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Category: 1940s

1940s Fashion, 1940s Photo, 1940s History 


May
2017

Prom in the 1940s and 1950s

categories: 1940s, 1950's, Vintage Dance, Vintage Fashion, vintage images

I love prom theme parties, they are so fun and allow me to get my hair and dress right (as opposed to all the fashion mistakes I made as a teen in the 1990s.). I’m very lucky that in Toronto there are lots of themed parties to attend, with many of them having a 1950s theme.

For my blog today I wanted to give an overview of the history of prom, check out some images from the 1940s and 1950s of proms (and formal dances) and do a little bit of online vintage shopping (or be inspired by what is out there).

Lets begin shall we?!

Note: Looking for a vintage prom dress? Visit my updated monthly Etsy Collection HERE to shop!

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

Prom in the 1940s and 1950s

History of the Prom Dance

1950s Highschool Prom vintage image featuring 1950s prom dresses

While high school yearbooks did not start covering proms and including prom pictures until the 1930s and 1940s, historians, including Meghan Bretz, believe proms may have existed at colleges as early as the late 1800s. The journal of a male student at Amherst College in 1894 recounts an invitation and trip to an early prom at neighboring Smith College for women. The word prom at that time may just have been a fancy description for an ordinary junior or senior class dance, but prom soon took on larger-than-life meaning for high school students.

Proms worked their way down incrementally from college gatherings to high school extravaganzas. In the early 1900s, prom was a simple tea dance where high school seniors wore their Sunday best. In the 1920s and 1930s, prom expanded into an annual class banquet where students wore party clothes and danced afterward. As Americans gained more money and leisure time in the 1950s, proms became more extravagant and elaborate, bearing similarity to today’s proms. The high school gym may have been an acceptable setting for sophomore dances (soph hop), but junior prom and senior balls gradually moved to hotel ballrooms and country clubs. Competition blossomed, as teens strove to have the best dress, the best mode of transportation, and the best looking date. Competition for the prom court also intensified, as the designation of “prom queen” became an important distinction of popularity. In a way, prom became the pinnacle event of a high school student’s life, the ultimate dress rehearsal for a wedding.

Today, prom continues to be a notable event in the social climate of high schools. Popular movies and novels attest to the importance of prom themes, prom dates, and prom queens. In some areas, the traditions of prom are not as rigid as they used to be, with some areas allowing individuals or groups to attend instead of couples. These days limousine becomes compulsory for the prom event (Source: Wikipedia).

1940s vintage dance image, featuring a young couple. The young woman is wearing a beautiful 1940s evening gown and the young man a tux.
1940s Couple. Source: Flickr-Duke University Archives

Prom Dresses from the 1930s, 1940s & 1950s

Of course a big deal for prom is the clothes, I think more for the ladies then the men. I mean the men during the 1930-1950s did not have much to choose from, Suit or Tuxedo. BUT for the ladies ohhhh the possibilities were endless!

1940s Formal Vintage Gowns Ad -1940s Fashion / 1940s Fashion Illustration
Source: Flickr-Classic Film

1930s (quick look into this time period):


Proms were starting to gain popularity with the middle classes, who adopted them as their version of the wealthy colleges’ debutante balls. Sleek, floor-length, demure dresses in light colours echoed the debutante style.

1930s vintage photo of a young woman in a 1930s Prom dress worn by a young woman
Source: Etsy-NiepceGallery

I love the wonderful sheer overlay of the below gowns seen in this vintage 1930s sewing pattern. Did you notice the dance card the one girl is holding in the image? Fantastic!

FURTHER READING: Vintage Dance Cards

1930s vintage gown dress sewing pattern illlustration - 1930s Fashion.
Source: Pinterest

1940s Prom Dresses


As the prom started featuring more in the High School yearbook, the debutante-influenced full skirt was still popular but more feminine. Structured lines were evolving around the upper body to emphasize the hourglass figure that so epitomized the decade’s style.

1949 Prom or Formal Dance. 1940s vintage image featuring a group of young men and women in 1940s evening gowns and tuxes lined up at the prom.
Source-Flickr: Proctor Archives

1940s Photo: Make way for the newest King and Queen of Prom! Beautiful 1940s evening fashions on display in this stylish prom moment.

1940s photo of a young Black Couple being crowned King and Queen of Prom

Source: Black Southern Belle

The first dress is my favorite as it appears to be velvet on the top and I just love the beautiful (very large) corsage she is sporting. Farewell Seniors!

1940s Prom gowns on display as seen in a 1940s vintage photo of a 1940s prom / dance. 1940s Fashion / 1940s Vintage Image
Source: Getty Images

1950s Prom Dresses


Bring on the taffeta: this is the decade that gave us the quintessential prom dress. Tiny waists and skirts so full they could stand-up on their own.

1950s vintage photo of a couple in 1950s prom outfits dancing together at prom.
Source: Pinterest

1950s photo of a packed dance floor in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania high school prom in 1958. 

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania high school prom in 1958. 1950s Photo of Black students at their p;rom in 1950s dresses and suits.

(Credit: Charles ‘Teenie’ Harris/Carnegie Museum of Art/Getty Images)

The Seersucker dress on the right looks similar in style (on the bottom) to a 1940s dress I recently purchased.

1950s vintage photo of a High school prom or high school dance featuring 1950s prom dresses and 1950s prom outfits.
Source: Weston History

You have to have those Prom photos in the booth! 1950s portrait of a Black couple at Lincoln High School senior prom, 1956 (Looking good!).

Portrait of African American couple at Lincoln High School senior prom 1950s Photo

Source: Picyrl

Now of course no prom can be without the King and Queen of Prom and their Court.

1950s Prom Court vintage photo. Featuring 1950s Dresses / 1950s prom dresses.
Source: Weston History

What an interesting crown the Queen is wearing.

1950s Prom Court vintage photo. The image features early 1950s evening gowns.
Source: Flickr-Jeff Miller

Long Live the Prom Queen!

I want every single dress in this image…everyone. Wrap it up please vintage dress gods (This is actually a 1940s photo).

1940s Prom Queen and prom dresses. 1940s Fashions on display as well as 1940s hairstyles as seen in this 1940s vintage photo.

Here are some more wonderful real life photos of young ladies and men enjoying their prom

1940s vintage photo of a group (men & women) all dressed up in their 1940s dresses posing for photos.
1940s Prom. Source: Pattern Patter

Lovely young woman getting a picture taken before her prom in the early 1950s. Her bouquet is simply stunning.

1950s young women going to prom vintage photo. Featuring a pretty 1950s dress and cute 1950s hairstyle.
Source: Mezev.info

What a cute 1950s couple posing for this prom photo.

1953 Prom Couple photo booth image. Featuring a 1950s evening gown on our lovely lady.
Source: Pinterest

1950s photo of another stylish young man and woman posing for a photo before they head off to the prom. LOVE her prom dress and her shawl! And purse and corsage and shoes..Love it all!

1950s Vintage Photo of a very stylish young man and woman posing for a photo before they head off to the prom. LOVE her prom dress and her shawl! And purse and corsage and shoes..Love it all!

Source: Etsy

Adorable couples alert! Especially the two on the right. -1950s photo.

1950s couples going to prom featuring 1950s hairstyles and 1950s Prom dresses / 1950s Evening Gowns.
Source: Pinterest

1959 Prom. I think the girl to the left is from the prom court (too small of a crown for a Queen).

1950s vintage photo of a prom dance / 1950s formal dance featuring 1950s prom dresses and 1950s hairstyles.
Source: Rose Tinted Vintage

Sayonara is right, Prom does signify the end of high-school for every single person who attends. 1959 Photo.

1959 prom couple photo booth image. Pretty 1950s prom dress on display in this vintage image.
Source: Flickr User Northridge Alumni Bear Facts

AND…Here is a super fun video from the 1940s about the “Do’s and Don’ts at Prom”. ENJOY!

Dear Readers: Did you attend your prom? Or attend a vintage/retro prom like I’m going to? How was it if you did go?

Are you shopping for a Vintage Prom Dress (like the stunning 1950s dress below)? Then make sure you take a look at my updated monthly Etsy Collection HERE.

1950s Fashion: 1950s Vintage Prom Dress | 50's Strapless Gown | 1950's Cupcake Dress

Source: Etsy – TheStarletsStylist

Further Reading:

Liz 🙂


Feb
2017

Chatelaine Magazine-March 1947: Charm Check-Up

categories: 1940s, Vintage Magazines

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.

Further Reading: “Katy Keene”- America’s Illustrated Queen of Pin-Ups and Fashions

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