Romantic Looks from Past Times

Once upon a time, before Wikipedia and before (gasp) even the Internet, my favorite section of the encyclopedia was an article on clothing that featured full color illustrations of fashions through the ages. By now, the fashions current then, at the time of my encyclopedia perusal, are, if not exactly historical, at least vintage. This interest in clothing of the past has stuck with me until today.

I am not a purely vintage clothing wearer and neither am I always into the latest trends. My personal style is "romantic" and that could be the romantic boho styles of today or something borrowed from yesterday.

I find all sorts of interesting tributes to vintage and historical fashion on the Internet. Some, like this gentleman in the video below, live every day like they are in a past era. This 25-year-old man makes his own clothes and dresses as a Regency gentleman daily.

I like many romantic looks from the Victorian era, but I like comfort (and health) too much to want a comeback of corsets, bustles or hoops for skirts. I can appreciate Victorian and other historical looks adapted for more modern times.

1980s' Victorian Dresses

I liked the 1980s' version of Victorian romance such as in this cabbage roses print dress found on eBay.

This one has a flattering shape, an attractive print and color scheme and a sweetheart neckline. I like the bows down the back side of the dress also. I tend to like clothing with detailed design.

This Scott McClintock dress from the '80s is sophisticated and a bit more formal with a tapestry fabric that is Victorian-inspired and a petticoat to give the skirt a little lift and poof.

This Laura Ashley '80s dress has a look about the shoulders, a kind of ruched cap sleeve, that reminds me of early 1800s dresses where there would be a ruched puff at the top of the sleeve. It definitely has a bolder print than I think you would find in that era, but I like the pop of the bright pink against the deep blue. It also has a flattering fit and flare look that seems to fit with the style of the '50s.

'50s Fit and Flare Dresses

This leads me right into the next category of dress styles that I wouldn't mind seeing revived.

This '50s fit and flare dress is another Ebay find. It's a cotton peasant dress with an empire waist and little tucks on the bodice. Can't you just imagine wearing this to a picnic or a casual dance?

You can find a revival of this style if you look for it. Here is a rockabilly cocktail party swing dress found on Ebay that is a modern revival of the style and not a vintage dress. This is what is interesting about the times we're in. While there will always be new trends in fashion, it is also acceptable to wear vintage thrift finds, and, at any given time, there can be more than one distinct fashionable look, for the naturals, for the romantics or for the dramatic or classics, which gives people the chance to be individuals.

The price on Ebay is so low ($13.99) that I am a little suspicious. Even so, the photo is a good example of the style. It's certainly romantic, with the bright pink roses, the shapely design and the little bit of black tulle at the hem. I can equally envision an old movie star or a modern girl in this dress.

'70s Gunne Sax Prairie Dresses

While browsing the Internet, I heard that the prairie dress is making a comeback, from someone who was not so happy about it. I have not noticed the trend in stores myself, but the examples in the video looked dull in color, in some kind of earth tones, and shapeless. This style does not have to be dull or completely shapeless.

This Gunne Sax prairie maxi dress is a pleasing blue color with tiny white floral print. With the lacing in front and the cinching at the wait, it is definitely not shapeless. It may take some fashion boldness to wear today. You might almost feel like you belong in a period movie or book. Many of these dresses on Ebay are also labeled as "boho" or "cottagecore," so there are modern fashion movements (perhaps even subcultures) that fit with this look.

It makes a pleasant profile also.

Here's another prairie dress from Gunne Sax in mint green. This one has a delicate floral print, gauzy sleeves and a V neck with a lace collar. A flounce at the bottom is also a nice feminine touch.

Longer skirts seem to be less popular now, but they can be very feminine and romantic. I like to see ballerinas or ballroom dancers with long skirts that flow when they move.

This was an interesting time travel trip through fashion, a look at styles of the past, some of which were revived in part from even older times. Whatever happens with fashion trends in the future, it seems looks of the past do get recycled and reinvented.

These looks are varied enough that, perhaps, the same person would not necessarily like all three, if any. What about you? Would you like to see any of these looks again? Which ones?