tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3423410690702297063.post4871018603357901887..comments2024-03-12T13:57:38.337-07:00Comments on Chronically Vintage: Why I love, and wear, 1980s does 40s and 50s fashionsWitchcrafted Lifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02992822472797191121noreply@blogger.comBlogger55125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3423410690702297063.post-31367371232231224792013-10-25T12:56:33.106-07:002013-10-25T12:56:33.106-07:00Hm, I'd not thought about the safari angle—tha...Hm, I'd not thought about the safari angle—that WAS huge during the 80s. Walkmans...heh. I *do* appreciate the other pockets, though—all of my 80s does 40s/50s dresses have nice, big hip pockets. Very useful! Jenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15233479262926672923noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3423410690702297063.post-31031600922109741512013-10-21T12:21:51.539-07:002013-10-21T12:21:51.539-07:00Hi Jen, thank you very much for your terrific comm...Hi Jen, thank you very much for your terrific comment (and compliments). I think you hit the nail on the head there, and it's a topic that doesn't come up often enough in the vintage fashion world, if you ask me. A person's unique personality, coupled with their sense of style and knowledge of how to create looks from a certain era, can go a very long way towards helping non-genuine mid-century pieces look the part something fierce. I sincerely appreciate that you think I do this with my "80s does" dresses, thank you so much. <br /><br />Seriously! Maybe they needed those huge pockets to carry their brick phones and Walkmans around in? I'm kidding, of course, but they certainly weren't/aren't a big fan of mine either. Safari inspired touches were popular in fashion throughout the 80s, and I think that they might be at least part of the reason that we saw such an abundance of oversized breast pockets.<br /><br />Thanks again for the fantastic comment - have a beautiful Monday!<br />♥ Jessica Witchcrafted Lifehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02992822472797191121noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3423410690702297063.post-61449264418996948582013-10-21T11:00:02.205-07:002013-10-21T11:00:02.205-07:00Jessica, this is such a terrific post. I've be...Jessica, this is such a terrific post. I've been a fan of 80s does 40s/50s for a long time now for precisely the reasons you've mentioned—moreover, my work often finds me crawling around beneath cars, my hem dragging through the dirt as I try to get that perfect shot, or scrambling through brush to get closer to an abandoned building. NOT the places I want to be with my precious 1930s-1950s pieces that I feel are akin to pieces of history...to say nothing of often being more difficult to pack. Besides, as you so amply demonstrate week in and week out, 80s dresses can look like "true" vintage with the right accessories, style, and dare I say it, personality. <br /><br />As an aside, though—those bust pockets on 80s dresses turn me away every time. ;) I wonder if the difference in undergarments for each decade has anything to do with their being smaller, higher on the bust, and less common in the earlier decades than the 80s? Jenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15233479262926672923noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3423410690702297063.post-5920573104365360532013-10-18T12:42:02.829-07:002013-10-18T12:42:02.829-07:00Very informative and thorough post. It was a wonde...Very informative and thorough post. It was a wonderful idea to show / compare details of the red dresses. I love being able to offer these 80's does 40's etc clothing pieces in my shop, the sturdiness and more generous sizing is a big advantage.RKayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13185276481117234452noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3423410690702297063.post-11523734281139548682013-10-16T12:39:37.232-07:002013-10-16T12:39:37.232-07:00It's totally okay, my sweet friend, I was just...It's totally okay, my sweet friend, I was just really starting to worry about you. I'm happy to know there have been some joyful moments in your life lately. My happiest congrats to your family on the newest addition. I haven't become an aunt yet myself, but imagine it must be an indescribably wonderful feeling. I'm so sorry for your loss. Having just lost my mother-in-law in September (about a week before our trip to Calgary), I can share in your self of grief right now to no end. <br /><br />I hope dearly that these last remaining 2.5 months of the year are nothing but positive and filled with great things for both of us.<br /><br />♥ Jessica Witchcrafted Lifehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02992822472797191121noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3423410690702297063.post-49804112177620565622013-10-16T12:13:11.313-07:002013-10-16T12:13:11.313-07:00I am sorry to have been so quiet, I have missed ch...I am sorry to have been so quiet, I have missed chatting with you Jessica. Due to a few life events I got rather behind on my blog reading and indeed in writing my own blog. Some things were really joyful, my sister had a baby girl making me an auntie for the first time which has been wonderful. Others, like the death of my much loved great-aunt have been a shock and difficult. I have found my balance again now and have just about caught up with reading all the posts that I missed and have some of my own in progress! Thank you for asking.Kate-Emhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15664293299445754159noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3423410690702297063.post-275058238521649072013-10-16T03:41:06.283-07:002013-10-16T03:41:06.283-07:00My pleasure, honey, thank you very much for your t...My pleasure, honey, thank you very much for your terrific comment (as well as for your beautiful, understanding comment on yesterday's post as well). I couldn't agree more! A huge part of the equation is in how you style your overall all ensemble. I rarely let a garments age factor in thing, odd as that may sound, instead I look at the piece and size up if I'll be able to make it look as though (if it's not, I mean) it hailed from the decade that my outfit is going for. This is an approach I highly recommend everyone who loves wearing vintage fashion takes, as it helps expand your wardrobe and styling options significantly in many cases. <br /><br />♥ Jessica Witchcrafted Lifehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02992822472797191121noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3423410690702297063.post-56419181208381209402013-10-15T13:06:27.106-07:002013-10-15T13:06:27.106-07:00Thank you for posting this! I have a few dresses f...Thank you for posting this! I have a few dresses from the 80s that I think pass for 40s or 50s, and I love them so much. They are usually cheaper and I don't worry as much about wearing and washing them often. I think a lot of it has to do with styling and accessorizing it for the decade you're trying to evoke. You do a beautiful job of that, and I often find myself surprised when you say something is from the 80s and not older. I do ask my husband sometimes if something is too 80s, lol. Yet, as a kid born in the 80s, I do have a fondness for some of the fashion, especially for some of the clothes I saw my mom wear <3Sarah https://www.blogger.com/profile/18070656616946358428noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3423410690702297063.post-36623223085684168652013-10-15T08:47:14.641-07:002013-10-15T08:47:14.641-07:00Hello sweet Kate, thank you very much for this and...Hello sweet Kate, thank you very much for this and of your other wonderfully lovely blog comments lately. How has autumn been treating you so far? (I ask because it feels like we haven't chatted in a few weeks.) It's really cool that you're a big fan of "1980s does" dresses, too. They're such a handy thing to have in your wardrobe. I really hope to add more to mine next year (my budget for 2013 was pretty much tapped out in Calgary, as I planned it to be). <br /><br />Thank you again - tons of hugs!<br />♥ Jessica Witchcrafted Lifehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02992822472797191121noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3423410690702297063.post-89041338047781526122013-10-15T08:04:48.631-07:002013-10-15T08:04:48.631-07:00It is always good to pick up new tips so thanks fo...It is always good to pick up new tips so thanks for this really interesting and helpful post. I have several dresses from this category in my wardrobe and like you often wear them in situations where Iwould worry about potential damage to older clothes. Also, they are more likely to fit and that has to be a bonus!Kate-Emhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15664293299445754159noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3423410690702297063.post-35443983205634013472013-10-14T14:52:18.184-07:002013-10-14T14:52:18.184-07:00Great post! Another thing I love, the 80s does som...Great post! Another thing I love, the 80s does some 40s in an over the top way that can be super fun! Mega peplum for example. ;-)<br />-Jamie<br /><a href="http://chatterblossom.blogspot.com" rel="nofollow">ChatterBlossom</a>ChatterBlossomhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16812718292807106583noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3423410690702297063.post-73423398985908646092013-10-13T21:20:55.261-07:002013-10-13T21:20:55.261-07:00Thank you very much, sweetheart. It's great th...Thank you very much, sweetheart. It's great that you've been able to find some "1980s does" frocks where you live in Austria. Much as with mid-century vintage, they're getting harder and harder to come by around these parts (but I think I have a far better chance of finding one than I do an actual 40s or 50s dress), but thankfully not entirely impossible to score sometimes. Fingers crossed we're both able to find a new 80s does dress or two locally this year.<br /><br />♥ Jessica Witchcrafted Lifehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02992822472797191121noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3423410690702297063.post-25895193470707765452013-10-13T12:00:07.967-07:002013-10-13T12:00:07.967-07:00That was really really a great post, it´s so helpf...That was really really a great post, it´s so helpful to have the advice of an real vintage specialist, especially sizing is confusing...i actually bought some fabulous frocks of the 80´s actually 80´s does 50´s style as they are so much easier to get and for really good prices. honestly here in austria it´s almost impossible to find anything from midcentury :(<br />kiss,maryMonsterchenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15418938515760517614noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3423410690702297063.post-12905375895822304662013-10-13T02:04:01.954-07:002013-10-13T02:04:01.954-07:00Excellently said, sweet Philippa, I absolutely agr...Excellently said, sweet Philippa, I absolutely agree that 80s fashion gets too harsh or a rap sometimes. Yes, there were some rather cringe worth moments, but there was a lot of beauty, creativity, and femininity, too, for sure, as you pointed out. Of the decades I've lived in so far, the 80s had my fave fashions by far. If so evil forced banned me from wearing my beloved 40s and 50s styles for the rest of my life, I'd have no problem sporting the 80s styles I love instead as an alternative to mid-century looks.<br /><br />♥ Jessica Witchcrafted Lifehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02992822472797191121noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3423410690702297063.post-52058122782859141292013-10-12T23:11:15.409-07:002013-10-12T23:11:15.409-07:00A very informative post - I grew up and started wo...A very informative post - I grew up and started work in the '80's and can remember some really lovely fashions. Where I live anyway a lot of the really exaggerated shoulder pads etc. were only seen on TV (programmes like Dallas and Dynasty). I think '80's fashion sometimes gets a bad rap, when actually it was a very creative and sometimes pretty era for clothing.Philippahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05979470577235630724noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3423410690702297063.post-11602825331393570182013-10-12T09:35:07.478-07:002013-10-12T09:35:07.478-07:00Thank you very much, honey! That's so wonderfu...Thank you very much, honey! That's so wonderfully nice of you. I could thrift - or talk about thrifting - until the cows come home, so it's really a treat to know I'll be mentioned in one of your posts on the topic. <br /><br />Joyful Thanksgiving wishes!<br />♥ JessicaWitchcrafted Lifehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02992822472797191121noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3423410690702297063.post-88479311328267194522013-10-12T09:01:03.241-07:002013-10-12T09:01:03.241-07:00Oh! Another jem! I *loved* this post. I am in the ...Oh! Another jem! I *loved* this post. I am in the process of writing a series for new thrifters. It will include a list of links and I will definitely include this post!<br /><br />Lisa.Lisahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09496217916948996526noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3423410690702297063.post-6714988669001850002013-10-12T08:24:58.044-07:002013-10-12T08:24:58.044-07:00This post has so many helpful tips about identifyi...This post has so many helpful tips about identifying garments! I think one of the great things about 80s garments is that they're more wearable for every day. I have a few 40s/50s pieces that I'm afraid to wear too often because I feel like they're too fragile. The 80s pieces feel a bit more durable.<br />xx<br />http://thescreensiren.comAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3423410690702297063.post-81380336036458373592013-10-11T20:17:49.012-07:002013-10-11T20:17:49.012-07:00Thank you very much, lovely lady. Laura Ashley'...Thank you very much, lovely lady. Laura Ashley's offerings are amongst some of my favourite garments to come out of the 1980s. I am always, always on the prowl for them while thrifting. I love that you're still sporting those that you bought back in the 80s today. Proof positive of how well made and classically beautiful they were/are. I bet you look gorgeous in your sailor collared, drop waist dress, and just as stylish as stylish can be. <br /><br />♥ Jessica Witchcrafted Lifehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02992822472797191121noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3423410690702297063.post-58374972613707583732013-10-11T20:09:44.197-07:002013-10-11T20:09:44.197-07:00Thank you very much, dear Ally. I am absolutely de...Thank you very much, dear Ally. I am absolutely delighted, and touched, to know that I helped introduce you to another faucet of fashion. <br /><br />♥ Jessica Witchcrafted Lifehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02992822472797191121noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3423410690702297063.post-87233348564603105262013-10-11T20:06:14.330-07:002013-10-11T20:06:14.330-07:00Thank you very much, honey! Fantastic point - I lo...Thank you very much, honey! Fantastic point - I love that about many 80s garments, too, as I'm prone to bloating due to some of my conditions, but elastic waists with a fair bit of give can work no matter if I'm in such a state or not (the same goes for some stretchy jersey dresses from the 70s and 80s). Plus, they're just flat out comfortable and perfect for wearing when traveling. <br /><br />♥ Jessica Witchcrafted Lifehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02992822472797191121noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3423410690702297063.post-43589581599603436112013-10-11T19:58:21.270-07:002013-10-11T19:58:21.270-07:00Thank you very much, my dear. I'm with you 100...Thank you very much, my dear. I'm with you 100% when it comes to worrying about vintage when I pack. When we moved across the country from Ontario back to my home province of B.C. last year, I weighed the pros and cons of packing vintage in my suitcase for the flight, as opposed to sending it with the rest of my items on our moving truck, and ultimately felt it would be safer on the truck, so I only packed a couple vintage pieces (that were sturdy and free of any little fiddly, easy-to-break bits) and instead opted for vintage appropriate items to see me through the nearly three weeks until the moving truck arrived. (I'm happy to report, both my luggage and our moving truck made it here safely and everything, vintage or not, was in perfect shape.)<br /><br />♥ Jessica Witchcrafted Lifehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02992822472797191121noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3423410690702297063.post-3064170344996548812013-10-11T19:47:07.672-07:002013-10-11T19:47:07.672-07:00Thank you very much, sweet Teresa. I think that pa...Thank you very much, sweet Teresa. I think that part of the issue lies in the fact that we don't have a specific term for the era that comprises the 1920s (after the Edwardian years wrapped up) to the 1960s, which is what the word vintage, until a few years ago (in modern terms, I mean), typically referred to. This period isn't name for a monarch or anything else and so as time as moved onward, further decades have come to be added under the banner of vintage. I'm not down with people calling items that are two years old (something I've seen multiple times now), "vintage", but I'm will, in a broad sense, extend it to the world of fashion up until the 1980s - nothing more recent at this point in time though (even if, to me, vintage will always be more mid-century than anything else). Things, IMO, need a few decades of life under the belt before they can wear that title. :)<br /><br />I love 80s dresses for wearing around the house, too. So comfy, feminine, and timelessly pretty. I wonder, as time goes on, and more people who were adults in the 80s, clean out their closets as they downsize, retire and move, or just do a thoroughly closet purge, if we'll see another wave of such dresses in thrift stores (and the like) in the years to come.<br /><br />♥ Jessica Witchcrafted Lifehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02992822472797191121noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3423410690702297063.post-32266701863137714022013-10-11T19:33:12.821-07:002013-10-11T19:33:12.821-07:00My dear lady, thank you for sharing this story wit...My dear lady, thank you for sharing this story with me (us). It does seem incredibly hypocritical of someone to chide others who were doing precisely what she was, and I'm very sorry that you two weren't able to hit it off because of her remarks/attitude. It's so rare (at least in most parts of the world) to find someone else who loves/knows about/appreciates vintage fashion, that when you do, there really is that burning hope that you'll be able to become fast friends with them. <br /><br />I've said it before, but I'll say it again, I personally believe that there is no right or wrong way to wear vintage (yes, there are more historically accurate ways, but one does not have to veer down that path, unless they so feel pulled in that direction), just the way that works for each of us. I believe in tapping all resources and making the best of what's out there in my price range, part of the world, online, etc to create a wardrobe that I love and which is a blend of genuine vintage, 80s, repro, and vintage appropriate pieces. <br /><br />There's no need for snobbery in our circles, and it drives me bonkers when I encounter it. If one is able to find/afford/wear solely vintage pieces and that's all they desire to have in their closet, that's awesome, but if not, and they take a more blended approach, that's just as great, too. <br /><br />It's a shame we live on opposite sides of the world. If we were nearby, we could get together, in our blended vintage outfits and chat about the many wonderful places to find pieces that, be they vintage or just look the part, work splendidly for the kinds of outfits we adore putting together. <br /><br />♥ Jessica Witchcrafted Lifehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02992822472797191121noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3423410690702297063.post-42276348920609484212013-10-11T18:43:01.553-07:002013-10-11T18:43:01.553-07:00I beamed like a lighthouse when I heard that that ...I beamed like a lighthouse when I heard that that Alice Munro had won. She is so very deserving of the honour. I've loved her work for so many years now and am overjoyed that a Canadian writer (the first Canadian woman ever to win) has been bestowed with their great honour. <br /><br />Thank you for your terrific comment, sweetheart,<br />♥ Jessica Witchcrafted Lifehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02992822472797191121noreply@blogger.com