The Golden Era's *ugliest* clothes

[Amy Jeanne]

There's not much I think is ugly, but these have always stood out:

Dear Kay, WTH is on your head? That's too much even for *ME*

Poor Ann Dvorak. Worst hairdo ever. I strongly dislike 40s-does-Victorian hairdos

I don't know why they always insisted putting Aline MacMahon in hideousness, but they did!

 

[LizzieMaine]

Little known fact: After retiring from cartoons in 1933, Koko The Clown went on to a career as one of Hollywood's top designers.

Meanwhile, poor Aline MacMahon looks like she's ready to don a helmet, mount a horse, and go forth to the field of combat. No doubt in a jousting match with Guy Kibbee.

 

[Mrs. Merl]

The "pen wiper" reminds me of a great book, by a dear family friend..."To Say Nothing of the Dog." And that hat is the exact image I had in my head when I read the book! Too Funny!

 

[ChorusGirl]

The "pen wiper" reminds me of a great book, by a dear family friend..."To Say Nothing of the Dog." And that hat is the exact image I had in my head when I read the book! Too Funny!

That's one of my favorite books! I just bought another copy to send to a friend this week... I too thought of the novel when I saw the "pen wiper" hairdo... too funny!

These pictures have been a blast to look at- I need to come on here more often!

Addi

 

[Mrs. Merl]

I love the book too. I keep a copy to give as a gift usually! The author is a really fabulous lady too!

 

[zendy]

Little known fact: After retiring from cartoons in 1933, Koko The Clown went on to a career as one of Hollywood's top designers.

HAHAHA! Oh fabulous, I almost choked on my breakfast!

 

[Miss Jess]

Oh my, some of those are just AWFUL. That Ginger dress is definitely... ridiculous. The most shocking for me, however, was that hideous bridal party. Ugh!

 

[Foofoogal]

that backbone ribcage dress is beyond hideous.
horribly so.
http://sandysfancypants.blogspot.com

 

[Joonie]

This one is Dior:
http://www.life.com/image/50773191

I can't decide which is worse- the "hat" or ridiculous cleavage "show!"

 

[Joonie]

This is such a fun idea for a thread. Most of the things I think are ugly are also sort of awesome:
http://www.life.com/image/50615524

This makes almost every single bride's maid gown look fabulous! Imagine trying to figure out how to wear one of those numbers again!

 

[LolitaHaze]

This one is Dior:
http://www.life.com/image/50773191

I am not normally a lables kind of gal, but I would kill to have that Doir dress! Not ugleh, but sexeh as hell!

 

[Lauren]

Ok, I thought of something just CREEPY. There was a fashion, I forget when, of fastening a live beetle to your blazer with a chain, so it would kind of crawl all around your jacket but be attached. I think they embellished them somehow too. That counts as ugly and gross.

 

[Vanessa]

 

[Joonie]

http://cumuseum.colorado.edu/Research/Objects/mar05_bug_jewelry.html


"The adult beetle does not feed or fly. Still sold, and worn, in parts of Mexico, U.S. Customs will not allow the living beetles into the United States... When is a living creature a pet? When is it an accessory? What is adornment?"

Bedtime, anyone?

 

[RC]

The "pen wiper" reminds me of a great book, by a dear family friend..."To Say Nothing of the Dog." And that hat is the exact image I had in my head when I read the book! Too Funny!

fftopic:

Wow - Connie Willis is a family friend? Cool!
A little star struck here. She's a major hero of mine!
Mr. RC is friends with a few famous people and he always rolls his eyes at me and points out that everybody has to have friends/family - even the famous. But I always found that 6 degrees game kind of thrilling.

 

[Miss Jess]

If anyone watches Top Model, there was an episode a few years ago where the models had to walk for designer Jared Gold. He is amazing, I love his work. He had them walk with bejeweled live cockroaches on chains, worn as living brooches. He is very influenced by the Edwardian and Victorian eras... so I'm wondering if that idea came from back then?

 

[KAT]

they used this for germany next top model last season and this is the thread lauren is talking about
http://www.thefedoralounge.com/showthread.php?t=8439&highlight=bug+alligator+brooch

 

[Blondie]

...top this:

From the movie "Shanghai Gesture," 1941.

Got to love eye putty !!! sorry i know we are supposed to be talking about clothes, but eye putty gets me everytime HAAAAAAAAAAAAlol

 

[Paisley]

Maybe the insects as accessories were the poor woman's lap dog.

 

[Miss 1929]

Ok, I thought of something just CREEPY. There was a fashion, I forget when, of fastening a live beetle to your blazer with a chain, so it would kind of crawl all around your jacket but be attached. I think they embellished them somehow too. That counts as ugly and gross.

People have been doing that for millennia, in Egypt and in Mexico! It is sad.

That Ginger Rogers dress is even more awful when you realize it is QUILTED! Adds pounds even to tiny Ginger! Of course, she is playing a ridiculous fake-countess character, but still, yuk.