Welcome to my Vintage Blog

Explore the charm of 1935 women’s hat fashions with vintage ads from the Chicago Mail Order Company catalog. These stunning designs, inspired by Art Deco and Hollywood trends, highlight the creativity and affordability of the 1930s. From wide-brim sun hats to flirty tilted styles, see how these timeless accessories defined elegance and served as a perfect Mother’s Day gift idea of the era.

These illustrated fashion advertisements from 1924 are so interesting! These ads seem primarily directed to retailers, rather than the consumer…. I’ve not peeked thru the pages further than I’ve scanned them, and I’ve not researched the Saint Louis Fashion Pageant yet, so maybe it was more of an industry thing like NYC Fashion Week?

Step back in time to 1935 and discover the timeless elegance of 1930s women’s fashion! Featuring Old Hollywood-inspired glamour, feminine caped-back dresses, dramatic collars, and the rise of “mannish” two-piece outfits, this era balanced chic sophistication with practical designs. Highlights include nautical-themed styles, crepe fabric dresses, and even a sport dress designed with a “suntan back” for that healthy glow. Explore vintage scans from the 1935 Chicago Mail Order Company Catalog and get inspired by the blend of movie star glamour and everyday practicality that defined the decade!

By the early 1950s, beauty and publicity had become almost ridiculous, as evidenced by the crowning of Potato Queens (Marilyn Monroe), National Soybean Queen (and Miss Missouri), Sourkraut Queen, Queen Pickle.

Step back into the 1930s with the last 11 pages from the Summer 1935 Chicago Mail Order Company catalog! These colorful vintage ads feature a stunning variety of silks, viole, pre-made lace, Tahiti prints, polka dots, and more fabric treasures. Explore Hollywood-inspired dress prints, Sanforized fabrics, and delicate woven dot Swiss and organdie materials, all revealing the creativity and resourcefulness of the Great Depression era. Perfect for vintage fashion lovers and history enthusiasts!

This was the most amazing 1950s magazine to photograph! Is this Marilyn Monroe on the cover? I wish I could have bought this vintage pinup magazine for myself! It’s dated 1953.

This article claims that Annette Kellerman was groundbreaking in making more practical swimwear acceptable… and did you know that shorts for women were invented in the 1930s?

Step back into the golden age of music with these timeless lyrics from the October 1935 Popular Songs Magazine. From cowboy ballads like “Empty Saddles” to romantic dance waltzes like “Dancing ‘Til Dawn,” these hits reflect the spirit of 1930s America. Explore the history behind each song, including the patriotic “Franklin D. Roosevelt March” and the sentimental “Juanita.” Enjoy this glimpse into the past with detailed lyrics and historical context—complete with embedded audio and video performances for an immersive trip down memory lane.

Step back into 1935 with the Chicago Mail Order Catalog’s vintage measuring guides. These tips for measuring hats, dresses, corsets, and more highlight how fashion sizing evolved during the era. Whether you’re a vintage enthusiast or curious about 1930s fashion, these guides remain relevant today!

This historic 1920s fashion show begins the promenade of fashion models, showing off the latest styles. There is a stage diagram and notes that "each model once on the right side of the auditorium and once on the left"... Designers are listed in the order that the...

How did the term “cheesecake” pinup originate? Origins of cheesecake, and the first pinup model and cheesecake photograph. An article about the history of American pinup.

Here are three pages advertisements for women's undergarments from the 1935 Chicago Mail Order Catalog. These include 1930s fashion advertisement illustrations for: "glove fitting undies" "vests" (the top part of the undergarment, looks like an undershirt) "open seat...

Take a fascinating look back at the daring evolution of art and nude photography, as highlighted in a 1953 Cheesecake Pinup Magazine. With insights on Louis Daguerre’s pioneering work from 1839, provocative photos from the 1870s, and Jules Alexander’s surreal modern masterpieces of the 1950s, this post explores how figure photography blended tradition with innovation over the decades. Discover the rich history connecting 19th-century figure studies to mid-20th-century cheesecake art!

Take a journey back to 1924 and explore vibrant vintage advertisements from the St. Louis Fashion Pageant magazine. From Lammert Furniture’s luxurious offerings on Washington Avenue (now the home of T-Rex coworking space) to sleek Art Deco retail fixtures, men’s fashion from Korrekt Clothes, and flapper-ready dress forms sold by Belle Hickey, these ads capture an exciting glimpse of St. Louis’ roaring ‘20s consumer culture. Dive into the history of local businesses and the trends that defined the era, from linoleum carpets to Baldwin’s reproducing pianos—truly a snapshot of the dynamic and stylish 1920s in St. Louis.

Did you know that nylon stockings didn't come on the market until the 1939 World's Fair? DuPont built the first full-scale nylon plant in Seaford, Delaware, and began commercial production in late 1939. (according to this article on the history of nylon...

Discover the thriving world of 1920s fashion through authentic advertisements from the 1924 St. Louis Fashion Pageant. These vintage ads showcase dress manufacturers, millinery companies, luxury fur dealers, and textile suppliers that operated along Washington Avenue in downtown St. Louis during the height of the Jazz Age. Learn about the businesses, products, and economic forces that shaped American fashion during one of the most iconic decades in style history.

Where was modeling going in the 1950s, and what would future fashion trends hold? The main point of this article seemed to point out the sheer diversity of pinup models and beautiful women. An interesting picture was one of Rita Hayworth without makeup, and then made up. One of her movies, “An Affair in Trinidad”, was chosen by the National Photographers Association as “the sexiest and most provocative motion picture still ever made”.

Pictures of women in World War I and World War II. How early feminism and wars influenced women’s fashions.

Take a charming trip back to 1935 with this page of advertisements from the Chicago Mail Order Company catalog, showcasing baby bonnets, little girls’ dresses, rompers, boys’ sunsuits, and sanitary hemmed diapers. These adorable and practical garments reflect the styles and ingenuity of 1930s fashion during the Great Depression, offering a heartfelt glimpse into the past.