Mary Lane – World War Fashion

As a complete sucker for vintage, this outfit is a total mishmash of eras and a happy blend of the truly vintage and the vintage-inspired. I remember the day I bought this 1940s dress at Time Warp. It was sunny, cool, and the heavens practically beamed off the racks when I found it hidden in the racks. I love when that happens! It was a tad long for my petite frame, but raising the hem was a quick fix and it has gotten countless wears since I swiped my card that day. It makes me feel like I am in a scene of Pearl Harbor, lounging on the beach. Sans Affleck and Hartnett, of course. For you history buffs out there, knitwear was not popular in Western culture outside of the military until the 1920s. When the U.S. entered into WWII, women at home were encouraged to use old wool items for reuse, as all wool was being used for the war effort. This sweater is a modern version of a 1950s-style cardigan, but it fits in well with a 1940s silhouette.

Ribbed tights with brogue heels are a nod to the 1920s and early 1930s. Any time a vintage lover notices my shoes they are fooled into thinking they are actual vintage. While I love a good pair of vintage shoes, they simply do not have the comfort features that modern shoes provide. I like pillows for my feet and 100-year old shoes can’t cut it. I topped of my decade duds with a 1950s coat. The fur collar, the oversized buttons, the circle shape…vintage bliss! I found it at a thrift store in mint condition and guess that it was only worn a handful of times. Such a thrill comes from finding pieces like this in thrift shops! It makes the hunt and overwhelming scent of mothballs all worth it.

Someone else’s trash became my treasure.

Dress– Time Warp Boutique, 1940s
Coat– vintage, thrifted
Sweater– Forever21
Tights– Hue
Shoes– Aerosoles