The Golden Era's ugliest clothes

Lady Day · Nov 4, 2009

Okay

Just what the title says. You can list hats and shoes and what ever. Now I know there is *tons* of 50s stuff that is just beyond the word ugly, so lets aim for 20-40s.

Ill start. I think these two are just terrible.

Please add often!

LD

Vanessa · Nov 4, 2009

The sleeves on the left one are amazing. Sorry, I think it's hot.

Miss Neecerie · Nov 4, 2009

Same here....and I have two very very similar dresses and they look wonderful on.

zendy · Nov 4, 2009

Glad I'm not alone. I always wonder about my taste in things.

ThesFlishThngs · Nov 4, 2009

Every time I watch Project Runway, I wonder about my taste in things.

The ruched-sleeve dress probably looks a bit less harsh in real life; I could probably like it, if I was more into that era.
The boxy thing with flowers, however, looks like something from Cake Wrecks done in fabric.

eta: I'll tell you what's wrong with the first dress - a woman's shoulders just shouldn't be broader than her hips! Proportion, baby, that's what it's all about.

Lady Day · Nov 4, 2009

Well I dont

I think its hideous.

So post something you dont think is hot.

LD

Hestia · Nov 4, 2009

Great thread idea!

I actually love seeing hideously ugly vintage things. Otherwise, if I only look at the good stuff, I fall into our favorite fallacy, thinking that everybody actually did have better taste back then! Not necessarily. Tackiness is just as timeless as glamour! Bring 'em on!

ETA: I better contribute, eh? I contribute a hairstyle/hat combination captioned (I kid you not) "Pen Wiper". The waves in the back view just look like they are crawling over her head, and the hat? Is this the hat version of the exploding cigar?

Lauren · Nov 4, 2009

I actually like the blue dress a lot.

Of course I can't find a picture of the dress I'm thinking of, but there's this awful dress Ginger Rogers wears in Roberta with a ridiculous hat, HUGE ruffled collar and hem, and polka dots. Maybe someone knows the dress I'm thinking of and has a picture? It's the only thing she ever wore in the Fred and Ginger films that I've disliked.

*edit* found it!

Audrey Horne · Nov 4, 2009

This is such a fun idea for a thread. Most of the things I think are ugly are also sort of awesome:
http://www.life.com/image/50615524

This one is Dior:
http://www.life.com/image/50773191

Why leather?
http://www.life.com/image/50665650

cecil · Nov 4, 2009

Audrey Horne said:
This is such a fun idea for a thread. Most of the things I think are ugly are also sort of awesome:
http://www.life.com/image/50615524

This one is Dior:
http://www.life.com/image/50773191

Why leather?
http://www.life.com/image/50665650

My car is filthy at the moment. Think I'm going to drive through that wedding party.

Great thread idea!

Hestia · Nov 4, 2009

Audrey Horne said:
This is such a fun idea for a thread. Most of the things I think are ugly are also sort of awesome:
http://www.life.com/image/50615524

This one is Dior:
http://www.life.com/image/50773191

Love that the caption on the first one says that the bridesmaids are trying to "fix" her dress... too late!

The Dior definitely rides the awesome/tacky line. It's beautiful, but yes... a little low cut. Just a little.

Lady Day · Nov 4, 2009

cecil said:
My car is filthy at the moment. Think I'm going to drive through that wedding party.

Great thread idea!

Best line ever! :eusa_clap

LD

cecil · Nov 4, 2009

Lady Day said:
Best line ever! :eusa_clap

LD

What? 1945.

Oh Lucille. Honey, that hat, no.

The circus is in town!

exquisitebones · Nov 4, 2009

HAHA this thread is wonderful!

Lady Day · Nov 4, 2009

cecil said:
The circus is in town!

This made my night. Wow.....wow.
She could fit her entire hand through those button holes.

LD

cecil · Nov 4, 2009

It's amazing. I don't know how she managed to wear it and pose seriously. I'd have to be all JAZZ HANDS!/SPIRIT FINGERS!
I like it though because I can imagine a bunch of ladies cackling like hyenas over the latest "haute coo-toore from Pareeee" in much the same way that people do now. "Who wears this, and where are they?" etc.

Lauren · Nov 4, 2009

Aww... I like those last two. But then again, I have an affinity for the obnoxious.

Paisley · Nov 4, 2009

I know this is an ugly dress thread, but...

...top this:

From the movie "Shanghai Gesture," 1941.

cecil · Nov 4, 2009

Lauren said:
Aww... I like those last two. But then again, I have an affinity for the obnoxious.

Oh, if I was around at the time I'd probably be all over them. My favourite designer is Elsa Schiaparelli, queen of redunkulous.

Speaking of which, how can we forget the almighty shoe hat? I'd wear it in a heartbeat, but that doesn't mean that it's not nuts.

I think this is fantastic. It's still ugly.

cupcake · Nov 4, 2009

I LOVE that last dress, cecil. I'd wear it to death!

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The Golden Era's ugliest clothes