Suddenly I feel nostalgic of a bygone era of elegance and romance, perhaps it is because lately lmy friends and I have been talking about our parents … .Well, we are always talking about our parents actually, reminiscing moments forever engraved inside of us, just a little dusty and hidden in the deep folds of the mind … missing and longing, even for the ones that are still with us, the memories of them, young and strong, stars of their own lives, not yet relegated to the corners by debilitating illnesses or by the darkness of games played by their minds that make them forget everything they once loved, created and dreamed of…
A time when it was ok to be feminine and delicate at the same time of being strong and smart… Vintage Dior, 1963A time of hats… Vogue 1960A Time of gentlemen opening doors and bringing flowers… at least in the movies !A Time when it was beautiful to have curves and charm…A Cinderella time! Dior 1950sA time of dancing…. The magic of Fred and Rita!A time of glamour and more glamour!A time of seduction and mistery ! Christian Dior 1950Cary Grant and Grace Kelly in “To catch a Thief”A time of beauty and femininity! Christian Dior 1950s by Philippe PoitierA time of Grace!A time for The Saint! Roger MooreChristian Dior, Harper’s Bazaar 1951Exquisite times! Photography by Gordon ParksYves St. Laurent, 1958.A time of perfect Grace!Franco NeroElegant and timeless. 1960sLanvin, 1952Dior 1954. Perfection!Rita!Rock HudsonA time of class!.Christopher PlummerEleanor ParkerAudrey HepburnGilda! Rita HayworthElizabeth TaylorChristopher PlummerA time of Hats! Vintage DiorBaroness SchraederThe name is Bond, James Bond.A time of gloves! Christian Dior, 1956 Anybody could wear this right now, without alterations, it is perfection, from color to design. The only thing we wouldn’t see is that horrible linoleum floor!!Dior 1950Chanel 1950A time when men didn’t shave their chest hair! Thank you...Vogue 1950sThe 50sVogue 1945Vogue 1950Jean Patou.Roger MooreChristian Dior 1958Yves St. LaurentSuzy Parker. Dior 1952.Givenchy, 1954Jean Patou 1969.Eleanor ParkerJackieGraceRod HudsonLanvin, Spring 1969Elizabeth TaylorChristopher, my Captain Von TrappA wonderful time!
I know all past times were not necessarily better, but children have a way sometimes to rescue the best of their past in order to continue dreaming… Or in order to survive.
I had to add a few days after sharing that I hope everybody understood that I am talking strictly about Fashion, Style and Glamour! The illusion, the perception, the memories through the eyes of a child. And every time we catch a glimpse of an old movie on reruns, it brings us back to that moment, glancing through our mother’s magazine pages and being in awe of the beautiful ladies in hats and gloves, cladded in fabulous designers’ dresses, dreaming of the time we could wear something as feminine and as glamorous as that! (and only for that reason I’ll add a couple of pictures more… like I need an excuse to use more pictures!)
39 thoughts on “What Women are missing these days… and don’t even know”
Yes!yes! YES! Bring it all back and I’ll even take that checkerboard floor – especially if mr grant (Cary not Lou)would be so kind to come along. I remember when my mom would wear heels and gloves when she took us to the park and my dad always in a fedora. No money but lotsa style. Thanks again for the beauty you post.
Thank you Sandy! What a lovely image of your family… If we were going to have any memories, those are the ones we want to have! I love your comment about Mr Grant!
Ladies, I share your wistfulness, I too long for the days of class and stately elegance.
I have enjoyed this article and the beautiful pictures, have a look at my Instagram and Pinterest accounts, perhaps the photos may add further inspiration: Zsaqueline
Apart from certain people I still wish were alive and well and active, and just as wonderful as they were 60 years ago, I’m not missing anything from this list.
I have a gentleman in my life who doesn’t shave his chest and is handsome and stylish. He opens doors for me, helps my coat on me, brings me flowers and is as considerate, well-mannered and kind as a gentleman should be.
I am just as delicate, feminine, glamorous, seductive and mysterious, beautiful, elegant and timeless, graceful and exquisite, classy, curvy, smart and strong, charming and well-mannered as I want to be.
I wear hats and gloves and high heel shoes. I wear Cinderella gowns, and I ballroom dance.
What I do not miss is corsets and hip padding. I don’t miss the constant expectations of fitting someone else’s idea of femininity and style. I don’t miss having fewer opportunities than men. I don’t miss that time’s treatment of fat women. I don’t miss the misogyny.
I am very happy about the opportunities at the moment. I can wear 50s clothes or 60s or 40s or 1780s or 2220s.
No, I don’t understand the nostalgia and wishing. Just do it. Start taking ballroom dance classes. Go to events where one is supposed to wear a Cinderella gown. Be Audrey and Grace.
It’s only nostalgia and romanticism for a moment, it’s awesome that you get to do all those things because it’s our choice. I too have a wonderful husband, with chest hair , who open doors for me and we do go dancing! But that’s not what you see around almost at all… and it wasn’t that way for everybody back then, only in the movies or as always for only a few! Enjoy your life, be grateful and thanks for adding to the conversation. I appreciate your comments!
Yes, you are right that we all didn’t have those clothes, but we did emulate those styles to the best of our ability with what resources we had. And we did wear hats and gloves as the occasion called for, to church, to banquets, etc. Even some of us who grew up as farmers daughter’s were taught to look and act like ladies. Oh how l miss those things. I abhor the slouchiness of today. At times it’s totally disgusting.
It was a way of been and perceiving ourselves, right? All times have their own charms but those ones were pretty cool I believe! Thank you for commenting!
Now it is all oversized sweat pants and huge tee shirts that make a thin woman appear average, an average woman fat, and a fat woman obese. Then it fills out in the manner of Parkinson’s Law.
Elegance is timeless. Clothes that are modest, feminine dresses ,gloves, hats, pretty houseclothes are very nice.I would like to see the fashion houses of the world supply each season with the late1950s-early 1960s style for women and men.Thank you for showing beautiful pictures.
Unfortunately, I did not have the opportunity of seeing my parents dress in this fashion. However my mother did see her parents dress so elegant, and classy. And therefore she would sew beautiful outfits for my sister and I. We hard a difficult time finding patterns for designs reflecting the 1940s and 1950s, 60s… so from all the commentors if you know websites were these styles are still made and purchased and please let it be Not from China! I would be interested. I have attempted to order gloves and have a hard time even finding those! Thanks
You are so lucky to have a mother like that! I hope you find what you are looking for, have you tried Googling it with your specifications? I’m sure you did but had to ask…. thank you for adding to the conversation!
You can dress however you want. You don’t have to miss anything. Its America, live the life you choose. Who said you can’t and why did you believe them?
I think you didn’t read the article or you missed everything about it. People feel nostalgic sometimes, that is a common human trait! Do you think that only in America people dress or live the way they want? You need to travel a little or even give reading a try…
Nobody says you can’t. But you can’t control what is normal in society. There was a different standard back in the day that no longer exists. Nowadays, many people go grocery shopping in pjs, slippers and messy hair, go out to dinner in shorts and t shirts. Rarely do you see people put much effort whatsoever into elegance of clothing, deportment or speech. Hence the nostalgia.
The hippy and women’s lib movements destroyed femininity , glamour and class. My mother and grand mother used to where dresses to church every Sunday at Christmas , Easter etc. The men dressed better in those times as well.
Those movements brought so much good and fundamental changes as well but we often tend to go to extremes, I wish we could find a happy medium … but now we can wear whatever we want, everything is posible!
Thank you for the blast from the past. I LOVE vintage clothing and go to as many vintage shows as I can find. The clothes and other items bring me back to a time where my mother wore hats & gloves and I can still remember walking to church and hearing the click of her high heels. I remember my older sisters in their poodle skirts and chiffon prom dresses. It was a beautiful time for fashion.
Nice article and photos. I love old movies and classic, feminine dresses and hair styles of the past. My brother and I talk often of our parents when they were young. It’s heartbreaking seeing them suffer the ravages of old age. I did a vintage theme for their 56 anniversary 2 years ago. I used a lot of their pictures during their early years together in pretty vintage frames during the early 60’s and of them during the 50’s. They often say they are happy they were young during that time even though they grew up in a third world country. As for me, I decided the best look for me is the classic look, so I use hats, sometimes gloves, scarves, pins. I’ll mix modern with vintage. My older friends in their 80’s still have that touch. Even when at home they put themselves together in a classic, stylish way. Now in my 50’s I’m trying this as well with pretty yet comfy lounging pjs. I was a jean and tee shirt girl during my teens, now I am enjoying feeling feminine and my husband notices too!
I understand this has been out for some time, but I still want to comment.
I grew up in the sixties and often argued with my Dad about how short my skirts were. He kept telling me that “Princess Grace doesn’t wear her skirts short.” I didn’t even know who she was! I wish he’d shown me her picture at least.
As I matured, I came to appreciate Princess Grace and Audrey Hepburn and their style. For a long time, I wore hats in appropriate situations and even gloves at times. I had a beautiful hat with veil for my wedding in 1982 along with sheer, satin edged gloves. I definitely was not an eighties bride.
I, too, wish the females of today would take more pride in how they look and dress. Be an Audrey, not a Kardashian!
The difference is that men and women cared about their appearance and society cared. I would give anything for it to be a society norm that you put on gloves because you are going out and you wear a hat. None of this is disrespect for my individuality or for my rights it is respect for civilized life. All people of all incomes can have respect for their surroundings. You do not have to wear channel or dior to honor that.
Absolutely beautiful – stunning.
A bygone ahead of elegance and charm – so inspirational!
My only negative comment – it is Rock Hudson not Rod Hudson a truly handsome man as were many of the stars of that era.
I will save this article to look at time and time again – wonderful, thank you
CHÂTEAU DES RÊVES 
Yes!yes! YES! Bring it all back and I’ll even take that checkerboard floor – especially if mr grant (Cary not Lou)would be so kind to come along. I remember when my mom would wear heels and gloves when she took us to the park and my dad always in a fedora. No money but lotsa style. Thanks again for the beauty you post.
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Timeless beauty that we will never see again in my life time
It was not only movie stars but the culture itself
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Thank you Sandy! What a lovely image of your family… If we were going to have any memories, those are the ones we want to have! I love your comment about Mr Grant!
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Ladies, I share your wistfulness, I too long for the days of class and stately elegance.
I have enjoyed this article and the beautiful pictures, have a look at my Instagram and Pinterest accounts, perhaps the photos may add further inspiration: Zsaqueline
I also follow this website, I hope you will all enjoy it too: http://www.elegantwoman.org
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Beautiful pictures of a bygone past ladies were ladies men were men always Elegance
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Thank you so much for the lovely pictures. I find that designers could make us look more glamorous.
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Thank you Linda, I agree with you!
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Apart from certain people I still wish were alive and well and active, and just as wonderful as they were 60 years ago, I’m not missing anything from this list.
I have a gentleman in my life who doesn’t shave his chest and is handsome and stylish. He opens doors for me, helps my coat on me, brings me flowers and is as considerate, well-mannered and kind as a gentleman should be.
I am just as delicate, feminine, glamorous, seductive and mysterious, beautiful, elegant and timeless, graceful and exquisite, classy, curvy, smart and strong, charming and well-mannered as I want to be.
I wear hats and gloves and high heel shoes. I wear Cinderella gowns, and I ballroom dance.
What I do not miss is corsets and hip padding. I don’t miss the constant expectations of fitting someone else’s idea of femininity and style. I don’t miss having fewer opportunities than men. I don’t miss that time’s treatment of fat women. I don’t miss the misogyny.
I am very happy about the opportunities at the moment. I can wear 50s clothes or 60s or 40s or 1780s or 2220s.
No, I don’t understand the nostalgia and wishing. Just do it. Start taking ballroom dance classes. Go to events where one is supposed to wear a Cinderella gown. Be Audrey and Grace.
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It’s only nostalgia and romanticism for a moment, it’s awesome that you get to do all those things because it’s our choice. I too have a wonderful husband, with chest hair , who open doors for me and we do go dancing! But that’s not what you see around almost at all… and it wasn’t that way for everybody back then, only in the movies or as always for only a few! Enjoy your life, be grateful and thanks for adding to the conversation. I appreciate your comments!
LikeLike
Yes, you are right that we all didn’t have those clothes, but we did emulate those styles to the best of our ability with what resources we had. And we did wear hats and gloves as the occasion called for, to church, to banquets, etc. Even some of us who grew up as farmers daughter’s were taught to look and act like ladies. Oh how l miss those things. I abhor the slouchiness of today. At times it’s totally disgusting.
LikeLike
It was a way of been and perceiving ourselves, right? All times have their own charms but those ones were pretty cool I believe! Thank you for commenting!
LikeLike
Brava! Exactamente! Exactly as she said.
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Thank you!
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Now it is all oversized sweat pants and huge tee shirts that make a thin woman appear average, an average woman fat, and a fat woman obese. Then it fills out in the manner of Parkinson’s Law.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Elegance is timeless. Clothes that are modest, feminine dresses ,gloves, hats, pretty houseclothes are very nice.I would like to see the fashion houses of the world supply each season with the late1950s-early 1960s style for women and men.Thank you for showing beautiful pictures.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you ! It was like you said, a way of showing beautiful pictures, sometimes one feels sentimental and romantic, right?!
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Unfortunately, I did not have the opportunity of seeing my parents dress in this fashion. However my mother did see her parents dress so elegant, and classy. And therefore she would sew beautiful outfits for my sister and I. We hard a difficult time finding patterns for designs reflecting the 1940s and 1950s, 60s… so from all the commentors if you know websites were these styles are still made and purchased and please let it be Not from China! I would be interested. I have attempted to order gloves and have a hard time even finding those! Thanks
LikeLike
You are so lucky to have a mother like that! I hope you find what you are looking for, have you tried Googling it with your specifications? I’m sure you did but had to ask…. thank you for adding to the conversation!
LikeLike
You can dress however you want. You don’t have to miss anything. Its America, live the life you choose. Who said you can’t and why did you believe them?
LikeLike
I think you didn’t read the article or you missed everything about it. People feel nostalgic sometimes, that is a common human trait! Do you think that only in America people dress or live the way they want? You need to travel a little or even give reading a try…
LikeLike
Nobody says you can’t. But you can’t control what is normal in society. There was a different standard back in the day that no longer exists. Nowadays, many people go grocery shopping in pjs, slippers and messy hair, go out to dinner in shorts and t shirts. Rarely do you see people put much effort whatsoever into elegance of clothing, deportment or speech. Hence the nostalgia.
LikeLike
We all understand that. It is only a little nostalgia and romanticism!
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The hippy and women’s lib movements destroyed femininity , glamour and class. My mother and grand mother used to where dresses to church every Sunday at Christmas , Easter etc. The men dressed better in those times as well.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Mike, I have to agree, yes times have changed and under the banner of progressiveness. unfortunately we have lost something in the process.
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Those movements brought so much good and fundamental changes as well but we often tend to go to extremes, I wish we could find a happy medium … but now we can wear whatever we want, everything is posible!
LikeLike
Thank you for the blast from the past. I LOVE vintage clothing and go to as many vintage shows as I can find. The clothes and other items bring me back to a time where my mother wore hats & gloves and I can still remember walking to church and hearing the click of her high heels. I remember my older sisters in their poodle skirts and chiffon prom dresses. It was a beautiful time for fashion.
LikeLiked by 1 person
How fun! I love you story, thank you for sharing! Xx
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Nice article and photos. I love old movies and classic, feminine dresses and hair styles of the past. My brother and I talk often of our parents when they were young. It’s heartbreaking seeing them suffer the ravages of old age. I did a vintage theme for their 56 anniversary 2 years ago. I used a lot of their pictures during their early years together in pretty vintage frames during the early 60’s and of them during the 50’s. They often say they are happy they were young during that time even though they grew up in a third world country. As for me, I decided the best look for me is the classic look, so I use hats, sometimes gloves, scarves, pins. I’ll mix modern with vintage. My older friends in their 80’s still have that touch. Even when at home they put themselves together in a classic, stylish way. Now in my 50’s I’m trying this as well with pretty yet comfy lounging pjs. I was a jean and tee shirt girl during my teens, now I am enjoying feeling feminine and my husband notices too!
LikeLiked by 1 person
What a lovely story! Your parents and yours, I would love to see pictures of that anniversary! Thanks for the comment Marie
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I understand this has been out for some time, but I still want to comment.
I grew up in the sixties and often argued with my Dad about how short my skirts were. He kept telling me that “Princess Grace doesn’t wear her skirts short.” I didn’t even know who she was! I wish he’d shown me her picture at least.
As I matured, I came to appreciate Princess Grace and Audrey Hepburn and their style. For a long time, I wore hats in appropriate situations and even gloves at times. I had a beautiful hat with veil for my wedding in 1982 along with sheer, satin edged gloves. I definitely was not an eighties bride.
I, too, wish the females of today would take more pride in how they look and dress. Be an Audrey, not a Kardashian!
LikeLike
I enjoyed your comment so much! Thank you for sharing such beautiful memories, definitely never a kardashian!!
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The difference is that men and women cared about their appearance and society cared. I would give anything for it to be a society norm that you put on gloves because you are going out and you wear a hat. None of this is disrespect for my individuality or for my rights it is respect for civilized life. All people of all incomes can have respect for their surroundings. You do not have to wear channel or dior to honor that.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Absolutely beautiful – stunning.
A bygone ahead of elegance and charm – so inspirational!
My only negative comment – it is Rock Hudson not Rod Hudson a truly handsome man as were many of the stars of that era.
I will save this article to look at time and time again – wonderful, thank you
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Thank you for your beautiful comment, I apologize for the misspelling! Off to fix it on my phone!
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Apparently I had fix it already!
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I like linoleum floors.
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I grew up in the 1950s. I can well remember it as a time when women were expected to be “delicate and feminine.”
“Strong and smart”? Not so much.
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Love the checkerboard floor as well as the green color👌👌
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