1930s, 1940s, Film Costume Recreations, Movies, Outfits, Skirts, Vintage Fashion

If I Attended Marshall College // Late 1930s

February 26, 2022February 26, 2022by Simply Megan Joy1 Comment

There is a certain girl in the beginning of “Raiders of the Lost Ark,” walking in the background for about three seconds. Her appearance is so quick, I couldn’t get a clear screenshot. She happens to be wearing an outfit a lot like this one!

The scene is set in Connecticut, where Dr. Jones is a professor at Marshall College in 1936. I’ve always loved those few short scenes of the campus. Watching it seems to bring back memories I’ve never really had or experienced. It’s funny how that works, sometimes.

When I’d heard that “Raiders” was showing at a local theater, I knew I wanted to wear this specific outfit. It was going to be in 4DX, you know, where the seats move to the action and water sprays in your face (the submarine scene got a little out of hand). There was a button to control the water for your individual seat, which I quickly turned off. But with every other seat around you going off, getting sprinkled with cold water is mostly unavoidable. The wind of the desert, the wood smoke smell from the burning fires, and the effect of air whizzing past your head for narrowly missing bullets makes you really feel like you’re part of the story. And there’s NOTHING like the feeling of a sudden piece of rotating plastic hitting your feet while watching snakes slither around Indy’s shoes. Definitely hated that. So must have the lady in front of me since she screamed so loud. I think I saw everyone in the theater scramble to lift up their feet in horror the first time it happened.

I think 4DX movies can be truly captivating and fun, if done right. Sometimes the seat just jostles you around so much, you focus more on that than what’s happening on the screen. For me, it’s like riding a really hectic wooden rollercoaster. When it’s just tossing me everywhere, I get really mad, furious actually, that I’m being pushed around and can’t fight back. How are you supposed to punch a rollercoaster in the face? It’s not fair if there’s no way to retaliate! Does not all of the world’s population feel as I do; aggravated by these monstrous bullies, disguised as amusement in the form of massive constructions of lumber in which humans are fastened onto and tossed around at seventy miles per hour, compelling grown men to scream for their lives? No, just me, ok.

Saddle shoes and poodle socks: the most comfortable fashion duo ever to grace history. Very suitable for walking, dancing, and all-around adventuring.

Here’s a late 1930s photo of some stylish students from Lawrence College of Kansas. A short-sleeved sweater, plaid skirt, saddle shoes, and poodle socks all make an appearance. (Photo curtesy)

Both the sweater and cameo necklace once belonged to my grandmother. The sweater, I’ve heard, she had since high school, and I’m so happy I get to wear it. It makes it easy to remember her. Everyone who knew both of us knew how much we looked alike. I’m just so thankful that I can remember her by wearing the clothes she left for my sisters and me. I never truly got to say goodbye, but I know I’ll see her again soon. And until then, I’ll don her fashionable attire with an abundance of joy, and then hand it all down to the next generation. You definitely had great taste in fashion, Grandmom!

Heaven is a wonderful place and I’m glad that I can live there for eternity one day. And while yes, death is heartbreaking and depressing to us here still on Earth, I quickly remember that there is no death in Heaven, only life, beautiful and blissful life, where we know no trials, no pain. . . And no tormenting rollercoasters that make me infuriated, which I am quite pleased about.

So yes, we can mourn in our own ways. It’s healthy to feel those feelings, not wrong. We cry them out and then think of the happy truths around us that encourage us to cheer up. I think so often today, people associate crying with weakness. But being sad is a way of showing our love for people. When Lazarus died, Jesus went to his grave and cried, right in front of everybody (John 11:35), even though He knew He would bring him back to life in a few minutes. Showing that sadness, having those feelings was an example of how much He loved His friend, and that is a beautiful thing. He lets us know that we can be sad for a while, and that it’s okay. Our love for someone else is just an example of how God loves us, which I think is pretty amazing.

And lastly, to finish up this fashion post:

A photo of me being locked inside the mall bookstore because I wouldn’t leave. . .

(No, I was actually helping my sister close up shop for the night. P.S. reminder note to my sister, do not, I repeat, do not use that shady back elevator to take out the trash, alone. It was creepy enough when both of us went together.)

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Skirt // thrifted

Sweater and necklace // my grandmom’s

Belt // thrifted

Shoes // payless

Poodle socks // irish dance store

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Which Indiana Jones film is your favorite, Raiders of the Lost Ark, Temple of Doom, or The Last Crusade? (The fourth film doesn’t count in my book.)

Is there some item handed down to you that reminds you of a loved one?

Have you ever gotten mad at a rollercoaster?

1930s, 1940s, 1970s, Dresses, Film Costume Recreations, Movies, Summer, Vintage Fashion

A Day at the Museum // And Other Adventures

October 13, 2021December 29, 2021by Simply Megan Joy3 Comments

Well, well, well. I’ve again returned from the tight clutches of reality to my special little place on the internet, and with good reason. (Yes, I am celebrating my blog’s fifth anniversary this week, but that is not the reason for my posting.) I’ve happened to experience a day of glorious adventures, and not far from home. I do believe that I went overboard with editing these photos. Some I edited to make them look vintage, others are overedited because of poor indoor lighting. I only ask you to overlook the ones less than desirable, as they show their quality. *insert Faramir meme here*

There was a special exhibit at one of my favorite museums, one that my sister and I immediately planned to see as soon as the museum announced its arrival. I knew I had to dress vintage for the trip.

There was no particular decade to this outfit, it was a more of a mish-mash. . . pardon me, a “collection” of different decades. The dress was given to me by a friend (thanks Miss Sue) and I altered it a bit to make it appear more vintage. I’d like to think that it could fit into either the 30s, or 40s. However, some of these photos remind me of ones from the 1970s. Let’s just say, I was a time traveler that day.

You may be wondering about this special exhibit, the one I was so excited to visit. Well, first take a guess. . . hint: It rhythms with Hatharine Kepburn. I’ll give you a moment to think real hard on this one.

Did you get it? Of course, you did. Katharine Hepburn is one of my favorite actresses (pictured here with Cary Grant from the 1938 film Bringing Up Baby, which also happens to be one of my favorite movies).

I was lucky enough to be in the presence of many of Katharine Hepburn’s film costumes spanning over her entire career. Two large rooms were filled with gowns, suits, shoes, accessories, and personal items that once belonged to her. I could have spent hours in front of each display, it was captivating to be so close to history, and old Hollywood. Pictured below are just some of the many costumes in the exhibit.

Here’s her famous black gown from Adam’s Rib (1949).

Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner (1967).

The Philadelphia Story (1940), Stage Door (1937), The Little Minister (1934), and then Me (2021).

The Lion in Winter (1968), and Long Day’s Journey Into Night (1962).

Mrs. Delafield Wants to Marry (1986).

Her personal everyday shoes.

The Lake (1933) Broadway Play.

These three above are from a TV show, The Corn is Green, from 1979. A lot of the costumes were from productions I’d never seen before, like this one. My list of movies and shows to watch had doubled after leaving the museum.

Oh, yeah, there was also a Lego exhibit. . .

After the museum, my sister and I had some adventures around town.

This was right around the time when a motorcycle gang showed up. They also decided to blow out two sports car engines (sounded like literal canon fire) for five minutes straight. It was strange, hence my expression and awkward stance above. The gang also asked if I had any hand sanitizer they could use, and yes, I gave them some out of my car. They now ride around town with jackets embroidered, “The Germ-Free Angels.” No they don’t, I made up that last part.

All in all, it was a wonderful day of adventures. I hope you can set aside a day to have one just as good this week. Always have a friend with you, never forget to buy some chocolate milk on the way, and always give a motorcycle gang some hand sanitizer upon request.

Dress // gifted

Shoes // thrifted

Clutch purse // thrifted

Hairclip // gifted

1940s, Autumn, Inspirational, Skirts, Sunday Bests, Vintage Fashion

Sunday Bests // Red Tie in the Morning

November 5, 2017December 29, 2021by Simply Megan Joy18 Comments

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When I first put this outfit together, it was missing something, and it wasn’t until I walked past my brother’s tie collection that a bell chimed in my head. A tie! That’s what this jacket needs. I threw a red one around my neck, changed my shoes and purse to match, and ran out the door for church. At a reception afterward, a dear older man said that my outfit reminded him of a retro airline stewardess. I thought that was such a nice thing to say.

This “stewardess” outfit consists of mostly things that aren’t mine. The tie is my brother’s, the shoes are my sisters, and the skirt was sewn by my mom over 30 years ago. So now you know: I’m a clothes thief. However, the blouse and jacket are mine; they were gifts found at a thrift store. So I guess this outfit is even more special considering it didn’t cost me a cent.

To go along with my post title, I’ve decided to include the old saying:

“Red sky at night,

Sailor’s delight.

Red sky in morning,

Sailor’s warning.”

It seems like I’ve known this little saying forever. Looking up at a blazing sky was a sign that tomorrow would be a beautiful day. What I didn’t know all those years, was that this little saying comes from the Bible! In the first book of the New Testament, Jesus was talking with the Pharisees and the Sadducees (leaders of the Jewish church). In Matthew 16:2-3 it says, “He answered and said unto them, when it is evening, ye say, it will be fair weather: for the sky is red. And in the morning, it will be foul weather today: for the sky is red and lowering. O ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky; but can ye not discern the signs of the times?” KJV

In my own words, Jesus basically said, “You can know what the weather is going to be like tomorrow by looking at the sky, but you can’t figure out what is going to happen in the future by looking at the past?”

Over 2,000 years ago, Jesus said this, and it is still entirely true in today’s modern world of complex technology. Weather forecasters have all these instruments and devices to predict the weather, which they broadcast all across the country. If we are so proficient in the weather in that we can know the exact percentage of tomorrow’s precipitation, why is not everyone capable of looking at past history and learning from it? We can detect, or as Jesus says, discern, the future by looking at the past. History is forever repeating itself, so why not use our own brains to research it and use our knowledge to better the future? We each hold the brainpower to learn and to discern. I, personally, love history, though I know a few who don’t. But history is not just all about dates and names. It’s about stories, great meaning, and the lives of our very own ancestors!

Let’s not forget how smart we can be,

when we learn from our history.

Ok, I’m done my rant now. Until next time, my faithful readers, carry on!

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skirt // made by my mom

jacket // thrifted

blouse // thrifted

tie // my brother’s

shoes // payless (my sister’s)

purse // thrifted

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Do you like the little red sky saying?
Did you know that it is from the Bible?
What do you think about learning from history?
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Megan Joy

1940s, Dresses, Vintage Fashion

1940s Red Floral Frock

September 28, 2017December 29, 2021by Simply Megan Joy22 Comments

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I love how this dress is so World War II inspired. It feels as though it could be right out of an old 40s movie. It’s truly a gem in my vintage wardrobe.

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I found this brooch at a flea market one day and decided to pair it with this dress since the roses seemed to match it perfectly. It is a replacement of an original pin I have worn with this dress, since the old one is no longer with me. We, the old pin and I, parted sadly one stormy day while I was attending a car show. There were cars ranging from the 1910s to the 1980s, all of them Buicks, driven there from all over the country and Canada. It was a lovely day as I donned this red dress and my little rose pin, until a crack of thunder had us running into the nearest building to hide from the rain until it passed. The downpour stopped briefly as we ran to our car and headed home. It was then that I realized the absence of my little pin. We turned back, threw on ponchos, and searched the entire muddy show grounds; me in my bare feet not wanting to ruin my shoes. I watched as the paths were transformed into rivers, carrying leaves and things down the way and into the storm grates below. I, still to this day, wonder where my tiny rose pin ended up. It would be nice to think that someone has found my little treasure and is taking good care of it, better than I had.

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dress // thrifted

shoes // thrifted

purse // thrifted

brooch // thrifted

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Do you like 1940s fashion?

Have you ever lost a special piece of jewelry?

Do you ever imagine what could have become of it?

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Megan Joy

1940s, Dresses, Holiday, Vintage Fashion

Stars and Stripes Forever

July 4, 2017December 29, 2021by Simply Megan Joy15 Comments

Happy belated Independence Day, America! Today I donned one of my patriotic outfits with a little bit of 1940s flare here and there.

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This the first time I’ve successfully worn my hair in a faux bob. It’s more of a lob because it fell before I even stepped out the door, but now, after looking at the photos, I think I have figured out a better way to do it. Hopefully, you’ll see a better version of it in some upcoming posts.

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dress // j.c. penney

sweater // thrifted

shoes // payless (my sister’s)

belt // thrifted

hat // boscovs

hair clips // icing

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Have you ever tried a faux bob?

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Megan Joy

1940s, Sewing, Skirts, Sunday Bests, Vintage Fashion

Sunday Bests // Red, White, Blue, and Red

January 29, 2017December 28, 2021by Simply Megan Joy6 Comments

Hello friends! It’s the dawn of a fresh new week and time for Sunday Bests.

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This outfit turned out to be too much fun to wear. It’s the first time I’ve worn it because I just finished sewing it the night before! Yes, you heard me, I finally completed a sewing project! I say it like this because I’ve been known to start multiple sewing projects and then set them aside to finish later, which almost never happens. But this time I did it and am happy with the way it turned out.

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The blue denim fabric was once my Great Aunt’s. When it was given to me, I knew exactly what I wanted to make – this skirt. The entire outfit was comprised of a red hat, white sweater, blue skirt, and red shoes (hence the post title).

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I used a vintage skirt pattern, added the two straps, and made them cross in the back, reminding me of a 1940s school uniform.

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Here are my newest shoes. They’re almost identical to my blue ones!

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I ran into many problems making this skirt. I messed up the cutting three times, miscalculated the amount of fabric I had and ran out, and had to resew many pieces for the lack of noticing that the bobbin had run out of thread. But now that it’s finished and wearable, I can’t help but to be proud of it. Sewing is remarkable to me. To hold a piece of fabric and then create an article of clothing to wear is quite satisfying; almost like after finishing a painting to display on the wall, performing a hard dance step, or reaching a high vocal note in a choir. I’ve noticed that the satisfaction of accomplishing our personal goals can let us forget the hardships we confronted on our way up to victory.

The many mistakes I made in the process of sewing this skirt were indeed my own fault, but I’m not sorry I continued to sew and eventually finish the skirt. I shouldn’t dwell on the mistakes I’ve made, nor be forever ashamed of them. This applies to more than just sewing. We can relate it to our lives.

Dwelling on the mistakes we’ve made in the past is a sure way to dampen our daily attitude and make us feel shameful, but there is something that can free us of feeling this way. Isaiah 43:18 says “Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old.” KJV. This verse tells us to stop worrying about the past and to forget about our mistakes. Now this doesn’t mean that we shouldn’t learn from our mistakes nor acknowledge them. It does mean that we should stop worrying about the things past us and look to the future. We need to remember the victories and goals that God has helped us accomplish throughout our lives.

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Just like I made mistakes while sewing this skirt, I make mistakes in life. We must all choose to first learn from our mistakes, and then let them go. God is a forgiving God, and His Word tells us to be relieved of our burdens of guilt from the past. We can feel free and new. 2^nd Corinthians 5:17 says “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” KJV

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Skirt // sewn by me

Sweater // thrifted

Shoes // Old Navy (clearance)

Hat // thrifted

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“Do you like sewing things to wear, too?”

“Is there a mistake from the past that is worrying you?”

“What helps you to forget the past?”

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Megan Joy

1940s, Dresses, Sunday Bests, Vintage Fashion

Sunday Bests // The Rust Colored Garment

November 14, 2016December 27, 2021by Simply Megan Joy3 Comments

Hello everyone! It’s time for Sunday Bests again! I have been waiting to wear this dress ever since I found it in the Summer. I bought it at a flea market for a few dollars and fell in love. The shape reminded me of a dress worn by Katharine Hepburn in the 1938 movie “Bringing Up Baby” (one of my favorite movies)!

It was hand-sewn by someone many decades ago and has a zipper down the front, a sort of turtle-neck collar, a belt, and an odd extra bit of fabric which I think is to be worn as a tie? I left that part out, realizing it was never going to look right, anyway,

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These earrings once belonged to my Great Aunt Annie and I just love wearing them. They’re little white roses carved out of wood, and they are probably many years older than the dress!

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Here I am, staring into the sunset, which I wouldn’t recommend.

So, this is a very oddly designed dress, and scratchy, and I can’t lift my arms above my head in it, but I still love it. It makes me feel like such a vintage soul.

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Dress: thrifted, flea market

Hat: Kohl’s

Shoes: Payless

Earrings: once my Great Aunt’s

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Did you ever find an odd piece of clothing at a flea market?

Have you ever seen the 1938 movie “Bringing Up Baby”?

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