Did you know (you might of know this already) that there is an actual day called “Plaidurday” on First Friday of October (October 6th,2023) that is a worldwide celebration of all things….PLAID!!! Yes friends, the world is a wonderful place.

POST UPDATED APRIL 2024

1940s vintage party photo of a group of grils in 1940s hairstyles and 1940s fashions enjoying some time together — 1940s Party Time with Friends-Source: Flapper Girl

Now to get my mind ready for all things plaid I have been looking for lots of vintage plaid inspiration online and boy there are tons (vintage ads, vintage fashions, vintage items & more). Shall we see what I found?

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 Plaid Party Time -Vintage Ads, Vintage Fashions & More!

Vintage “Plaid” Advertising & Images

Pendleton is the ultimate “Plaid” clothing line as seen in these 3 ads below.

1950s Pendleton vintage advertising featuring Plaid housecoats and plaid jackets for Christmas time as gifts. — Source: Pinterest

1950s vintage ad for Women's Pendleton Sportswear featuring skirts, capris and casual tops in plaid. — Source: Vintage Dancer

While not an outfit this blanket is still a Pendleton and looks super cozy. I’m a bit confused on the “Robe-in-a-Bag” tagline though, does this not look like a blanket and not a robe in the traditional sense?

Vintage Pendleton blanket ad from the 1950s. 1950s Vintage Ad featuring plaid blanket that is in a bag and perfect for various activities. — Source: Pendleton Tumblr

1944 Teen girl wearing blue jeans and of course PLAID! Does she not look fantastic? Everything about this relaxed outfit is pretty cool (minus the smoking part, but that is the time). I really like the radio as well, that is on my wish list when I have a bigger home.

1940s vintage image of a young girl in a plaid oversize jacket, jeans and smoking in her livingroom beside the radio. — Source: Life

Every Teen Girls Dream in 1947-The “Scot-Trot”.

1940s Vintage Ad for 1940s Dress in Plaid for Teen girls. Called the Scot-Trot. — Source: Classic Film

1940s Teen Girls in wool, plaid skirts and saddle shoes. This might be the look I end up channeling for the party. Can I just say how much I LOVE this photo!

Further Reading: Vintage Photos of People Wearing Saddle Shoes

1940s teen girls in wool plaid skirts and saddle shoes. Super 1940s fashions and 1940s hairstyles. — Source Flickr: Rollei

Fashion Do’s & Don’t’s for Short Girls from the 1940s featuring an adorable plaid skirt in the “Do” side.

1940s Fashion Illustration: Fashion Do's & Don't's for Short Girls from the 1940s

The plaid dress in this 1940s vintage image is beautiful and the ladies are equally stunning. Fantastic 1940s photo!

1940s vintage image of two women in 1940s fashions. 1940s plaid dress and 1940s skirt, blous and jacket. Cute 1940s hairstyles. — Source: Etsy-girlcatdesign

What stylish 1950s ladies, I must say.

1957 plaid and tweeds vintage advertising for women's coordinates (tops and skirts) — Sears & Roebuck, 1957. Source: tuppencehapenny

Don’t worry men, there is lots of plaid to go around, even when you go swimming. -1950s vintage ad-

1950s Jantzen vintage swimsuit ad for men featuring plaid swim shorts, and matching shirts and plaid regular shorts. — Source: Vintage Ads

Or when your just hanging out, like these McGregor ads show. -1950s vintage ad-

1950s vintage ads for McGregor shirts for men in plaids and other patterns and colors. Perfect fathers day presents! — Source: Pinterest

I cannot have a post on plaid without mentioning-Scotch Tape, the king of plaid packaging!

1950s scotch tape holder / 1950s vintage advertising. — 1950’s Scotch Tape. Source: Flickr-Allen

How about a Plaid Fridge?? Yes a Plaid Fridge! Wow that is a lot of plaid in one area, if I do say so myself. Cool International Harvester 1950s ad.

Further Reading: Vintage Refrigerator Advertisements 1920’s – 1950’s

1950s vintage ad for the Decorator Refigerator by International Harvester. Featuring covers you can add to the front of your fridge. Like a plaid fridge cover! — Source: Pinterest

Vintage Plaid Fashions For Sale OR To Inspire

(updated aPRIL 2024)

1950s / 1960s lovely Teena Paige Swing Dress in a wintery plaid print of white, black and red. Fitted bodice with a high collarless rounded neck and cute half sleeves with bell cuffs).

1950s / 1960s Vintage Fashions: lovely Teena Paige Swing Dress in a wintery plaid print of white, black and red. Fitted bodice with a high collarless rounded neck and cute half sleeves with bell cuffs. Fun Vintage Fall / Winter Fashion Inspiration

Source: Etsy – SartorialMatters

This is a sweet and simple day dress from the 1950s. Crisp cotton in vibrant green and blue plaid.

1950s Dress | Sweet 50s Blue and Green Plaid Cotton Dress

Source: Etsy

1950s RR Henderson Ltd. vintage plaid pencil skirt. I love the pocket detail.

1950s Fashion: 1950s RR Henderson Ltd. Vintage Plaid Pencil Skirt

Source: Etsy

Vintage 1950s / 1960s style mid-century yellow green blue plaid 3/4 sleeve shirtwaist dress.

Source: Etsy

1950s Vintage Plaid Sundress. The plaid is a pretty blues, yellow and green’s. Such a lovely vintage dress!

Vintage 1950s Dress | 50s Silk Plaid Checkered Green Blue Pleated Full Skirt Sundress

Source: Etsy

Vintage 1950s White Red Black Plaid Fit & Flare Dress. Oh so freaking cute!

Vintage 1950s Dress S/M ~ White Red Black Plaid Fit & Flare Dress Fitted Shelf Bodice Wasp Waist Lace Trim Collar Tie Bow Cuffed Sleeves

Source: Etsy

1950s shirtwaist dress in a very lovely weight cotton twill material. This vintage dress features a blue and white plaid print throughout.

Source: Etsy

1950s plaid dress // Harvest Gold vintage yellow plaid sundress. Those pockets!

1950s plaid dress // Harvest Gold vintage yellow plaid 1950s sundress .

Source: Etsy

1960s Plaid Dress, PERFECT for Summer Fun!

1960s Plaid Sun Dress / Vintage Orange Green and Brown Abstract Plaid Day Dress

Source: Etsy

Adorable late 50s early 60s Plaid cotton swimsuit. Blue and white plaid with folded over cotton waffle piqué sweetheart neckline. Matching white halter strap that buttons on the left side.

50s Plaid Swimsuit, Vintage 1950s Playsuit, Blue & White 60s Cotton Romper, large

Source: Etsy

I adore this pink plaid dress from the 1950s.

1950s pink plaid dress / 1950s shirtwaist dress / 1950s housedress

Source: Etsy

Gorgeous red cotton shirtwaist dress from the 1950s. Label: McMullen.

Source: Etsy

Here is a similar modern day version of the Vintage 1950s dress above, but for sale in various sizes from Unique Vintage.

September 2023 Update: This dress is no longer available but I have linked you to all the fun plaid print dresses & outfits available at Unique Vintage.

1940s / 1950s Pendleton. This jacket features a cozy blue and burnt orange/brown colourway in a plaid pattern and the classic 49er design.

Source: Etsy

1940s Pendleton 49er wool jacket.

Source: Etsy

For the gentlemen in your life (or maybe yourself)- A plaid tie from the 1940s. Isn’t it marvelous?

1940s Plaid Swing Tie-1940s mens fashion.

Source: Etsy

Other Fun Plaid Items!

Vintage 1950s Scrapbook with a women’s Face wearing a Scottish Tam, Plaid Scarf and Red Jacket. CUTE!

Source: Etsy

Beautiful vintage 1953 plaid lunchbox.

1950s Vintage Lunchbox - Plaid 1950s lunchbox

Source: Etsy

For the Kitchen- A 1950s turquoise plaid fruit tablecloth- cotton.

1950s Vintage Tablecloth for the retro home featuring a plaid pattern in the centre.

Source: Etsy

1940s red plaid umbrella, purple green stripes, clear Lucite handle, wooden, jewel tones. So PRETTY!

Source: Etsy

1950s Plaid Evening Gown…STUNNING!!! (not sure why this is down here in the “other” but oh well LOL!)

Lastly to end this post I wanted to share a wonderful photo of my husband and our new Tailor friend Mister Xe we met while in Hoi An in Vietnam in 2013. Aren’t they a cute pair?! hehehe

plaid jacket vietnam — Source: Vintage Inn

QUESTION TIME: Do you love plaid as much as the Vintage Inn? Or is it a pattern you stay away from?

Do you love vintage Fall fashions? Then take a look at my always updated Etsy Collection of Fall Fashions from the 1920s-1960s that you can purchase right now.

Further Reading:

Vintage Fall / Autumn 1920s-1960s Blog Posts (Archived)
Vintage Fashions 1920s-1960s (Archived Blog Posts)

Liz 🙂

One of my very first blog posts I ever did was for a yearly big band 1940s dance we have in Hamilton (outside of Toronto) called “Swing Out To Victory“.

Swing out to Victory-1940s vintage outfits — Credit: Kahlil Heslop

My post was about what to wear to a 1940s vintage dance and I showed “vintage images” from magazines, catalogues and patterns for inspiration. None of the images I presented were actually for sale though, so I thought since the dance is right around the corner that I would supply my readers with ACTUAL pictures of outfits you could own tomorrow if you wanted (unless they get purchased before you can hit buy).

Now obviously if you don’t live in Toronto you won’t be attending this dance BUT you can certainly purchase these outfits for your own 1940s vintage dance where you live. Happy Shopping!

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 an item is no longer for sale, don’t worry Etsy and eBay are updated daily with new content. Just hit search and good luck!

To start off here is what I have worn to last years Swing Out To Victory’s….

2013-I’m helping with the candy toss and wearing my Vintage 1940s Gown I found for $30 in Toronto

1940s Big Band Dance, hamilton warplane musuem — Image Courtesy of Jessica T.

Now here are ideas on what YOU can wear to your next Vintage Dance….

This post was updated on October 20th, 2022

Note: Due to the fact that all the dresses below are no longer available, I have created an updated collection of 1940s Fashions (dresses, skirts etc.) avail for sale on Etsy, found HERE.

1940’s evening gown. Maxi-length cream gown in nylon fabric with red soutache embroidery on bodice.

Source: Etsy

1940s fabulous European-made rayon beauty in a black floral with fuchsia and mustard hibiscus blossoms and a skirt of soft pleats. Stunner!

1940s Dress - Vintage 40s Dress - Flirty Black Hot Pink Tropical Floral Print Rayon Ruffled Peplum Dress

Source: Etsy

Late 40s full length evening gown with a patterned silk (or blend) voile bodice and skirt, velvet bow waist and black netting overlay on the sweeping skirt.

1940s Fashion: Late 40s full length evening gown patterned silk (or blend) voile bodice and skirt
velvet bow waist black netting overlay on the sweeping skirt

Source: Etsy

Lets just start with a beautiful 1940s Crepe Beaded Gown. Wearing this at your next dance will 100% get you noticed that is for sure!

1940s Fashion: 1940s Black Crepe Beaded Gown Vintage — For Sale on Etsy-TrueValueVintage

Since you might be dancing you want to make sure that you can move in what you are wearing (see my post on “real life vintage images of swing dancers“) and this dress looks like it would fit the bill while looking immensely stylish.

I love the Peplum detail on this novelty print 1940s dress.

1940s Fashion: 1940s rayon dress with peplum detail. — For Sale on Etsy-shopKLAD

I do adore a good green dress! Especially around the Holiday season and this 1940s Taffeta Cocktail Party Dress with the black accents would fit that bill nicely. How lovely would it look on the dance floor, spinning around?

1940s Fashion: 1940s Taffeta Cocktail Party Dress with the black accents — For Sale on Etsy: TrueValueVintage

I kind of want the below dress in my life..right now because it would be so fantastic for SOTV. Sadly it won’t fit, so someone else take it home and wear it dancing..Please!

1940s Fashion: 1940s Vintage Crepe Cocktail Dress — For Sale on Etsy: TrueValueVintage

I’m a sucker for a good floor length 1940s evening gown, like this beauty below.

Can’t you just imagine yourself being Ginger Rogers and dancing with Fred Astaire in this dress? I sure can.

1940sfashion: 1940s vintage floor length evening dress in pink. — For Sale on Etsy: dethrosevintage

Keeping with the “Gowns” theme, this 1940s black sequin gown with the swooping skirt is Gorgeous with a capital G!

1940s Fashion: 1940s black sequin gown with the swooping skirt — For Sale on Etsy: SmallEarthVintage

If dancing is not your thing and you just want to stand around oozing glorious drama then this coral 1940s stunner of a dress needs to be in your closet. Oh la la is all I have to say 🙂

1940s fashion: 1940s vintage color block evening gown. — For Sale on Etsy: MinxVTG

Now for a little novelty in our lives. The braided detail is delightful and so different right?

1940s Vintage Novely Dress with braided detail. — For Sale Etsy: alleycatsvintage

Lastly lets not forget about the Shoes Shoes Shoes! Oh so important and if you are looking for a vintage pair there are lots out there. Here are small sampling of some for sale right now.

1940s..ohhhhhh the blue is so pretty and the strap will ensure your shoes don’t go flying off your feet during that song you just love to dance too.

1940s vintage shoes for women -peep toe 1940s shoes in blue. — For Sale on Etsy-honeytalkvintage

Peep toe shoes are a vintage 1940s must! and the sensible heal could work for a night out on the town.

1940s vintage shoes for women - peep toe shoes. — For Sale on Etsy: honeytalkvintage

Now here is a good sensible BUT stylish shoe for dancing.

FYI the oxford below has never been worn…score!

1940s fashion: 1940s vintage black oxford shoe — For Sale on Etsy: diggerodellvintage

1940s Red Wedge Shoes Alert! Now these are shoes for a night of dancing…oh yes they are.

1940s Fashion: 1940s peep toe wedge vintage shoe — For Sale on Etsy: honeytalkvintage

Then you have it my friends. I hope you found something you liked or maybe inspired you to go on the hunt for.

If you do go to a vintage dance, please share some pictures with me! I love seeing how everyone styles their clothes (especially from the 40s, but it can be any era).

Further Reading:

Collection of vintage fashion blog posts from the 1920s-1960s

Liz 🙂

Tag: etsy