The Golden Era's *ugliest* clothes

[Lauren]

Personally, I think being "ugly" is a good thing because at least it is striking and has a bit of character. Being plain and dull is the worst, IMO

^This
Just gotta say, I didn't take anything personally, and I hope that no one took personally if I liked something they thought was ugly. I get a huge kick out of fads from back then- a lot of which were bizarre to say the least.

If we're not supposed to say if we like something, I'll just hang out and watch pics. I'm a little confused now as to whether we can say if we like something or are only supposed to say if we think things are ugly?

 

[LizzieMaine]

Any thread should be about *discussion*, because, after all, this is a discussion board, not a snark board or a agree-with-everybody board. And discussion means exchanging opinions -- it doesn't matter if we agree or disagree with the original post, what matters is to discuss it. We kid around and crack wise in threads like this one, but I think/hope everybody knows enough not to take it too seriously. None of the comments have been intended to be taken personally, and I hope no one will take them so.

And as for Ava's robe/cloak/ceremonial vestments in the photo above, somewhere there's a 15th Century French palace missing its draperies.

 

[Puzzicato]

And as for Ava's robe/cloak/ceremonial vestments in the photo above, somewhere there's a 15th Century French palace missing its draperies.

Well if curtains are good enough for Scarlet O'Hara... but I was also thinking of your previous Ming the Merciless comment. This certainly has an intergalactic ubervillain vibe.

 

[Lauren]

Thanks, Lizzie

 

[sheeplady]

lol
I don't have a problem with disagreeing -- I was just a bit put off by the comments where people were taking it personally. "I must have bad taste then!" is not becoming. lol It's not like we're posting any of these as a personal attack to anyone!! lol As LD said -- some I think are cute, but I can understand why someone would think it was ugly. Personally, I think being "ugly" is a good thing because at least it is striking and has a bit of character. Being plain and dull is the worst, IMO

I apologize if my comment upthread was at all offensive to people who have posted, I would remove it if I knew how (I don't think I can though, so I will edit it to remove any possible offensive comments). I meant it more as a joke, as in "I must have bad taste. Haha! If you find this ugly, sell it to me! Haha!" I find it quite amusing because I can see the good in a lot of ugly, and my tastes have always been extreme. I don't view any of these postings as a personal attack against me (or my taste), and I hope that people didn't read my reply as a personal one against them (or their taste). I guess I misread some of the postings/ intentions of the thread. I feel bad that I might have offended anyone or caused them to feel uncomfortable to post when this has been a very welcoming group to me.

So, I do sincerely apologize for offending anyone.

 

[Miss Golightly]

^This
Just gotta say, I didn't take anything personally, and I hope that no one took personally if I liked something they thought was ugly. I get a huge kick out of fads from back then- a lot of which were bizarre to say the least.

Some of the designs might be all kinds of horrible but at least they were creative - I love some of the ideas (even if I wouldn't wear it myself) like the purse pocket - purely on an imaginative basis - you wouldn't find those kinds of ideas knocking around now.

 

[LizzieMaine]

I think one of the most interesting things in this thread has been the odd extremes that everyday clothes -- not high end designer stuff, but the sort of thing Sears would sell -- were being pushed to. There was a lot of mass production going on, not just in the manufacturing, but in the designing as well -- and some of these outfits have an air of "well, we gotta come up with five more designs by quitting time, so let's see -- let's stick this collar here, and this waist there, and these sleeves, and that belt, and let's throw a jacket over it, and hey, how about using angled stripes for the fabric, and DONE. What's next?" You can almost see them, lined up at drawing tables, passing cutouts of different dress parts back and forth to see what elements they can combine.

 

[Amy Jeanne]

I think women's jeans from back in the day are ugly. Such a horrible cut and my dad said that jeans back then were so stiff they stood up on their own lol These look really thick, stiff, unflattering, and uncomfortable.

 

[ThePowderKeg]

"Sanfordized" sounds like something they do to tires.

 

[rue]

For me it brings back the horrors of the 80s. I've seen them look cute on the gals here, but I just can't do it, especially in red.

 

[Lauren]

I think one of the most interesting things in this thread has been the odd extremes that everyday clothes -- not high end designer stuff, but the sort of thing Sears would sell -- were being pushed to. There was a lot of mass production going on, not just in the manufacturing, but in the designing as well -- and some of these outfits have an air of "well, we gotta come up with five more designs by quitting time, so let's see -- let's stick this collar here, and this waist there, and these sleeves, and that belt, and let's throw a jacket over it, and hey, how about using angled stripes for the fabric, and DONE. What's next?" You can almost see them, lined up at drawing tables, passing cutouts of different dress parts back and forth to see what elements they can combine.

Totally! Just like a lot of fashion today... just looking for the next trend. Some catch on and some don't (for reasons that can be obvious sometimes. lol )

 

[maisie]

I think women's jeans from back in the day are ugly. Such a horrible cut and my dad said that jeans back then were so stiff they stood up on their own lol These look really thick, stiff, unflattering, and uncomfortable.

I think jeans of that style are so much more comfortable than todays modern style... skinny jeans... eww! So uncomfotable and a muffin top to boot.. no thanks ! I have a few pairs of 50s jeans.. love the high waist, and they have been worn in so the jean fabirc is soo confortable!
I love the capris in that picture.. they look cute

 

[Lady Day]

"Sanfordized" sounds like something they do to tires.

You wear sanfordized stuff everyday. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sanforized

As for those jeans, I just made a pair(s) a lot like them! lol

LD

 

[cherry lips]

I think one of the most interesting things in this thread has been the odd extremes that everyday clothes -- not high end designer stuff, but the sort of thing Sears would sell -- were being pushed to.

I agree! Every once in a while I can find something quirky/ crazy/ creative in a cheap mass-produced mainstream chain like H&M, which make me happy; but if you want to find the root of all that is wild the old days is where it's at.

 

[Amy Jeanne]

I like finding crazy/ugly/weird stuff from back in the day. It breaks stereotypes that everything was brown and "gracious." lol

No need to apologize for anything. You can't really tell if someone is joking or not on the Internet and I don't want anyone to feel hurt or offended just cuz insignificant lil me thinks some 1940s sweaters are ugly! Like I said, ugly = good because it strikes you. Plain, boring, dull, and mediocre are what we DON'T want to strive for! I'd rather be ugly than mediocre! Yeay!

Re JEANS: I made a pair of vintage jeans, too. They aren't that bad, but they don't look good on these models for some reason. They look like they are 5 sizes too big, but belted in at the waist. I also own modern jeans and two pairs of skinny jeans lol But I buy the correct size and I *don't* have a muffin top in them.

 

[rue]

I like finding crazy/ugly/weird stuff from back in the day. It breaks stereotypes that everything was brown and "gracious." lol

No need to apologize for anything. You can't really tell if someone is joking or not on the Internet and I don't want anyone to feel hurt or offended just cuz insignificant lil me thinks some 1940s sweaters are ugly! Like I said, ugly = good because it strikes you. Plain, boring, dull, and mediocre are what we DON'T want to strive for! I'd rather be ugly than mediocre! Yeay!

Re JEANS: I made a pair of vintage jeans, too. They aren't that bad, but they don't look good on these models for some reason. They look like they are 5 sizes too big, but belted in at the waist. I also own modern jeans and two pairs of skinny jeans lol But I buy the correct size and I *don't* have a muffin top in them.

You are so stinkin' cute Amy Jeanne I always love your posts.
I don't wear skinny jeans, just regular cut ones and I certainly don't have muffin top lol, but it's just a personal fear of looking like I'm still wearing my clothes from 82 (not that I could fit in them lol). Nothing against anyone else. Like I said, I think they're cute on others

 

[Lauren]

you're a sweetie, Amy Jeanne!

I agree about the way jeans look in catalogs! Especially men's work denim. They always look made out of cardboard! lol
In real life I think they're pretty awesome, though.

 

[Lauren]

I'm not a big fan of this skirt. Reminds me of the prints on 70s maxi dresses. Or maybe Pippi Longstocking?

 

[Lady Day]

I would LOVE that skirt...as a pot holder.

LD

 

[Lady Day]

Re JEANS: I made a pair of vintage jeans, too. They aren't that bad, but they don't look good on these models for some reason. They look like they are 5 sizes too big, but belted in at the waist. I also own modern jeans and two pairs of skinny jeans lol But I buy the correct size and I *don't* have a muffin top in them.

If we ever meet, Amy Jeanne, Ill be sure to wear my ugly jeans around you :biggrin:

If I cared whether someone thought, or if I felt I had to defend my tastes at every single opinion thrown out there, Id never get up from bed! Its just exhausting, and Id rather pick my battles in life.

The only time I care for a comment (good or bad) on my outfit is if I have toilet paper sticking out of my waistband. Which, someone did on Saturday :eusa_doh: and I thanked them for it!

LD