Vintage for the over 40 crowd

[LizzieMaine]

More people in the Era wore "sensible shoes" for everyday than skyscraper heels, and when you're over 40 your ligaments just aren't as flexible as they used to be. I used to be able to wear heels all day but now it's five or six hours, tops, before I lose the ability to walk. So, 99 percent of my time is spent in housewife oxfords with a 1 1/2 inch heel -- it's not High Fashion, but neither is sprawling on the floor in pain when your muscles sieze up.

 

[MissNathalieVintage]

More people in the Era wore "sensible shoes" for everyday than skyscraper heels, and when you're over 40 your ligaments just aren't as flexible as they used to be. I used to be able to wear heels all day but now it's five or six hours, tops, before I lose the ability to walk. So, 99 percent of my time is spent in housewife oxfords with a 1 1/2 inch heel -- it's not High Fashion, but neither is sprawling on the floor in pain when your muscles sieze up.

I can relate to this. I found some great vintage style shoes I am looking forward to wearing. I was sad at first when I could not wear my 2-3 inch heels everyday. But I relized I do not have to worry about that. I can still wear comfortable vintage styled shoes. And high heels on days where I am not on my feet all day long.
Not in my Forties yet. I will be one day. The thing I am having trouble with is trying not to look like a teenager, I look much younger then I really am. I agree with the person who posted about saddle shoes, I adore them . I too do not want to look like I am trying to hard. I dress vintage all the time. Mostly 1930s-1940s but lately I noticed as I've gotten older I find I am dressing more early 1960s and in classic styles. Since I cut my fring/bangs. Plus I learned I am able to find more true 1960s clothing in the resale shops around town.

 

[ohairas]

It's not that I mind so much not being able to wear the heels... but trying to find appropriate shoes that are comfy and go with vintage is really frustrating. I'm waiting for these to come in the mail, hope they work out! I got them in coral and navy~ http://www.amerimark.com/cgi-bin/amerimark/postkey_find.html?cm_re=celebros-_-center-_-search%20promo&keywords=160197&viewadult=yes

 

[kamikat]

My high heel every day days came to an end when I hurt my back nearly 5 years ago, then the heels on special occasions ended last summer when I developed plantar fasciatis. My Muffys saddles are the only shoes deep enough to accomodate my orthodics. I wear them nearly every day. I have some Dansko shoes that look like Keds, but more supportive. When I need to dress up, I wear mary janes from "comfort brands" like Natrualista, Naot, ect. They don't look as vintage as my Remix, but they pass for retro.

 

[MissNathalieVintage]

It's not that I mind so much not being able to wear the heels... but trying to find appropriate shoes that are comfy and go with vintage is really frustrating. I'm waiting for these to come in the mail, hope they work out! I got them in coral and navy~ http://www.amerimark.com/cgi-bin/amerimark/postkey_find.html?cm_re=celebros-_-center-_-search%20promo&keywords=160197&viewadult=yes

That is such a wonderful site for sensible vintage looking shoes. This is where I bought my navy blue keds, black and white wing tip one inch heels with comfort sole and a pair of sling back 1 1/2 inch comfort sole sandals. Granted it does take 6 to 8 weeks for orders to arrive. Still worth it to have shoes that I know when I wear them the will not hurt my feet. Plus the shoes sold on www.amerimark.com specializes in all wide sizes depending on shoe size. Some of the shoes do not offer half sizes. Check out the Anthony Richards shoes. I got the catalog in the mail and I can't stop drooling over it.

Thanks Kamikat for the information on Muffys saddle shoes. I see a pair I already plan to buy a pair of the blue beige shoes http://www.muffys.com/images/275.jpg
This way to me it will not look so teeny bopper on me.

 

[LizzieMaine]

There's a good discussion of sensible shoes in the Vintagey Walking Shoes thread.

 

[MissNathalieVintage]

Thank you Lizzie.

 

[chanteuseCarey]

For over 40 woman in vintage- look to the 1941 film "You were Never Lovelier" with Fred Astaire and Rita Hayworth. Forget Rita- look at the character of the Mother - a brunette (mother to Rita and wife to Adolph Menjou) and the Godmother- a blonde. I especially love the Godmother, she was my age (early fifties) AND my height!

She and the Mother character were not so slim, not tall- but well built, very well dressed and coiffured. Both women looked very elegant. The Godmother is always wearing terrific tilt hats! The Godmother as based in this film is actually the role model for my vintage look.

Look at how Ginger Roger is dressed in 1949 film "The Barkleys of Broadway", she was 38 when the film was done. Fantastic clothes.

 

[Margo Rita]

Hi~ I'm 56, I'm Bi Coastal (part in Florida/Part in Southern California about 60 miles towards Vegas) I for one have attempted to venture out in Full 1940's dress.Hat,Gloves,Purse, Shoes, Skirt,Top,Swing Jacket. BUT...I find that without the proper undergarments & how to wear them I'm not pulling it off the way I'd really like to! I'm not rail thin like my 5'6" mom was! I'm ROUND! 5'3"(if that) and menopausal pot bellied! To look at myself in the mirror I think wow! that was a lot of "getting dressed" for a trip to the market! I'm not figuring out the proper clothing for the time of day! for example;day/houe dress for around the house, nicer dress with hat for grocery shopping? but to answer your question....I'm into it! I jsut don't think I'm pulling off the Rita Hayworth or Rosalin Russell I'm trying to Channel! [huh]

 

[Margo Rita]

I found a pair of really nice 1940's Styled Ladies oxfords in Payless Shoe Source last week. They are manufacturing them again and they had a wide variety of sizes from 5 to 10's;Wides & Narrows. The heels weren't so high, I felt at ease in them. Of course, I've got foot issues too, but for the most part they were fairly comfortible in the store!I couldn't purchase them at the time though.

 

[St. Louis]

Margo Rita, I agree wholeheartedly. I think going out in full-on mid-20th century clothing is a real education in the lives of women. I recently made an experiment to try out a more complete 1930s/1940s look on an overseas trip and realized that it took an immense amount of preparation, thought, and effort. And that's in addition to my usual effort, which generally involves changing into a denim skirt or a cotton dress, nice shoes and a bit of makeup. In other words, I wouldn't leave the house wearing sweats and sneakers. (No criticism implied, that's just how I was raised & how I feel most comfy.)

I realized that I had to rethink my whole idea of comfort anyway. I'm not comfortable feeling & looking slovenly. But going full-on vintage also means coping with hair, underpinnings (as you note), hosiery, shoes with heels, all of which requires some thought. I do wonder whether there's something about having been raised by a woman who was a teenager during WWII that has left me with a disinclination to run around in jeans & sweats? Though I know a few lovely young women in their twenties and thirties who look great in their "daily vintage."

Sorry, I think I'm rambling a bit. I would say that the word vintage has taken on (for many people) connotations of "pinup," and if that's the case, then it may be a little inappropriate for some. Or at least for me. For me, a nice tailored 1940s suit with the right purse, shoes, and gloves is a fantastically timeless and elegant look.

 

[LizzieMaine]

Thing is, teenage girls in the mid-forties were well-known for running around in dungarees and their dad's old shirts:

You wouldn't see too many women older than their early twenties going around in public like this, but the kids loved it.

 

[Amy Jeanne]

My grandmother (b. 1929) was a teenager during WW2 and she's told me she used to wear her older brother's clothes during that time. She said it with a huge smile on her face!

 

[RedShoesGirl]

Thing is, teenage girls in the mid-forties were well-known for running around in dungarees and their dad's old shirts:

You wouldn't see too many women older than their early twenties going around in public like this, but the kids loved it.

i hate to say it, but my current look is jeans and a man's white shirt with rolled up sleeves. and the occasional vintage hawaiian shirt. can't really afford to go full on vintage and where i live, california desert, i would stand out like a sore thumb, and not in an attractive way. one thing i also like was to pair a 40s suit jacket with slacks or even jeans. i do like my jeans. have outgrown the jacket - for the time being. i also bought a vintage western shirt, pink and black, to wear over a tailored T-shirt but made a mistake in size, choosing what i thought was a woman's large but it turned out to be a man's large and the wide shoulders with gathered shoulder doesn't fit right. not even as outwear. so it decorates my closet.

i've been away from the forum for awhile...

 

[MissNathalieVintage]

Thing is, teenage girls in the mid-forties were well-known for running around in dungarees and their dad's old shirts:

You wouldn't see too many women older than their early twenties going around in public like this, but the kids loved it.

I adore this style for casual wear. Me being petite I fear I will become swallowed in the clothing. Is there a type of vintage casual wear for petites.

The older I am getting, I noticed I am leaning more toward the early 1960s. This style looks more fitted to my height 5 ft 2.

 

[Miss Moonlight]

I'm petite and just 5"4', and as long as the clothes fit, any casual should work. I like trousers (think Kathryn Hepburn) or jeans with a fitted blouse or sweater. See also: Betty from the tv show Bomb Girls. She's not over forty, but her casual, sporty wardrobe is suitable for the over 40s.

 

[Miss Moonlight]

Ps. At the moment, I've begun to rebuild my wardrobe after some seriously bad financial times compelled me to sell most of what I own to feed my child. As I rebuild, because I'm recovering financially, I'm focusing on this more refined or fashionably conservative 1940s style, yet all with the dark touch which is just who I am, whereas in the past, I'd have focused on curve-hugging.

 

[MissNathalieVintage]

I forgotten about Katharine Hepburn
Here are a couple of looks that I found of Katharine Hepburn in slacks that look wearable.
http://media.photobucket.com/image/...issmaggiethecat/VFG/3745838403_aa9d60669a.jpg

http://clothspot.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Kate-in-trousers.jpg



I like this outfit where Katharine paired her slacks with wedges and a rolled up sleeved button down sweater http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4uugnLUcA...-chairw.shotsyvintage.files.wordpress.com.jpg





I like how Katharine is wearing socks with open sandals in the second photo. http://www.nycitywoman.com/files/imagecache/slideshow-in-article/katharine-headshot-pants-550.jpg



Not Katharine Hepburn but I like the look. http://tinatarnoff.typepad.com/.a/6a00e55378e88988340120a5cde037970c-800wi




I also like Audrey Hepburn's look
1. http://www.trendmag.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/audrey-hepburn.jpg
2. http://blog.stillthelovely.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/inside11.jpg
3. http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-r7JlPH0ue...AEr4/iBYWedjeI3g/s1600/AudreyHepburn_8397.jpg
4. http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cRkDB26nJ...CFcIeLwo/s1600/audrey-hepburn-512x384-312.jpg

There are not to many casual shots of Audrey Hepburn. She has such great style with out trying to hard. Plus I like how she did not try to cover up her looks as she got older. http://data.whicdn.com/images/15180207/audrey_hepburn_large.jpg