New shoes and why I love the 1940s !

A few days ago I went to a vintage store to see if I could find something. And I did ! I found these cute (brand new) white-and-polka-dotted shoes, a pair of 1950s sunglasses, a 1930s (!) little "handbox" with room for powder, lipstick and cigarettes, as well as a 1950s cotton dress with a pretty orange/brown colored leaf pattern. I also found a pair of utterly adorable 1950s stilettos in brown and white. So the day was quite a catch ! :)

The dress I bought is great as it´s a size 42 (US 14 & UK 16) which is unusual to find, but its still is a bit tight on me... ( I´m working on it ! ;) So, I´ve decided I´m going to sell the dress together with the shoes, once I get back from Africa. The shoes are beautiful, but the 1950s is not really my style. Although they are a great size ! I were 39-40 (US 8, 1/2 - 9 or UK 16 - 6, 1/2 ) and they fit me. Vintage shoes usually come in very small sizes if they´re from this era.

For that reason I opened up an Etsy account were I hope to sell items I have found and love, but won´t/can´t wear for various reasons. Hm...why do I love the 1940s more than all other fashion periods ?

I´ve been reading a lot of fashion books on the styles of the 1930s, 1940s and 1950s. The 40s is definitely what appeals to me the most ! This was an age when women were finding their way out of the homes in support of their men at the battle front. These were independent strong women and it showed in their fashion choices. The padded shoulders, the square shoes with sturdy heels, the turbans instead of hats and the muted colours. This was no time for excessive vanity - there was a war to win ! ;)

On the other hand the woman of the 1930s is delightful in her bias cut satin dress, but seems a tad "unfocused"... And who can blame her ? With the depression all around anything that brought you away from reality must have been a relief...

Then again, the woman of the 1950s is too much of a delicate housewife for my taste. When her husband comes home after work she navigates towards him, drink and newspaper in hand, on her wobbly high stilettos with her ruffled pink apron draped suffocatingly tight round her waspish waist ( oh, bear with me I´m having fun ! ;) only to then return to her immaculate kitchen and whip together yet another fabulous dinner... Role model ? I think not !

But the woman of the 1940s, seems to have had a drive and dedication, that enabled her to conquer and endure almost everything, including a war. Sure, she wears flowers in her hair and dazzles her male counterpart with her costume jewelry and shiny evening fabrics, but even so she seems genuinely confident of herself and her mission.

When I see Rosie the Riveter beckoning to me, with her rolled up sleeve and steely command - " We can do it !", my own modern reply seems to be the perfect match as I shout back through time - "Yes, we can !"

And THAT'S why I love the fashion of the 1940s ! ;)