October 7, 2012

15 elegantly beautiful 1940s autumn looks

From between the slats in the Venetian blinds in our living room, I can see delicate little goldenrod hued leaves fluttering about like wind chimes in the breeze - their rich, Midas approved shade symbolic of so much of what I adore about late September through early December.

From my earlier childhood memories right up until today, there has never been a time when I didn't love fall, and over the years the reasons why the second-to-last season of the year gets pride-of-place in my heart have only continued to mount.

One of my favourite elements of autumn always been the evocative, captivating colour palette it brings with it, like the best dressed lady in the world arriving at a hotel and opening her grand trucks, sensual velvets, nubby tweeds, diaphanous silks, hearty wools, and versatile thick cottons spilling forth from every angle.

While summer can sometimes seem a touch manic, autumn is calm and collected, yet by no means devoid of pep and spirit. More brazen then winter, yet less innocent than spring, it is the sophisticate of the year and surely knows it, for fall has no qualms with painting her palette of style and beauty across the land - if only for a few brief weeks.

Chalk it up to the 1980s classic Colour Me Beautiful (my mother's copy of which I actually read so many times as a youngster that pages started to fall out of it) if you will, but I've long known that autumn time colours often work well on me, and indeed a scan of my closet would quickly reveal a penchant for burgundy, teal, rust, brown, grey, muted green, copper, and burnished gold.

I'm certainly not alone in this regard, as fall's wardrobe (or at least certain shades from it) looks wonderful on a great many people, and there are few amongst us who can't avail of at least a couple of this season's sublimely lovely, subtly dramatic colours.

With that thought planted firmly in mind, may I present a selection of classy, timeless, dizzyingly beautiful 1940s fashions, each one of which conjures up a sense of the autumn and all that is enchanting about this resplendent season.














































{All images via the incomparably terrific stream of dovima_is_devine_II on Flickr.}


Like the rainbow of earthy hues in a harvest time cornucopia, these vintage fashions are both visually appealing and thought provoking – not to mention more than a little bit inspiring. They celebrate much of what is marvelous about fall, while also serving as a sartorial jumping off point for other times of the year, especially if this is a palette that suits you well.

And speaking of cornucopias, tomorrow is Thanksgiving here in Canada, and I'm elated about that fact that Tony and I will be sharing it together with some of my relatives for the first time ever (prior to this year we always lived thousands of miles away from them). Thus adding yet another point to the lengthy list of reasons why, now and forever, autumn - and the timelessly stylish fashions it brings with it - will always be my most beloved time of the year.

28 comments:

  1. I love, love, love these images:) I noticed you have quite a few of my favorite photographer Rawlings:)) He certainly knew how to capture vivid colors and light to dark contrasts. I bought a book on him through ebay called 30 Years In Vogue. I wish they would reprint it because it certainly is an awesome book. Thank you for sharing these beautiful images:)

    http://dividingmoments.blogspot.com/

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  2. Happy Thanksgiving!! I am so excited that it's finally autumn, If there were a place on the planet that existed in a permanent state of autumn, I would live there happily! I looked at yarn last night, planning my next knitting project and my sister in law has been loading up the fridge with pumpkin flavored everything! Beautiful fashion inspirations, darlin'- Oh and thank you so much for the birthday wishes! I have a feeling that this year will bring all wonderful things!!x

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  3. So many beautiful detail... I love suits! My favorite photo here is of the dark-haired lady against the patterned wall, wearing a scarf of a contrasting pattern.

    Happy Sunday!
    :) Hope

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  4. You write so beautifully - I love how you describe Autumn. I think outfit number 3 is my favourite, she looks just like someone and I can't put my finger on who. Outfit two is a close second and I love the last outfit as well. I need more leopard print in my wardrobe and a 1940s/50s tailored suit.

    I don't have much vintage winter wear, so I can't wait to see some of yours. I look forward to being inspired :)

    Nikki x

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  5. Pretty pictures and you, oh So lovely! Glad to hear you are enjoy the season so far and it has such nice things for you! :) I am enjoying it so far too! Have gained much needed lbs and feeling all the more fit and healthy for it, well on my way to my goals! Thanks for all your sweet comments, you really are a doll! ;) Have a wonderful week ahead sweetpea! Zoë x

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  6. Oh, stop it! You're making me drool!! This are all so beautiful! Suits and muffs! Two of my favorite things! Speaking of muffs, I bought a beautiful one made of three fox tails over the summer and I can't wait to wear it!

    Thanks for sharing these delightful pictures!!

    xoxo
    -Janey

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  7. *sigh* Those 40's. Boy! I'm trying to learn all the ins and outs of 40's fashion so that when I go thrifting I'll be able to identify anything that looks '40-ish' even if it isn't. :D I love the outfit of the gal sitting beside the flowers! Unfortunately some of us can't pull of pleated skirts.......

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  8. Beautiful outfits, Jessica! I like the second one the most!

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  9. I too am excited for fall and fall colors and fashions! Happy Thanksgiving.

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  10. Gosh those suits are amazing. I don't have a suit and would love to add one to my wardrobe.

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  11. Just beautiful! I wish so much that we could go back to taking pride in our clothing. Bring back hats, gloves, and scarves!!!!

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  12. Those photos are WOW! Can I please have all those outfits and accessories!!! That is some amazing fashion! Love it Jess! And Happy Thanksgiving!!! xox

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  13. I love this post with all the beautiful pictures! It's funny how so many of the models tried so hard to look sophisticated and they looked rather stuck up. I like the happy expressions better, but regardless the clothes are gorgeous!

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  14. I am an Autumn girl too. I have been as far back as I can remember and all my family have called me Autumn girl since I was a child. I envy you coming into the season as we sit here in Spring waiting for the heat of Summer. A beautiful collection of images that really capture Autumn (or should I say Fall). I think the second one is my favourite, though I kind of like the sassy look on the face of the model in number 5!

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  15. I think the suits in this collection of photographs were my favorite. The 1940's seemed to have many unique and colorful styles. Why can't designers be like this today? Oh well . . .

    I hope that you had a fabulous Thanksgiving with your hubby. We won't be doing Thanksgiving in the states until the end of November. It's one of my favorite holidays. :)

    Blessings to you!

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  16. Yowsers. That last one is incredible. Such beautiful designs.

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  17. Jessica,

    Happy Thanksgiving Day to you and your husband!

    ♥Hope

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  18. awesome ... such a inspiring collection of fall vintage fashion ... love it.

    http://wardrobexperience.blogspot.de

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  19. I just wanted to wish you the Happiest Thanksgiving to you and your family. :)

    <3 Stefanie

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  20. Oh, great collection! Happy Thanksgiving to you both. :)

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  21. Hello gorgeous gals, thank you all very, very much for your terrific comments and heartwarmingly sweet Thanksgiving Day wishes. We're wrapping up a jam-packed long weekend at the moment, full on spice cake, turkey, and classic Jell-O salad, and are already eager to put out the Halloween decorations now that Turkey Day is over, later this week.


    Wishing you all a fantastic week!
    ♥ Jessica

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  22. Happy Thanksgiving. What sort of vintage feast do you prepare or partake in during Canada's Thanksgiving.
    Perhaps it wouldn't be a flattering hue to my skintone, but I love the second from bottom yellow with the black accessories. For myself though, I think I would choose to wear #2 if I found it. The polka rose is delightful, just like the 1920's china pattern (my fave).

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  23. Absolutely smashing, stunning images and outfits all! Do i like the first one best, or the third, or the sixth? Hard to tell. Autumn is indeed a delicious time of year, and a splendid one to you, Jessica! Fabulous post as ever! :)

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  24. What fabulous outfits! I'd love to have something like the ensemble the woman in the art gallery is wearing...
    I hope you had a fabulous Thanksgiving!

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  25. All of the outifts are lovely but for me, it just doesn't get any better than the organge suit with fur muff. I would kill for an outfit to glamorous.

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  26. Green and yellow, what a great combination!
    -Emily

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  27. I'm in love with the one with the gorgeous gold framed art and the last one with red! Beautiful !

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