books and tests it was also about all the fun activities you could do outside of your regular classes. For example, I was in Drama club when I was in high school. I was terrible but I loved being part of something that made me smile and was my choice to be involved in. I also enjoyed the dances because I love to dance and dress-up and I got to do both a few times a year. Win!

Today’s “Vintage Photo Tuesday” is all about this “life outside of the classroom” and features students from various levels of education and schools from the 1920’s-1950’s.

Let’s take a look!

vintage image of students at university of Chicago
Source: University of Chicago Archives

Vintage Photo’s of Student Life: 1920s-1950s

1940s Vintage Photo, October 1949: Paul Macdonald of Gananoque, Ont, 3rd year drawing and painting student, paints semi-abstract still life with fruit while 2nd year ceramics student Nancy Snider, of Islington, Ont, watches.

1940s vintage photo of students in art class studing a painting. October 1949: Paul Macdonald of Gananoque, Ont, 3rd year drawing and painting student, paints semi-abstract still life with fruit while 2nd year ceramics student Nancy Snider, of Islington, Ont, watches.
Source: Library & Archives Canada

Meeting of Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority at Howard University-1946.

1940s Photo of Black Students Meeting of Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority at Howard University-1946.

Source: Life Photo Collection

Boys and their portable radio-1948. Lineup outside the Athletic office for tickets for McGill football weekend.

1940s vintage image of 1948 image of young men with a portable radio in suits - Boys and their portable radio-1948. Lineup outside the Athletic office for tickets for McGill football weekend.
Source: University of Toronto Archives Image Bank

1950s vintage photo of Mae Wang, left, and Jeanne Chen enjoyed a relaxing afternoon on a lawn at Our Lady of the Lake University. The two attended the university thanks to a four-year scholarship through an overseas student service.

1950s vintage photo of two young women in traditional Chinese dresses on the lawn at a San Antonio College. Mae Wang, left, and Jeanne Chen enjoyed a relaxing afternoon on a lawn at Our Lady of the Lake University. The two attended the university thanks to a four-year scholarship through an overseas student service.

Source: sacurrent.com

A group of dancing Dentettes in rehearsal for the 1946-47 Dentatics musical review. While I’m not sure what a “Dentette” is at the University of Toronto, I do know it looks like they are having fun.

1940s image of young women in 1940s outfits doing a kickline pose for the camera. A group of dancing Dentettes in rehearsal for the 1946-47 Dentatics musical review.
Source: U of T Archives Image Bank

1950s vintage photo: University of Toronto-Alpha Phi Fraternity – members singing at the piano (1952).

1950s vintage photo: University of Toronto-Alpha Phi Fraternity - women members singing at the piano (1952) in 1950s fashions.
U of T Archives Image Bank

The Athletes Night Big Dance at University of Toronto-1952.

1950s vintage photo of a School Dance at University of Toronto Vintage Image from 1952-The Athletes Night Big Dance at University of Toronto
Source: U of T Archives Image Bank

Editorial staff of the “Hill Top”, the student paper at Howard University-1946.

Editorial staff of the "Hill Top", the student paper at Howard University. 1940s vintage photo of black students.

Source: Life Photo Collection

East York (Toronto) Student Panel-1949.

1940s vintage photo of the 1949 East York Toronto Student Panel
Source Toronto Archives

The Jordan River Revue was a musical variety show written, produced, directed and acted in by Indiana University Students (Source). Here is a group performing “Peas and Beans”, 1946.

1940s vintage photo of student life: Jordan River Revue, "Peas and Beans" ," The Jordan River Revue was a musical variety show written, produced, directed and acted in by Indiana University Students
Source: IU Archives

The Book Nook Commencement was a mock commencement ceremony that took place at the Book Nook, a popular student hangout in the 1920s located at Indiana and Kirkwood Avenue.  A combination soda fountain and bookstore, the Book Nook was known for its music and the sometimes rowdy behavior of its customers.  For many years the Book Nook played a significant role in Indiana University student culture (Source).

Notable IU alum musician and composer Hoagy Carmichael was a frequent patron (Seen below at the piano, 1939), and it is said he composed his most famous songs, Stardust, at one of the Book Nook booths.

Hoagy Carmichael at the Book Nook University of Indiana 1939 Vintage Image
Source: IU Archives

Dorm Life at the University of Chicago, 1950’s.

Further Reading: Vintage Photos of Dorm Life in the 1920s-1960s

1950s vintage image of Dorm Life at the University of Chicago 1950s
Source: University of Chicago Archives

Hanging out in the dining hall with friends and cokes-1940’s University of Chicago.

Hanging out in the dining hall with friends and cokes-1940's vintage image of student life at the University of Chicago.
Source: University of Chicago Archives

I’m now going to end this week’s VPT with the most outstanding vintage student life image..ever! It is from the 1920’s at the University of Chicago. WOW! what style!

1920s vintage image of two women in 1920s fashions and young man in 1920s college fashion talking together outside of the University of Chicago
Source: University of Chicago Archives

I hope you enjoyed this week’s ‘Vintage Photo Tuesday’. Share your favourite image in the comments section below.

Further Reading:

Have a super day friends!

Liz

Chatelaine Magazine-March 1947: Charm Check-Up

While reading my March 1947 Vintage Chatelaine, I found an interesting article entitled ‘Charm Check-Up‘ by Adelle White.

1940's charm school tips from a 1940s vintage Magazine - Chatelaine.

Are you making friends and having lots of fun? Your popularity should be unlimited if you can honestly answer “Yes” to these questions. But even if you can’t, be of good cheer; you can always change your type — and no time like now!

I thought for today’s post it would be fun to put ourselves into the shoes of a 1940’s woman and read some of the charm check-ups thru her own eyes. What would your imaginary ‘1940’s gal’ check yes or no too?

Chatelaine Magazine-March 1947: Charm Check-Up

First Category: Your Looks

1940's model posing for an article in Chatelaine Magazine from 1947

Q: Do the small details of grooming seem important?

A. No matter how ultra-fashionable a costume may be, if hair is untidy, back of shoulders, unbrushed, gloves even slightly soiled or heels run over at the sides, the effect of smartness will be ruined.

1940s vintage photo of 3 stylish Black women in 1940s hats and 1940s outfits.

Q. Do you change your hairstyle every so often?

A. It’s a treat for your family and your friends to see you with a brand-new hair-do — if only to assure you that they like the old way best. Don’t be afraid to try something new — you’ve nothing to lose and the gain may be exhilarating.

1940s Vintage Ad for Women's Hair colour featuring 1940s Hairstyles for Women.

Q. Have you learned to carry yourself gracefully and with poise?

A. Whether you’re slender or plumpish you can improve you figure 90% by stretching upward with the top of your head….lifting your chest out of your ribs….and pulling in your tummy. It takes inches off your waistline and makes you seem taller.

1940's photo of a posture class from Miss Cook's School of Manners
Image by © Lucien Aigner/CORBIS

Second Category: Your Personality

1940s vintage yearbook photo of a young 1940s woman named Verna Cox.

Q. Do you talk in a natural and unaffected way?

A. Just think of the number of girls who spoil an otherwise charming personality by speech affectations, such as kittenish baby talk, or a superimposed accent. It’s a temptation, sometimes, to vary, your type by imitating the dulcet tones of a movie siren — but don’t do it. You’re you — a pretty important person, with no need to borrow tricks from someone else.

singing in the rain movie image

Q. Do you like other women?

A. You and I have both heard girls say, quite proudly, that they get on better with men than with women. Just imagine some man tossing off a remark that he liked women but couldn’t hit it off with other men! What a raised-eyebrow situation that would be! Haven’t you found that a woman who studiously avoids her own sex is putting on an act which won’t go over with other females?

1950s Vintage Archie Comic Cover
Source: coverbrowser

Q. Are you as casual and friendly with men as you are with other girls?

A. If you act naturally and are not self-conscious when men are part of the group, you’ll enlarge your circle of masculine admirers much more than if you put on a special act for their benefit. Like everyone else, a man wants to feel relaxed and comfortable when he’s talking to you.

1940s vintage image of man and woman talking in 1940s fashions and 1940s hairstyles as seen in life magazine

Q. Are your compliments always sincere?

A. People who toss flattery about like confetti soon find their compliments lose value. If you don’t admire another woman’s hat or dress it’s best to say nothing — or praise something else about her. Honest compliments, the kind which can be trusted, make friendship jell more firmly.

1940s katie keene comic book cover
Learn about Katy Keene HERE Source: Comics Beat

Third Category: Your Party Style

Q. Do you start off for a party with the full expectation of enjoying yourself?

A. High spirits are contagious. If you arrive looking as though it were a special treat, you’ll not only be a joy to your hostess, but you’ll infect the other guests with the same spirit of gaiety. It just takes one or two guests with a zest for fun to give the whole party a lift.

1940s toga party vintage image
Source: Etiquipedia

Q. Can you forget to worry about how you look?

A. If you know your dress is becoming; if you’ve spent plenty of time on hair and make-up; if you nails are freshly manicured and your hands do you proud, there will be no need for nervous peeks in mirrors or constant fussing with comb, lipstick and powder puff.

1947 Vintage women's fashion vintage illustration as seen on a vintage sewing pattern.

Q. Have you social assets?

A. You may not be a pianist or a fine singer — but if you’re good at dancing, card games, ping pong, table tennis, or some other indoor sport, you’ll be a sought-after guest. One of the quickest way to enlarge your circle of friends is to become an expert in some field — such as bridge, rummy, chess, or a sport such as skating or skiing; badminton or squash; tennis or golf. Special sport fans tend to band together. But when you’re with other groups, go easy on your specialty.

1940s vintage photo of a group of young Black women sitting at a house party in late 1940s clothing.
Credit MOHAI, Al Smith Collection, 2014.49

Q. Can you forget your own shyness by concentrating on other people?

A. If you’re the shy type who takes a bit of time to shed reserve and get into a party mood, you can speed the process by picking out another guest sitting alone in corner, and coaxing him or her out of the same shell. Time yourself mentally at just how smart you are, in drawing people out and making them feel comfortably integrated. You’ll please your hostess, probably make a friend for life, and that social diffidence you suffered from at the start will melt like snow in the sun.

1940s bobby soxers teenagers vintage image
Source: Corbis Images

Question Time: Do you think that any of these “Charm Check-Up” ideas are applicable in today’s society? Or better left in 1947? Let me know in the comments below.

FURTHER READING: Vintage Magazines & Catalogs – Archived 1920s-1960s blog posts

Liz