Remember when I posted the details about my 1953 dot dress, I mentioned that I was waiting to participate in a grand adventure to get photos of the dress on me? It worked out recently that schedules were free on the same day, so we were able to have a 1950s adventure! We started out going for brunch at a 1950s themed diner, then stopped by the side of the road to take fall color pictures on our way to go to a thrift store (where I purchased a flip top picnic basket for $4!), followed by roller skating, and then we finished off the evening with a Regency ball. It was a long, awesome day. I was absolutely exhausted by the end of it.
But I’ve got lots of fun pictures to share! Yay! I’m going to break up the 1950s pictures into three parts: photos at the diner, fall color photos, and photos of roller skating. There will be a separate post about the Regency ball (which includes pictures of my Refreshing Apron in action and my new tiara!).
I noticed crayons on another table the waitresses were clearing off and asked if we could have them… because you never really stop being a child! Though I have to say I was more easily inspired when I was a child. It was hard to come up with something to draw!
Now is as good a time as any to talk about my hair and accessories (especially since I’m about to subject you to a series of me-shots). I tried to do rolls with my hair. I think they were quite successful, though they did take a very long time. I had to dry my hair, straighten my hair, then curl my hair while adding hairspray and trying to contain the waves and the frizz… I aimed for an asymmetrical style but in some pictures it looks like I just have an odd halo of hair on one side of my head and not the other. I ran out of time and inspiration for the back, so my hair is just in a bun. It’s the first time I’ve attempted this sort of hair style, so I certainly don’t have lots of practice. Ah well, I like that I look very put together and made up–that just seems like a 50s way to be.
Oh right, and accessories! Well, I’ve got a modern sweater from Old Navy. I’ve got Nine West brown heels (a little tall for the 50s, but other than that they have a great shape). And I’ve got a faux pearl and jewel bracelet (another of the costume jewelry presents from my mom). Thanks mom!
Finally, step outside and there’s a cute scarecrow waiting for you (at least during the month of October…)!
See? So many smiles. Next stop will be the side of the road where we stopped to take fall color pictures…
The Quintessential Clothes Pen 
Love the dresses and diner! And the weird guy on the wall is James Dean, one of the big heart throbs of the 50’s. I was sitting here trying to remember th fashions of the 50’s, but I was a kid so they would be different. I know my mom had several shirtdresses in a flower print, and my grandmother had more of a housedress (?) style that was just an A-line with a belt. The sweaters were spot on, though! I loved my mom’s heels she wore for church, chunky heel with a rounded toe and sort of a velvety feel. (Grandma still wore the 40’s style that had heel and tied across the top of the foot. She had tiny feet and I could play in her shoes for dress up!) You guys didn’t have to go the whole dress up thing with the underthings did you? I do remember the horrible girdles and stockings because that ran over into the 60’s when I was a teenager. Panyhose were a miracle when they came out, Your dress up days like these seem like such fun.
Ah ha! James Dean! I’m so pleased that you were able to think about all those fun memories by reading this post. 🙂 For this period we don’t bother with correct period undergarments, though perhaps some day I’ll give it a go. It’s more of a priority for me to worry about undergarments with earlier periods. Some of the ladies in the pictures do use garter belt and stockings sometimes, though I just wear modern hose. 😉
CUTE!!!!!!! Oh my goodness, that retro diner is absolutely darling and I love the murals on the walls. What a wonderful activity, and your dot dresses are so cute!
Thanks! I thought you would appreciate it. 🙂
Looks like a set from “Happy Days”. Rock and roll!
That show is fantastic! I’m going to add it to my Netflix queue right now, because I don’t think it’s in there.
Lovely set of photos…it’s as if one can almost hear the music from the jukebox!!! Pretty dresses and perfect setting – such fun!