20s Revival in the 50s?

[BinkieBaumont]

Raccoon coats are considered, along with flappers, the Charleston dance, and the Model T Ford, to be a symbol of the short-lived fads of the 1920s. The coats were heavy and bulky, and by the end of the decade they had been replaced by lighter weight camel's hair coats. The raccoon coat did have a brief revival during the late 1950s, when fashionable women once again sought vintage, or antique, 1920s coats.

 

[skyvue]

Lizzie, "that guy" is Ian Whitcomb. In the '80s and '90s, he had an L.A. radio show that played (mostly British, all authentic) 1920s music.

I'm sure many Loungers are already aware of Rich Conaty, who's been doing a similar kind of show (1920s and '30s music) called the Big Broadcast on NYC's WFUV-FM for 35 years or so.

But for those who might not be, check him out via the station's stream. The previous two weeks' shows are always available here:

http://wfuv.streamguys.us/cgi-bin/colinker.cgi?colink=100818450540758

 

[Sefton]

Let's not forget Tiny Tim (although some of you may be trying to). His bizzare appearance and long hair would probably keep him from being considered as any kind of "authentic" 1920s revivalist, but Tiny Tim had a real passion for the music.
He was also nearly obsessive about proper manners and was said to have bathed numerous times a day which certainly would make him an odd duck in the counter culture of the 1960s where he had his greatest success as an artist. He was signed to Frank Sinatra's record label Reprise where he released his debut. I've never heard what Frank thought of Tiny Tim! The album sold well, so I'm sure he didn't mind too much...

Tiny Tim (real name Herbert Butros Khaury ) had another quality that was something of a throw-back to the 20s: A conviction that "the show must go on". Shortly after suffering a heart attack while onstage performing he began to tour again and had another heart attack, this time fatal. He died that night. The last song was his famous cover of "Tip Toe Through The Tulips".

 

[cherry lips]

What an interesting thread! Tiny Tim has awaken my curiousity...
Don't forget Tea for Two, the 1950 movie with Doris Day.

 

[HadleyH]

Was there a popular interest in the 1920s during the 1950s?

Yes there was, but to be fair, "popular culture has always liked nostalgia", particulary the 1920s

1940s,1950s, 1960s, 1970s, 1980s 1990s, even 2000s, all of these decades have had a fair share of 1920s revivals in music films, fashion,etc...

 

[dhermann1]

I'm sure many Loungers are already aware of Rich Conaty, who's been doing a similar kind of show (1920s and '30s music) called the Big Broadcast on NYC's WFUV-FM for 35 years or so.

But for those who might not be, check him out via the station's stream. The previous two weeks' shows are always available here:

http://wfuv.streamguys.us/cgi-bin/colinker.cgi?colink=100818450540758

I second that emotion. You can also get the stream at www.wfuv.org
Rich Conaty is my idol.

 

[bobalooba]

I think a lot of the nostalgia is helped along by television too.

the 70's had happy days, generating renewed interest in the fifties, the 90's had that 70's show, renewing interest in, surprisingly, the 70's. There are others but these are the ones that are still remembered.

 

[MisterGrey]

Right now we're on the tail-end of the 1970s fad, and appear to be entering into a 1980s fad; which, by proxy, means that we'll be seeing a 1950s influence, as the fashion of the 1980s was an exaggeration upon/done in tribute to the fashion of the 50s. Look for the return of non-neutral colored sports coats in acceptable evening wear for gentleman of all ethnicities and more modest yet form-accentuating outfits for the ladies.

 

[bobalooba]

there was also an argyle craze earlier this year starting in July, it's sorta died down now but I was happy.
Plus now there are sales

I only say this because I always associate argyle with the 1950's, how accuarate that is I have no idea but I often throw on my saddles, argyle socks, peg my jeans and a sweater.
'

 

[vitanola]

Raccoon coats are considered, along with flappers, the Charleston dance, and the Model T Ford, to be a symbol of the short-lived fads of the 1920s. The coats were heavy and bulky, and by the end of the decade they had been replaced by lighter weight camel's hair coats. The raccoon coat did have a brief revival during the late 1950s, when fashionable women once again sought vintage, or antique, 1920s coats.

Actually there was a big push for the purchase of old raccoon coats in the mid-1950s' by American furriers, s there was a sudden demand for raccoon fur caps, owing to the Davey Crockett mainia. I had an uncle in the trade, and he reported cutting up hundreds of 1920's vintage raccoon coats to mke these caps.

 

[Marc Chevalier]

Right now we're on the tail-end of the 1970s fad ...

Gosh, I hope so. This '70s fad has been with us continually since the mid '90s. It has lasted five years longer than the '70s themselves.

.

 

[$ally]

Off topic a bit, but there was also a 30s revival in the 70s with movie themes and fashions (done in disco fabric). Also a 50s revival, but that pops up every few years and is past golden

 

[BinkieBaumont]

Sally you are so right!

Ken Rusells 1971 Movie "The Boyfriend"

Biba Dept store in South Kensington, 1973 ( former Derry and Toms) now Marks N Sparks?

 

[Chas]

There was a strong interest in the 1920's & 30's in the 60's, as well. You see a lot of art deco-era fonts used in advertising and other print media, and, according to my (ex) mother in law, a lot of young women used to buy up 1920's and 30's dresses and wack the hems short (horrifying, I know!) to make them fit to their era.

The Busby Berkeley musicals were replayed routinely as "the late movie" on many North American networks and were a direct inspiration to a number of boomer generation film makers (i.e. John Waters).

 

[Mojito]

Speaking of raccoon coats - here's one I bought recently.

A bit post-20s, I think (30s?).

And yes - it is very heavy and very warm.

 

[BinkieBaumont]

What Ho Miss M

What beautiful pelts ! is it full length or a jacket? lovely colours, if anyone asked me to describe the colour of your coat I would have to say "Its like chocolate dipped in Honey"

 

[Mojito]

Well thank you, Binkie! It is a full length coat - and I like your description of the warm colours. I can see why they were so popular among college kids in the 20s - very warm and a certain coarse durability.

 

[Paisley]

I'm reading a book called Rome 1960 about the 1960 Olympics. At the opening ceremony, the American wore boaters.

 

[Tiller]

Speaking of raccoon coats - here's one I bought recently.

A bit post-20s, I think (30s?).

And yes - it is very heavy and very warm.

Amazing Mojito it looks great on you :eusa_clap. I always wondered what one would look like on a guy, and what hat would be appropriate. I think in the 20's it had a connection with twenty-something gentlemen in colleges, as far as men go?

 

[BinkieBaumont]

Chaps in Fur

"You wouldn't want to take a tumble from the Manly ferry after a night out "On The Razzle"