With the Memorial Day Weekend “1940’s Vintage USO” theme just around the corner, several people have asked for tips on dressing vintage. I thought I would put a few things together that you may find helpful.

It’s hard to find real vintage that is both in good shape and fits your size. If you do, it is often expensive and/or you spend hours in thrift stores trying to find it. The alternative is to either get vintage recreations or look for vintage-like styles off the rack in stores. Vintage recreations can be found online or if you are savvy with a sewing machine, you can make them yourself. They are a bit expensive (or time consuming if you make them yourself), but the advantage is that they have an exact fit and wear good. If you are looking for vintage styles off the rack, all it takes is a good eye and some time looking in stores. The best way to start is getting familiar with the styles of the era by looking at old photos online or the great recreations people have made. Just try a few searches on Google to start. That way, you’ll be able to spot key styles when you are in the store. Be sure to check these sites out:

• Dancestore.com – Women’s dance fashion section (great for hair accessories and dance shoes also)
• ReVamp Limited Vintage Edition Recreations

Also, keep in mind that you will be dancing in your vintage outfit. Just as today, dancers of the era didn’t always dress in the high fashions you seen in media publications. For an example of what swing dancers of the era wore, do a search for “jitterbug” at the LAPL Photo Collection. Comfortability is also a key factor when looking for vintage styles you can dance in too.

For ladies hairstyles, the best word of advice I can give is allow some extra time when getting ready and to experiment. This is especially true if you have never done a vintage style before. Again, look at old photos and take your time. Here are some links that you will find helpful:

• L.A. Nocturne
• Hair Styles of the 1940s *warning* good resource but triggers possible malitious popups.
• Lipstick Vogue

For the men… in some ways, you have it easier. Men’s styles don’t change much over the years. However, if you are looking to set yourself apart a bit, we have a few tips. Again, look at old photos for a basis. You can find men’s vintage style wide leg pants at Adam’s Men’s Wear in the Seminole Town Center Mall. You can also often find men’s vintage style driving caps at Burlington Coat Factory and occasionally at Target.

Oh and you might want some dance shoes to go with the new outfit. Here are a few links:

• Dancestore.com – Men’s Shoes – Women’s Shoes
• Women’s Wedges and Heels
• Men’s White Bucks

If you are looking for authenticity, you may want to steer clear of the common swing dance clichés such as poodle skirts (more 50′s) and zoot suits (a symbol of rebellion that was not associated with dancing until after the era). However, the saddle shoe, while commonly associated with 1950′s, enjoyed popularity throughout the 30′s and 40′s as well.

If you wish to dress in vintage military, we suggest you start with eBay. Also, check out your local Army/Navy surplus store. We have also heard you can rent complete vintage recreation uniforms at costume shops.

Update: Vintage recreation military uniforms can be rented here. Also, Payless Shoes has a large slection of vintage styled women’s wedges. They are priced around $12 a pair. For men, Old Navy has men’s stripe socks.