Today's post Vintage Party Clothes Besides Dresses from VintageDancer.com.
With the party season approaching, the inevitable search for appropriate occasion wear commences. Retailers are offering a myriad of differing styles of cocktail dresses and formal gowns; but equally acceptable are separates for a vintage party clothes. In fact one of the most common questions we receive this time of year is how to dress for a 1920s, 1930s, 1940s or 1950s themed event when you don’t like wearing dresses.
1950s hostess gowns made with skirt and blouse separates
Smart separates have many assets to their credit. Separates can integrate smoothly into an existing wardrobe, providing many mix and match opportunities. They may also prove more cost effective than the purchase of a new dress. A new pair of pants may be worn with a vintage inspired blouse or top already residing in ones wardrobe.
This article will showcase separates for a vintage inspired style, and evening party wear alternatives to dresses.
1920s Vintage Party Clothes
Evening styles of the 1920s frequently consisted of highly decorative dresses. These flapper dresses would be cut in the new drop-waist style, exposing the ankles and calves. However, dresses were not the only type of attire available or popular during this period.
Mixing wide leg palazzo pants or skirt with a beaded or embroidered top, shawl or wrap is a non-dress way to dress for a party. 1. Beaded caplet 2. Scarf coat 3. Blouse 4. Palazzo pants 5. T strap shoes 6. Beaded skirt 7. Kimono coat
A pair of wide leg pants, modest top and long jacket or wrap is almost dress like and a very vintage alternative to dresses.
Wide-Leg Chiffon Pants (also in Black) are ideal for a 1920s look
Often in the privacy of their own homes, women would wear lounging pajamas. The pajamas would consist of a loose fitting top, teamed with matching wide leg pants. Whilst women would not be seen in this type of garment outside of the home (although these pajamas gave rise to the popularity of the beach pajama towards the end of the decade; a garment which was indeed worn outside the privacy of the home) for a modern-day interpretation of 1920s evening attire, a lounging pajama set may indeed be both acceptable and delightful.
Add a dash of 1920s style with this decadent cape from Unique Vintage.
Alternatively, add a beaded cape over a plain tunic blouse to add a dash of 1920s inspired style to an outfit.
Shawls and kimono style jackets are also perfectly suited to evoking a 1920s look. Styles featuring beading, surface embellished decoration or bold patterns with long fringe trim would all lend themselves perfectly to a 1920s look.
1930s Vintage Party Clothing
During the 1930s separates became more popular, particularly as more women entered the workplace. Sewing magazines would publish features on how to create numerous looks to last the season, using only a handful of patterns and designs. These patterns would be intended to harmonize so as to create a perfect mix and match wardrobe.
Create a 1930s style with these vintage inspired pieces. 1. Western Top (coming soon) 2.Fur stole 3. Skirt 4. Velvet Top 5. Floral blouse 6. Velvet top 7. Skirt 8. metallic heels
1930s Velvet Lounging Pyjamas– Red or Green – would make a fun sexy party outfit
In order to make separates appropriate for evening attire, in addition to the cut of the garment, the fabrics play a key role.
1930s Evening Blouses
To create a 1930s style, look out for tactile fabrics with a good deal of drape. Velvets, silks and rayons would all be suitable, creating a fluidity that was so evocative of the 1930s.
In addition to tactile fibres, shine and luminosity were also key factors in fabrics of the 1930s. This was due to Hollywood movies and costume designers of the early 1930s. Wishing to create depth and tone that would translate on screen over a black and white medium of film, they utilized luminous fabrics such as lamé.
For more information about lamé fabric and to see some examples.
Look here for more 1930s pants/pajamas, blouses, skirts, and shoes. You can sew your own clothing too.
1940s Vintage Party Clothing
During the 1940s fashion became more practical, yet still retained an undeniable air of elegance and style. Gradually pants started to become more widely accepted. In 1944, Innovative designer Charles James released his Bifurcated Skirt – a long skirt made of silk, which separated into pants.
Emulate the 1940s with these vintage inspired separates. 1. Jumpsuit 2. Blouse 3. Wide Leg Pants 4. Peplum Blouse 5. Heels 6. Sheer Blouse 7. Embellished Deco Blouse
Due to the luxurious fabric, this garment was intended for evening occasions. Whilst James’ creations were reserved for the rich and wealthy; the idea of pants as smart attire certainly became more widely acknowledged from the 1940s onwards.
These pants from Top Vintage could easily be dressed up or down, depending on the occasion.
To create a 1940s style with vintage reproduction clothing, opt for loose pants worn on the waist. Alternatively, an A line skirt finishing on the knee worn with a printed blouse would also create a fabulous 1940s look. Glitzy embellished tops were also quite glamorous such as these examples.
Due to the rise of costume jewelry, accessories could play a key part in the overall look of an outfit. For a 1940s style, accessorize with a turban hat – perhaps with a brooch pinned onto the front for extra impact. The 1940s were the decade of make do and mend, so use this ethos to create innovative, stylish looks.
Top Vintage have some great separates for a vintage inspired style, including this beautiful 1940s blouse.
Separates for a Vintage Inspired Style – 1950s
To create a 1950s inspired evening style, fortunately there are many vintage inspired clothing brands focusing on this era. From full skirts worn with petticoats to slender pencil skirts, the choice is ample.
Whether pencil skirts are your preference, or full skirted circle skirts. Create a 1950s look with these vintage inspired separates. 1. Diva Skirt 2. Wrap top 3. Swing Skirt 4. Petticoat 5. Starburst pin 6. Donna shoes 7. Circle skirt 8. Bolero
For feminine styles, a full circle skirt made of satin or brocade would perfectly create a mid century look. For styles evocative of the popular sweater girls look, opt for a close-fitting jumpsuit or a pair of Capri pants. Wearing a split skirt over capri’s creates the iconic Hostess gown made popular by Lucille Ball in I Love Lucy.
Create an impact with this velvet jumpsuit from Top Vintage.
Smart bolero jackets and faux fur stoles are the perfect accompaniment to mid century styles.
Bold novelty prints were popular during this era, perhaps choose a full circle skirt in which to showcase an unusual print or design.
This set of ballgown skirt and blouse and perfect for the 1950s
Whichever era you may prefer, there are plenty of options to create an evening style with versatile separates. And of course, the beauty of separates is that you can mix and match them with other pieces, creating new and fresh styles each time you wear them!
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