Next week I leave for the Viva Las Vegas Rockabilly Weekend! I can’t wait! This will be my last one for a while as my husband and I would like to take other trips and try other events, so I’m going to make the most of out of it this year.

Viva Las Vegas Rockabilly Weekend 18, 2015 — Me and the Sign at last years Viva

The vintage clothing is HUGE at Viva (one of my favorite parts) and I love seeing all the lovely vintage fashions that everyone brings. I’m always happy with the items that I bring but I do like to dream that if I won the lottery and or had size 24″ waist, what would be my ultimate VIVA wardrobe?

So that is what today’s post is all about, what would I bring if I had the means (1940s & 1950s Fashions)? Let the dreaming/drooling begin!

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.

1940s Green Gingham Sundress-SO ME! I would totally wear this dress to the car show.

1940s Fashion: 1940s Dress // Green Gingham Ruffle Sundress — Source: Etsy

Another day dress for wandering around the hotel, hitting up the strip or just lounging by the pool – A 1950s Mr. Mort Gingham (I’m in gingham mode right now) sundress. The top of the dress is so different and really cool.

1950s Fashion: 1950s Mr. Mort gingham dress smocking spaghetti straps 50s sundress 1950s sundress vintage gingham smocked — Source: Etsy

I love Tiki and I love Tiki Dresses like this beauty of a dress from the 1950s and perfect to wear to Frankie’s Tiki Room. The pattern is a novelty tiki cat print.

FURTHER READING:

1950s Fashioin: 1950s Dress // Novelty Tiki Cat Print Full Skirt Dress — Source: Etsy

Mexican Handpainted skirts are very very popular in the Rockabilly/Vintage world and this one is a perfect example of why they are, simply stunning! This skirt is a good choice for any evening of the event.

1950s Fashion: Vintage 1950s SEQUINED Mexican Hand Painted CIRCLE Skirt — Source: Etsy

Vintage 1940s Evening Dress. Perfect for dancing in, to all the amazing bands that play all weekend long. Possibly a super Saturday night dress

1940s Fashion: Vintage 1940s Evening Dress with a Pink skirt & accents. — Source: The Cats Pajamas

Here is another Saturday Night Dress – A Emma Domb 1950’s dress french blue satin. Isn’t it dreamy?

FURTHER READING: Vintage Fashion Designer Spotlight: Emma Domb

1950s Fashion: 1950s Dress Emma Domb Vintage Strapless Beaded Liquid Satin Gown — Source: Etsy

One more option for Saturday Night (or really any night of the event). 1940s Vintage Crepe Gown (this is my favorite).

1940s Fashion: vintage 1940s gown // 40s pink crepe beaded evening gown — Source: Etsy

The Pool Parties at VLV happen all weekend but on Sunday they have the women’s vintage swimsuit contest. If I had a lot of money, I would buy this suit and enter – A 1950s Novelty Rooster Print Catalina Swimsuit. The print is just so fun and I think you would have a good chance of winning.

FURTHER READING: Summer is here! Vintage Catalina Swimsuit Ads

1950s Fashion / Vintage Summer Outfit: 1950s Novelty Rooster Print Artist Textile Catalina Swimsuit Bathing Suit — Source: Etsy

Shoes! I very rarely wear awesome shoes at this event because I’m normally dancing…a lot and my shoes are usually built for comfort over style. However, if I could have some dream shoes these would be in my suitcase.

1940s sling back, peep toe heels. Cute with a bit of danger to them.

1940s Fashion: 1940s sling back, peep toe heels — Source: Etsy

Another pair of fantastic peep toe 1940s shoes (I adore the 40s shoes).

1940s Fashion: Vintage 1940s Shoes /// Chocolate Suede Peep Toes — Source: Etsy

And then the ultimate wish list shoes (and my top pin on Pinterest)……1940s Platform heels, very Carmen Miranda and sold to some lucky person in this world.

1940s Fashion: 1940s Platform heels, very Carmen Miranda looking. — Source: Pinterest

Accessories. Once again, since I’m a dancer my accessories are usually limited to items that won’t fly off my body when dancing (brooches, earrings, hair flowers) but we are talking “My wish list” so I would wear Bakelite Bracelets! Up my arm and down the other. Ha Ha, not really but I would wear more than just one like many of the lovely ladies I have seen do.

1930s red Bakelite carved clamper bracelet.

FURTHER READING: Bakelite! The Must Have Vintage Fashion Accessory

And here are all the bracelets ready for my arm. The carved ones are truly my favorite (I currently only own smooth Bakelite).

Vintage Bakelite Bracelets — Source: Flickr

And there is my Ultimate VLV Wardrobe wish list. I hope you enjoyed taking a look at the things that make me drool or wish I had one the lottery.

This will also be my last weekly post till I’m back from my trip (I will only be gone for one week, friends so don’t worry). You can follow my adventures on Instagram.

Have a super week friends and see some of you at VLV!

FURTHER READING:

Vintage Fashion 1920s – 1960s (Archived Blog Posts)

Liz 🙂

While scouring the internet for all things vintage and interesting I stumbled upon a cool article about the history of everyone’s favorite Ginger drink..”Canada Dry’s Ginger Ale“. Well maybe it’s not everyone’s favorite but it sure is a fav of mine and also TRULY Canadian (not just using the name here). And since I love sharing cool Toronto history with you, today’s post will be highlights from the beginnings of this drink and then showcasing a bunch of my favorite vintage ads I found from the 1930s, 1940s and 1950s.

1940s Vintage ad for a 1947 Canada Dry Ginger Ale featuring an illustration of a woman with red hair drinking the soda in 1940s fashions and 1940s hairstyles. — Source: eBay

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.

‘Canada Dry’-Toronto’s Original Beverage and the Champagne of Ginger Ales

The beginning (History Highlights):

Vintage Canada Dry ginger Ale label Toronto, Canada — Source: BlogTO

*In 1890, Canadian pharmacist and chemist John J. McLaughlin of Enniskillen, Ontario opened a carbonated water plant in Toronto after returning from Brooklyn where he is was working in the pharmacy business.

*McLaughlin set himself the goal of developing a pale, dry ginger ale, ostensibly as a non-alcoholic rival for champagne but more likely in the hope of surpassing the popular ginger ales then on the market (Source).

*In 1904, McLaughlin created “Canada Dry Pale Ginger Ale”, which was a refined version of their long produced “McLaughlin’s Belfast Style Ginger Ale”.

*”It has a snap and a tingle; a smart spry taste,” early ads claimed. It was known as “the champagne of ginger ales” for its light taste and was marketed with a beaver icon and a map of Canada (Source).

*Rapid growth and popularity quickly followed after it’s launch, with plants opening up in other areas of Canada and the trade name registered in 1907.

*The sweet drink was even appointed to the Royal Household of the Governor General of Canada where the label featuring a beaver atop a map of Canada was replaced with the present Crown and shield.

*Canada Dry stayed in the family business till the 1920s, where growing popularity in the United States had the family expand into New York City (Note: McLaughlin died suddenly in 1914).

*It was sold in 1923 to P. D. Saylor and Associates, who renamed it Canada Dry Ginger Ale, Inc. and forever removing the ties to Toronto.

*It has been in United States hands ever since (being purchased by several companies over the years).

Side Note: His brother, Samuel McLaughlin, was busily growing their father’s business into what would eventually become General Motors of Canada during the beginnings of Canada Dry.

1910's vintager ad for a 1916 Canada Dry Ginger Ale — Source: Wikipedia

For a full detailed history lesson on Canada Dry make sure you check out the ‘BlogTO’ article HERE.

The Vintage Advertising:

1937-So many “Remedies” from one drink. Love the tennis outfit on our lovely cover model.

Further Reading: Vintage Tennis Outfits from the 1920s-1950s

1930s vintage ad for Canada Day Ginger Ale ad from 1937 featuring an image of a woman playing tennis and other things that the pop / soda makes you do — Source: Period Paper

1930s Ad- Kids love it, it’s made thru a scientific process, it’s great at parties and served at fancy exotic hotels. Canada Dry is truly the Best!

1930s vintage ad for Canada Dry ginger ale featuring images of all the things Gingere Ale helps you do. — Source: Flickr

1935 Ad- “Against the brilliant social background, it’s Canada Dry”.

1930s vintage ad for a 1935 Canada Dry Ad featuring an illustration of stylish 1930s men and women at a party in 1930s fashions and 1930s hairstyles. — Source: eBay

1940s Vintage Ad: “Cool Off with Canada Dry” (cute swimsuit!).

1940s Vintage ad for Canada Dry Ginger Ale featuring a couple in 1940s swimsuits having fun in the water and other things the drink helps you do. — Source: O Canada blog

1940s- Canada Dry says “Keep up the good work”. Love that the dad is taking a photo of his daughters in their miltary uniform.

Further Reading: World War 2 Women’s Contributions & Homefront posts

1940s Vintage ad for Canada Dry Ginger Ale. "Keep up the good work". Featuring an image of a dad ttaking a photo of his daughters in their miltary uniform. — Source: Pinterest

1940s Christmas Ad: Keeps his Ginger Up? I do marketing for a career and even I don’t know what that means.

1940s Vintage Ad for Canada Dry Ginger Ale featuring an illustration of Santa holding the pop. — Source: Vintage Ads

1950s Ad-The Ginger-Upper from 1954.

1950s vintage ad for a 1954 Canada Dry Ginger Ale Ad featuring images of a woman in 1950s fashions enjoying her soda while doing various things — Source: Etsy

1955 Canada Dry Ginger Ale vintage magazine advertisement-“When it’s Turkey Time…it’s Canday Dry Time!”

1955 CANADA DRY Ginger Ale Vintage Magazine Advertisement featuring an image of two 1950s kids enjoying a glass of Canada Dry rootbeer and canada dry ginger ale at thanksgiving.

Source: Etsy

Esther Williams for Canada Dry, 1956. Do you think those are her kids (according to the ad) or “fake kids”?

1950s vintage ad for Canada Dry Ginger ale featuring Esther Williams in a 1950s swimsuit posing with kids by the pool

Another endorsement ad- Mary Hartline, 1951.

1950s vintage ad for a 1951 Canada Dry Ginger Ale featuring Mary Hartline in a band uniform and 1950s hairstyle. — Source: flickr

Annie Oakley loves her Ginger Ale and some great BBQ recipes.

Original vintage magazine ad for Canada Dry Ginger Ale featuring Annie Oakley and BBQ recipes. — Source: Attic Paper

Lastly, here is a Vintage (1930’s ish) Canada Dry Ginger Ale Recipe Book that I recently stumbled upon on Etsy (August 10th 2020). “When its Party Time its Canada Dry time!”

1930s vintage recipe book for Canada Dry Pale Ginger Ale - When it's Party time it's Canada Dry time!

Souce: Etsy

What fun Party Drink Recipes for Kids on this page (and adults too). Great ideas for your next Holiday Party, Birthday Party or Zoom Party!

1930s vintage drink recipes, retro drink recipes, punch recipes, drinks for parties

Source: Etsy

So friends am I alone on the love of Canada Dry Ginger Ale or do you too enjoy the “Champagne of Ginger Ales”?

FURTHER READING:

Vintage Advertising 1920s-1960s (Archived Blog Posts)
Vintage Food Posts (Archived Blog Posts)

Liz 🙂

Month: April 2016

My Ultimate “VLV” Rockabilly / Vintage Wardrobe Wish List