Historical Dress

You know, sometimes I feel almost handicapped by my years of research, reading, and catalog browsing into the popular fashions of the swing era (generally, 20s through early 50s). Take, for example, the January Jive Junction.

Some people decided to make it a 1950s prom theme. Most people will go "oh, fun!" and pull out a poodle skirt or some other 50s looking attire and head out for the evening.

But here I am, agonizing over the decision. I have 50s attire, certianly. A few business suits, some pencil skirts, a blouse or two, about 4 house dresses, and two formal dresses. But the formal dresses are older formal - not age-appropriate for a "prom" theme. The pencil skirts are comfortable, but certainly not dressy enough for a prom type event. The suits, definitely not. I also have a few circle skirts, but I dislike dancing in such full, heavy skirts.

I could dip into my vintage pattern collection and make something appropriate for the theme, but that leaves the biggest mental hurdle. I do not feel as though vintage attire is a "costume." They are just clothes that I wear. I used to dress vintage all the time - to work, for errands, etc. - before I became a mother. The vintage wardrobe is just that - my wardrobe. And so I have a difficult time wearing something "prom-like" when I am, well, out of the prom season of my life. It's not age-appropriate, and so it becomes a costume.

oh, what to do?

See - knowledge is not always good thing!