Costumes Directory - Vintage Costumes From LoveToK

Vintage Costumes
From LoveToKnow Costumes

Whether you would rather be a demure southern belle or a disco diva, vintage costumes can be a fun option for Halloween, a masquerade, or any other occasion. In many cases, vintage costumes are actually articles of clothing from a former era that have survived to the present time. However, the term "vintage costumes" is also used to refer to modern costumes that are made in the style of fashions of the past.
Honor the roaring 20s.
Honor the roaring 20s.
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Vintage Costume Ideas

While there were diverse fashions in every era, the following ideas represent the iconic style images of these time periods, for the most common and recognizable vintage costumes.
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1800s

When women choose to emulate the styles of the 1800s, they typically choose the most elaborate hoop-skirted dresses, channeling Scarlett O'Hara and other southern belles. Don't forget a wide-brimmed hat and parasol to complete the look. A Civil War uniform is one option for men wishing to accompany a nineteenth-century lady.
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1920s

The 1920s was the decade of the flapper. This free-spirited time saw hemlines rise and waistlines disappear. Women often wore cloche (bell-shaped) hats. Men wore suits, commonly in the wide-breasted, pin-striped style associated with movie gangsters. The fedora was a popular hat for men.
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1930s and 1940s

Women looking for glamor can mirror the long, satiny dresses of the era's starlets. World War II-era costumes can mean uniforms for men, khaki skirts and blouses for women, or a recreation of the Rosie the Riveter look.
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1950s

The fashions of the 1950s have been immortalized in movies and television. When you think of '50s costumes, you most likely think of poodle skirts, letterman sweaters, and leather jackets for the "guys from the wrong side of the tracks." Another popular costume choice is the 1950s-era prom dress, typically a strapless gown made of a light, frothy material with a full skirt.
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1960s

Vintage costumes from the 1960s vary greatly depending on the specific year. Clothing from the early '60s is similar to clothing from the 1950s. Women wore tailored dresses or skirt and sweater sets and idolized the look of Jackie Kennedy. Men wore suits and cardigan sweaters for a very Ward Cleaver-ish look.

In terms of popular costumes, the later years of the decade belonged to flower children and mod fashion. While hippies wore long, flowing dresses or bell bottoms, open-necked shirts, and vests, others turned to mini skirts, go-go dresses, and boots. Fashionable men wore paisley shirts and grew their hair long.