Today I am sharing a guest post from Sarah over at My Wayward Girl...
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I've always been something of a history nerd. I've also always been a clothes freak. I guess these are the easiest two explanations to rationalize my obsession with vintage clothing.
One of my favorite things to do is track fashion fads from the past and how they get remixed and innovated in the present. I've found the best way to do this is to look at the women who were the original trendsetters, the real fashion mavericks, and learn what we can from them.
Zelda Fitzgerald
Just like her husband's novels gave a voice to the lost generation of the twenties and thirties, Zelda's style, thirst for rebellion, and audacious outlook on life epitomized the burgeoning women's renaissance of the 1920's.
She bobbed her hair, taped her chest, flirted with boys, and wore baggy drop-waist gowns. Although Zelda and Scott's work and life wouldn't come into the public's fascination until years after their death, Zelda's charm, wayward endeavors, and deliciously wanton ways solidified her as the Flapper of the century.
The Twenties have made such a comeback this season it's not even funny. Tons of flapper fringe, long, glamorous accessories, and boyish silhouettes are all on point. Sure ridiculous prints that look like they're straight from a thrift discount furniture store are still around, but this spring marks a turning point back to simple elegance and glamour.
Grace Kelly
Never has there been a movie star with so much class. Kelly began her acting career at the age of twenty on Broadway and gave it up at the ripe old age of 26 to become the Princess of Monaco.
Princess Grace taught us American girls that it's possible to dress like a lady and still be a style bombshell, a rebellious cause in it's own right.
She pioneered the classic American style of the sixties and fifties where simplicity reined supreme. Poofy ballgowns, Hermes scarves, and strings of pearls were staples of her style repertoire and every Hollywood starlet since has had to live up to the American princess.
Katharine Hepburn
Katharine Hepburn will always have a special place in my heart as one of the most endearing and revolutionary figures in cinematic history. She wore raggedy pants, never married, and valiantly spoke anything that was on her mind.
She came to popularity after the second World War, a time lacking in frivolity and luxury compared to the starlets before her, which made her straight-talking, boyish charm, and androgynous pantsuits all unexpectedly endearing qualities to the American public.
In a time where women were only ever seen in knee-length skirts, it's said that Hepburn didn't even own a single dress. She was the first woman to sport and rock a pantsuit, paving the way for every daring lady afterwards. This season, shorty-short pantsuits are all the rage and I think we should all sport the look, in Katharine's honor, of course :]
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Thanks Sarah! What a fun post, it's fun to see where all the vintage trends we love so much today came from. I actually learned a lot reading about these fabulous ladies. Be sure to check out Sarah's blog, My Wayward Girl.
Thanks again Sarah!
