Category: 1940s

Flat Tops and the Fate of the Free World

Hornet57026

Mercy, I could take this post in any direction with this hodgepodge group of adolescents. Instead, I want to use this forum as an opportunity to discuss industrial sites and illegal waste dumping and just get a dialogue going. No, not really. I want to talk about hair. Particular the boy in the Florence Henderson top middle spot there. That is fuh-lat. A flat top, to be precise–not to be confused with a hi-top fade.

http://mucing.blogspot.com/
http://mucing.blogspot.com/

This little guy’s would-be bangs are like little frosted gravity-defying daggers. No wonder he has such swagger. He knows he’s got game.

57Hornet009

Men from Simon Cowell to Dolph Lundgren would later sport flat top hairstyles, but not to this extent. This stiff cut brings to mind a bed of nails.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/

In this group, there is an obvious loser (I’m talking to you, Gay), and it’s not because she doesn’t have a flat top. John’s smiles betrays the truth and the shame of locks gone flaccid. But Larry is the boy with the flat top, and consequently–the bright future.

57Hornet-005But Larry’s look doesn’t just happen; a cut this tight demands vigilance, constant maintenance, even weekly visits to Floyd’s Barber Shop. Otherwise, he, too, could become like John. And those are their real names.

Ever heard of the Hindenburg? The airship that caught fire? “Oh, the humanity?” Anyway, it was named after Paul von Hindenburg, the German president who was considered the only candidate who could defeat Hitler in 1932, due in part to the power of his flat top.

www.history.com
http://www.history.com

Hindenburg was in fact re-elected but eventually appointed Hitler Chancellor the following year, at which point, the Nazi Party began its rise to power. If his flat top had been maintained, WWII would never have happened.

And that, my friends, is one to grown on.

Ties That Bind

49PhiDeltaThetas

If these 1949 college boys could be casual and dapper sitting on a gymnasium floor, what excuse has modern man not to look dashing in a tie of his own?

49Cactus015These fellows may have been only nineteen years old, but they knew how to make the most of formal neckwear.

By contrast, our commander-in-chief, who you’d think would least have enough style to match wits with Michelle’s interesting sleeveless dress explosions, chose these duds:

http://www.neckofstate.com/
http://www.neckofstate.com/

Wow! Way to get us excited about politics! These are patriotic but BOR-ing, Barry. Even this stodgy old white guy had a superior tie collection. You probably don’t recognize him since you’ve taken down the portraits of prior presidents, but this one actually ended WWII.

Harry-S.-Truman-wearing-the-purple-custom-tie-531x600

Here’s some detail on Harry S. (You Dropped A Bomb On Them) Truman’s tie:

http://www.gentlemansgazette.com/
http://www.gentlemansgazette.com/

Whatever your political affiliation, you can recognize that we are most certainly NOT in the heyday of neckties. However, bow ties are enjoying a trendy little trip up the popularity scale…

http://www.boston.com/
http://www.boston.com/

I know they’re not mandatory at work or church anymore, and I realize ties may be constricting. But guess what? So are stilettos and thongs. So is this bra I’m wearing, crushing my ribs and leaving indents in my shoulders. So are nylons with the seams, but those do something for you, don’t they, fellas?

seams

Back in the 1940s, if ladies couldn’t afford or find nylons, they’d resort to having their legs painted. Just to aesthetically please the boys.

http://glamourdaze.com/
http://glamourdaze.com/

So tie one on, okay? You can’t lose with a nice vintage tie. Skip the wide ones of the 70s and ultraskinny ones of the 80s. The 40s offered the most color and creativity.

http://swungover.wordpress.com/2011/10/27/the-art-of-vintage-manliness-ties/
http://swungover.wordpress.com/2011/10/27/the-art-of-vintage-manliness-ties/

Even in black and white, these ties show pizzazz.

49Cactus018

I bet choosing that lackluster tie wasn’t that drinker’s only poor choice that night. Look how drab it appears next to his buddy’s poppin’ square print.

49Cactus021

I don’t have a clue what print that is spilling across his chest (a peacock tornado? an eyebrow?), but I know it’s pimp. And so did she.

49Cactus022Feast on these delights. Surely one of them reflects your personality.

http://www.deceptology.com/
http://www.deceptology.com/
http://www.bulkvintage.com/

http://www.bulkvintage.com/

http://www.thefedoralounge.com/http://www.thefedoralounge.com/

www.flickr.com
http://www.flickr.com

And how about these for the ethnocentric Irishman?

http://www.flickr.com/photos/hamannfoto/5534161359/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/hamannfoto/5534161359/

This set sold for less than $23 on ebay:

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If Ryan Gosling can try it, shouldn’t everyone?

gosling

Bienvenido A Miami, Part Tres

Miami016

First off, let’s give thanks to the hardworking yearbook photographers, who not only captured this great winter wonderland, but would have had to do serious bicep work to carry those old school cameras.

Remember that this was an era before Liquid Paper. Imagine all the retyping that had to be done.

workgettingdidThe editor proofs some copy, smoking what appears to be a redskin headdress feather, but may well be a blurry pipe.

Miami018And check out the fly neckties on these fellows.

staffCheers to the yearbook staff of the 1949 Recensio–may you all have your own blogs on WordPress, if you are still alive.

Bienvenido A Miami, Part Dos

H.S. Thobe psyching the crowd up.
H.S. Thobe psyching the crowd up.

Part of the university experience is college ball, and Miami University is no different. Here comes the marching band, flanked by costumed Redskins.

Miami011And just watch how excited the crowds look this Saturday morning! How about that Christmas sweater smack dab in the middle?

Miami010How could they possibly lose with these guys on their team?

Miami012Let’s don’t forget about the ladies, getting their lacrosse on.

Miami013But some prefer to stay indoors and bowl in the air conditioned bowl-o-rama.

Miami014And certainly don’t mess with the gals on the archery team. They’ll shoot your eye out.

Miami015

Bienvenido A Miami, Part Uno

When you think of Miami, you probably think of Miami, Florida. I do. Or the Will Smith song that speaks of the coastal city. You probably don’t think of Miami University in Ohio, of all places, where this picture was taken in 1949. Here is a portrait of dorm life–before cell phones, before TV, before rock ‘n’ roll–where women could look attractive in penny loafers and saddle oxfords instead of 5″ stiletto stripper heels.

Miami001I’d never even heard of Miami University, the 10th oldest public university in the United States. The university, which offered classes in 1824, existed long before Miami, Florida was incorporated as a city in 1896. And that’s one to grow on!

It means you just learned something.
It means you just learned something.

These fellas seem to be enjoying campus life as well. They didn’t need no stinkin’ Blu-Ray or mobile apps to be content.  Just a book and a lamp and some swanky robes. Miami002

At the time, the mascot was the Miami Redskins, but a politically correct climate necessitated a change to the Miami Redhawks. Lame.

redhawks

Back then, it was also cool to smoke, especially while sunbathing–or turning your skin red. Yes, I said it.

smokingNowadays, it’s inadvisable to start a family while in college. And who could afford it under this administration anyway? But in the post-war years, students were often married and raising families. And evidently living in ramshackle cabooses with picket fences built by unskilled laborers.

Miami004This next gathering is a group of gals in the “Outing Group.” It’s not what you think; they went on picnics and hikes together over frostbitten leaves. And apparently, they were keen on swastikas as well.

Miami005Perhaps after a long day of hiking and antisemitic rallies, the girls would hit the town. ( To be fair, swastikas meant “it is good” for years before the Nazi party used it. Let’s take it back, people!). Downtown Oxford, Ohio offered up restaurants as well as a movie theater.

Recensio49005The Miami-Western Theatre (oooh, the British spelling!) prided itself on being the only diversion in a “rather dull town.”

Miami007No worries if you spilled soda pop or melted Junior Mints on your glad rags at the cinema; you could just take them on down to Redskin Cleaners.

Miami008

They’ll clean your dirty cords.

Stay tuned for Part Dos!