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Tag: swing out to victory


Nov
2014

Swing Out To Victory -1940s Dance

categories: Lindy Hop

This past weekend I attended one of my most FAVORITE events of the Lindy Hop Season-Swing Out To Victory (below is the 2015 invite).

NOTE: The event is back for 2023! November 18th, 2023. Details HERE

Swing Out to Victory Hamilton Warplane Museum

This dance is held every year at the Canadian Heritage Warplane Museum just outside of Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.

canadian warplane heritage museum plane
Source: voyagesontario.com

The Event is a marvelous evening of dinner and dance with the superb Toronto All-Star Big Band performing nostalgic tunes from the 1930s and 40s. There is also Swing Dance Lessons, Prizes, Giveaways and even a Best Vintage Dressed Contest (more about that later).

What I love about this event is the atmosphere. I am pretty lucky to be able to dance to a big band on a fairly regular basis if I wanted to so this not the draw for me. The draw is the fact that the Big Band is playing IN an airplane hanger with lots and lots of vintage planes all around it AND the famous Avro Lancaster (last in Canada) is the main focus of the event. Everyone also dresses up in their finest 1940s clothes (and uniforms) to dance the night away and this thrills this vintage loving gal to the bone and just adds that extra something to the evening.

Toronto All-Star Big Band at the Canadian Heritage Warplane Museum playing Big Band music in front of the Lancaster plane.
Toronto All-Star Big Band playing under the Lancaster. Photo Credit: Toronto Allstar Big Band

Interesting Fact: 

Did you know that the Lancaster pictured above actually took a trip to the UK recently and once there, it embarked on a six-week tour of the United Kingdom with the only other airworthy bomber of its kind, a Lancaster belonging to Britain’s Royal Air Force.

I also had a fellow blogger FROM the UK post pictures of the 2 Lancasters flying over her head. It was so amazing to see the picture and know that one of those planes were from a town close to mine (and that I have seen in person). It made the world feel a bit smaller that day.

After the Lancaster came back to Canada, a gramophone from the UK made the trip back as well and was played to open the event on Saturday (seen below). I absolutely adored this part and thought that it was such a fantastic surprise.

Lancaster Canadian Warplane Museum
Photo Credit: Toronto All-Star Big Band

Now let the swing dancing begin!

Lindy Hop / Swing dancing at a 1940s dance at the Canadian Warplane Museum in Hamilton, Ontario Canada.
Source: Erin
Lindy Hop / Swing dancing at a 1940s dance at the Canadian Warplane Museum in Hamilton, Ontario Canada.
Photo Credit: Toronto All-Star Big Band

This year I was excited to have some of the ladies from the Toronto Vintage Society along for this adventure. Some of them have even started taking Lindy Hop lessons which has just made me so happy to be able to pass on my love of the dance with more friends. Of course the ladies dressed to the Nine’s (I actually should say 10’s) for the event as you can see below.

1940s Vintage Dresses at a 1940s dance as seen on the Toronto Vintage Society.
Source: Erin
1940s Vintage Dresses at a 1940s dance as seen on the Toronto Vintage Society.
Source: Erin

TVS member Joy with a veteran that was at the dance.

1940s Vintage Dresses at a 1940s dance as seen on the Toronto Vintage Society. Image features a member with a Canadian war veteran
Source: Toronto All-Star Big Band

TVS members Irene and Erin with fellow swing dancer (and Rock n Roll dancer) David. LOVE the outfit David!

1940s Vintage fashion at a 1940s dance as seen on the Toronto Vintage Society.
Source: Erin

Everyone likes a well dressed Soldier.

1940s Vintage Dresses at a 1940s dance as seen on the Toronto Vintage Society. Image features TVS members with a young man in uniform.
Source: Erin

As per last year I was excited to be asked to help with the Best Dressed Contest again with two fantastically dressed friends, Amanda and Erika.

Here we are with our friend Dean who is normally the MC of the evening and a big part of the organizing team but this year he was called away to a wedding so we took this photo-a traditional “Dean Sandwich”.

1940s Vintage Outfits at a 1940s Lindy Hop Dance
Source: Amanda

Everyone was dressed so GOOD! and I really had a hard time choosing who I wanted to send to the finals, but I think the team did well in the end (sorry for the poor picture there are no really clear photos posted yet of the finalists).

What was exciting was that one of the members of TVS made the finals-Irene of Petite Plus, Meow! and she ended up with second place! YAY Congrats Irene!

1940s Vintage clothing best dressed contest at Swing Out to Victory.
Source: Erin

My choice (Churchill look alike) came in first place and as you can see below I am very very VERY excited about this. hahaha!

Swing out To Victory best dressed contest featuring 1940s fashions.
Source: Erin

After all the prizes and performances were done I was able to get some good quality Lindy Hop time in.

Lindy Hop at a 1940s swing dance -Swing out to Victory in Hamilton ontario Canada
Source: Erin

Outfit Note: My 1940s vintage swing dress was purchased at the Pop Up Store-Jack Lux for only $20. It was such a find and it looked great on the dance floor as well.

Lindy Hop at a 1940s swing dance -Swing out to Victory in Hamilton ontario Canada
Source: Erin

I also got to have a few minutes with my very handsome husband to snap this photo.

1940s Vintage Outfit as seen at Swing Out to Victory in Hamilton, Ontario Canada.
Source: Stephanie

And another photo with friends to end a wonderful evening.

1940s Vintage outfits at a lindy hop dance
Source: Stephanie

Well that is it friends another Swing Out To Victory in the books. Hope you enjoyed this little post and if you are ever in Toronto and want to go to a dance please check out Toronto Lindy Hop as we have a calendar with all the events (and we have lots of dancing) for your dancing pleasure.

Further Reading:

Would you like to own a vintage 1940s fashion item (or a replica of one)? Then take a look at the items for sale in my 1940s Fashion Etsy collection page (updated regularly), found HERE.

Liz 🙂

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. 


Oct
2014

1940s Women’s Fashion Ideas For Your Next Vintage Dance

categories: vintage images, Vintage Style

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.

1940s Fashion: 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:

Liz 🙂