As the big Lindy Hop weekend in NYC (and around the world) “Frankie 100” in honour of Frankie Manning quickly approaches (May 22nd it starts), I’m looking at my wardrobe and trying to decide what I will be bringing for each of the nights of dancing (there are 5 nights). I need outfits that are good for dancing but also showcase my love of Vintage and Reproduction of the late 1930s and 1940s.

I have lots of options as I have been collecting for a few years now but when I’m undecided I usually like to turn to magazines, books and the internet (like Pinterest) for inspiration.

So lets see what real life dancers from the 1930s and 1940s would have worn on the dance floor because just like some of my outfits not all of the clothes are conducive for a night of dancing.

Note: for a much more detailed post on 1940s fashion please check out a past post I did on What to wear Swing Dancing.

ALSO, you can wear whatever you want to a Lindy Hop dance. I’m only offering up ideas if you wish to dress in clothing that was representative of the era.

Shopping links at the end!

What to Wear Lindy Hopping…..

The 1930s & 1940s Real-Life Vintage Images

The dress looks perfect for dancing (lots of movement) and it is also gorgeous with its matching hairscarf.

FURTHER READING: Learn all about 1940s hair accessories like the hairscarf HERE).

1940s vintage photo of a woman in a 1940s floral dress and matching hairscarf dancing the lindy hop with a soldier at a dance.

Here is Frankie Manning, looking very dapper in his suit. I love the shoes on his partner, they look fantastic for dancing.

1940s vintage photo of Frankie Manning and dance doing the lindy hop.

What I love about late 1930s and 1940s dresses is the ability to move easily in them, like in this picture. BTW..I love the trio to the right.

1940s vintage photo of a group of people dancing the Lindy hop at a show. They are wearing 1940s fashions.

Frankie Manning & Ann Johnson. Her jumper is something you see often on the dance floor especially with competition groups. I have seen longer versions that are very nice for dancing.

1940s vintage photo of Frankie Manning & Ann Johnson doing an Aerial move from the Lindy Hop

Here is a good example of the Jumpers again in this image from the Movie “Groovie Movie“. The Wedges are awesome!

1940s vintage photo of Lindy hoppers in 1940s uniforms and 1940s fashions including 1940s wedges for the movie "Groovie Movie".

Jean Veloz simple blouse and skirt (actually it could be a dress) is another example of a simple piece that looks lovely and can be danced in. Rays suit is 1940s style to the max.

Jean Veloz 1940s vintage swing dancer / 1940s lindy hopper dancing with her brother in 1940s fashions.

Sometimes simple pants and a simple top are all you need to get your dance on. 1930s maybe 1940s photo of a couple dancing at a Juke Joint.

1930s/ 1940s vintage photo of a Black man and Black Woman at a Juke Joint dancing the blues or Lindy Hopper.

Swivel skirts (A line, circle) are really fun to wear as you can see on these ladies. The gentlemen are looking very handsome in their suit jacket, cardigan and dress pants combinations.

1940s vintage photo of Lindy Hoppers / Jitterbug dancers in 1940s fashions dancing.

Now that is a swivel dress!

1940s vintage photo of a woman doing a spin in a 1940s dress showing off her nylons. She has a cute bow in 1940s hair.

Every outfit seen in this picture would be a good choice for dancing. Now the jackets might possibly get in the way or get hot on the ladies but those can always be removed as needed.

1940s vintage photo of a couple dancing the Lindy Hop / Swing Dance / Jitterbug doing an aerial on the dance floor. 1940s fashions on display.

When your “Trucking” you should be wearing the cutest swing dresses on the planet! And with some gentlemen in uniform as your accessories.

1942 jitterbug dancers in 1940s dresses and their dance partners are in WW2 uniforms.

I have a very similar vintage dress to the one worn here and it’s marvelous to dance in.

Further Reading: 1940s Floral Dresses-Understated Elegance

1940s vintage photo of a movie star in 1940s floral dress making a young soldier swoon after meeting her at a swing dance.

If sitting around look like fashion plates is your thing at the dance, then take a cue from these well dressed ladies of the 1940s. Style to the max!

1940s vintage photo of women sitting down at a dance in 1940s dresses, 1940s shoes and 1940s hairstyles.

Well I think I have enough ideas to start packing my suitcase. I hope to get some pictures from the Frankie 100 event (May 22nd-26th) because I’m sure there will be lots and lots of wonderfully dressed men and woman so stay tuned for a future blog post. You can also follow me on Instagram to see instant images as they happen, like my outfits and the venues etc.

Vintage Shopping & Reproduction Shopping for Lindy Hop Outfits…

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

Shop here for vintage clothing & reproduction clothing

FURTHER READING:

Liz 🙂

This Christmas I purchased an amazing book called “Lets’ Dance-A Celebration of Ontario’s Dance Halls and Summer Dance Pavilions by Peter Young” which gives a brief history of each of the amazing venues that you could have danced at between the 1920s to 1960’s in Ontario, Canada. Some places still exist and some are long gone 🙁

As a Lindy Hopper and a lover of Big Band Music and 1950’s Rock and Roll I know so much about the history of Harlem dance halls (like the Savoy, Cotton Club), that it was nice to be able to find a book written about the dance scene in my own backyard and so I was excited to learn all that I could from this little gem over my Christmas Holidays.

The book….is AWESOME! and as I was reading it, I started to get an urge to:

A) Want to visit these places, existing or non existing;

B) Share some of the history with my readers and with the Ontario Lindy Hop dance scene as well.

So I thought I would do a blog series in the New Year where I would visit locations and then do a little write-up about the venue I just visited (with help from Peters book).

Here is a taste of where I plan to visit first:

Palace Pier-Toronto, Ontario (March 18th, 2022 Update…HERE IS THE POST)

SERIOUSLY???? WOW!!!!!! Sigh…Yikes!!! Man oh Man I would have given anything to have been able to have danced a swing out or two on this famous dance floor but it sadly would never be as it burnt down in the 1960’s. However there is a plaque I can visit so this is where I will start the first of the series. In the mean time if you can’t wait for my blog posts, you can purchase Peters book on Amazon right now.

Other ‘Lets Dance Posts’: Kenwick on the Lake, CNE Tent, Port Dover Summer Gardens

Liz

Category: Lindy Hop